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The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

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UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

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Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

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Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

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Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

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US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

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Speaker Peleshi in Netherlands, support reaffirmed for faster EU negotiation process

TIRANA, June 16 – Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he met Speaker of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen, Senate President Mei Li Vos, and members of the European Affairs Committee. The visit comes at …

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PM Rama to attend Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, focus on investment and EU path

TIRANA, June 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, one of the key platforms for economic and political dialogue between Germany and Eastern European countries. The Media and Information Agency said Rama will also meet members of the committee’s board …

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Israeli photographer captures Vjosa river landscapes in Albania

TIRANA, June 16 – Natural landscapes across Albania continue to attract visitors from around the world. Unspoiled rivers, mountains, and rural scenery are shaping growing interest among photographers who seek less-explored Mediterranean destinations. Iris from Israel is among them. She is a photographer with more than 40 years of professional …

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Lezha and Bra sign twinning agreement

TIRANA, June 16 – The Municipality of Lezha and the Municipality of Bra in Italy signed a twinning agreement that aims to strengthen ties between the two communities and expand cooperation in several areas. Lezha Mayor Pjerin Ndreu and Bra Mayor Giovanni Fogliato signed the agreement in the presence of …

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A stronger Union for the Mediterranean for a stronger Mediterranean

By H.E. Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean. Tirana Times, June 25, 2026 – They say no man ever steps in the same river twice. The universe is in a constant state of flux: such is my sentiment as I reflect on my mandate at the Union for the …

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Austria Leads FDI, but Real Estate Tells the Bigger Story

Bank of Albania data show Austria topping first-quarter foreign investment flows, while property and construction continue to shape Albania’s FDI model. Tirana Times June 25, 2026 – The figures place Austria ahead of some of Albania’s traditionally dominant investment partners, including Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Yet the data also …

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Albanian Football Federation sets dates for 2026-2027 domestic season

TIRANA, June 25 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation has approved the starting dates for all national competitions in the 2026-2027 football season. The “Abissnet Superiore” championship will begin on August 22, 2026 and end on May 9, 2027. Meanwhile, the “First Category” championship will start on …

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Albanian Academy of Sciences marks birth anniversary of academic Rexhep Qosja

TIRANA, June 25 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the birth anniversary of academic, writer, literary critic and Albanologist Rexhep Qosja on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian scientific and cultural thought. Born on 25 June 1936 in Vuthaj, Montenegro, he came from …

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Endrit Thaçi thanks PM Rama for support over KLA case in The Hague

TIRANA, June 25 – Endrit Thaçi, the son of former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi, met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and thanked him for his stance on the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague. Thaçi said Rama had been among the most outspoken figures in defending the KLA …

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Agency warns false reports misused Kakome footage in coverage of Albania investment projects

TIRANA, June 25 – The Agency for Media and Information said misleading use of social media footage has again created confusion in foreign coverage of investment projects in Albania, including reports by CNN and Reuters. In a statement published on Thursday, the agency reviewed several cases of what it described …

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Justice minister says Albania must seize historic moment on European Union path

TIRANA, June 25 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said Albania now stands closer than ever to European Union membership and urged the country not to miss what he called a historic moment. In a social media post, Gogu said he joined a discussion on Wednesday with students from the College …

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Port of Durrës honors seafarers for role in global trade

TIRANA, June 25 – The Port of Durrës marked the International Day of the Seafarer by praising maritime professionals for their role in safe and efficient sea transport. It described maritime transport as one of the main pillars of international trade. The International Maritime Organization marks the day every year. …

News
PM Rama arrives in Poland for Ukraine Recovery Conference

TIRANA, June 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Gdansk on Thursday to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Rama shared images from his arrival at the conference venue. He also posted footage from his welcome by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and from the family photo with …

News
Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 16 percent in May

TIRANA, June 25 – Foreign arrivals in Albania increased significantly in May 2026, reflecting the start of the tourist season and a higher flow of visitors into the country. The Institute of Statistics said 1,143,595 foreign citizens entered Albania during the month, marking a 15.9 percent increase, or around 16 …

News

A stronger Union for the Mediterranean for a stronger Mediterranean

By H.E. Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean. Tirana Times, June 25, 2026 – They say no man ever steps in the same river twice. The universe is in a constant state of flux: such is my sentiment as I reflect on my mandate at the Union for the …

News

Austria Leads FDI, but Real Estate Tells the Bigger Story

Bank of Albania data show Austria topping first-quarter foreign investment flows, while property and construction continue to shape Albania’s FDI model. Tirana Times June 25, 2026 – The figures place Austria ahead of some of Albania’s traditionally dominant investment partners, including Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Yet the data also …

News

Albanian Football Federation sets dates for 2026-2027 domestic season

TIRANA, June 25 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation has approved the starting dates for all national competitions in the 2026-2027 football season. The “Abissnet Superiore” championship will begin on August 22, 2026 and end on May 9, 2027. Meanwhile, the “First Category” championship will start on …

News

Albanian Academy of Sciences marks birth anniversary of academic Rexhep Qosja

TIRANA, June 25 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the birth anniversary of academic, writer, literary critic and Albanologist Rexhep Qosja on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian scientific and cultural thought. Born on 25 June 1936 in Vuthaj, Montenegro, he came from …

News

Endrit Thaçi thanks PM Rama for support over KLA case in The Hague

TIRANA, June 25 – Endrit Thaçi, the son of former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi, met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and thanked him for his stance on the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague. Thaçi said Rama had been among the most outspoken figures in defending the KLA …

News

Agency warns false reports misused Kakome footage in coverage of Albania investment projects

TIRANA, June 25 – The Agency for Media and Information said misleading use of social media footage has again created confusion in foreign coverage of investment projects in Albania, including reports by CNN and Reuters. In a statement published on Thursday, the agency reviewed several cases of what it described …

News

Justice minister says Albania must seize historic moment on European Union path

TIRANA, June 25 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said Albania now stands closer than ever to European Union membership and urged the country not to miss what he called a historic moment. In a social media post, Gogu said he joined a discussion on Wednesday with students from the College …

News

Port of Durrës honors seafarers for role in global trade

TIRANA, June 25 – The Port of Durrës marked the International Day of the Seafarer by praising maritime professionals for their role in safe and efficient sea transport. It described maritime transport as one of the main pillars of international trade. The International Maritime Organization marks the day every year. …

News

PM Rama arrives in Poland for Ukraine Recovery Conference

TIRANA, June 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Gdansk on Thursday to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Rama shared images from his arrival at the conference venue. He also posted footage from his welcome by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and from the family photo with …

News

Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 16 percent in May

TIRANA, June 25 – Foreign arrivals in Albania increased significantly in May 2026, reflecting the start of the tourist season and a higher flow of visitors into the country. The Institute of Statistics said 1,143,595 foreign citizens entered Albania during the month, marking a 15.9 percent increase, or around 16 …