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Hoxha meets Commissioner Kos in Brussels: Sustainable reforms toward the EU

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, met in Brussels with the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. Minister Hoxha stated that the focus of the meeting was the advanced process of accession negotiations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current momentum and continuing forward with consistency …

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Caught in the act with Molotov cocktails, decision issued for 11 arrested from the PD protest

The Tirana Court has issued its decision for the 11 protesters who were caught with Molotov cocktails during the rally of the Democratic Party of Albania. The decision ordered the measure “arrest in prison” for 5 of them, while 6 individuals were assigned the measure “obligation to appear.” Specifically, those …

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Kosovo declares Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization

The Government of Kosovo has designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization during a meeting held on Monday in Pristina. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that “through this decision, Kosovo strengthens its stance in defense of international security, democratic values, and human rights.” “This is a …

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Rental income rises, reaching around €400 million in 2025

Renting out property is becoming an increasingly profitable source of income in Albania. Official data from the Ministry of Finance of Albania show that revenue from income tax on rents reached €60 million in 2025, up from €55 million in 2024—an increase of 8.5%. This tax corresponds to total rental …

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Meeting with agrotourism representatives, Rama: Support for small and medium-sized enterprises

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting on Monday afternoon with representatives of the agrotourism sector in Tirana. Rama was accompanied at the meeting by the political leader of the region, Ogerta Manastirliu. During his speech, Rama presented the program “Double Your Enterprise.” He emphasized that this project will be …

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Albulena Haxhiu authorizes participation of the Kosovo Security Force in an international operation in Gaza

The Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, has authorized the deployment of the Kosovo Security Force to an international peacekeeping operation, as part of the International Stabilization Force in Gaza. The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, following approval by the Assembly of Kosovo, today authorized the deployment of …

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On Autocracy, Hungary, and the Cost of Crying Wolf

by Nikola Kedhi Tirana Times, April 20, 2026 – On the evening of April 12, 2026, Viktor Orbán, Europe’s most scrutinized, most condemned, most exhaustively theorized leader, conceded defeat in a parliamentary election. Péter Magyar’s Tisza party had won over 53 percent of the vote. The man whom the European …

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Rama shares weekly photo album: from Diaspora Summit to Spain and Italy visits

Prime Minister Edi Rama released a weekly photo album showing key engagements. He inspected Vlorë and reviewed preparations for the tourist season. Local authorities carried out work on the ground under his supervision. He visited the “Lungomare 4” project and pushed improvements in public spaces. The project targets high-traffic tourist …

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Civil aviation sector moves toward sustainable fuels, five new terminal expansions expected in May

TIRANA, April 20 – Albanian Civil Aviation Authority Executive Director Maksim Et’hemaj outlined rapid structural changes in Albania’s aviation sector, driven by tourism growth, infrastructure pressure, and a shift toward cleaner fuels. Global instability and volatile fuel prices continue to challenge the sector, he said. Aviation operators now accelerate work …

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New olive oil cooperative model launched in Lushnjë

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla presented a new agricultural cooperation model in Lushnjë. He joined Mayor Eriselda Sefa to launch a Agricultural Cooperation Society (SHBB) in the olive oil sector. The initiative includes 17 local farmers. It aims to improve organization and strengthen cooperation in production. The …

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Albania Welcomes Over 3 Million Foreign Visitors in First Five Months of 2026

Blendi Gonxhja announced that Albania welcomed more than 3 million foreign visitors between January and May 2026. Speaking at Tirana International Airport, Gonxhja said connectivity drives tourism growth. He described the arrival of the first direct flight from Canada to Tirana as a historic milestone for both civil aviation and …

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Rama: Direct Tirana–U.S. Route Nears Completion

Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the inaugural ceremony of the first direct flight between Tirana and Toronto, describing it as a new bridge connecting Albania and Canada. Speaking at Tirana International Airport, Rama said Albania has joined the map of transatlantic flights for the first time. He noted that what …

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First Direct Tirana–Toronto Flight Takes Off, Albania Joins Transatlantic Air Map

Albania has entered the era of transatlantic flights with the launch of the first direct route between Tirana and Toronto. At the inauguration ceremony, Enea Karakaçi described the new service as a historic milestone for Albanian civil aviation and a major opportunity for tourism, business, and people-to-people connections between Albania …

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Rama Highlights Traditional Hospitality at Kapllani Guesthouse in Berat

Prime Minister Edi Rama has praised Kapllani Guesthouse in Berat as a successful example of traditional hospitality and rural tourism development in Albania. In a social media post, Rama described the family-run guesthouse as a model of authentic tourism. The guesthouse welcomes both domestic and international visitors and offers traditional …

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Albania and France Sign Film Co-Production Agreement

Albania and France have strengthened their cultural partnership through a new agreement on film co-production. The Albanian Council of Ministers approved the agreement with the French government, creating a new legal and financial framework to support joint film projects between the two countries. Under the agreement, co-produced works will receive …

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Albania Secures $302 Million U.S. Loan for Military Financing

