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Edi Rama: Government to Increase Funding for Startups

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government will significantly increase funding for startups. He made the announcement at the National Science Festival final held at the Congress Palace in Tirana. Students from high schools presented research projects, engineering prototypes, and digital solutions. Rama praised the students’ innovation and stressed the …

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President deadlock pushes Kosova towards fresh elections

TIRANA, April 27 – Kosova moved closer to early parliamentary elections after political parties failed to agree on a new president. Meanwhile, the ruling Vetevendosje [Self-Determination] Movement and the main opposition Democratic Party of Kosova and Democratic League of Kosova kept deep divisions over the process. Prime Minister Albin Kurti …

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“Double Your Enterprise” credit scheme targets small and medium business growth

TIRANA, April 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new credit programme called “Double Your Enterprise” aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses with more favourable financing conditions. He introduced the initiative during his weekly podcast and said the scheme will offer reasonable interest rates for entrepreneurs seeking to …

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Foreign Tourists Discover Bënja Thermal Baths

Foreign tourists are increasingly visiting the Bënja Thermal Baths in southern Albania, turning the area into a key destination for nature and wellness tourism. Located near the Langarica Canyon, the mineral-rich thermal waters offer relaxation and reputed healing effects. The historic Kadiu Bridge also attracts visitors, blending with the surrounding …

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Bajram Begaj Highlights Diaspora Role During Boston Visit

President Bajram Begaj visited Boston and met local authorities and members of the Albanian community. He praised strong Albanian-American ties and the contribution of the diaspora. During the visit, Massachusetts officials welcomed Begaj, while Worcester Mayor Joe Petty presented him with the Key to the City. The president also visited …

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Bajram Begaj Condemns Armed Incident in Washington, D.C.

President Bajram Begaj strongly condemned the armed incident targeting U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton. In a post on X, Begaj said such attacks undermine democracy and fundamental values. He stressed that differences in democracies must be …

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Edi Rama Condemns Armed Attack in Washington, D.C.

Prime Minister Edi Rama strongly condemned the armed attack in a hotel in Washington, D.C. during a presidential event with journalists. He described the incident as shocking and said it strikes at freedom and democratic values everywhere. Rama said he was relieved that U.S. President Donald Trump and all attendees …

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Attack at Trump dinner, Vjosa Osmani reacts

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has reacted to the shooting reported during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Osmani wrote that Kosovo believes in the resilience of the United States and its institutions, and that they remain steadfast partners in promoting peace, security, and stability around the world. She …

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Shooting at Trump dinner, Prime Minister Rama reacts

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted through a post on X regarding the shooting reported during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton. Rama wrote that such an attack strikes at freedom and the democratic way of life everywhere. Among other things, he condemned the attack, emphasizing that …

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Shooting at Trump dinner, Berisha reacts: “A horror act”

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, reacted through a post on Facebook regarding the shooting reported during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Berisha described the attack as a “horror act.” Among other things, he added that the Democratic Party strongly condemns the attack, which according to him …

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The Cost of Non Enlargement: Why the EU Cannot Afford to Leave the Western Balkans Behind

Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – For years, the debate on European Union enlargement has been dominated by the presumed costs of admitting new members: institutional complexity, financial burdens, political resistance and the challenges of integrating countries still undergoing democratic and rule of law reforms. Yet a more strategic question …

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The Strategic Price of Non-Enlargement

By Albert Rakipi Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, the Western Balkans have lived inside the promise of European integration. In Albania, support for membership in the European Union has often remained above 90 percent. I have sometimes described this support as almost “totalitarian.” Yet …

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Albanian PM’s Response to Protests Causing Unease Within His Own Party

Faced with unprecedented anti-government protests, Edi Rama has chosen to go on the offensive, to the public unease of several MPs and ex-officials from his own Socialist Party. Original post Here

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€65 Million Allocated to Strengthen Local Government and Urban Transport in Albania

Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo has announced that the Albanian government has allocated €65 million to strengthen local authorities and improve public services. Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Demo said the funding, approved through a normative act, aims to boost municipal capacity and enhance infrastructure …

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Fincantieri–KAYO Deal Aims to Create 500 Jobs and Build 10 Vessels by 2030 in Albania

A new cooperation memorandum has been signed at the Pashaliman Naval Base in Vlora between Italy’s Fincantieri, the Albanian state company KAYO, and the Industrial School “Pavarësia”. The agreement focuses on training programs, internships, and job opportunities in the naval construction industry. Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero stressed that human capital …

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Rama: Fincantieri–KAYO Agreement Opens Job Opportunities in Naval Industry

Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that the cooperation between Italy’s Fincantieri and the Albanian state company KAYO marks an important step toward strengthening Albania’s military and naval industry. He said the agreement focuses on internships and job opportunities in shipbuilding and maritime industry development. Rama stated that the partnership …

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EU Commissioner Marta Kos: Albania Meets Key Interim Standards

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says that Albania has met the interim benchmarks for the fundamental cluster, marking an important step in the country’s EU accession process. In a post on X, Kos also says that Albania receives a positive assessment in the IBAR report. She says the Cypriot …

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Freedom of Information Still Impeded in Western Balkans, Report Warns

Despite robust legal frameworks, public institutions in the region are finding new ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report finds. Original post Here

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Fish Market in Vlora to Modernize Fisheries and Boost the Blue Economy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini visited the new facility after the Municipality of Vlora took ownership. The government invested €1.5 million in the project. The market covers 1,300 square meters and includes 15 cold storage rooms. It connects directly to the Fishing …

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Albanian Parliament Approves New Law and Several Resolutions

Albania’s Parliament approved a new draft law and several resolutions during a plenary session on Tuesday. Lawmakers passed a law that strengthens official controls on food and animal feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. The measure received 74 votes in favor. Parliament also approved …

News

The Cost of Non Enlargement: Why the EU Cannot Afford to Leave the Western Balkans Behind

Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – For years, the debate on European Union enlargement has been dominated by the presumed costs of admitting new members: institutional complexity, financial burdens, political resistance and the challenges of integrating countries still undergoing democratic and rule of law reforms. Yet a more strategic question …

News

The Strategic Price of Non-Enlargement

By Albert Rakipi Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, the Western Balkans have lived inside the promise of European integration. In Albania, support for membership in the European Union has often remained above 90 percent. I have sometimes described this support as almost “totalitarian.” Yet …

News

Albanian PM’s Response to Protests Causing Unease Within His Own Party

Faced with unprecedented anti-government protests, Edi Rama has chosen to go on the offensive, to the public unease of several MPs and ex-officials from his own Socialist Party. Original post Here

News

€65 Million Allocated to Strengthen Local Government and Urban Transport in Albania

Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo has announced that the Albanian government has allocated €65 million to strengthen local authorities and improve public services. Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Demo said the funding, approved through a normative act, aims to boost municipal capacity and enhance infrastructure …

News

Fincantieri–KAYO Deal Aims to Create 500 Jobs and Build 10 Vessels by 2030 in Albania

A new cooperation memorandum has been signed at the Pashaliman Naval Base in Vlora between Italy’s Fincantieri, the Albanian state company KAYO, and the Industrial School “Pavarësia”. The agreement focuses on training programs, internships, and job opportunities in the naval construction industry. Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero stressed that human capital …

News

Rama: Fincantieri–KAYO Agreement Opens Job Opportunities in Naval Industry

Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that the cooperation between Italy’s Fincantieri and the Albanian state company KAYO marks an important step toward strengthening Albania’s military and naval industry. He said the agreement focuses on internships and job opportunities in shipbuilding and maritime industry development. Rama stated that the partnership …

News

EU Commissioner Marta Kos: Albania Meets Key Interim Standards

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says that Albania has met the interim benchmarks for the fundamental cluster, marking an important step in the country’s EU accession process. In a post on X, Kos also says that Albania receives a positive assessment in the IBAR report. She says the Cypriot …

News

Freedom of Information Still Impeded in Western Balkans, Report Warns

Despite robust legal frameworks, public institutions in the region are finding new ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report finds. Original post Here

News

Fish Market in Vlora to Modernize Fisheries and Boost the Blue Economy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini visited the new facility after the Municipality of Vlora took ownership. The government invested €1.5 million in the project. The market covers 1,300 square meters and includes 15 cold storage rooms. It connects directly to the Fishing …

News

Albanian Parliament Approves New Law and Several Resolutions

Albania’s Parliament approved a new draft law and several resolutions during a plenary session on Tuesday. Lawmakers passed a law that strengthens official controls on food and animal feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. The measure received 74 votes in favor. Parliament also approved …