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Kos: Environmental laws must meet EU standards, protests are part of democracy

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said protests in Albania do not threaten the country’s path toward European Union membership. Speaking after the ninth Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, Kos said Albania had successfully closed three negotiation chapters. She urged Albania to align its legislation on protected areas with EU standards, describing environmental …

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Rama: Albania on track with EU accession talks under agreed timetable

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania remains on track with its European Union accession negotiations and continues to follow the timetable agreed with the European Commission. Speaking at a joint press conference with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta …

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Albania reaffirms commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi participated in the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, where Albania reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The forum provided Albania with an opportunity to present its progress and strengthen cooperation with …

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Albania closes three more EU negotiation chapters at ninth Intergovernmental Conference

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived at the European Council headquarters in Brussels for the ninth Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference. During the conference, Albania closed negotiations on three additional chapters in its EU accession process. The chapters cover Science and Research (Chapter 25), Education and Culture (Chapter 26), and External Relations …

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Rama: Albania’s EU progress must continue with more results for citizens

Prime Minister Edi Rama described the closure of three EU negotiation chapters as another important milestone in Albania’s European integration process. Speaking at a joint press conference with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos after the ninth Albania-EU …

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Albania Joins the European Family in Three Areas as EU Calls for Deeper Reforms

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania reached an important milestone by closing its first three negotiation chapters with the European Union. Speaking after the 9th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Kos said the achievement marks a major step in Albania’s path toward EU membership. “Today, we closed the first …

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Balla offers condolences for former Emir of Qatar: His vision and legacy will inspire future generations

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla visited the Embassy of Qatar in Tirana to express condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. During the visit, Balla conveyed his condolences to the Qatari Ambassador, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani …

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Byrne: Albania enters a new phase of EU negotiations as Ireland pledges continued support

Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne praised Albania’s progress on its European integration path, saying the country is entering a new phase of negotiations after agreeing to close three negotiation chapters. Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Commissioner …

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Rama from Brussels: Countdown begins to closing all EU negotiation chapters

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video from Brussels after Albania closed its first three EU accession negotiation chapters, describing the moment as the start of a new phase in the negotiation process. Rama said the talks are moving forward and rejected claims that the negotiations had stalled. “Some said …

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FM Hoxha condemns Serbian minister’s Kosova statement over ethnic cleansing remarks

TIRANA, July 14 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha criticised a statement by Serbian Minister for Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snezhana Paunovic regarding Kosova. Paunovic said that, if she had been in the position of Slobodan Milosevic, she would have carried out “ethnic cleansing of Kosova …

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Albania’s Super Lek and the Falling Euro: Prosperity or a Warning Sign?

As the national currency reaches record highs, economists question whether Albania’s construction boom and suspected money laundering are flooding the market with euros and distorting the real economy.  Tirana Times July 29 2026 – The Albanian lek has become one of Europe’s most unlikely currency champions. One euro was exchanged …

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State Election Commissioner, Celibashi proposes five changes to the new Electoral Code

TIRANA, July 29 – State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi called for changes to the Electoral Code to strengthen the separation between state institutions and the ruling party. At the technical meeting of the Special Parliamentary Commission on Electoral Reform, Celibashi said the misuse of state resources and the blurred line …

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Mountain tourism in focus as Albanian Alps project promotes Nikaj-Mërtur

TIRANA, July 29 – Nikaj-Mërtur has gained fresh attention as one of the Albanian Alps’ distinctive destinations, following new efforts to promote sustainable mountain tourism and strengthen cooperation with local tourism operators. Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the area’s tourism potential in a social media post. He described Nikaj-Mërtur as …

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“Si Era” in Brataj: A Destination Blending Nature, History and Albanian Hospitality

The “Si Era” villa in Brataj, in the heart of the Vjosa River region, offers visitors a unique experience that combines nature, local landscapes and Albanian hospitality. Located only 30 minutes from Vlora and Himara, the accommodation stands opposite the historic Brataj Bridge. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of …

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Academy honors writer Shefqet Musaraj on 40th anniversary of his death

TIRANA, July 29 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the 40th anniversary of the death of distinguished writer Shefqet Musaraj, recognizing his contribution to 20th-century Albanian literature. Musaraj was born in Berat on February 15, 1914, and died in Tirana on July 28, 1986. He emerged on the literary …

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“Double Your Business” programme backs agribusiness growth

TIRANA, July 29 – The Albanian government is supporting investment in agricultural processing, stronger cooperation with farmers and the expansion of exports through business financing programmes and sector policies. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla highlighted those priorities during a visit to Fenix, a company in Elbasan that processes …

News
Albania funds 23 research projects on environmental protection

TIRANA, July 29 – Albania’s Ministry of Education will fund two new research laboratories and 23 scientific projects in 2026 through the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation. The initiative will support biodiversity protection, ecosystem monitoring, sustainable management of natural resources and the development of green technologies. On World …

News
Akil Gjakova Begins Journey Towards His Third Olympic Games

Kosovo judoka Akil Gjakova has started a new chapter in his career as he aims to qualify for his third Olympic Games. Gjakova announced that he is beginning the new Olympic qualification cycle after more than a decade competing at the highest level of international judo. He said that staying …

News
113 years since Great Powers recognized Albanian state

TIRANA, July 29 – On July 29, 1913, the Conference of Ambassadors in London granted de jure recognition to the independent Albanian state. The conference recognized Albania as a sovereign and autonomous state under the guarantee of the Great Powers. The decision established Albania’s international status and laid the foundations …

News
New volume presents contemporary Albanian architecture

TIRANA, July 29 – A new publication documents the latest developments in contemporary Albanian architecture. It highlights the work of Albanian architects in the region. The book “Fragments of Contemporary Albanian Architecture” was presented as the third volume in a series. The series aims to promote and document architecture created …

News

Albania’s Super Lek and the Falling Euro: Prosperity or a Warning Sign?

As the national currency reaches record highs, economists question whether Albania’s construction boom and suspected money laundering are flooding the market with euros and distorting the real economy.  Tirana Times July 29 2026 – The Albanian lek has become one of Europe’s most unlikely currency champions. One euro was exchanged …

News

State Election Commissioner, Celibashi proposes five changes to the new Electoral Code

TIRANA, July 29 – State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi called for changes to the Electoral Code to strengthen the separation between state institutions and the ruling party. At the technical meeting of the Special Parliamentary Commission on Electoral Reform, Celibashi said the misuse of state resources and the blurred line …

News

Mountain tourism in focus as Albanian Alps project promotes Nikaj-Mërtur

TIRANA, July 29 – Nikaj-Mërtur has gained fresh attention as one of the Albanian Alps’ distinctive destinations, following new efforts to promote sustainable mountain tourism and strengthen cooperation with local tourism operators. Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the area’s tourism potential in a social media post. He described Nikaj-Mërtur as …

News

“Si Era” in Brataj: A Destination Blending Nature, History and Albanian Hospitality

The “Si Era” villa in Brataj, in the heart of the Vjosa River region, offers visitors a unique experience that combines nature, local landscapes and Albanian hospitality. Located only 30 minutes from Vlora and Himara, the accommodation stands opposite the historic Brataj Bridge. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of …

News

Academy honors writer Shefqet Musaraj on 40th anniversary of his death

TIRANA, July 29 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the 40th anniversary of the death of distinguished writer Shefqet Musaraj, recognizing his contribution to 20th-century Albanian literature. Musaraj was born in Berat on February 15, 1914, and died in Tirana on July 28, 1986. He emerged on the literary …

News

“Double Your Business” programme backs agribusiness growth

TIRANA, July 29 – The Albanian government is supporting investment in agricultural processing, stronger cooperation with farmers and the expansion of exports through business financing programmes and sector policies. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla highlighted those priorities during a visit to Fenix, a company in Elbasan that processes …

News

Albania funds 23 research projects on environmental protection

TIRANA, July 29 – Albania’s Ministry of Education will fund two new research laboratories and 23 scientific projects in 2026 through the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation. The initiative will support biodiversity protection, ecosystem monitoring, sustainable management of natural resources and the development of green technologies. On World …

News

Akil Gjakova Begins Journey Towards His Third Olympic Games

Kosovo judoka Akil Gjakova has started a new chapter in his career as he aims to qualify for his third Olympic Games. Gjakova announced that he is beginning the new Olympic qualification cycle after more than a decade competing at the highest level of international judo. He said that staying …

News

113 years since Great Powers recognized Albanian state

TIRANA, July 29 – On July 29, 1913, the Conference of Ambassadors in London granted de jure recognition to the independent Albanian state. The conference recognized Albania as a sovereign and autonomous state under the guarantee of the Great Powers. The decision established Albania’s international status and laid the foundations …

News

New volume presents contemporary Albanian architecture

TIRANA, July 29 – A new publication documents the latest developments in contemporary Albanian architecture. It highlights the work of Albanian architects in the region. The book “Fragments of Contemporary Albanian Architecture” was presented as the third volume in a series. The series aims to promote and document architecture created …