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Q&A: Emigration is a regional issue and long-term effort is needed to address it, says Croatian Ambassador to Albania Zlatko Kramaric

Tirana Times interviews the Ambassador of Croatia to Albania, Zlatko Kramaric, on Croatia’s decade in the EU, relations with Albania and Western Balkans integration prospects. Q: Albania and Croatia enjoy a very good bilateral relation with collaboration in many fields. How do you find the relations at the moment of …

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Albanian court rules Turkish crypto scam kingpin can be extradited to his homeland to face trial 

TIRANA, Apr. 18, 2022 – Albania’s High Court has court ruled to allow the extradition of Fatih Ozer to face a trial in his homeland of Turkey, where he is wanted for allegedly scamming nearly 400,000 people out of millions dollars through a cryptocurrency exchange.  Ozer was arrested last year …

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Albania Economists Slate PM’s ‘New Salaries’ Pledge as ‘Unrealistic’

PM Rama’s promise to hike wages, starting in the public sector, has been deemed totally unrealistic by a range of economic experts. Original post Here

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Confidence Tricks: Tirana’s Place in an International ‘Investment’ Scam

Fake ‘call centres’ across Albania were part of a lucrative stock market investment scam operating across Europe; the suspects include an Albanian man with significant political connections. Original post Here

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Svetlana Timofeeva: ‘My Passion for Ruins Landed me in Albanian Prison’

Through a written interview from her cell in the Ali Demi prison in Tirana, the Russian blogger accused of espionage tells about her ill-fated adventure in Gramsh, her months spent in isolation – and her fear of possible extradition to Putin’s Russia. Original post Here

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How Fear of Albanians Went Mainstream in 1990s Italy

The anti-Albanian campaigns in the British media today are all too reminiscent of the targeting of Albanians in Italy and Greece 30 years ago – and need to be fought, not indulged. Original post Here

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Society for Albanian Studies calls for nominations for the annual Stavro Skendi Book Prize

TIRANA, April 12, 2023 – Nominations are being sought for the Stavro Skendi Book Prize for Achievement in Albanian Studies, the organization that governs the award said in a statement. Awarded by the Society for Albanian Studies  – an affiliate organization of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian …

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Isolation is not a joke: Leaving the ICSID would be a bitter mistake

TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL Albania’s troubles with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) seem to be expanding well beyond the infamous case of settling over the closure of Agon Channel and the hefty fine of 120 million euros that the country has to pay up to Italian investor …

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Albania to Honour Heroes Who Saved Jews from Holocaust

New museum will celebrate the Albanians who risked their lives to shield Jews from Nazi persecution – and whose story has remained largely untold. Original post Here

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Faced with corruption and unpredictable tax system, top business associations demand comprehensive reforms

TIRANA, April 12, 2023 – Doing business in Albania is hard as the economic “environment is inefficient and requires significant improvement,” five chambers of commerce in Albania, including those representing American, German, French and Italian investors said in a joint statement issued on Tuesday.   To attract more foreign investment, they …

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Check-in process for luggage simplified at Tirana airport

TIRANA, April 27 – Tirana International Airport “Mother Teresa” has further simplified baggage check-in procedures to improve passenger flow before departure. The airport announced on social media that passengers now complete the process in a few quick steps, which reduce waiting times and improve efficiency at the terminal. Passengers weigh …

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Tirana vs Partizani derby: Dramatic Comeback Victory for KF Tirana

Tirana vs Partizani derby delivers a thrilling night in the Albanian Superiore, as KF Tirana beats FK Partizani Tirana 2–1 at the “Air Albania” Stadium. Partizani takes the lead in the 22nd minute through Human after a cross from Sibide. Tirana pushes for an equalizer but misses key chances in …

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Tourist arrivals in Albania rise 11.7% in March, INSTAT reports

TIRANA, April 27 – Albania recorded a strong increase in tourist and passenger flows in March 2026, with total entries reaching 1,289,468 people, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). The figure marks an 11.7% rise compared with the same month in 2025. Authorities said the …

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Albania anti-corruption office reports stronger focus on corruption and financial crime in 2025

TIRANA, April 27 – Albania’s Special Prosecution Office said it intensified its focus on high-level corruption and financial crime during 2025, as part of broader efforts to strengthen rule-of-law enforcement. Head Klodian Braho told the High Council of Prosecution that investigators handled more criminal cases compared with the previous year. …

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Ceramic Workshop in Fishtë Becomes Tourist Attraction

After years in Italy, artisan Vasil Ukaj returned to his hometown of Fishtë to start a ceramics business. He launched the workshop in 2000 in a small family space, which has since grown into a popular stop for visitors. Tourists now visit the studio to watch the production process, try …

News
Edi Rama: Government to Offer Easier Credit for Small and Medium Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new financing program called “Double Your Enterprise.” He said the initiative will provide reasonable interest rates for businesses that want to expand. Rama explained the program will be implemented in cooperation with the Bank of Albania and commercial banks, with government guarantees to support …

News
‘As 1945 dawned’: Historic Albanian Play Returns to Memory

Teodor Laço crafts Duke gdhirë viti 1945 as a dramatic reflection of a nation in transition. The National Theatre brings the work to the stage in 1976, under the direction of Dhimitër Pecani, transforming the text into a vivid stage experience. The play captures the tense dawn of 1945, when …

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PM Edi Rama convenes government cabinet and SP parliamentary group, focus on EU integration

TIRANA, April 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday held a joint meeting with the government cabinet and the ruling Socialist Party parliamentary group, with European Union integration placed at the center of discussions. The meeting took place at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana. Officials said the agenda …

News
Reuters: Albania’s hydropower shields electricity market amid regional energy shocks

TIRANA, April 27 – In an article published by Reuters, rising global energy prices linked to the Iran conflict have highlighted major differences in Europe’s energy resilience. Albania stands out due to its strong reliance on hydropower. The Drin River system in northern Albania generates more than 90% of the …

News
Famous Albanian ballet dancer Kledi Kadiu launches International Ballet Competition in Tirana

TIRANA, April 27 – Albanian ballet dancer Kledi Kadiu, widely known for his career in Italy, has announced the first edition of the International Ballet Competition Albania in Tirana. The initiative will take place with support from the National Ballet School, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, and the …

News

Check-in process for luggage simplified at Tirana airport

TIRANA, April 27 – Tirana International Airport “Mother Teresa” has further simplified baggage check-in procedures to improve passenger flow before departure. The airport announced on social media that passengers now complete the process in a few quick steps, which reduce waiting times and improve efficiency at the terminal. Passengers weigh …

News

Tirana vs Partizani derby: Dramatic Comeback Victory for KF Tirana

Tirana vs Partizani derby delivers a thrilling night in the Albanian Superiore, as KF Tirana beats FK Partizani Tirana 2–1 at the “Air Albania” Stadium. Partizani takes the lead in the 22nd minute through Human after a cross from Sibide. Tirana pushes for an equalizer but misses key chances in …

News

Tourist arrivals in Albania rise 11.7% in March, INSTAT reports

TIRANA, April 27 – Albania recorded a strong increase in tourist and passenger flows in March 2026, with total entries reaching 1,289,468 people, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). The figure marks an 11.7% rise compared with the same month in 2025. Authorities said the …

News

Albania anti-corruption office reports stronger focus on corruption and financial crime in 2025

TIRANA, April 27 – Albania’s Special Prosecution Office said it intensified its focus on high-level corruption and financial crime during 2025, as part of broader efforts to strengthen rule-of-law enforcement. Head Klodian Braho told the High Council of Prosecution that investigators handled more criminal cases compared with the previous year. …

News

Ceramic Workshop in Fishtë Becomes Tourist Attraction

After years in Italy, artisan Vasil Ukaj returned to his hometown of Fishtë to start a ceramics business. He launched the workshop in 2000 in a small family space, which has since grown into a popular stop for visitors. Tourists now visit the studio to watch the production process, try …

News

Edi Rama: Government to Offer Easier Credit for Small and Medium Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new financing program called “Double Your Enterprise.” He said the initiative will provide reasonable interest rates for businesses that want to expand. Rama explained the program will be implemented in cooperation with the Bank of Albania and commercial banks, with government guarantees to support …

News

‘As 1945 dawned’: Historic Albanian Play Returns to Memory

Teodor Laço crafts Duke gdhirë viti 1945 as a dramatic reflection of a nation in transition. The National Theatre brings the work to the stage in 1976, under the direction of Dhimitër Pecani, transforming the text into a vivid stage experience. The play captures the tense dawn of 1945, when …

News

PM Edi Rama convenes government cabinet and SP parliamentary group, focus on EU integration

TIRANA, April 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday held a joint meeting with the government cabinet and the ruling Socialist Party parliamentary group, with European Union integration placed at the center of discussions. The meeting took place at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana. Officials said the agenda …

News

Reuters: Albania’s hydropower shields electricity market amid regional energy shocks

TIRANA, April 27 – In an article published by Reuters, rising global energy prices linked to the Iran conflict have highlighted major differences in Europe’s energy resilience. Albania stands out due to its strong reliance on hydropower. The Drin River system in northern Albania generates more than 90% of the …

News

Famous Albanian ballet dancer Kledi Kadiu launches International Ballet Competition in Tirana

TIRANA, April 27 – Albanian ballet dancer Kledi Kadiu, widely known for his career in Italy, has announced the first edition of the International Ballet Competition Albania in Tirana. The initiative will take place with support from the National Ballet School, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, and the …