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Tax Administration Reopens the Process: Parents Rejected for Education Expense Deductions Can Reapply Through DIVA

Parents whose applications for compensation through the deduction of their children’s education expenses were rejected will now have the opportunity to reapply through the DIVA declaration system. The Tax Administration has announced that it has reopened the system for submitting the required documentation. Individuals whose applications were rejected due to …

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Will the Strategic Investments Law Be Repealed? Rama: We Will Approve a New Draft Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will repeal the Strategic Investments Law. He made the statement during a press conference with journalists from European Union member states. The head of government said that the law has fulfilled its purpose and is no longer necessary. He noted that …

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Day 10 of Protests in Tirana: Activists and Citizens Gather in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office

This Tuesday at 6:00 PM, representatives of civil society, activists, and citizens gathered once again in Skanderbeg Square, marking the tenth day of protests over the issue of protected areas. From there, they continued to call for the government’s resignation, chanting slogans such as “Albania belongs to Albanians” and “Rama …

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Fier, Rama to Protesters: Accountability Is Found at the Table, Not by Demanding the Government’s Resignation

The Socialist Party branch in Fier today celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding during an event held at the Archaeological Park of Apollonia. Hundreds of Socialist Party supporters attended the event, including prominent figures from the party as well as Prime Minister Edi Rama. During his speech, Rama addressed …

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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 …

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Albania begins new aerial survey of its territory

TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has officially begun a new aerial survey of its territory. The project is being carried out through cooperation between the State Authority for Geospatial Information and the Albanian Development Fund. The initiative aims to update geospatial information and strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor, plan …

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Five wildfires remain active as teams focus on Mount Dajti

TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has reported 34 wildfires over the past 24 hours. Five remain active and four are under monitoring, according to the Ministry of Defence. A total of 219 operational personnel and 35 firefighting vehicles have joined the response. The Armed Forces have deployed 60 personnel, one …

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United Kingdom and Albania sign first regional deal to share crime-related assets

TIRANA, August 26 – The United Kingdom and Albania have signed their first regional Asset Sharing Agreement after authorities recovered proceeds linked to a drug trafficking case. The agreement follows a criminal case involving a conspiracy to supply cannabis to organised crime groups in England and Wales. British and Albanian …

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Justice Minister: Justice should be a service, not only a judgment

TIRANA, August 26 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu called for a broader assessment of Albania’s justice reform. He said the assessment should cover more than the number of cases resolved, their duration and the quality of rulings. It should also reflect citizens’ experience when they first contacted the justice system. …

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Vora-Hani i Hotit railway project presented in Lezha

TIRANA, August 26 – The Vora-Hani i Hotit railway reconstruction project was presented in Lezha during a public consultation with communities along the planned route. The project will rehabilitate the existing railway track and bring it in line with European transport standards. The project has entered the contractor selection phase. …

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President Begaj receives credentials from Belgium’s ambassador

TIRANA, August 26 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Belgium’s ambassador to Albania, Olga Cogen, during a meeting in Tirana today. Begaj welcomed Belgium’s decision to open its first embassy in Albania, with its headquarters in Tirana. The move marks a new step in diplomatic relations between the …

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Pogradec Agrotourism: SIAR Guesthouse Showcases Albania’s Rural Tourism Potential

SIAR Guesthouse in Pogradec is emerging as a new example of Albania’s growing agrotourism sector, combining nature, traditional hospitality and rural experiences. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the guesthouse, highlighting its contribution to the development of tourism and family-run businesses in Albania’s tourist areas. SIAR features nine private …

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Hasan Ceka remembered on his birth anniversary as a founder of Albanian archaeology

TIRANA, August 26 – The Academy of Sciences today commemorated Hasan Ceka, one of the founders of Albanian archaeology. Ceka was born on August 25, 1900. He studied archaeology and history and later became known for laying the foundations of archaeological research in Albania. Ceka studied in Vienna and returned …

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Ardenica: Where the Gods Once Spoke Albanian

Ardenica Monastery stands among the most important historical and religious sites in the Lushnjë area and ranks among Albania’s most visited cultural attractions. The monastery rises on the fertile hills of Ardenica, about 200 meters above sea level. Travelers heading toward Fier and Vlorë can spot the monastery after a …

News
Albanian ships face new environmental monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions

TIRANA, August 26 – Maritime transport operators in Albania will face new requirements to document and control greenhouse gas emissions. A draft decision under public consultation aims to align environmental rules with European Union practices. Under the proposed system, operators will measure, report and verify emissions from ships. The system …

News

Albania begins new aerial survey of its territory

TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has officially begun a new aerial survey of its territory. The project is being carried out through cooperation between the State Authority for Geospatial Information and the Albanian Development Fund. The initiative aims to update geospatial information and strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor, plan …

News

Five wildfires remain active as teams focus on Mount Dajti

TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has reported 34 wildfires over the past 24 hours. Five remain active and four are under monitoring, according to the Ministry of Defence. A total of 219 operational personnel and 35 firefighting vehicles have joined the response. The Armed Forces have deployed 60 personnel, one …

News

United Kingdom and Albania sign first regional deal to share crime-related assets

TIRANA, August 26 – The United Kingdom and Albania have signed their first regional Asset Sharing Agreement after authorities recovered proceeds linked to a drug trafficking case. The agreement follows a criminal case involving a conspiracy to supply cannabis to organised crime groups in England and Wales. British and Albanian …

News

Justice Minister: Justice should be a service, not only a judgment

TIRANA, August 26 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu called for a broader assessment of Albania’s justice reform. He said the assessment should cover more than the number of cases resolved, their duration and the quality of rulings. It should also reflect citizens’ experience when they first contacted the justice system. …

News

Vora-Hani i Hotit railway project presented in Lezha

TIRANA, August 26 – The Vora-Hani i Hotit railway reconstruction project was presented in Lezha during a public consultation with communities along the planned route. The project will rehabilitate the existing railway track and bring it in line with European transport standards. The project has entered the contractor selection phase. …

News

President Begaj receives credentials from Belgium’s ambassador

TIRANA, August 26 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Belgium’s ambassador to Albania, Olga Cogen, during a meeting in Tirana today. Begaj welcomed Belgium’s decision to open its first embassy in Albania, with its headquarters in Tirana. The move marks a new step in diplomatic relations between the …

News

Pogradec Agrotourism: SIAR Guesthouse Showcases Albania’s Rural Tourism Potential

SIAR Guesthouse in Pogradec is emerging as a new example of Albania’s growing agrotourism sector, combining nature, traditional hospitality and rural experiences. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the guesthouse, highlighting its contribution to the development of tourism and family-run businesses in Albania’s tourist areas. SIAR features nine private …

News

Hasan Ceka remembered on his birth anniversary as a founder of Albanian archaeology

TIRANA, August 26 – The Academy of Sciences today commemorated Hasan Ceka, one of the founders of Albanian archaeology. Ceka was born on August 25, 1900. He studied archaeology and history and later became known for laying the foundations of archaeological research in Albania. Ceka studied in Vienna and returned …

News

Ardenica: Where the Gods Once Spoke Albanian

Ardenica Monastery stands among the most important historical and religious sites in the Lushnjë area and ranks among Albania’s most visited cultural attractions. The monastery rises on the fertile hills of Ardenica, about 200 meters above sea level. Travelers heading toward Fier and Vlorë can spot the monastery after a …

News

Albanian ships face new environmental monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions

TIRANA, August 26 – Maritime transport operators in Albania will face new requirements to document and control greenhouse gas emissions. A draft decision under public consultation aims to align environmental rules with European Union practices. Under the proposed system, operators will measure, report and verify emissions from ships. The system …