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Balluku: We aim to make the country an example for renewable energy not only in Balkans

The deputy Prime Minister, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Ballaku is in New York where she is participating in the high level political meeting in the United Nations. In her speech, Balluku stated that in this meeting the focus was on the summit that will take place in …

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Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime control on Arben Ahmetaj’s properties

In the framework of the investigations it is conducting against the former deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj, GJKKO( Special Courts against Corruption and Organised Crime) has executed several control orders in the 4 apartments of the former minister Arben Ahmetaj and his family members. Journalist Ermal Vija reports for ABC …

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Arrested for abuse of duty, the Court doesn’t change the security measure for former mayor of Durres

The Court of Special Appeal has approved the decision of the first instance, leaving in force the measure of prison arrest against the former mayor of the municipality of Durres, Vangjush Dako, ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports. He will continue to stay in prison, where he is accused of …

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Arson suspected as three cars get burned in Vlora at night

Three cars were engulfed in flames in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Vlora, two of which were completely burned while another partially. Cause of the fire is suspected to have been arson. Police revealed that the incident happened around 04:55, when the fire service received a report of …

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Two arrested for Belgium-Albania goods’ smuggling

Two people have been arrested while another has been put under investigation for smuggling goods this Tuesday. Based on police information, the arrested are a 58-year-old man from Tirana, who transported smuggled goods from Belgium to Albania, and a 45-year-old man, also from the capital, who stored the goods in …

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Tirana’s Mayor introduces ‘Open Bus’ initiative

Tourists can now visit Tirana with an open bus tour, as the Albanian capital is buzzing with tourists, almost every month of the calendar year. Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj has shared some of the photos of the new initiative that allows many tourists to take a tour of the …

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Wings of Change: Why Armed Drones Are Proliferating in Western Balkans

Armed drones are becoming a favoured means for Balkan countries to boost their military muscle and regional clout – but even though they are unlikely to trigger a war, their unchecked spread brings substantial risks. Original post Here

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Italy Still Views Albania Through a Colonial Lens

Italy once conquered Albania, claiming it was bringing civilisation to a barbarous people; judging from the language of its current diplomats, its mindset hasn’t changed. Original post Here

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Tirana Mayor Slated by Watchdogs for Calling BIRN Journalist ‘Contract Killer’

Media watchdog tells Tirana Mayor to ‘stop denigrating journalists’ for doing their work – after calling Ola Xama ‘a contract killer’ for writing an article in BIRN about probes into disputed waste concession contracts. Original post Here

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Taulant Balla to swear in as Interior minister

This Saturday at 10:00 in the Presidency, the swearing-in ceremony of Taulant Balla as the Minister of the Interior will be held. The Parliament approved on July 13, with 75 votes in favour, 16 against, 1 abstention, the appointment of Balla, who will replace Bledi Çuçi after his dismissal. The …

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Gjirokastër Castle welcomes 48,000 visitors in four months, 70% foreigners

TIRANA, May 12 – Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors from around the world as interest in cultural tourism grows in southern Albania. The historic site recorded strong visitor numbers during the first months of the year. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the castle …

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Albania shows phenomenal progress, European Investment Bank expands business support

TIRANA, May 12 – Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank, said Albania achieved phenomenal progress over the past decade and described the European Union as a clear direction for the country’s future during a ceremony in Tirana. She spoke at the signing of a financing agreement with Intesa …

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Twenty Albanian films screened at Babylon cinema in Berlin

TIRANA, May 12 – Twenty Albanian films have been screened at the “Babylon” cinema in Berlin since May 7. The selection includes restored classics from the former “Shqipëria e Re” [New Albania] film studio and recent Albanian productions, including documentaries and short films. Meanwhile, the programme continues for six consecutive …

News
Albania reports progress in anti-corruption fight, six criminal investigations into senior officials

TIRANA, May 12 – Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka addressed measures against corruption during a hearing at the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs. She outlined legislative and enforcement progress during 2025. Authorities implemented a package of five draft laws in the anti-corruption framework. To begin with, …

News
Early warning systems key for environmental risk management

TIRANA, May 12 – Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj highlighted early warning systems as a key tool in managing environmental risks during the international conference “United for Climate”, in a podcast moderated by Blendi Salaj, where he discussed the National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026–2036. He said the national plan includes 66 …

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PM Rama says Albania has no “Plan B” on European Union integration

TIRANA, May 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has never had a “Plan B” regarding European Union integration during the signing of a financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, which targets support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He said Albania continues to …

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European Investment Bank provides 20 million euros to support Albanian businesses in innovation and green transition

TIRANA, May 12 – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania signed a 20 million euro financing agreement in Tirana to support Albanian small and medium-sized enterprises in innovation, digitalisation, technology, and green investment. Roberto Crod, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, and Giuseppe Janpiero, Director …

News
Defense Minister Nufi hosts North Macedonia Armed Forces Chief of Staff, focus on defense and security cooperation

TIRANA, May 12 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi hosted Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia Major General Sashko Lafchiski in Tirana on Monday. The meeting highlighted the importance of close cooperation on Corridor VIII, which both sides described as critical for military mobility and security in …

News
Interior Minister Lamallari hosts Italian counterpart, focus on strengthening strategic partnership

TIRANA, May 12 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari hosted Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in Tirana during an official meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The two ministers praised relations between Albania and Italy, which they said rest on historical, cultural, economic, …

News
Balla hosts Lipjan students in Parliament: Proud of UÇK’s liberation war and sacrifice for freedom

Taulant Balla, head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, welcomes students and teachers from the “Mehmet Akif” school in Lipjan, Kosovo, to the Albanian Parliament. The group visits Tirana on a friendly and educational trip. Balla highlights the strong ties between Albania and Kosovo. He stresses the importance of national …

News

Gjirokastër Castle welcomes 48,000 visitors in four months, 70% foreigners

TIRANA, May 12 – Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors from around the world as interest in cultural tourism grows in southern Albania. The historic site recorded strong visitor numbers during the first months of the year. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the castle …

News

Albania shows phenomenal progress, European Investment Bank expands business support

TIRANA, May 12 – Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank, said Albania achieved phenomenal progress over the past decade and described the European Union as a clear direction for the country’s future during a ceremony in Tirana. She spoke at the signing of a financing agreement with Intesa …

News

Twenty Albanian films screened at Babylon cinema in Berlin

TIRANA, May 12 – Twenty Albanian films have been screened at the “Babylon” cinema in Berlin since May 7. The selection includes restored classics from the former “Shqipëria e Re” [New Albania] film studio and recent Albanian productions, including documentaries and short films. Meanwhile, the programme continues for six consecutive …

News

Albania reports progress in anti-corruption fight, six criminal investigations into senior officials

TIRANA, May 12 – Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka addressed measures against corruption during a hearing at the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs. She outlined legislative and enforcement progress during 2025. Authorities implemented a package of five draft laws in the anti-corruption framework. To begin with, …

News

Early warning systems key for environmental risk management

TIRANA, May 12 – Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj highlighted early warning systems as a key tool in managing environmental risks during the international conference “United for Climate”, in a podcast moderated by Blendi Salaj, where he discussed the National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026–2036. He said the national plan includes 66 …

News

PM Rama says Albania has no “Plan B” on European Union integration

TIRANA, May 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has never had a “Plan B” regarding European Union integration during the signing of a financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, which targets support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He said Albania continues to …

News

European Investment Bank provides 20 million euros to support Albanian businesses in innovation and green transition

TIRANA, May 12 – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania signed a 20 million euro financing agreement in Tirana to support Albanian small and medium-sized enterprises in innovation, digitalisation, technology, and green investment. Roberto Crod, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, and Giuseppe Janpiero, Director …

News

Defense Minister Nufi hosts North Macedonia Armed Forces Chief of Staff, focus on defense and security cooperation

TIRANA, May 12 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi hosted Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia Major General Sashko Lafchiski in Tirana on Monday. The meeting highlighted the importance of close cooperation on Corridor VIII, which both sides described as critical for military mobility and security in …

News

Interior Minister Lamallari hosts Italian counterpart, focus on strengthening strategic partnership

TIRANA, May 12 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari hosted Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in Tirana during an official meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The two ministers praised relations between Albania and Italy, which they said rest on historical, cultural, economic, …

News

Balla hosts Lipjan students in Parliament: Proud of UÇK’s liberation war and sacrifice for freedom

Taulant Balla, head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, welcomes students and teachers from the “Mehmet Akif” school in Lipjan, Kosovo, to the Albanian Parliament. The group visits Tirana on a friendly and educational trip. Balla highlights the strong ties between Albania and Kosovo. He stresses the importance of national …