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Albania women reach 2027 World Cup play-offs after 5-2 win over Montenegro

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania’s women’s national team beat Montenegro 5-2 at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium and secured a place in the first round of the 2027 World Cup play-offs in Brazil. Albania started strongly and pushed forward from the opening minutes. Fortesa Berisha hit the crossbar in the 4th …

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FM Hoxha meets Bulgarian counterpart, discusses energy and infrastructure cooperation

TIRANA, June 10 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha arrived in Sofia, where foreign ministers are meeting at the close of Bulgaria’s chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) for 2025–2026. Earlier, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova received Hoxha for bilateral talks. The meeting reaffirmed the …

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PM Rama to Associated Press: No final Zvërnec project yet, misinformation fuels opposition

TIRANA, June 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama told Associated Press that Albania will continue with plans for a luxury tourism investment linked to Jared Kushner despite ongoing protests against the project. Rama rejected environmental criticism and described it as a result of misinformation. He said the investment reflects growing …

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Kosova’s Acting President Haxhiu to attend Southeast European Cooperation Process Summit in Sofia

TIRANA, June 10 – Albulena Haxhiu, Acting President of Kosova, will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, to take part in the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit. The summit will bring together leaders from Southeast Europe to discuss regional cooperation, security, connectivity, European integration and sustainable development. KosovaPress reported the information. …

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Albania’s Civic Awakening: A Year After Rama’s Landslide, the Illusion of Invincibility Breaks

by Elez Biberaj Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – One year after Prime Minister Edi Rama swept to a fourth consecutive term, Albania finds itself in a profoundly different place than the triumphant narrative he projected. The government that claimed unrivaled authority now faces the most sustained civic uprising in …

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Hoxha-Byrne: Ireland Supports EU Enlargement, Albania Advances Through Reform Agenda

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, to discuss Albania’s progress and prospects on its path toward European Union membership. During the meeting, the two officials reviewed developments in Albania’s EU integration process. They also exchanged …

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Kurti Meets Austrian Chancellor: Kosovo’s Council of Europe Membership a Priority

Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met in Vienna with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker during an official visit to Austria. Kurti thanked Austria for its long-standing support for Kosovo since the 1990s. He also highlighted Austria’s role in state-building efforts and its contribution through the NATO-led KFOR mission. Furthermore, …

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PM Rama: Kushner and Ivanka Trump Are Investors, Not Political Actors

Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected claims that a planned Zvërnec project involves political backing from the White House or former U.S. President Donald Trump. He addressed journalists from EU member states at a press conference. He said public debate distorts the facts and focuses on family connections. Furthermore, he said …

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Tonin Harapi: A Major Figure of Albanian Music

The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Tonin Harapi, recognizing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian national music. He was born on June 9, 1926, in Shkodër. He grew up in a rich musical environment. He learned …

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Rama Responds to Senator Bernie Sanders: Albania Is Not a Stage for Foreign Political Battles

Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to a statement by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who claimed that over 100,000 Albanian citizens protested a tourism investment project in Zvërnec. Rama reacted on the social media platform “X.” He said no approved project, construction permit, or final development plan exists. Furthermore, he said …

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National Library of Albania joins annual conference in Luxembourg

TIRANA, June 19 – The National Library of Albania took part in the Annual Conference of Directors of European National Libraries in Luxembourg. Meanwhile, the European National Libraries network brings together national libraries across Europe. The conference aims to strengthen institutional cooperation. In addition, it promotes innovation and supports the …

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Media Freedom in Albania discussed in parliamentary hearing with Reporter Without Borders representative

TIRANA, June 19 – The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information held a hearing with Pavol Szalai, representative of Reporter Without Borders, on the media situation in Albania. Meanwhile, Szalai leads the organization’s Central Europe office, which covers Albania and other Western Balkan countries. He said his visit …

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PM Rama tells Italian news agency Adnkronos, Albania remains a free and democratic country

Tirana, June 19 – Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to Italian news agency Adnkronos in Rome during the FII Priority Europe investment forum organised by the FII Institute. Meanwhile, Rama commented on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s view that the Italy-Albania migration agreement paved the way for later …

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Fuel price transparency board discontinued as prices stabilize, Minister of Economy and Innovation says

TIRANA, June 19 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has decided to end the Fuel Transparency Board. The mechanism had operated for several months to monitor and regulate fuel prices in the market. Speaking after the government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the decision followed a period …

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“Zvërnec”, Economy and Innovation Minister Ibrahimaj: Project still in study phase, any development must meet environmental standards

TIRANA, June 18 – The government has not yet approved a final project for a possible tourist resort in Zvërnec, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said. Speaking after the government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the process remains in the study and design phase. She added that no final project has …

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Albania reaffirms support for Ukraine

TIRANA, June 19 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi took part in the 35th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, where defence ministers from NATO member states and partner countries discussed the latest security developments and the situation in Ukraine. Following the meeting, Nufi said Albania reaffirms its …

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Albania Women Draw Wales in 2027 World Cup Play-Offs

Albania’s women’s national football team learned their opponents for the first and second rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 play-offs on Thursday. Following the draw at UEFA headquarters, Albania will face Wales in the first round. If the Albanian side advances, it will meet the winner of …

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July brings higher demand at travel agencies in Kukës

TIRANA, June 19 – July has brought increased activity to travel agencies in Kukës as emigrants return for their summer holidays. Agency staff report stronger demand for bookings and travel services from people visiting their families during this period. Meanwhile, agencies have also recorded growing interest from local residents planning …

News
Government approves three laws on European companies, EU alignment and business cooperation will improve

TIRANA, June 19 – The government has approved three new laws on European companies, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced. She said the measures aim to align Albanian legislation with European Union standards and strengthen cooperation between Albanian and European companies. Ibrahimaj said the package is part of a …

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Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister reviews public beaches in Kavaja, stresses equal access for visitors

TIRANA, June 19 – As the summer tourism season begins, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports continues to focus on the management of public coastal areas. In Kavaja’s public beaches, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja conducted site visits and spoke with residents and visitors about the implementation …

News

National Library of Albania joins annual conference in Luxembourg

TIRANA, June 19 – The National Library of Albania took part in the Annual Conference of Directors of European National Libraries in Luxembourg. Meanwhile, the European National Libraries network brings together national libraries across Europe. The conference aims to strengthen institutional cooperation. In addition, it promotes innovation and supports the …

News

Media Freedom in Albania discussed in parliamentary hearing with Reporter Without Borders representative

TIRANA, June 19 – The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information held a hearing with Pavol Szalai, representative of Reporter Without Borders, on the media situation in Albania. Meanwhile, Szalai leads the organization’s Central Europe office, which covers Albania and other Western Balkan countries. He said his visit …

News

PM Rama tells Italian news agency Adnkronos, Albania remains a free and democratic country

Tirana, June 19 – Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to Italian news agency Adnkronos in Rome during the FII Priority Europe investment forum organised by the FII Institute. Meanwhile, Rama commented on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s view that the Italy-Albania migration agreement paved the way for later …

News

Fuel price transparency board discontinued as prices stabilize, Minister of Economy and Innovation says

TIRANA, June 19 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has decided to end the Fuel Transparency Board. The mechanism had operated for several months to monitor and regulate fuel prices in the market. Speaking after the government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the decision followed a period …

News

“Zvërnec”, Economy and Innovation Minister Ibrahimaj: Project still in study phase, any development must meet environmental standards

TIRANA, June 18 – The government has not yet approved a final project for a possible tourist resort in Zvërnec, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said. Speaking after the government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the process remains in the study and design phase. She added that no final project has …

News

Albania reaffirms support for Ukraine

TIRANA, June 19 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi took part in the 35th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, where defence ministers from NATO member states and partner countries discussed the latest security developments and the situation in Ukraine. Following the meeting, Nufi said Albania reaffirms its …

News

Albania Women Draw Wales in 2027 World Cup Play-Offs

Albania’s women’s national football team learned their opponents for the first and second rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 play-offs on Thursday. Following the draw at UEFA headquarters, Albania will face Wales in the first round. If the Albanian side advances, it will meet the winner of …

News

July brings higher demand at travel agencies in Kukës

TIRANA, June 19 – July has brought increased activity to travel agencies in Kukës as emigrants return for their summer holidays. Agency staff report stronger demand for bookings and travel services from people visiting their families during this period. Meanwhile, agencies have also recorded growing interest from local residents planning …

News

Government approves three laws on European companies, EU alignment and business cooperation will improve

TIRANA, June 19 – The government has approved three new laws on European companies, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced. She said the measures aim to align Albanian legislation with European Union standards and strengthen cooperation between Albanian and European companies. Ibrahimaj said the package is part of a …

News

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister reviews public beaches in Kavaja, stresses equal access for visitors

TIRANA, June 19 – As the summer tourism season begins, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports continues to focus on the management of public coastal areas. In Kavaja’s public beaches, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja conducted site visits and spoke with residents and visitors about the implementation …