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Saudi Ambassador Meets Head of Albania–Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Group

Tirana Times, July 6,2026 – Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Turki bin Ibrahim Al-Madi, received Albanian MP Baldi Çomo, Chairman of the Albania–Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Eriol Mile for talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation. According to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Tirana, the …

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Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and OSCE Strengthen Cooperation to Promote Equality

The Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and the OSCE Presence in Albania agreed to strengthen their institutional cooperation during a meeting between Commissioner Genta Tafa (Bungo) and OSCE Ambassador Michel Tarran. The two sides discussed joint initiatives to prevent and address hate speech while promoting equality, respect, and non-discrimination. They …

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Albania Launches New Public Administration Reforms to Advance EU Integration

Albania has unveiled a new package of initiatives aimed at modernizing its public administration and strengthening its preparedness for European Union membership. During Public Administration Week, Minister of State for Public Administration Adea Pirdeni emphasized that the government will prioritize investment in human capital, improve institutional performance, and align Albania’s …

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Prime Minister Rama Hosts Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and his delegation to the Prime Minister’s Office in Tirana. The visit marks Talabani’s first official trip to Albania and reflects efforts to strengthen relations between Albania and the Kurdistan Region. Prime Minister Rama …

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France Praises Albania’s Progress in Democratic Reforms and EU Integration Path

The Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi received Pierre-Alexandre Anglade, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs in the French National Assembly, along with members of the delegation, in Tirana. During the meeting, both sides highlighted the strong relations between Albania and France and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation within …

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Albania Reaffirms Commitment to EU Reforms in Talks with French Parliamentary Delegation

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha received a delegation from the European Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, led by Pierre-Alexandre Anglade, in Tirana. The two sides discussed current developments in the EU enlargement process and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and credibility in the accession …

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Rama: Adaptability key for Albania’s garment industry amid EU integration process

Prime Minister Edi Rama highlights the importance of transformation and adaptability for Albania’s fason industry during the presentation of the national program preparing businesses for European Union integration. Rama presents leather-processing entrepreneur Etleva Laro’s company as an example of a business that successfully adapted to new economic challenges. He says …

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Balla and Hoxhaj discuss Kosovo justice, EU integration, and regional security

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla meets with Kosovo MP and former Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj at the Albanian Parliament to discuss key regional issues. During the meeting, Balla and Hoxhaj address the legal proceedings against former Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK) leaders in The Hague, emphasizing the importance of …

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Medieval Center of Berat: A Journey Through the City’s Ottoman Past

Berat attracts large numbers of tourists, and visitors often outnumber locals in its historic quarters such as Mangalem, Gorica, and the Castle area. First, the article shows how tourism now shapes daily life in the city, while residents themselves continue to rediscover parts of their cultural heritage. Next, the restored …

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Ambassador Bergner: Germany supports Albania’s EU integration process and rule-of-law standards

TIRANA, July 6 – German Ambassador to Albania, Karl Bergner, said on Monday that Germany supports Albania’s path toward European Union integration. He underlined the importance of shared European values during remarks on the country’s reform process. Bergner said Albania’s citizens broadly align with EU principles. He stressed support for …

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Albania Highlights EU Progress, International Engagement and New Development Initiatives

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo album highlighting the week’s key events. First, he attended the Coalition of the Willing Summit on Ukraine in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He also joined France’s National Day ceremony and reaffirmed Albania’s strong partnership with its Euro-Atlantic allies. …

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The United States Helped Build SPAK. Now SPAK Must Do Its Job

Tirana Times, July 18, 2026 – For years, the U.S. and the EU invested significant political capital, funding, and diplomatic pressure into helping Albania build one of the most ambitious anti-corruption institutions in the Balkans: the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, known as SPAK. SPAK was created to do what previous institutions …

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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 …

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 …

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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 …

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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

Albania Highlights EU Progress, International Engagement and New Development Initiatives

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo album highlighting the week’s key events. First, he attended the Coalition of the Willing Summit on Ukraine in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He also joined France’s National Day ceremony and reaffirmed Albania’s strong partnership with its Euro-Atlantic allies. …

News

The United States Helped Build SPAK. Now SPAK Must Do Its Job

Tirana Times, July 18, 2026 – For years, the U.S. and the EU invested significant political capital, funding, and diplomatic pressure into helping Albania build one of the most ambitious anti-corruption institutions in the Balkans: the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, known as SPAK. SPAK was created to do what previous institutions …

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 …