Quartz: Albania among Europe’s destinations where quality exceeds price
TIRANA, June 26 – US magazine Quartz reports that Albania ranks among the 10 most affordable international destinations for this period. It highlights the country as one of Europe’s biggest tourism surprises. It cites its coastline, mountains and low costs. According to Quartz, travellers can save significantly when they choose …
Defence minister highlights logistics and civil emergencies focus at Support Command
TIRANA, June 26 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi held a meeting at the Support Command of the Armed Forces. He underlined the role of the structure in managing crisis situations and field operations. He shared details of the visit through social media. Meanwhile, Nufi said that military structures must prioritise …
Foreign Direct Investment in Albania Rises 12% in First Quarter
Foreign direct investment in Albania increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching around 404 million euros. Banka e Shqipërisë reported that inflows rose from 361 million euros in the same period last year to 404 million euros this year. As a result, foreign investor interest in the …
PM Rama discusses EU path, Italy migration deal and tourism protests in Italpress interview
TIRANA, June 26 – Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to Italpress journalist Anna La Rosa, and he addressed Albania’s EU accession process, the migration agreement with Italy, and domestic protests over a tourism project. Rama said the EU accession process remains irreversible. He added that no actor can …
82nd anniversary of genocide against Çamëria commemorated
TIRANA, June 26 – Albania is marking the 82nd anniversary of the genocide against Cham Albanians through a series of events focused on historical memory, justice and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Cham Week began in Tirana on “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard with the installation “I Love Çamëria”, presented as a symbol …
Gashani: Kosovo Working to Meet Highest Standards for Mediterranean Games
Blerim Gashani said that Kosovo is working to ensure that it organizes the Mediterranean Games at the highest European standards. He announced that the First International Conference on the Security of Major Sports Events was held in Prishtina. The event is part of preparations for the “Prishtina 2030” Mediterranean Games. …
EU Commission plans early economic benefits for candidate countries
TIRANA, June 26 – The European Commission prepares proposals to grant economic benefits to European Union candidate countries before full membership, according to politico.eu. Albania is among the candidates mentioned in the plans. The initiative aims to accelerate enlargement while preserving entry standards. Governments seek faster progress in the process. …
Police enhance capacities to ensure safety during 2026 tourist season
TIRANA, June 26 – Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari, together with State Police leaders, presented in Durrës the measures for ensuring public order and safety during the 2026 summer tourist season. Lamallari said the State Police, Border Police and the Maritime Police Unit will operate with increased capacity, modern technology …
Albania and Kosova strengthen border cooperation on food safety
TIRANA, June 26 – Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla and Kosova’s Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development Minister Armend Muja inspected the Morina Border Inspection Point. The ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation on food safety and cross-border trade procedures. Meanwhile, Salla said Albania and Kosova continue to strengthen institutional coordination. …
Albania on course for European Union membership by 2030
TIRANA, June 26 – Former French President François Hollande said Albania remains on course to join the European Union by 2030. He made the remarks in an interview with Top Channel. Hollande recalled that France recognized Albania as a candidate country during his presidency. Meanwhile, he said Albania has made …
The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) hosted a high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, led by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, to discuss digital transformation and innovation in public administration. AKSHI Director General Igli Tafa and other representatives welcomed Talabani and his delegation, which included the Minister …
Prime Minister Edi Rama and his wife, Linda Rama, arrived at the official reception and dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan during the NATO Summit in Ankara. Rama met President Erdoğan and the First Lady before posing for an official photograph. He also …
European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras urged acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti to show statesmanship by building a functional governing coalition and securing the election of the country’s next president. Terras made the appeal after meeting Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku and Alliance leader Ardian Gjini. …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation. The two ministers agreed to strengthen political dialogue and create new opportunities for cooperation, with a particular focus on the economy and trade. Hoxha highlighted …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met with Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and his delegation to discuss expanding cooperation between Albania and the region. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on recent regional developments and explored new opportunities for cooperation in areas of …
First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Holta Zaçaj, participated in the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Constituency, held on July 6–7, 2026, in Lisbon, Portugal. During the high-level gathering, central bank governors, finance ministers, and senior representatives from member countries discussed the latest …
European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras said Kosovo’s future belongs in the European Union. However, he stressed that the country must continue reforms to achieve membership. “We are working in this direction,” Terras said after meetings with Kosovo’s political leaders in Pristina. During his visit, Terras met with Acting …
By Marco Rubio Two hundred and fifty years ago today, in a brick hall in Philadelphia, our forefathers declared their independence from the most powerful empire on earth. They were not fools. They knew exactly what the words on that parchment would mean. They knew that in that moment, they …
Tirana Times, July 07, 2026 – The next NATO Summit, where the leaders of Allied member states gather annually, will take place on July 7–8, 2026, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. It will be NATO’s 36th summit and the second hosted by Türkiye, after the Istanbul Summit of 2004. …
Albania’s Concrete Economy: How Construction Became the Country’s Dominant Growth Model Tirana Times, July 7, 2026 – A booming construction sector has made Albania an outlier in Europe, but behind the cranes and luxury towers lies a deeper story of weak productivity, distorted investment and suspected flows of illicit money. …