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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
National Business Center and InfoCamere agree cooperation to modernise Trade Register
TIRANA, May 28 – The National Business Center and InfoCamere agreed steps to deepen cooperation. The focus covers modernisation of the Albanian Trade Register and expansion of digital services for business. Meanwhile, a delegation from the National Business Center visited Padova on an official working trip. Director General Etugert Llazi …
Police have started implementing new legislation aimed at curbing street protests against the government of Edi Rama, issuing scores of fines – a move that demonstrators describe as an “intimidation tactic”. Original post Here
Investor confidence, legal certainty and stronger institutions remain essential to attracting sustainable foreign investment. Experts discussed these challenges at the “Investing in Albania and the Western Balkans” panel on November 4, during the 32nd Tirana International Fair. Sara Zotaj of the Albanian Investment Development Agency highlighted the country’s geographic position, …
President Bajram Begaj received the European Commission’s 2026 progress report on Albania from European Union Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Thursday. Begaj described the report as evidence of Albania’s progress towards European Union membership. He thanked the European Commission for its continued support and commitment to enlargement in the …
Albania is showcasing its culture, traditions and digital innovation at the World Travel Market London 2026, held from November 3 to 5 at ExCeL London in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images of the Albanian stand, which brings together tourism, handicrafts, gastronomy and digital experiences. The …
Kosova’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has urged the European Union to grant the country candidate status and launch membership negotiations as soon as possible. Speaking after the European Commission presented its 2026 report on Kosova, Kurti said EU integration remained a long-term strategic priority. He stressed that the process enjoyed …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met European Union Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Thursday. The ambassador handed him the European Commission’s progress report on Albania. Following the meeting, Rama and Ambassador De Sousa are expected to hold a press conference on the report’s achievements and milestones on Albania’s path towards …
Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku says the European Commission’s latest progress report on Albania confirms opposition concerns over EU integration, the rule of law and democracy. Speaking at a press conference in parliament, Tabaku said citizens had protested peacefully for more than 150 days against a system that had impoverished …
Prime Minister Edi Rama and EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa presented the European Commission’s 2026 progress report on Albania at a joint press conference on Thursday. Rama said Albania had entered the final stretch of accession negotiations. He cited significant progress in at least 20 negotiating chapters and described …
A vibrant new mural dedicated to the women who have worked over the decades at the Central State Film Archive (AQSHF) now graces the Art Park in Tirana. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports completed the artistic project in collaboration with the Central State Film Archive. Consequently, the artwork …
Albania will play their final Group C1 match in League C of the UEFA Nations League against Belarus on November 15 at the Illovszky Rudolf Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. The match will take place without spectators due to UEFA sanctions against Belarus. Under a decision adopted by the UEFA Executive …