EU Membership: 8th Accession Conference with Albania to Be Held in Brussels on May 26
The Council of the European Union announced that the eighth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania will take place on May 26, 2026, in Brussels. “This meeting will serve to confirm Albania’s fulfillment of the interim benchmarks, as well as to define the closing benchmarks for Cluster 1 ‘Fundamentals’. …
Fatmir Xhafaj Signs 14 Plans for Oversight of Independent Institutions
Fatmir Xhafaj, chairman of the Special Commission for Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation, and Institutional Oversight, has signed 14 thematic work plans that foresee hearing sessions and parliamentary oversight processes over independent institutions and state agencies, including justice institutions such as SPAK, the High Judicial Council (KLGJ), and the High Prosecutorial Council …
Rama: Balkan Integration Is a Strategic Necessity for Europe Itself
Prime Minister Edi Rama, during his speech in Tokyo, also spoke about the justice reform as one of the deepest and most important reforms for Albania’s path toward EU membership. Rama stressed that the integration of the Balkans is a strategic necessity for Europe itself. According to him, Albania has …
Intergovernmental Conference Albania-EU, Government: We Enter a New Phase of Negotiations
On May 26, the 8th Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the European Union will be held in Brussels. The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the European Union (COREPER) approved this Friday the holding of the 8th Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference. According to this decision, the fulfillment …
Week in Review: In Search of Direction
A country adrift, critics supressed and an investment project with an explosive side are just some of the highlights of our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Albanian, Bosnian Pride Marches Urge Solidarity Amid Rise of Extremism
Organisers of LGBTQ+ Pride parades in Tirana and Sarajevo are calling on people to stand together in a time of growing far-right extremism and prejudice. Original post Here
Albania International Guitar Festival Marks 10th Anniversary Edition
The “Albania International Guitar Festival” is celebrating its 10th edition as one of the country’s leading artistic events. The festival will open on May 22 at the “Tonin Harapi” hall in Tirana. German guitarist Goran Krivokapić will perform the opening concert. He is a winner of several major international guitar …
Albania Promoted at Cannes Film Market “Marché du Film”
Albania participated in the “Marché du Film”, one of the most important global events for the film industry. The event took place in Cannes and brought together more than 14,000 professionals from over 140 countries. The Albanian National Cinematography Center joined forces with the Kosovo Cinematography Center to present a …
Gonxhja: Kanye West Concert Offers Major Promotion Opportunity for Albania
Work has started in Kashar on the site where a temporary stadium will host the super show of Kanye West in Albania. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the construction site of the temporary stadium. The venue will host a production of global scale and standards …
Solar Energy Output Rises 44% as Albania Changes Compensation Model for Producers
Albania continues to expand its renewable energy sector. The country is increasing solar and wind production while reducing dependence on hydropower. According to the latest electricity report, photovoltaic producers generated 254 GWh of energy in the first quarter of 2026. In the same period of 2025, they produced 176 GWh. …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu warned on Sunday that violence fueled by media coverage and longstanding political resentment poses a serious threat to the lives of both protesters and citizens. In a social media post, Koçiu described the injury of a young man from Elbasan as a wake-up call about …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday that the government would introduce six measures to curb urban violence. The measures aim to protect citizens and public and private property. Koçiu stressed that authorities would uphold the constitutional right to protest but punish anyone who incites violence, exploits minors or …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that he had personally arranged medical treatment in Italy for the young man from Elbasan who suffered an eye injury during protests. He also secured an air ambulance to transport the youth to what he described as Italy’s best hospital. Rama warned that …
Foreign tourists visiting Tirana have encountered unusual scenes in the capital in recent days. A group of visitors stopped outside the Prime Minister’s Office, where stone chairs and tables now stand following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s invitation to protesters. The tourists sat down and took photos. “Welcome to Tirana, and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that citizens had every right to demand his resignation and protest against the government, but no one could force him from office through violence. He made the remarks while presenting a new legislative package against urban violence. Rama defended the package, saying it …
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new law on Sunday that would require individuals to pay for damage they cause during public gatherings. The law sets fines of up to 500,000 lek for people who remain at violent protests after police warn them to leave. Rama said the law follows …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha on Sunday urged Albanians in Serbia’s Presheva Valley to turn out in large numbers for the country’s snap parliamentary elections. Hoxha described voting as a fundamental democratic right and an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard. He stressed that every …
Skënderbeu defeated Partizani 2-0 in the eighth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore on Friday, deepening the capital club’s crisis. Meanwhile, Laçi secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vora. The Korçë side broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Totre converted a penalty. Dejvid Janaqi sealed the victory in the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new legislative package aimed at combating violence and urban anarchy, a day after Saturday’s protest in Tirana, which was marked by clashes, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions, and damage to public and private property. Rama stressed that the package is based on the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, while presenting the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy, outlined the six instruments included in the package, focusing particularly on compensation for affected businesses and financial liability for damage caused during public gatherings. Rama stressed that the main principle of the package is that …