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President Begaj decrees criminal amnesty with 110 votes in favor

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has signed the decree for the granting of criminal amnesty. The decree signed by the head of state comes a few days after the criminal amnesty was approved in the Parliament of Albania, with 110 votes in favor. This broad parliamentary vote will …

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Anti-drug raids in 3 countries, trafficked from Germany to Italy

Other details have been revealed regarding the international police operation codenamed “Sammogia”, which spread to Albania, Italy and Germany. Three Albanians were arrested in Vlora, at the expense of the Italian state. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that the criminal organization was run by some Albanians. They received the …

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Tourism Investment Conference/ Kumbaro: 4.2 billion euros in revenue in 2023

It started today, on the second day of the meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, the “Conference on Investments in Tourism and the Economic Development of Europe and Albania” with a focus on the promotion of investments and the case of success stories and future …

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“Albania was isolated before”, Rama: Let’s leave the history to future generations

During the speech at the 70th meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that Albania was previously isolated and tourists should go to the barber earlier to remove their beards and long hair, in order to were allowed in our country. …

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SPAK closes the investigations for 3 former officials of the Municipality of Tropoja

The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has closed the investigations for 3 former officials of the Municipality of Tropoja for violation of equality in tenders. Zenel Çela, Ramiz Bardhi and Rexhep Ismailsufaj have pleaded guilty in connection with a tender of nearly 500 thousand euros for the reconstruction of a school …

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Vangjush Dako remains under house arrest, Appeal rejects SPAK’s request

The Special Appeal leaves the measure of house arrest for Vangjush Dako unchanged. SPAK demanded the return of the former mayor of Durrës to his cell, while the court released him after the detention period ended. He was arrested last June on charges of abuse of office. Dako was released …

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Unprecedented corruption arrests sweep shakes up Tirana mayor’s leadership

TIRANA, April 8, 2024 – When Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj returned to work last week after a short stay in hospital for a surgical procedure, he faced a nasty surprise: Most of his top management team at city hall had been arrested on corruption-related charges.  On the orders of the …

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Council of mandates decides Monday over the mandate of Olta Xhaçka

The Council of Regulation, Mandates and Immunity will discuss Monday the mandate of the socialist MP, former minister, Olta Xhaçka. On January 2023, the Constitutional Court decided to close the request of DP that pretended that the mandate of Xhaçka was incompatible with the constitution. Now the council will decided …

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Vlora, is burned the car of the Tax Director

A vehicle was burned during the night in Vlora. The incident was recorded at the old beach area in the coastal town. It is learned that the car was used by the Tax Director  in the municipality of Vlora, Anjeza Shiko. Meanwhile, some people have been accompanied to the police …

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An 18-year old armed arrested in Shkoder

An 18-year-old man was handcuffed in Shkodër, as he was moving around armed. The young man was arrested red-handed in the “Perlat Rexhepi” neighborhood, as part of the “Signal” operation. The Police Services signaled and stopped the vehicle driven by the 18-year-old for checks. In it, they found 1 pistol …

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In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

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Will Washington Derail NATO’s Tirana Summit?

Tirana Times, July 2, 2026 — Albania’s ambition to host a NATO summit in 2027 has suddenly become more than a diplomatic milestone. It has become a test of whether Tirana can keep pace with the alliance’s new defense spending politics, whether Washington under President Donald Trump is willing to …

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Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

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Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

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Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

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PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

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EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

News
July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

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Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

News

In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

News

Will Washington Derail NATO’s Tirana Summit?

Tirana Times, July 2, 2026 — Albania’s ambition to host a NATO summit in 2027 has suddenly become more than a diplomatic milestone. It has become a test of whether Tirana can keep pace with the alliance’s new defense spending politics, whether Washington under President Donald Trump is willing to …

News

Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

News

Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

News

Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

News

PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

News

EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

News

July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

News

Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here