EU Grants Albania €49 Million Under Western Balkans Growth Plan
The European Commission granted Albania €49 million under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The Commission also approved €44.2 million for Montenegro and €65.7 million for North Macedonia through the Reform and Growth Facility. The European Union Delegation to Albania said the funding follows the third payment request …
Rama in Seoul: Countries Across Continents Face Surprisingly Similar Challenges
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul during his official visit to South Korea. The conference focused on global cooperation and leadership. Rama said he felt privileged to return to Seoul after more than two decades. He praised South Korea’s transformation and development. Rama said …
Albania Leads Region with €212.8 Million from EU Growth Plan
The European Commission confirmed the disbursement of €49 million to Albania under the Reform and Growth Facility. The funding follows Albania’s implementation of reforms under the National Reform Agenda. The State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination said Albania leads the region with €212.8 million disbursed so far. North …
Begaj in Slovakia: Strong Support for EU Integration and New Direct Flights Boost Ties
President Bajram Begaj visited Slovakia. He met President Peter Pellegrini. They discussed bilateral relations. They discussed Albania’s EU integration. They also discussed regional security as NATO allies. Begaj thanked Slovakia for strong support. He said Slovakia is an important partner for Albania’s EU path. He said Albania has made fast …
Germany Backs Albania’s EU Membership, Balla Says
Chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla said Germany supports Albania’s EU membership. He met German Minister of State for Europe Gunther Krichbaum together with Igli Hasani. They discussed Albania’s EU integration progress. They also discussed justice reform. Balla thanked Germany for strong support. He said Albania is …
Andromaqi Gjergji: Albania’s First Female Academician Remembered
Andromaqi Gjergji was born on May 20, 1928 in Korçë. She became the first Albanian woman member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania in 1999. She is widely recognized as Albania’s first female academician. She studied in Korçë and later attended the Higher Pedagogical Institute in Tirana. She specialized …
Albania Foreign Ministry Monitors Case of Citizen Detained in Israel
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it is closely following the situation of Albanian citizen Baki Goxhaj. Authorities said he was detained in Israel after participating in the “Sumud” flotilla. The ministry confirmed that he has been transferred to Israel. The Albanian Embassy in Tel Aviv remains in …
EU Urges Albania to Speed Up Reforms for 2027 Negotiation Goal
The European Union Delegation in Albania holds a productive meeting with EU member state ambassadors and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani. They discuss Albania’s EU accession negotiations. They also discuss anti-corruption, organized crime, environment and reform implementation. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato says Albania must accelerate reforms. He says the country must …
5 EU countries propose “step-by-step” Western Balkans accession model
TIRANA, May 20 – Five European Union member states have proposed a new approach for integrating Western Balkan countries into the EU. Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia presented a confidential document in Brussels, according to Euractiv. They said the enlargement process should become more concrete and more …
PM Rama in Seoul meets leaders of major South Korean companies
TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama held meetings in Seoul with leaders of several major South Korean industrial companies. He met representatives of LG Group, Kia Corporation and Lotte Group. Rama shared the meetings on social media and published photos from the encounters. The Prime Minister said he …
Prime Minister Edi Rama concluded his official visit to Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed Rama with a state ceremony in Tokyo. Rama shared moments from the visit on social media. He thanked Japan for the warm reception. He said the state ceremony showed respect for a transformed Albania …
Renowned Albanian actor Birçe Hasko has died at the age of 84. Hasko was born in Dukat, Vlora, on March 15, 1942. After finishing high school, he worked as a teacher in Memaliaj. He also joined the city’s amateur theater troupe. In 1965, he started acting studies at the Higher …
One of the latest developments attracting attention in Albanian business circles involves Atlas Corporation. Without major public attention, the ATLAS Group has finalized the acquisition of Edil Centro, a move that is being seen as another signal of the growing strength of Albanian companies to invest in and further develop …
The Emergency Intervention Fund has reached 8.2 billion lek (around 85 million euros) after annual contributions from commercial banks for 2026. The Bank of Albania said the fund was created in 2018. It aims to support the resolution of banks that face financial difficulties in the future. At the same …
Museum Week 2026 has transformed one of the capital’s top attractions. History, contemporary art, and music met at the Mosaic of Tirana. The site hosted the “Beautiful Minds of Albania” 2026 event. Blendi Gonxhja, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, shared details about the gathering. The organizers presented innovative …
Albania is entering a new phase in its European Union membership talks. The 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference will take place in Brussels on May 26, 2026. This meeting opens the path to the closing phase of EU accession negotiations. The Media and Information Agency announced the news today. The EU’s …
The Ombudsman, Endrit Shabani, hosted the non-resident Ambassador of Canada to Albania, Elissa Golberg, today. During the meeting, the pair discussed the importance of bilateral cooperation. They also focused on strengthening independent institutions in Albania. Shabani outlined the current priorities of the Ombudsman’s office. He emphasized protecting human rights, increasing …
Gabriele De Fabritiis won Stage 5 of the Tour of Albania 2026 on Thursday. The final stage started in Vlorë and ended in Fier after 121.3 kilometers. De Fabritiis crossed the finish line first after nearly three hours of racing. Georgios Bouglas finished second, while Alin Toader took third place. …
The fourth edition of “Automotive Fair Albania” opened in Tirana and brought together car enthusiasts, technology experts, and industry professionals. The fair will continue until May 24. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the opening ceremony on Thursday evening. Koçiu said the event reflects a modern Albania that moves quickly …
Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of civil society to discuss electoral reform. The meeting took place at the request of civil society groups. Representatives from the Albanian Helsinki Committee, BIRN Albania, the Institute of Political Studies, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, …