President Begaj approves penal amnesty law, 380 inmates to gain immediate release
TIRANA, June 30 – President Bajram Begaj signed into law the Penal Amnesty Law, approving legislation previously passed by Parliament. The law provides immediate release for 380 inmates. It also reduces the remaining sentences of about 900 other prisoners. Under the law, all men sentenced to up to 3 years …
Spille Beach ranks among Albania’s summer destinations
TIRANA, June 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of Spille Beach on social media. He described the Adriatic destination as one of Albania’s summer highlights. Spille Beach lies about 15 km from the Durrës–Rrogozhina road. It also sits about 20 km from the town of Kavaja. A long …
Startup Albania Funding Drives Growth of Innovative Businesses
The Startup Albania grant program continues to help innovative businesses grow across Albania. Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted the program’s impact by sharing the success story of SunEasy, a startup that has expanded after receiving support through the 2024 Grant Scheme. According to Ibrahimaj, the right funding …
Nufi: Albania Remains a Reliable and Committed NATO Ally
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to NATO during the Athens Defence Conference, organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). Nufi said Europe faces an increasingly challenging security environment. Therefore, he stressed that stronger strategic coordination among allies is …
Nufi in Greece: Albania and Greece to Deepen Cooperation in Security, Cyber Defence and Civil Emergencies
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited Athens on an official trip, where he was warmly received by his Greek counterpart, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias. The main focus of the visit was strengthening bilateral cooperation between Albania and Greece in defence and security. Both sides highlighted the positive and constructive momentum …
Ibrahimaj: New Investment Law to Be Approved Within the Year, Public Consultation Starts in Summer
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will approve a new investment law within this year. This reform will improve the business climate and align Albania with EU standards. She made the statement at a press conference. She added that investment policy remains one of the government’s …
Albania and UN Sign 2027–2031 Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development
The Government of Albania and the United Nations signed the Albania–UN Cooperation Framework 2027–2031 in Tirana. As a result, both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to sustainable development and improved wellbeing across the country. In this context, Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu signed the agreement on behalf of Albania. Meanwhile, …
Lungomare Sports Complex Becomes Key Public Hub in Vlora
The public sports complex at the Lungomare in Vlora continues to attract both residents and visitors. As a result, it has become one of the most frequently used public spaces in the city. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the complex on social media. He highlighted its modern facilities …
Kurti: US and KFOR Role Remains Irreplaceable for Peace and Stability
Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti attended a ceremony at Camp Bondsteel in Ferizaj. As a result, he highlighted the continued importance of international security cooperation in the region. The event marked the handover of command of the U.S. Army Regional Support Group – Balkans to Colonel Kurt A. Rorvik. …
Assembly of Albania forms subcommittee on public information integrity and disinformation
TIRANA, June 29 – Parliament held the inaugural meeting of the Subcommittee on Public Information Integrity, Disinformation and Foreign Interference under the chairmanship of Iris Luarasi. The subcommittee includes Iris Luarasi as chair, Agron Gjekmarkaj as deputy chair, and Ardit Bido, Arbjan Mazniku and Greta Bardeli as members. Meanwhile, the …
The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) hosted a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, led by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, to discuss digital transformation and innovation in public administration. AKSHI Director General Igli Tafa and other representatives welcomed Talabani and his delegation, which included the Minister …
Prime Minister Edi Rama and his wife, Linda Rama, arrived at the official reception and dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan during the NATO Summit in Ankara. Rama met President Erdoğan and the First Lady before posing for an official photograph. He also …
European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras urged acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti to show statesmanship by building a functional governing coalition and securing the election of the country’s next president. Terras made the appeal after meeting Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku and Alliance leader Ardian Gjini. …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation. The two ministers agreed to strengthen political dialogue and create new opportunities for cooperation, with a particular focus on the economy and trade. Hoxha highlighted …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met with Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and his delegation to discuss expanding cooperation between Albania and the region. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on recent regional developments and explored new opportunities for cooperation in areas of …
First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Holta Zaçaj, participated in the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Constituency, held on July 6–7, 2026, in Lisbon, Portugal. During the high-level gathering, central bank governors, finance ministers, and senior representatives from member countries discussed the latest …
European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras said Kosovo’s future belongs in the European Union. However, he stressed that the country must continue reforms to achieve membership. “We are working in this direction,” Terras said after meetings with Kosovo’s political leaders in Pristina. During his visit, Terras met with Acting …
By Marco Rubio Two hundred and fifty years ago today, in a brick hall in Philadelphia, our forefathers declared their independence from the most powerful empire on earth. They were not fools. They knew exactly what the words on that parchment would mean. They knew that in that moment, they …
Tirana Times, July 07, 2026 – The next NATO Summit, where the leaders of Allied member states gather annually, will take place on July 7–8, 2026, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. It will be NATO’s 36th summit and the second hosted by Türkiye, after the Istanbul Summit of 2004. …
Albania’s Concrete Economy: How Construction Became the Country’s Dominant Growth Model Tirana Times, July 7, 2026 – A booming construction sector has made Albania an outlier in Europe, but behind the cranes and luxury towers lies a deeper story of weak productivity, distorted investment and suspected flows of illicit money. …