Gjirokastër Castle welcomes 48,000 visitors in four months, 70% foreigners
TIRANA, May 12 – Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors from around the world as interest in cultural tourism grows in southern Albania. The historic site recorded strong visitor numbers during the first months of the year. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the castle …
Albania shows phenomenal progress, European Investment Bank expands business support
TIRANA, May 12 – Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank, said Albania achieved phenomenal progress over the past decade and described the European Union as a clear direction for the country’s future during a ceremony in Tirana. She spoke at the signing of a financing agreement with Intesa …
Twenty Albanian films screened at Babylon cinema in Berlin
TIRANA, May 12 – Twenty Albanian films have been screened at the “Babylon” cinema in Berlin since May 7. The selection includes restored classics from the former “Shqipëria e Re” [New Albania] film studio and recent Albanian productions, including documentaries and short films. Meanwhile, the programme continues for six consecutive …
Albania reports progress in anti-corruption fight, six criminal investigations into senior officials
TIRANA, May 12 – Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka addressed measures against corruption during a hearing at the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs. She outlined legislative and enforcement progress during 2025. Authorities implemented a package of five draft laws in the anti-corruption framework. To begin with, …
Early warning systems key for environmental risk management
TIRANA, May 12 – Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj highlighted early warning systems as a key tool in managing environmental risks during the international conference “United for Climate”, in a podcast moderated by Blendi Salaj, where he discussed the National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026–2036. He said the national plan includes 66 …
PM Rama says Albania has no “Plan B” on European Union integration
TIRANA, May 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has never had a “Plan B” regarding European Union integration during the signing of a financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, which targets support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He said Albania continues to …
European Investment Bank provides 20 million euros to support Albanian businesses in innovation and green transition
TIRANA, May 12 – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania signed a 20 million euro financing agreement in Tirana to support Albanian small and medium-sized enterprises in innovation, digitalisation, technology, and green investment. Roberto Crod, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, and Giuseppe Janpiero, Director …
Defense Minister Nufi hosts North Macedonia Armed Forces Chief of Staff, focus on defense and security cooperation
TIRANA, May 12 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi hosted Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia Major General Sashko Lafchiski in Tirana on Monday. The meeting highlighted the importance of close cooperation on Corridor VIII, which both sides described as critical for military mobility and security in …
Interior Minister Lamallari hosts Italian counterpart, focus on strengthening strategic partnership
TIRANA, May 12 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari hosted Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in Tirana during an official meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The two ministers praised relations between Albania and Italy, which they said rest on historical, cultural, economic, …
Balla hosts Lipjan students in Parliament: Proud of UÇK’s liberation war and sacrifice for freedom
Taulant Balla, head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, welcomes students and teachers from the “Mehmet Akif” school in Lipjan, Kosovo, to the Albanian Parliament. The group visits Tirana on a friendly and educational trip. Balla highlights the strong ties between Albania and Kosovo. He stresses the importance of national …
Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, said that Serbia’s territorial ambitions pose a serious threat to Kosovo’s sovereignty and regional stability. In an interview with Hungary Insider, Konjufca said that Serbia’s territorial ambitions must be understood through the connection between its political rhetoric and …
The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, has provided an update on the number of police officers injured during the protests, stating that a total of 132 officers have been injured in Tirana, Shkodër and Lezhë. According to Hita, five police officers were injured today alone, one of …
The Ministry of Health has issued another update on the number of people admitted to hospital after being injured during the student protests in recent hours. According to the Ministry of Health, nine protesters, four police officers and one bystander have sought medical attention at the University Trauma Hospital (SUT). …
The University Hospital Centre of Tirana (QSUT) has updated its figures on the health conditions of people injured during the protest, covering the period from 5:00 p.m. until now. According to the statement, a total of 21 police officers and 13 protesters have sought medical assistance. Full statement: University Trauma …
Vera Prokopieva is a nutrition scientist from Bulgaria who has studied food from three angles: as an anthropologist, as a cook in Copenhagen kitchens, and as a researcher at Stanford, working on clinical trials of food as medicine and on how fermented foods shape the gut microbiome. Albania is living …
by Dr. Elez Bebiraj Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Albania is facing the most serious political crisis of Edi Rama’s thirteen years in power. Protesters demanding the prime minister’s resignation have attacked government buildings, clashed with police, and damaged public and private property. The unrest has spread from Tirana …
The Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, has met with the new US Ambassador, Eric Wendt. In a social media post, Kingji said that during the meeting, he expressed his gratitude for the United States’ continued support in the field of defence, …
Sources at the US Embassy, speaking to Euronews Albania about the situation surrounding the protests in Tirana, stressed the importance of ensuring that demonstrations are conducted lawfully and peacefully. “We encourage citizens participating in protests to express their views in a lawful and peaceful manner. Acts of violence have no …
Olta Xhaçka under investigation for corruption and money laundering as prosecutors examine a separate case involving the husband of former minister Ogerta Manastirliu. Tirana Times, October 16, 2026 – Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has formally placed former Defense and Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka under …
As Prime Minister Edi Rama rules out resignation in response to violent protests, a political solution is needed to calm the unrest, experts argue. Original post Here