The Albanian government has approved a direct loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. The agreement provides $302 million to support Albania’s defense modernization and strengthen its military capabilities. Under the deal, Albania’s Ministry of Finance will sign the agreement on behalf of the …

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Rama: Albania Enters New Tourism Phase Focused on Higher-Spending Visitors

Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albania has completed an important phase of tourism transformation and must now move toward a new stage of development focused on higher revenues and higher-spending visitors. Speaking at the inauguration of the new Tirana–Toronto route at Tirana International Airport, Rama stressed that Albania should now …

News
Rama: Albania Enters New Tourism Phase Focused on Higher-Spending Visitors

Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albania has completed an important phase of tourism transformation and must now move toward a new stage of development focused on higher revenues and higher-spending visitors. Speaking at the inauguration of the new Tirana–Toronto route at Tirana International Airport, Rama stressed that Albania should now …

News
Albania Prepares for a Vibrant Weekend of Festivals, Concerts and Sports Events

Cities across Albania will host a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and sporting events this weekend, offering activities for residents and visitors of all ages. One of the highlights is the Wheat Festival in Fier, which takes place at the Archaeological Park of Apollonia on Friday evening. Now in its …

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Albania Sees Decline in Child Population as Education Spending Remains Below EU Average

*]: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:56288df9-49f5-45b2-affa-9d9567f8af40-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:56288df9-49f5-45b2-affa-9d9567f8af40-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> The number of children in Albania is declining, while investments in education and social protection continue to lag behind European Union standards. These are among the key findings of UNICEF’s latest report on Albania, which outlines the priorities for cooperation with …

News

Albania Welcomes Over 3 Million Foreign Visitors in First Five Months of 2026

Blendi Gonxhja announced that Albania welcomed more than 3 million foreign visitors between January and May 2026. Speaking at Tirana International Airport, Gonxhja said connectivity drives tourism growth. He described the arrival of the first direct flight from Canada to Tirana as a historic milestone for both civil aviation and …

News

Rama: Direct Tirana–U.S. Route Nears Completion

Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the inaugural ceremony of the first direct flight between Tirana and Toronto, describing it as a new bridge connecting Albania and Canada. Speaking at Tirana International Airport, Rama said Albania has joined the map of transatlantic flights for the first time. He noted that what …

News

First Direct Tirana–Toronto Flight Takes Off, Albania Joins Transatlantic Air Map

Albania has entered the era of transatlantic flights with the launch of the first direct route between Tirana and Toronto. At the inauguration ceremony, Enea Karakaçi described the new service as a historic milestone for Albanian civil aviation and a major opportunity for tourism, business, and people-to-people connections between Albania …

News

Rama Highlights Traditional Hospitality at Kapllani Guesthouse in Berat

Prime Minister Edi Rama has praised Kapllani Guesthouse in Berat as a successful example of traditional hospitality and rural tourism development in Albania. In a social media post, Rama described the family-run guesthouse as a model of authentic tourism. The guesthouse welcomes both domestic and international visitors and offers traditional …

News

Albania and France Sign Film Co-Production Agreement

Albania and France have strengthened their cultural partnership through a new agreement on film co-production. The Albanian Council of Ministers approved the agreement with the French government, creating a new legal and financial framework to support joint film projects between the two countries. Under the agreement, co-produced works will receive …

News

Albania Secures $302 Million U.S. Loan for Military Financing

The Albanian government has approved a direct loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. The agreement provides $302 million to support Albania’s defense modernization and strengthen its military capabilities. Under the deal, Albania’s Ministry of Finance will sign the agreement on behalf of the …

News

Rama: Albania Enters New Tourism Phase Focused on Higher-Spending Visitors

Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albania has completed an important phase of tourism transformation and must now move toward a new stage of development focused on higher revenues and higher-spending visitors. Speaking at the inauguration of the new Tirana–Toronto route at Tirana International Airport, Rama stressed that Albania should now …

News

Rama: Albania Enters New Tourism Phase Focused on Higher-Spending Visitors

Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albania has completed an important phase of tourism transformation and must now move toward a new stage of development focused on higher revenues and higher-spending visitors. Speaking at the inauguration of the new Tirana–Toronto route at Tirana International Airport, Rama stressed that Albania should now …

News

Albania Prepares for a Vibrant Weekend of Festivals, Concerts and Sports Events

Cities across Albania will host a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and sporting events this weekend, offering activities for residents and visitors of all ages. One of the highlights is the Wheat Festival in Fier, which takes place at the Archaeological Park of Apollonia on Friday evening. Now in its …

News

Albania Sees Decline in Child Population as Education Spending Remains Below EU Average

*]: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:56288df9-49f5-45b2-affa-9d9567f8af40-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:56288df9-49f5-45b2-affa-9d9567f8af40-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> The number of children in Albania is declining, while investments in education and social protection continue to lag behind European Union standards. These are among the key findings of UNICEF’s latest report on Albania, which outlines the priorities for cooperation with …