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Kosovo and European Commission Review EU Support and Reform Progress

Kosovo and the European Commission held the annual meeting of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Monitoring Committee. The meeting focused on the implementation of EU financial and technical support for Kosovo. In addition, participants reviewed reforms that support Kosovo’s path toward European integration. Since 2007, the European Union has …

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Germany Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Membership

Ferit Hoxha met with Günter Krichbaum during his visit to Luxembourg. The two officials discussed Albania’s path toward European Union membership. They also reviewed the current momentum of the EU enlargement process. Furthermore, Hoxha said they exchanged views on the opportunities created by the renewed focus on enlargement across Europe. …

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The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

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UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

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Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

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Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

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Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

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US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

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Speaker Peleshi in Netherlands, support reaffirmed for faster EU negotiation process

TIRANA, June 16 – Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he met Speaker of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen, Senate President Mei Li Vos, and members of the European Affairs Committee. The visit comes at …

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PM Rama to attend Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, focus on investment and EU path

TIRANA, June 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, one of the key platforms for economic and political dialogue between Germany and Eastern European countries. The Media and Information Agency said Rama will also meet members of the committee’s board …

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Sami Frashëri, intellectual who devoted his life to the national cause

TIRANA, June 18 – Sami Frashëri passed away on June 18, 1904, after dedicating his life to the patriotic cause. Frashëri was an intellectual, journalist, lexicographer, playwright, and one of the leading ideologues of the Albanian National Renaissance. He is widely regarded as one of the most prominent thinkers of …

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Velipoja opens tourism season with reduced beach equipment fees, public spaces expanded

TIRANA, June 18 – Velipoja opens the summer tourist season. The report comes from the Albanian news agency (ATSH). Marseda Qefalia reports from Velipoja. The municipality introduces reduced tariffs for umbrellas and sunbeds in public beach areas. At the same time, Velipoja stands as the northernmost beach in Albania. It …

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Kakavija border crossing to Greece increases capacity ahead of summer travel surge

TIRANA, June, 18 – Authorities at the Kakavija border crossing to Greece increased operational capacity to manage higher traffic during the summer season. Border and customs services also intensified their work to facilitate the movement of travellers. The measures include additional active checkpoints during peak hours. Meanwhile, teams reorganised vehicle …

News
NATO Defence ministerial meets in Brussels, Albanian Defence Minister highlights defence investment

TIRANA, June 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. Participants discussed the Alliance’s key priorities for strengthening security and collective defence across the Euro-Atlantic area. Meanwhile, ministers highlighted the importance of maintaining unity among allies. The meeting also focused on increasing operational …

News
Finance and Legal Professionals Fuel Money-Laundering in Western Balkans: Report

A new report warns that weak oversight of lawyers, notaries, accountants and auditors helps facilitate money-laundering across the Western Balkans through real estate fraud and complex financial arrangements. Original post Here

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Albania attends NATO ministerial in Brussels as alliance focuses on military capability growth

TIRANA, June 18 – The NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting takes place in Brussels at NATO headquarters. Albania takes part in the ministerial. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attends the meeting. At the same time, the agenda focuses on security and strategic developments within the Alliance. It also addresses strengthening military capabilities. …

News
Private producers surpass Albanian Power Corporation in electricity generation during first four months of 2026

TIRANA, June 18 – Private producers and concessionaires generated more than half of Albania’s electricity output during the first four months of 2026, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE). The figures show that private operators surpassed the Albanian Power Corporation for the first time. Meanwhile, net domestic …

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More than 500 Gjirokastër farmers apply for national agriculture support scheme

TIRANA, June 18 – More than 500 farmers in Gjirokastër Municipality have applied for support under the National Agriculture Support Scheme. Applications were submitted through the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development. Meanwhile, Agriculture Specialist Balil Bineri said most applications focus on four support measures. Farmers have shown the strongest …

News
Hita meets Italian police officials as cooperation targets organized crime and trafficking

