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Wanted Shkodra man arrested for drugs cultivation

A 33-year-old man who was declared wanted on the charges of drugs cultivation has been arrested by the Police of Shkodra this Monday. Investigations have found that 33-year-old Lazer Curri, previously convicted of cultivating narcotic plants, is the author of cultivating 245 cannabis plants, destroyed on August 9. Narcotic plants …

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Two italian tourists injured in Gjirokaster-Sarande road accident

An accident has been recorded this Monday on the Gjirokastra-Saranda road segment near the “Bistrica 2” power plant. A vehicle collided with a motorbike, as a result of which two tourists were injured. The “Volkswagen” vehicle, driven by 22-year-old Orest Zhgabi, collided with the “Dayang” type engine, driven by Italian …

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Editorial: Latest Tirana-Athens spat is bad for both Albania and Greece

TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL A wave of political commentary and debate has recently erupted in Albania, especially coming from sources that are always ready to declare Greece an enemy of Albania. Unfortunately, these pseudo-patriotic and pseudo-nationalist commentators often dominate the public opinion space.  Always ready to make conspiracy theory links, some …

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Imprisoned mayor of Himara transferred to Durres detention center

General Directorate of Prisons has transferred this Wednesday the elected Mayor of Himara, Alfred Beleri and the former mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla, to Durres Detention Center. They were kept isolated in the premises of the prison hospital in Tirana because they had shown health problems. Beleri was arrested 2 …

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“Oil in Shpirag like Saudi Arabia”, Rama: Big impact on the country’s economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku talked about oil in Shpirag, which is at an advanced stage and approaching the decisive hour. Rama said that this can have a historical impact on social development, but also on the geopolitical and geostrategic positioning of …

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Pine forest fire in Lac area partially contained

Pire that broke out yesterday in the crown of the pines in Laç, has been partially contained this Wednesday.  Throughout the night, firefighters worked to contain the fires near the Shnandou Church. In the meantime, several other fires have appeared near the former tank department, while work is being done …

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Ksamil, four tourists saved by police after being stranded at sea

Border Police and Delta Force have helped this Wednesday four vacationers, two of them minors, who were stranded at sea with a pedal boat.  Vacationers couldn’t pedal ashore because of the wind and high waves. Fortunately, the rescued citizens are in good health.  In the meantime, the State Police invites …

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Kosovo youth caught trying to smuggle gun through Durres port

A 21-year-old from Kosovo, resident in France, has been arrested by the police this Wednesday in the Port of Durres.  According to the police report, young Valmir Ademi tried to smuggle a pistol-type firearm to France. During the checks carried out on the second line, in the “Fiat 500” type …

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About 500 cannabis plants destroyed in Mat, brothers wanted

Fifth phase of the anti-cannabis operation, codenamed “Kreshta te Pastra” has been carried out this Wednesday, resulting in the finding and destruction of 453 cannabis plants in the village of Madhesh, Mat area. After the finding, Police identified and declared wanted two brothers as suspected perpetrators for the cultivation of …

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New details on youth that crashed luxury BMW at Tirana lake’s dam

Aldi Allushi, the driver who ended up at the Tirana Artificial Lake’s dam with his BMW “x6” in the early hours of Tuesday morning, was detained by the traffic police on Arbri street later in the afternoon. Initially, the 26-year-old denied having been the driver of the luxury vehicle, but …

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SASPAC launches new website on development priorities

SASPAC has launched a new online platform. The website is now accessible to the public. The platform brings together all foreign assistance data in Albania. It presents transparent and structured information. Users can find details on EU IPA programmes and funding. The site also lists donors, partners and implementing institutions. …

News
Aleksandër Lalo, Albanian composer of iconic film scores

TIRANA, April 28 – Albanian composer Aleksandër Lalo (1949–2017), born on 27 April 1949, remains a key figure in the country’s film music tradition. He would have turned 77 years old. His work shaped Albanian cinema across several decades. He developed a distinctive musical language that combined emotional depth with …

News
Former Constitutional Court chief Rustem Gjata passes away

Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional Court, has died. His son, lawyer Çlirim Gjata, shared the news on social media. Rustem Gjata won a seat as a Democratic Party MP in the first pluralist elections in 1992. He helped draft the law on the Constitutional Court as a member …

News
Bajram Begaj: Western Balkans’ EU integration strategic for a safer, more competitive Europe

President Bajram Begaj attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He called for tangible results to speed up regional economic development and EU integration. He said the Western Balkans is now a strategic front for Europe. Begaj described the initiative as a success story. He said it …

News
Sofjan Jaupaj, Majlinda Dhuka meet German minister on environment reforms

Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka met German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. They discussed Albania’s progress in EU negotiations. Talks focused on Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The German minister expressed full support for Albania’s EU path. He confirmed strong partnership in advancing reforms and …

News
Andreas Schieder: Albania progressing well toward EU membership

Andreas Schieder praised Albania’s progress in EU integration. He said negotiations could close by 2027–2028. He highlighted major reforms, especially in justice. He described them as among the deepest in the Western Balkans. Schieder said Albania has changed dramatically for the better. He stressed the need to present this progress …

News
Niko Peleshi meets Irish MPs, EU membership challenges discussed

Speaker Niko Peleshi met Irish MP Barry Ward in Dublin. They discussed Albania’s achievements and challenges in the EU accession process. Talks also focused on Ireland’s continued support. The meeting addressed Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026. Peleshi said Albania’s visible progress strengthens confidence in EU …

News
Silvio Gonzato: Durrës Archaeological Museum showcases EU–Albania cultural partnership

Silvio Gonzato highlights EU–Albania cultural partnership in Durrës museum reopening Silvio Gonzato said the EU and Albania strengthened their partnership through the reopening of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës. He stated that the EU4Culture programme restored the museum. He added that the project supports cultural revival and post-2019 earthquake recovery. …

News
Edi Rama inaugurates restored Durrës Archaeological Museum with EU support

Edi Rama said the Archaeological Museum of Durrës reopens after major restoration under the EU4Culture programme. He stated that the European Union has supported the restoration of 23 cultural heritage sites in Albania. Moreover, he highlighted the strong cooperation between Albania and the EU after the 2019 earthquake. He said …

News
Gogu: Justice will be measured by results for citizens

Speaking at the joint meeting of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu warned that the justice system will be measured by the results it delivers for citizens, highlighting one of the main issues—delays of up to three years in providing reasoned court decisions. “There …

News

SASPAC launches new website on development priorities

SASPAC has launched a new online platform. The website is now accessible to the public. The platform brings together all foreign assistance data in Albania. It presents transparent and structured information. Users can find details on EU IPA programmes and funding. The site also lists donors, partners and implementing institutions. …

News

Aleksandër Lalo, Albanian composer of iconic film scores

TIRANA, April 28 – Albanian composer Aleksandër Lalo (1949–2017), born on 27 April 1949, remains a key figure in the country’s film music tradition. He would have turned 77 years old. His work shaped Albanian cinema across several decades. He developed a distinctive musical language that combined emotional depth with …

News

Former Constitutional Court chief Rustem Gjata passes away

Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional Court, has died. His son, lawyer Çlirim Gjata, shared the news on social media. Rustem Gjata won a seat as a Democratic Party MP in the first pluralist elections in 1992. He helped draft the law on the Constitutional Court as a member …

News

Bajram Begaj: Western Balkans’ EU integration strategic for a safer, more competitive Europe

President Bajram Begaj attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He called for tangible results to speed up regional economic development and EU integration. He said the Western Balkans is now a strategic front for Europe. Begaj described the initiative as a success story. He said it …

News

Sofjan Jaupaj, Majlinda Dhuka meet German minister on environment reforms

Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka met German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. They discussed Albania’s progress in EU negotiations. Talks focused on Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The German minister expressed full support for Albania’s EU path. He confirmed strong partnership in advancing reforms and …

News

Andreas Schieder: Albania progressing well toward EU membership

Andreas Schieder praised Albania’s progress in EU integration. He said negotiations could close by 2027–2028. He highlighted major reforms, especially in justice. He described them as among the deepest in the Western Balkans. Schieder said Albania has changed dramatically for the better. He stressed the need to present this progress …

News

Niko Peleshi meets Irish MPs, EU membership challenges discussed

Speaker Niko Peleshi met Irish MP Barry Ward in Dublin. They discussed Albania’s achievements and challenges in the EU accession process. Talks also focused on Ireland’s continued support. The meeting addressed Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026. Peleshi said Albania’s visible progress strengthens confidence in EU …

News

Silvio Gonzato: Durrës Archaeological Museum showcases EU–Albania cultural partnership

Silvio Gonzato highlights EU–Albania cultural partnership in Durrës museum reopening Silvio Gonzato said the EU and Albania strengthened their partnership through the reopening of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës. He stated that the EU4Culture programme restored the museum. He added that the project supports cultural revival and post-2019 earthquake recovery. …

News

Edi Rama inaugurates restored Durrës Archaeological Museum with EU support

Edi Rama said the Archaeological Museum of Durrës reopens after major restoration under the EU4Culture programme. He stated that the European Union has supported the restoration of 23 cultural heritage sites in Albania. Moreover, he highlighted the strong cooperation between Albania and the EU after the 2019 earthquake. He said …

News

Gogu: Justice will be measured by results for citizens

Speaking at the joint meeting of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu warned that the justice system will be measured by the results it delivers for citizens, highlighting one of the main issues—delays of up to three years in providing reasoned court decisions. “There …