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Albania participates in insurance supervision meeting in Warsaw

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania took part in the 25th meeting of the Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe Insurance Supervision Initiative in Warsaw, Poland. The meeting brought together supervisory authorities from across the region. The delegation of the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority included Merita Gurabardhi, Aranit Muja and Lusjana …

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Forensic Science Institute becomes full member of European forensic network

TIRANA, May 18 – The Forensic Science Institute took part for the first time as a full member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes in Zurich, Switzerland. The meeting gathered directors of European forensic science institutes. Institute Director Perlat Çullaj presented the institute’s role and development. He outlined …

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Minister Gonxhja: Museum Week brings together culture, history and art

TIRANA. May 18 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the “Museum Week 2026” initiative in a social media post. He said the event will take place from 18 to 24 May across Albania. During the week, museums, archaeological parks and cultural heritage sites will open their …

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Defense Minister Nufi at Civil Emergencies Support Base: We ensure faster response across the country

TIRANA, May 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Civil Emergencies Support Base. He met Armed Forces personnel engaged in emergency response operations. The visit focused on wildfire preparedness ahead of the summer season. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Arben Kingji attended the event. National Civil Protection …

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President Begaj meets Higher Security and Defence Course, says Western Balkans stability key to regional security

TIRANA, May 18 – President Bajram Begaj met participants of the Higher Security and Defence Course held at the Armed Forces Defence and Security College. He praised the college for organising the programme. He also highlighted the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding among participants. In addition, he stressed the …

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OTP Bank Albania inaugurates new Private Banking premises in Tirana

Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – OTP Bank Albania has inaugurated new premises dedicated to the Private Banking segment, unveiling an exclusive space designed for clients seeking personalized service and advanced financial standards. Located in the heart of Tirana, the premises have been designed in line with OTP Group standards, …

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Shadow Fleet, Weak Oversight: How Russian Sanctions Evasion Reached Albania’s Ports

Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – Albania’s ports have emerged as a potential weak point in the international effort to enforce sanctions against Russia, following revelations that vessels linked by Ukrainian intelligence to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” have visited the country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. …

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Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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International Museum Day marked, free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 in Albania

TIRANA, May 18 – The global museum community marks International Museum Day today. In this context, Albania offers free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 for related cultural events. Meanwhile, the International Council of Museums established the day in 1977. The initiative aims to raise public awareness …

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Albania Cycling Tour 2026 starts, temporary road closures in Tirana

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania hosts the 83rd Albania Cycling Tour from today until 22 May. Twenty elite teams from Albania, the Balkans and Europe take part in the race. The first stage starts at 12:00. Cyclists begin in Tirana and finish in Lezha. The State Police announces temporary traffic …

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Agriculture Ministry signs cooperation agreement with Elbasan University

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a cooperation agreement today with Aleksandër Xhuvani University in Elbasan. The agreement aims to connect academic knowledge with the needs of agriculture and rural development. Agriculture Minister Andis Salla and university rector Prof. Dr. Elvora Fetahu signed the agreement. Salla said the …

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Southern road linking Tirana, Durrës and the coast advances

Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi announced progress on the Kombinat–Ndroq–Plepa road, a southern alternative route from Tirana towards Durrës and the coast. The Albanian Road Authority has completed the first 5-kilometre section to Peza and formally taken it over. It has also finalised the contract for the next 9 …

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Korça hosts 13th International Short Film Festival with 100 films

Korça welcomes the 13th International Short Film Festival for five nights of screenings at Majestik Cinema and the Digital Arts Gallery. The programme features 100 films from around the world, covering diverse themes and perspectives. It also includes three programmes for children. Festival director Gledis Bica said this year’s new …

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Proposed law expands powers over seized and confiscated assets

The Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence reviewed proposed amendments to the law on managing seized and confiscated assets. Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia presented the bill. The amendments would extend management rules to assets seized or confiscated by central and local government bodies, including illegal buildings. They would …

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Peja Murder: PM Kurti Gives Two Responsible Ministries 54 Hours to Submit Full Report on the Case

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced on Tuesday that he had requested answers from the responsible institutions regarding the murder of Arlinda Zekaj in Peja. Kurti emphasized that he had given the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice 54 hours to complete a report aimed at identifying …

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2027 Local Elections: Begaj Invites Political Parties for Consultations on Election Date

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj has invited representatives of parliamentary groups to consultations on October 30 regarding the date of the 2027 local elections, according to sources from the Presidency. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for consultations with parliamentary groups before the date of the upcoming …

