“Mona Lisa of Berat” displayed after three-month restoration
TIRANA, May 19 – The monumental icon “Saint Mary with Christ in her right arm”, a work by Onufri, returned to public display in Berat. It followed a three-month restoration process at the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory of the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi …
Italians Lead Tourist Visits in Albania, Accommodation Up 20.8%
Tourism in Albania continued to grow in March, with a strong increase in visitors staying in accommodation structures. According to INSTAT, total visitors increased by 20.8% compared to March 2025. Foreign visitors rose even more, by 23.7%. Resident visitors increased by 15.9%. Italian tourists led arrivals. They made up 30% …
Radio Tirana in 1947, rare photographs from Albanian Telegraphic Agency archive
TIRANA, May 19 – The archive of the Albanian news agency (ATSH) contains rare photographs of Radio Tirana dated 1947. The images show the radio’s facilities, speakers, technicians and broadcasting equipment. They also feature antennas, an orchestra and singers performing live in front of microphones. Radio Tirana was founded in …
Besëlidhja Crowned Albanian Basketball Champions for Third Consecutive Time
Besëlidhja Basketball Club wins the Albanian Basketball Championship for the 2025–2026 season. They defeat Tirana Basketball Club 103–84 in the third final game. They complete the final series 3–0. Coach Afrim Bilali leads the team. He guides Besëlidhja to a dominant performance throughout the series. The game starts balanced. Besëlidhja …
Montenegrin FM Ervin Ibrahimovic highlights strong Albania–Montenegro partnership for EU integration
TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimovic visited Tirana on an official trip. He said Albania and Montenegro share friendship and a common European vision. Meanwhile, during a joint press conference with Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Ibrahimovic said relations between the two countries …
Foreign ministers of Albania and Montenegro focus on cross-border projects and cooperation
TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held a press conference with his Montenegrin counterpart Ervin Ibrahimoviç. They underlined close cooperation between the two countries and commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Montenegro as a stable model …
Modigliani Comes to Tirana as Kalo Gallery Expands Albania’s Cultural Horizon
Tirana Times, May 15, 2026 — Kalo Gallery, one of Tirana’s most prominent private cultural spaces, has opened an exhibition dedicated to Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani, marking a significant moment for Albania’s growing contemporary art scene. The exhibition brings to the Albanian public works associated with one of the …
Balla: We Support Student Protest in North Macedonia
Taulant Balla supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He posts on social media. He backs their demand. Students want the bar exam in Albanian. Balla says the request is legitimate. He says the constitution already recognizes this right. Yet, it is not applied in practice. He calls for action. …
Hoxha Meets Qatar Foreign Minister: “We Move Forward with Joint Projects”
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They first met in Tirana. Later, they continued talks in Durrës. Both sides confirmed strong relations. They also confirmed mutual trust and a strong partnership. Hoxha said both …
Opposition MPs Meet NDI Director: “EU Integration Requires Functional Democracy”
Opposition MPs Ina Zhupa and Ivi Kaso meet today with Scott Bates. They discuss with the National Democratic Institute director for Europe. Zhupa leads the discussion. She focuses on transparency. She pushes for inclusion. She demands stronger Parliament oversight. The MPs raise concerns. They highlight challenges facing the opposition. They …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania expects to complete the opening phase of European Union membership negotiations on Tuesday in Brussels. Rama spoke at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Durrës on Monday. He said Albania has opened all negotiation chapters in record time. He added that the country …
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited Tirana on Monday and met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. The two officials discussed the wider geopolitical situation in the region. Dendias also spoke about Himarë, which he said is linked to his family origins. He said the Greek ethnic minority remains a bridge …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s economic growth reflects the country’s broader transformation. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Durrës, Rama said Albania’s economic output has increased from less than 10 billion euros to 27 billion euros. He said the average salary has reached 912 euros. The …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Socialist Party has never stepped back when it comes to Albania’s national interest. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Durrës, Rama said protecting the national interest has been part of the party’s identity since its founding. He described the Socialist Party …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Socialist Party guaranteed stability and brought Albania closer to the European Union over the past 35 years. Speaking at the anniversary event in Durrës, Rama called the milestone an important moment for reflection and celebration. He thanked party members for their contribution through the …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met tourism businesses in Durrës on Monday to discuss sector challenges and cooperation with tax authorities. Malaj said stronger dialogue with businesses remains essential to improve competitiveness and further formalize the tourism sector. He added that these efforts will bring more value to Albania’s economy. He …
Taulant Balla met law students from European Law Students’ Association in Tirana on Sunday. The meeting took place within the National Council for European Integration. Balla said Albania has entered a decisive stage in the EU integration process. He pointed to the upcoming 8th Intergovernmental Conference with the European Union …
Ermal Nufi met Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias in Tirana on Monday. The two ministers discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in defence and security. They agreed to continue close dialogue between the two countries. They reaffirmed support for stability in the Western Balkans. They described regional security as a strategic priority …
Albania continues to record growth in entries and exits across its territory during the month of April. According to data published by INSTAT, more than 1.4 million Albanian and foreign citizens entered the country in April 2026, marking an increase compared to the same period a year earlier. The data …
A new draft decision “On Waste Landfills” aims to change the way waste is disposed of and treated in Albania. The proposal, which has been opened for public consultation, introduces restrictions on the types of waste that may end up in landfills. The document sets out new rules for the …