Blog
News

US Embassy Warns: Iran-Linked Groups Could Target Opposition in Albania

The US Embassy in Albania has warned that groups linked to Iran may target Americans or members of the Iranian opposition living in Albania. These groups could also strike public areas, including tourist sites, shopping centers, hotels, clubs, and restaurants, the embassy said in a social media statement. The embassy …

Read More
News

New Economic Bridge Formed Between Albania, Belgium, and the EU: EUBACCI Launched

Albania inaugurated the Belgium–EU–Albania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUBACCI) at its embassy in Belgium, creating a new platform to strengthen economic ties and trade relations between Albania, Belgium, and the European Union. The event brought together business leaders, institutional representatives, and Belgian agencies, including HUB Brussels and AWEX, fostering …

Read More
News

Rama: Albania Sets Record in EU Negotiation Chapter Openings

Prime Minister Edi Rama met today with the Socialist Party assembly in Unit 4, Tirana. Rama highlighted Albania’s rapid progress in its EU accession negotiations, saying the country holds the record for opening all negotiation chapters faster than any other nation. “Compared to all countries that went through the negotiation …

Read More
News

Rama: Time to Plan Victory in Upcoming Local Elections

Prime Minister Edi Rama met the Socialist Party assembly in Unit 4 today. He outlined plans for the next local elections. Rama said the party started a broad organization and communication drive. They engage members, supporters, and the community. “We involve everyone. We invite supporters and the community to talk …

Read More
News

Parliamentary Committees Meet on Waste Management and Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports announced a joint meeting of three permanent parliamentary committees: Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Development; Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora; and Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation, and Institutional Oversight. Officials from the central and local government discussed the implementation of the integrated waste management law and …

Read More
News

“Mamalia,” the Mystical Creature, Stages Performance at COD

Artists Maéva Lessére and Simon Gabillet performed “Mamalia” last night at COD. The performance, guided by Edi Blloshmi, received warm applause. It blends contemporary ballet and theater, where the two characters interact across multiple dimensions. “Two curious souls explore each other’s existence through movements both primitive and modern. They highlight …

Read More
News

Government meeting, Ibrahimaj: No damage from cyberattacks! Demo: New regulation for public spaces

The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, provided details on the decisions taken following the government meeting. Ibrahimaj stated that a board will review foreign investment requests in critical sectors. According to her, paper documents and correspondence will be eliminated. She also said that a support measure for enterprises …

Read More
News

Holta Zaçaj elected First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania

Former President of the Constitutional Court, Holta Zaçaj, has been elected First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania. The decision was made by the Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania, upon the proposal of Governor Gent Sejko. Holta Zaçaj began her role as a member of the Supervisory …

Read More
News

Rama: We will enter the oil market with a public company, aiming for real prices based on the stock exchange

Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that a public company will enter the country’s oil market to ensure that citizens do not pay more than they should. Rama announced this during the Socialist Party Assembly in Unit No. 4 in the capital. Rama added that fuel prices will reflect real market …

Read More
News

Political deadlock in Kosovo, still no agreement on electing a new president

The main political parties in Kosovo have yet to take concrete steps toward reaching an agreement on electing a new president, even as the deadline set by the Constitutional Court of Kosovo has already begun to run. Last week, the Constitutional Court gave lawmakers 34 days to elect the head …

Read More
News
Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

News
Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

News
Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

News
Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

News
Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

News
Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

News
Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

News
Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

News
Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

News
Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration

She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …

News

Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

News

Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

News

Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

News

Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

News

Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

News

Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

News

Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

News

Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

News

Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

News

Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration

She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …