Teodor Laço remembered on what would have been his 90th birthday
September 29 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer and screenwriter, and former Culture Minister, Teodor Laço. Laço was born on September 29, 1936, in the village of Dardhë, Korçë. He studied Agronomy at the University of Tirana. However, his early passion for writing shaped his …
EU Ambassador meets Demo: Rule of law at center of Albania’s EU path
Minister of Interior Ervin Demo met today with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa. The ambassador congratulated Demo on his appointment and stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law as Albania moves toward EU membership. During the meeting, the two officials discussed priorities and challenges related …
Rama: Zvernec project will be decided based on environmental impact
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke today about protests against the planned investment in Zvernec. He said scientific assessments and the project’s environmental impact will determine whether construction moves forward. Speaking at the Euronews Summit 2026, Rama said the investment has no political link to Donald Trump. Instead, he said investors …
Albania dominate San Marino, lead 2-0 at half-time
Albania dominated San Marino in their second Group C1 match of the UEFA Nations League. The Red and Blacks needed less than 27 minutes to take control at the San Marino Stadium. Anis Mehmeti opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Just five minutes later, Myrto Uzuni doubled Albania’s lead. …
Protest in Tirana, Rama: I come from the protesters’ side myself, I risked my life for free speech
Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the Euronews 2026 Tourism Summit in Brussels, addressed the ongoing protests in Tirana and also commented on singer Dua Lipa’s support for the demonstrations. Rama said that he is proud of Dua Lipa, just as she is proud of the protests taking place in …
Berisha in Strasbourg: Appeals court should review former KLA leaders’ sentences objectively
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha delivered a speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where he addressed developments in Kosovo and the convictions of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders in The Hague. Berisha first focused on the repeated elections in Kosovo, saying they had been conducted …
Rama meets parents of children with disabilities: Support teachers should receive a salary bonus
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with a group of parents of children with disabilities to discuss the creation of a National Council and measures to strengthen the system of support teachers. During the meeting, Rama said that a training system should be established for support teachers, while also stressing the …
Path to the EU, Minister Hoxha in Vienna: Albania making progress based on merit
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part today in Vienna in a high-level meeting of ministers responsible for European affairs from the Slavkov format countries — Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia — and the Western Balkans. The meeting, organized by Austria’s Federal Minister for Europe, Integration …
A New U.S. Ambassador for a Changing Partnership?
Eric Wendt presents credentials in Tirana as Albania and the United States look to the next phase of their strategic relationship Tirana Times, September, 27, 2026 – Eric P. Wendt, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former commander of NATO’s Special Operations Headquarters, has formally taken up his post …
Gazmend Freitag Named “Painter of the Year 2025” in Gjirokastër
Kosovo-born, Austria-based artist honored for a career that has turned memory, displacement and identity into a bridge between cultures Tirana Times, September 29, 2026 – Kosovo-born Albanian painter Gazmend Freitag, who has built his artistic career in Austria, has been awarded the title “Painter of the Year 2025”, receiving the distinction …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today called on Albania to maintain its focus on reforms. She stressed that the European integration process still requires further work. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said Albania must continue reforms across all open negotiation …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that the Transparency Dashboard will publish all information about the Zvërnec investment project in the coming days. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama also provided an update on the project. He said the government now awaits …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Albania’s progress under the Western Balkans Growth Plan. She said Albania has completed more than 80% of the planned reforms and has received more than €213 million in EU funds. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU enlargement works in both directions. She stressed that candidate countries must prepare for membership, while the EU must also prepare to welcome new members. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said the European Commission …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that veto power does not benefit the European Union or its member states. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama said Albania has repeatedly faced the effects of vetoes. He described the mechanism as outdated in today’s …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will visit Emin Duraku School in Tirana tomorrow with Prime Minister Edi Rama. The EU supported the school’s reconstruction after the 2019 earthquake. At a joint press conference with Rama, von der Leyen recalled the EU’s support for Albania after the …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU continues to work on its new enlargement package. She also said future accession treaties could include safeguards similar to those in previous treaties. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, reporters asked von der Leyen whether the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the courts should handle the case involving former State Intelligence Service (SHISH) chief Vlora Hyseni. Rama also said no security partner has raised concerns about the case. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Rama said the European Commission …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the fight against corruption and organized crime remains central to Albania’s EU integration process. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, von der Leyen said investigations into senior officials show that Albania’s justice system is working. “The fight against …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said his political responsibility lies in continuing justice reform and strengthening the fight against corruption. At a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, journalists asked Rama whether he felt politically responsible for government appointments, including that of former SHISH chief Vlora …