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Arbëria Digital Fest 2026 Promotes Arbëresh Heritage and Local Development

The second edition of Arbëria Digital Fest will take place in the Arbëresh villages of Carfizzi, Pallagorio and San Nicola dell’Alto in southern Italy, aiming to transform Arbëresh cultural heritage into a driver of local development. The festival will be held from October 23 to 25, 2026, under the motto …

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Albania supports stronger regional defence and security cooperation

Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the Central European and Western Balkans Defence Cooperation (CEDC) Ministerial, which focused on strengthening regional cooperation in defence and security. The meeting brought together senior representatives of participating countries to discuss joint capabilities, common security challenges and threats, and coordination of policies and efforts within …

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House Arrest Ordered for Albania’s Intelligence Chief

Tirana Times, September 22, 2026 – Albania’s Special Court has ordered house arrest and suspension from office for Vlora Hyseni, director of the State Intelligence Service, SHISH, in an extraordinary development that has brought a major criminal investigation into the highest levels of the country’s security establishment. Hyseni is suspected of …

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Full Report: House Arrest Ordered for Albania’s Intelligence Chief

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Full Report: House Arrest Ordered for Albania’s Intelligence Chief appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albania to Adopt EU Disability Access Standards – But Will They Be Enforced?

Albania is moving to bring its disabled access standards into line with the EU’s own, but activists warn that without funding and effective enforcement, the new law could once again fail to deliver meaningful change. Original post Here

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Albania begin Nations League training camp, Qefalia replaces injured Pajaziti

The Albania national football team began preparations today for its next four UEFA Nations League matches. Head coach Rolando Maran led the first training session at the “House of Football” in Tirana. A total of 26 players took part in the session. Players who featured for their clubs over the …

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Roberto Ferrucci brings travel writing to Tirana

Italian writer Roberto Ferrucci led the “Travel Diary” workshop today at the “Sotir Kolea” Centre of the National Library in Tirana. The workshop focuses on travel writing. It explores how writers can use their experiences to describe places, encounters and personal stories. The Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana organised the …

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Albania signs Artemis Accords at NASA headquarters

Albania has joined the international community committed to peaceful, transparent and responsible space exploration after Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha signed the Artemis Accords. The ceremony took place at NASA headquarters in Washington. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson …

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Tuesday weather: Clear skies and strong coastal winds, temperatures up to 30C

Tuesday will bring stable weather conditions across Albania, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will see clear skies. Eastern mountain areas may have occasional light to moderate cloud cover. Temperatures will reach up to 30C. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average speed …

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Britannica traces Albania’s history from Illyria to Euro-Atlantic integration

The Encyclopaedia Britannica, a widely used reference publication, traces Albania’s history from ancient Illyria and the Roman period through Ottoman rule, independence, the two world wars, communism and the establishment of democracy. Its report also follows the country’s gradual orientation toward the West and Euro-Atlantic integration. The report highlights the …

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Von der Leyen: Further Reforms Needed Across All Open Chapters

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today called on Albania to maintain its focus on reforms. She stressed that the European integration process still requires further work. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said Albania must continue reforms across all open negotiation …

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Rama: Transparency Dashboard to Publish All Zvërnec Project Information

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Transparency Dashboard will publish all information about the Zvërnec investment project in the coming days. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama also provided an update on the project. He said the government now awaits …

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Von der Leyen: Albania Making Strong Progress on Growth Plan, More Than 80% of Reforms Completed

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Albania’s progress under the Western Balkans Growth Plan. She said Albania has completed more than 80% of the planned reforms and has received more than €213 million in EU funds. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der …

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Von der Leyen: EC to Present Enlargement Policy Review Next Week

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU enlargement works in both directions. She stressed that candidate countries must prepare for membership, while the EU must also prepare to welcome new members. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said the European Commission …

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Rama: Veto Power Does Not Benefit the EU or Its Member States

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that veto power does not benefit the European Union or its member states. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama said Albania has repeatedly faced the effects of vetoes. He described the mechanism as outdated in today’s …

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Von der Leyen: 63 Schools Rebuilt or Renovated with EU Support

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will visit Emin Duraku School in Tirana tomorrow with Prime Minister Edi Rama. The EU supported the school’s reconstruction after the 2019 earthquake. At a joint press conference with Rama, von der Leyen recalled the EU’s support for Albania after the …

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Von der Leyen: Accession Commitments Must Continue After EU Membership

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU continues to work on its new enlargement package. She also said future accession treaties could include safeguards similar to those in previous treaties. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, reporters asked von der Leyen whether the …

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Rama: No Security Partner Has Raised Concerns Over SHISH Case

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the courts should handle the case involving former State Intelligence Service (SHISH) chief Vlora Hyseni. Rama also said no security partner has raised concerns about the case. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama said the European Commission …

News
Von der Leyen: Corruption Probes Show Albania’s Justice System Is Working

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the fight against corruption and organized crime remains central to Albania’s EU integration process. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said investigations into senior officials show that Albania’s justice system is working. “The fight against …

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Rama: My Political Responsibility Is to Keep Justice Reform on Track

Prime Minister Edi Rama said his political responsibility lies in continuing justice reform and strengthening the fight against corruption. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, journalists asked Rama whether he felt politically responsible for government appointments, including that of former SHISH chief Vlora …

News

Von der Leyen: Further Reforms Needed Across All Open Chapters

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today called on Albania to maintain its focus on reforms. She stressed that the European integration process still requires further work. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said Albania must continue reforms across all open negotiation …

News

Rama: Transparency Dashboard to Publish All Zvërnec Project Information

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Transparency Dashboard will publish all information about the Zvërnec investment project in the coming days. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama also provided an update on the project. He said the government now awaits …

News

Von der Leyen: Albania Making Strong Progress on Growth Plan, More Than 80% of Reforms Completed

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Albania’s progress under the Western Balkans Growth Plan. She said Albania has completed more than 80% of the planned reforms and has received more than €213 million in EU funds. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der …

News

Von der Leyen: EC to Present Enlargement Policy Review Next Week

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU enlargement works in both directions. She stressed that candidate countries must prepare for membership, while the EU must also prepare to welcome new members. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said the European Commission …

News

Rama: Veto Power Does Not Benefit the EU or Its Member States

Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that veto power does not benefit the European Union or its member states. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama said Albania has repeatedly faced the effects of vetoes. He described the mechanism as outdated in today’s …

News

Von der Leyen: 63 Schools Rebuilt or Renovated with EU Support

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will visit Emin Duraku School in Tirana tomorrow with Prime Minister Edi Rama. The EU supported the school’s reconstruction after the 2019 earthquake. At a joint press conference with Rama, von der Leyen recalled the EU’s support for Albania after the …

News

Von der Leyen: Accession Commitments Must Continue After EU Membership

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU continues to work on its new enlargement package. She also said future accession treaties could include safeguards similar to those in previous treaties. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, reporters asked von der Leyen whether the …

News

Rama: No Security Partner Has Raised Concerns Over SHISH Case

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the courts should handle the case involving former State Intelligence Service (SHISH) chief Vlora Hyseni. Rama also said no security partner has raised concerns about the case. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama said the European Commission …

News

Von der Leyen: Corruption Probes Show Albania’s Justice System Is Working

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the fight against corruption and organized crime remains central to Albania’s EU integration process. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said investigations into senior officials show that Albania’s justice system is working. “The fight against …

News

Rama: My Political Responsibility Is to Keep Justice Reform on Track

Prime Minister Edi Rama said his political responsibility lies in continuing justice reform and strengthening the fight against corruption. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, journalists asked Rama whether he felt politically responsible for government appointments, including that of former SHISH chief Vlora …