Rama: “Open Balkan” was controversial because of its political backers, not its objectives
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the “Open Balkan” initiative was considered “a terrible idea” only because he and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić backed it. “It was a terrible idea for one reason only: Vučić and I were behind it. If we removed our names and replaced them with five others, …
Berisha Attends IDC-CDI General Assembly in Brussels as Organization’s Vice President
*]: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:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha is attending the General Assembly of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC-CDI) in Brussels, where he serves as one of the organization’s Vice Presidents. The assembly has brought together political leaders, former presidents, Members of the European …
Penal Amnesty: Around 60 Inmates to Be Released from Drenova Prison
*]: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:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Around 60 inmates at Drenova Prison are expected to be released under Albania’s new penal amnesty law, which is scheduled to be implemented on July 15. Under the amnesty, eligible male prisoners will receive a one-year sentence reduction, while eligible female …
Ombudsman Raises Alarm Over Conditions at Shënkoll Prison: “It Should Be a High-Security Hospital, Not a Prison with Two Psychiatrists”
Albania’s Ombudsman is carrying out an unannounced inspection on Monday and Tuesday at the Shënkoll Prison Institution as part of its mandate as the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture. According to the Ombudsman, the preliminary findings are deeply concerning. The inspection team identified severe overcrowding in accommodation facilities and a …
Parliament joins 51st Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …
Next NATO summit to put Albania and PM Rama in international spotlight
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania will host the 37th NATO Summit after the alliance concluded its 36th summit in Ankara. Analysts say the decision highlights the strategic importance of Albania and the Western Balkans for NATO. Experts say the alliance has renewed its focus on the region as Europe reshapes …
Albania marks 31 years in the Council of Europe
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania marks 31 years of membership in the Council of Europe on July 13, a milestone that reflects the country’s democratic transition and its commitment to European standards, according to the Agency for Media and Information (MIA). MIA said membership has supported reforms, strengthened institutions and …
Murat Toptani, a versatile artist of the National Renaissance
TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …
UK bans support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …
Governor Sejko Meets EBRD’s New Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs
On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with a group of parents today to discuss the creation of a National Council for Children with Disabilities and ways to strengthen the support-teacher system. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu, Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro and State Social Service Director Reme Lala …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Austria’s Federal Minister for Europe Claudia Bauer in Vienna during the high-level ministerial meeting “Slavkov 3 – Western Balkans”. Hoxha and Bauer discussed Albania’s EU accession process, the country’s ongoing reform agenda and key priorities in the negotiations. Hoxha expressed …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in a high-level meeting of European affairs ministers from the Slavkov format countries and the Western Balkans in Vienna on September 29, 2026. The Slavkov format brings together Austria, Czechia and Slovakia, along with the Western Balkan countries. Austrian Federal …
New U.S. Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt has officially taken up his post, as the U.S. Marine Corps raised the American flag at the ambassador’s official residence. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana announced that the U.S. Marine Corps raised the American flag at the official residence to mark the beginning …
September 29 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer and screenwriter, and former Culture Minister, Teodor Laço. Laço was born on September 29, 1936, in the village of Dardhë, Korçë. He studied Agronomy at the University of Tirana. However, his early passion for writing shaped his …
Minister of Interior Ervin Demo met today with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa. The ambassador congratulated Demo on his appointment and stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law as Albania moves toward EU membership. During the meeting, the two officials discussed priorities and challenges related …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke today about protests against the planned investment in Zvernec. He said scientific assessments and the project’s environmental impact will determine whether construction moves forward. Speaking at the Euronews Summit 2026, Rama said the investment has no political link to Donald Trump. Instead, he said investors …
Albania dominated San Marino in their second Group C1 match of the UEFA Nations League. The Red and Blacks needed less than 27 minutes to take control at the San Marino Stadium. Anis Mehmeti opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Just five minutes later, Myrto Uzuni doubled Albania’s lead. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit in Brussels, addressed the ongoing protests in Tirana and also commented on singer Dua Lipa’s support for the demonstrations. Rama said that he is proud of Dua Lipa, just as she is proud of the protests taking place in …
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha delivered a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where he addressed developments in Kosovo and the convictions of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders in The Hague. Berisha first focused on the repeated elections in Kosovo, saying they had been conducted …