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TKOBAP Polyphony Group Performs at Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy

The Albanian iso-polyphony group from the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances (TKOBAP) performed at the Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy. As a result, Albanian traditional music reached an international audience. The group presented Albania’s rich iso-polyphonic heritage, which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In …

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Tirana International Airport adds direct flights to Gothenburg

TIRANA, June 30 – Tirana International Airport has expanded its route network by adding direct flights to Gothenburg. The airport said Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate the route. The new service will offer passengers an additional travel option for tourism, business and family visits. Meanwhile, the new route strengthens air …

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Shkodër Art Gallery brings artworks to city streets through digital exhibitions

TIRANA, June 30 – Shkodër Art Gallery presents its collection in public spaces this summer. The gallery places digital exhibitions across the city for visitors and residents. The works include paintings created over different years. Albanian painters and young artists contribute to the collection. The exhibits appear through barcode access. …

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Albania Women’s Basketball Team Finishes Runner-Up at European Small Countries Championship

The Albanian women’s national basketball team finished second at the European Championship for Small Countries. As a result, they won the silver medal after losing the final to Malta 72–55. The final took place at the “Karagaç” sports hall in Peja. From the start, Malta controlled the game. They built …

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190th anniversary of first publication of The Songs of Milosao

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marks the 190th anniversary of the first publication of The Songs of Milosao, the masterpiece of Jeronim De Rada that is widely regarded as the foundation of Albanian Romanticism. First published in Naples on June 30, 1836, the work introduced a new artistic and national …

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Jonid Jorgji becomes member of European Film Academy

TIRANA, June 30 – The National Center of Cinematography announced Jonid Jorgji as a member of the European Film Academy. It confirmed his selection in an official statement. In addition, the institution described the appointment as recognition of his contribution and vision in the audiovisual sector. It framed the membership …

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Albania U-21 to compete at Taranto 2026 Mediterranean games

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania’s U-21 national football team will compete at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” in Italy. The event runs from 23 August to 1 September 2026. The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games organizes the competition. The football tournament features eight national teams. Organizers split the teams …

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Italian Foreign Minister says Western Balkans EU membership should be accelerated

TIRANA, June 30 – Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy will work to accelerate European Union membership for Western Balkan countries during the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia. He said Albania and Montenegro are ready for membership. He also said other countries in the region should move forward so most …

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97 years since adoption of statute of Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marked 97 years since the adoption of the Statute of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church on June 30, 1929. The development followed the country’s independence in 1912. Religious institutions also moved toward separation from traditional external dependencies shaped by political and administrative conditions. In the …

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PM Rama: Zvërnec investment to create 10,000 jobs as Vlora Bay naval base deal strengthens maritime industry cooperation

TIRANA, June 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said foreign investment drives jobs and economic growth in Albania. He said the Zvërnec project alone will create 10,000 jobs. Speaking in Pashaliman, Vlora, Rama attended the signing of a cooperation memorandum between Italy’s “Fincantieri”, Albania’s “Kayo”, and the “Pavarësia” industrial school. …

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Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

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Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

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Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

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PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

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EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

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July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

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Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

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PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …

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National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …

News

Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

News

Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

News

Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

News

PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

News

EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

News

July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

News

Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

News

PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …

News

National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …