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EU Supports 22 Journalists to Strengthen Independent Media in Albania

The European Union in Albania has supported 22 journalists and media professionals from across the country. Through short-film projects, they highlighted the stories and challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable groups in Albanian society. The initiative was implemented in cooperation with the organizations Albanian Women in Audiovisual and …

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Rama: Zvërnec Project Will Turn Vlora into a Global Destination

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the planned tourism resort in Zvërnec will transform Vlora into a destination of global importance. During a meeting with local residents, Rama highlighted the project’s expected economic impact. He said the investment would attract further development and increase interest in real estate, apartments, and …

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Albanian Iconography Treasures Head to France for Landmark Exhibition

More than 45 icons from the rich collection of the National Museum of Medieval Art will go on display in France for the first time. The exhibition, “Icons of Albania – Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korça,” will open on June 13 at the Musée des …

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Costa: European Commission Proposes Closing Three Negotiation Chapters with Albania

The European Commission has proposed closing three negotiation chapters with Albania, according to António Costa. Costa announced the news during a press conference following the EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat. Furthermore, he praised the progress of Western Balkan countries on their path toward the European Union. He said the enlargement …

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Rama Meets German Chancellor Merz at EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat

Prime Minister Edi Rama met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today in Tivat during the EU–Western Balkans Summit. Rama shared details of the meeting in a social media post. He said they spoke after the summit session and before departing for their respective destinations. Furthermore, the summit brought together European …

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Korça Opens Summer Season with International Carnival Festival

Korçë will open the summer season this weekend with the 2026 International Carnival Festival, one of the city’s most popular celebrations. Mayor Sotiraq Filo shared the festival program on social media and invited residents and visitors to join the festivities. “We invite everyone to become part of this colorful celebration …

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UNUM Festival Brings Non-Stop Electronic Music to Shëngjin

The first night of UNUM Festival kicked off last night in Shëngjin, bringing music energy to the shoreline of Rana e Hedhun. The festival transformed the beach area into an international stage. It also turned Shëngjin into a key tourist hotspot during the event. Furthermore, UNUM Festival is considered one …

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PM Rama in Tivat: Western Balkans must not stay in EU waiting room, calls for “Helmut Kohl moment” in enlargement

TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Western Balkans should not remain in the European Union waiting room. He spoke to international media on arrival at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. He called for stronger political momentum in the enlargement process. He also supported gradual …

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PM Rama in Tivat: Western Balkans must not stay in EU waiting room, calls for “Helmut Kohl moment” in enlargement

TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Western Balkans should not remain in the European Union waiting room. He spoke to international media on arrival at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. He called for stronger political momentum in the enlargement process. He also supported gradual …

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President Begaj receives credentials from North Macedonia and Saudi Arabia ambassadors

TIRANA, June 5 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of North Macedonia’s new ambassador to Albania, Vele Trpevski, and the new ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Turki Ibraheem Almadhi. During talks with Trpevski, Begaj praised the strong neighbourly relations and cooperation between Albania and North Macedonia. He expressed …

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EU Enlargement Commissioner: Albania Takes Important Step Toward EU Membership

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 …

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European Parliament Reaffirms Support for Albania’s EU Path, Says Schieder

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 …

News
Kosovo and European Commission Review EU Support and Reform Progress

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 …

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Germany Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Membership

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. …

News
The False Civil Society and the Real One

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 …

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UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

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 …

News
Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

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 …

News
Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News
Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News
US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

News

EU Enlargement Commissioner: Albania Takes Important Step Toward EU Membership

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 …

News

European Parliament Reaffirms Support for Albania’s EU Path, Says Schieder

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 …

News

Kosovo and European Commission Review EU Support and Reform Progress

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 …

News

Germany Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Membership

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. …

News

The False Civil Society and the Real One

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 …

News

UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

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 …

News

Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

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 …

News

Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News

Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News

US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …