Blog
News

PM Rama meets North Rhine-Westphalia premier to discuss investment and Albania’s EU membership

TIRANA, July 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met Hendrik Wüst during his visit to Bochum, Germany. Rama said the talks focused on expanding cooperation between Albania and North Rhine-Westphalia, one of Germany’s leading economic and industrial regions. He identified investment, digital technology, vocational education, and Albania’s European Union membership …

Read More
News

“Shtëpia e Midhjeve” ranks second at TEA Awards 2026 in gastronomy category

“Shtëpia e Midhjeve” (The House of Mussels), a culinary destination located near Saranda, has ranked second in the “TEA’s Gastronomy Award” category at the TEA Awards 2026 ceremony. The National Tourism Agency says this recognition places “Shtëpia e Midhjeve” among the most highly rated gastronomic destinations based on visitor reviews …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
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 …

Read More
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 …

Read More
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

Read More
News
Rama: “Mountain Package” Best Way to Expand Agritourism Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama today highlighted the benefits that the “Mountain Package” offers to individuals interested in investing in agritourism. Rama referred to the story of Entela, who decided with her family to return to Koman and establish a guesthouse. He said the “Mountain Package” was designed specifically to support …

News
Rama: “Mountain Package” Best Way to Expand Agritourism Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama today highlighted the benefits that the “Mountain Package” offers to individuals interested in investing in agritourism. Rama referred to the story of Entela, who decided with her family to return to Koman and establish a guesthouse. He said the “Mountain Package” was designed specifically to support …

News
Rama Shares Images from Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026

Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared images from preparations for the international “Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026.” “Korça is running,” Rama wrote on social media as he shared footage from today’s race. Meanwhile, participants received race packages that included a race shirt, bag, bib number and timing chip. The …

News
Rama Shares Images from Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026

Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared images from preparations for the international “Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026.” “Korça is running,” Rama wrote on social media as he shared footage from today’s race. Meanwhile, participants received race packages that included a race shirt, bag, bib number and timing chip. The …

News
Rama: Agreements with Communities to Protect Nature in Tourist Areas

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Ministry of Environment will establish agreements with communities in tourist areas to strengthen environmental protection and improve cleaning efforts. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama focused on environmental protection and wildfire prevention, particularly in forest areas with tourism potential. “We will test …

News
Rama: Agreements with Communities to Protect Nature in Tourist Areas

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Ministry of Environment will establish agreements with communities in tourist areas to strengthen environmental protection and improve cleaning efforts. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama focused on environmental protection and wildfire prevention, particularly in forest areas with tourism potential. “We will test …

News
Cloudy weather and rain expected across Albania, temperatures up to 31 degrees

The Military Meteorological Service forecasts relatively unstable weather across Albania on Monday. The day will start with clear spells. Cloud cover will gradually increase across the country. Moderate to dense clouds will develop later. Meanwhile, mostly light rain will affect most areas from midday through late afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms may …

News
Cloudy weather and rain expected across Albania, temperatures up to 31 degrees

The Military Meteorological Service forecasts relatively unstable weather across Albania on Monday. The day will start with clear spells. Cloud cover will gradually increase across the country. Moderate to dense clouds will develop later. Meanwhile, mostly light rain will affect most areas from midday through late afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms may …

News
EU-Albania parliamentary committee meets in Tirana on integration and reforms

The 22nd meeting of the EU-Albania Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee begins in Tirana today. The two-day meeting will continue on Tuesday, September 22. The meeting will start at 10:00. Taulant Balla, head of the Assembly of Albania delegation, and European Parliament delegation head Marco Tarquinio will co-chair the meeting. …

News
EU-Albania parliamentary committee meets in Tirana on integration and reforms

The 22nd meeting of the EU-Albania Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee begins in Tirana today. The two-day meeting will continue on Tuesday, September 22. The meeting will start at 10:00. Taulant Balla, head of the Assembly of Albania delegation, and European Parliament delegation head Marco Tarquinio will co-chair the meeting. …

News

Rama: “Mountain Package” Best Way to Expand Agritourism Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama today highlighted the benefits that the “Mountain Package” offers to individuals interested in investing in agritourism. Rama referred to the story of Entela, who decided with her family to return to Koman and establish a guesthouse. He said the “Mountain Package” was designed specifically to support …

News

Rama: “Mountain Package” Best Way to Expand Agritourism Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama today highlighted the benefits that the “Mountain Package” offers to individuals interested in investing in agritourism. Rama referred to the story of Entela, who decided with her family to return to Koman and establish a guesthouse. He said the “Mountain Package” was designed specifically to support …

News

Rama Shares Images from Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026

Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared images from preparations for the international “Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026.” “Korça is running,” Rama wrote on social media as he shared footage from today’s race. Meanwhile, participants received race packages that included a race shirt, bag, bib number and timing chip. The …

News

Rama Shares Images from Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026

Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared images from preparations for the international “Korça Little Paris Half Marathon 2026.” “Korça is running,” Rama wrote on social media as he shared footage from today’s race. Meanwhile, participants received race packages that included a race shirt, bag, bib number and timing chip. The …

News

Rama: Agreements with Communities to Protect Nature in Tourist Areas

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Ministry of Environment will establish agreements with communities in tourist areas to strengthen environmental protection and improve cleaning efforts. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama focused on environmental protection and wildfire prevention, particularly in forest areas with tourism potential. “We will test …

News

Rama: Agreements with Communities to Protect Nature in Tourist Areas

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Ministry of Environment will establish agreements with communities in tourist areas to strengthen environmental protection and improve cleaning efforts. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama focused on environmental protection and wildfire prevention, particularly in forest areas with tourism potential. “We will test …

News

Cloudy weather and rain expected across Albania, temperatures up to 31 degrees

The Military Meteorological Service forecasts relatively unstable weather across Albania on Monday. The day will start with clear spells. Cloud cover will gradually increase across the country. Moderate to dense clouds will develop later. Meanwhile, mostly light rain will affect most areas from midday through late afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms may …

News

Cloudy weather and rain expected across Albania, temperatures up to 31 degrees

The Military Meteorological Service forecasts relatively unstable weather across Albania on Monday. The day will start with clear spells. Cloud cover will gradually increase across the country. Moderate to dense clouds will develop later. Meanwhile, mostly light rain will affect most areas from midday through late afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms may …

News

EU-Albania parliamentary committee meets in Tirana on integration and reforms

The 22nd meeting of the EU-Albania Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee begins in Tirana today. The two-day meeting will continue on Tuesday, September 22. The meeting will start at 10:00. Taulant Balla, head of the Assembly of Albania delegation, and European Parliament delegation head Marco Tarquinio will co-chair the meeting. …

News

EU-Albania parliamentary committee meets in Tirana on integration and reforms

The 22nd meeting of the EU-Albania Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee begins in Tirana today. The two-day meeting will continue on Tuesday, September 22. The meeting will start at 10:00. Taulant Balla, head of the Assembly of Albania delegation, and European Parliament delegation head Marco Tarquinio will co-chair the meeting. …