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Hashim Thaçi’s Son Meets Edi Rama: Thank You for Supporting the KLA

Endrit Thaçi, the son of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, has shared a photo on social media from a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by a message thanking him for his support of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and its former leaders currently facing trial in The …

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PM Rama to France 24: Foreign Actors Oppose the Zvërnec Investment Project

Prime Minister Edi Rama has commented on the protests against the proposed $4 billion investment project in Zvërnec, suggesting that they are driven not only by domestic concerns but also by external influences seeking to block the development. In an interview with French television network France 24, Rama said that …

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Agricultural Production Reaches 9.7 Million Tons, Vegetables Increase While Cereals and Fruit Decline

Albanian farmers produced approximately 9.7 million tons of agricultural products in 2025. According to INSTAT, vegetables led overall production with 1.4 million tons, marking a 1.5% annual increase. Fier, Tirana and Berat accounted for around 62% of total vegetable output. Cereals also represented a significant share of agricultural production, reaching …

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Economic Slowdown: Business Activity Grew by Just 1.1% in 2025

Although Albania’s economy expanded by 3.9% in 2025, according to preliminary data from INSTAT, nearly 72% of that growth was driven by just two sectors that are not directly linked to real business activity: public administration and net taxes. Based on preliminary estimates derived from quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) …

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PM Rama Welcomes Turkey’s New Ambassador to Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos on X from a meeting with Turkey’s new ambassador to Albania, Ceyhun Erciyes. “It is a pleasure to welcome the new ambassador of our brotherly Turkey,” Rama wrote on X. The Prime Minister also reposted a message from the Turkish Embassy in Tirana, which …

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PM Kurti: Kosovo Did Not Need New Elections, Work on Forming Institutions to Begin Soon

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that the June 7 elections were unnecessary and that the outcome itself proves it, stressing that citizens have once again delivered a clear message. “This is our first in-person meeting since the June 7 elections. Kosovo did not need these elections, and the …

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Tourists from around the world bring Tirana to life

*]: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:16f576f1-911d-4435-be05-b61618feb3a4-351″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:16f576f1-911d-4435-be05-b61618feb3a4-351″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-2″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> *]: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:16f576f1-911d-4435-be05-b61618feb3a4-352″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:16f576f1-911d-4435-be05-b61618feb3a4-352″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Tirana wakes up every day with voices from around the world, and tourists choose Albania as their holiday destination. Moreover, they fill the city with energy and movement as they …

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New Tirana–Palma de Mallorca Flight Route from Rinas Airport

The Tirana International Airport is expanding its international network. It is adding a new air route that connects Albania with one of the most popular Mediterranean tourist destinations. First, the airport announced the launch of the new Tirana–Palma de Mallorca route. The inaugural flight took place today. It operates in …

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“National Geographic”: Lake Ohrid, Europe’s hidden gem between ancient history and natural beauty

*]: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:16f576f1-911d-4435-be05-b61618feb3a4-353″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:16f576f1-911d-4435-be05-b61618feb3a4-353″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> From the mountains of Slovenia to the wild landscapes of Finland and the calm shores of France, some of Europe’s most beautiful lakes remain far from large tourist crowds. In this context, Lake Ohrid stands out as one of the …

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Albania and Eurojust commit to strengthening cooperation against cross-border crime

Albania’s Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari, held a meeting in The Hague with Eurojust President Michael Schmid. They discussed how to strengthen cooperation against cross-border crime. During the meeting, Lamallari highlighted the strong partnership between Albania and Eurojust. Moreover, he noted that this cooperation already delivers concrete results in complex …

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Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …

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Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …

News
Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …

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Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …

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PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …

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From the Nile to the Balkans

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …

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Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

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ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News
Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News
Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …

News

Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …

News

Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …

News

Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …

News

Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …

News

PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …

News

From the Nile to the Balkans

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …

News

Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

News

ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News

Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News

Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …