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Balla to Young Albanians in North Macedonia: The Albanian Language Is Not Negotiable

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met with young Albanians from North Macedonia and stressed the importance of protecting Albanian language rights. He stated that Albanians in North Macedonia are a state-forming nation, not an ethnic minority. Therefore, the right to education and the use of the Albanian language …

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Rama: Revival of Korça’s French High School Discussed with Macron

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the revival of the French High School in Korça was among the projects discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting in Paris. The project is a joint initiative between the Albanian and French governments. It aims to create a regional center of …

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Albania Signs Energy Agreement with ENI to Study National Oil and Gas Capacity

Albania and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding in Tirana to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement focuses on improving energy security and developing strategic hydrocarbon supply capacities. Prime Minister Edi Rama, Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, and senior Italian representatives attended the …

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Winning Project Announced for the New University Campus “Aleksandër Moisiu” in Durrës

The international competition for the new campus of Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës has concluded with the announcement of the winning design. First, the jury selected the winning consortium, 51N4E with JESHILE Landscape Design. Next, the process ended a strong competition involving 41 Albanian and international teams. Moreover, five finalist …

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Lamallari holds meeting with Dutch counterpart in The Hague: Albania–Netherlands agreement on security and law enforcement

Albanian Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari is on an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There, he met with his counterpart, Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel, in The Hague. First, the two ministers focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in security. They also discussed law enforcement …

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Memorandum on Creating Hydrocarbons Operator Signed: Rama Says Strategic Oil Reserve Will Be Secured

The Government of Albania and the Italian energy company Eni S.p.A. signed a memorandum of understanding in Tirana today. The agreement focuses on a feasibility study for creating national capacity for the supply and storage of oil and gas products. First, the initiative aims to strengthen energy security. It also …

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Strengthening Albania–Greece Economic Cooperation

The Albanian and Greek institutions are strengthening economic cooperation through new bilateral engagement in Athens. First, a delegation from the Albanian Investment Development Agency, led by Executive Director Laura Plaku, participated in the Albania–Greece Economic Forum and B2B meetings in Athens. In addition, the delegation held a bilateral meeting with …

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Rama to Bloomberg: Strategic tourism projects will continue despite protests

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the government will not withdraw its support for two luxury resort projects linked to an investment firm associated with Jared Kushner, despite ongoing daily protests. First, Rama stated in written comments to Bloomberg that his government will continue its tourism development strategy. He emphasized …

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Rama Presents the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Campus Project in Durrës: It Is a Result of the Student Protests’ Demands

Prime Minister Edi Rama was in Durrës on Tuesday to attend the presentation of the final proposals from the International Competition for the New “Aleksandër Moisiu” University Campus. During his remarks, Rama said the project is a direct outcome of the demands raised during the 2018 student protests. “This is …

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Rama Presents the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Campus Project in Durrës: It Is a Result of the Student Protests’ Demands

Prime Minister Edi Rama was in Durrës on Tuesday to attend the presentation of the final proposals from the International Competition for the New “Aleksandër Moisiu” University Campus. During his remarks, Rama said the project is a direct outcome of the demands raised during the 2018 student protests. “This is …

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Anti-Government Protests Escalate in Tirana as Demonstrators Block Parliament

Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …

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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

Anti-Government Protests Escalate in Tirana as Demonstrators Block Parliament

Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …

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 …