Hoxha: EU enlargement will be key priority of Irish Presidency in 2026
EU enlargement will be a key priority of the Irish Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said his recent visit to Ireland focused on Albania’s EU …
TKOB prepares tribute evening for Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) is preparing a special evening dedicated to the great Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj. The event will pay tribute to one of the most powerful voices in Albanian opera. It will also honor his life, marked by artistic achievement and personal hardship. Lukë …
Golem Becomes a Tourism Hotspot, Short-Term Rental Market Records Strong Growth
Golem is emerging as one of Albania’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, recording significant increases in both demand and supply in the short-term rental market. According to data from AirDNA, a platform specializing in short-term rental market analytics for platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, the area recorded the strongest growth in …
Non-Performing Loan Ratio Fell to 3.75% in April
The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) returned to a downward trend in April. According to statistics from the Bank of Albania, the NPL ratio declined to 3.75%, down from 3.85% recorded in March. The indicator also continued to decrease on an annual basis, compared to 4.03% in April 2025. The …
Albanian Medicinal Plants Attract Tourists in Gjirokastër, Demand for Traditional Products Rises
Medicinal plants and traditional Albanian products are attracting growing interest from tourists in Gjirokastër, particularly foreign visitors seeking natural and authentic products from the region. Mountain tea, lavender, spices, and endemic plants are among the most sought-after products in the city’s historic bazaar, becoming an important part of its tourism …
Activists and Citizens Begin March Toward the Prime Minister’s Office
Although in smaller numbers than on previous days, activists and citizens once again gathered this Thursday, marking the 12th day of protests. After assembling in Skanderbeg Square at around 6:00 p.m., demonstrators began marching toward the Prime Minister’s Office, chanting slogans such as “Rama to prison, Berisha to prison” and …
Hoxha: We Aim to Close All EU Negotiation Chapters Within the Next Year
During a discussion with foreign journalists, Minister Ferit Hoxha stated that Albania has set an ambitious but achievable objective of concluding all European Union negotiation chapters within the next year. Hoxha emphasized that the achievements made so far in the European integration process were also considered ambitious, recalling that only …
Foreign Minister: Protests in Albania Are Not a Concern for the EU, Freedom of Expression at a High Level
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha stated that Albania is experiencing a high level of freedom of expression and that the protests taking place in the country do not currently constitute a concern for European Union member states. Asked by journalist Flora McCarthy from Dublin whether Ireland, which …
U.S. State Department Responds to Euronews Albania on Berisha’s ‘Non Grata’ Status
The Press Office of the U.S. Department of State has responded to an inquiry from Euronews Albania regarding reports circulating on Thursday morning that the United States had revoked the “non grata” designation imposed on Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha. In response to a question from journalist Thimi Samarxhiu, the …
Berisha’s Return and Albania’s Unfinished Transition
Washington’s reported lifting of the U.S. travel ineligibility measure against Albania’s former president and prime minister reopens one of the most controversial chapters in U.S.-Albanian relations at a moment when Albania’s streets are demanding an end to the old post-communist order. Tirana Times, June 11, 2026 – For Sali Berisha, …
The Ombudsmen of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia signed a memorandum of cooperation today in Prizren. The agreement aims to strengthen and protect citizens’ rights across borders. First, the heads of the institutions committed to turning cooperation into real benefits for citizens in all three countries. They emphasized practical protection …
The Executive Committee approved a new format for Albania’s First Division starting from the 2027/2028 season. The change aims to increase competition and maintain sporting interest throughout the season. However, the current format will remain unchanged for the next edition. The championship will continue with three regular phases and 33 …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-343″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-343″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s labor market improved further in 2025, as unemployment declined and average monthly wages increased, according to the latest data from INSTAT. The country’s labor force reached 1,279,906 people. Men accounted for 54.2% of the total, while women made up …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-347″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-347″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to questions from France24 about the protest against the Zvërnec project. He said several outside actors have influenced the movement. “There is a lot of interference. Iran has targeted us during a three-year cyber conflict. …
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met with young Albanians from North Macedonia and stressed the importance of protecting Albanian language rights. He stated that Albanians in North Macedonia are a state-forming nation, not an ethnic minority. Therefore, the right to education and the use of the Albanian language …
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the revival of the French High School in Korça was among the projects discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting in Paris. The project is a joint initiative between the Albanian and French governments. It aims to create a regional center of …
Albania and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding in Tirana to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement focuses on improving energy security and developing strategic hydrocarbon supply capacities. Prime Minister Edi Rama, Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, and senior Italian representatives attended the …
The international competition for the new campus of Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës has concluded with the announcement of the winning design. First, the jury selected the winning consortium, 51N4E with JESHILE Landscape Design. Next, the process ended a strong competition involving 41 Albanian and international teams. Moreover, five finalist …
Albanian Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari is on an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There, he met with his counterpart, Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel, in The Hague. First, the two ministers focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in security. They also discussed law enforcement …
Memorandum on Creating Hydrocarbons Operator Signed: Rama Says Strategic Oil Reserve Will Be Secured
The Government of Albania and the Italian energy company Eni S.p.A. signed a memorandum of understanding in Tirana today. The agreement focuses on a feasibility study for creating national capacity for the supply and storage of oil and gas products. First, the initiative aims to strengthen energy security. It also …