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State Minister Demo meets Venice Commission delegation, focus on strengthening democratic standards

TIRANA, May 29 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo on Friday met a delegation from the Venice Commission during a visit to Tirana. Meanwhile, Demo said in a social media post that the meeting focused on strengthening democratic standards, transparency and institutional accountability, describing these principles as …

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German Ambassador Karl Bergner: Independent Justice Essential for Albania’s EU Progress

TIRANA, May 29 – Ambassador of Germany to Albania Karl Bergner said at an event that an independent, professional and efficient justice system remains a central and necessary condition for Albania’s progress toward European Union membership. He added that meeting the interim benchmarks for accession, recently confirmed, represents recognition of …

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Tirana to host Albanian Doctors Federation in Europe congress on health system challenges

TIRANA, May 29 – Tirana will host on Saturday the 27th Congress of the Federation of Albanian Doctors in Europe (AMFE). The event will gather dozens of Albanian doctors from Europe, the United States and the region. German public health authorities recognise the congress. It provides 11 professional credits. The …

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Albania launches state digital company Albanian Digital Solution to expand e-government services and exports

TIRANA, May 29 – The government presented “Albanian Digital Solution Sh.A.” on Thursday. The new company aims to modernise public services and strengthen technological innovation in Albania. It marks a new phase in the development of e-government. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the initiative represents a major step in digital …

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El País: The Timeless Charm of Tourist Albania

The Spanish newspaper El País highlights Albania as a rising Mediterranean destination that still preserves authenticity despite rapid tourism growth. It describes Albania as no longer a secret, with the Albanian Riviera attracting more visitors each year and repeating mistakes seen in other Mediterranean hotspots. The article emphasizes the country’s …

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Government promotes cooperation model for grain farmers in Durrës

TIRANA, May 29 – Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla and Durrës Mayor Emiriana Sako presented a new agricultural cooperation model for grain, corn and wheat farmers in Durrës. The initiative aims to strengthen farmer organisation and improve competitiveness in the agricultural sector. Salla said the model allows farmers …

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Scientific Conference Focuses on Water Resources in Albanian-Speaking Regions

A two-day international scientific conference opened in Pristina on Thursday. The event focuses on “Water as a Source of Energy and Environmental Protection: Balance Towards a Sustainable Future.” The conference comes through cooperation between the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo and the Academy of Sciences of Albania. Moreover, …

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e-Albania 2.0 improves digital independence and business efficiency

TIRANA, May 29 – Albania advanced its digital transformation with the presentation of Albanian Digital Solution Sh.A. on Thursday. The initiative supports e-government development and expands digital public services. Meanwhile, Agjencia Kombëtare e Shoqërisë së Informacionit Director Igli Tafa said technical teams drive the country’s digital ecosystem. Tafa said specialists …

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Strategic Italy: Where Is Albania?

by Albert Rakipi, Ph.D. In April 2026, Fincantieri, one of Italy’s foremost industrial and defense champions, signed an agreement with the Albanian company KAYO to produce vessels at the Pashaliman shipyard. Prime Minister Rama presented the project as part of a strategic partnership, noting that the new company would produce …

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President Begaj’s Eid Visit Signals Warmer Albania-Saudi Ties

Albania’s president attended a high-level Eid al-Adha ceremony in Saudi Arabia, in a visit seen as strengthening Tirana’s relations with a key Arab and Muslim world power. Tirana Times,  May 29, 2026 – Albanian President Bajram Begaj was received by Saudi Arabia’s leadership during an official Eid al-Adha state ceremony hosted …

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Albania and Turkey hold joint naval exercise under NATO

Albanian and Turkish naval forces held a joint exercise in the Bay of Vlora and the naval base in it. The activity took place under NATO’s Neptune Strike 26-4 programme. The exercise involved Turkish warships TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep, aircraft and the Albanian Boarding Team. According to the Ministry …

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US report finds progress against human trafficking in Kosova, but gaps remain

Kosova remains at Tier 2 in the US State Department’s 2025 report on human trafficking. The report notes more funding for victim assistance and more convictions, but highlights gaps in law enforcement, identifying children forced to beg and providing long-term support. Police investigated four trafficking cases in 2025, down from …

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Ombudsman reports overcrowding and rights concerns after Tirana protests

Ahmet Prençi, commissioner of the Ombudsman’s National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, presented preliminary findings from monitoring police stations, the Security Block and the University Trauma Hospital on October 19. He said the investigation continued. Police escorted 50 people to stations, including 18 minors. The Security Block held 109 …

News
Bank of Albania reports higher loan demand and easier terms for small and medium-sized businesses

Demand for loans from businesses and individuals increased in the third quarter of 2026. Banks expect this trend to continue in the final quarter, according to the Bank of Albania’s lending survey. Businesses increased borrowing across all size categories for investment and liquidity needs. Higher investment needs, inventory financing and …

News
Assembly deputy Speaker, Kushi discusses parliamentary reform with international delegation

Assembly of Albania Deputy Speaker Evis Kushi and Secretary General Genci Gjonçaj met a delegation from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, led by Kevin Casas Zamora. The talks focused on continuing cooperation under the European Union-funded STEP-EU project. The initiative aims to strengthen the Assembly’s legislative, oversight …

News
OSCE human rights office calls for peaceful protests and independent investigations

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed concern over reports of violence during student and high school protests in Albania. It called for immediate and independent investigations into every reported case of unlawful use of force. In a statement published on X, ODIHR urged all sides …

News
Frontex reports nearly one-third fewer irregular border crossings into the European Union

Irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by almost one-third in the first nine months of 2026, with preliminary data recording just over 91,000 crossings, according to Frontex. The Central Mediterranean route saw the sharpest decline, with detections down 56% year on year. However, the Western Mediterranean route recorded …

News
Albania and Turkey conduct joint naval exercise in Vlora Bay

As part of NATO’s “Neptune Strike-26” exercise, the Albanian and Turkish Naval Forces conducted a joint military exercise in Vlora Bay and at the Pashaliman Naval Base. The exercise involved the Albanian patrol vessel “Oriku” P-132 and its boarding team, alongside the Turkish naval vessels TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep. …

News
Supreme Court postpones hearings after court files damaged during protests in Tirana

Albania’s Supreme Court has announced the postponement of court hearings, except for urgent cases, following property damage and damage to judicial files caused by a fire during the protests on October 17. In a public statement issued on October 20, the court said that damage to its premises and infrastructure …

News
UN Security Council to discuss key issues concerning Kosovo today: What does the new UN report say?

The United Nations Security Council will hold its next meeting on the situation in Kosovo today, with discussions expected to focus on political developments, the security situation, and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. New York time, corresponding to 9:00 p.m. …

News

Albania and Turkey hold joint naval exercise under NATO

Albanian and Turkish naval forces held a joint exercise in the Bay of Vlora and the naval base in it. The activity took place under NATO’s Neptune Strike 26-4 programme. The exercise involved Turkish warships TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep, aircraft and the Albanian Boarding Team. According to the Ministry …

News

US report finds progress against human trafficking in Kosova, but gaps remain

Kosova remains at Tier 2 in the US State Department’s 2025 report on human trafficking. The report notes more funding for victim assistance and more convictions, but highlights gaps in law enforcement, identifying children forced to beg and providing long-term support. Police investigated four trafficking cases in 2025, down from …

News

Ombudsman reports overcrowding and rights concerns after Tirana protests

Ahmet Prençi, commissioner of the Ombudsman’s National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, presented preliminary findings from monitoring police stations, the Security Block and the University Trauma Hospital on October 19. He said the investigation continued. Police escorted 50 people to stations, including 18 minors. The Security Block held 109 …

News

Bank of Albania reports higher loan demand and easier terms for small and medium-sized businesses

Demand for loans from businesses and individuals increased in the third quarter of 2026. Banks expect this trend to continue in the final quarter, according to the Bank of Albania’s lending survey. Businesses increased borrowing across all size categories for investment and liquidity needs. Higher investment needs, inventory financing and …

News

Assembly deputy Speaker, Kushi discusses parliamentary reform with international delegation

Assembly of Albania Deputy Speaker Evis Kushi and Secretary General Genci Gjonçaj met a delegation from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, led by Kevin Casas Zamora. The talks focused on continuing cooperation under the European Union-funded STEP-EU project. The initiative aims to strengthen the Assembly’s legislative, oversight …

News

OSCE human rights office calls for peaceful protests and independent investigations

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed concern over reports of violence during student and high school protests in Albania. It called for immediate and independent investigations into every reported case of unlawful use of force. In a statement published on X, ODIHR urged all sides …

News

Frontex reports nearly one-third fewer irregular border crossings into the European Union

Irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by almost one-third in the first nine months of 2026, with preliminary data recording just over 91,000 crossings, according to Frontex. The Central Mediterranean route saw the sharpest decline, with detections down 56% year on year. However, the Western Mediterranean route recorded …

News

Albania and Turkey conduct joint naval exercise in Vlora Bay

As part of NATO’s “Neptune Strike-26” exercise, the Albanian and Turkish Naval Forces conducted a joint military exercise in Vlora Bay and at the Pashaliman Naval Base. The exercise involved the Albanian patrol vessel “Oriku” P-132 and its boarding team, alongside the Turkish naval vessels TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep. …

News

Supreme Court postpones hearings after court files damaged during protests in Tirana

Albania’s Supreme Court has announced the postponement of court hearings, except for urgent cases, following property damage and damage to judicial files caused by a fire during the protests on October 17. In a public statement issued on October 20, the court said that damage to its premises and infrastructure …

News

UN Security Council to discuss key issues concerning Kosovo today: What does the new UN report say?

The United Nations Security Council will hold its next meeting on the situation in Kosovo today, with discussions expected to focus on political developments, the security situation, and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. New York time, corresponding to 9:00 p.m. …