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Notorious criminal extradited from France to Albania

Behar Bajri has been extradited from France to Albania this Thursday. He was arrested in France, in September, thanks to the exchange between the Albanian and French police of information provided by the police intelligence, about his location. However, the 43-year-old was declared an international wanted by Interpol Tirana, within …

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Albanian government approves the agreement with Italy for the immigrants

Albanian government has approved the agreement with Italy for African immigrants who will come to our country. It has been learned that this decision has entered into force immediately, meanwhile it is already expected to pass in the parliament. We remind you that Italy builds structures for the stay of …

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Council of Albanian Ambassadors on the agreement between Albania and Italy for refugees.

The Council of Albanian Ambassadors has issued the following statement in Tirana on Nov. 15, 2023: The Council of Albanian Ambassadors assesses that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Italy and Albania for the landing and processing of asylum requests of refugees aiming for Italy or other countries of the European …

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Op/Ed: EU’s ASM draft: The good, the bad and the unwritten

By Daniel Serwer, Nov. 15, 2023 The EU-proposed draft of the statute for the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities in Kosovo is now widely available. Is it good, or is it bad? The answer of course is complicated and depends not only on what is in the proposed text but also what …

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EU and Germany invest €14.6 million on waste management project in Albania

TIRANA, Nov. 15, 2023 – The European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are investing €14.6 million on a project aimed at improving waste management in Albania.   The “EU for Circular Economy and Circular Economy for Sustainable Urban Development” project, managed by GIZ Albania …

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Council of Europe raises human rights concerns over Italy-Albania agreement on asylum seekers 

TIRANA, Nov. 15, 2023 – There are human rights concerns over a recently concluded agreement between Italy and Albania regarding the disembarkation and processing of asylum applications for irregular migrants rescued at sea, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović said this week.  Mijatović joined a growing chorus …

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Van engulfed by flames in Vlora

A van was engulfed in flames around 01.00 this Wednesday’s midnight in Vlora. Following th incident, police surrounded the area and started verifications to identify the causes. Preliminarily, it is suspected that another vehicle was also damaged by the flames. However, the burning van is owned by a water company. …

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New details on human remains found in Saranda revealed

Police of Saranda reacted this Wednesday to the discovery of bone remains, which are in the process of decomposition in the village of Xarrë.  Authorities said the remains will be sent for further examination to the Scientific Police Institute to identify who they belong to. “Yesterday evening, in the village …

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Kucova’s mayor summoned at SPAK after not declaring sentencing

Mayor of Kuçova, Kreshnik Hajdari, appeared this Wednesday in the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Before the local elections, Hajdari did not declare in the declaration form the punishment for violating the border in Greece. A day ago, the Central Election Commission (CEC) decided not to remove …

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Rrogozhina’s mayor trial on vote-rigging charges postponed

The preliminary hearing for the mayor of Rrogozhina, Edison Memolla, has been postponed. Journalist Ermal Vija told ABC that the reason for the postponement of the session was the absence of the prosecutor of the case, Edvin Kondili. Memolla has been charged with election corruption. Regarding this case, the Special …

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EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

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Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

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Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

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Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

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Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

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PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

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The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

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Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News
Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News
Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …

News

EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

News

Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

News

Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

News

Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

News

Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

News

PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

News

The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

News

Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News

Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News

Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …