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Central Bank Governor Sejko: Stronger Lek reflects structural economic improvements

TIRANA, July 8 – Central Bank Governor Gent Sejko said on Wednesday that the Albanian Lek (ALL) has continued to strengthen, attributing the trend to structural improvements in the country’s external balance and increased foreign currency inflows. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight, Sejko …

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AKSHI Shares Albania’s Digital Transformation Experience with Kurdistan Region Delegation

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 …

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Rama Arrives at NATO Summit, Meets Erdoğan Ahead of Bilateral Talks

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 …

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EU Parliament Rapporteur Urges Kurti to Form Functional Coalition

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. …

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Hoxha, Canadian Counterpart Explore New Economic and Trade Cooperation

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 …

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Hoxha: Albania Seeks New Partnership Opportunities with Iraq’s Kurdistan Region

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 …

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Zaçaj at IMF and World Bank Meeting: Albanian Economy Shows Resilience Amid Global Uncertainty

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 …

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Terras: Kosovo’s Future Lies in the EU, but Membership Requires Reforms

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 …

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A salute to America

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 …

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NATO’s Ankara Summit and Albania’s Uncertain Moment

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. …

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European Commission: Albania Advances Judicial Reform, but Challenges Remain

The European Commission says Albania continued to implement judicial reform and the Cross-Sector Justice Strategy throughout 2026. First, Albania completed the vetting process for all judges and prosecutors after authorities finalized the appeals phase. Consequently, the process further strengthened judicial independence, accountability, and integrity across the justice system. In addition, …

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Rama: Tourism and Foreign Investments Bring €8.5 Billion into Albania’s Economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama said tourism and foreign investments currently bring €8.5 billion into Albania’s economy. Speaking at an event promoting the national program “Double Your Business,” Rama highlighted the growth of tourism and its impact on economic development. According to him, tourists now fill the streets of Tirana in …

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Art Park Opens in Kinostudio, Creating a New Cultural Hub in Tirana

A new space dedicated to art, culture, and community has become part of Tirana’s urban landscape. The Art Park in Kinostudio has transformed the former film studio area into a new meeting point for residents, artists, and visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing large numbers …

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Korça ensemble represents Albania at World Cultures Festival in France

TIRANA, July 17 – The Artistic Ensemble “Skanderbeg” from Korça represented Albania at the 59th edition of the International “Festival des Cultures du Monde” in Chambéry, France. The festival brought together folklore and cultural groups from different parts of the world. The Albanian ensemble presented traditional costumes, music and dances, …

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Minister of Economy and Innovation presents support scheme for small and medium businesses

TIRANA, July 17 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj presented the sovereign scheme “Double your business”, which aims to help Albanian companies access financing and increase investment, productivity and competitiveness in European markets. Ibrahimaj said the initiative responds to the real needs of businesses and supports the development …

News
Small and medium businesses to receive financing of up to ALL 250 million

TIRANA, July 17 – The Albanian government has launched the national program “Double Your Enterprise” to support small and medium-sized businesses through financing opportunities that aim to increase investment, employment and economic development. At the program’s presentation, Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said the institution had worked for a …

News
Kosova parliament session expected in early August

TIRANA, July 17 – Kosova’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu said the constitutive session of the country’s parliament will take place in early August. She explained that the constitutional deadline expires on August 7. Haxhiu added that the Constitution gives the president 30 days to call the session. Meanwhile, she said …

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Albania advances EU integration process as enlargement gains momentum

TIRANA, July 17 – European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has effectively started closing negotiation chapters for the first time in its accession process, as the bloc prepares for a new phase of enlargement. Speaking at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Kos said EU enlargement …

News
PM Rama: “Double Your Enterprise” program to support small and medium-sized businesses

TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the national program “Double Your Enterprise” will support joint ventures in rural areas between private entities, farmers, and small and medium-sized businesses. Speaking at the presentation event of the program, Rama said rural development remains a priority, especially through the promotion …

News
Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government

Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …

News

European Commission: Albania Advances Judicial Reform, but Challenges Remain

The European Commission says Albania continued to implement judicial reform and the Cross-Sector Justice Strategy throughout 2026. First, Albania completed the vetting process for all judges and prosecutors after authorities finalized the appeals phase. Consequently, the process further strengthened judicial independence, accountability, and integrity across the justice system. In addition, …

News

Rama: Tourism and Foreign Investments Bring €8.5 Billion into Albania’s Economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama said tourism and foreign investments currently bring €8.5 billion into Albania’s economy. Speaking at an event promoting the national program “Double Your Business,” Rama highlighted the growth of tourism and its impact on economic development. According to him, tourists now fill the streets of Tirana in …

News

Art Park Opens in Kinostudio, Creating a New Cultural Hub in Tirana

A new space dedicated to art, culture, and community has become part of Tirana’s urban landscape. The Art Park in Kinostudio has transformed the former film studio area into a new meeting point for residents, artists, and visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing large numbers …

News

Korça ensemble represents Albania at World Cultures Festival in France

TIRANA, July 17 – The Artistic Ensemble “Skanderbeg” from Korça represented Albania at the 59th edition of the International “Festival des Cultures du Monde” in Chambéry, France. The festival brought together folklore and cultural groups from different parts of the world. The Albanian ensemble presented traditional costumes, music and dances, …

News

Minister of Economy and Innovation presents support scheme for small and medium businesses

TIRANA, July 17 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj presented the sovereign scheme “Double your business”, which aims to help Albanian companies access financing and increase investment, productivity and competitiveness in European markets. Ibrahimaj said the initiative responds to the real needs of businesses and supports the development …

News

Small and medium businesses to receive financing of up to ALL 250 million

TIRANA, July 17 – The Albanian government has launched the national program “Double Your Enterprise” to support small and medium-sized businesses through financing opportunities that aim to increase investment, employment and economic development. At the program’s presentation, Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said the institution had worked for a …

News

Kosova parliament session expected in early August

TIRANA, July 17 – Kosova’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu said the constitutive session of the country’s parliament will take place in early August. She explained that the constitutional deadline expires on August 7. Haxhiu added that the Constitution gives the president 30 days to call the session. Meanwhile, she said …

News

Albania advances EU integration process as enlargement gains momentum

TIRANA, July 17 – European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has effectively started closing negotiation chapters for the first time in its accession process, as the bloc prepares for a new phase of enlargement. Speaking at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Kos said EU enlargement …

News

PM Rama: “Double Your Enterprise” program to support small and medium-sized businesses

TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the national program “Double Your Enterprise” will support joint ventures in rural areas between private entities, farmers, and small and medium-sized businesses. Speaking at the presentation event of the program, Rama said rural development remains a priority, especially through the promotion …

News

Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government

Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …