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“Three Spanish tenors” gala concert staged at National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana

TIRANA, April 23 – The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet hosted the concert “Three Spanish tenors” in Tirana, bringing three internationally recognised opera voices to the Albanian capital. The event featured repertoire from classical and operatic music. Tenors Ignacio Encinas, Oscar Encinas and Albert Deprius performed under the direction …

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Blendi Gonxhja declares Monastery of the Archangels a Category I cultural monument

Blendi Gonxhja announced that the Monastery of the Archangels in Derviçan has been declared a Category I “Monument of Culture”. He said authorities will soon begin work to restore it and make it livable again. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport said the decision was made in cooperation with …

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PM Rama says Albania closer than ever to European Union at Delphi forum

TIRANA, April 22 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the country has never been closer to the European Union during remarks at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece. He made the comments during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas, editor-in-chief of Kathimerini. Rama addressed Albania’s position in a shifting geopolitical …

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Albania expands power grid with new Tirana substation project

TIRANA, April 22 – Albania’s Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi was at construction of the Tirana 3 electricity substation near Petrela. He described the project as central to the capital’s energy security. The substation will create a ring connection with other grid facilities in Tirana. Karakaçi said rapid …

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Edi Rama aims for full agreement with Greece this year

Edi Rama said in Athens that he aims to reach agreement with Greece within the year. He works with Kyriakos Mitsotakis to resolve all issues. During a talk with Alexis Papahelas of Kathimerini at the Delphi Economic Forum, Rama said the Beleri case created difficulties. However, he stressed that both …

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Edi Rama informs Donald Trump about “fantasy report” on KLA leaders

Edi Rama said he informed Donald Trump about what he called “fantasy report” accusations against former KLA leaders. He spoke during a conversation with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama said he raised concerns about the detention of Hashim Thaçi and other former KLA leaders in The Hague. …

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Edi Rama says Greek minority property issues match Albanian cases

Edi Rama said property issues affecting the Greek minority are the same as those affecting Albanians. He spoke during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama said the government treats these cases as a nationwide problem. However, he stressed that authorities give special attention to areas …

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Edi Rama: Albania achieved judicial independence as a “lifetime achievement”

Edi Rama said Albania achieved judicial independence and called it a lifetime achievement. He spoke during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama said Albanians continue to emigrate. However, he noted that many are also returning. Therefore, he said the gap is narrowing. He added that …

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Edi Rama says Albania is closer than ever to the EU

Edi Rama said Albania has never been closer to the European Union. He spoke during a conversation with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum during his visit to Greece. Rama said the Western Balkans are not forgotten. Instead, he said the region is in its best moment for EU …

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Ferit Hoxha meets Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in Delphi

Ferit Hoxha held a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum. They continued a constructive dialogue on Albanian–Greek relations. Hoxha said the meeting followed earlier talks between the two Prime Ministers in Athens. He said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen …

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Can Albania Follow Hungary’s Example in Scrutinizing Officials’ Wealth?

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, September 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, Albania has had legislation requiring senior public officials to declare their assets and financial interests. Yet persistent concerns over unexplained wealth suggest that the central issue is no longer simply whether officials submit asset declarations. The …

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Albania’s Arms Industry Faces International Trafficking Probe

Investigators examine weapons deals, state-linked defense companies and the role of businessman Ron Yeffet after allegations of international arms trafficking surfaced in recordings released by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. Tirana Times, October 03, 2026 – A series of searches by Albania’s special prosecutors has opened a potentially significant …

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Albania lose 2-1 to Finland in Nations League

Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside …

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

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EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

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Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

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International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

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OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

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Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

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Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

News

Can Albania Follow Hungary’s Example in Scrutinizing Officials’ Wealth?

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, September 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, Albania has had legislation requiring senior public officials to declare their assets and financial interests. Yet persistent concerns over unexplained wealth suggest that the central issue is no longer simply whether officials submit asset declarations. The …

News

Albania’s Arms Industry Faces International Trafficking Probe

Investigators examine weapons deals, state-linked defense companies and the role of businessman Ron Yeffet after allegations of international arms trafficking surfaced in recordings released by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. Tirana Times, October 03, 2026 – A series of searches by Albania’s special prosecutors has opened a potentially significant …

News

Albania lose 2-1 to Finland in Nations League

Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside …

News

Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

News

EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

News

Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

News

International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

News

OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

News

Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

News

Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …