Transforming friendship into a strategic partnership: the common challenge for Italy and Albania
Tirana Times, May 28, 2026 – The importance, depth and complexity of relations between Albania and Italy can never be overstated. Just over one year after he assumed the diplomatic post of Ambassador of Italy to Albania, Tirana Times editor in chief Jerina Zaloshnja carried out this interview with ambassador …
German Ambassador Bergner: Justice reform is key for public expectations and EU integration
TIRANA, May 28 – The Centre for the Study of Democracy and Governance and the German Embassy in Albania held a discussion table with experts on justice reform and public perception. The focus was progress in the reform and citizens’ expectations. German Ambassador Karl Bergner said Albanian institutions have made …
Two debut call-ups and returns as Maran names Albania squad
TIRANA, May 28 – Albania will play two friendly matches against Israel on 3 June at 20:00 at the “Air Albania” stadium and against Luxembourg on 6 June at 20:00 at the same venue. Head coach Rolando Maran has announced his first squad since taking charge of the national team. …
Acting Tirana Mayor Ristani inspects “Streets for Children” project, expansion planned to 40 schools
TIRANA, May 28 – Acting Mayor of Tirana Anuela Ristani inspected the road block near “Gustav Mayer” school and Kindergarten 26. The site forms part of the “Streets for Children” project that transforms public spaces for children, parents and the community. Ristani said the project will expand to 40 additional …
Albania ranks fourth in Europe for startup ecosystem growth, jumps eight places globally
TIRANA, May 28 – The 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by StartupBlink ranked Albania 75th in the world. The report recorded annual ecosystem growth of 71.1%. StartupBlink ranked Albania as the fourth fastest-growing startup ecosystem in Europe. The country climbed eight places in the global ranking. The report described this …
National Business Center and InfoCamere agree cooperation to modernise Trade Register
TIRANA, May 28 – The National Business Center and InfoCamere agreed steps to deepen cooperation. The focus covers modernisation of the Albanian Trade Register and expansion of digital services for business. Meanwhile, a delegation from the National Business Center visited Padova on an official working trip. Director General Etugert Llazi …
MSN Ranks Albania Among Europe’s Best Hidden Destinations for 2026
*]: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:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-28″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Albania has been ranked among the six best hidden destinations in Europe for 2026, according to MSN. The article highlights Albania as one of the few places in Europe where travelers can still enjoy authentic experiences away from overcrowded tourist …
Government approves National Roadmap 2030, Deputy PM Koçiu: Albania’s European Union path faces no obstacles
TIRANA, May 28 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said Albania’s European Union integration process continues without obstacles after today’s Cabinet meeting. She said the government has fulfilled its obligations to the European Union with seriousness. At the start of her statement, Koçiu described the latest decisions as part of …
Kukësi and Butrinti face playoff final for place in Albania’s second division
TIRANA, May 28 – Kukësi and Butrinti will face each other today at 15:00 at the Rrogozhina stadium. The match will decide a place in Kategoria e Parë, which is the second division of the Albanian football championship below the Superior League. Albanian Radio and Television will broadcast the match …
Gonxhja: TEA Awards 2026 Recognize Promoters of Albanian Tourism
*]: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:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-22″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-22″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-46″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Blendi Gonxhja says the TEA Awards 2026 recognize and celebrate promoters of Albanian tourism. The National Tourism Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, organizes the TEA Awards 2026 for the first time. Officials base the …
by Elez Biberaj Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – One year after Prime Minister Edi Rama swept to a fourth consecutive term, Albania finds itself in a profoundly different place than the triumphant narrative he projected. The government that claimed unrivaled authority now faces the most sustained civic uprising in …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, to discuss Albania’s progress and prospects on its path toward European Union membership. During the meeting, the two officials reviewed developments in Albania’s EU integration process. They also exchanged …
Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met in Vienna with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker during an official visit to Austria. Kurti thanked Austria for its long-standing support for Kosovo since the 1990s. He also highlighted Austria’s role in state-building efforts and its contribution through the NATO-led KFOR mission. Furthermore, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected claims that a planned Zvërnec project involves political backing from the White House or former U.S. President Donald Trump. He addressed journalists from EU member states at a press conference. He said public debate distorts the facts and focuses on family connections. Furthermore, he said …
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Tonin Harapi, recognizing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian national music. He was born on June 9, 1926, in Shkodër. He grew up in a rich musical environment. He learned …
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to a statement by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who claimed that over 100,000 Albanian citizens protested a tourism investment project in Zvërnec. Rama reacted on the social media platform “X.” He said no approved project, construction permit, or final development plan exists. Furthermore, he said …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania guarantees the right to protest and allows citizens to demonstrate freely. He spoke at a press conference with EU journalists at the Prime Minister’s Office. Furthermore, he addressed recent protests against the Zvërnec investment project. He said a violent incident involving a security …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met in Dublin with Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee. He said both sides reaffirmed excellent bilateral relations between Albania and Ireland. Furthermore, Hoxha said the two countries held constructive discussions on strengthening political dialogue. They also agreed to …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi held an official visit in Athens, where he met the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis. Furthermore, the visit took place as part of Albania’s parliamentary diplomacy tour with key strategic partners in Europe and the region. During the meeting, both sides praised the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the planned shipbuilding project in Pashaliman will create major employment opportunities and strengthen vocational education in Albania. He spoke at the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education. He said the project will initially create 400 jobs and later expand to 800. Furthermore, Rama highlighted an …