Fire safety inspection plan launched in Tirana after apartment blaze
TIRANA, April 29 – The acting Mayor of Tirana, Anuela Ristani, meets emergency structures, municipal police, and fire service teams. The meeting follows a fire in an apartment building in the “Farmacia 10” area, where 71 apartments burned. Ristani praises the coordinated response of all structures. She says the quick …
Marubi Museum joins Milan-based international photography network
TIRANA, April 29 – The National Museum of Photography “Marubi” joins Rete Fotografia, an international network based in Milan that brings together institutions and organisations active in the field of photography. The museum describes the membership as an important development for Albanian photography. It highlights new opportunities for international visibility …
SASPAC launches new website on development priorities
SASPAC has launched a new online platform. The website is now accessible to the public. The platform brings together all foreign assistance data in Albania. It presents transparent and structured information. Users can find details on EU IPA programmes and funding. The site also lists donors, partners and implementing institutions. …
Aleksandër Lalo, Albanian composer of iconic film scores
TIRANA, April 28 – Albanian composer Aleksandër Lalo (1949–2017), born on 27 April 1949, remains a key figure in the country’s film music tradition. He would have turned 77 years old. His work shaped Albanian cinema across several decades. He developed a distinctive musical language that combined emotional depth with …
Former Constitutional Court chief Rustem Gjata passes away
Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional Court, has died. His son, lawyer Çlirim Gjata, shared the news on social media. Rustem Gjata won a seat as a Democratic Party MP in the first pluralist elections in 1992. He helped draft the law on the Constitutional Court as a member …
Bajram Begaj: Western Balkans’ EU integration strategic for a safer, more competitive Europe
President Bajram Begaj attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He called for tangible results to speed up regional economic development and EU integration. He said the Western Balkans is now a strategic front for Europe. Begaj described the initiative as a success story. He said it …
Sofjan Jaupaj, Majlinda Dhuka meet German minister on environment reforms
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka met German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. They discussed Albania’s progress in EU negotiations. Talks focused on Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The German minister expressed full support for Albania’s EU path. He confirmed strong partnership in advancing reforms and …
Andreas Schieder: Albania progressing well toward EU membership
Andreas Schieder praised Albania’s progress in EU integration. He said negotiations could close by 2027–2028. He highlighted major reforms, especially in justice. He described them as among the deepest in the Western Balkans. Schieder said Albania has changed dramatically for the better. He stressed the need to present this progress …
Niko Peleshi meets Irish MPs, EU membership challenges discussed
Speaker Niko Peleshi met Irish MP Barry Ward in Dublin. They discussed Albania’s achievements and challenges in the EU accession process. Talks also focused on Ireland’s continued support. The meeting addressed Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026. Peleshi said Albania’s visible progress strengthens confidence in EU …
Silvio Gonzato: Durrës Archaeological Museum showcases EU–Albania cultural partnership
Silvio Gonzato highlights EU–Albania cultural partnership in Durrës museum reopening Silvio Gonzato said the EU and Albania strengthened their partnership through the reopening of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës. He stated that the EU4Culture programme restored the museum. He added that the project supports cultural revival and post-2019 earthquake recovery. …
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 …