United States Chargé d’Affaires in Prishtina highlights partnership with Kosova at U.S. independence anniversary event
TIRANA, July 1 – United States Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati reaffirmed Washington’s support for Kosova during an event marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Prattipati said the partnership between the United States and Kosova rests on shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to security and opportunity. She …
Frang Bardhi remembered as Albania’s first lexicographer
TIRANA, July 1 – Albanian humanist Frang Bardhi passed away on July 1, 1643. He was a lexicographer, historian, folklorist, ethnographer and senior Catholic cleric. Bardhi was born in 1606 in Kallmet, Zadrima. He completed his studies at the religious college in Loreto, Italy, in 1628. He later earned a …
FM Hoxha says EU enlargement is strategic necessity for Europe
TIRANA, July 1 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said EU enlargement is a strategic necessity for Europe’s security, stability and competitiveness during a conference in Luxembourg on EU support for the Western Balkans, held by the European Court of Auditors. The Albanian chief diplomat said the Western Balkans and the …
EU4Culture Program Concludes After Restoring 23 Cultural Heritage Sites in Albania
The EU4Culture program has officially ended in Albania after restoring and revitalizing 23 cultural heritage sites across the country. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) implemented the project, which the European Union funded with a total budget of €40 million. The program ran from October 2020 to June …
Apolonia Archaeological Park declared immovable cultural heritage, new management plan approved
TIRANA, July 1 – The Council of Ministers declared the Apolonia Archaeological Park an immovable cultural heritage asset, also approving its boundary definition, zoning, and a new protection and management plan. The Albanian government said the new status applies in line with the official zoning map and coordinates set in …
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 …
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 …
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
€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 …
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 …
Prime Minister Edi Rama began a several-day visit to the United States as part of Albania’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly. Rama will begin his visit this afternoon in Michigan, where he will meet with members of the Albanian community. He also invited members of the community to …
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj signed today a technical cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The agreement will strengthen cooperation between Albania and IUCN. It will also bring IUCN’s technical expertise into Albania’s European Union integration process, particularly the work under …
Tirana is hosting a major security meeting with experts from the United States and Europe. The event brings together senior officials to discuss organized crime, terrorism and new security threats. From September 19 to 23, Tirana hosts the 42nd European Chapter Meeting of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA). The …
Daily protests in Tirana, known as the “Flamingo Revolution,” and their confrontation with Prime Minister Edi Rama have drawn attention from German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. According to the newspaper, the protests have continued for more than 100 days but have not turned into a mass uprising. Meanwhile, Prime Minister …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha shared on X a video message from Prime Minister Edi Rama about Albania’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hoxha said the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway. He added that the General Debate will begin …
Opportunities to develop agritourism in rural areas are increasingly encouraging people to return to their hometowns and invest in inherited properties. Prime Minister Edi Rama presented three such success stories today on his “Flasim” podcast. The stories show how returning home, including after years abroad, can create successful businesses. Entela …
Albanian patriot and activist of the National Renaissance Çerçiz Topulli was born in Gjirokastra on September 20, 1880. The family environment in which he grew up, particularly the example of his older brother, Bajo Topulli, played an important role in shaping his patriotic ideals. In 1907, Çerçiz Topulli took command …
Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the Government of Kosovo remains committed to supporting efforts to challenge the verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. Speaking during his visit to the United States, Kurti said the government would use all available means to support …
Egnatia defeated Partizani 2-1 in the fifth week of Albania’s Kategoria Superiore, returning to winning ways after last week’s loss to Elbasani. The Albanian champions took the lead in the 31st minute. Loukili found the net to make it 1-0. Egnatia continued to control the game and doubled its lead …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared images today of the festive atmosphere in Korça, where the “Serenights” festival has brought music and culture to the streets of the Old Bazaar. “A weekend in the Korça of serenades,” Koçiu wrote on social media as she shared footage from the event. The …