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Day 10 of Protests in Tirana: Activists and Citizens Gather in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office

This Tuesday at 6:00 PM, representatives of civil society, activists, and citizens gathered once again in Skanderbeg Square, marking the tenth day of protests over the issue of protected areas. From there, they continued to call for the government’s resignation, chanting slogans such as “Albania belongs to Albanians” and “Rama …

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Fier, Rama to Protesters: Accountability Is Found at the Table, Not by Demanding the Government’s Resignation

The Socialist Party branch in Fier today celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding during an event held at the Archaeological Park of Apollonia. Hundreds of Socialist Party supporters attended the event, including prominent figures from the party as well as Prime Minister Edi Rama. During his speech, Rama addressed …

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EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

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Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

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Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

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Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

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Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

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PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

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The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

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Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

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Gogu: Fight against corruption, a key test of Albania’s European path

TIRANA, Nov 6  /ATA/ Following positive European Commission assessment, Gogu says Albania will align anti-corruption laws with EU standards and sets out three regional priorities Justice Minister Toni Gogu attended the session entitled “The Judicial Dimension of the Fight Against Corruption” at the EU–Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home …

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Ibrahimaj: Pensioners to receive double monthly bonus in 2027, new pension scheme to take effect in 2028

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 2027 budget of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation prioritises increased financial support for pensioners, including doubling the monthly bonus, indexing pensions and preparing a new pension scheme. Speaking in a television interview, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the ministry’s budget for …

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Constitutional Court President attends ACCF Governing Bureau meeting

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ President of the Constitutional Court Fiona Papajorgji attended a meeting of the Governing Bureau of the Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts (ACCF), where participants discussed the association’s activities in 2026 and its priorities for 2027–2028. The meeting was followed by a working session entitled “Electoral Legitimacy …

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Albania and Montenegro discuss minority rights and access to justice

Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu met Montenegro’s Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Gjeka, in Podgorica to discuss minority rights, representation and access to justice. Their talks also covered legislative changes and efforts to combat discrimination. Gogu stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to justice. He also highlighted …

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Tirana bypass to ease traffic as PM Rama pledges transparent expropriations

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, inspected construction work on the 21-kilometre Tirana bypass. The project aims to ease traffic and divert vehicles away from the capital. Rama said work was progressing well and highlighted the road’s strategic role in connecting the Blue Corridor …

News
Albania announce squad for Finland and Belarus, with first call-up for Ismaili

Albania coach Rolando Maran has announced his squad for the national team’s final two Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus. Albania will face Finland at Air Albania Stadium on 12 November before travelling to Hungary to play Belarus behind closed doors on 15 November. The main surprise is the …

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Draft law proposes new rules for cultural heritage and grants for privately owned monuments

Albania is planning new rules for the administration, maintenance and restoration of museums, cultural monuments and other heritage sites. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has opened public consultation on amendments to the law on cultural heritage and museums. The draft aims to strengthen protection and sustainable management while …

News
“Kosovo through Kadare’s eyes” exhibition opens to mark writer’s 90th birth anniversary

An exhibition titled “Kosovo through Kadare’s Eyes” opened on Friday at the National Library of Kosovo “Pjetër Bogdani” in Pristina, marking the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Albania in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo and …

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Albania to introduce new inspection system in 2027, Rama pledges end to surprise business checks

Albania plans to introduce a new inspection system in 2027 to reduce bureaucracy, simplify procedures and create a more business-friendly environment. Prime Minister Edi Rama has pledged to end unannounced inspections and make the process more transparent. The announcement came during the conference “Invest & Comply in Albania – Inspection …

News
Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has called for stronger regional cooperation as a key driver of European integration. Hoxha made the remarks at the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. He stressed that regional cooperation had become more important than …

News

Gogu: Fight against corruption, a key test of Albania’s European path

TIRANA, Nov 6  /ATA/ Following positive European Commission assessment, Gogu says Albania will align anti-corruption laws with EU standards and sets out three regional priorities Justice Minister Toni Gogu attended the session entitled “The Judicial Dimension of the Fight Against Corruption” at the EU–Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home …

News

Ibrahimaj: Pensioners to receive double monthly bonus in 2027, new pension scheme to take effect in 2028

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 2027 budget of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation prioritises increased financial support for pensioners, including doubling the monthly bonus, indexing pensions and preparing a new pension scheme. Speaking in a television interview, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the ministry’s budget for …

News

Constitutional Court President attends ACCF Governing Bureau meeting

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ President of the Constitutional Court Fiona Papajorgji attended a meeting of the Governing Bureau of the Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts (ACCF), where participants discussed the association’s activities in 2026 and its priorities for 2027–2028. The meeting was followed by a working session entitled “Electoral Legitimacy …

News

Albania and Montenegro discuss minority rights and access to justice

Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu met Montenegro’s Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Gjeka, in Podgorica to discuss minority rights, representation and access to justice. Their talks also covered legislative changes and efforts to combat discrimination. Gogu stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to justice. He also highlighted …

News

Tirana bypass to ease traffic as PM Rama pledges transparent expropriations

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, inspected construction work on the 21-kilometre Tirana bypass. The project aims to ease traffic and divert vehicles away from the capital. Rama said work was progressing well and highlighted the road’s strategic role in connecting the Blue Corridor …

News

Albania announce squad for Finland and Belarus, with first call-up for Ismaili

Albania coach Rolando Maran has announced his squad for the national team’s final two Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus. Albania will face Finland at Air Albania Stadium on 12 November before travelling to Hungary to play Belarus behind closed doors on 15 November. The main surprise is the …

News

Draft law proposes new rules for cultural heritage and grants for privately owned monuments

Albania is planning new rules for the administration, maintenance and restoration of museums, cultural monuments and other heritage sites. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has opened public consultation on amendments to the law on cultural heritage and museums. The draft aims to strengthen protection and sustainable management while …

News

“Kosovo through Kadare’s eyes” exhibition opens to mark writer’s 90th birth anniversary

An exhibition titled “Kosovo through Kadare’s Eyes” opened on Friday at the National Library of Kosovo “Pjetër Bogdani” in Pristina, marking the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Albania in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo and …

News

Albania to introduce new inspection system in 2027, Rama pledges end to surprise business checks

Albania plans to introduce a new inspection system in 2027 to reduce bureaucracy, simplify procedures and create a more business-friendly environment. Prime Minister Edi Rama has pledged to end unannounced inspections and make the process more transparent. The announcement came during the conference “Invest & Comply in Albania – Inspection …

News

Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has called for stronger regional cooperation as a key driver of European integration. Hoxha made the remarks at the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. He stressed that regional cooperation had become more important than …