EU enlargement, Hoxha: Albania is ready to join and contribute
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed European Commissioner Marta Kos’ remarks on the European Union’s preparations for future enlargement. In a post on X, Hoxha said Albania is ready to continue its reforms and work closely with EU member states and the European Commission on an ambitious …
EU policy review ahead of enlargement, government: Albania confirmed as a leader in the integration process
The government has reacted after the European Commission today formally presented its “Pre-Enlargement Policy Reviews”, setting out the framework for internal institutional and governance reforms, as well as safeguard mechanisms that will accompany the European Union’s next wave of enlargement. In its response, the government stressed that this strategic document …
International Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in France, Archbishop Joan also in attendance
Archbishop Joan of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania has attended the International Scientific Conference organised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania shared details and images from the conference, noting that its theme is “The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (2016–2026): Assessments and Perspectives”. …
129th day of protest, citizens gather outside the Prime Minister’s Office
Numerous citizens and activists took to the streets again this Tuesday as the ongoing protest entered its 129th day. As they do every afternoon, protesters gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting slogans including: “Your time is up”, “A new Albania”, “Rama resign”, and “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison”. After gathering …
George Orwell’s 1984 comes to National Experimental Theatre stage
George Orwell’s literary classic “1984” will be staged at the Kujtim Spahivogli National Experimental Theatre in a co-production with the Shkodër’s Migjeni Theatre. Directed by Dino Mustafic and adapted for the stage by Jeton Neziraj, the production will run on October 16, 17, 18 and 22, 23, 24 and 25. …
Kosova acting president Haxhiu seeks court guidance as six-month mandate expires
Kosova’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu has asked the Constitutional Court to clarify who can exercise presidential powers after her six-month mandate expires if the Assembly fails to elect a new president. The Office of the President confirmed the request to Radio Free Europe on October 6, the deadline for electing …
New Tirana-Durrës-Airport rail service moves closer to launch
Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said the Tirana-Durrës-Rinas Airport (TIA) rail project forms part of a broader railway modernisation programme. He spoke during a consultation with major international companies on the Public Service Contract for passenger rail transport on the corridor. The project includes rehabilitation of the existing line. …
Payment system moves closer to European Union rules
Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said proposed changes to Albania’s banking and payment laws will further align the country’s financial framework with European Union rules. Presenting the changes to the parliamentarian Economy Committee, he said the measures support Albania’s European integration process. They also address closing benchmarks for Chapter 4 …
Albanian Armed Forces Academy starts academic year at new campus, Nufi: Modernization in line with Euro-Atlantic standards is a priority
The Armed Forces Academy has opened the 2026–2027 academic year at its new campus. A total of 289 students have started their professional and military training to serve the country. At the opening ceremony, Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi described the new campus as a sign of Albania’s commitment to …
YouthCamp 2026 in Theth turns young people’s ideas into initiatives for Shkodër
Theth hosted young people this weekend for YouthCamp 2026, an initiative focused on discussion, cooperation and the exchange of ideas. Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the initiative and said it aims to turn young people’s ideas into concrete initiatives for Shkodër. Over two days, participants discussed issues related to the …
Albert Nushi, Head of the Management Sector at the Public Security Department, announced at a press conference that 54 people were taken into police custody following the previous day’s violent protest. Of those, 27 were arrested and 27 others face criminal proceedings for property destruction and violence against police officers. …
The official visit that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had planned to make to Vienna, Austria, on Monday, October 19, has been cancelled by the Albanian side. The news was published by the Austrian press release portal OTS.at. According to the announcement, the scheduled meeting between the Albanian Prime Minister …
As protests continue across Albania, precautionary measures have been imposed on individuals involved in cases related to the demonstrations. Under the measures imposed, 21 minors will be placed under the supervision of their family members, while three other minors have been ordered to report regularly to the authorities. For the …
These are the photographs published by the Reuters news agency documenting the fifth day of protests in Tirana. Reuters reports that Albanian police used suspected rubber bullets against demonstrators in Tirana during the fifth day of protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. “Reuters journalists found rubber …
The European Commission has responded to the ongoing protests in Albania, condemning acts of violence in Tirana and other cities across the country, including arson, attacks on state institutions and the destruction of public and private property. In its statement, the Commission stressed that violence has no place in a …
The building of Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure has caught fire following tensions during protests in Tirana. The incident comes after violent clashes between protesters and police forces, involving the throwing of Molotov cocktails and the use of tear gas in several areas of the capital. The situation remains tense, while …
The leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, has reacted to the violent protests in Tirana, condemning the use of violence and calling on both protesters and state institutions to avoid further escalation. In a statement, Ahmeti stressed that clashes and the destruction of property cannot bring …
The Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania has responded to the protests of recent days in the country, expressing support for citizens’ right to protest and freedom of expression, while condemning all forms of violence. In a statement, the Evangelical Brotherhood condemned both the violence carried out by protesters against institutions and …
Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Vera Prokopieva is a nutrition scientist from Bulgaria who has studied food from three angles: as an anthropologist, as a cook in Copenhagen kitchens, and as a researcher at Stanford, working on clinical trials of food as medicine and on how fermented foods shape the gut …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu has reacted following an incident in which flames reached the Supreme Court, while reports indicated that the entrance to the Bank of Albania was also damaged. “Two independent institutions. Neither is a government office. Both serve the country and its citizens,” Gogu stressed. The minister condemned …