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Rama: Albania-EU Conference on May 26 Opens Final Phase of Membership Talks

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted this morning to the completion of the technical phase of the IBAR report, responding to opposition claims that Albania’s EU negotiations had stalled. Rama said the Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels on May 26 will successfully conclude the opening phase and launch the final phase …

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Hoxha: Baki Goxhaj Returning Home After Diplomatic Efforts

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said today that Albanian citizen Baki Goxhaj is now on his way home. In a social media post, Hoxha said Albanian diplomatic structures acted immediately after receiving the first alert. They coordinated with other Albanian institutions and maintained continuous communication with Israeli authorities. At the same …

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Balla: IBAR Approval in Brussels Marks Important Moment for Albania

Socialist Party parliamentary group chairman Taulant Balla met with Austrian personalities who have served over the years as ministers, MPs, and members of the European Parliament. They are considered long-time supporters of Albania. During the meeting, participants also held a video call with Andreas Schieder. In his remarks, Balla praised …

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Artan Lame’s Book “Shqipni e Harrume” Presented on First Anniversary of His Passing

A commemorative ceremony marked the presentation of “Shqipni e harrume,” the book by the late Albanian public figure Artan Lame, on the first anniversary of his death. Family members, friends and colleagues gathered to honor his life and work in Tirana. The book reflects Lame’s strong passion for Albanian history, …

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Tokyo Welcomes Rama With Albanian Flags During Japan Visit

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Tokyo today after his official trip to South Korea. Tokyo displayed the flags of Albania and Japan along major streets to honor relations between the two countries. Rama shared photos on social media showing the Albanian flag flying beside the Japanese flag in the …

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OSCE Strengthens Regional Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking

A regional seminar on synthetic drugs and illegal diversion of medical cannabis opened today in Tushemisht. The two-day event focuses on growing drug trafficking threats in Southeast Europe. The seminar is organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania with support from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the US Department …

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Lamallari: Albania Remains a Trusted European Partner on Security and Migration

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari attended the international “Europa Wachau” forum in Krems today. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner invited Lamallari to the event. The forum focused on a new European approach to migration management and security challenges linked to illegal movements across the continent. Lamallari …

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Interior Ministry Discusses Stronger Firefighting Capacities in Albania

Albanian institutions and international partners met today to discuss strengthening the country’s firefighting service and emergency response system. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Interior and focused on funding opportunities through a potential World Bank project. Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia welcomed participants, while Arben Cara led the …

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Albania and Montenegro Sign Postal Cooperation Agreement

Posta Shqiptare and Montenegro’s postal service signed a cooperation memorandum today to modernize postal and financial services between the two countries. Administrator Etjen Xhafaj and his Montenegrin counterpart Josip Djuraskoviç signed the agreement. Xhafaj described the deal as an important step toward modernization and stronger regional cooperation. He said the …

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“Green Vjosa” Project Launches for Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Protection

Albania has launched the implementation of the “Green Vjosa” project, a new initiative focused on sustainable development and environmental protection in the Vjosa river basin. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj held the first meeting of the project’s Steering Committee today. The project, titled “Green Vjosa – Green and Inclusive Regional Development …

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From Closeness to Strategic Partnership: Fincantieri’s Shipyard Project and a New Vision for the Future of Italy-Albania Relations

by Albert Rakipi, PhD In April 2026, Fincantieri, one of Italy’s industrial and defence champions, signed an agreement with the Albanian company KAYO to produce vessels at the Pashaliman shipyard. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the project as part of a strategic partnership, noting that the new company would produce ships not only …

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Rama’s Arguments with RSF Draw Attention From Albanian Media’s Problems

Edi Rama’s public exchanges with Reporters Without Borders, RSF, over its latest Freedom Index are part of a familiar pattern of redirecting attention away from real problems in society, experts say. Original post Here

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Letter from London: Close to Boiling Point

The thermometer’s risen sharply, both literally and politically, this spring – but even with so much else to preoccupy Britons, the Balkans hasn’t quite slipped off the radar. Original post Here

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Mario Biondi Delivers Emotional Jazz Performance in Tirana Concert

The concert of Italian soul and jazz artist Mario Biondi took place on Monday evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana, bringing strong emotions and high energy to the audience. Organizers held the event as part of the 20th anniversary of his hit “This …

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Rama: Independent Justice Is Key to Building a European State

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …

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Rama: Socialist Party Has Always Defended Albania’s National Interest

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …

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Hoxha: Positive IBAR Assessment Reflects Albania’s Reform Progress Toward the EU

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …

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Manastirliu: Tirana Drives Albania’s Journey Toward EU Membership

Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …

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Ivanka Trump Calls Sazan Development the ‘Project of a Lifetime’

Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …

News
Hoxha and Van Hoof Discuss New Initiatives to Strengthen Albania–Belgium Relations

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …

News

From Closeness to Strategic Partnership: Fincantieri’s Shipyard Project and a New Vision for the Future of Italy-Albania Relations

by Albert Rakipi, PhD In April 2026, Fincantieri, one of Italy’s industrial and defence champions, signed an agreement with the Albanian company KAYO to produce vessels at the Pashaliman shipyard. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the project as part of a strategic partnership, noting that the new company would produce ships not only …

News

Rama’s Arguments with RSF Draw Attention From Albanian Media’s Problems

Edi Rama’s public exchanges with Reporters Without Borders, RSF, over its latest Freedom Index are part of a familiar pattern of redirecting attention away from real problems in society, experts say. Original post Here

News

Letter from London: Close to Boiling Point

The thermometer’s risen sharply, both literally and politically, this spring – but even with so much else to preoccupy Britons, the Balkans hasn’t quite slipped off the radar. Original post Here

News

Mario Biondi Delivers Emotional Jazz Performance in Tirana Concert

The concert of Italian soul and jazz artist Mario Biondi took place on Monday evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana, bringing strong emotions and high energy to the audience. Organizers held the event as part of the 20th anniversary of his hit “This …

News

Rama: Independent Justice Is Key to Building a European State

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …

News

Rama: Socialist Party Has Always Defended Albania’s National Interest

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …

News

Hoxha: Positive IBAR Assessment Reflects Albania’s Reform Progress Toward the EU

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …

News

Manastirliu: Tirana Drives Albania’s Journey Toward EU Membership

Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …

News

Ivanka Trump Calls Sazan Development the ‘Project of a Lifetime’

Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …

News

Hoxha and Van Hoof Discuss New Initiatives to Strengthen Albania–Belgium Relations

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …