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EU Delegation extends Easter wishes to Orthodox believers in Albania

TIRANA, April 12 – The European Union Delegation in Tirana extended its wishes to Orthodox believers in Albania on the occasion of Easter. In a public message, the EU Delegation wished the Orthodox community a joyful and peaceful celebration. It expressed hope that the holiday brings peace, hope, and prosperity …

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Orthodox Easter celebrated across Albania with calls for unity and hope

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania marked Easter at midnight, celebrating the Resurrection of Christ with prayers, candles, and messages of hope. The traditional greeting “Christ is risen! Truly risen!” echoed in churches nationwide. In Berat, hundreds gathered at St. Demetrius Cathedral, where Metropolitan Asti led the service. …

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President Begaj and Speaker Peleshi deliver Orthodox Easter wishes from Korça

TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj visited the cathedral in Korça on Sunday and extended Easter wishes to Orthodox believers and all Albanians. In a statement to the media, Begaj wished peace, love, and prosperity. He called for greater solidarity and mutual respect in society. He said the light …

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Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …

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Believers receive Easter light at Tirana Orthodox Cathedral midnight service

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers gathered at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral to celebrate Easter with the traditional midnight liturgy. The call “Come receive light from the unsetting light” marked the start of one of the most solemn services in the Orthodox calendar. Large numbers of worshippers attended the …

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President Begaj extends Easter wishes, calls for spread of faith and hope

TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message of faith, hope, and renewal. In a social media post, he wished that the light of God’s presence spreads everywhere and illuminates lives with belief and joy. He accompanied the message …

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Prime Minister Rama extends Orthodox Easter greetings to believers

TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message shared on social media. In his post, he wished followers a blessed morning and a happy Orthodox Easter. His message comes as believers across Albania celebrate one of the most …

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Easter celebration in Dhërmi features drone and fireworks display

TIRANA, April 12 – Dhërmi turned into a festive scene on Easter Eve, as hundreds of Orthodox believers gathered to celebrate the Holy Day. The coastal village hosted large crowds who joined prayers and candlelit rituals marking one of the most important dates in the Orthodox calendar. The atmosphere combined …

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Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

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Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

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Queen Teuta Monument Unveiled on Shëngjin-Velipojë Scenic Route

A monumental statue dedicated to Queen Teuta has been installed on the scenic Shëngjin-Velipojë route. The monument adds a new historical, cultural and tourism attraction to the area. Sculptor Julian Muçollari created the nearly nine-meter-high monument. Journalist Marin Mema inspired the concept. Historian Paulin Zefi, actors from Albanian-speaking territories and …

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Over 5,300 children with disabilities receive support in Albanian schools

More than 5,300 children with disabilities receive support in Albanian schools, Deputy Health and Social Welfare Minister Ina Majko said as the new school year begins. Majko said support for children and their families includes dedicated services aimed at promoting inclusion in education. She highlighted assistant teachers, psychosocial services and …

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84th Anniversary of the Peza Conference

Albania marks today the 84th anniversary of the Peza Conference, held on September 16, 1942, by representatives of Albanian antifascist forces seeking to establish a united front against the occupiers. The conference adopted several important decisions, including the creation of the National Liberation Antifascist Front. The front brought together antifascists …

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Hague Trial Panel Finds Four Former KLA Leaders Criminally Responsible for War Crimes

The Trial Panel at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has found former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi criminally responsible for war crimes. Presiding Judge Charles Smith presented the panel’s findings today during the first-instance judgment hearing. The panel found …

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Hague Court Convicts Four Former KLA Leaders, Hands Down Prison Sentences

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague today convicted four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders of war crimes and handed down prison sentences. Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi received a 25-year prison sentence. The Trial Panel found him criminally responsible for war crimes including murder, torture, cruel treatment and …

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Albania Moves Toward EU Agriculture Standards at ICE 2026 Conference

The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) took part in the ICE 2026 Conference on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) in Sofia. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), together with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and the Bulgarian Paying Agency, organized the …

News
Albania Emerges as One of Europe’s Fastest-Growing Nature Tourism Destinations in 2026

