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Public procurement report ranks Albania first in the region, PM Rama cites EU assessment

TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania ranks first in the region for improvements in public procurement, according to a European Union report prepared through SIGMA (Support for Improvement in Governance and Management) in cooperation with the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). PM Rama presented …

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EU Delegation extends Easter wishes to Orthodox believers in Albania

TIRANA, April 12 – The European Union Delegation in Tirana extended its wishes to Orthodox believers in Albania on the occasion of Easter. In a public message, the EU Delegation wished the Orthodox community a joyful and peaceful celebration. It expressed hope that the holiday brings peace, hope, and prosperity …

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Orthodox Easter celebrated across Albania with calls for unity and hope

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania marked Easter at midnight, celebrating the Resurrection of Christ with prayers, candles, and messages of hope. The traditional greeting “Christ is risen! Truly risen!” echoed in churches nationwide. In Berat, hundreds gathered at St. Demetrius Cathedral, where Metropolitan Asti led the service. …

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President Begaj and Speaker Peleshi deliver Orthodox Easter wishes from Korça

TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj visited the cathedral in Korça on Sunday and extended Easter wishes to Orthodox believers and all Albanians. In a statement to the media, Begaj wished peace, love, and prosperity. He called for greater solidarity and mutual respect in society. He said the light …

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Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …

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Believers receive Easter light at Tirana Orthodox Cathedral midnight service

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers gathered at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral to celebrate Easter with the traditional midnight liturgy. The call “Come receive light from the unsetting light” marked the start of one of the most solemn services in the Orthodox calendar. Large numbers of worshippers attended the …

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President Begaj extends Easter wishes, calls for spread of faith and hope

TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message of faith, hope, and renewal. In a social media post, he wished that the light of God’s presence spreads everywhere and illuminates lives with belief and joy. He accompanied the message …

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Prime Minister Rama extends Orthodox Easter greetings to believers

TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message shared on social media. In his post, he wished followers a blessed morning and a happy Orthodox Easter. His message comes as believers across Albania celebrate one of the most …

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Easter celebration in Dhërmi features drone and fireworks display

TIRANA, April 12 – Dhërmi turned into a festive scene on Easter Eve, as hundreds of Orthodox believers gathered to celebrate the Holy Day. The coastal village hosted large crowds who joined prayers and candlelit rituals marking one of the most important dates in the Orthodox calendar. The atmosphere combined …

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Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

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FM Hoxha: EU accession process continues normally

TIRANA, May 4 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s EU accession process continues normally. He rejected claims of any blockage or veto from member states. He made the remarks during a hearing in the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs on the IBAR report and …

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National Children’s Painting Competition brings together participants from Albania, Kosova, and North Macedonia

TIRANA, May 4 – The National Center for Children’s Culture closed the year’s largest painting event with the participation of around 500 children from Albania, Kosova, and North Macedonia. Meanwhile, Director Melsi Qirici described the second edition of the National Children’s Painting Competition as successful. She noted that children from …

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President Begaj marks 70th ordination anniversary of Cardinal Ernest Simoni

TIRANA, May 4 – President Bajram Begaj attended the 70th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Cardinal Ernest Simoni at the Florence Cathedral “Santa Maria del Fiore”. He described Simoni as a symbol of resilience, faith, and sacrifice, and as a “living martyr”. In his message, Begaj said Simoni’s life …

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Supreme Court sets clearer standard for pre-trial detention

TIRANA, May 4 – The Unified Chambers of the Supreme Court, composed of 16 judges, set new standards for the use of the security measure “arrest in prison” and required concrete, individualized reasoning for its imposition and continuation. The president of the Supreme Court initiated the review to address inconsistencies …

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Economic sentiment dips in April, remains above average

TIRANA, May 4 – The Bank of Albania reported that the Economic Sentiment Indicator fell by 1.5 points in April. The bank said weaker confidence in services, trade, and among consumers drove the decline. Despite this drop, the indicator remained 6.4 points above its historical average, signaling a generally positive …

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Traffic Police: 16 Drivers Prosecuted and Over 15,000 Fines in One Week

The Traffic Police have published their weekly report, highlighting a number of violations and criminal offenses identified and addressed. During this period, 33 criminal incidents were recorded. Of these, 16 drivers were prosecuted while remaining at liberty for “Violations of road traffic rules.” Additionally, 9 drivers were prosecuted for “Driving …

News
Family Photo: Rama Shares Images from the European Political Community Summit in Armenia

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images on social media from the 8th Summit of the European Political Community, currently being held in Armenia. He posted part of the “family photo,” featuring leaders from across Europe. Shortly after arriving at the summit venue, Rama spoke to the media present about …

News
Eurostat Report: Poverty and Discrimination, Two Issues Linking Europe and Albania

Vulnerable groups continue to be the most discriminated against in Europe, according to data from Eurostat. The situation is similar in Albania. In 2024, people born outside their country reported higher levels of discrimination compared to natives. About 9.7% said they felt discriminated against when interacting with public administration, compared …

News
Young People Lead AI Use: Kosovo 7th and Albania 11th in Europe

Albania and Kosovo are not only using AI, but are increasingly mastering it, going beyond simple analysis and text generation to create videos, audio, and software. The latest data from the European Working Conditions Survey show that around 12% of employees in the EU use generative AI in their work. …

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President Begaj at the 70th Anniversary of Cardinal Ernest Simoni’s Ordination: A Testament to Human Dignity

President Bajram Begaj attended the 70th anniversary of the priestly ordination of His Eminence, Cardinal Ernest Simoni. At the ceremony held at the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, President Begaj praised Cardinal Simoni as a symbol of resilience, faith, and sacrifice—a “living martyr.” “Your story is living proof …

News

FM Hoxha: EU accession process continues normally

TIRANA, May 4 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s EU accession process continues normally. He rejected claims of any blockage or veto from member states. He made the remarks during a hearing in the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs on the IBAR report and …

News

National Children’s Painting Competition brings together participants from Albania, Kosova, and North Macedonia

TIRANA, May 4 – The National Center for Children’s Culture closed the year’s largest painting event with the participation of around 500 children from Albania, Kosova, and North Macedonia. Meanwhile, Director Melsi Qirici described the second edition of the National Children’s Painting Competition as successful. She noted that children from …

News

President Begaj marks 70th ordination anniversary of Cardinal Ernest Simoni

TIRANA, May 4 – President Bajram Begaj attended the 70th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Cardinal Ernest Simoni at the Florence Cathedral “Santa Maria del Fiore”. He described Simoni as a symbol of resilience, faith, and sacrifice, and as a “living martyr”. In his message, Begaj said Simoni’s life …

News

Supreme Court sets clearer standard for pre-trial detention

TIRANA, May 4 – The Unified Chambers of the Supreme Court, composed of 16 judges, set new standards for the use of the security measure “arrest in prison” and required concrete, individualized reasoning for its imposition and continuation. The president of the Supreme Court initiated the review to address inconsistencies …

News

Economic sentiment dips in April, remains above average

TIRANA, May 4 – The Bank of Albania reported that the Economic Sentiment Indicator fell by 1.5 points in April. The bank said weaker confidence in services, trade, and among consumers drove the decline. Despite this drop, the indicator remained 6.4 points above its historical average, signaling a generally positive …

News

Traffic Police: 16 Drivers Prosecuted and Over 15,000 Fines in One Week

The Traffic Police have published their weekly report, highlighting a number of violations and criminal offenses identified and addressed. During this period, 33 criminal incidents were recorded. Of these, 16 drivers were prosecuted while remaining at liberty for “Violations of road traffic rules.” Additionally, 9 drivers were prosecuted for “Driving …

News

Family Photo: Rama Shares Images from the European Political Community Summit in Armenia

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images on social media from the 8th Summit of the European Political Community, currently being held in Armenia. He posted part of the “family photo,” featuring leaders from across Europe. Shortly after arriving at the summit venue, Rama spoke to the media present about …

News

Eurostat Report: Poverty and Discrimination, Two Issues Linking Europe and Albania

Vulnerable groups continue to be the most discriminated against in Europe, according to data from Eurostat. The situation is similar in Albania. In 2024, people born outside their country reported higher levels of discrimination compared to natives. About 9.7% said they felt discriminated against when interacting with public administration, compared …

News

Young People Lead AI Use: Kosovo 7th and Albania 11th in Europe

Albania and Kosovo are not only using AI, but are increasingly mastering it, going beyond simple analysis and text generation to create videos, audio, and software. The latest data from the European Working Conditions Survey show that around 12% of employees in the EU use generative AI in their work. …

News

President Begaj at the 70th Anniversary of Cardinal Ernest Simoni’s Ordination: A Testament to Human Dignity

President Bajram Begaj attended the 70th anniversary of the priestly ordination of His Eminence, Cardinal Ernest Simoni. At the ceremony held at the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, President Begaj praised Cardinal Simoni as a symbol of resilience, faith, and sacrifice—a “living martyr.” “Your story is living proof …