Blog
News

Attack on the Residential Complex of the Albanian Ambassador in Ukraine, EU Delegation in Tirana Reacts

The Delegation of the European Union in Tirana has reacted following the drone and missile attack launched by Russia on Kyiv, which also struck the residential complex where the Albanian ambassador to Ukraine lives. Through a post on social media, the EU strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that the life …

Read More
News

Pride in Tirana Sends Message of Unity Against Hate

As Albania’s LGBTIQ+ community marches under the slogan “Together for Family,” activists say the real threat to family and society is not diversity, but hatred, exclusion and fear. Tirana Times, May 24, 2026 – Albania’s LGBTIQ+ community held its annual Pride march in Tirana on May 23, turning the capital’s …

Read More
News

Where Art Meets Memory: The Gallery Kalo Journey

A Q&A with Gallery Kalo founder Përparim Kalo on art, cultural heritage and the gallery’s expanding vision along the Vjosa Valley. Introduction Gallery Kalo is more than an exhibition space. It is a cultural meeting point where art, memory, dialogue and contemporary creativity come together. Founded with the vision of …

Read More
News

Germany’s New Enlargement Formula and Albania’s European Illusion

For Albania, the real issue is not which accession model Europe chooses, but whether democracy, rule of law, and state integrity can still be restored. By Genc Pollo Tirana Times, May 24, 2026 – Europe’s enlargement debate has entered a new phase and Albania should pay attention.On May 18, German …

Read More
News

Rama: Tokyo Welcome Shows Respect for Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama concluded his official visit to Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed Rama with a state ceremony in Tokyo. Rama shared moments from the visit on social media. He thanked Japan for the warm reception. He said the state ceremony showed respect for a transformed Albania …

Read More
News

Albanian Actor Birçe Hasko Dies at 84

Renowned Albanian actor Birçe Hasko has died at the age of 84. Hasko was born in Dukat, Vlora, on March 15, 1942. After finishing high school, he worked as a teacher in Memaliaj. He also joined the city’s amateur theater troupe. In 1965, he started acting studies at the Higher …

Read More
News

Atlas Corporation acquires Edil Centro: A strategic move in business expansion

One of the latest developments attracting attention in Albanian business circles involves Atlas Corporation. Without major public attention, the ATLAS Group has finalized the acquisition of Edil Centro, a move that is being seen as another signal of the growing strength of Albanian companies to invest in and further develop …

Read More
News

Bank Resolution Fund Reaches 8.2 Billion Lek

The Emergency Intervention Fund has reached 8.2 billion lek (around 85 million euros) after annual contributions from commercial banks for 2026. The Bank of Albania said the fund was created in 2018. It aims to support the resolution of banks that face financial difficulties in the future. At the same …

Read More
News

Museum Week 2026: Visual Projections and Stories at the Mosaic of Tirana

Museum Week 2026 has transformed one of the capital’s top attractions. History, contemporary art, and music met at the Mosaic of Tirana. The site hosted the “Beautiful Minds of Albania” 2026 event. Blendi Gonxhja, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, shared details about the gathering. The organizers presented innovative …

Read More
News

8th Intergovernmental Conference: Albania Enters EU Negotiation Closing Phase

Albania is entering a new phase in its European Union membership talks. The 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference will take place in Brussels on May 26, 2026. This meeting opens the path to the closing phase of EU accession negotiations. The Media and Information Agency announced the news today. The EU’s …

Read More
News
Albanian Customs takes part in regional meeting in Sarajevo on firearms trafficking

TIRANA, June 4 – Representatives of the Albanian Customs Administration took part in a regional meeting on firearms trafficking held on 2–3 June in Sarajevo. The event took place under the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) project. It also …

News
Albania loses 0–1 to Israel in friendly under new coach Rolando Maran

TIRANA, June 4 – Albania lost 0–1 to Israel in a friendly match at “Air Albania” stadium in Tirana. The result marked an unsuccessful start to the new era under Italian coach Rolando Maran. Maran started Anis Mehmeti in attack alongside Armando Broja and used Qazim Laçi in an advanced …

News
Speaker Peleshi in Lithuania: Support reaffirmed for Albania’s European Union path and 2027 NATO summit bid

TIRANA, June 4 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi concluded a parliamentary diplomacy tour of the Baltic states with an official visit to Lithuania, where officials reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union membership process and its bid to host a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in 2027. During meetings with Lithuanian …

News
Malaj Meets IMF: Albanian Economy Shows Stable Growth

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj held a meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund mission for Albania, Diego Cerdeiro, as part of regular consultations on economic and fiscal developments. During the meeting, both sides discussed the performance of the Albanian economy. They noted that it continues to show stable …

News
PM Rama: Nature protection must go hand in hand with development

TIRANA, June 4 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said nature protection should not stand in opposition to development. He said both objectives can advance together through responsible planning and architecture. Rama made the remarks at the second edition of the Bread & Heart festival in Tirana. Speaking at the event, …

