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Detention of Tirana Mayor Without Charges Highlights Rule-of-Law Concerns in Albania

TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times — The prolonged pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj — still held without formal charges — is raising fresh questions about Albania’s judicial practices, as critics point to growing divergence from European legal standards. Veliaj, once a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party and …

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Italy and Albania: Building a Shared Future Through Action and Partnership

By Marco Alberti, Ambassador of Italy to Albania The Italian anthem was written by Goffredo Mameli, a young man who sacrificed his life for Italy’s freedom— the same desire for freedom that has always characterized the Albanian people. This sense of freedom unites us. The very first word of our …

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Russian Propaganda Campaign Targets European Summit in Albania

By Vladimir Karaj TIRANA, Albania— A Kremlin-aligned propaganda network unleashed a flurry of disinformation targeting last month’s European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana, seeking to mock Western leaders, amplify Russian narratives, and sow distrust — even as Albania, a staunch NATO ally, hosted the high-profile event. In the days …

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Village Schools Left Behind by Albania’s Digital Rollout

Schools in rural parts of Albania are being left behind when it comes to the use of digital tools in teaching and communication. Original post Here

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Albania-Serbia Match Highlights Political Fault Lines Amid Fragile Rapprochement

Tirana Times, June 8, 2025 ,The goalless draw between Albania and Serbia on Saturday in Tirana was more than just a World Cup qualifying fixture. Played under the shadow of history, unresolved political tensions, and previous violent episodes between fans, this match offered a revealing glimpse into the complex relationship …

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Albania’s Healthcare Plagued by High-Level Corruption and Broken Promises

Tirana Times, 5 June 2025 — More than a decade after promising “free healthcare” to all citizens, Albania’s Socialist government faces mounting public outrage and a credibility crisis, as a new report reveals that 8 in 10 Albanians believe the country’s healthcare system is deeply corrupt. The study, conducted by …

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Albania, Greece Signal Readiness to Restart Maritime Talks Amid Lingering Tensions

Albania (Tirana Times) — June 5, 2025, Albania and Greece may be poised to revive negotiations over their long-disputed maritime border, a development that could mark a turning point in relations marred by legal battles, ethnic tensions, and political provocations. The possible reopening of talks was hinted at during a …

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Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: Its implications for bilateral relations and domestic affairs of Albania

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: Its implications for bilateral relations and domestic affairs of Albania appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albania Legalizes Cannabis Amid Crime and State Capture Fears

Albanian police during an anti-cannabis operation. Photo: State Police. TIRANA, 4 June 2025 , (TT) — The Albanian government has approved the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, issuing licenses covering 29,000 hectares of land stretching from the north to the south of the country — a move …

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Makeover of Communist-Era Albanian Jail as Film Set Angers Survivors

The decision to use the former Spac labour camp to shoot a film – and repaint some of the buildings – has enraged former inmates and activists who say the works threaten to alter history. Original post Here

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Albania and Italy deepen strategic security partnership

*]: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:4c373d13-a52f-4222-9521-ffa1122dc669-40″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4c373d13-a52f-4222-9521-ffa1122dc669-40″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> div:has([data-free-thinking-preview-answer=true])+:is(.text-message,.relative:has(>.text-message))]:-mt-2 grow”> Albania’s Minister of the Interior, Ervin Demo, met Italian Ambassador Marco Alberti on Tuesday to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of security. In a post on social media, Demo said the cooperation …

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Rama: Albania is attracting luxury tourism investors

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is attracting investors who can expand luxury tourism and generate higher revenues for the country. He spoke at the Euronews Tourism Summit 2026 in Brussels, where he discussed the future of tourism, investment and Albania’s growing potential. Rama argued that tourism built mainly on …

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Albania’s Archives Expand International Cooperation with Palestine

Albania’s General Directorate of Archives is expanding its international partnerships through new contacts with archival institutions abroad. Director General Auron Rrokaj hosted the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Albania, Rana Abu Sibae, to discuss potential cooperation between Albania’s General Directorate of Archives and the Palestinian Archives Institute. The …

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Albanian and Kosovan Ballet Companies to Share the Stage for the First Time

The ballet companies of Albania and Kosovo will perform together on the same stage for the first time, marking a significant cultural milestone for both countries. The production “Neighbours / From Motherland”, created by choreographers Brigel Gjoka and Rauf “RubberLegz” Yasit, will open the fifth edition of the International Dance …

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Exhibition Highlights Shared Architectural Heritage of the Lake Shkodra Region

An exhibition showcasing the traditional architecture of communities around Lake Shkodra opened on Albania’s National Cultural Heritage Day, highlighting the shared history, craftsmanship and architectural identity of regions connected by the lake. The exhibition, titled “Traditional Architecture Along the Lake Shkodra Basin,” is the result of a collaboration between the …

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Durrës Amphitheatre Enters New Phase of Conservation and Research

The Ancient Amphitheatre of Durrës has entered a new phase of conservation and archaeological research as authorities step up efforts to preserve one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the start of the Conservation and Archaeological Excavation Plan, an initiative …

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Croatian Comedy ‘Coffee at Noon’ Takes the Stage in Tirana

“Coffee at Noon,” a comedy by Croatian playwright Miro Gavran, took the stage at the Kujtim Spahivogli National Experimental Theatre in Tirana as part of Croatian Cultural Week. The play, performed by Mladena Gavran and Vedran Komerički, tells the story of a mother and her son and follows their relationship …

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Rama in Brussels: Sazan-Zvërnec investment could reach €6 billion; Investors drawn by Albania’s potential

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at the Euronews Summit 2026 about major tourism investments, projects in Sazan and Zvërnec, and the debate over economic development and nature protection. Rama said Albania is working to attract one of Europe’s largest tourism investments in recent years. He added that a project linking …

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Rama at Tourism Summit: The World Is Our Next Target, We Have Outpaced Our Neighbours for Five Years

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part on Tuesday in the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit in Brussels. During his remarks, Rama said that the number of tourists visiting Albania continues to increase every year. He also said that Tirana International Airport has surpassed other airports in the region, including Belgrade Airport. …

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Rama: We Need to Create the Conditions for Luxury Tourism, Albania Can Work with Major Investors

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit, also addressed investments in Zvërnec and on Sazan Island. He said these projects are taking shape because Albania is open to such investments and has the conditions needed to work with major investors. “We need to create the conditions …

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Albania and Italy deepen strategic security partnership

*]: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:4c373d13-a52f-4222-9521-ffa1122dc669-40″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4c373d13-a52f-4222-9521-ffa1122dc669-40″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> div:has([data-free-thinking-preview-answer=true])+:is(.text-message,.relative:has(>.text-message))]:-mt-2 grow”> Albania’s Minister of the Interior, Ervin Demo, met Italian Ambassador Marco Alberti on Tuesday to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of security. In a post on social media, Demo said the cooperation …

News

Rama: Albania is attracting luxury tourism investors

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is attracting investors who can expand luxury tourism and generate higher revenues for the country. He spoke at the Euronews Tourism Summit 2026 in Brussels, where he discussed the future of tourism, investment and Albania’s growing potential. Rama argued that tourism built mainly on …

News

Albania’s Archives Expand International Cooperation with Palestine

Albania’s General Directorate of Archives is expanding its international partnerships through new contacts with archival institutions abroad. Director General Auron Rrokaj hosted the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Albania, Rana Abu Sibae, to discuss potential cooperation between Albania’s General Directorate of Archives and the Palestinian Archives Institute. The …

News

Albanian and Kosovan Ballet Companies to Share the Stage for the First Time

The ballet companies of Albania and Kosovo will perform together on the same stage for the first time, marking a significant cultural milestone for both countries. The production “Neighbours / From Motherland”, created by choreographers Brigel Gjoka and Rauf “RubberLegz” Yasit, will open the fifth edition of the International Dance …

News

Exhibition Highlights Shared Architectural Heritage of the Lake Shkodra Region

An exhibition showcasing the traditional architecture of communities around Lake Shkodra opened on Albania’s National Cultural Heritage Day, highlighting the shared history, craftsmanship and architectural identity of regions connected by the lake. The exhibition, titled “Traditional Architecture Along the Lake Shkodra Basin,” is the result of a collaboration between the …

News

Durrës Amphitheatre Enters New Phase of Conservation and Research

The Ancient Amphitheatre of Durrës has entered a new phase of conservation and archaeological research as authorities step up efforts to preserve one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the start of the Conservation and Archaeological Excavation Plan, an initiative …

News

Croatian Comedy ‘Coffee at Noon’ Takes the Stage in Tirana

“Coffee at Noon,” a comedy by Croatian playwright Miro Gavran, took the stage at the Kujtim Spahivogli National Experimental Theatre in Tirana as part of Croatian Cultural Week. The play, performed by Mladena Gavran and Vedran Komerički, tells the story of a mother and her son and follows their relationship …

News

Rama in Brussels: Sazan-Zvërnec investment could reach €6 billion; Investors drawn by Albania’s potential

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at the Euronews Summit 2026 about major tourism investments, projects in Sazan and Zvërnec, and the debate over economic development and nature protection. Rama said Albania is working to attract one of Europe’s largest tourism investments in recent years. He added that a project linking …

News

Rama at Tourism Summit: The World Is Our Next Target, We Have Outpaced Our Neighbours for Five Years

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part on Tuesday in the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit in Brussels. During his remarks, Rama said that the number of tourists visiting Albania continues to increase every year. He also said that Tirana International Airport has surpassed other airports in the region, including Belgrade Airport. …

News

Rama: We Need to Create the Conditions for Luxury Tourism, Albania Can Work with Major Investors

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit, also addressed investments in Zvërnec and on Sazan Island. He said these projects are taking shape because Albania is open to such investments and has the conditions needed to work with major investors. “We need to create the conditions …