Blog
News

Albania participates in insurance supervision meeting in Warsaw

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania took part in the 25th meeting of the Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe Insurance Supervision Initiative in Warsaw, Poland. The meeting brought together supervisory authorities from across the region. The delegation of the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority included Merita Gurabardhi, Aranit Muja and Lusjana …

Read More
News

Forensic Science Institute becomes full member of European forensic network

TIRANA, May 18 – The Forensic Science Institute took part for the first time as a full member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes in Zurich, Switzerland. The meeting gathered directors of European forensic science institutes. Institute Director Perlat Çullaj presented the institute’s role and development. He outlined …

Read More
News

Minister Gonxhja: Museum Week brings together culture, history and art

TIRANA. May 18 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the “Museum Week 2026” initiative in a social media post. He said the event will take place from 18 to 24 May across Albania. During the week, museums, archaeological parks and cultural heritage sites will open their …

Read More
News

Defense Minister Nufi at Civil Emergencies Support Base: We ensure faster response across the country

TIRANA, May 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Civil Emergencies Support Base. He met Armed Forces personnel engaged in emergency response operations. The visit focused on wildfire preparedness ahead of the summer season. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Arben Kingji attended the event. National Civil Protection …

Read More
News

President Begaj meets Higher Security and Defence Course, says Western Balkans stability key to regional security

TIRANA, May 18 – President Bajram Begaj met participants of the Higher Security and Defence Course held at the Armed Forces Defence and Security College. He praised the college for organising the programme. He also highlighted the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding among participants. In addition, he stressed the …

Read More
News

OTP Bank Albania inaugurates new Private Banking premises in Tirana

Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – OTP Bank Albania has inaugurated new premises dedicated to the Private Banking segment, unveiling an exclusive space designed for clients seeking personalized service and advanced financial standards. Located in the heart of Tirana, the premises have been designed in line with OTP Group standards, …

Read More
News

Shadow Fleet, Weak Oversight: How Russian Sanctions Evasion Reached Albania’s Ports

Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – Albania’s ports have emerged as a potential weak point in the international effort to enforce sanctions against Russia, following revelations that vessels linked by Ukrainian intelligence to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” have visited the country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. …

Read More
News

Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

Read More
News

International Museum Day marked, free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 in Albania

TIRANA, May 18 – The global museum community marks International Museum Day today. In this context, Albania offers free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 for related cultural events. Meanwhile, the International Council of Museums established the day in 1977. The initiative aims to raise public awareness …

Read More
News

Albania Cycling Tour 2026 starts, temporary road closures in Tirana

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania hosts the 83rd Albania Cycling Tour from today until 22 May. Twenty elite teams from Albania, the Balkans and Europe take part in the race. The first stage starts at 12:00. Cyclists begin in Tirana and finish in Lezha. The State Police announces temporary traffic …

Read More
News
National Film Archive resumes archival filming after 27 years

TIRANA, May 28 – The Central State Film Archive announced the resumption of archival filming after a 27-year interruption. Archive Director Eljan Tanini described the move as an important step. He said the initiative gives the institution a new opportunity to document Albanian life and preserve the country’s collective memory. …

News
Albania rises to 48th place in global tax transparency index

TIRANA, May 28 – Albania improved its position in the Global Tax Expenditures Transparency Index, an international ranking that measures transparency and reporting quality in tax expenditures. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said Albania ranked 48th among 116 countries with 51.73 points out of 100. He said the country previously ranked …

News
Farmers receive assistance for 2026 National Support Scheme applications

TIRANA, May 28 – Farmers across Albania receive assistance for applications under the 2026 National Support Scheme. Staff work at offices of the Agricultural and Rural Extension Agency (AREB) and Agropoints and guide farmers through applications on the e-Albania portal. Meanwhile, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla called on …

News
Defence Minister Nufi announces three government

TIRANA, May 28 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said today that the Council of Ministers approved three decisions related to the defence sector. Meanwhile, Nufi said the first decision concerns the extension of Albania’s mission in Latvia. He said Albania currently deploys a platoon in Latvia. He added that the …

News
State Minister Demo presents “Renewal 2.0” programme with 11 objectives for territorial intervention and regional development

TIRANA, May 28 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo presented today the “Renewal 2.0” programme, a package of 11 strategic objectives focused on territorial intervention and sustainable regional development. Meanwhile, Demo said the programme aims to establish a new model of local development by combining cultural identity, …

News
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi: 44 civil protection projects approved, 650 million ALL funding allocated

TIRANA, May 28 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said the Council of Ministers approved several decisions covering civil protection, international missions, and military structure. The minister confirmed approval of 44 civil protection projects. He said 26 projects focus on infrastructure works. He added that 18 projects cover equipment and emergency …

