Will Washington Derail NATO’s Tirana Summit?
Tirana Times, July 2, 2026 — Albania’s ambition to host a NATO summit in 2027 has suddenly become more than a diplomatic milestone. It has become a test of whether Tirana can keep pace with the alliance’s new defense spending politics, whether Washington under President Donald Trump is willing to …
Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament
At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here
Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable
TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …
Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine
TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …
Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies
TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …
PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …
EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase
TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …
July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast
TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …
Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money
The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here
PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Socialist lawmakers and all Members of the European Parliament supported recommendations backing Albania’s European Union membership during the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting in Strasbourg. Rama said all MEPs voted in favour of Albania’s European integration, alongside members of the Socialist Party, describing …
Albania has joined the European Council of Legal and Forensic Medicine (ECLFM), the highest European body for forensic medicine. Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the membership strengthens Albania’s position within the European forensic medicine community and creates new opportunities for professional and scientific development. Through this membership, Albania will officially …
German Ambassador Karl Bergner met with Albania’s Ombudsman Endrit Shabani and praised the institution’s work to protect human rights and promote European values. During the meeting, Bergner congratulated Shabani on his new role and highlighted the Ombudsman’s contribution to building a fairer and more inclusive society. The two officials discussed …
The French Cultural Week will begin this Sunday and continue until July 24, bringing a diverse program of artistic activities across Albania. The event will showcase French culture through impressionist painting, classical theatre, ballet, cinema, literature, music and other forms of artistic expression. As one of the world’s leading cultural …
Composer Aldo Shllaku brought the magic of Hollywood film music to his hometown of Shkodër, performing his internationally acclaimed works for the first time before a local audience. The concert featured emotional soundtracks created by Shllaku, an artist who has built a successful career in the global film industry while …
The fifth edition of the Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival brought international jazz performances to the “Mirush Kabashi” open-air theatre near Tirana’s Artificial Lake. The festival welcomed artists from Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside some of Albania’s most renowned jazz musicians. The evening opened …
New digital rights monitoring report published by BIRN reveals an increasingly hostile digital landscape – especially for journalists and civil society – across the Western Balkans and Turkey. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace, Cumhurbaskanlıgı Kulliyesi, in Ankara. Rama shared images from the meeting on social media. He described Erdogan as a valued friend and said the talks followed the NATO Summit and …
TIRANA, July 9 – President Bajram Begaj visited the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia on Thursday, where he met local representatives and residents in Presheva and Bujanoc. During his meetings with Presheva Mayor Ardita Sinani, Bujanoc Mayor Arbër Pajaziti, Albanian National Council Chairman Enkel Rexhepi and Albanian MP in Serbia’s …
TIRANA, July 9 – The Institute of Statistics of Albania, in cooperation with line ministries and partners, reviewed the preliminary results of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and discussed the preparation of the final report. The meeting marked an important stage in transforming collected data into analysis and recommendations for …