Blog
News

Pope Leo XIV receives President Bajram Begaj at the Vatican

TIRANA, May 26 – Pope Leo XIV received President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj in an audience at the Vatican. The meeting focused on bilateral relations and developments in the Western Balkans. Meanwhile, President Begaj also held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy …

Read More
News

Albania and EU hold today eighth intergovernmental accession conference in Brussels

TIRANA, May 26 – Albania and the European Union will hold the eighth Intergovernmental Conference on accession negotiations in Brussels today. The meeting is expected to advance reforms under Cluster 1 “Fundamentals”. The conference will confirm Albania’s fulfilment of interim benchmarks. It will also define final benchmarks for the cluster, …

Read More
News

Stable weather conditions, temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, May 26 – The Meteorological Military Service said Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday. The weather will feature clear skies. It will also include occasional moderate cloud cover over eastern mountainous areas during midday and afternoon hours. Meanwhile, local rainfall is expected in eastern and southern …

Read More
News

FM Hoxha in Lithuania says parliamentary cooperation key for EU path

TIRANA, May 26 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held talks in Vilnius with Remigijus Motuzas, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Parliament. The meeting focused on inter-parliamentary cooperation and support for Albania’s EU integration process. Meanwhile, Hoxha highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy …

Read More
News

Rama: Durrës Coastline Moves Toward Modern Transformation

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Durrës is moving toward a modern transformation of its coastline. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Durrës, Rama highlighted ongoing projects at Durrës Beach. He said the area has changed from a coastline once affected by sewage pollution into a growing urban …

Read More
News

From opening negotiations to the 8th Intergovernmental Conference, Albania’s path towards the EU

TIRANA, May 26 – Albania and the European Union hold the eighth Intergovernmental Conference today in Brussels. The agenda focuses on accession negotiations and Cluster 1, “Fundamentals.” At this stage, the conference reviews Albania’s progress on interim benchmarks and sets final benchmarks covering rule of law, justice, and democratic institutions. …

Read More
News

The Head of the Muslim Community of Albania urges peace, solidarity on Eid al-Adha

TIRANA, May 26 – The Head of the Muslim Community of Albania, Bujar Spahiu, extended greetings to believers on Eid al-Adha. He highlighted peace, solidarity, and harmony as core values of the holiday message. The message defined Eid al-Adha as a major Islamic celebration. It also emphasized sacrifice, obedience to …

Read More
News

“Travel Radar” reports Albania as fastest-growing tourism destination in Europe

TIRANA, May 26 – A Travel Radar article says Albania is no longer a secret destination in Europe. Eve Powell writes the piece in Travel Radar. Tourist arrivals doubled over the past five years. More than 12 million visitors entered Albania in 2025, according to official data. INSTAT reports a …

Read More
News

Civil society essential for free elections and Albania’s EU integration

TIRANA, May 26 – At a National Conference on the role of civil society in electoral processes, Cinzia Tarletti, Head of the Good Governance and Rule of Law Sector at the EU Delegation in Tirana, stressed the importance of free, fair and transparent elections for democracy and Albania’s EU integration. …

Read More
News

President Begaj highlights historic value of Albania–Holy See ties, invites Pope Leo XIV to visit

TIRANA, May 26 – President Bajram Begaj said Albania’s relations with the Holy See carry major historical value after meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. He made the remarks in a social media post following the meeting. He also published photos from the encounter. Begaj described the meeting with …

Read More
News
From Closeness to Strategic Partnership: Fincantieri’s Shipyard Project and a New Vision for the Future of Italy-Albania Relations

by Albert Rakipi, PhD In April 2026, Fincantieri, one of Italy’s industrial and defence champions, signed an agreement with the Albanian company KAYO to produce vessels at the Pashaliman shipyard. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the project as part of a strategic partnership, noting that the new company would produce ships not only …

News
Rama’s Arguments with RSF Draw Attention From Albanian Media’s Problems

Edi Rama’s public exchanges with Reporters Without Borders, RSF, over its latest Freedom Index are part of a familiar pattern of redirecting attention away from real problems in society, experts say. Original post Here

News
Letter from London: Close to Boiling Point

The thermometer’s risen sharply, both literally and politically, this spring – but even with so much else to preoccupy Britons, the Balkans hasn’t quite slipped off the radar. Original post Here

News
Mario Biondi Delivers Emotional Jazz Performance in Tirana Concert

The concert of Italian soul and jazz artist Mario Biondi took place on Monday evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana, bringing strong emotions and high energy to the audience. Organizers held the event as part of the 20th anniversary of his hit “This …

News
Rama: Independent Justice Is Key to Building a European State

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …

News
Rama: Socialist Party Has Always Defended Albania’s National Interest

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …

News
Hoxha: Positive IBAR Assessment Reflects Albania’s Reform Progress Toward the EU

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …

News
Manastirliu: Tirana Drives Albania’s Journey Toward EU Membership

Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …

News
Ivanka Trump Calls Sazan Development the ‘Project of a Lifetime’

Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …

News
Hoxha and Van Hoof Discuss New Initiatives to Strengthen Albania–Belgium Relations

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …

News

From Closeness to Strategic Partnership: Fincantieri’s Shipyard Project and a New Vision for the Future of Italy-Albania Relations

by Albert Rakipi, PhD In April 2026, Fincantieri, one of Italy’s industrial and defence champions, signed an agreement with the Albanian company KAYO to produce vessels at the Pashaliman shipyard. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the project as part of a strategic partnership, noting that the new company would produce ships not only …

News

Rama’s Arguments with RSF Draw Attention From Albanian Media’s Problems

Edi Rama’s public exchanges with Reporters Without Borders, RSF, over its latest Freedom Index are part of a familiar pattern of redirecting attention away from real problems in society, experts say. Original post Here

News

Letter from London: Close to Boiling Point

The thermometer’s risen sharply, both literally and politically, this spring – but even with so much else to preoccupy Britons, the Balkans hasn’t quite slipped off the radar. Original post Here

News

Mario Biondi Delivers Emotional Jazz Performance in Tirana Concert

The concert of Italian soul and jazz artist Mario Biondi took place on Monday evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana, bringing strong emotions and high energy to the audience. Organizers held the event as part of the 20th anniversary of his hit “This …

News

Rama: Independent Justice Is Key to Building a European State

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …

News

Rama: Socialist Party Has Always Defended Albania’s National Interest

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …

News

Hoxha: Positive IBAR Assessment Reflects Albania’s Reform Progress Toward the EU

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …

News

Manastirliu: Tirana Drives Albania’s Journey Toward EU Membership

Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …

News

Ivanka Trump Calls Sazan Development the ‘Project of a Lifetime’

Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …

News

Hoxha and Van Hoof Discuss New Initiatives to Strengthen Albania–Belgium Relations

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …