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Saranda municipality upgrades road infrastructure ahead of 2026 tourist season

TIRANA, April 8 – Saranda municipality has started work to address issues identified during the previous tourist season. A dedicated task force is now monitoring conditions on the ground. At the same time, officials have included all key concerns in the 2026 budget. As a result, current investments focus on …

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New farm support scheme takes effect in Albania, expanding beneficiaries and subsidies

TIRANA, April 8 – Albania has put its 2026 agricultural support scheme into force. Authorities will publish detailed guidelines soon. These will set criteria and open applications for farmers. The programme is backed by a €52m fund. It introduces key changes to widen access and increase support in priority sectors. …

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35 million euros allocated to modernize electricity network and substations in Shëngjin, Shkodër and Fushë-Kruja

TIRANA, April 8 – Albania secured a 35 million euro soft loan to upgrade its electricity network in the north. The Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved the funding agreement today with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Edona Bilali, said the …

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“Albania United and Indivisible”: Tirana hosts IV Diaspora Summit from 13–16 April

TIRANA, April 8 – Tirana will host the IV Diaspora Summit from 14 to 16 April. The event gathers Albanians from around the world who live and work abroad while keeping strong ties to their roots. The summit opens on Monday evening, 13 April, at 18:00 with a welcome ceremony …

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Transparency Board cuts diesel price by 4 Lek per litre, gasoline unchanged

TIRANA, April 8 – The Transparency Board set new fuel prices today following fluctuations on the Mediterranean Platts market. Retail diesel standard SSH EN 590 dropped by 4 Lek per litre, from 224 Lek to 220 Lek. Wholesale diesel will not exceed 208 Lek per litre. Gasoline prices remain unchanged. …

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Albania’s Ombudsman in Skopje: Guaranteeing the Albanian language is a constitutional right

TIRANA, April 8 – The ombudsman of the Republic of Albania, Endrit Shabani, met in Skopje with his counterpart from North Macedonia, Faton Selami. Kosovo ombudsman Naim Qelaj also attended. They discussed Albanian student protests and the guarantee of using Albanian in higher education. Shabani, also president of the Mediterranean …

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Transparency Board Announces New Fuel Prices, Diesel Price Decreases

The Transparency Board announced on Wednesday a reduction in the price of diesel and its by-products. According to the decision, the retail price of gasoil (diesel) under the SSH EN 590 standard will be no more than 220 lek per liter, while the wholesale price will be no more than …

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Strengthened Alliance Between the State Police and Europol to Crack Down on High-Risk Criminal Groups

The newly appointed Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, held his first meeting with international partners, specifically a delegation from the European Serious and Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC) at Europol. According to a press release, the delegation was led by Andy Kraag, Head of the Centre for Combating …

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US–Iran Ceasefire: Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reacts

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania has expressed its position regarding the recent agreement on a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive step toward reducing tensions. In an official statement, Albanian diplomacy emphasized that it has consistently supported efforts aimed …

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PM Kurti Unveils 2030 Plans: New Judo Hall to Host Combat Sports at the Mediterranean Games

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has emphasized the importance of investing in sports infrastructure, directly linking the development of judo with preparations for the Mediterranean Games 2030, which will be held in Kosovo. In a statement made during the launch of works for the expansion of the National …

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EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

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Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

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Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

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Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

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Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

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PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

News
The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

News
Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News
Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News
Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …

News

EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

News

Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

News

Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

News

Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

News

Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

News

PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

News

The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

News

Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News

Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News

Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …