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NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

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Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

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The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

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Korça Revives Historic Ties with France Through Culture and Vision

By Tirana Times  As the cobblestone streets of Korça echo with French music, scent of Alpine cuisine, and the laughter of children discovering animated French classics, the southeastern Albanian city reaffirms a timeless connection with France—one rooted in history, education, and enduring cultural admiration. From June 14 to 24, Korça …

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Albania’s Demographic Time Bomb: A Silent National Emergency

By Lutfi Dervishi For decades, the most pressing keywords in Albania’s political lexicon were democracy, corruption, and justice. Today, however, the most dangerous threat to the country’s future may lie elsewhere—hidden in plain sight and dangerously underdiscussed: demography. According to the most recent official census, Albania’s population stands at approximately …

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EU Document Urges Albania to Address Political Pressure on Judiciary

A leaked internal document from the Council of the European Union voices disquiet over ‘undue pressure’ on justice system and warns that Albania will not be able to close any accession chapters until it makes clear progress. Original post Here

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Communist-Era Inmates Fight to Preserve Remains of Albania’s Dark Past

A move to turn the site of the former Spac labour camp in northern Albania into a film set has revived calls for better protection of what’s left of Albania’s dark communist past. Original post Here

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Albania Reports 24 Wildfires as Crews Battle Blazes Across the Country

Albania reported 24 wildfires across the country by Tuesday evening, with six fires still active and five under surveillance. A total of 126 emergency personnel and 18 firefighting vehicles took part in operations. The Armed Forces also deployed 20 personnel, one helicopter and two Air Tractor aircraft. Mount Dajti remains …

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Rama: AI Will Put Government Services in Citizens’ Hands in Real Time

Prime Minister Edi Rama said artificial intelligence will help make government services more transparent and responsive, allowing citizens to track their requests in real time. Speaking after the government’s expanded meeting in Pogradec, Rama said a new digital system will allow citizens to submit requests, follow their progress and see …

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Hoxha: EU Membership Remains Albania’s Top Foreign Policy Priority

Albania’s EU membership remains the country’s main foreign policy priority, Foreign Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said following the government’s seminar in Pogradec. Hoxha said Albania will accelerate its diplomatic efforts and maintain a clear focus on the EU accession process. He also highlighted stronger regional cooperation …

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Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

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Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

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Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

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Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

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Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

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EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

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PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

News

Albania Reports 24 Wildfires as Crews Battle Blazes Across the Country

Albania reported 24 wildfires across the country by Tuesday evening, with six fires still active and five under surveillance. A total of 126 emergency personnel and 18 firefighting vehicles took part in operations. The Armed Forces also deployed 20 personnel, one helicopter and two Air Tractor aircraft. Mount Dajti remains …

News

Rama: AI Will Put Government Services in Citizens’ Hands in Real Time

Prime Minister Edi Rama said artificial intelligence will help make government services more transparent and responsive, allowing citizens to track their requests in real time. Speaking after the government’s expanded meeting in Pogradec, Rama said a new digital system will allow citizens to submit requests, follow their progress and see …

News

Hoxha: EU Membership Remains Albania’s Top Foreign Policy Priority

Albania’s EU membership remains the country’s main foreign policy priority, Foreign Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said following the government’s seminar in Pogradec. Hoxha said Albania will accelerate its diplomatic efforts and maintain a clear focus on the EU accession process. He also highlighted stronger regional cooperation …

News

Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

News

Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

News

Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

News

Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

News

Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

News

EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

News

PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …