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PM Rama discusses reforms, public expectations and protected areas law

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said citizens’ expectations have increased as Albania has undergone major changes. He made the remarks during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group at the Palace of Brigades. Rama discussed the June protests, which he referred to …

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Constitutive session of Kosova parliament set for August 6

TIRANA, July 24 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu has decided that the constitutive session of the new parliament elected after the June elections will take place on August 6 at 10:00. Haxhiu said parliamentary parties have a political and institutional obligation to continue dialogue until then. She said …

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Forest fires reported in Voskopoja and Llogora

TIRANA, July 24 – Civil Emergency authorities of Korça Municipality reported the reactivation of a fire in the Voskopoja Administrative Unit. The flames have spread through a pine forest area. The fire poses a risk to the natural environment. Meanwhile, authorities reported another fire inside the Llogora forest. They suspect …

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Why Waiting Is Not Neutral: The Costs of Non-Enlargement

Debates about EU enlargement tend to focus on the risks of admitting countries before they are ready. In her recent paper, Marta Szpala broadens the debate by examining what prolonged delay means for both candidate countries and the European Union itself. Tirana Times spoke with Szpala about how prolonged uncertainty …

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Fake Social Media Accounts Target Albania Protest Supporters

Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed social media algorithms for fuelling the so-called Flamingo Revolution protests, but data obtained by BIRN shows that hundreds of fake accounts have been created to push the government’s own narrative and denigrate the protesters. Original post Here

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Za Fest Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Shkodra

The 10th edition of Za Fest begins today in Shkodra, bringing music, art, and culture to the city under the direction of festival founder and singer-songwriter Vlashent Sata. Organizers launched Za Fest in 2017 to promote Albanian culture through music, art, literature, and other creative forms. The festival first took …

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EU Urges Political Parties to Avoid Pressure on Kosovo Judicial Council

The European Union Office in Kosovo has urged all political parties to avoid pressuring the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and its members while they make decisions. The EU office said in a social media statement that Kosovo and the European Union rely on an independent, impartial, and apolitical judiciary to …

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Navigation suspended in Vlora and Saranda due to rough sea conditions

TIRANA, July 24 – Port authorities in Vlora and Saranda have suspended navigation for small vessels, tourist boats and fishing vessels due to worsening sea conditions along the Albanian coast. The Port Captaincies said the measure will remain in force until 06:00 on July 25, 2026. The General Maritime Directorate …

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Kumbaro: 5,478 Free Learning Packages Reach Albanian Children in Diaspora

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that authorities have successfully distributed 5,478 free learning packages to Albanian children in 18 diaspora countries. The packages include textbooks for all three levels of Albanian language and culture education. Kumbaro said the Center for Diaspora Publications and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs …

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RTSH to continue supporting Albanian sports achievements, says Director General Eni Vasili

TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian Ski Federation organized the gala event “Ski Excellence Night” to present the achievements of the 2025–2026 season, which it described as one of the most successful periods for Albanian winter sports. The event was broadcast by the Albanian Public Radio Television (RTSH). The season’s …

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

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EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

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Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

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International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

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OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

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Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

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Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

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Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …

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Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France

Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …

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Week in Review: Elections and Struggles

Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

News

EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

News

Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

News

International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

News

OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

News

Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

News

Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

News

Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …

News

Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France

Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …

News

Week in Review: Elections and Struggles

Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here