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Tirana hosts elite padel tournament, free entry at Skanderbeg Square from 26–30 May

TIRANA, May 25 – Tirana will become an international centre for elite padel sport. The city will host a major tournament from 26 to 30 May at Skanderbeg Square, with free entry for the public. Top international players will compete in the event. They will play for key ranking points …

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Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors, Gonxhja says

Gjirokastër Castle remains one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said today. He noted that the monument is enjoying another successful tourist season, with growing interest in cultural tourism in southern Albania. Gonxhja shared images from the site showing the castle …

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Over 5,000 farmers apply for national support scheme, minister says

TIRANA, May 25 – Farmers across the country can apply from today for the National Support Scheme 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the programme with 12 support measures. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Andis Salla said farmers now have full access to apply and benefit from …

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Ancient olive groves of Ndroq, Varosh Castle and warm hospitality near Tirana

Visitors travel to Ndroq and explore its ancient olive groves and rural trails. First, they follow walking paths through green hills and traditional village landscapes.Then, they pass through old orchards and stone terraces. As they move forward, they discover the olive groves of Ndroq. Locals cultivate these groves and maintain …

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France awards soprano Ermonela Jaho with Knight of Arts and Letters title

TIRANA, May 25 – France has awarded Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho the title “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of Arts and Letters). France grants the distinction to individuals with outstanding contributions to the arts. Jaho reacted online after receiving the award. She said the title represents a great …

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Shëngjin opens 2026 tourism season, Nufi says city is ready for more visitors

Shëngjin officially opened the summer tourism season last night with a series of activities. The event gathered residents of Lezhë and tourists from different countries. The opening ceremony, “Shëngjin 2026”, was attended by Minister of Defence Ermal Nufi, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla, and Lezhë Mayor Pjerin …

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Albania reports 11.7 percent revenue increase in January–April 2026

TIRANA, May 25 – The Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj said economic indicators for January–April 2026 show positive growth. He presented data on revenues and public expenditure for the four-month period. Total revenues reached about 275.7 billion ALL in January–April 2026. The figure equals 105.2 percent of the planned target. …

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Acrimony and Accusations Hold up Construction of Albanian Port

Albania wants to develop a new commercial port in Durres, but the public tender for its construction has fallen apart in acrimony and accusation. Original post Here

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Western Balkans Stability Monitor: Elections in the Air

The new edition of BIRN’s Western Balkans Stability Monitor looks at election fever in the region. Some countries are heading towards elections; in others, parties are using possible polls as a PR tool. Original post Here

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Rama shares views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park: One of Albania’s most beautiful natural treasures

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today new views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park. He described the area as one of Albania’s most valuable natural treasures and a destination with strong potential for sustainable tourism. In a social media post, Rama published images from the park. He highlighted the rare …

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Serbia and Albania move toward opening consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc, Đurić reveals details of meeting with Hoxha

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …

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Rama: First permit under the Mountains Package approved for a family from Theth

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …

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Serbian consulate in Shkodër: Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha responds

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …

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London-based magazine interviews Rama: Protests, Kushner and the ambition for a European Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …

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Draft of Socialist Party’s new territorial map unveiled, 15 municipalities to be merged

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …

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Socialist Party responds to plan to merge 15 municipalities

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s Socialist Party (SP) has responded to concerns over its proposed territorial reform, which includes the merger of 15 municipalities, stressing that the territorial consolidation will not result in the “elimination” of any municipality or city. According to the SP, the …

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Why do you still want to stay in power? Rama responds live to citizens: The mission continues until…

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Socialist Party leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed comments and calls from citizens demanding his resignation during a meeting with the party’s political leaders and the chairs of parliamentary committees. He said his mission would continue until the Albanian flag …

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Rama: I’m not stepping down, I want to take Albania into the EU! Without this mission, I would have already left as prime minister and Socialist Party leader

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-turn-id-container=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that he will not step down and will continue his political mission until Albania achieves membership in the European Union. He made the remarks during a meeting at the Palace of Brigades with the Socialist …

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Jola Hysa appointed head of Albania’s National Tourism Agency

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-turn-id-container=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-21″ data-turn=”user”> Former Democratic Party (PD) Secretary for Public Relations Jola Hysa has been appointed as the new Director General of Albania’s National Tourism Agency (AKT). *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-22″ data-turn=”assistant”> Hysa replaces Zana Çela in the position. She …

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Residents protest Socialist Party plan to merge Maliq municipality with Korçë

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-turn-id-container=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-turn=”user”> Residents of the Municipality of Maliq announced on Thursday that they will hold a protest against Albania’s proposed new territorial map, which would merge 15 municipalities. Under the Socialist Party’s proposal, Maliq would be merged with the Municipality of Korçë. *]:pointer-events-auto …

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Serbia and Albania move toward opening consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc, Đurić reveals details of meeting with Hoxha

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …

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Rama: First permit under the Mountains Package approved for a family from Theth

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …

News

Serbian consulate in Shkodër: Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha responds

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …

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London-based magazine interviews Rama: Protests, Kushner and the ambition for a European Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …

News

Draft of Socialist Party’s new territorial map unveiled, 15 municipalities to be merged

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …

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Socialist Party responds to plan to merge 15 municipalities

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s Socialist Party (SP) has responded to concerns over its proposed territorial reform, which includes the merger of 15 municipalities, stressing that the territorial consolidation will not result in the “elimination” of any municipality or city. According to the SP, the …

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Why do you still want to stay in power? Rama responds live to citizens: The mission continues until…

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Socialist Party leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed comments and calls from citizens demanding his resignation during a meeting with the party’s political leaders and the chairs of parliamentary committees. He said his mission would continue until the Albanian flag …

News

Rama: I’m not stepping down, I want to take Albania into the EU! Without this mission, I would have already left as prime minister and Socialist Party leader

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-turn-id-container=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that he will not step down and will continue his political mission until Albania achieves membership in the European Union. He made the remarks during a meeting at the Palace of Brigades with the Socialist …

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Jola Hysa appointed head of Albania’s National Tourism Agency

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-turn-id-container=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-21″ data-turn=”user”> Former Democratic Party (PD) Secretary for Public Relations Jola Hysa has been appointed as the new Director General of Albania’s National Tourism Agency (AKT). *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-22″ data-turn=”assistant”> Hysa replaces Zana Çela in the position. She …

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Residents protest Socialist Party plan to merge Maliq municipality with Korçë

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-turn-id-container=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-turn=”user”> Residents of the Municipality of Maliq announced on Thursday that they will hold a protest against Albania’s proposed new territorial map, which would merge 15 municipalities. Under the Socialist Party’s proposal, Maliq would be merged with the Municipality of Korçë. *]:pointer-events-auto …