Albania to open path for production of naval vessels and military drones, defence minister says
TIRANA, April 10 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania plans to develop domestic production of naval vessels and military drones. He spoke after a government meeting where the cabinet approved several defence-related decisions. The announcement marks a shift toward expanding the country’s military industry with foreign cooperation. In this …
Government to monitor price rises and to subsidise vulnerable groups
TIRANA, April 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government is closely monitoring price movements and will step in to support vulnerable groups. She spoke after a cabinet meeting on Friday, where she presented recent decisions and assessed market developments. She said authorities are tracking prices in …
Yzeiraj: Tax systems ready to connect to European network
Albania is preparing its tax declaration and registration systems. The goal is to link them with European systems. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj spoke to the media. He said the aim is for Albania to join the European tax registry. He explained, “Digital systems used by the General Tax Directorate …
Lt. Gen. Kingji hosts Italian counterpart; Albania a reliable partner in international operations
TIRANA, April 10 – Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Arben Kingji held talks in Tirana with his Italian counterpart General Luciano Portolano. The visit focused on defence cooperation and NATO-related priorities. Both sides also reviewed regional security developments. Kingji presented recent developments within …
“Between Form and Spirit”: The Artistic Legacy of Painter Kristi Baba
Galeria FAB opened its doors last night for the exhibition “Between Form and Spirit”, honoring the work of the late artist Kristi Baba. Baba passed away in 2021 at the age of 30 due to COVID-19. He was known for his graphic cycles and mixed techniques, blending the human figure …
100 million euro “Gateway to the Alps” project in Shkodër aims to extend tourism season
TIRANA, April 10 – The government approved a major infrastructure project for Shkodër County, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Wednesday. He described the initiative, called “Gateway to the Alps”, as a key investment for regional development and tourism expansion. Karakaçi said the project carries a total value …
Cultural tourism rises in first three months of the year, Shkodër Castle leads visitor rankings
TIRANA, April 10 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports said cultural tourism recorded strong growth in the first three months of 2026. Minister Blendi Gonxhja published data showing increased visitor numbers across archaeological parks, museums, and heritage sites. The figures point to higher interest from both domestic and …
Local government reform should focus on service quality, not number of municipalities, minister says
TIRANA, April 10 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo said the territorial and administrative reform should prioritise service quality for citizens. He said the debate should not focus only on the number of municipalities. He spoke after a government meeting on Wednesday. Demo said the ministry works …
Pre-university education reform to focus on talents and extracurricular activities
TIRANA, April 10 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said the government has introduced new measures to strengthen extracurricular programmes in pre-university education. She said the reforms aim to extend learning beyond mandatory classroom hours and focus more on student development. She explained that the Ministry of Education has expanded after-school …
Ahmet Prençi’s Novel “The Minister” Gets Promoted
Kamzë Municipality hosted the promotion of Ahmet Prençi’s new novel, “The Minister”, at the “Angela Merkel” school. The event gathered Mayor Rakip Suli, the book’s publisher Elda Vela, writers Ben Blushi, Arben Çejku, and Ylljet Aliçka. Actors Ervin Bejleri and Ola Arizaj performed excerpts from the novel, engaging the audience. …
by Elez Biberaj Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – One year after Prime Minister Edi Rama swept to a fourth consecutive term, Albania finds itself in a profoundly different place than the triumphant narrative he projected. The government that claimed unrivaled authority now faces the most sustained civic uprising in …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, to discuss Albania’s progress and prospects on its path toward European Union membership. During the meeting, the two officials reviewed developments in Albania’s EU integration process. They also exchanged …
Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met in Vienna with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker during an official visit to Austria. Kurti thanked Austria for its long-standing support for Kosovo since the 1990s. He also highlighted Austria’s role in state-building efforts and its contribution through the NATO-led KFOR mission. Furthermore, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected claims that a planned Zvërnec project involves political backing from the White House or former U.S. President Donald Trump. He addressed journalists from EU member states at a press conference. He said public debate distorts the facts and focuses on family connections. Furthermore, he said …
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Tonin Harapi, recognizing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian national music. He was born on June 9, 1926, in Shkodër. He grew up in a rich musical environment. He learned …
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to a statement by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who claimed that over 100,000 Albanian citizens protested a tourism investment project in Zvërnec. Rama reacted on the social media platform “X.” He said no approved project, construction permit, or final development plan exists. Furthermore, he said …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania guarantees the right to protest and allows citizens to demonstrate freely. He spoke at a press conference with EU journalists at the Prime Minister’s Office. Furthermore, he addressed recent protests against the Zvërnec investment project. He said a violent incident involving a security …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met in Dublin with Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee. He said both sides reaffirmed excellent bilateral relations between Albania and Ireland. Furthermore, Hoxha said the two countries held constructive discussions on strengthening political dialogue. They also agreed to …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi held an official visit in Athens, where he met the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis. Furthermore, the visit took place as part of Albania’s parliamentary diplomacy tour with key strategic partners in Europe and the region. During the meeting, both sides praised the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the planned shipbuilding project in Pashaliman will create major employment opportunities and strengthen vocational education in Albania. He spoke at the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education. He said the project will initially create 400 jobs and later expand to 800. Furthermore, Rama highlighted an …