Foreign Tourists Embrace Permet’s Relaxed Rhythm and Warm Hospitality
Permet continues to grow as a sustainable tourism destination in southern Albania. The town attracts visitors with its untouched nature, rich cuisine, and warm hospitality. Furthermore, foreign tourists highlight the authentic experience that Permet offers. They say the town stands out because it moves away from mass tourism and encourages …
Vendreshë e Vogël: A Skrapar Mountain Village of Cherries, Nature, and Living Tradition
Travelers leave Çorovoda and enter the Skrapar mountains, where Mount Tomorr rises dramatically and shapes the landscape. Along the route, they spot small villages that preserve history, culture, and strong hospitality traditions. Furthermore, Vendreshë e Vogël welcomes visitors with rich natural beauty. Yellow broom flowers cover the slopes, while green …
Albania joins regional deal to protect transport infrastructure from climate change
TIRANA, June 8 – Albania joined a regional cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening the resilience of transport infrastructure against climate change during a meeting of Western Balkan transport authorities in Helsinki, Finland. The agreement was signed by Ergys Verdho, head of Albanian Railways. It brings together road and rail authorities …
EU integration: Deputy minister urges farmers to prepare for higher standards
TIRANA, June 8 – Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Fatmir Guri said farmers must prepare for higher requirements and standards linked to European Union integration during a parliamentary hearing on EU accession negotiations. Meanwhile, Guri presented progress in negotiations covering agriculture and rural development. He also addressed food safety, …
Rama: Flamingos of Zvërnec Are a Unique Asset for Tourism Development
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the flamingos of Zvërnec represent a unique natural asset for Albania’s tourism development. He argued that nature can support investment instead of blocking it. Furthermore, he referred to recent protests against the planned Zvërnec investment. He said such debates often misunderstand how nature and tourism …
Gonxhja in Pogradec: Seaplane as a New Opportunity for Tourism Development and Regional Connectivity
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja participated in the opening of the tourist season in Pogradec. He presented a symbolic seaplane flight as a new initiative to promote innovative tourism and strengthen regional connections between lakes, cities, and neighboring areas. Gonxhja held a meeting with local tourism operators …
Rama: EU Integration Remains Albania’s Historic Challenge and Greatest Opportunity
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania’s main challenge remains integration into the European Union. He stressed that the country must move to a new level of economic and social development. Speaking at the 35th anniversary celebration of the Socialist Party in Elbasan, Rama said Albania is closer than ever …
Rama: We Won the Elections to Bring Albania into the EU, Next National Vote in 2029
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government is driving Vlora toward a new era of tourism development. He stated that by 2030, Vlora will become one of the Mediterranean’s top tourist destinations. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Elbasan, Rama highlighted the impact of government investments in …
Rama: Camargue Shows That Development and Nature Protection Can Work Together
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to the public debate over the planned investment in Zvërnec. He called for respectful discussion and defended the right of environmentalists and citizens to express their concerns. In a social media post, Rama criticized the offensive language used by some participants in the debate. He …
Rama: €4 Billion Zvërnec Project Among Europe’s Largest Tourism Investments
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the planned Zvërnec project in Vlora as one of the largest tourism investments in Europe. He said the project will play a key role in Albania’s economic development. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Elbasan, Rama highlighted the importance of high-end tourism …
Toni Gogu met with Mattias Guyomar in Strasbourg. During the meeting, the two officials discussed the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights. They also reviewed the execution of rulings issued by the European Court of Human Rights and the progress of Albania’s justice reform. Furthermore, Gogu described the …
Silvio Gonzato took part in an event marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. UNHCR Albania, Albania’s Ministry of Interior, and other partners organized the event in Tirana. During his remarks, Gonzato stressed that the Refugee Convention remains a cornerstone of international protection for people fleeing persecution, violence, …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu took part in the informal meeting of the Council of Europe’s Justice Ministers. He spoke during a panel on the role of financial intelligence in combating money laundering and financial crime. During his remarks, Gogu stressed that the main challenge today is not collecting financial information. …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Albania has recently made significant progress on its path toward European Union membership. According to Kos, Albania met the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements on the rule of law. As a result, the country can now begin the process of closing …
Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament will reaffirm Albania’s strong commitment to the European Union. Speaking during a plenary session of the European Parliament, Schieder praised Albania’s progress in the accession process. He noted that the country opened all negotiation clusters within just 13 months. In addition, Albania recently achieved …
Kosovo and the European Commission held the annual meeting of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Monitoring Committee. The meeting focused on the implementation of EU financial and technical support for Kosovo. In addition, participants reviewed reforms that support Kosovo’s path toward European integration. Since 2007, the European Union has …
Ferit Hoxha met with Günter Krichbaum during his visit to Luxembourg. The two officials discussed Albania’s path toward European Union membership. They also reviewed the current momentum of the EU enlargement process. Furthermore, Hoxha said they exchanged views on the opportunities created by the renewed focus on enlargement across Europe. …
In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …
UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …
TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …