Albanian president receives credentials of new Turkish ambassador
TIRANA, April 17 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Turkey’s new ambassador to Albania, Barıs Ceyhun Erciyes. The ceremony took place in Tirana as part of formal diplomatic procedures. During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations, regional cooperation and their partnership within NATO. They also addressed European …
EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos tells BBC Albania making steady progress toward membership
TIRANA, April 17 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is progressing steadily on its path toward European Union membership. She made the remarks in an interview with BBC. Kos said Albania continues to advance in its reform agenda as enlargement returns to the European Union’s strategic priorities. …
Week in Review: Big Changes and Steep Climbs
A momentous election spells change not just for Hungary but also for much of the Western Balkans, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here
In Albania, Is Tailor-Made Legislation Being Written for Tycoons?
New legal amendments allowing ‘strategic investors’ to develop port facilities at tourist resorts without competitive tenders represent the latest custom-written legislation brought in by Edi Rama’s government to benefit big business, critics claim. Original post Here
Albania introduces new foreigners’ regulation with online applications and one-day provisional permit
TIRANA, April 17 – The Albanian government has approved a set of regulatory changes for foreign nationals aimed at reducing bureaucracy and speeding up procedures. The reform also seeks to align migration and labour rules with European standards. The changes were published in the Official Gazette. The new framework introduces …
Kategoria Superiore: “Final Four” match tickets go on sale
The Albanian Football Federation announced ticket sales for the “Final Four” of the Abissnet Superiore. Fans can buy tickets starting today. The four best teams will play six matches to decide the champion. All games will take place at Air Albania Stadium. First and second round matches will be held …
Ylli in Rome: Italian support for establishing Albanian Paralympic Committee
Fidel Ylli, President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee, visited the Italian Paralympic Committee headquarters in Rome. He met President Marco Giunio De Sanctis. They discussed technical assistance for creating the Albanian Paralympic Committee. They called it an important step for Paralympic sport in Albania. The process follows recent changes …
Director General of Albanian Customs meets World Customs Organization chief, focus on digitalisation and EU integration
TIRANA, April 17 – Director General of Albanian Customs Besmir Beja met World Customs Organization Secretary General Ian Saunders in Brussels during the Annual Meeting of European regional customs leaders. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and accelerating customs digitalisation. The Albanian side highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at modernising customs …
Albania advances pharmaceutical system digitalisation to improve access to medicines
TIRANA, April 17 – Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala outlined reforms to modernise Albania’s pharmaceutical system at a national conference marking 20 years of the Order of Pharmacists. She said the government aims to improve access to safe and effective medicines for citizens. The ministry is advancing digitalisation …
OSCE hosts Albania–North Macedonia meeting on preventing violent extremism
TIRANA, April 17 – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe held a cross-border meeting in Pogradec on preventing violent extremism and radicalisation. The discussion focused on online radicalisation and related security risks. The OSCE Presence in Albania and the OSCE Mission to Skopje organised the roundtable. Officials from …
President Bajram Begaj attended the final stage of the “Arber Shield 2026” exercise in Bizë. The Light Infantry Battalion Group completed the exercise and received a “Mission Capable” certification under NATO standards. Speaking at the ceremony, Begaj praised the Armed Forces for their high level of training, discipline and professionalism. …
SPAK Chief Klodjan Braho attended the 42nd Conference of the FBI National Academy Associates European Chapter (FBINAA European Chapter) today. Braho said Albania has made progress in investigating and tackling organized crime. Interior Minister Ervin Demo, State Police Director General Skënder Hita, heads of law enforcement agencies, FBINAA International President …
Prime Minister Edi Rama discussed Albania’s European Union integration process during a meeting with the Albanian community in Michigan. Rama said Albania has entered a new phase of its EU accession talks. He said the country has opened all negotiating chapters and now aims to start closing them. He said …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the Albanian community in Michigan. He highlighted the diaspora’s role and Albania’s growing presence on the international stage. Rama also spoke about the upcoming NATO Summit in Tirana. He said hosting the summit reflects Albania’s growing role within the alliance. “Albania will host the …
The European Union’s new Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, has held her first official meeting with the head of the Special Prosecution Office, Klodian Braho. The meeting focused on strengthening the fight against organised crime and high-level corruption, with the aim of consolidating the rule of law in …
A 15-year-old Albanian boy has died in Italy after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle. Manuel Korreshi, who lived in Castegnero Nanto, was struck by a vehicle along the Riviera Berica, near Ponte di Barbarano. The teenager was taken to San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, but despite …
Prime Minister Edi Rama began his several-day visit to the United States with a meeting with the Albanian community in Michigan, ahead of his participation in events related to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his remarks, Rama focused on the role of the diaspora, European integration, …
Once again this Monday, numerous citizens and activists took to the streets for the latest protest, which has now entered its 114th day. As they do every afternoon, protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square after 6:30 p.m., chanting slogans including: “Your end has come,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” and …
By Genc Pollo Tirana Times, September 21, 2026 – At Thessaloniki in June 2003, the European Union made a promise that sounded historic and irreversible. The heads of state and government declared that the future of the Western Balkans lay within the European Union. The phrase “EU perspective” was Brussels …
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders as a painful moment for Kosovo and Albanians. He spoke during a meeting with the Albanian community in Michigan. Rama said he struggled to find the right words. He said the Hague decision felt like …