Updated port inspection standards seen as step towards EU integration
Deputy Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enkelejda Muça presented a draft law today to the Assembly’s Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill concerns amendments adopted on May 30, 2025, to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, originally signed in 1982. The amendments aim to bring national …
Draft law seeks clearer rules for cryptoasset markets
Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Martin Kajo presented a draft law on cryptoasset markets to the Assembly’s Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill aims to align national legislation with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, known as MiCA, and strengthen investor and consumer protection. Although Albania adopted …
Price stability remains central to proposed changes to Bank of Albania law
Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj presented amendments to the Bank of Albania law to the Assembly’s Law Committee today. He said price stability remains the law’s fundamental principle and the Bank of Albania’s primary objective. Yzeiraj described the legislation as a cornerstone of the country’s monetary and financial system. He …
Albania’s under-21 team to play Spain in a friendly on November 17
Albania’s under-21 team will face Spain in a friendly on November 17 at 19:00 at Air Albania Stadium, the Albanian Football Association has confirmed. The match follows another friendly against Luxembourg on November 13. Together, the two fixtures will help coach Alban Bushi prepare the team for the 2027 European …
Tirana opens archival museum showcasing Albania’s history through documents
Tirana has a new museum dedicated to the country’s documentary heritage. The Archival Museum opened at the General Directorate of Archives to bring history closer to the public, particularly younger generations. Unlike a traditional museum, it tells Albania’s story through written records, photographs, maps, publications, manuscripts and materials documenting society …
Rama Announces 32-Lek Cut in Diesel Prices as Road Tax Shifts to Vehicles
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change in the way the road tax is collected, stating that it will be removed from the price of diesel and shifted to vehicles. “We will remove the road tax from the price of diesel, automatically reducing the price at the pump by …
PM Rama Calls Students’ and Lecturers’ Boycott Unacceptable, Urges Dialogue
Prime Minister Edi Rama also addressed the boycott of classes by students and lecturers during a press conference. Rama described the boycott as an unacceptable act that infringes on the freedom of those who wish to study. The prime minister warned that amendments would be made to the relevant legislation, …
2027 Budget –PM Rama: Pension Increases Will Double
Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the student protests and acts of violence recorded during demonstrations in Tirana, focusing on the damage caused. He described these acts as a form of “inhumanity” that, according to him, imposes the will of protesters on the majority of citizens who wish to live …
Rama Condemns Protest Violence, Announces New Economic Measures and Calls for Dialogue with Students
Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the student protests and the violence reported during the demonstrations at a press conference, emphasizing the damage caused by protesters. Rama went on to describe the acts of violence as a form of “inhumanity” and an attempt to impose the will of a minority on …
Balla Meets EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa, Discusses Albania’s Accession Progress
The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, met on Wednesday with the new Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa. In a Facebook post accompanied by a photo, Balla said that during the meeting, they discussed Albania’s EU accession agenda and …
Albania’s prime minister and Tirana’s imprisoned mayor clash over allegations of political pressure and control of the capital, exposing divisions within the ruling Socialist Party amid widespread anti-government protests. TIRANA, Albania – An unprecedented confrontation has erupted between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, turning a …
President Bajram Begaj has promulgated the new law on the administrative and territorial division of local government units, paving the way for the revised map to take effect in the local elections on May 9, 2027. The law, numbered 100/2026, establishes a new structure of 46 municipalities. Voters will elect …
Albania’s National Museum “Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg” marks 44 years since its inauguration today. The museum stands inside the historic Castle of Krujë, once the centre of the medieval Albanian state. The castle also witnessed three successive defeats of Ottoman armies in the 15th century. Architects designed the museum as a …
Kosova’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Dimal Basha, met with Arnaud Dauphin, the French Development Agency’s director for the Western Balkans, to discuss railway connections between Kosova and Albania. The talks focused on expanding cooperation on railway projects and advancing a three-way partnership between Kosova, Albania and the agency. The …
Albania will make its debut on the internationally acclaimed television show “The Amazing Race”, bringing Tirana’s culture, energy and hospitality to audiences around the world. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the news in a social media post. He said the production would showcase Albania as a …
Kosova’s Prime Minister and leader of the Self-Determination Movement, Albin Kurti, has denied the movement’s involvement in the protests in Tirana. He said it had never operated anonymously during protests and had always taken an open, leading role. Speaking at the movement’s 64th General Council meeting, Kurti said it now …
The National Cinematography Centre has announced the passing of actor and director Gjergji Mena at the age of 41. The centre paid tribute to the young artist, highlighting his contribution to theatre and screen productions. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja also expressed condolences, describing Mena as a talented …
Renowned Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho serves as an Artist Ambassador for Opera Rara, a London-based opera organisation dedicated to reviving neglected works and bringing rarely performed repertoire to modern audiences. Founded in 1970, Opera Rara specialises in researching, restoring, recording and performing operas that have largely disappeared from the mainstream …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha says Albania aims to complete the technical phase of European Union accession negotiations by December 2027. The goal is to advance to the political phase and join the bloc within this decade. Presenting the 2027 budget priorities to the parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs, …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj says the 2027 draft budget provides for public spending exceeding €10 billion for the first time. The plan prioritises social welfare, fiscal stability, public investment and reforms linked to European Union integration. Revenue is projected at ALL 907.9 billion, or around €9.4 billion. The budget deficit …