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Gjirokastër Castle Welcomes 100,000 Visitors in 2026

Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and cultural heritage sites are attracting increasing international attention. As a result, Gjirokastër Castle has reached a major milestone this year. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the castle welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 2026. This achievement highlights the strong rise in foreign tourist …

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Berat Welcomes 550,000 Tourists in First Five Months of 2026

Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and Berat has recorded strong visitor numbers in early 2026. As a result, the city has confirmed its status as one of the country’s most popular destinations. Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo announced that around 550,000 visitors traveled to Berat between …

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Albania and Spain Intensify Cooperation Against International Crime

The State Police of Albania strengthened its cooperation with Spain in the fight against international crime. The Director General of the State Police State Police of Albania met with the Spanish ambassador Ventura at the Directorate General of State Police in Tirana. First, both sides praised the strong and strategic …

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Direct Flights Between Albania and Armenia Resume

FlyOne Armenia resumed direct flights between Albania and Armenia today. The airline landed its first flight at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, restoring a direct air connection between the two countries. FlyOne Armenia will operate the route twice a week, every Monday and Thursday. The new service gives passengers more …

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Rama Meets Macron in Paris to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Edi Rama met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Monday. Rama thanked Macron for the warm welcome and said he was pleased with the meeting. During a working lunch, the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Albania and …

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Macron Reaffirms France’s Support for Albania’s EU Integration

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Albania’s European Union integration after meeting Prime Minister Edi Rama in Paris. Following the talks, Macron highlighted the growing ties between France and Albania. He pointed to progress in innovation, education, higher education, culture, and tourism as evidence of the close relationship …

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Costa: Albania Could Conclude EU Accession Talks by 2027

European Council President António Costa said Albania could complete its European Union accession negotiations by 2027 if it maintains its current pace of reforms. Speaking at the EU–Moldova Summit in Brussels, Costa described Albania’s goal of closing negotiations by the end of 2027 as ambitious but achievable. He noted that …

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Peleshi: 92% of Albanians Support EU Membership

Albania leads the Western Balkans in public support for European Union membership. Data from the European Commission shows very high levels of backing for EU integration. Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi stated that Albanians remain among the strongest supporters of the European project. He emphasized that 92% of citizens support …

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Albania, Moldova, Ukraine and North Macedonia Sign Agreement to Promote Free Elections

The Central Election Commission of Albania and its counterparts in Moldova, Ukraine, and North Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen democratic resilience and European cooperation. First, the agreement was signed during the closing session of the regional conference “Money in Politics 2026.” As a result, the event marked …

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Gogu Meets Bar Association, Stresses Stronger Cooperation in Justice System

Minister of Justice Toni Gogu held his first meeting with the new leadership of the National Bar Association in Tirana. First, both sides focused on strengthening institutional cooperation in the justice sector. They also discussed the implementation of new commitments following Albania’s signing of the Council of Europe Convention on …

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A stronger Union for the Mediterranean for a stronger Mediterranean

By H.E. Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean. Tirana Times, June 25, 2026 – They say no man ever steps in the same river twice. The universe is in a constant state of flux: such is my sentiment as I reflect on my mandate at the Union for the …

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Austria Leads FDI, but Real Estate Tells the Bigger Story

Bank of Albania data show Austria topping first-quarter foreign investment flows, while property and construction continue to shape Albania’s FDI model. Tirana Times June 25, 2026 – The figures place Austria ahead of some of Albania’s traditionally dominant investment partners, including Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Yet the data also …

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Albanian Football Federation sets dates for 2026-2027 domestic season

TIRANA, June 25 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation has approved the starting dates for all national competitions in the 2026-2027 football season. The “Abissnet Superiore” championship will begin on August 22, 2026 and end on May 9, 2027. Meanwhile, the “First Category” championship will start on …

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Albanian Academy of Sciences marks birth anniversary of academic Rexhep Qosja

TIRANA, June 25 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the birth anniversary of academic, writer, literary critic and Albanologist Rexhep Qosja on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian scientific and cultural thought. Born on 25 June 1936 in Vuthaj, Montenegro, he came from …

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Endrit Thaçi thanks PM Rama for support over KLA case in The Hague

TIRANA, June 25 – Endrit Thaçi, the son of former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi, met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and thanked him for his stance on the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague. Thaçi said Rama had been among the most outspoken figures in defending the KLA …

