“Mona Lisa of Berat” displayed after three-month restoration
TIRANA, May 19 – The monumental icon “Saint Mary with Christ in her right arm”, a work by Onufri, returned to public display in Berat. It followed a three-month restoration process at the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory of the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi …
Italians Lead Tourist Visits in Albania, Accommodation Up 20.8%
Tourism in Albania continued to grow in March, with a strong increase in visitors staying in accommodation structures. According to INSTAT, total visitors increased by 20.8% compared to March 2025. Foreign visitors rose even more, by 23.7%. Resident visitors increased by 15.9%. Italian tourists led arrivals. They made up 30% …
Radio Tirana in 1947, rare photographs from Albanian Telegraphic Agency archive
TIRANA, May 19 – The archive of the Albanian news agency (ATSH) contains rare photographs of Radio Tirana dated 1947. The images show the radio’s facilities, speakers, technicians and broadcasting equipment. They also feature antennas, an orchestra and singers performing live in front of microphones. Radio Tirana was founded in …
Besëlidhja Crowned Albanian Basketball Champions for Third Consecutive Time
Besëlidhja Basketball Club wins the Albanian Basketball Championship for the 2025–2026 season. They defeat Tirana Basketball Club 103–84 in the third final game. They complete the final series 3–0. Coach Afrim Bilali leads the team. He guides Besëlidhja to a dominant performance throughout the series. The game starts balanced. Besëlidhja …
Montenegrin FM Ervin Ibrahimovic highlights strong Albania–Montenegro partnership for EU integration
TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimovic visited Tirana on an official trip. He said Albania and Montenegro share friendship and a common European vision. Meanwhile, during a joint press conference with Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Ibrahimovic said relations between the two countries …
Foreign ministers of Albania and Montenegro focus on cross-border projects and cooperation
TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held a press conference with his Montenegrin counterpart Ervin Ibrahimoviç. They underlined close cooperation between the two countries and commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Montenegro as a stable model …
Modigliani Comes to Tirana as Kalo Gallery Expands Albania’s Cultural Horizon
Tirana Times, May 15, 2026 — Kalo Gallery, one of Tirana’s most prominent private cultural spaces, has opened an exhibition dedicated to Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani, marking a significant moment for Albania’s growing contemporary art scene. The exhibition brings to the Albanian public works associated with one of the …
Balla: We Support Student Protest in North Macedonia
Taulant Balla supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He posts on social media. He backs their demand. Students want the bar exam in Albanian. Balla says the request is legitimate. He says the constitution already recognizes this right. Yet, it is not applied in practice. He calls for action. …
Hoxha Meets Qatar Foreign Minister: “We Move Forward with Joint Projects”
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They first met in Tirana. Later, they continued talks in Durrës. Both sides confirmed strong relations. They also confirmed mutual trust and a strong partnership. Hoxha said both …
Opposition MPs Meet NDI Director: “EU Integration Requires Functional Democracy”
Opposition MPs Ina Zhupa and Ivi Kaso meet today with Scott Bates. They discuss with the National Democratic Institute director for Europe. Zhupa leads the discussion. She focuses on transparency. She pushes for inclusion. She demands stronger Parliament oversight. The MPs raise concerns. They highlight challenges facing the opposition. They …
President Bajram Begaj welcomed the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference on Monday. He called it a historic moment for Albania’s European path. The conference officially opens the closing phase of accession talks with the European Union. Begaj said Albania took another important step toward the European family. He described EU integration …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania remains the most pro-European country in Europe after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Rama welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s focus on EU enlargement. He called the attention important and positive. He said enlargement was once a taboo topic, but that has changed. Rama called …
Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said EU enlargement remains a top priority after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Tirana. Raouna spoke alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. She commented on a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about new ideas for …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has entered an advanced stage in its EU integration process after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. He called the conference another major milestone for the country. Rama said Albania opened all negotiation chapters in just 11 months. He described the pace as fast and …
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos backed Albania’s goal to close EU membership negotiations by the end of 2027. Kos spoke after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Tirana alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and Cyprus Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna. She said Albania’s progress is possible because of strong public support …
German Ambassador Karl Bergner and Dutch Ambassador Reinout Vos strongly backed Albania’s path toward EU membership in a joint statement on Tuesday. The statement followed the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels. The ambassadors called progress on the “Fundamentals” chapter an important step in Albania’s accession process. They congratulated Albanian …
Tirana will host the concert “Fio Zanotti & Super Band featuring FEZZ” on June 12, one of the most important cultural events of the year. The concert will take place at the Qendra Kulturore e Katedrales Ortodokse and will feature some of the leading figures of contemporary Italian music. Maestro …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albanian Radio and Television has launched the new edition of JuniorFest. The festival has promoted and showcased young Albanian talents for years. After memorable editions and successful performances, JuniorFest returns this year with a new artistic journey focused on music, creativity, and young performers. At the …
TIRANA, May 26 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi held a meeting in Madrid on Tuesday with the Speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol. During the meeting, Peleshi discussed relations between Albania and Spain. In addition, he highlighted Spain’s continued support for Albania’s European Union membership process. At …
TIRANA, May 26 – The 8th Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference will take place in Brussels this Tuesday. The meeting will formally open the process for Albania to enter the phase of closing EU accession negotiations. The Agency for Media and Information said the conference follows a decision by the Committee …