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Kombinat–Ndroq–Plepa Road, Karakaçi: First Section Completed up to Peza, Work on Next 9 Kilometers to Begin Soon

Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi inspected the progress of construction works on the Kombinat–Ndroq–Plepa road project on Tuesday. Karakaçi announced that construction work on Lot 1 has been completed. He added that work on the next 9 kilometers of the road will begin very soon. According to him, …

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Changes to the 2027 Fiscal Package, Rama Reacts: Government to Have Its Say Tomorrow

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to discussions surrounding the proposed changes to the 2027 fiscal package. In a post on the social media platform X, Rama responded to criticism and debate over the new fiscal measures, indicating that the government’s position would become clear during the approval of the …

News
Head of Serbia’s Student List: Dialogue with Kosovo and European Integration Will Continue

The Student List will continue the dialogue with Kosovo initiated under the previous government. This also includes the implementation of the 2013 Brussels Agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, signed with the mediation of the European Union, according to Ilija Srdanović, who topped the list that …

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What Does Aleksandar Vucic’s Defeat Mean for Balkan Autocrats?

Serbian strongman Aleksandar Vucic vowed to defeat the student protest movement, but lost in the end. Other movements across the region can learn lessons from the Serbian students about tactics and perseverance. Original post Here

News

Agriculture Ministry signs cooperation agreement with Elbasan University

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a cooperation agreement today with Aleksandër Xhuvani University in Elbasan. The agreement aims to connect academic knowledge with the needs of agriculture and rural development. Agriculture Minister Andis Salla and university rector Prof. Dr. Elvora Fetahu signed the agreement. Salla said the …

News

Southern road linking Tirana, Durrës and the coast advances

Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi announced progress on the Kombinat–Ndroq–Plepa road, a southern alternative route from Tirana towards Durrës and the coast. The Albanian Road Authority has completed the first 5-kilometre section to Peza and formally taken it over. It has also finalised the contract for the next 9 …

News

Korça hosts 13th International Short Film Festival with 100 films

Korça welcomes the 13th International Short Film Festival for five nights of screenings at Majestik Cinema and the Digital Arts Gallery. The programme features 100 films from around the world, covering diverse themes and perspectives. It also includes three programmes for children. Festival director Gledis Bica said this year’s new …

News

Proposed law expands powers over seized and confiscated assets

The Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence reviewed proposed amendments to the law on managing seized and confiscated assets. Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia presented the bill. The amendments would extend management rules to assets seized or confiscated by central and local government bodies, including illegal buildings. They would …

News

Peja Murder: PM Kurti Gives Two Responsible Ministries 54 Hours to Submit Full Report on the Case

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced on Tuesday that he had requested answers from the responsible institutions regarding the murder of Arlinda Zekaj in Peja. Kurti emphasized that he had given the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice 54 hours to complete a report aimed at identifying …

News

2027 Local Elections: Begaj Invites Political Parties for Consultations on Election Date

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj has invited representatives of parliamentary groups to consultations on October 30 regarding the date of the 2027 local elections, according to sources from the Presidency. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for consultations with parliamentary groups before the date of the upcoming …

News

Kombinat–Ndroq–Plepa Road, Karakaçi: First Section Completed up to Peza, Work on Next 9 Kilometers to Begin Soon

Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi inspected the progress of construction works on the Kombinat–Ndroq–Plepa road project on Tuesday. Karakaçi announced that construction work on Lot 1 has been completed. He added that work on the next 9 kilometers of the road will begin very soon. According to him, …

News

Changes to the 2027 Fiscal Package, Rama Reacts: Government to Have Its Say Tomorrow

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to discussions surrounding the proposed changes to the 2027 fiscal package. In a post on the social media platform X, Rama responded to criticism and debate over the new fiscal measures, indicating that the government’s position would become clear during the approval of the …

News

Head of Serbia’s Student List: Dialogue with Kosovo and European Integration Will Continue

The Student List will continue the dialogue with Kosovo initiated under the previous government. This also includes the implementation of the 2013 Brussels Agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, signed with the mediation of the European Union, according to Ilija Srdanović, who topped the list that …

News

What Does Aleksandar Vucic’s Defeat Mean for Balkan Autocrats?

Serbian strongman Aleksandar Vucic vowed to defeat the student protest movement, but lost in the end. Other movements across the region can learn lessons from the Serbian students about tactics and perseverance. Original post Here