Teodor Laço remembered on what would have been his 90th birthday
September 29 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer and screenwriter, and former Culture Minister, Teodor Laço. Laço was born on September 29, 1936, in the village of Dardhë, Korçë. He studied Agronomy at the University of Tirana. However, his early passion for writing shaped his …
EU Ambassador meets Demo: Rule of law at center of Albania’s EU path
Minister of Interior Ervin Demo met today with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa. The ambassador congratulated Demo on his appointment and stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law as Albania moves toward EU membership. During the meeting, the two officials discussed priorities and challenges related …
Rama: Zvernec project will be decided based on environmental impact
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke today about protests against the planned investment in Zvernec. He said scientific assessments and the project’s environmental impact will determine whether construction moves forward. Speaking at the Euronews Summit 2026, Rama said the investment has no political link to Donald Trump. Instead, he said investors …
Albania dominate San Marino, lead 2-0 at half-time
Albania dominated San Marino in their second Group C1 match of the UEFA Nations League. The Red and Blacks needed less than 27 minutes to take control at the San Marino Stadium. Anis Mehmeti opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Just five minutes later, Myrto Uzuni doubled Albania’s lead. …
Protest in Tirana, Rama: I come from the protesters’ side myself, I risked my life for free speech
Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit in Brussels, addressed the ongoing protests in Tirana and also commented on singer Dua Lipa’s support for the demonstrations. Rama said that he is proud of Dua Lipa, just as she is proud of the protests taking place in …
Berisha in Strasbourg: Appeals court should review former KLA leaders’ sentences objectively
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha delivered a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where he addressed developments in Kosovo and the convictions of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders in The Hague. Berisha first focused on the repeated elections in Kosovo, saying they had been conducted …
Rama meets parents of children with disabilities: Support teachers should receive a salary bonus
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with a group of parents of children with disabilities to discuss the creation of a National Council and measures to strengthen the system of support teachers. During the meeting, Rama said that a training system should be established for support teachers, while also stressing the …
Path to the EU, Minister Hoxha in Vienna: Albania making progress based on merit
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part today in Vienna in a high-level meeting of ministers responsible for European affairs from the Slavkov format countries — Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia — and the Western Balkans. The meeting, organized by Austria’s Federal Minister for Europe, Integration …
A New U.S. Ambassador for a Changing Partnership?
Eric Wendt presents credentials in Tirana as Albania and the United States look to the next phase of their strategic relationship Tirana Times, September, 27, 2026 – Eric P. Wendt, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former commander of NATO’s Special Operations Headquarters, has formally taken up his post …
Gazmend Freitag Named “Painter of the Year 2025” in Gjirokastër
Kosovo-born, Austria-based artist honored for a career that has turned memory, displacement and identity into a bridge between cultures Tirana Times, September 29, 2026 – Kosovo-born Albanian painter Gazmend Freitag, who has built his artistic career in Austria, has been awarded the title “Painter of the Year 2025”, receiving the distinction …
OSCE Presence in Albania Ambassador Michel Tarran met High Inspector of Justice Artur Metani to discuss recent developments in the judicial system and issues related to the inspector’s mandate. According to the OSCE Presence, the talks focused on the role of the High Inspector of Justice in ensuring accountability in …
The National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble announced the 10 winners of the Tish Daija Music Creativity Competition in the “Chamber Music” and “A Cappella Choir” categories. The competition marks the 100th anniversary of composer Tish Daija’s birth. With support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, …
Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu visited the Laç Health Centre in Kurbin. She called for stronger coordination between primary healthcare and hospital services to provide faster care closer to residents. Spahiu said better coordination between health structures would improve patient referrals. She also stressed the importance of direct …
German Cultural Week 2026 brought music, contemporary art, exhibitions, traditions and German gastronomy to Tirana from October 2 to 6. The five-day programme offered audiences in the Albanian capital opportunities to experience different aspects of German culture. The activities also created spaces for cultural exchange between the two countries. Meanwhile, …
“Wonders of Arbëria” returns to the stage of Albania’s National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble. The performance features the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances in cooperation with the ‘Gurra e Kurbinit’ ensemble. Arbëria is the historical name used for Albania during the Middle Ages. The show …
Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.9% in September 2026, up from 2.4% in the same month last year. Consumer prices also increased by 0.4% from August. According to Consumer Price Index data published on October 8, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation. They accounted …
A new online service allows taxpayers in Albania to obtain a vehicle possession certificate through e-Albania. The government services platform is available in Albanian and English. Applicants no longer need to visit an office in person. The General Directorate of Taxation has published the steps for applying online. After completing …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu met European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath to discuss justice reform and Albania’s path towards European Union membership. The talks focused on strengthening the rule of law and consolidating Albania’s justice reform. Gogu said they also discussed the …
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler in Ankara on Thursday to discuss stronger strategic cooperation in defence and security. They also discussed concrete projects in areas of mutual interest. Nufi said Albania and Turkey share a consolidated partnership based on strong historical and human ties and …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a conference on Trans-European Transport Corridor VIII in Sofia, Bulgaria, organised by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova. The conference followed a ministerial meeting that Albania hosted in Tirana in February. Hoxha said the Tirana meeting established a shared political vision for the corridor. He …