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Agency warns false reports misused Kakome footage in coverage of Albania investment projects

TIRANA, June 25 – The Agency for Media and Information said misleading use of social media footage has again created confusion in foreign coverage of investment projects in Albania, including reports by CNN and Reuters. In a statement published on Thursday, the agency reviewed several cases of what it described …

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Justice minister says Albania must seize historic moment on European Union path

TIRANA, June 25 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said Albania now stands closer than ever to European Union membership and urged the country not to miss what he called a historic moment. In a social media post, Gogu said he joined a discussion on Wednesday with students from the College …

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Port of Durrës honors seafarers for role in global trade

TIRANA, June 25 – The Port of Durrës marked the International Day of the Seafarer by praising maritime professionals for their role in safe and efficient sea transport. It described maritime transport as one of the main pillars of international trade. The International Maritime Organization marks the day every year. …

News
PM Rama arrives in Poland for Ukraine Recovery Conference

TIRANA, June 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Gdansk on Thursday to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Rama shared images from his arrival at the conference venue. He also posted footage from his welcome by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and from the family photo with …

News
Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 16 percent in May

TIRANA, June 25 – Foreign arrivals in Albania increased significantly in May 2026, reflecting the start of the tourist season and a higher flow of visitors into the country. The Institute of Statistics said 1,143,595 foreign citizens entered Albania during the month, marking a 15.9 percent increase, or around 16 …

News

A stronger Union for the Mediterranean for a stronger Mediterranean

By H.E. Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean. Tirana Times, June 25, 2026 – They say no man ever steps in the same river twice. The universe is in a constant state of flux: such is my sentiment as I reflect on my mandate at the Union for the …

News

Austria Leads FDI, but Real Estate Tells the Bigger Story

Bank of Albania data show Austria topping first-quarter foreign investment flows, while property and construction continue to shape Albania’s FDI model. Tirana Times June 25, 2026 – The figures place Austria ahead of some of Albania’s traditionally dominant investment partners, including Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Yet the data also …

News

Albanian Football Federation sets dates for 2026-2027 domestic season

TIRANA, June 25 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation has approved the starting dates for all national competitions in the 2026-2027 football season. The “Abissnet Superiore” championship will begin on August 22, 2026 and end on May 9, 2027. Meanwhile, the “First Category” championship will start on …

News

Albanian Academy of Sciences marks birth anniversary of academic Rexhep Qosja

TIRANA, June 25 – The Albanian Academy of Sciences marked the birth anniversary of academic, writer, literary critic and Albanologist Rexhep Qosja on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important figures in Albanian scientific and cultural thought. Born on 25 June 1936 in Vuthaj, Montenegro, he came from …

News

Endrit Thaçi thanks PM Rama for support over KLA case in The Hague

TIRANA, June 25 – Endrit Thaçi, the son of former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi, met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and thanked him for his stance on the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague. Thaçi said Rama had been among the most outspoken figures in defending the KLA …

News

Agency warns false reports misused Kakome footage in coverage of Albania investment projects

TIRANA, June 25 – The Agency for Media and Information said misleading use of social media footage has again created confusion in foreign coverage of investment projects in Albania, including reports by CNN and Reuters. In a statement published on Thursday, the agency reviewed several cases of what it described …

News

Justice minister says Albania must seize historic moment on European Union path

TIRANA, June 25 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said Albania now stands closer than ever to European Union membership and urged the country not to miss what he called a historic moment. In a social media post, Gogu said he joined a discussion on Wednesday with students from the College …

News

Port of Durrës honors seafarers for role in global trade

TIRANA, June 25 – The Port of Durrës marked the International Day of the Seafarer by praising maritime professionals for their role in safe and efficient sea transport. It described maritime transport as one of the main pillars of international trade. The International Maritime Organization marks the day every year. …

News

PM Rama arrives in Poland for Ukraine Recovery Conference

TIRANA, June 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Gdansk on Thursday to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Rama shared images from his arrival at the conference venue. He also posted footage from his welcome by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and from the family photo with …

News

Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 16 percent in May

TIRANA, June 25 – Foreign arrivals in Albania increased significantly in May 2026, reflecting the start of the tourist season and a higher flow of visitors into the country. The Institute of Statistics said 1,143,595 foreign citizens entered Albania during the month, marking a 15.9 percent increase, or around 16 …