Blog
News

President Begaj visits Uzbekistan, calls for deeper bilateral cooperation

TIRANA, June 16 – President of the Republic Bajram Begaj is on an official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The visit marks the first official trip by an Albanian president to Uzbekistan since diplomatic relations started in 1993. Meanwhile in Tashkent, President Mirziyoyev welcomed the …

Read More
News

“The Flamingo Revolution” Goes Beyond Kushner and the Birds

By Jezerca Tigani Tirana Times, June 15, 2026 – Every time I visit Albania, the conversation is always the same — not about politics, elections, the new airport, or the promise of membership in the European Union. It is about leaving. For several years now, the country has been gripped …

Read More
News

Albania Signs Three Council of Europe Conventions on Rule of Law, Democracy, and Human Rights

Albania signed three important conventions at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, strengthening its commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and human rights, Justice Minister Toni Gogu said. He stated that the first convention focuses on the use of artificial intelligence. According to him, technology must remain under …

Read More
News

Spahiu: Reforms Remain Key Priority for EU Integration

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Klodiana Spahiu said that reforms remain a top priority for Albania’s European Union integration process. She made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the French Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Jean-François Rapin. First, both sides highlighted the strong relations between Albania and …

Read More
News

VanHorn: Investors Need Trust as Albania Ensures a Level Playing Field

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VanHorn said investors need trust, clear rules, and equal competition conditions as Albania advances its foreign investment screening framework. She made the remarks during a presentation by the American Chamber of Commerce on Foreign Direct Investment. First, VanHorn described Albania’s FDI screening framework as a …

Read More
News

Hita Honors Two U.S. Diplomats for Strengthening Albania–U.S. Cooperation

The Albanian State Police held a ceremony at its General Directorate to honor two U.S. diplomats at the end of their missions in Albania. Police Director General Skënder Hita recognized the contributions of Deputy Chief of Mission Kathryn Hammond and Regional Security Officer Jonathan Ellis. First, Hita praised both diplomats …

Read More
News

Fino: Chapter 31 Among the Most Advanced in Albania’s EU Negotiations

Deputy Foreign Minister Megi Fino said Chapter 31 remains one of the most advanced areas in Albania’s EU accession negotiations. She spoke during a hearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. She serves as chief negotiator for Chapter 31 and co-negotiator for Chapter 30. First, Fino said …

Read More
News

Lekë Dukagjini and the Legacy of the Kanun

Prince Lekë Dukagjini died on June 15, 1481. He left behind a lasting legacy linked to the “Kanun,” Albania’s customary law system. First, the Kanun developed over a long historical period. However, Lekë Dukagjini’s name became strongly associated with it due to its widespread use and influence in northern Albania. …

Read More
News

Koçiu: Albania Leads the Region in Price Stability with 2.8% Inflation

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said Albania continues to deliver strong economic results. As a result, the country ranks among the region’s best performers in both economic growth and inflation control. According to the latest statistics, Albania recorded an inflation rate of 2.8% in April 2026. This figure was lower …

Read More
News

EU: Kushner-Linked Project Must Meet European Environmental Standards

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has assured the European Commission that the €1.4 billion tourism project linked to Jared Kushner will fully comply with EU environmental standards. The Albanian government pledged to carry out a full environmental impact assessment. It also committed to following all EU rules on …

Read More
News
Koopman on EU candidate status for Kosovo: “We’re not there yet,” Specialist Chambers law “extremely unhelpful”

Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …

News
Citizens continue protests outside Prime Minister’s Office

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …

News
Albanian, Italian police vow to step up cooperation against organised crime and illicit trafficking

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …

News
Albanian Development Fund focuses on strategic investments and regional growth

Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …

News
2027 budget allocates 3.23 billion lekë for protected areas

Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …

News
Rrokaj meets counterparts in Bucharest to discuss joint archival projects

9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …

News
Bode meets British ambassador to discuss prison modernisation and transfer of Albanian prisoners

Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …

News
Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …

News
Kurti calls for no delays in Kosovo’s EU candidate status process

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …

News
Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …

News

Koopman on EU candidate status for Kosovo: “We’re not there yet,” Specialist Chambers law “extremely unhelpful”

Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …

News

Citizens continue protests outside Prime Minister’s Office

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …

News

Albanian, Italian police vow to step up cooperation against organised crime and illicit trafficking

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …

News

Albanian Development Fund focuses on strategic investments and regional growth

Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …

News

2027 budget allocates 3.23 billion lekë for protected areas

Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …

News

Rrokaj meets counterparts in Bucharest to discuss joint archival projects

9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …

News

Bode meets British ambassador to discuss prison modernisation and transfer of Albanian prisoners

Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …

News

Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …

News

Kurti calls for no delays in Kosovo’s EU candidate status process

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …

News

Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …