Czech Tourists Choose the Shkumbin River: Albania an Ideal Destination for Nature Adventures
Adventure tourists from the Czech Republic have chosen the Shkumbin River and Albania’s natural landscapes for an active holiday filled with packrafting, camping, and exploring mountainous areas. Visitors praise the scenery, hospitality, and authenticity which, according to them, make Albania an ideal destination for adventure tourism. The group of Czech …
Eurostat Report: Number of Albanians Returned from EU Countries
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”5aeb1120-6d1a-4003-ac1f-210cfcfe2c28″ data-turn-id-container=”5aeb1120-6d1a-4003-ac1f-210cfcfe2c28″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> More than 8,000 Albanians were returned from European Union countries during 2025. Eurostat data ranks Albania among the countries with the highest number of citizens returned from the EU. *]: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:c7b68e64-d976-4584-869d-d0520b3fc14d-9″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:c7b68e64-d976-4584-869d-d0520b3fc14d-9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-20″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> According …
Villa 31 Becomes an Art Space: “Geography of Care” Exhibition Opens
As part of Europe Week, the exhibition “Geography of Care” opened at Villa 31 in Tirana. Three artists — Mariana Kostandini, Olsi Hoxha, and Orestia Kapedani — present three different approaches to social, spatial, and political realities, connecting their works to the history of the villa itself. One of artist …
Hoxha at the “Friends of the Western Balkans” Meeting: EU Integration Is a Necessity
While participating in the “Friends of the Western Balkans” Group meeting in Bratislava, Minister Ferit Hoxha met with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani. During the meeting, Hoxha particularly praised Italy’s consistent role as one of the strongest supporters of Albania’s European …
Agreement on Migrants with Italy, Rama Responds: “It Will Continue for as Long as Our Neighbor Wants”
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”3baebb70-c69a-44e8-997f-b0d77b18be09″ data-turn-id-container=”3baebb70-c69a-44e8-997f-b0d77b18be09″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted on the platform “X” regarding the agreement with Italy on refugees, firmly stating that the pact will continue “for as long as the neighboring country wants it.” *]: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:c7b68e64-d976-4584-869d-d0520b3fc14d-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:c7b68e64-d976-4584-869d-d0520b3fc14d-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ …
Konjufca Meets Sorensen: Kosovo Committed to Concluding Dialogue with Serbia
Acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca has stated that Kosovo remains committed to concluding the dialogue with Serbia through mutual recognition. Konjufca said he reaffirmed this during a joint meeting with Kosovo’s chief negotiator in the dialogue with Serbia, Agron Bajrami, while hosting the European Union’s Special Envoy, Peter Sorensen, in …
Trial of Former KLA Leaders: Defense Witness Says Prosecutor Pressured Her
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”eddee727-177e-4677-aa4b-303b07f10679″ data-turn-id-container=”eddee727-177e-4677-aa4b-303b07f10679″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-23″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Forensic linguistics expert Helen Fraser stated that Special Prosecutor Joshua Hafetz exerted pressure on her during yesterday’s questioning in an attempt to make her admit that Artificial Intelligence tools had been essential to her evaluations. *]: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” …
Albania Says Italy Migration Deal Ends in 2030
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha says Tirana will not extend the controversial agreement beyond 2030, arguing that Albania expects to be inside the European Union by then Tirana Times, May 12, 2026 – Albania does not intend to extend its controversial migration agreement with Italy beyond 2030, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha …
Gjirokastër Castle welcomes 48,000 visitors in four months, 70% foreigners
TIRANA, May 12 – Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors from around the world as interest in cultural tourism grows in southern Albania. The historic site recorded strong visitor numbers during the first months of the year. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the castle …
Albania shows phenomenal progress, European Investment Bank expands business support
TIRANA, May 12 – Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank, said Albania achieved phenomenal progress over the past decade and described the European Union as a clear direction for the country’s future during a ceremony in Tirana. She spoke at the signing of a financing agreement with Intesa …
Albania has implemented around 80% of the reforms required under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, placing the country among the region’s top performers. The European Commission expects Albania to reach this milestone and ranks it alongside Montenegro as one of the best-performing countries in the Western Balkans. …
President Bajram Begaj attended the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv and the ceremonies marking Ukraine’s Statehood Day, reaffirming Albania’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, recovery, and European integration. “Albania has been clear and unwavering in its support for Ukraine. We stand with your independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity …
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu inspected the construction site of “Guna Tactical”, a major investment in Albania’s defense industry. The officials reviewed the project’s progress and highlighted its strategic role in creating a modern defense sector that will support economic growth, generate jobs, and strengthen …
Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi presented Albania’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations during the second day of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The report highlights Albania’s progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Karakaçi said Albania presented concrete results, …
The Albanian Ambassadors’ Council has strongly condemned recent statements by Serbian Government Minister Snezhana Paunović, warning that such rhetoric threatens regional stability and contradicts European values. In a statement, the council said the remarks revive concepts linked to the ethnic cleansing of Albanians and raise concerns about Serbia’s continued distancing …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu gathered the heads of justice institutions to review the progress of Albania’s justice reform and discuss the challenges ahead in the country’s European integration process. Gogu said the next 12 months will be crucial for Albania’s EU accession path. He stressed that the main challenge is …
French Ambassador to Albania Catherine Suard highlighted the strong ties between France and Albania during a reception in Tirana marking France’s National Day. The event brought together senior Albanian officials, diplomats, media representatives, and civil society members. Suard reaffirmed France’s support for Albania’s EU integration. She said France believes Albania …
The RTSH Symphony Orchestra closed its artistic season with a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The festive concert featured soloists Eva Golemi, Vikena Kamenica, Amadi Lagha, and Artur Vera. Dritan Lumshi conducted the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet Choir. …
*]: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=”b00ac4c8-f68a-4447-b0ff-3cba8e686a39″ data-turn-id-container=”b00ac4c8-f68a-4447-b0ff-3cba8e686a39″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s General Directorate of Prisons has announced the completion of the implementation of the penal amnesty, confirming that 553 convicted individuals were granted immediate release, while 863 inmates benefited from sentence reductions. *]: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:4290baec-3f0c-47e6-8e8f-0d211cf7012a-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4290baec-3f0c-47e6-8e8f-0d211cf7012a-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> …
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced on Wednesday, following the government meeting, that the draft decision on the social security agreement with Slovenia had been approved in principle. The minister said that, under the new agreement, years of social security contributions will also be recognised by Slovenia. Ibrahimaj …