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Rama: The EU integration process is historic; it transforms the Albanian state

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking during a conference with negotiators on Albania’s path toward the European Union, stated that the process carries significant weight. According to him, it is historic and transformative for the Albanian state. “This process substantially increases the institutional capacities of the state. It brings extraordinary benefits …

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Presidential election, Kurti: We will begin meetings with the opposition

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, announced that he will invite leaders of opposition parties to meetings in an effort to secure the necessary votes for the election of the country’s new president. He stated that so far he has not had enough time to conduct internal consultations regarding …

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Appointment of CEC members, Constitutional Court declares Osmani’s request inadmissible

The Constitutional Court has declared inadmissible the request of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, regarding the appointment of members of the Central Election Commission (CEC). Osmani had requested an assessment of a “conflict between constitutional competencies under Article 113” of the Constitution—specifically between herself and “parliamentary groups as bodies …

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AIIS Honors Ilir Ikonomi with “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize

Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 –  The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …

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Week in Review: Alignment, Collision and Scandal

From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here

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Iran-Linked Hackers Target Albanian Post in Latest Attack

The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here

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In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

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Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

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Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

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Justice begins at magistrates’ school, not in courtroom, minister says

TIRANA, June 4 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that justice reform in Albania has entered a new phase. He said the process now shifts from institution building to consolidation. He linked this shift to professional and ethical training of new magistrates. He spoke at the closing conference of …

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U.S. supports stronger measures against cultural heritage trafficking, US Deputy Ambassador to Albania says

TIRANA, June 4 – The United States supports stronger measures against trafficking in cultural heritage objects. US Deputy Ambassador to Albania Kethrin Hammond made the statement today during a meeting on prevention efforts. She said the United States backs Albania’s efforts to strengthen national security. The fight targets trafficking in …

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Data protection in the era of artificial intelligence discussed with financial sector

TIRANA, June 4 – The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection held a discussion titled “Personal Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Sector” with representatives from banking institutions, non-bank financial entities, the insurance sector, data protection officers, technology experts and information …

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Rubio: Kosovo’s NATO Membership Is Not Currently at the Top of Allies’ Agenda

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that NATO enlargement to include Kosovo is not currently a top priority for the alliance’s member states. However, he emphasized that this does not mean such membership could not happen in the future. Speaking during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio also said that …

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Costa to Vučić: Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue and the Ohrid Agreement Are Vital for Regional Security

The President of the European Council, António Costa, called on Serbia to accelerate its reform agenda and advance dialogue with Kosovo, stressing that European Union enlargement is a strategic necessity. Speaking at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Costa stated that the path toward EU membership is based on trust and tangible progress …

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Vjosa Osmani in Gjilan: We Believe in Work, Results, and the Alliance with the United States

Presidential candidate from the Vjosa Osmani camp visited Gjilan, where she thanked citizens for their support, describing it as a decisive turning point toward change and unity. During a gathering in Gjilan, Osmani stated that her political vision is based on concrete actions and measurable achievements. “We believe in work, not in endless …

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Euro Falls Against the Albanian Lek Again, Approaching the 95-Lek Threshold

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-turn-id-container=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The exchange rate of the euro against the Albanian lek has reached a new historic low. According to the official rate published by the Bank of Albania, one euro is currently exchanged at 95.3 lek, the lowest level ever recorded. …

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Agricultural Census Bill Approved; Farmers Who Do Not Respond May Face Fines

*]: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:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The government has approved the draft law “On the Agricultural Census,” a process aimed at comprehensively registering agricultural economic units throughout the country. The initiative directly affects farmers, families working agricultural land, livestock units, and agricultural holdings that produce both …

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Construction Project in Zvërnec: Rama Reveals the Architect, Calling Him a “Great Artist of Nature”

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced in a Facebook post the architect who has been commissioned for the Zvërnec development project. Rama described landscape architect Dong Yugan as a “great artist of nature” and noted that he presented his vision on Thursday at the Bread&Heart Festival in Tirana. Rama stated that the project aims to achieve a …

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President of Lithuania Visits Tirana, Received by Rama at the Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, at the Prime Minister’s Office this Thursday. It has been reported that the meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries, Lithuania’s support for Albania’s European Union accession process, and the EU’s enlargement to include the Western Balkan …

News

Justice begins at magistrates’ school, not in courtroom, minister says

TIRANA, June 4 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that justice reform in Albania has entered a new phase. He said the process now shifts from institution building to consolidation. He linked this shift to professional and ethical training of new magistrates. He spoke at the closing conference of …

News

U.S. supports stronger measures against cultural heritage trafficking, US Deputy Ambassador to Albania says

TIRANA, June 4 – The United States supports stronger measures against trafficking in cultural heritage objects. US Deputy Ambassador to Albania Kethrin Hammond made the statement today during a meeting on prevention efforts. She said the United States backs Albania’s efforts to strengthen national security. The fight targets trafficking in …

News

Data protection in the era of artificial intelligence discussed with financial sector

TIRANA, June 4 – The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection held a discussion titled “Personal Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Sector” with representatives from banking institutions, non-bank financial entities, the insurance sector, data protection officers, technology experts and information …

News

Rubio: Kosovo’s NATO Membership Is Not Currently at the Top of Allies’ Agenda

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that NATO enlargement to include Kosovo is not currently a top priority for the alliance’s member states. However, he emphasized that this does not mean such membership could not happen in the future. Speaking during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio also said that …

News

Costa to Vučić: Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue and the Ohrid Agreement Are Vital for Regional Security

The President of the European Council, António Costa, called on Serbia to accelerate its reform agenda and advance dialogue with Kosovo, stressing that European Union enlargement is a strategic necessity. Speaking at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Costa stated that the path toward EU membership is based on trust and tangible progress …

News

Vjosa Osmani in Gjilan: We Believe in Work, Results, and the Alliance with the United States

Presidential candidate from the Vjosa Osmani camp visited Gjilan, where she thanked citizens for their support, describing it as a decisive turning point toward change and unity. During a gathering in Gjilan, Osmani stated that her political vision is based on concrete actions and measurable achievements. “We believe in work, not in endless …

News

Euro Falls Against the Albanian Lek Again, Approaching the 95-Lek Threshold

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-turn-id-container=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The exchange rate of the euro against the Albanian lek has reached a new historic low. According to the official rate published by the Bank of Albania, one euro is currently exchanged at 95.3 lek, the lowest level ever recorded. …

News

Agricultural Census Bill Approved; Farmers Who Do Not Respond May Face Fines

*]: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:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The government has approved the draft law “On the Agricultural Census,” a process aimed at comprehensively registering agricultural economic units throughout the country. The initiative directly affects farmers, families working agricultural land, livestock units, and agricultural holdings that produce both …

News

Construction Project in Zvërnec: Rama Reveals the Architect, Calling Him a “Great Artist of Nature”

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced in a Facebook post the architect who has been commissioned for the Zvërnec development project. Rama described landscape architect Dong Yugan as a “great artist of nature” and noted that he presented his vision on Thursday at the Bread&Heart Festival in Tirana. Rama stated that the project aims to achieve a …

News

President of Lithuania Visits Tirana, Received by Rama at the Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, at the Prime Minister’s Office this Thursday. It has been reported that the meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries, Lithuania’s support for Albania’s European Union accession process, and the EU’s enlargement to include the Western Balkan …