News
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha condemns Russia’s warning to diplomats in Kyiv

TIRANA, May 28 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha reacted today to Russia’s warning for diplomats and foreign citizens to leave Kyiv. Meanwhile, Hoxha described the Russian move as completely unacceptable. He wrote on social media that threats against embassies do not represent diplomacy. He said such actions amount to intimidation. …

News
Deputy PM Koçiu: European Union recognises Albania’s progress report

TIRANA, May 28 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the European Union recognises Albania’s progress in the integration process. She also called for careful reading of the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, known as IBAR. Meanwhile, Koçiu spoke after the Council of Ministers meeting. She addressed questions on whether the …

News
Prime Minister Edi Rama Responds Again to Reporters Without Borders

Prime Minister Edi Rama continued his exchange with Reporters Without Borders this Thursday. Rama’s latest response came after Reporters Without Borders, through a social media post on Thursday, urged him to focus on media freedom issues rather than on their reports. In his response, Rama emphasized that he had presented …

News
Minister Nufi Speaks About Albanian Soldiers in Gaza: We Are Still in the Discussion Phase With Partners

After the government meeting, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi stated during a media communication that the mission of Albanian soldiers in Gaza is still under discussion with international partners and involved parties. According to him, given the delicate situation in Gaza, security measures and the specific duties Albanian soldiers would carry …

News

National Film Archive resumes archival filming after 27 years

TIRANA, May 28 – The Central State Film Archive announced the resumption of archival filming after a 27-year interruption. Archive Director Eljan Tanini described the move as an important step. He said the initiative gives the institution a new opportunity to document Albanian life and preserve the country’s collective memory. …

News

Albania rises to 48th place in global tax transparency index

TIRANA, May 28 – Albania improved its position in the Global Tax Expenditures Transparency Index, an international ranking that measures transparency and reporting quality in tax expenditures. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said Albania ranked 48th among 116 countries with 51.73 points out of 100. He said the country previously ranked …

News

Farmers receive assistance for 2026 National Support Scheme applications

TIRANA, May 28 – Farmers across Albania receive assistance for applications under the 2026 National Support Scheme. Staff work at offices of the Agricultural and Rural Extension Agency (AREB) and Agropoints and guide farmers through applications on the e-Albania portal. Meanwhile, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla called on …

News

Defence Minister Nufi announces three government

TIRANA, May 28 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said today that the Council of Ministers approved three decisions related to the defence sector. Meanwhile, Nufi said the first decision concerns the extension of Albania’s mission in Latvia. He said Albania currently deploys a platoon in Latvia. He added that the …

News

State Minister Demo presents “Renewal 2.0” programme with 11 objectives for territorial intervention and regional development

TIRANA, May 28 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo presented today the “Renewal 2.0” programme, a package of 11 strategic objectives focused on territorial intervention and sustainable regional development. Meanwhile, Demo said the programme aims to establish a new model of local development by combining cultural identity, …

News

Defence Minister Ermal Nufi: 44 civil protection projects approved, 650 million ALL funding allocated

TIRANA, May 28 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said the Council of Ministers approved several decisions covering civil protection, international missions, and military structure. The minister confirmed approval of 44 civil protection projects. He said 26 projects focus on infrastructure works. He added that 18 projects cover equipment and emergency …

News

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha condemns Russia’s warning to diplomats in Kyiv

TIRANA, May 28 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha reacted today to Russia’s warning for diplomats and foreign citizens to leave Kyiv. Meanwhile, Hoxha described the Russian move as completely unacceptable. He wrote on social media that threats against embassies do not represent diplomacy. He said such actions amount to intimidation. …

News

Deputy PM Koçiu: European Union recognises Albania’s progress report

TIRANA, May 28 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the European Union recognises Albania’s progress in the integration process. She also called for careful reading of the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, known as IBAR. Meanwhile, Koçiu spoke after the Council of Ministers meeting. She addressed questions on whether the …

News

Prime Minister Edi Rama Responds Again to Reporters Without Borders

Prime Minister Edi Rama continued his exchange with Reporters Without Borders this Thursday. Rama’s latest response came after Reporters Without Borders, through a social media post on Thursday, urged him to focus on media freedom issues rather than on their reports. In his response, Rama emphasized that he had presented …

News

Minister Nufi Speaks About Albanian Soldiers in Gaza: We Are Still in the Discussion Phase With Partners

After the government meeting, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi stated during a media communication that the mission of Albanian soldiers in Gaza is still under discussion with international partners and involved parties. According to him, given the delicate situation in Gaza, security measures and the specific duties Albanian soldiers would carry …