Balla on European Parliament Amendment Calling for Construction Moratorium in Protected Areas: We Will Do Whatever It Takes to Join the EU
The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, said in a statement to the media outside Parliament that the European Parliament’s amendment regarding protected areas is “nothing more and nothing less” than what Prime Minister Edi Rama has already stated: that no construction will be allowed without a …
Rama on the Protests: The Problem Is Not the Flamingos, but the Crows and Ravens Trying to Hold the Country Hostage
Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again reacted to the citizen protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past 18 days. In a lengthy message on social media, Rama said he understands the concerns of citizens who joined the demonstrations over environmental issues. However, he accused political …
Rama Responds to European Parliament Amendment: It Is Not About Zvërnec but About Nartë–Vjosa
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the European Parliament amendment, clarifying that it is not related to Zvërnec or the protected Pishë Poro–Nartë landscape, but rather to the protected Nartë–Vjosa area, where, according to him, the government shares the same position as Members of the European Parliament. “The …
Albanian PM Edi Rama in Berlin: Europe Today Needs Courage for Enlargement
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has given an interview to Euronews.com on the current situation in Europe and the challenges facing the continent. Rama spoke about EU enlargement and the integration process of the Western Balkan countries. Is Europe Ready for Its Next Helmut Kohl Moment? Speaking in Berlin, the …
Proposal Returns for Higher Property Taxes: Homes and Businesses to Be Taxed Based on Market Value
All real estate properties in Albania, whether residential units or business premises, will be taxed according to their market value under a new draft law proposed by the Ministry of Finance and submitted for public consultation. According to the draft legislation, the taxable base for the property tax will be …
Rama Convenes Expanded Socialist Parliamentary Group Meeting, Euronews Albania Learns Details
The Socialist Party will hold an expanded meeting of its parliamentary group on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Palace of Brigades, according to sources cited by Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu. Members of Parliament were informed about the meeting only a short time ago. The gathering comes at a …
Recognition of Diplomas Eased for Students from Montenegro Studying in Albania
Through cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Montenegro and thanks to the commitment of Montenegro’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, the €3,500 fee previously required for the recognition and equivalency of diplomas obtained by Montenegrin students who studied at universities in Albania has …
Rama Attends Plenary Session as Parliament Approves Penal Amnesty with 84 Votes
Prime Minister Edi Rama joined the resumed plenary session of Parliament on Thursday afternoon, during which lawmakers approved the penal amnesty bill. Before the vote, tensions arose in the chamber, and acting Speaker Niko Peleshi ordered the removal of Opportunity Party MP Agron Shehaj from the session after he repeatedly …
Rama Present in Parliament as Protesters Change Route and March Toward Assembly
Citizens continued their protest this Thursday, marking the 19th consecutive day of demonstrations. Unlike previous days, protesters did not march toward the Prime Minister’s Office. Instead, they changed their route and headed toward the Parliament building, where a plenary session is currently taking place. A few minutes earlier, Prime Minister …
European Parliament Calls for the Use of Albanian in State Exams in North Macedonia
The European Parliament has adopted an amendment calling for a resolution to the issue of using the Albanian language in state examinations in North Macedonia, including the Bar Exam. In the approved text, Members of the European Parliament urge state institutions to address the issue as soon as possible, ensuring …
Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …
TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …
TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …
While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …