EU Membership: 8th Accession Conference with Albania to Be Held in Brussels on May 26
The Council of the European Union announced that the eighth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania will take place on May 26, 2026, in Brussels. “This meeting will serve to confirm Albania’s fulfillment of the interim benchmarks, as well as to define the closing benchmarks for Cluster 1 ‘Fundamentals’. …
Fatmir Xhafaj Signs 14 Plans for Oversight of Independent Institutions
Fatmir Xhafaj, chairman of the Special Commission for Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation, and Institutional Oversight, has signed 14 thematic work plans that foresee hearing sessions and parliamentary oversight processes over independent institutions and state agencies, including justice institutions such as SPAK, the High Judicial Council (KLGJ), and the High Prosecutorial Council …
Rama: Balkan Integration Is a Strategic Necessity for Europe Itself
Prime Minister Edi Rama, during his speech in Tokyo, also spoke about the justice reform as one of the deepest and most important reforms for Albania’s path toward EU membership. Rama stressed that the integration of the Balkans is a strategic necessity for Europe itself. According to him, Albania has …
Intergovernmental Conference Albania-EU, Government: We Enter a New Phase of Negotiations
On May 26, the 8th Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the European Union will be held in Brussels. The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the European Union (COREPER) approved this Friday the holding of the 8th Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference. According to this decision, the fulfillment …
Week in Review: In Search of Direction
A country adrift, critics supressed and an investment project with an explosive side are just some of the highlights of our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Albanian, Bosnian Pride Marches Urge Solidarity Amid Rise of Extremism
Organisers of LGBTQ+ Pride parades in Tirana and Sarajevo are calling on people to stand together in a time of growing far-right extremism and prejudice. Original post Here
Albania International Guitar Festival Marks 10th Anniversary Edition
The “Albania International Guitar Festival” is celebrating its 10th edition as one of the country’s leading artistic events. The festival will open on May 22 at the “Tonin Harapi” hall in Tirana. German guitarist Goran Krivokapić will perform the opening concert. He is a winner of several major international guitar …
Albania Promoted at Cannes Film Market “Marché du Film”
Albania participated in the “Marché du Film”, one of the most important global events for the film industry. The event took place in Cannes and brought together more than 14,000 professionals from over 140 countries. The Albanian National Cinematography Center joined forces with the Kosovo Cinematography Center to present a …
Gonxhja: Kanye West Concert Offers Major Promotion Opportunity for Albania
Work has started in Kashar on the site where a temporary stadium will host the super show of Kanye West in Albania. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the construction site of the temporary stadium. The venue will host a production of global scale and standards …
Solar Energy Output Rises 44% as Albania Changes Compensation Model for Producers
Albania continues to expand its renewable energy sector. The country is increasing solar and wind production while reducing dependence on hydropower. According to the latest electricity report, photovoltaic producers generated 254 GWh of energy in the first quarter of 2026. In the same period of 2025, they produced 176 GWh. …
The Albanian-American Development Fund will finance and carry out the full digitisation of the Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH) archive. Director General Eni Vasili announced the decision, describing it as a historic moment for the country’s national memory. The fund’s board approved the project following repeated requests from RTSH’s management …
Albania’s prime minister and Tirana’s imprisoned mayor clash over allegations of political pressure and control of the capital, exposing divisions within the ruling Socialist Party amid widespread anti-government protests. TIRANA, Albania – An unprecedented confrontation has erupted between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, turning a …
President Bajram Begaj has promulgated the new law on the administrative and territorial division of local government units, paving the way for the revised map to take effect in the local elections on May 9, 2027. The law, numbered 100/2026, establishes a new structure of 46 municipalities. Voters will elect …
Albania’s National Museum “Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg” marks 44 years since its inauguration today. The museum stands inside the historic Castle of Krujë, once the centre of the medieval Albanian state. The castle also witnessed three successive defeats of Ottoman armies in the 15th century. Architects designed the museum as a …
Kosova’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Dimal Basha, met with Arnaud Dauphin, the French Development Agency’s director for the Western Balkans, to discuss railway connections between Kosova and Albania. The talks focused on expanding cooperation on railway projects and advancing a three-way partnership between Kosova, Albania and the agency. The …
Albania will make its debut on the internationally acclaimed television show “The Amazing Race”, bringing Tirana’s culture, energy and hospitality to audiences around the world. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the news in a social media post. He said the production would showcase Albania as a …
Kosova’s Prime Minister and leader of the Self-Determination Movement, Albin Kurti, has denied the movement’s involvement in the protests in Tirana. He said it had never operated anonymously during protests and had always taken an open, leading role. Speaking at the movement’s 64th General Council meeting, Kurti said it now …
The National Cinematography Centre has announced the passing of actor and director Gjergji Mena at the age of 41. The centre paid tribute to the young artist, highlighting his contribution to theatre and screen productions. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja also expressed condolences, describing Mena as a talented …
Renowned Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho serves as an Artist Ambassador for Opera Rara, a London-based opera organisation dedicated to reviving neglected works and bringing rarely performed repertoire to modern audiences. Founded in 1970, Opera Rara specialises in researching, restoring, recording and performing operas that have largely disappeared from the mainstream …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha says Albania aims to complete the technical phase of European Union accession negotiations by December 2027. The goal is to advance to the political phase and join the bloc within this decade. Presenting the 2027 budget priorities to the parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs, …