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European Education Conference/Rama: The future cannot be defended by weapons, let’s build a “NATO” for education

This Wednesday, for the first time in the region, the Ministerial Conference of the European Higher Education Area, with the participation of all countries. This meeting aims to approach the basic values ​​of education, internationalization, academic freedom, institutional autonomy, social dimension and public responsibility of higher education. During his speech …

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118 years in prison for the group of hired killers

A group of contract killers who operated in the area of ​​Kurbini and not only have been sentenced by the Court of Lezha to 118 years in prison for serious charges such as “Premeditated murder” committed in cooperation for interest but remaining in the attempt, “Theft in cooperation ” and …

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“Gerdeci” case, is postponed again the hearing session for Fatmir Mediu

In the process against former defense minister Fatmir Mediu, this Wednesday in the Special Court, 5 experts who determined the damage of the demolition in 2008 appeared to testify. The session did not take place due to the absence of two prosecutors, Arben Kraja and Klodian Braho, who had informed …

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Albanians continue to lead W. Balkans list of EU asylum applications 

TIRANA, May 28, 2024 — Nationals from Albania and Kosovo top the list of asylum seekers from the Western Balkans applying in European Union countries during the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). The report indicates that the number …

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Property prices on Albanian coast soar, partially driven by foreign buyers 

TIRANA, May 29, 2024 – Demand for coastal properties in Albania has surged by 20-30 percent compared to last year, according to the Albanian Builders Association.  Key areas like Vlora, Palasa and Saranda are particularly popular, with 40 percent of buyers being foreigners attracted by lower prices compared to neighboring …

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Attempt attack on the former prosecutor Ndoja/ SPAK closes the investigations

The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has closed the investigations for Plaurent Dervishaj and five other people accused of the assassination of former prosecutor Arian Ndoja and Aleksandër Lahos. The attack in which the driver Andi Maloku was killed. These people are also accused of theft, possession …

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Annual report of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko: Informality, negative impact!

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, reports to the Economy Commission, regarding the annual report of the BSH. During his speech, he emphasized that problem loans have been decreasing, while underlining that inflation marked a continuous gradual decline during 2023. According to him, the fall in inflation …

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Dozens protest out Tirana municipality

The opposition has once again held a protest in front of the Municipality of Tirana. The police have increased security measures in order to prevent incidents, meanwhile what is noticed is that there is a low number of participants. Earlier, the Tirana police repeated the call to the organizers, leaders …

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Rama: The anti-corruption resolution is what the country needs for EU

“The anti-corruption resolution is what the republic and citizens need from this parliament today to support EU membership in 2030.” This is how Prime Minister Rama began his speech from the floor of the Assembly regarding the anti-corruption resolution, an initiative proposed by the socialist majority. “The anti-corruption resolution is …

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Anti-corruption resolution/ Rama: After the approval, the commission will be established

The anti-corruption resolution passed the agenda only with majority votes during the meeting of the Conference of Presidents, after the opposition abstained. Prime Minister Edi Rama, during his speech from the floor of the Assembly, said that after the approval of the anti-corruption resolution, the commission will be established. So …

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Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

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 …

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Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

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 …

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Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

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 …

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Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

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 …

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PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

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 …

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From the Nile to the Balkans

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 …

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Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

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

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ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

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 …

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Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

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 …

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Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …

News

Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

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 …

News

Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

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 …

News

Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

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 …

News

Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

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 …

News

PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

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 …

News

From the Nile to the Balkans

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 …

News

Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

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

News

ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

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 …

News

Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

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 …

News

Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …