EU Enlargement Commissioner: Albania Takes Important Step Toward EU Membership
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Albania has recently made significant progress on its path toward European Union membership. According to Kos, Albania met the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements on the rule of law. As a result, the country can now begin the process of closing …
European Parliament Reaffirms Support for Albania’s EU Path, Says Schieder
Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament will reaffirm Albania’s strong commitment to the European Union. Speaking during a plenary session of the European Parliament, Schieder praised Albania’s progress in the accession process. He noted that the country opened all negotiation clusters within just 13 months. In addition, Albania recently achieved …
Kosovo and European Commission Review EU Support and Reform Progress
Kosovo and the European Commission held the annual meeting of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Monitoring Committee. The meeting focused on the implementation of EU financial and technical support for Kosovo. In addition, participants reviewed reforms that support Kosovo’s path toward European integration. Since 2007, the European Union has …
Germany Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Membership
Ferit Hoxha met with Günter Krichbaum during his visit to Luxembourg. The two officials discussed Albania’s path toward European Union membership. They also reviewed the current momentum of the EU enlargement process. Furthermore, Hoxha said they exchanged views on the opportunities created by the renewed focus on enlargement across Europe. …
The False Civil Society and the Real One
In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …
UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027
UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …
Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand
TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …
Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre
TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …
Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers
Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …
US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission
TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …
The proposed amendments to Albania’s sponsorship law aim to encourage businesses to fund sports, arts and cultural activities through tax incentives, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said today. Under the proposed scheme, businesses could deduct up to 30% of their corporate income tax through sponsorships of activities …
The Albanian government today approved amendments to its agreement with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), which supports the country’s EU accession negotiations. The Council of Ministers approved Amendment No. 1 to the implementation agreement between the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and GIZ. The agreement forms part of …
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi today expressed his condolences following the deaths of four members of the Turkish Armed Forces in an S-70 helicopter crash in Malatya, Turkey. In a message posted on social media, Nufi expressed his sorrow over the tragic accident and extended his deepest sympathies to the victims’ …
Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared a photo on social media from the 9th European Political Community (EPC) Summit, showing a group of European leaders and senior representatives walking down an escalator together. At the centre of the photo, Rama appears alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The European Political Community …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has called for a stronger focus on economic diplomacy, highlighting its role in the country’s development and European Union integration. Hoxha made the remarks during a discussion at Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest, where he presented Albania’s vision for …
Albania’s Interior Minister Ervin Demo met his Italian counterpart, Matteo Piantedosi, in Rome. They discussed stronger security cooperation and easier access to public services for Albanians living in Italy. The talks focused on three main issues. First, the two ministers discussed developing Albania’s Security Academy with support from Italian expertise. …
Albania’s government has approved changes to the composition and responsibilities of the country’s negotiating team for European Union membership. The Council of Ministers adopted the decision today. It amends the previous decision of May 6, 2020, by redistributing responsibilities across several negotiation chapters and appointing new members to the team. …
Albania beat Finland 2-0 at Air Albania Stadium in Tirana in the fifth round of UEFA Nations League Group C1. The victory lifted Albania to 12 points and first place in the group. Ernest Muçi opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a fine long-range strike. Rey Manaj doubled …
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the 2026 Future of the North Atlantic Forum in Oslo, Norway. The forum is organised by the British and Norwegian governments and brings together senior political and military officials and defence industry representatives from allied countries. Speaking aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince …
Albanian Interior Minister Ervin Demo met his Italian counterpart, Matteo Piantedosi, to discuss drawing on Italy’s experience to develop Albania’s Security Academy, finalising bilateral security agreements and securing automatic recognition in Italy of birth certificates issued through e-Albania. The ministers paid particular attention to the future of the Security Academy …