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EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos begins visit to Kosova

TIRANA, May 15 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos arrived in Kosova on Friday. She will meet senior state leaders in Prishtina. Kos was received in the morning by acting President Albulena Haxhiu. She will later meet acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The agenda of the talks has …

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Eurovision final running order released, Albania to perform fifth with Alis and “Nân”

TIRANA, May 15 – Organisers released the running order for the Eurovision Song Contest final. Albania will perform fifth, represented by Alis with the song “Nân.” Alis secured a place in the final after the second semi-final in Vienna. The artist delivered a strong performance at the Wiener Stadthalle and …

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Defense Minister Nufi: Albania focuses on air defence, cyber capabilities

TIRANA, May 15 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania remains a reliable NATO ally and continues efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and the country’s military industry. During a press conference, Nufi described the development of military and technological capacities as a key priority for the Armed Forces. He …

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Estonian PM Michal: Direct Tallinn–Tirana flights open new opportunities for tourism and business

TIRANA, May 15 – Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said direct flights between Tallinn and Tirana will create new opportunities for tourism, citizens and businesses between the two countries. He made the statement during a joint press conference in Estonia with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Michal said Albania and Estonia …

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PM Rama said Albania wants to see Estonian technology innovators in Albania, longer direct flight season

TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama thanked Estonia for its support to Albania’s EU accession process during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. He said Albania expects to move quickly to the next phase of negotiations. Rama said Albania will continue work on closing …

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Bajram Begaj: EU integration resolution is an important act of parliamentary cooperation

Bajram Begaj welcomed the Albanian Parliament’s resolution on the European Union membership process. He described it as an appropriate response to the 2025 European Commission progress report on Albania and to the report of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Furthermore, Begaj said the resolution reflects the only correct approach: …

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Delina Ibrahimaj: Government ready to take extra measures if prices rise further

Delina Ibrahimaj said today that the government is ready to take additional measures if international prices continue to rise. Speaking in Parliament, Ibrahimaj addressed the measures taken to manage price increases caused by tensions in the Middle East and their impact on global markets. She responded to an interpellation requested …

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PM Rama visits Estonia for Lennart Meri Conference 2026, joins transatlantic security panel

TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will carry out a working visit to Tallinn, Estonia, on Thursday. He will attend the Lennart Meri Conference 2026, one of the leading international forums on foreign policy, security and global geopolitical challenges. The event runs under the motto “Fate Favors the …

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Parliament approves EU integration resolution with support from majority and opposition

The Albanian Parliament approved today the resolution on Albania’s European Union membership process. Lawmakers passed the resolution with 114 votes in favor and one abstention. The ruling majority and the opposition joined votes to support the resolution. Meanwhile, Democratic Party MP Bujar Leskaj abstained. The resolution calls for broad cooperation …

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Alis performs tonight at Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Edi Rama urges Albanians to vote

Alis will represent Albania tonight at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song “Nân”. The song delivers an emotional message about motherhood. Albanians living abroad can support Alis by voting with code 13 during the live semifinal televote. Meanwhile, Albanians living in non-participating countries can vote online through esc.vote. …

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Police Bonuses, Vengu: Teachers, Military Personnel, Doctors and Firefighters Should Also Be at the Top of the Pay Scale

Socialist MP Pirro Vengu has reacted to the government’s decision to award bonuses to State Police officers who have been on the front lines of student protests for several days. Vengu linked salary increases and bonuses to the need to prioritize professions that contribute to the functioning of the state …

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Orthodox Church Reacts to Incident in Tirana Cathedral Courtyard: Distance Yourselves from Violence

The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has reacted following an incident in the courtyard of the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana during an afternoon protest in the capital. In an official statement, the Church expressed concern over the incident, stressing that places of worship should not become sites of …

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Student Protests: Government Allocates 740 Million Lek in Bonuses for Police Officers

The decision comes after six days of protests and clashes in the capital. Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed his support for State Police officers, while the government has approved funding for their bonuses. Amid ongoing protests in Tirana, the government approved a fund of 740 million and 80,000 lek …

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Student Protests: Swiss Embassy in Tirana Calls on All Sides to De-escalate Tensions

The Swiss Embassy in Tirana has issued a statement regarding the student protests that have continued for seven days in the Albanian capital. In its statement, the embassy called on all sides to de-escalate tensions and engage in constructive dialogue. “Switzerland is concerned about the recent outbreak of violence and …

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Rama to Meet Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Tomorrow, Measures Against Violent Protesters Expected to Be Announced

The Socialist Party’s parliamentary group will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at the Parliament’s headquarters. Prime Minister Edi Rama will also attend the meeting. According to Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu, measures targeting individuals who engage in acts of violence during the student protests are also expected to be announced …

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Albania’s Revolt Against the Government

The prime minister accuses Russia and Iran of fueling protests as allegations of state capture, police violence and dissent from Socialist figures deepen Albania’s political crisis. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Parts of central Tirana have taken on the appearance of a conflict zone: burning debris, damaged buildings and …

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Albania’s Defence Tax Breaks Raise State Capture Concerns

Proposed fiscal concessions would benefit private partners of the state defence company KAYO as an arms-trafficking investigation puts the sector under scrutiny. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Albania’s government is proposing additional tax privileges for the defence industry while the state company at the centre of its expansion, KAYO, …

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“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …

News
Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …

News
European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …

News

Police Bonuses, Vengu: Teachers, Military Personnel, Doctors and Firefighters Should Also Be at the Top of the Pay Scale

Socialist MP Pirro Vengu has reacted to the government’s decision to award bonuses to State Police officers who have been on the front lines of student protests for several days. Vengu linked salary increases and bonuses to the need to prioritize professions that contribute to the functioning of the state …

News

Orthodox Church Reacts to Incident in Tirana Cathedral Courtyard: Distance Yourselves from Violence

The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has reacted following an incident in the courtyard of the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana during an afternoon protest in the capital. In an official statement, the Church expressed concern over the incident, stressing that places of worship should not become sites of …

News

Student Protests: Government Allocates 740 Million Lek in Bonuses for Police Officers

The decision comes after six days of protests and clashes in the capital. Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed his support for State Police officers, while the government has approved funding for their bonuses. Amid ongoing protests in Tirana, the government approved a fund of 740 million and 80,000 lek …

News

Student Protests: Swiss Embassy in Tirana Calls on All Sides to De-escalate Tensions

The Swiss Embassy in Tirana has issued a statement regarding the student protests that have continued for seven days in the Albanian capital. In its statement, the embassy called on all sides to de-escalate tensions and engage in constructive dialogue. “Switzerland is concerned about the recent outbreak of violence and …

News

Rama to Meet Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Tomorrow, Measures Against Violent Protesters Expected to Be Announced

The Socialist Party’s parliamentary group will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at the Parliament’s headquarters. Prime Minister Edi Rama will also attend the meeting. According to Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu, measures targeting individuals who engage in acts of violence during the student protests are also expected to be announced …

News

Albania’s Revolt Against the Government

The prime minister accuses Russia and Iran of fueling protests as allegations of state capture, police violence and dissent from Socialist figures deepen Albania’s political crisis. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Parts of central Tirana have taken on the appearance of a conflict zone: burning debris, damaged buildings and …

News

Albania’s Defence Tax Breaks Raise State Capture Concerns

Proposed fiscal concessions would benefit private partners of the state defence company KAYO as an arms-trafficking investigation puts the sector under scrutiny. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Albania’s government is proposing additional tax privileges for the defence industry while the state company at the centre of its expansion, KAYO, …

News

“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …

News

Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …

News

European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …