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Rama at Joint Press Conference with Costa: We Are 100% Aligned with the EU, Our Focus Is on Implementing Reforms

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa, thanked the latter for his direct engagement in Albania’s European integration journey since the launch of the country’s EU accession negotiations. Rama stressed that Albania has no disagreements with the European Union, only common …

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Zvërnec Resort Under SPAK Investigation, Rama: Probe into Property Ownership Is Welcome, Project Will Continue

Prime Minister Edi Rama said he welcomes the investigation launched by SPAK (the Special Anti-Corruption Structure) into the ownership history of the property on which a resort is planned to be built in the Zvërnec area. Rama stressed that the project will continue regardless of the investigation, adding that the …

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“Enlargement Is a Necessity”: Antonio Costa Says Rule of Law and Judicial Independence Are Essential for EU Membership

European Council President Antonio Costa was in Tirana on Tuesday, where he held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Costa stated that EU member states have viewed Albania’s progress in the accession process positively. He also emphasized that Albania must intensify its efforts in the fight against …

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Trump Nominates New Ambassadors for Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated several candidates for ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to a number of Western Balkan countries. Michael Young of Utah has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Serbia. Ronald Johnson of Massachusetts has been nominated as Ambassador to Bosnia …

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Albania Lost 28,500 Residents in 2025 as Average Age Reaches 45

Albania has entered a new phase of its demographic crisis. The latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) show that the country’s population fell to 2.33 million as of January 1, 2026, losing more than 28,000 residents in just one year. Although births continue to outnumber deaths, emigration is …

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Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company Fined €110,000 Over Metering Irregularities

Kosovo’s Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation (MINTI) has imposed a €110,000 fine on the Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company (KEDS) following the discovery of irregularities in electricity meters. According to MINTI, inspections were carried out after consumer complaints received during May. Field verifications revealed that 18 electricity meters had …

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Canada’s Local Partnerships Drive Change Across Albania

Tirana Times, June 01, 2026 – As Albania continues to strengthen democratic governance, promote inclusive growth, and support sustainable community-driven development, Canada is positioning itself as a constructive and pragmatic partner through one of its most distinctive instruments of international engagement: the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Known as CFLI, the program …

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Minister Blendi Gonxhja to present National Culture Strategy 2026–2030

TIRANA, June 2 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja invited citizens to join a public consultation on the National Culture Strategy 2026–2030. He said the process aims to present the vision for cultural development in the coming years. The strategy will be presented on June 3. Meanwhile, …

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Travelpack promotes Albania with dedicated brochure, places it among Europe’s hottest destinations – Travel Week report

TIRANA, June 2 – Albania attracts growing attention in the international tourism market. Juliet Dennis reports this in “Travel Week”. Meanwhile, British operator Travelpack launches its first dedicated Albania programme. The move responds to rising demand. The company describes the country as one of Europe’s hottest tourism markets. A 32-page …

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Albania-Poland social security deal to protect citizens’ rights, says Manjani

TIRANA, June 3 – Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Olta Manjani said a social security agreement between Albania and Poland will strengthen social protection for citizens who live and work in both countries. Speaking at the Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration, Manjani said the agreement ensures recognition …

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Justice begins at magistrates’ school, not in courtroom, minister says

TIRANA, June 4 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that justice reform in Albania has entered a new phase. He said the process now shifts from institution building to consolidation. He linked this shift to professional and ethical training of new magistrates. He spoke at the closing conference of …

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U.S. supports stronger measures against cultural heritage trafficking, US Deputy Ambassador to Albania says

TIRANA, June 4 – The United States supports stronger measures against trafficking in cultural heritage objects. US Deputy Ambassador to Albania Kethrin Hammond made the statement today during a meeting on prevention efforts. She said the United States backs Albania’s efforts to strengthen national security. The fight targets trafficking in …

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Data protection in the era of artificial intelligence discussed with financial sector

TIRANA, June 4 – The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection held a discussion titled “Personal Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Sector” with representatives from banking institutions, non-bank financial entities, the insurance sector, data protection officers, technology experts and information …

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Rubio: Kosovo’s NATO Membership Is Not Currently at the Top of Allies’ Agenda

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that NATO enlargement to include Kosovo is not currently a top priority for the alliance’s member states. However, he emphasized that this does not mean such membership could not happen in the future. Speaking during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio also said that …

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Costa to Vučić: Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue and the Ohrid Agreement Are Vital for Regional Security

The President of the European Council, António Costa, called on Serbia to accelerate its reform agenda and advance dialogue with Kosovo, stressing that European Union enlargement is a strategic necessity. Speaking at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Costa stated that the path toward EU membership is based on trust and tangible progress …

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Vjosa Osmani in Gjilan: We Believe in Work, Results, and the Alliance with the United States

Presidential candidate from the Vjosa Osmani camp visited Gjilan, where she thanked citizens for their support, describing it as a decisive turning point toward change and unity. During a gathering in Gjilan, Osmani stated that her political vision is based on concrete actions and measurable achievements. “We believe in work, not in endless …

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Euro Falls Against the Albanian Lek Again, Approaching the 95-Lek Threshold

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-turn-id-container=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The exchange rate of the euro against the Albanian lek has reached a new historic low. According to the official rate published by the Bank of Albania, one euro is currently exchanged at 95.3 lek, the lowest level ever recorded. …

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Agricultural Census Bill Approved; Farmers Who Do Not Respond May Face Fines

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The government has approved the draft law “On the Agricultural Census,” a process aimed at comprehensively registering agricultural economic units throughout the country. The initiative directly affects farmers, families working agricultural land, livestock units, and agricultural holdings that produce both …

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Construction Project in Zvërnec: Rama Reveals the Architect, Calling Him a “Great Artist of Nature”

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced in a Facebook post the architect who has been commissioned for the Zvërnec development project. Rama described landscape architect Dong Yugan as a “great artist of nature” and noted that he presented his vision on Thursday at the Bread&Heart Festival in Tirana. Rama stated that the project aims to achieve a …

News
President of Lithuania Visits Tirana, Received by Rama at the Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, at the Prime Minister’s Office this Thursday. It has been reported that the meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries, Lithuania’s support for Albania’s European Union accession process, and the EU’s enlargement to include the Western Balkan …

News

Justice begins at magistrates’ school, not in courtroom, minister says

TIRANA, June 4 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that justice reform in Albania has entered a new phase. He said the process now shifts from institution building to consolidation. He linked this shift to professional and ethical training of new magistrates. He spoke at the closing conference of …

News

U.S. supports stronger measures against cultural heritage trafficking, US Deputy Ambassador to Albania says

TIRANA, June 4 – The United States supports stronger measures against trafficking in cultural heritage objects. US Deputy Ambassador to Albania Kethrin Hammond made the statement today during a meeting on prevention efforts. She said the United States backs Albania’s efforts to strengthen national security. The fight targets trafficking in …

News

Data protection in the era of artificial intelligence discussed with financial sector

TIRANA, June 4 – The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection held a discussion titled “Personal Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Sector” with representatives from banking institutions, non-bank financial entities, the insurance sector, data protection officers, technology experts and information …

News

Rubio: Kosovo’s NATO Membership Is Not Currently at the Top of Allies’ Agenda

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that NATO enlargement to include Kosovo is not currently a top priority for the alliance’s member states. However, he emphasized that this does not mean such membership could not happen in the future. Speaking during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio also said that …

News

Costa to Vučić: Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue and the Ohrid Agreement Are Vital for Regional Security

The President of the European Council, António Costa, called on Serbia to accelerate its reform agenda and advance dialogue with Kosovo, stressing that European Union enlargement is a strategic necessity. Speaking at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Costa stated that the path toward EU membership is based on trust and tangible progress …

News

Vjosa Osmani in Gjilan: We Believe in Work, Results, and the Alliance with the United States

Presidential candidate from the Vjosa Osmani camp visited Gjilan, where she thanked citizens for their support, describing it as a decisive turning point toward change and unity. During a gathering in Gjilan, Osmani stated that her political vision is based on concrete actions and measurable achievements. “We believe in work, not in endless …

News

Euro Falls Against the Albanian Lek Again, Approaching the 95-Lek Threshold

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-turn-id-container=”ad450730-ee0a-4766-9ef5-0ed587dfa543″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The exchange rate of the euro against the Albanian lek has reached a new historic low. According to the official rate published by the Bank of Albania, one euro is currently exchanged at 95.3 lek, the lowest level ever recorded. …

News

Agricultural Census Bill Approved; Farmers Who Do Not Respond May Face Fines

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e83a8c35-3104-4124-b1ce-8fcde7e40777-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The government has approved the draft law “On the Agricultural Census,” a process aimed at comprehensively registering agricultural economic units throughout the country. The initiative directly affects farmers, families working agricultural land, livestock units, and agricultural holdings that produce both …

News

Construction Project in Zvërnec: Rama Reveals the Architect, Calling Him a “Great Artist of Nature”

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced in a Facebook post the architect who has been commissioned for the Zvërnec development project. Rama described landscape architect Dong Yugan as a “great artist of nature” and noted that he presented his vision on Thursday at the Bread&Heart Festival in Tirana. Rama stated that the project aims to achieve a …

News

President of Lithuania Visits Tirana, Received by Rama at the Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, at the Prime Minister’s Office this Thursday. It has been reported that the meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries, Lithuania’s support for Albania’s European Union accession process, and the EU’s enlargement to include the Western Balkan …