Germany and France present initiative to accelerate Western Balkans EU accession
TIRANA, June 5 – Germany and France are expected to present a new initiative to accelerate European Union accession for Western Balkan countries and Moldova. The plan aims to offer greater integration benefits before full membership. Meanwhile, a joint document states that candidate countries would receive rewards for meeting accession …
Albania Emerges as One of Europe’s Fastest-Growing Tourist Destinations
Albania is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most attractive tourist destinations. Every year, the country welcomes a growing number of visitors from around the world. Its combination of stunning landscapes, rich history, and affordable prices continues to raise its profile on the international tourism map. One of the main drivers …
Western Balkans European Union summit in Tivat, RTSH journalist reports from Montenegro
TIRANA, June 5 – The Western Balkans–European Union summit takes place today in Tivat, Montenegro. It runs under the theme “Shared Prosperity and Stability of the European Union and the Western Balkans”. Leaders from the region attend the meeting. Senior European Union officials also attend. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama …
Ibrahimaj: No Official Investment Project Submitted for Zvërnec Yet
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj stated that no official investment project for the development of the Zvërnec area has been submitted to the government. She clarified that authorities have granted only a permit for environmental studies and assessments. Speaking in a media interview, Ibrahimaj called for a fact-based …
Ibrahimaj: Zvërnec Lagoon and Ecosystem Will Not Be Affected by Potential Investment
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said authorities are currently conducting environmental studies for the proposed investment in the Zvërnec area. Speaking to ABC News, Ibrahimaj stressed that any future development must comply with environmental laws and EU standards. She said these rules protect the lagoon and the surrounding …
Ibrahimaj: IMF and World Bank Rank Albania Among the Fastest-Growing Economies in the Western Balkans
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj rejected criticism from Democratic Party MP Enno Bozdo about Albania’s economic situation. She argued that economic indicators show clear improvement compared with previous years. During a parliamentary debate, Bozdo raised concerns about income levels, structural reforms, pensions, and social assistance. He noted that …
Koçiu: Zvërnec Investment Could Drive Growth and Transform Tourism
Deputy Prime Minister Delina Ibrahimaj stated that the proposed €4 billion investment in Zvërnec could become a major driver of economic growth. She said the project could create jobs, boost tourism, raise service standards, and attract further investment across the country. In a social media post, Koçiu pointed to neighboring …
Rama: Zvërnec Project Will Blend Development with Nature
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the planned investment in Zvërnec will combine economic development with environmental protection. He highlighted the role of landscape architect Dong Yugan, who has joined the project team. Rama introduced Yugan during the Bread & Heart Festival in Tirana. He noted that the investors selected him …
Rama to Attend EU–Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro
Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the EU–Western Balkans Summit on June 5, 2026, in Tivat. According to Albania’s Media and Information Agency, the summit will bring together leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans. Participants will reaffirm their strategic partnership and discuss the region’s European …
Rama Meets Lithuanian President Nausėda: Lithuania Supports Albania’s EU Membership
Prime Minister Edi Rama met today in Tirana with President Gitanas Nausėda. The meeting focused on strengthening relations between Albania and Lithuania. Both sides discussed closer political and economic cooperation. President Nausėda reaffirmed Lithuania’s support for Albania’s EU membership bid. He expressed backing for Albania’s progress in the European integration …
Toni Gogu met with Mattias Guyomar in Strasbourg. During the meeting, the two officials discussed the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights. They also reviewed the execution of rulings issued by the European Court of Human Rights and the progress of Albania’s justice reform. Furthermore, Gogu described the …
Silvio Gonzato took part in an event marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. UNHCR Albania, Albania’s Ministry of Interior, and other partners organized the event in Tirana. During his remarks, Gonzato stressed that the Refugee Convention remains a cornerstone of international protection for people fleeing persecution, violence, …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu took part in the informal meeting of the Council of Europe’s Justice Ministers. He spoke during a panel on the role of financial intelligence in combating money laundering and financial crime. During his remarks, Gogu stressed that the main challenge today is not collecting financial information. …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Albania has recently made significant progress on its path toward European Union membership. According to Kos, Albania met the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements on the rule of law. As a result, the country can now begin the process of closing …
Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament will reaffirm Albania’s strong commitment to the European Union. Speaking during a plenary session of the European Parliament, Schieder praised Albania’s progress in the accession process. He noted that the country opened all negotiation clusters within just 13 months. In addition, Albania recently achieved …
Kosovo and the European Commission held the annual meeting of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Monitoring Committee. The meeting focused on the implementation of EU financial and technical support for Kosovo. In addition, participants reviewed reforms that support Kosovo’s path toward European integration. Since 2007, the European Union has …
Ferit Hoxha met with Günter Krichbaum during his visit to Luxembourg. The two officials discussed Albania’s path toward European Union membership. They also reviewed the current momentum of the EU enlargement process. Furthermore, Hoxha said they exchanged views on the opportunities created by the renewed focus on enlargement across Europe. …
In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …
UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …
TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …