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Butrint Community Grants Offer Up to $20,000 in Support

The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), in cooperation with the Butrint Management Foundation (BMF), has launched the first call for applications under the Butrint Community Grant Scheme. The initiative supports individuals, local businesses and nonprofit organizations with projects focused on economic, cultural, social and tourism development in the Butrint National Park …

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Albania Highlights EU Progress, International Engagement and New Development Initiatives

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo album highlighting the week’s key events. First, he attended the Coalition of the Willing Summit on Ukraine in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He also joined France’s National Day ceremony and reaffirmed Albania’s strong partnership with its Euro-Atlantic allies. …

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The United States Helped Build SPAK. Now SPAK Must Do Its Job

Tirana Times, July 18, 2026 – For years, the U.S. and the EU invested significant political capital, funding, and diplomatic pressure into helping Albania build one of the most ambitious anti-corruption institutions in the Balkans: the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, known as SPAK. SPAK was created to do what previous institutions …

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European Commission: Albania Advances Judicial Reform, but Challenges Remain

The European Commission says Albania continued to implement judicial reform and the Cross-Sector Justice Strategy throughout 2026. First, Albania completed the vetting process for all judges and prosecutors after authorities finalized the appeals phase. Consequently, the process further strengthened judicial independence, accountability, and integrity across the justice system. In addition, …

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Rama: Tourism and Foreign Investments Bring €8.5 Billion into Albania’s Economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama said tourism and foreign investments currently bring €8.5 billion into Albania’s economy. Speaking at an event promoting the national program “Double Your Business,” Rama highlighted the growth of tourism and its impact on economic development. According to him, tourists now fill the streets of Tirana in …

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Art Park Opens in Kinostudio, Creating a New Cultural Hub in Tirana

A new space dedicated to art, culture, and community has become part of Tirana’s urban landscape. The Art Park in Kinostudio has transformed the former film studio area into a new meeting point for residents, artists, and visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing large numbers …

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Korça ensemble represents Albania at World Cultures Festival in France

TIRANA, July 17 – The Artistic Ensemble “Skanderbeg” from Korça represented Albania at the 59th edition of the International “Festival des Cultures du Monde” in Chambéry, France. The festival brought together folklore and cultural groups from different parts of the world. The Albanian ensemble presented traditional costumes, music and dances, …

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Minister of Economy and Innovation presents support scheme for small and medium businesses

TIRANA, July 17 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj presented the sovereign scheme “Double your business”, which aims to help Albanian companies access financing and increase investment, productivity and competitiveness in European markets. Ibrahimaj said the initiative responds to the real needs of businesses and supports the development …

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Small and medium businesses to receive financing of up to ALL 250 million

TIRANA, July 17 – The Albanian government has launched the national program “Double Your Enterprise” to support small and medium-sized businesses through financing opportunities that aim to increase investment, employment and economic development. At the program’s presentation, Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said the institution had worked for a …

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Kosova parliament session expected in early August

TIRANA, July 17 – Kosova’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu said the constitutive session of the country’s parliament will take place in early August. She explained that the constitutional deadline expires on August 7. Haxhiu added that the Constitution gives the president 30 days to call the session. Meanwhile, she said …

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Educational Activity for Youth at Kub France Shkodër Explores Cinema and Image

The “Marubi” National Museum of Photography is organizing “Kinoscope,” an interactive educational activity in virtual reality (VR) that invites participants to explore the connection between photography, motion, and visual perception. Through this immersive experience, participants will discover how static images create the illusion of movement, revealing the core principles behind …

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Pope Clement XI and his Arbëresh origins

TIRANA, July 23 – Gjon Françesk Albani, known as Pope Clement XI, was born on July 23, 1649, in Urbino, Italy. Clement XI became an important figure of the Catholic Church in the early 18th century. He came from the Albani family, a noble family with Arbëresh origins from Arbëria. …

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Deputy PM Koçiu promotes business financing program during visit to Durrës startup

TIRANA, July 23 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu presented the government’s “Double Your Entrepreneurship” program during a visit to a startup in Durrës. The program aims to improve access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. It offers loans of up to 200 million lekë per beneficiary, with …

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100,000 Visitors to Shkodra Castle

Rozafa Castle has officially surpassed 100,000 visitors this year, confirming its position as one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites and the top tourist attraction in the city of Shkodra. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Shkodra announced the milestone today. Consequently, these high visitor numbers demonstrate the …

News
Albania joins international cybersecurity workforce coalition

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania has joined the International Coalition on Cyber Security Workforces (ICCSW), becoming the first country from the region to enter the international initiative focused on developing cybersecurity professionals. The National Authority for Cyber Security said the coalition brings together governments and organizations that work to build …

News
Albania approves national fisheries and aquaculture data programme

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved a multiannual national programme for collecting, managing and using data in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The decision also covers the content of multiannual marine scientific sampling programmes. The programme sets rules for collecting, managing and using biological, environmental, technical …

News
Medieval Koman settlement preserves Albania’s cultural heritage

TIRANA, July 23 – The Medieval Settlement of Koman remains one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites. It lies in the Drin Valley at the foot of Mount Dalmaca. Albania declared the site a Cultural Monument in 1963. It also received Archaeological Zone A and B status in 2015. …

News
Zucchero Brings the Magic of Blues, Rock, and Soul to Tirana

Italian music icon Zucchero electrified the Palace of Congresses last night, delivering a concert that transformed into a true celebration of blues, rock, and soul. Performing with his signature raspy voice and decades of stage energy, the artist kept the crowd cheering throughout every song. The auditorium sold out completely …

News
Military education supports Albania’s Euro-Atlantic future

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania’s Ministry of Defence has described military education as an investment in the country’s Euro-Atlantic future. The statement followed the graduation of 67 new officers from the Armed Forces Academy. The class included 10 officers from Kosova. The graduation ceremony took place on Tuesday evening at …

News
Egnatia draw with Celje, Champions League tie remains open

TIRANA, July 23 – Albanian champions Egnatia drew 3-3 with Slovenia’s Celje in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Union of European Football Associations Champions League. The result leaves qualification open ahead of the return match. Egnatia took the lead in the 7th minute at the …

News

Educational Activity for Youth at Kub France Shkodër Explores Cinema and Image

The “Marubi” National Museum of Photography is organizing “Kinoscope,” an interactive educational activity in virtual reality (VR) that invites participants to explore the connection between photography, motion, and visual perception. Through this immersive experience, participants will discover how static images create the illusion of movement, revealing the core principles behind …

News

Pope Clement XI and his Arbëresh origins

TIRANA, July 23 – Gjon Françesk Albani, known as Pope Clement XI, was born on July 23, 1649, in Urbino, Italy. Clement XI became an important figure of the Catholic Church in the early 18th century. He came from the Albani family, a noble family with Arbëresh origins from Arbëria. …

News

Deputy PM Koçiu promotes business financing program during visit to Durrës startup

TIRANA, July 23 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu presented the government’s “Double Your Entrepreneurship” program during a visit to a startup in Durrës. The program aims to improve access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. It offers loans of up to 200 million lekë per beneficiary, with …

News

100,000 Visitors to Shkodra Castle

Rozafa Castle has officially surpassed 100,000 visitors this year, confirming its position as one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites and the top tourist attraction in the city of Shkodra. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Shkodra announced the milestone today. Consequently, these high visitor numbers demonstrate the …

News

Albania joins international cybersecurity workforce coalition

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania has joined the International Coalition on Cyber Security Workforces (ICCSW), becoming the first country from the region to enter the international initiative focused on developing cybersecurity professionals. The National Authority for Cyber Security said the coalition brings together governments and organizations that work to build …

News

Albania approves national fisheries and aquaculture data programme

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved a multiannual national programme for collecting, managing and using data in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The decision also covers the content of multiannual marine scientific sampling programmes. The programme sets rules for collecting, managing and using biological, environmental, technical …

News

Medieval Koman settlement preserves Albania’s cultural heritage

TIRANA, July 23 – The Medieval Settlement of Koman remains one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites. It lies in the Drin Valley at the foot of Mount Dalmaca. Albania declared the site a Cultural Monument in 1963. It also received Archaeological Zone A and B status in 2015. …

News

Zucchero Brings the Magic of Blues, Rock, and Soul to Tirana

Italian music icon Zucchero electrified the Palace of Congresses last night, delivering a concert that transformed into a true celebration of blues, rock, and soul. Performing with his signature raspy voice and decades of stage energy, the artist kept the crowd cheering throughout every song. The auditorium sold out completely …

News

Military education supports Albania’s Euro-Atlantic future

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania’s Ministry of Defence has described military education as an investment in the country’s Euro-Atlantic future. The statement followed the graduation of 67 new officers from the Armed Forces Academy. The class included 10 officers from Kosova. The graduation ceremony took place on Tuesday evening at …

News

Egnatia draw with Celje, Champions League tie remains open

TIRANA, July 23 – Albanian champions Egnatia drew 3-3 with Slovenia’s Celje in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Union of European Football Associations Champions League. The result leaves qualification open ahead of the return match. Egnatia took the lead in the 7th minute at the …