TIRANA, June 18 – State Police Director General Skënder Hita met Italian police officials in Tirana. The delegation included Lorenzo Bucossi, Director of the International Police Cooperation Service, and Marco Cali, Director of the Central Operational Service of the Italian State Police. During the meeting, both sides praised the high …

News
Academician Luan Omari receives Golden Star of the Veteran award

TIRANA, June 18 – Academician Luan Omari received the Golden Star of the Veteran award on the occasion of his 101st birthday. The Academy of Sciences hosted a ceremony in his honour. The event opened with a song dedicated to Omari by “Thesaret labe” [Labëria Treasuries]. Academics, jurists, veterans, and …

News

Sami Frashëri, intellectual who devoted his life to the national cause

TIRANA, June 18 – Sami Frashëri passed away on June 18, 1904, after dedicating his life to the patriotic cause. Frashëri was an intellectual, journalist, lexicographer, playwright, and one of the leading ideologues of the Albanian National Renaissance. He is widely regarded as one of the most prominent thinkers of …

News

Velipoja opens tourism season with reduced beach equipment fees, public spaces expanded

TIRANA, June 18 – Velipoja opens the summer tourist season. The report comes from the Albanian news agency (ATSH). Marseda Qefalia reports from Velipoja. The municipality introduces reduced tariffs for umbrellas and sunbeds in public beach areas. At the same time, Velipoja stands as the northernmost beach in Albania. It …

News

Kakavija border crossing to Greece increases capacity ahead of summer travel surge

TIRANA, June, 18 – Authorities at the Kakavija border crossing to Greece increased operational capacity to manage higher traffic during the summer season. Border and customs services also intensified their work to facilitate the movement of travellers. The measures include additional active checkpoints during peak hours. Meanwhile, teams reorganised vehicle …

News

NATO Defence ministerial meets in Brussels, Albanian Defence Minister highlights defence investment

TIRANA, June 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. Participants discussed the Alliance’s key priorities for strengthening security and collective defence across the Euro-Atlantic area. Meanwhile, ministers highlighted the importance of maintaining unity among allies. The meeting also focused on increasing operational …

News

Finance and Legal Professionals Fuel Money-Laundering in Western Balkans: Report

A new report warns that weak oversight of lawyers, notaries, accountants and auditors helps facilitate money-laundering across the Western Balkans through real estate fraud and complex financial arrangements. Original post Here

News

Albania attends NATO ministerial in Brussels as alliance focuses on military capability growth

TIRANA, June 18 – The NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting takes place in Brussels at NATO headquarters. Albania takes part in the ministerial. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attends the meeting. At the same time, the agenda focuses on security and strategic developments within the Alliance. It also addresses strengthening military capabilities. …

News

Private producers surpass Albanian Power Corporation in electricity generation during first four months of 2026

TIRANA, June 18 – Private producers and concessionaires generated more than half of Albania’s electricity output during the first four months of 2026, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE). The figures show that private operators surpassed the Albanian Power Corporation for the first time. Meanwhile, net domestic …

News

More than 500 Gjirokastër farmers apply for national agriculture support scheme

TIRANA, June 18 – More than 500 farmers in Gjirokastër Municipality have applied for support under the National Agriculture Support Scheme. Applications were submitted through the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development. Meanwhile, Agriculture Specialist Balil Bineri said most applications focus on four support measures. Farmers have shown the strongest …

News

Hita meets Italian police officials as cooperation targets organized crime and trafficking

TIRANA, June 18 – State Police Director General Skënder Hita met Italian police officials in Tirana. The delegation included Lorenzo Bucossi, Director of the International Police Cooperation Service, and Marco Cali, Director of the Central Operational Service of the Italian State Police. During the meeting, both sides praised the high …

News

Academician Luan Omari receives Golden Star of the Veteran award

TIRANA, June 18 – Academician Luan Omari received the Golden Star of the Veteran award on the occasion of his 101st birthday. The Academy of Sciences hosted a ceremony in his honour. The event opened with a song dedicated to Omari by “Thesaret labe” [Labëria Treasuries]. Academics, jurists, veterans, and …