Debate over the bar exam in Albanian deepens after student protest
Reactions following the protest of Albanian students over taking the bar exam in the Albanian language have sparked political and legal debate in North Macedonia. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that the government is working to find a solution, calling for students not to be used as a political tool. …
Minister Hoxha in Durrës: Youth, the main pillar of Albania’s path toward the EU
The Minister for Integration, Hoxha, held a meeting with students and pupils in the city of Durrës, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in Albania’s European integration process. As part of the “EU and You: Europe Starts Here” tour, Minister Hoxha, together with his colleague Adea Pirdeni, met with students …
State Health Inspectorate scrutinizes dental clinics and laboratories
The State Health Inspectorate has carried out inspections of dental clinics and laboratories across the country. A lack of hygiene and sanitary conditions, as well as failure to renew licenses, has led to penalties for dozens of clinics. More than 1,200 dental clinics and laboratories nationwide were inspected by the …
Minister of State for Public Administration announces unified public jobs portal and administrative reforms
TIRANA, April 7 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented new measures to reform and modernize Albania’s public administration during an event on public sector employment. She announced the launch of a unified recruitment portal for public administration jobs. The National Agency for Employment and …
PM Rama says EU accession talks advancing at “unique speed”
TIRANA, April 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said negotiations with the European Union are advancing at a “unique speed,” with strong support from the European Commission. Speaking at an event on public sector job vacancies, Rama highlighted progress in the accession process and the role of public administration. He …
Rama introduces public sector employment portal: A new window for young people
Prime Minister Edi Rama took part this Tuesday in an event where available job positions in the public sector were presented through the portal puna.gov.al. According to Rama, every young person, recent graduate, or professional seeking a new opportunity now has an easier way to get informed and apply for …
“It is being said that negotiations have been blocked, halted,” Rama: Completely untrue, we are on schedule
At the event held for the presentation of job vacancies in the public sector, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the importance of public administration as well as the negotiations for accession to the European Union. The Prime Minister pointed out that public administration has contributed to Albania’s development in …
Berisha calls on citizens to join April 17 protest and demands halving of fuel taxes
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, accused the government of negligence and lack of sensitivity toward pensioners and vulnerable groups, while calling on citizens to mobilize for the April 17 protest in Tirana. He stated that this date should mark “the most powerful peaceful uprising” to respond to …
Training with Albanian border police, U.S. Embassy: Enhancing expertise for national security
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana shared images on “X” from a recent training conducted between the Albanian border police and a U.S. overseas investigative unit. The embassy emphasized that the specialized training focused on practical techniques for detecting fraudulent documents and strengthening risk assessment skills. Further in the statement, the …
The 5Ps of Service Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Albanian and Western Balkan Service Providers
By Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, April 07, 2026 – In my earlier article for Tirana Times, I described Albania as a country that moves from being visited to being remembered. Having since deepened my engagement with the Albanian health tourism and hospitality ecosystem, and having had the privilege of …
Exports continued to remain in positive territory in August 2026, but at a significantly slower pace than in previous months. The latest data from INSTAT show that sales of Albanian goods abroad reached ALL 20.5 billion, an increase of 1.6% compared with August last year. Albania’s foreign trade saw an …
Protesters gathered this Thursday in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana and began marching towards the Prime Minister’s Office as part of the latest protest against the government. This marks the 110th protest held so far, with demonstrators opposing the government and its policies. Organizers have announced that the protests will continue …
High prices for basic goods are reducing consumer spending. Although these are essential food items, citizens say they are buying less and are even avoiding fruits or vegetables that are too expensive. “They are very expensive. We can’t afford them. There is high unemployment, and we are barely managing. How …
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – The Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ has convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army leaders of war crimes but acquitted them of crimes against humanity. The sentence for Thaci is 25 years. This is happening while Aleksandar Vucic is resigning from …
Millions of euros flowed to companies linked to Strabag while Oleg Deripaska remained a major shareholder, exposing gaps in Albania’s ability to identify who ultimately benefits from public money Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – For years, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s economic interests in Albania were largely invisible. They did …
The Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders has drawn reactions from the sports world. Former Albania national team footballer Taulant Xhaka has publicly expressed his support for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Xhaka posted a poster on Instagram featuring the four former KLA …
Endrit Thaçi, son of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, has voiced support for a protest organized by the War Veterans’ Organization of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVL-KLA). He shared the organization’s call for a “Protest in Defense of the KLA.” Meanwhile, the protest will take place on Friday at 12:00 …
RTSH has officially begun implementing its 2026–2030 transformation and restructuring process. The Task Force established to lead and coordinate the process held its first meeting today. The European Broadcasting Union organized the meeting as a workshop focused on RTSH’s Transformation Strategy and its implementation. Radka Betcheva, the European Broadcasting Union’s …
Charles L. Smith, the presiding judge of the Trial Panel, has issued a decision launching procedures for reparations to victims in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and Kadri Veseli. The Trial Panel issued the decision on September 16 and published it today. It decided to initiate …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that Albania will continue its digitalization process and use of artificial intelligence. He stressed that the country will protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Gogu spoke in Parliament during the review of the draft law on the ratification of the Council …