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Urban development program to support economic growth across municipalities

TIRANA, July 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented the government’s vision for economic development and entrepreneurship support during the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” event. She said the new urban development program goes beyond city revitalization. According to Ibrahimaj, it aims to create a development model that supports sustainable …

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Additional ALL 1.5 billion allocated to strengthen justice system

TIRANA, July 10 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu announced that a normative act approved on June 30 has secured more than ALL 1.5 billion in additional funds for the Ministry of Justice and its dependent institutions for the 2026–2028 period. According to the minister, the funds will support infrastructure improvements, …

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PM Rama unveils EUR 1.5 billion plan for a new phase of urban development in Albania

TIRANA, July 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” programme, an ambitious development initiative that aims to further transform Albania’s urban landscape with a EUR 1.5 billion funding target. According to Rama, the new programme responds to a new stage of Albania’s development, where citizens have …

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PM Rama: Albania has entered a new phase of development

TIRANA, July 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has entered a new phase of development, where improved standards have increased citizens’ expectations for better services and greater dignity in daily life. During the presentation of the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” programme, Rama said society’s new demands should not be …

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Birth Tourism on Tourist Visas: U.S. Embassy Warns Albanians They May Be Denied Future Visa Renewals

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has issued a warning to Albanian citizens who travel to the United States on tourist visas to give birth and use the Medicaid program to cover their medical expenses. In a post shared on Instagram, the Embassy stated that this practice could affect their eligibility …

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‘Urban Renaissance 2.0’: Rama Unveils €1.5 Billion Program, Electric Buses Planned for All Municipalities

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday unveiled the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” program, which foresees €1.5 billion in investments aimed at transforming Albania’s urban infrastructure and public services. One of the program’s main pillars is the modernization of public transport. Rama announced that a joint company will be established between the …

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Defense Minister Nufi Reveals Who Will Set the Date for the NATO Summit in Tirana

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi, in an interview with Euronews Albania’s Thimi Samarxhiu, spoke about Tirana’s selection as the host city for a future NATO Summit. He said the summit is expected to take place in 2027 or early 2028, stressing that the final date will be decided by NATO heads …

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Ombudsman on Protests: My Duty Is to Identify Cases Where Citizens’ Rights Are Violated

Albania’s Ombudsman, Endri Shabani, was in Vlora on Friday to present the Ombudsman’s 2025 Annual Report. Speaking to the media, Shabani said the purpose of the institution’s visit was to hear citizens’ complaints and concerns firsthand. According to Shabani, the majority of complaints in Vlora relate to property issues and …

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Rama: Urban Renaissance Has Fulfilled Its Mission, Now It’s Time for the Next Phase

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s Urban Renaissance program has fulfilled its original mission, announcing a new stage of urban development during the presentation of the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” initiative. Rama described the new program as the beginning of a fresh phase of national development, arguing that the original Urban …

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Diana Gellçi’s Question to Reinier de Graaf: What Would You Say Today?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Diana Gellçi’s Question to Reinier de Graaf: What Would You Say Today? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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USD strengthens against Albanian Lek, Euro loses ground

Tirana, July 29 – The US Dollar strengthened further against the Albanian Lek (ALL) on Wednesday. The official exchange rate from the Bank of Albania showed the Dollar at 82.43 ALL. The currency gained 0.22 ALL compared with Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Euro lost 0.03 ALL and reached 93.66 ALL. The …

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Conference League: Dinamo targets qualification against Aluminij

Tirana, July 29 – Dinamo City will host Aluminij on Thursday in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The Albanian side will seek a place in the third qualifying round after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Slovenia. Head coach Ilir Daja will …

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Rama Cites Media Report, Says Albania Has “Nothing in Common with Autocracies”

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to a report by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), which found that the opposition received more media coverage than the Socialist Party in major news broadcasts during June 2026. Rama said the findings provide clear and measurable evidence that Albania has no connection to autocratic …

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Lamallari Calls for Stronger Coordination and Greater Presence in the Field

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met with Albania’s 12 regional prefects to discuss key priorities for the months ahead. The participants focused on strengthening interinstitutional coordination and increasing the presence of public institutions in local communities. Lamallari identified public safety, the smooth running of the tourism season, and the prevention and …

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Excavations in Zubin Potok, Kurti: We Suspect the Human Remains May Belong to Missing Mitrovica Intellectuals

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the institutions’ initial suspicion following the discovery of human remains in the village of Kalludër, Zubin Potok, was that they could belong to the 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on 19 April 1999. Speaking to the media, Kurti said …

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PD Challenges US Loan Agreement in Constitutional Court, Bardhi: Majority Committed Seven Constitutional Violations

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-turn-id-container=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Democratic Party (PD) has officially challenged before the Constitutional Court the law ratifying the €302 million loan agreement between Albania and the United States for the purchase of military equipment. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PD Parliamentary Group …

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Rama to Channel 4: I Have Reflected on the Protests and I Understand the Protesters

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave a television interview from Tirana to the British broadcaster Channel 4, where he was also questioned about the ongoing protests. In response, Rama said he has reflected on the demonstrations and understands the protesters. “I have reflected a great deal on these protests and have come …

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Zvërnec Investment, Rama to Channel 4 News: It Is Absurd to Think Albania Can Move Forward Without European Standards

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in a report by British broadcaster Channel 4 News on the planned investment in Zvërnec, stating that it is absurd to believe Albania could move forward with a project that does not comply with European …

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Civil Protection Agency: Wildfire Risk Increases Due to Rising Temperatures, Maximum Caution Urged in the Coming Days

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) has issued an official statement warning that the high temperatures expected in the coming days will significantly increase the risk of wildfires across the country. In its announcement, the Agency called on local government units, …

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Kurti Presents War Victims Report: 12,230 Killed, Including 1,047 Children

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Institute for Crimes Committed During the War (IKKL) has published, for the first time, an official report on the victims of the Kosovo war, documenting 12,230 people killed between 1 January 1998 and 20 June 1999. The report was presented …

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USD strengthens against Albanian Lek, Euro loses ground

Tirana, July 29 – The US Dollar strengthened further against the Albanian Lek (ALL) on Wednesday. The official exchange rate from the Bank of Albania showed the Dollar at 82.43 ALL. The currency gained 0.22 ALL compared with Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Euro lost 0.03 ALL and reached 93.66 ALL. The …

News

Conference League: Dinamo targets qualification against Aluminij

Tirana, July 29 – Dinamo City will host Aluminij on Thursday in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The Albanian side will seek a place in the third qualifying round after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Slovenia. Head coach Ilir Daja will …

News

Rama Cites Media Report, Says Albania Has “Nothing in Common with Autocracies”

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to a report by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), which found that the opposition received more media coverage than the Socialist Party in major news broadcasts during June 2026. Rama said the findings provide clear and measurable evidence that Albania has no connection to autocratic …

News

Lamallari Calls for Stronger Coordination and Greater Presence in the Field

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met with Albania’s 12 regional prefects to discuss key priorities for the months ahead. The participants focused on strengthening interinstitutional coordination and increasing the presence of public institutions in local communities. Lamallari identified public safety, the smooth running of the tourism season, and the prevention and …

News

Excavations in Zubin Potok, Kurti: We Suspect the Human Remains May Belong to Missing Mitrovica Intellectuals

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the institutions’ initial suspicion following the discovery of human remains in the village of Kalludër, Zubin Potok, was that they could belong to the 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on 19 April 1999. Speaking to the media, Kurti said …

News

PD Challenges US Loan Agreement in Constitutional Court, Bardhi: Majority Committed Seven Constitutional Violations

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-turn-id-container=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Democratic Party (PD) has officially challenged before the Constitutional Court the law ratifying the €302 million loan agreement between Albania and the United States for the purchase of military equipment. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PD Parliamentary Group …

News

Rama to Channel 4: I Have Reflected on the Protests and I Understand the Protesters

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave a television interview from Tirana to the British broadcaster Channel 4, where he was also questioned about the ongoing protests. In response, Rama said he has reflected on the demonstrations and understands the protesters. “I have reflected a great deal on these protests and have come …

News

Zvërnec Investment, Rama to Channel 4 News: It Is Absurd to Think Albania Can Move Forward Without European Standards

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in a report by British broadcaster Channel 4 News on the planned investment in Zvërnec, stating that it is absurd to believe Albania could move forward with a project that does not comply with European …

News

Civil Protection Agency: Wildfire Risk Increases Due to Rising Temperatures, Maximum Caution Urged in the Coming Days

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) has issued an official statement warning that the high temperatures expected in the coming days will significantly increase the risk of wildfires across the country. In its announcement, the Agency called on local government units, …

News

Kurti Presents War Victims Report: 12,230 Killed, Including 1,047 Children

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Institute for Crimes Committed During the War (IKKL) has published, for the first time, an official report on the victims of the Kosovo war, documenting 12,230 people killed between 1 January 1998 and 20 June 1999. The report was presented …