Albania presents its civil service recruitment model at OECD/SIGMA workshop
Albania presented its experience in civil service recruitment and selection systems during a regional workshop organised by OECD/SIGMA in Paris. Representatives from the Department of Public Administration (DAP), alongside officials from Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries, participated in the workshop titled “Strengthening recruitment and selection systems in the civil …
Kurti: Kosovo secures €206.4 million from EU funds for development projects
Kosovo will benefit from €206.4 million in European Union funding, according to acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The EU’s IPA Committee approved Kosovo’s proposed projects under the IPA 2026 and IPA 2027 programmes, worth €180.5 million. In addition, three grants from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), totaling €25.9 million, …
NATO’s Ankara Summit: Albania Confirmed, but No Date Set
Tirana Times, July 8, 2026 – NATO’s Ankara Summit, held on July 7 and 8, marked less a moment of new strategic doctrine than a shift from political pledges to implementation. The central message was clear: the Alliance is moving into a phase where defence spending, industrial capacity, support for Ukraine …
IMF forecast: Albania among Europe’s fastest-growing economies
TIRANA, July 8 – According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European economy is expected to maintain moderate growth rates during the remaining years of this decade. For the 2027–2031 period, the eurozone economy is forecast to expand by an average of 1.2% annually, while the European …
Tourist flows increase towards mountain areas, with Theth and Shala River among top destinations
TIRANA, July 8 – During these hot July days, many foreign tourists fill the streets of Shkodër. Their travel gear and backpacks easily identify them as nature and adventure tourism enthusiasts. Many visitors use Shkodër as a starting point to explore some of northern Albania’s most popular mountain destinations. Meanwhile, …
PM Rama: Next NATO Summit to take place in Tirana
TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Wednesday that the next NATO Summit will take place in Tirana, following the conclusion of the Alliance’s meeting in Ankara. PM dismissed speculation that Albania would not host the summit. He said the country had moved beyond a time when …
Over 4,000 Teachers Complete Professional Qualification Program, 1,354 Earn “Master Teacher” Title
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro highlighted the achievements of this year’s teacher qualification process, with more than 4,000 educators across Albania completing professional training programs. Kumbaro congratulated the teachers who participated in the qualification process, describing their commitment as an important step toward improving teaching quality and strengthening the education system. …
Dutch Prime Minister Supports Kosovo’s Future in the European Family
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressed his support for Kosovo’s European future, saying he hopes the country will become part of the European family one day. “I hope that Kosovo will become part of the European family one day, yes,” Jetten told Euronews Albania. Jetten made the statement while attending …
PM Rama welcomed by Rutte and Erdogan at official NATO Summit reception
TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the official reception for heads of state and government hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO Summit in Ankara. Rama shared images from the reception on social media. He described the event …
Three fires hit Porto Palermo in Himara Municipality, flames brought under control
TIRANA, July 8 – Three fire outbreaks affected the Porto Palermo area in Himarë Municipality overnight, putting emergency structures on alert. According to official information, authorities received the alert around 23:00. Firefighters immediately sent a fire engine and a water tanker to the scene. Meanwhile, the entire firefighting service was …
Lack of up-to-date legislation and weak monitoring mechanisms mean AI-generated fakes and manipulated content are finding their way into Albanian political campaigning – and need to be tackled before 2027’s local elections. Original post Here
With Russia interfering to exacerbate divisions and the United States rejecting liberal transformation for economic transactionalism, the European Union should develop a targeted and realistic approach to accession for Western Balkan countries. Original post Here
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Kosovo and Serbia to move forward with the normalization process after holding separate talks with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in New York. Meeting the two leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Kallas …
Firefighters are bringing a blaze near the Apollonia Archaeological Park under control with support from aerial operations. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja visited the site to monitor the situation and firefighting efforts. Gonxhja said protecting Apollonia Archaeological Park remains a priority as an important cultural heritage site. He …
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj has officially decreed the dismissal of Vlora Hyseni as Director of the State Intelligence Service. The decree cites Article 93 of the Constitution and Law No. 8391 “On the State Intelligence Service”. Prime Minister Edi Rama proposed the dismissal. The decision follows measures that …
Minister of State for Public Administration and Anticorruption Adea Pirdeni attended a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels today. The meeting discussed Albania’s progress in the rule of law. In a video message, Pirdeni said the meeting recognized Albania’s progress in the rule of law. She highlighted the …
The Military Meteorological Service said Thursday will bring stable atmospheric conditions across the country. The forecast calls for mostly clear skies across the entire territory. Winds will mainly blow from the northeast and northwest at an average speed of 7 m/s. In mountainous areas, valleys and along the coast, winds …
Tirana is preparing to host the seventh edition of Colourday Festival Albania on Sept. 26. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event. He said several well-known artists will perform at the festival. Meanwhile, the event will feature interactive spaces where visitors can join the celebrations. Organisers will …
Saudi Arabia marked its National Day in Tirana at a reception hosted by Ambassador Turki bin Ibrahim Al-Madi, with President Bajram Begaj as guest of honour. Members of the Assembly of Albania, government officials, diplomats, academics, artists, religious community leaders and media representatives attended. Al-Madi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s economic and …
German MEP Terry Reintke said the European Parliament supports Albania’s progress towards European Union membership while stressing the importance of environmental, democratic and rule-of-law standards. She said the integration process should continue alongside respect for these standards. Reintke also called for a moratorium on development plans in protected areas and …