Slovak foreign minister: Western Balkans EU integration a strategic priority, rule of law in focus
TIRANA, April 30 – Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said European Union enlargement remains a strategic priority. He spoke at a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger, and the Czech Republic’s Petr Macinka. Blanár described the meeting as useful and necessary. …
Czech foreign minister: Western Balkans belongs in EU, Albania’s progress impressive
TIRANA, April 30 – Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka joined Austrian and Slovak counterparts in Tirana for a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, where they reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union path and reviewed progress in accession talks. At the start, Macinka framed the visit as …
Austria’s foreign minister backs Albania’s EU path, urges continued reforms and delivery from the EU
TIRANA, April 30 – Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed strong support for Albania’s European Union path during a joint appearance in Tirana with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and counterparts from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where she framed EU enlargement as a strategic investment for Europe rather than …
Albania’s foreign minister Hoxha meets Austrian, Czech and Slovak counterparts, strong backing for EU path
TIRANA, April 30 – Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha hosted counterparts from Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia in Tirana. Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Petr Macinka and Juraj Blanár joined him in a joint media statement. They confirmed continued support for Albania’s European Union path. At the start, Hoxha described the visit as …
Battle of Kaçanik Gorge marks symbol of Albanian resistance and sacrifice
TIRANA, April 30 – April 30, 1910 remains recorded in history as the day of a major confrontation between Albanian insurgents and Ottoman forces in Kaçanik Gorge. Idriz Seferi, one of the best-known leaders of the Albanian uprisings, chooses Kaçanik Gorge as a strategic position to stop the advancing Ottoman …
Berisha at IDU Forum in Zagreb: Electoral Autocracy and “Narco-State” Hindering EU Integration
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, spoke at the forum of the International Democrat Union (IDU) in Zagreb, where he addressed Albania’s European Union integration process and the factors he claims are obstructing it. He identified what he described as “electoral autocracy” and a “narco-state” as the main …
Malaj: Only Two Secondary Acts Remaining Before Launch of Online Betting
The Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, stated today that the process for opening online sports betting is in its final stage, with only two secondary legal acts remaining to be approved before licensed operators can begin operating legally. In a press conference, Malaj said that these acts are being coordinated …
Rama Responds to Criticism of Government Information Agency: SIGMA Report Shows the Truth
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted this Thursday on the social network X (formerly Twitter), referring to a SIGMA OECDreport on the Media and Information Agency (MIA). In his response, Rama emphasized that the institution has received a positive evaluation in an international report, rejecting what he described as earlier criticism …
Kosovo Elections: EU Expresses Regret
The European Union has expressed regret that political parties in Kosovo failed to identify a unifying figure for the position of president, leading the country to organize its third election in less than a year and a half. An EU spokesperson told Radio Free Europe that the bloc has continuously …
50,000 Trauma Cases Annually, Doctor Calls for Education to Reduce Harm
Albania records over 50,000 trauma cases per year, with the majority resulting from road accidents and workplace incidents. This figure was highlighted by Agron Dogjani, a surgeon at the University Hospital of Trauma (Albania), during a conference on lifestyle and risk reduction. He emphasized that trauma cases peak during the …
The U.S. Embassy has issued a statement regarding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s meeting on Wednesday with the new U.S. Ambassador, Eric Wendt. The Embassy shared images from the meeting, stating that a strong partnership is measured by what two nations achieve together. In its post, the Embassy said that Rama …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was welcomed by Prime Minister Edi Rama with an official ceremony at midday on Wednesday, as part of her visit to Tirana. Von der Leyen arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office, where she was received by the head of the Albanian government. Her …
The U.S. Department of State has published its 2026 report on Albania’s investment climate, highlighting challenges related to corruption, organized crime, money laundering, property rights and competition. The 40-page report notes that despite the increase in foreign investment, investors continue to face a lack of transparency, informality, difficulties in contract …
Director General of the Albanian State Police, Skender Hita, attended the European Police Chiefs Convention (EPCC). Ahead of the conference, Director Hita was received in a separate meeting by Europol’s Acting Executive Director, Jürgen Ebner. Also present at the meeting was the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the …
The anti-government protests that rocked Albania this summer will not jeopardise its EU membership prospects – but will feed into a broader assessment of Tirana’s respect for democracy and that rule of law. Original post Here
Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement, to discuss Albania’s progress toward EU membership. Their first meeting focused on the final milestones for Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom and Security,” and Chapter 22, “Regional Policy and Coordination of …
Albania’s Customs Administration has published the “Customs Valuation Manual”, a practical guide designed to standardize procedures and ensure the consistent application of rules for determining the value of goods for customs purposes. The manual brings together the relevant legal framework and customs valuation methods. It also addresses issues that customs …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu, together with the Council of Europe, presented proposed amendments to Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code today. The initiative launches a public consultation on a broad reform of criminal procedures. The proposals focus on pre-trial detention, alternatives to imprisonment, stronger safeguards and the protection of individual rights. In …
On National Cultural Heritage Day, the Albanian Parliament expressed its appreciation for everyone who works to preserve and pass on the country’s cultural heritage from one generation to the next. In a social media post, Parliament highlighted the work of Vendim Kapaj, who holds the title “Grand Master” and has …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission assessing public investment efficiency (PIMA), led by Ian Hawkesworth. The meeting focused on the IMF’s findings and assessment of Albania’s public investment efficiency. The IMF plans to publish the full report soon. During the meeting, participants highlighted Albania’s …