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Balkan Countries Host ‘Immediate Response’ NATO Exercise

Several Balkan countries, joined by US forces in Europe, are taking part in this year’s ‘Immediate Response 23’ military exercise, which is designed in part to showcase NATO’s ability to resist Russian aggression. Original post Here

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US Ambassador message during ‘Defender Europe 2023’ launch

Ambassador of the United States of America, Yuri Kim has underlined Monday that the holding of the “Defender Europe 2023” is an extraordinary moment and that the cooperation with Albania and other allies have made NATO more united than ever. In her remarks during the launch of the drill in …

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Begaj sees “Defender Europe 2023” as very important due to Ukraine war

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj underlined this Monday that the American military exercise “Defender 2023” has a great and tangible importance in the current geopolitical situation after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, but also about the situation in the Western Balkans. During his speech during this activity, where Prime …

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New details on Kavaja execution revealed

Habib Rexha, the preson responsible for the murder that happened on Sunday after in Kavaja, had arrived from Italy two weeks ago. According to the local media, Rexha studied the movements of Arjan Gosa, who was shot to death with a firearm. Investigators suspect that after the incident he started …

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Court against Corruption and Organized Crime has left in prison Fredi Beleri

GJKKO(Court against Corruption and Organized Crime) has left in prison the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri and his co-worker Pandeli Kokaveshi. He was arrested 2 days before the May 14 elections, as he is accused of buying and selling votes. The arrest of Fredi Beleri also brought reactions from …

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Two jewelery thieves arrested in Tirana

Two people have been arrested in Tirana as part of the police operation coded “Two times”, the police announced Monday. A 25-year-old and a 22-year-old man were arrested after, in collaboration with each other, on 15.05.2023 and 18.05.2023, they stole various gold jewelry and the amount of 1,000,000 new lek, …

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Accused of vote-buying, Fredi Beleri set to appear before court today

Fredi Beleri, the winning candidate of Himara Municipality in the May 14 elections, will appear today before the Special Court Against Organized Crime and Corruption. The session is expected to be held at 13:00. Although behind bars, Beleri managed to win the battle for the Municipality of Himara. Beleri and …

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Albania hosting ‘Defender Europe 2023’

Albania welcomes for the second time the “Defender Europe 2023” military exercise.During his speech, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that today Albania is higher than ever in terms of international respect. The head of the government said that the development of the exercise with the presence of American military troops …

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Vehicle burned down on Arbri road

A car burned down this Sunday on Arbri Road. As can be seen from the images, the car is completely burnt. The event happened near the By-Pass of Murriz. According to the data, the Audi type vehicle caught fire in a mountainous area. Sources from the scene said that there …

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A 39-year-old convicted of murder is arrested in Durres

A 39-year-old man in Manzë was arrested by the police after the decision of the Court of First Instance of the General Jurisdiction of Durrës, for his sentence of 18 years in prison. Citizen Afrim Kila, was recently under “House Arrest” security measures and was convicted for the murder of …

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EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

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Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

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Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

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Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

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Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

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PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

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The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

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Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News
Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News
Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …

News

EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

News

Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

News

Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

News

Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

News

Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

News

PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

News

The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

News

Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News

Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News

Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …