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A stronger Union for the Mediterranean for a stronger Mediterranean

By H.E. Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean. Tirana Times, June 25, 2026 – They say no man ever steps in the same river twice. The universe is in a constant state of flux: such is my sentiment as I reflect on my mandate at the Union for the …

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Austria Leads FDI, but Real Estate Tells the Bigger Story

Bank of Albania data show Austria topping first-quarter foreign investment flows, while property and construction continue to shape Albania’s FDI model. Tirana Times June 25, 2026 – The figures place Austria ahead of some of Albania’s traditionally dominant investment partners, including Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Yet the data also …

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Albanian Football Federation sets dates for 2026-2027 domestic season

TIRANA, June 25 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation has approved the starting dates for all national competitions in the 2026-2027 football season. The “Abissnet Superiore” championship will begin on August 22, 2026 and end on May 9, 2027. Meanwhile, the “First Category” championship will start on …

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Albanian Academy of Sciences marks birth anniversary of academic Rexhep Qosja

TIRANA, June 25 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the birth anniversary of academic, writer, literary critic and Albanologist Rexhep Qosja on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian scientific and cultural thought. Born on 25 June 1936 in Vuthaj, Montenegro, he came from …

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Endrit Thaçi thanks PM Rama for support over KLA case in The Hague

TIRANA, June 25 – Endrit Thaçi, the son of former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi, met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and thanked him for his stance on the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague. Thaçi said Rama had been among the most outspoken figures in defending the KLA …

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Agency warns false reports misused Kakome footage in coverage of Albania investment projects

TIRANA, June 25 – The Agency for Media and Information said misleading use of social media footage has again created confusion in foreign coverage of investment projects in Albania, including reports by CNN and Reuters. In a statement published on Thursday, the agency reviewed several cases of what it described …

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Justice minister says Albania must seize historic moment on European Union path

TIRANA, June 25 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said Albania now stands closer than ever to European Union membership and urged the country not to miss what he called a historic moment. In a social media post, Gogu said he joined a discussion on Wednesday with students from the College …

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Port of Durrës honors seafarers for role in global trade

TIRANA, June 25 – The Port of Durrës marked the International Day of the Seafarer by praising maritime professionals for their role in safe and efficient sea transport. It described maritime transport as one of the main pillars of international trade. The International Maritime Organization marks the day every year. …

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PM Rama arrives in Poland for Ukraine Recovery Conference

TIRANA, June 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Gdansk on Thursday to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Rama shared images from his arrival at the conference venue. He also posted footage from his welcome by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and from the family photo with …

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Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 16 percent in May

TIRANA, June 25 – Foreign arrivals in Albania increased significantly in May 2026, reflecting the start of the tourist season and a higher flow of visitors into the country. The Institute of Statistics said 1,143,595 foreign citizens entered Albania during the month, marking a 15.9 percent increase, or around 16 …

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In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

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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 …

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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

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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

News

In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

News

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 …

News

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

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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