Albania is emerging as one of Europe’s fastest-growing nature tourism destinations in 2026, as more international travelers choose its mountain villages, national parks, rivers, coastal landscapes and protected areas. According to Travel and Tour World, Albania’s combination of the Albanian Alps, Ionian coastline and protected natural landscapes is attracting adventure …

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Rama: Italy Is Albania’s European Alter Ego

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Italy is Albania’s “European alter ego” during a visit to Naples, where he attended the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate. Rama said the new consulate represents more than a diplomatic office. He described it as a bridge between the two countries and highlighted the strong …

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INSTAT: Tourism Services Perform Strongly as Real Estate Sales Rise 38.9%

Real estate recorded the strongest sales growth in Albania’s services sector during the second quarter of 2026, while tourism-related activities also continued to expand at a strong pace. According to data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the net sales volume index for real estate rose 38.9% compared with the …

News
NTA and Infinity Film Production Launch New Partnership to Promote Albania

Cinema is playing an increasingly important role in promoting Albanian tourist destinations by bringing the country’s cities, landscapes and cultural values to a wider audience. In this context, the National Tourism Agency (NTA) and Infinity Film Production signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to promote the feature film “A Christmas Serenade” …

News

Queen Teuta Monument Unveiled on Shëngjin-Velipojë Scenic Route

A monumental statue dedicated to Queen Teuta has been installed on the scenic Shëngjin-Velipojë route. The monument adds a new historical, cultural and tourism attraction to the area. Sculptor Julian Muçollari created the nearly nine-meter-high monument. Journalist Marin Mema inspired the concept. Historian Paulin Zefi, actors from Albanian-speaking territories and …

News

Over 5,300 children with disabilities receive support in Albanian schools

More than 5,300 children with disabilities receive support in Albanian schools, Deputy Health and Social Welfare Minister Ina Majko said as the new school year begins. Majko said support for children and their families includes dedicated services aimed at promoting inclusion in education. She highlighted assistant teachers, psychosocial services and …

News

84th Anniversary of the Peza Conference

Albania marks today the 84th anniversary of the Peza Conference, held on September 16, 1942, by representatives of Albanian antifascist forces seeking to establish a united front against the occupiers. The conference adopted several important decisions, including the creation of the National Liberation Antifascist Front. The front brought together antifascists …

News

Hague Trial Panel Finds Four Former KLA Leaders Criminally Responsible for War Crimes

The Trial Panel at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has found former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi criminally responsible for war crimes. Presiding Judge Charles Smith presented the panel’s findings today during the first-instance judgment hearing. The panel found …

News

Hague Court Convicts Four Former KLA Leaders, Hands Down Prison Sentences

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague today convicted four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders of war crimes and handed down prison sentences. Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi received a 25-year prison sentence. The Trial Panel found him criminally responsible for war crimes including murder, torture, cruel treatment and …

News

Albania Moves Toward EU Agriculture Standards at ICE 2026 Conference

The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) took part in the ICE 2026 Conference on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) in Sofia. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), together with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and the Bulgarian Paying Agency, organized the …

News

Albania Emerges as One of Europe’s Fastest-Growing Nature Tourism Destinations in 2026

Albania is emerging as one of Europe’s fastest-growing nature tourism destinations in 2026, as more international travelers choose its mountain villages, national parks, rivers, coastal landscapes and protected areas. According to Travel and Tour World, Albania’s combination of the Albanian Alps, Ionian coastline and protected natural landscapes is attracting adventure …

News

Rama: Italy Is Albania’s European Alter Ego

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Italy is Albania’s “European alter ego” during a visit to Naples, where he attended the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate. Rama said the new consulate represents more than a diplomatic office. He described it as a bridge between the two countries and highlighted the strong …

News

INSTAT: Tourism Services Perform Strongly as Real Estate Sales Rise 38.9%

Real estate recorded the strongest sales growth in Albania’s services sector during the second quarter of 2026, while tourism-related activities also continued to expand at a strong pace. According to data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the net sales volume index for real estate rose 38.9% compared with the …

News

NTA and Infinity Film Production Launch New Partnership to Promote Albania

Cinema is playing an increasingly important role in promoting Albanian tourist destinations by bringing the country’s cities, landscapes and cultural values to a wider audience. In this context, the National Tourism Agency (NTA) and Infinity Film Production signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to promote the feature film “A Christmas Serenade” …