National Geographic Orion Adds Durrës and Saranda to Its Mediterranean Route
The expedition ship National Geographic Orion visits the Port of Durrës with 108 passengers on board. The ship includes Durrës as part of its Mediterranean itinerary. It continues its journey after a day stop in Durrës and sails toward Saranda. The Port Authority of Durrës highlights that the ship specializes …
Kosovo Expands Into New Sports Ahead of Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games
Kosovo prepares to host the Mediterranean Games “Prishtina 2030” and expands its focus to new and emerging sports. Sports federations develop long-term strategies to build competitive national teams. They target sports such as padel, rugby, and 3×3 basketball for future international participation. The Padel Federation of Kosovo designs a development …
Are Europe’s Star Architects Helping Launder Albania’s Criminal Economy?
The Albanian Files suggests that international architecture may have served not only as design, but as a prestigious façade for opaque money, captured institutions and one-man rule. Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – A glossy architectural volume meant to celebrate Albania’s transformation has unexpectedly become one of the most revealing …
Architect to PM Rama: Cancel Elections, Become King
Reinier de Graaf’s open letter in The Albanian Files has become a symbol of the troubling relationship between global architecture, political patronage and one-man rule in Albania. The following open letter by Dutch architect Reinier de Graaf, partner at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, has become one of the most controversial passages …
Lamallari: Border Agreement with North Macedonia Cuts Waiting Times
Albania and North Macedonia signed a new agreement to simplify border crossings. The deal introduces a one-stop border control system. It will make travel easier for citizens, businesses, and tourists. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari announced the agreement after meeting his North Macedonian counterpart, Panče Toškovski, in Dibër. Meanwhile, Lamallari said …
Rama: International Architects Help Albania Grow and Inspire Young Professionals
Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed three guests to the latest episode of the Flasim podcast. They discussed architecture, sports, education, and social initiatives. First, architect Setion Branko shared his experience working in Florence, New York, and Albania. He explained how his studio connects Albanian and international architects through joint projects. …
Rama: Underground Digital Infrastructure and “Urban Renaissance 2.0” to Launch in July
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new phase of digital infrastructure development in Albanian cities. The goal is to organize communication networks and gradually remove overhead cables. First, the initiative will shift internet and telecom systems underground. As a result, public spaces will become cleaner and more modern. Rama said …
Rama: Talks with Macron in Paris and Support for Ukraine in Gdańsk
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared details from his recent visits to France and Poland in his podcast Flasim. He highlighted meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and participation in the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Gdańsk. First, in Paris, Rama met President Macron. They discussed Albania’s EU integration process and bilateral …
Hoxha: Albania Aims to Conclude EU Negotiations by 2027
Albania aims to complete its EU accession negotiations by the end of 2027. Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha confirmed this goal during the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia. First, Hoxha took part in a panel on the European Union and the Western Balkans. He said EU enlargement remains the strongest driver of …
Rama Shows Live Footage of Benja Thermal Baths, Defends Ongoing Infrastructure Works
Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama shares live images from the Benja thermal area in Përmet. He highlights the changes made after recent investments in the tourist destination. He shows the thermal pools and the surrounding infrastructure, including parking areas and rehabilitated roads. These improvements significantly increase access for visitors. …
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania will host the 37th NATO Summit after the alliance concluded its 36th summit in Ankara. Analysts say the decision highlights the strategic importance of Albania and the Western Balkans for NATO. Experts say the alliance has renewed its focus on the region as Europe reshapes …
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania marks 31 years of membership in the Council of Europe on July 13, a milestone that reflects the country’s democratic transition and its commitment to European standards, according to the Agency for Media and Information (MIA). MIA said membership has supported reforms, strengthened institutions and …
TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …
TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …
On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …
Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the Coalition of the Willing Summit in support of Ukraine. Rama said he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron and shared footage of his arrival, where he was welcomed by the French leader. Rama and other European …
The Bank of Albania revoked the licenses of 83 currency exchange offices during 2025 following inspections that uncovered regulatory violations and financial irregularities related to cash circulation. According to the central bank, the inspections revealed shortcomings in customer identification procedures, transaction monitoring, screening against sanctions lists, and the reporting of …
Around 200 high-income individuals in Albania are being audited as part of an intensified effort by the tax authorities to verify their wealth and income. The General Directorate of Taxes says it has identified €770,000 in suspicious findingsso far. The Tax Administration has stepped up inspections targeting individuals with significant …
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Open Balkan initiative was labeled “a terrible idea” for one reason only: because it was backed by him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. “It was considered a terrible idea for only one reason – because Vučić and I were behind it. If you removed our …