News
Archaeologists uncover Roman thermal complex near Lushnja

TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the discovery of significant archaeological remains near Lushnja. He said specialists identified a new archaeological site in the village of Zgjana. According to Gonxhja, experts from the National Institute of Cultural Heritage worked with the Department of Archaeology …

News
Institute of Statistics: Construction costs rise 1.1% in first quarter of 2026

TIRANA, June 4 – Albania’s Construction Cost Index rose 1.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the INSTAT, Albania’s Institute of Statistics. According to the institute, higher labour costs drove the annual increase. The “Wage Expenses” group rose 4.8%. In …

News
Shkodër tourism rises 30% as Alps, museums and Shiroka–Zogaj drive visitor growth

TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism in Shkodër has recorded a significant increase in recent years, strengthening the local economy and boosting activity across hotels, gastronomy, trade and tourism services. According to the Director of Tourism at Shkodër Municipality, Renato Lumçi, visitor numbers rose by 30% in the first five months …

News
Fiscal Peace Agreement applications close on 5 June 2026

TIRANA, June 4 – The Tax Administration has set 5 June 2026 as the deadline for applications to the Fiscal Peace Agreement and called on taxpayers to meet all legal conditions. The procedure runs online through the “e-filing” system. Meanwhile, the process covers registered taxpayers, including individuals and business entities …

News
European Youth Film Festival, fourth edition in Tirana

The fourth edition of the Tirana European Youth Film Festival starts today at the “Agimi” art center in the capital. The festival will bring several days of European films for young audiences and film lovers. The festival promotes contemporary European cinema, supports young filmmakers, and encourages cultural dialogue through film. …

News

Albanian Customs takes part in regional meeting in Sarajevo on firearms trafficking

TIRANA, June 4 – Representatives of the Albanian Customs Administration took part in a regional meeting on firearms trafficking held on 2–3 June in Sarajevo. The event took place under the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) project. It also …

News

Albania loses 0–1 to Israel in friendly under new coach Rolando Maran

TIRANA, June 4 – Albania lost 0–1 to Israel in a friendly match at “Air Albania” stadium in Tirana. The result marked an unsuccessful start to the new era under Italian coach Rolando Maran. Maran started Anis Mehmeti in attack alongside Armando Broja and used Qazim Laçi in an advanced …

News

Speaker Peleshi in Lithuania: Support reaffirmed for Albania’s European Union path and 2027 NATO summit bid

TIRANA, June 4 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi concluded a parliamentary diplomacy tour of the Baltic states with an official visit to Lithuania, where officials reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union membership process and its bid to host a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in 2027. During meetings with Lithuanian …

News

Malaj Meets IMF: Albanian Economy Shows Stable Growth

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj held a meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund mission for Albania, Diego Cerdeiro, as part of regular consultations on economic and fiscal developments. During the meeting, both sides discussed the performance of the Albanian economy. They noted that it continues to show stable …

News

PM Rama: Nature protection must go hand in hand with development

TIRANA, June 4 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said nature protection should not stand in opposition to development. He said both objectives can advance together through responsible planning and architecture. Rama made the remarks at the second edition of the Bread & Heart festival in Tirana. Speaking at the event, …

News

Archaeologists uncover Roman thermal complex near Lushnja

TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the discovery of significant archaeological remains near Lushnja. He said specialists identified a new archaeological site in the village of Zgjana. According to Gonxhja, experts from the National Institute of Cultural Heritage worked with the Department of Archaeology …

News

Institute of Statistics: Construction costs rise 1.1% in first quarter of 2026

TIRANA, June 4 – Albania’s Construction Cost Index rose 1.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the INSTAT, Albania’s Institute of Statistics. According to the institute, higher labour costs drove the annual increase. The “Wage Expenses” group rose 4.8%. In …

News

Shkodër tourism rises 30% as Alps, museums and Shiroka–Zogaj drive visitor growth

TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism in Shkodër has recorded a significant increase in recent years, strengthening the local economy and boosting activity across hotels, gastronomy, trade and tourism services. According to the Director of Tourism at Shkodër Municipality, Renato Lumçi, visitor numbers rose by 30% in the first five months …

News

Fiscal Peace Agreement applications close on 5 June 2026

TIRANA, June 4 – The Tax Administration has set 5 June 2026 as the deadline for applications to the Fiscal Peace Agreement and called on taxpayers to meet all legal conditions. The procedure runs online through the “e-filing” system. Meanwhile, the process covers registered taxpayers, including individuals and business entities …

News

European Youth Film Festival, fourth edition in Tirana

The fourth edition of the Tirana European Youth Film Festival starts today at the “Agimi” art center in the capital. The festival will bring several days of European films for young audiences and film lovers. The festival promotes contemporary European cinema, supports young filmmakers, and encourages cultural dialogue through film. …