Task Force Conducts Inspections on Pogradec Beaches to Prevent Illegal Occupation of Lakeshore Areas
A joint task force made up of representatives from the National Coastline Agency, the Municipality of Pogradec, and the State Police carried out inspections along Pogradec’s lakeshore this Friday to monitor compliance with beach station permits and ensure that designated public beach areas remain accessible. Shpëtim Çiku, Director of the …
Eurostat: Albanians Work the Longest Hours, Exceeding the EU Average
Workers in Albania continue to put in significantly longer working hours than the European average. According to Eurostat, the average working week across the European Union stood at 35.9 hours in 2025. In Albania, however, data from INSTAT show that employees worked an average of 42.6 hours per week—6.7 hours …
Russian Embassy in Albania Responds to Claims Linking Kremlin to Protests
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Albania has responded to recent statements by Albania’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, and the head of the Socialist Party’s Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, who suggested that Russia could be among the actors influencing the ongoing protests in the country. …
OECD Survey: Financial Insecurity Is Prompting Albanians to Delay Retirement
Financial insecurity is increasingly shaping retirement plans in Albania. According to an international survey conducted by the OECD, Albanian men plan to retire later than men in any other European country included in the study, largely due to financial concerns. On average, Albanian men said they would prefer to retire …
Ursula von der Leyen from Ireland: Albania and Montenegro Are Making Steady Progress Toward EU Membership
During her official visit to Ireland, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the progress made by Albania and Montenegro in their EU accession negotiations, emphasizing that both countries are advancing in the enlargement process based on merit. “Albania and Montenegro continue to make progress in the enlargement process. …
Day 34 of Protests: Demonstrators Gather Outside the Prime Minister’s Office
Citizens took to the streets once again this Friday as the protest entered its 34th consecutive day. As on previous days, demonstrators began gathering at 7:00 p.m. before marching toward the Prime Minister’s Office. Protesters were seen carrying banners and Albanian flags. Despite the high temperatures, they continued their demonstration, …
Anti-Government Protests Escalate in Tirana as Demonstrators Block Parliament
Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …
Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …
Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …
Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …
President Bajram Begaj visited the Presheva Valley, where he met with local leaders, including municipal mayors Ardita Sinani and Arbër Bajaziti, the only Albanian member of Serbia’s Parliament, Shaip Kamberi, and the head of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi. The meetings focused on the concerns of Albanians in the …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania has begun preparations to host the next NATO Summit in Tirana, which could take place in 2027. Speaking to Top Channel during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Hoxha described the event as an important milestone for both the Alliance and Albania. Furthermore, he said …
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi described Albania’s selection to host the next NATO Summit as a historic moment for the country. In a social media post, Nufi said the decision reflects the trust that NATO allies have placed in Albania. Furthermore, he said the decision recognizes Albania’s strong commitment to Euro-Atlantic …
Albania has entered a new and decisive stage on its path toward European Union membership, Socialist Party parliamentary group leader and EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee co-chair Taulant Balla said in Strasbourg. Speaking at the opening session of the 21st meeting of the committee, Balla described the moment as …
Albania presented its experience in civil service recruitment and selection systems during a regional workshop organised by OECD/SIGMA in Paris. Representatives from the Department of Public Administration (DAP), alongside officials from Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries, participated in the workshop titled “Strengthening recruitment and selection systems in the civil …
Kosovo will benefit from €206.4 million in European Union funding, according to acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The EU’s IPA Committee approved Kosovo’s proposed projects under the IPA 2026 and IPA 2027 programmes, worth €180.5 million. In addition, three grants from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), totaling €25.9 million, …
Tirana Times, July 8, 2026 – NATO’s Ankara Summit, held on July 7 and 8, marked less a moment of new strategic doctrine than a shift from political pledges to implementation. The central message was clear: the Alliance is moving into a phase where defence spending, industrial capacity, support for Ukraine …
TIRANA, July 8 – According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European economy is expected to maintain moderate growth rates during the remaining years of this decade. For the 2027–2031 period, the eurozone economy is forecast to expand by an average of 1.2% annually, while the European …
TIRANA, July 8 – During these hot July days, many foreign tourists fill the streets of Shkodër. Their travel gear and backpacks easily identify them as nature and adventure tourism enthusiasts. Many visitors use Shkodër as a starting point to explore some of northern Albania’s most popular mountain destinations. Meanwhile, …
TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Wednesday that the next NATO Summit will take place in Tirana, following the conclusion of the Alliance’s meeting in Ankara. PM dismissed speculation that Albania would not host the summit. He said the country had moved beyond a time when …