Albanian economy grows 3.7% in first quarter of 2026
TIRANA, July – Albania’s economy grew by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding the average growth rate of Western Balkan countries and the European Union. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the latest economic indicators and said the Finance Ministry expects growth to reach 4% by the end of …
On Albania’s Adriatic Coast, Tourism Ambitions Put at Risk by Pollution
Litter, construction debris and untreated wastewater are conspiring to undermine Albania’s bid to become the next big tourist destination on the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Original post Here
Letter from Washington: US Seeks to Score Material Goals in the Balkans
The Trump administration is now making it clear that it sees the Balkans as a field to pursue its commercial, energy and defence-related interests – and not ‘democracy-building’. Original post Here
“Hani i Qerosit” Agrotourism Boosts Rural Tourism in Kuçovë
Agrotourism continues to drive economic and social development across Albania by creating jobs and strengthening rural communities. Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the “Hani i Qerosit” agrotourism site in Kuçovë, Berat, which is emerging as a popular destination for visitors seeking nature, tradition, and authentic farm experiences. Rama said the …
Croatia Sees Strong Potential to Expand Economic Ties with Albania
Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman described Albania as a reliable economic partner. Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Radman said the two countries have strong potential to expand economic cooperation. He identified transport, infrastructure, energy, and defence as key areas for closer collaboration. Radman also called …
Hoxha: Albania-Croatia Security Cooperation Threatens No One
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s security cooperation with Croatia aims to strengthen regional peace and should not concern any country. Hoxha made the remarks after meeting Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman in Tirana. The two ministers agreed that the European future of the Western …
Radman: Croatia Will Continue to Support Albania’s EU Membership Bid
Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman praised Albania’s progress toward European Union membership and pledged Croatia’s continued support. Speaking alongside Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Radman said Albania and Croatia enjoy strong and friendly relations built on trust, shared values, and their NATO alliance. He said regular …
Balla: $302 Million US Defence Deal Fast-Tracked for National Interest
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla defended the fast-track approval of Albania’s defence agreement with the United States. Balla said national interest and security needs justified the accelerated parliamentary review. He rejected opposition claims that lawmakers violated parliamentary deadlines. He said the Constitution defines when fast-track procedures cannot apply. …
Nufi: US Loan Agreement Ratification Marks Strategic Investment in Security
Albania’s Parliament approved today the direct loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi described the ratification as a historic moment in a social media post. Nufi said the agreement represents the strongest concrete and financial support Albania has received from …
Ibrahimaj: “Double Your Business” Programme Supports Companies Expanding Investments
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj visited a food production company today to highlight the opportunities offered by the “Double Your Business” programme. The programme helps businesses increase investments, expand production, and create new jobs. During her visit to a pastry company, Ibrahimaj met entrepreneur Fatmir, who has built his …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …
*]: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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]: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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …
*]: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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s Socialist Party (SP) has responded to concerns over its proposed territorial reform, which includes the merger of 15 municipalities, stressing that the territorial consolidation will not result in the “elimination” of any municipality or city. According to the SP, the …
Why do you still want to stay in power? Rama responds live to citizens: The mission continues until…
*]: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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Socialist Party leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed comments and calls from citizens demanding his resignation during a meeting with the party’s political leaders and the chairs of parliamentary committees. He said his mission would continue until the Albanian flag …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-turn-id-container=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that he will not step down and will continue his political mission until Albania achieves membership in the European Union. He made the remarks during a meeting at the Palace of Brigades with the Socialist …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-turn-id-container=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-21″ data-turn=”user”> Former Democratic Party (PD) Secretary for Public Relations Jola Hysa has been appointed as the new Director General of Albania’s National Tourism Agency (AKT). *]: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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-22″ data-turn=”assistant”> Hysa replaces Zana Çela in the position. She …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-turn-id-container=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-turn=”user”> Residents of the Municipality of Maliq announced on Thursday that they will hold a protest against Albania’s proposed new territorial map, which would merge 15 municipalities. Under the Socialist Party’s proposal, Maliq would be merged with the Municipality of Korçë. *]:pointer-events-auto …