Italian ruling party delegation visits migrant facility in Albania, cites 536 cases processed
TIRANA, April 21 – Lawmakers from Italy’s ruling party Fratelli d’Italia visited a migrant facility in Gjadër, northern Albania, to assess its operations. The centre serves as a pre-removal detention site for migrants whose asylum requests Italy has rejected. The delegation included senior members of the Italian Chamber of Deputies …
Albania’s State Police Directorate and General Inspectorate sign cooperation deal targeting illegal construction and environmental crime
TIRANA, April 21 – Albania’s State Police and the General Inspectorate signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday to strengthen joint action against illegal construction, environmental crime and labour violations. The deal also covers food safety, medicines and medical equipment oversight. The agreement sets a framework for coordinated inspections and enforcement …
Heavy rainfall causes urban flooding in northern Albania city of Lezha
TIRANA, April 21 – Heavy rainfall in recent hours has caused flooding in several urban areas of the northern Albanian city of Lezha. Water accumulation disrupted movement for residents and vehicles across affected zones. Authorities reported the most severe conditions in the “Besëlidhja” and “Skënderbeg” neighbourhoods. Drainage systems struggled to …
European Wrestling Championships kicks off in Tirana with over 600 athletes competing
TIRANA, April 21 – The European Wrestling Championships for seniors kicks off in Tirana, hosting more than 600 athletes from 38 countries from April 20 to 26, 2026. The event takes place at the Olympic Park “Feti Borova,” where the official opening ceremony marked the start of competitions. Organizers scheduled …
Rama: New port law to boost coastal investment
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new law on tourist ports will support coastal investment. He said the changes are necessary to avoid blocking investors. Rama spoke at a meeting in Tirana with agrotourism representatives. He rejected claims that the government changes the law to favor oligarchs. He said the …
Balla meets Moldovan MPs to strengthen parliamentary cooperation
Taulant Balla met with Moldovan MPs and representatives of the Moldovan Football Federation. He focused on strengthening interparliamentary cooperation between Albania and Moldova. He said both countries share a common path toward European Union membership. He highlighted the need for closer cooperation in the EU integration process. Balla said Albania …
Rama: “Park of Faith” to attract tourists to Tirana
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the “Park of Faith” will attract tourists to Tirana. He described the project as a strong magnet for the Petrela area. He added that the park will develop step by step as vegetation grows. Rama noted a strong rise in tourist numbers in March. He …
Cultural week features films, theater, and exhibitions in Albania
This week features a rich calendar of cultural and artistic events in Albania. The “Italian Screens – Il Nuovo Cinema Italiano” cycle presents Italian films until April 25. Screenings take place in Tirana, Vlora, Shkodra, and Prishtina. The program promotes cultural dialogue between Italy, Albania, and Kosovo. One of the …
Gonxhja: Albania simplifies agrotourism licensing procedures
Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the government is simplifying licensing procedures for agrotourism. Authorities are working with the Agriculture Ministry under the “Mountain Package.” Gonxhja said the goal is faster and easier procedures. The government wants to remove unnecessary administrative barriers. He added that officials are waiting for final feedback …
Hoxha: Luxembourg strongly supports Albania’s EU membership
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha visited Luxembourg. He met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel. Both sides confirmed strong friendship and cooperation. They agreed to deepen ties in key areas. They focused on innovation, technology, and tourism. Hoxha said Luxembourg strongly supports Albania’s EU membership. He noted Luxembourg’s consistent …
TIRANA, April 28 – Albanian composer Aleksandër Lalo (1949–2017), born on 27 April 1949, remains a key figure in the country’s film music tradition. He would have turned 77 years old. His work shaped Albanian cinema across several decades. He developed a distinctive musical language that combined emotional depth with …
Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional Court, has died. His son, lawyer Çlirim Gjata, shared the news on social media. Rustem Gjata won a seat as a Democratic Party MP in the first pluralist elections in 1992. He helped draft the law on the Constitutional Court as a member …
President Bajram Begaj attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He called for tangible results to speed up regional economic development and EU integration. He said the Western Balkans is now a strategic front for Europe. Begaj described the initiative as a success story. He said it …
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka met German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. They discussed Albania’s progress in EU negotiations. Talks focused on Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The German minister expressed full support for Albania’s EU path. He confirmed strong partnership in advancing reforms and …
Andreas Schieder praised Albania’s progress in EU integration. He said negotiations could close by 2027–2028. He highlighted major reforms, especially in justice. He described them as among the deepest in the Western Balkans. Schieder said Albania has changed dramatically for the better. He stressed the need to present this progress …
Speaker Niko Peleshi met Irish MP Barry Ward in Dublin. They discussed Albania’s achievements and challenges in the EU accession process. Talks also focused on Ireland’s continued support. The meeting addressed Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026. Peleshi said Albania’s visible progress strengthens confidence in EU …
Silvio Gonzato highlights EU–Albania cultural partnership in Durrës museum reopening Silvio Gonzato said the EU and Albania strengthened their partnership through the reopening of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës. He stated that the EU4Culture programme restored the museum. He added that the project supports cultural revival and post-2019 earthquake recovery. …
Edi Rama said the Archaeological Museum of Durrës reopens after major restoration under the EU4Culture programme. He stated that the European Union has supported the restoration of 23 cultural heritage sites in Albania. Moreover, he highlighted the strong cooperation between Albania and the EU after the 2019 earthquake. He said …
Speaking at the joint meeting of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu warned that the justice system will be measured by the results it delivers for citizens, highlighting one of the main issues—delays of up to three years in providing reasoned court decisions. “There …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke this Tuesday from the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the agreement signed between the Albanian government—through ALBGAZ—Venture Global, a company active in liquefied natural gas produced in the United States, and Aktor LNG, a Greek company with experience in this sector. Rama said that the Albanian …