Ambassador De Sousa: Albania’s EU membership by 2029 possible, accelerated reforms required
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – Albania could become a member of the European Union by 2029, but achieving that goal will require substantial efforts and faster progress in implementing reforms, EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said on Thursday. Speaking at a joint news conference with Prime Minister …
Berisha: European Commission report calls for comprehensive electoral reform, rejects territorial reform
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said today that the European Commission’s Progress Report on Albania highlights the adoption of draft laws put forward by the governing majority without transparency or public consultation. He described this practice as evidence of a lack of transparency in Parliament and …
Photojournalist Gani Xhengo: ATA photographs bear witness to Albania’s history and collective memory
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – Gani Xhengo, a photojournalist who worked for the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) from 1970 to 1998, visited the photographic exhibition “32 Images, 32 Stories – An Albania in Transformation” at the Klik Ekspo Group trade fair on Thursday, sharing memories and insights from his career …
Berisha: EC calls on Albania to make 115 changes next year
TIRANA, November 5 /ATSH/ – Chairman of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha reacted today to the European Commission’s annual progress report on Albania. In a statement to the media, Berisha appreciated the report as unprecedented in the history of relations between Albania and the European Union. He remarked that, in …
Students ask Constitutional Court to repeal three normative acts on protests
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ Students from the “Students in Protest” and “Student Revolution” groups, together with four civil society organisations, today filed three complaints with the Constitutional Court challenging acts adopted by the government on 28 October 2026. The students said their challenges concern Normative Acts No. 5/2026 and No. 6/2026, …
International group Majestic Hospitality explores investment opportunities in Albania’s tourism and hotel sector
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – International investment group Majestic Hospitality has returned to Albania to further explore investment and partnership opportunities in the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors, the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) said on Thursday. According to AIDA, the group’s return follows interest expressed during the Future Hospitality …
Hoxha meets Romanian Senate President, discusses strengthening institutional cooperation
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha is paying a working visit to Bucharest, where he met this afternoon with Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between Albania and Romania, as well as their shared commitment to further …
Sejko meets ECB’s Cipollone to discuss payment modernisation and Albania’s financial integration with EU
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met on Thursday with European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board member Piero Cipollone to discuss payment infrastructure modernisation and Albania’s financial integration with the European Union. Cipollone is visiting Albania to attend the 8th International Conference on Regional Card …
Albania Fines 83 Protesters Under New Laws Targeting Anti-Govt Rallies
Police have started implementing new legislation aimed at curbing street protests against the government of Edi Rama, issuing scores of fines – a move that demonstrators describe as an “intimidation tactic”. Original post Here
Experts say investor confidence is key to attracting foreign capital
Investor confidence, legal certainty and stronger institutions remain essential to attracting sustainable foreign investment. Experts discussed these challenges at the “Investing in Albania and the Western Balkans” panel on November 4, during the 32nd Tirana International Fair. Sara Zotaj of the Albanian Investment Development Agency highlighted the country’s geographic position, …
The exhibition was organized by the Albanian Embassy in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo, and the Kadare Studio House – Municipality of Tirana. At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nora Arapi-Krasniqi praised the writer’s role in supporting Kosovo’s cause. “For us in Kosovo, Kadare …
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj welcomes the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Ohad Kaynar, this Friday on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence. During the ceremony, President Begaj wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission. The meeting also highlighted the excellent relations between …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Museums, cultural monuments and other cultural heritage sites across the country will be subject to new rules governing their administration, maintenance and restoration. The draft law on several additions and amendments to the Law “On Cultural Heritage and Museums”, published for public consultation by the Ministry of …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The closing meeting of the Regional Operation “NELSON”, aimed at tackling the illegal movement of cash and high-value goods, took place at the headquarters of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) in Bucharest. The Albanian Customs Administration, working alongside the State Police, actively participated in the …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. Amid profound shifts in Europe’s security and geopolitical landscape, regional cooperation is more important than ever, according to the Foreign Minister. “The CEI remains a valuable platform …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 32nd Tirana International Fair (TIF32) featured a conference with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, providing foreign businesses and prospective investors with guidance on Albania’s legal requirements, regulatory standards and inspection procedures. The conference featured three thematic panels focusing …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Dutch Ambassador Marleen Monster said Albania’s protests reflect public discontent and social tensions, stressing that while citizens have the right to demonstrate, violence is unacceptable. During a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja today held a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Western Balkans, and other representatives of the institution. Gonxhja said the discussions focused on the progress of reforms and projects aimed at increasing tourism’s economic …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ On the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 international tourism fair, National Tourism Agency Director-General Jola Hysaj held a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The talks focused on strengthening tourism relations and cooperation between Albania and India through …