From the Nile to the Balkans
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …
Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs
While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here
ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases
TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …
Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …
Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht
TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …
Summer Afternoon Draws Crowds of Tourists to Durrës
Durrës continues to attract local and foreign tourists, who enjoy the city’s beaches, seaside atmosphere, and cultural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of residents and visitors spending a summer afternoon in the city center and along the Taulantia Promenade, known as the Vollga area. The city recently transformed …
Special anti-corruption prosecution chief: Strategy targets 70% cut in case backlog
TIRANA, July 3 – Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) chief Klodian Braho said the institution has finalized its strategy against organized crime and aims to reduce its case backlog by more than 70%. Reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration on SPAK’s 2025 activity, Braho …
PM Rama: Albania develops first artificial intelligence model for public procurement
TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence model for public procurement, describing the project as a major step toward improving the management of public funds and eliminating problems linked to tenders and contracts. Speaking during Public Administration Week, Rama said …
Former Kosova President Thaçi sends message to citizens
TIRANA, July 3 – Former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi has sent a message to Kosova’s citizens through Bedri Hamza following a meeting between the two. Hamza said in a social media post that Thaçi asked him to convey his warmest greetings to all citizens. He added that they ended their …
Valbona Valley draws global travelers to Albania’s wild north
TIRANA, July 3 – Valbona Valley unfolds in the high folds of the Albanian Alps as a vast natural amphitheatre of stone, forest, and ice-cold water. A crystal-clear river cuts through the valley and shapes its dramatic northern identity. The Valbona River runs fast and clear. It reflects shifting tones …
Albanian musical traditions have inspired the soundtrack of one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey,” directed by Christopher Nolan. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video about the film and said Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson visited southern Albania. During his visit, Göransson explored Albanian iso-polyphony and the traditional sounds …
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new Saranda Welcome Center at the Port of SarandaThe new facility aims to improve the visitor experience and make movement around the city easier. It serves as a modern gateway for passengers and tourists. The center offers parking for cars and tourist buses. It …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has again condemned remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović about the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosovo. Kos said she was shocked that Paunović remains in office after making such a statement. She also warned politicians in EU candidate countries that their words carry weight. The …
Albania plans to fully electrify the Tirana-Durrës railway line and its branch to Tirana International Airport by the end of 2027, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Thursday. Presenting a bill to Parliament to ratify a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Karakaçi …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-turn-id-container=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-turn=”user”> The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, described recent remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović as “irresponsible and outrageous” during a debate in Parliament with MP Redi Muçi, who questioned why Balla had not publicly responded to the …
Socialist Party MP Elisa Spiropali has made public the motion she submitted to the Socialist Party’s General Assembly, proposing the launch of a national dialogue on a “New Agreement for Albania.” Spiropali said the document is not a personal initiative but an open proposal for discussion among all members of …
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has congratulated the newly elected members of the party’s leadership, emphasizing that the selection process was based on the free vote of the National Council. Berisha said the new leadership represents a renewal of the party, with several new figures taking on key positions. Speaking …
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Enea Karakaçi told Parliament on Thursday that the government has submitted a bill to ratify an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will finance the full electrification of the Tirana-Durrës railway line and the Rinas railway station. The minister said …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the “Smart City” Command and Control Center on Thursday, stating that Albania’s public safety system is entering a new era through real-time monitoring technology. Rama said the new system is designed to detect and prevent potential threats in real time by immediately alerting the monitoring …
The Command and Control Center, one of the key components of Albania’s national “Smart City” project, was officially unveiled on Thursday. Speaking at the launch ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, partners, and invited guests, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said the initiative is far more than a …