Albania Reaffirms Support for KFOR and Stability in Kosovo
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met with Major General Roberto Vergori, the new commander of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR), in Tirana on October 20. They discussed KFOR’s role in ensuring security and stability in Kosovo and maintaining peace across the region. During the meeting, Nufi highlighted the importance of KFOR …
Koçiu: Government Open to Dialogue with Students, but Not with Those Who Use Violence
Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has reaffirmed the government’s readiness to hold talks with students and citizens, while ruling out dialogue with those who damage public and private property. In an interview with Klan News on October 20, Koçiu condemned the violence during recent protests in Tirana. She said …
Rama Offers Dialogue to Student Protesters, but They Reject His Invitation
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited protesting students and university lecturers to talks, saying he and his government are ready to meet anyone willing to engage in dialogue. In a video posted on social media on October 20, Rama said he remained available for discussions. To underline his offer, …
Albania Calls on the Public to Support Eslin Kurti at Junior Eurovision 2026
Albania will be represented by 12-year-old singer Eslin Kurti at the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Ta’ Qali, Malta, on October 24. Kurti will perform “Kërce me mua” (“Dance with Me”), a song that aims to bring energy, rhythm and a message of unity through …
Protests in Albania and Europe: UN Human Rights Chief Calls for De-escalation
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has responded to protests in Albania, Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal. Türk condemned all acts of violence during the demonstrations and called on all parties involved to immediately ease tensions and prevent further escalation. According to the senior UN official, the best …
Albania and Turkey hold joint naval exercise under NATO
Albanian and Turkish naval forces held a joint exercise in the Bay of Vlora and the naval base in it. The activity took place under NATO’s Neptune Strike 26-4 programme. The exercise involved Turkish warships TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep, aircraft and the Albanian Boarding Team. According to the Ministry …
US report finds progress against human trafficking in Kosova, but gaps remain
Kosova remains at Tier 2 in the US State Department’s 2025 report on human trafficking. The report notes more funding for victim assistance and more convictions, but highlights gaps in law enforcement, identifying children forced to beg and providing long-term support. Police investigated four trafficking cases in 2025, down from …
Ombudsman reports overcrowding and rights concerns after Tirana protests
Ahmet Prençi, commissioner of the Ombudsman’s National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, presented preliminary findings from monitoring police stations, the Security Block and the University Trauma Hospital on October 19. He said the investigation continued. Police escorted 50 people to stations, including 18 minors. The Security Block held 109 …
Bank of Albania reports higher loan demand and easier terms for small and medium-sized businesses
Demand for loans from businesses and individuals increased in the third quarter of 2026. Banks expect this trend to continue in the final quarter, according to the Bank of Albania’s lending survey. Businesses increased borrowing across all size categories for investment and liquidity needs. Higher investment needs, inventory financing and …
Assembly deputy Speaker, Kushi discusses parliamentary reform with international delegation
Assembly of Albania Deputy Speaker Evis Kushi and Secretary General Genci Gjonçaj met a delegation from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, led by Kevin Casas Zamora. The talks focused on continuing cooperation under the European Union-funded STEP-EU project. The initiative aims to strengthen the Assembly’s legislative, oversight …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu warned on Sunday that violence fueled by media coverage and longstanding political resentment poses a serious threat to the lives of both protesters and citizens. In a social media post, Koçiu described the injury of a young man from Elbasan as a wake-up call about …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday that the government would introduce six measures to curb urban violence. The measures aim to protect citizens and public and private property. Koçiu stressed that authorities would uphold the constitutional right to protest but punish anyone who incites violence, exploits minors or …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that he had personally arranged medical treatment in Italy for the young man from Elbasan who suffered an eye injury during protests. He also secured an air ambulance to transport the youth to what he described as Italy’s best hospital. Rama warned that …
Foreign tourists visiting Tirana have encountered unusual scenes in the capital in recent days. A group of visitors stopped outside the Prime Minister’s Office, where stone chairs and tables now stand following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s invitation to protesters. The tourists sat down and took photos. “Welcome to Tirana, and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that citizens had every right to demand his resignation and protest against the government, but no one could force him from office through violence. He made the remarks while presenting a new legislative package against urban violence. Rama defended the package, saying it …
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new law on Sunday that would require individuals to pay for damage they cause during public gatherings. The law sets fines of up to 500,000 lek for people who remain at violent protests after police warn them to leave. Rama said the law follows …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha on Sunday urged Albanians in Serbia’s Presheva Valley to turn out in large numbers for the country’s snap parliamentary elections. Hoxha described voting as a fundamental democratic right and an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard. He stressed that every …
Skënderbeu defeated Partizani 2-0 in the eighth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore on Friday, deepening the capital club’s crisis. Meanwhile, Laçi secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vora. The Korçë side broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Totre converted a penalty. Dejvid Janaqi sealed the victory in the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new legislative package aimed at combating violence and urban anarchy, a day after Saturday’s protest in Tirana, which was marked by clashes, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions, and damage to public and private property. Rama stressed that the package is based on the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, while presenting the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy, outlined the six instruments included in the package, focusing particularly on compensation for affected businesses and financial liability for damage caused during public gatherings. Rama stressed that the main principle of the package is that …