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Will the Strategic Investments Law Be Repealed? Rama: We Will Approve a New Draft Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will repeal the Strategic Investments Law. He made the statement during a press conference with journalists from European Union member states. The head of government said that the law has fulfilled its purpose and is no longer necessary. He noted that …

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Day 10 of Protests in Tirana: Activists and Citizens Gather in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office

This Tuesday at 6:00 PM, representatives of civil society, activists, and citizens gathered once again in Skanderbeg Square, marking the tenth day of protests over the issue of protected areas. From there, they continued to call for the government’s resignation, chanting slogans such as “Albania belongs to Albanians” and “Rama …

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Fier, Rama to Protesters: Accountability Is Found at the Table, Not by Demanding the Government’s Resignation

The Socialist Party branch in Fier today celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding during an event held at the Archaeological Park of Apollonia. Hundreds of Socialist Party supporters attended the event, including prominent figures from the party as well as Prime Minister Edi Rama. During his speech, Rama addressed …

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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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Tirana police fine 37 protesters for blocking traffic

Tirana police said on Wednesday that they had issued 37 fines to protesters over the past two days. Police said the protesters had blocked the road and obstructed traffic on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Each protester was fined 5,000 lek. “In Tirana, 37 administrative penalties were imposed for blocking the …

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Musicians with disabilities deliver moving rendition of patriotic song

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – For more than two decades, the “The Door Albania” brass band in Shkodra has demonstrated how music can foster inclusion, social interaction and the development of skills among people with disabilities. The band’s musicians have given a special performance of “Për ty Atdhe” (For You, …

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Justice Minister meets Italian officials to discuss faster court proceedings, lower costs

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Justice Minister Toni Gogu held meetings in Rome with Italian institutional representatives to strengthen judicial cooperation between Albania and Italy, focusing on shortening court proceedings and reducing costs. During a visit to the Italian Senate, Gogu met with Maurizio Gasparri, chairman of the Foreign Affairs …

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Defense Minister: Armed Forces’ Special Operations capabilities assessed against NATO standards

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – The assessment of Albania’s Special Operations Land Task Group (SOLTG), a capability declared by the Albanian Armed Forces to NATO, is under way as part of the “Illyrian Shield 26” military exercise. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi, who shared footage from the exercise on Wednesday, said …

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Socialists set Nov. 30 deadline for electoral reform, rule out extending committee’s mandate

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – The ruling Socialist Party will not support an extension of the parliamentary committee tasked with electoral reform beyond November 30, Socialist parliamentary group chairman Taulant Balla said on Wednesday, warning that the party would push through the legislation without opposition support if no agreement is …

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CEC head hosts EU Ambassador to discuss Albania’s electoral reform, OSCE/ODHIR recommendations

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Electoral reform, the implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and improvements to Albania’s electoral processes were the focus of talks between Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Ilirjan Celibashi and European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Wednesday. In a social media post, Celibashi said …

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Albania’s National Folk Ensemble to perform in Scotland for first time in 70 years

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances is set to perform in Edinburgh, Scotland, for the first time in its 70-year history, bringing the country’s rich cultural heritage to an international audience. The Albanian artists will present a show entitled “Albania Through Byron’s Eyes”, …

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Berisha: DP ready to back fully open national electoral lists

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/  – Main opposition Democratic Party (DP) supports fully open electoral lists at the national level as part of ongoing discussions on Albania’s electoral reform, party leader Sali Berisha said on Wednesday. Berisha said he favoured the Kosovo electoral model, which allows voters greater freedom to express …

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Government allocates 32.2 billion leks for hospital care, plans new facility in Korça

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – The government’s draft 2027 budget allocates 32.2 billion leks for hospital services, targeting around 370,000 patients across Albania’s public hospital network, Health Minister Klodiana Spahiu said on Wednesday. The funding is intended to support five tertiary hospitals, 12 regional hospitals and 23 municipal hospitals as …

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Albania earmarks 5.3 billion leks for national farm support scheme in 2027

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s draft 2027 budget provides increased support for farmers, domestic production, investment and food safety, as the country seeks to modernise its agricultural sector and bring it closer to European Union standards, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said on Wednesday. The ministry has …

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Tirana police fine 37 protesters for blocking traffic

Tirana police said on Wednesday that they had issued 37 fines to protesters over the past two days. Police said the protesters had blocked the road and obstructed traffic on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Each protester was fined 5,000 lek. “In Tirana, 37 administrative penalties were imposed for blocking the …

News

Musicians with disabilities deliver moving rendition of patriotic song

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – For more than two decades, the “The Door Albania” brass band in Shkodra has demonstrated how music can foster inclusion, social interaction and the development of skills among people with disabilities. The band’s musicians have given a special performance of “Për ty Atdhe” (For You, …

News

Justice Minister meets Italian officials to discuss faster court proceedings, lower costs

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Justice Minister Toni Gogu held meetings in Rome with Italian institutional representatives to strengthen judicial cooperation between Albania and Italy, focusing on shortening court proceedings and reducing costs. During a visit to the Italian Senate, Gogu met with Maurizio Gasparri, chairman of the Foreign Affairs …

News

Defense Minister: Armed Forces’ Special Operations capabilities assessed against NATO standards

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – The assessment of Albania’s Special Operations Land Task Group (SOLTG), a capability declared by the Albanian Armed Forces to NATO, is under way as part of the “Illyrian Shield 26” military exercise. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi, who shared footage from the exercise on Wednesday, said …

News

Socialists set Nov. 30 deadline for electoral reform, rule out extending committee’s mandate

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – The ruling Socialist Party will not support an extension of the parliamentary committee tasked with electoral reform beyond November 30, Socialist parliamentary group chairman Taulant Balla said on Wednesday, warning that the party would push through the legislation without opposition support if no agreement is …

News

CEC head hosts EU Ambassador to discuss Albania’s electoral reform, OSCE/ODHIR recommendations

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Electoral reform, the implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and improvements to Albania’s electoral processes were the focus of talks between Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Ilirjan Celibashi and European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Wednesday. In a social media post, Celibashi said …

News

Albania’s National Folk Ensemble to perform in Scotland for first time in 70 years

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances is set to perform in Edinburgh, Scotland, for the first time in its 70-year history, bringing the country’s rich cultural heritage to an international audience. The Albanian artists will present a show entitled “Albania Through Byron’s Eyes”, …

News

Berisha: DP ready to back fully open national electoral lists

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/  – Main opposition Democratic Party (DP) supports fully open electoral lists at the national level as part of ongoing discussions on Albania’s electoral reform, party leader Sali Berisha said on Wednesday. Berisha said he favoured the Kosovo electoral model, which allows voters greater freedom to express …

News

Government allocates 32.2 billion leks for hospital care, plans new facility in Korça

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – The government’s draft 2027 budget allocates 32.2 billion leks for hospital services, targeting around 370,000 patients across Albania’s public hospital network, Health Minister Klodiana Spahiu said on Wednesday. The funding is intended to support five tertiary hospitals, 12 regional hospitals and 23 municipal hospitals as …

News

Albania earmarks 5.3 billion leks for national farm support scheme in 2027

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s draft 2027 budget provides increased support for farmers, domestic production, investment and food safety, as the country seeks to modernise its agricultural sector and bring it closer to European Union standards, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said on Wednesday. The ministry has …