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Minister Nufi Speaks About Albanian Soldiers in Gaza: We Are Still in the Discussion Phase With Partners

After the government meeting, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi stated during a media communication that the mission of Albanian soldiers in Gaza is still under discussion with international partners and involved parties. According to him, given the delicate situation in Gaza, security measures and the specific duties Albanian soldiers would carry …

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Traffic Lights Return to Vlora After 30 Years, Citizens Welcome the Change

After nearly three decades of absence, traffic lights have returned to several of the main roads in the city of Vlora. Citizens consider this a positive step for road safety, while drivers are facing the challenge of adapting to the new traffic rules. At several intersections across the city, both …

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Russia Requested the Withdrawal of Diplomats From Kyiv, Hoxha: Threatening Embassies Is Not Diplomacy

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha reacted in a post on X regarding Russia’s request for foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv. Hoxha emphasized that threatening embassies is not diplomacy and clearly expressed Albania’s decision to continue supporting Ukraine. “Albania considers Russia’s announcement calling on diplomatic personnel and foreign …

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Meeting of Electoral Reform Commission with Venice Commission Delegation on Political Party Financing! Gjiknuri Reveals Details

The co-chair of the Special Commission on Electoral Reform, Damian Gjiknuri, announced this Thursday that together with his colleague Oerd Bylykbashi, he held a meeting with a delegation of representatives from the Venice Commission. The delegation consisted of members Veronika Bilkova, Oliver Kask, and Saša Zagorc, as well as DGI …

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Kurti Reveals the Main Duties of Kosovo’s Gendarmerie: It Will Fill the Gap Between the Police and the Army

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke this Thursday during a press conference about the creation of Kosovo’s gendarmerie. During his remarks, Kurti stated that the gendarmerie will be responsible for securing Kosovo’s land, water, and air borders. He added that the gendarmerie will also be tasked with preventing cross-border smuggling …

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Transforming friendship into a strategic partnership: the common challenge for Italy and Albania 

Tirana Times, May 28, 2026 – The importance, depth and complexity of relations between Albania and Italy can never be overstated. Just over one year after he assumed the diplomatic post of Ambassador of Italy to Albania, Tirana Times editor in chief Jerina Zaloshnja carried out this interview with ambassador …

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German Ambassador Bergner: Justice reform is key for public expectations and EU integration

TIRANA, May 28 – The Centre for the Study of Democracy and Governance and the German Embassy in Albania held a discussion table with experts on justice reform and public perception. The focus was progress in the reform and citizens’ expectations. German Ambassador Karl Bergner said Albanian institutions have made …

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Two debut call-ups and returns as Maran names Albania squad

TIRANA, May 28 – Albania will play two friendly matches against Israel on 3 June at 20:00 at the “Air Albania” stadium and against Luxembourg on 6 June at 20:00 at the same venue. Head coach Rolando Maran has announced his first squad since taking charge of the national team. …

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Acting Tirana Mayor Ristani inspects “Streets for Children” project, expansion planned to 40 schools

TIRANA, May 28 – Acting Mayor of Tirana Anuela Ristani inspected the road block near “Gustav Mayer” school and Kindergarten 26. The site forms part of the “Streets for Children” project that transforms public spaces for children, parents and the community. Ristani said the project will expand to 40 additional …

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Albania ranks fourth in Europe for startup ecosystem growth, jumps eight places globally

TIRANA, May 28 – The 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by StartupBlink ranked Albania 75th in the world. The report recorded annual ecosystem growth of 71.1%. StartupBlink ranked Albania as the fourth fastest-growing startup ecosystem in Europe. The country climbed eight places in the global ranking. The report described this …

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EU Hails Montenegro’s Progress – Regrets Stagnation in Much of Balkans

European Commission report highlights Montenegro as likely frontrunner to join EU but laments lack of progress on reforms in Bosnia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia – and backsliding in Turkey. Original post Here

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New road in Tale, Lezha, aims to boost coastal tourism

Tale, in the Lezha area, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, attracting more visitors each year. New road infrastructure has improved access to the area and increased the value of nearby properties, creating new opportunities for the local community. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images of the new …

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Fier school theatre group wins three awards at Zagreb festival

The theatre group from Andon Xoxa nine-year school in Fier has won three awards at the International Theatre Festival for Children in the Albanian Language in Zagreb, Croatia. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the achievement on social media. The students received recognition for their performance of the play “Gjaku i …

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United States invests over $40 million to strengthen Albania’s cyber defences

The United States has invested more than $40 million to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats sponsored by foreign governments. Speaking at the National Cybersecurity Conference, US Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted progress in strengthening digital resilience and training future experts through cooperation with the United States. This partnership includes programmes …

News
EU enlargement chief urges Albania to maintain reforms to close accession talks in 2027

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has praised Albania’s progress in implementing key reforms but urged continued efforts to meet the target of concluding accession negotiations by the end of 2027. Kos presented the European Union’s 2026 Enlargement Package at an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee …

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Environment Ministry advances waste management study with French support

The Environment Ministry has held the second steering committee meeting for a French-funded feasibility study aimed at improving waste management. The study receives support through FASEP, France’s Fund for Studies and Support to the Private Sector. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said discussions focused on technical solutions, required infrastructure and efficient …

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Government to allocate record ALL 30 billion for justice in 2027

Justice Minister Toni Gogu has presented the government’s draft justice budget for 2027 to the Assembly’s Law Committee. The plan allocates around ALL 30 billion to the justice system, the highest amount to date. Gogu said the funding aims to bring justice closer to citizens. The draft allocates ALL 29.95 …

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Albania drawn with Serbia, Belgium and Romania in 2027 women’s Nations League

Albania’s women’s national team will face Serbia, Belgium and Romania in Group B1 of the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League. The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland. The league phase will follow a home-and-away format. Each team will play every group opponent twice, once at home and once away. The …

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PM Rama says Albania receives highest-ever European Commission progress assessment

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the European Commission’s annual progress report had given Albania its highest assessment to date. He described the result as another proud moment for the country’s European future. Rama called the report encouraging and a further step towards the historic goal of joining the European Union. …

News
U.S. invests more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats

TIRANA, Nov. 4 (ATA) – The United States has invested more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against foreign state-sponsored threats. Speaking at Albania’s National Cybersecurity Conference, Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted Albania’s progress in building digital resilience and training future experts through partnership with the United States, including …

News

EU Hails Montenegro’s Progress – Regrets Stagnation in Much of Balkans

European Commission report highlights Montenegro as likely frontrunner to join EU but laments lack of progress on reforms in Bosnia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia – and backsliding in Turkey. Original post Here

News

New road in Tale, Lezha, aims to boost coastal tourism

Tale, in the Lezha area, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, attracting more visitors each year. New road infrastructure has improved access to the area and increased the value of nearby properties, creating new opportunities for the local community. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images of the new …

News

Fier school theatre group wins three awards at Zagreb festival

The theatre group from Andon Xoxa nine-year school in Fier has won three awards at the International Theatre Festival for Children in the Albanian Language in Zagreb, Croatia. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the achievement on social media. The students received recognition for their performance of the play “Gjaku i …

News

United States invests over $40 million to strengthen Albania’s cyber defences

The United States has invested more than $40 million to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats sponsored by foreign governments. Speaking at the National Cybersecurity Conference, US Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted progress in strengthening digital resilience and training future experts through cooperation with the United States. This partnership includes programmes …

News

EU enlargement chief urges Albania to maintain reforms to close accession talks in 2027

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has praised Albania’s progress in implementing key reforms but urged continued efforts to meet the target of concluding accession negotiations by the end of 2027. Kos presented the European Union’s 2026 Enlargement Package at an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee …

News

Environment Ministry advances waste management study with French support

The Environment Ministry has held the second steering committee meeting for a French-funded feasibility study aimed at improving waste management. The study receives support through FASEP, France’s Fund for Studies and Support to the Private Sector. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said discussions focused on technical solutions, required infrastructure and efficient …

News

Government to allocate record ALL 30 billion for justice in 2027

Justice Minister Toni Gogu has presented the government’s draft justice budget for 2027 to the Assembly’s Law Committee. The plan allocates around ALL 30 billion to the justice system, the highest amount to date. Gogu said the funding aims to bring justice closer to citizens. The draft allocates ALL 29.95 …

News

Albania drawn with Serbia, Belgium and Romania in 2027 women’s Nations League

Albania’s women’s national team will face Serbia, Belgium and Romania in Group B1 of the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League. The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland. The league phase will follow a home-and-away format. Each team will play every group opponent twice, once at home and once away. The …

News

PM Rama says Albania receives highest-ever European Commission progress assessment

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the European Commission’s annual progress report had given Albania its highest assessment to date. He described the result as another proud moment for the country’s European future. Rama called the report encouraging and a further step towards the historic goal of joining the European Union. …

News

U.S. invests more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats

TIRANA, Nov. 4 (ATA) – The United States has invested more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against foreign state-sponsored threats. Speaking at Albania’s National Cybersecurity Conference, Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted Albania’s progress in building digital resilience and training future experts through partnership with the United States, including …