Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures
The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …
Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …
President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …
Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …
President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …
Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue
The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …
Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date
President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …
Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent
The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …
Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78
Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …
SPAK Hosts International Anti-Corruption Meeting in Tirana, Bringing Together Representatives from 28 Jurisdictions
Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) hosted the 16th meeting of the Law Enforcement Network (LEN), part of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN), in Tirana from October 27 to 29. In a statement published on social media on Friday, SPAK announced …
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has praised Albania’s progress towards European Union membership. She ranked Albania among the four most advanced candidate countries, alongside Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine. Speaking at the presentation of the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report, Kallas highlighted Albania’s rapid progress. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania had received its strongest assessment yet in the European Commission’s annual Progress Report. He described the report as another source of pride for the country and an encouraging step towards its historic goal of joining the European Union. “Another meaningful and encouraging report card …
Albania is taking an important step towards modernising its payment system through the regional TIPS Clone project. The new system will allow people and businesses to transfer money instantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko announced that the system is expected to …
Design and innovation take centre stage at Tirana International Fair, with over 70 Italian companies
Design, innovation and business cooperation are in the spotlight at the 32nd Tirana International Fair. More than 70 Italian companies are presenting their products, services and projects, while exploring new opportunities in the Albanian market. The panel “Tradition as a Living Project” brought together Italian companies and design professionals to …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, met with German MP Peter Beyer in Berlin to discuss bilateral relations and Germany’s role in the Western Balkans. Beyer is a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads Germany’s governing coalition. He also serves on the Bundestag’s Foreign …
Albania’s Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has called for stronger cooperation among NATO member states to counter hybrid threats, disinformation and malicious online campaigns. In an interview with POLITICO Europe, Nufi warned that these threats aim to undermine public trust, fuel divisions and weaken the resilience of democratic societies. He also …
The European Commission has recognised Albania’s progress in aligning its monetary policy legislation with European Union standards, particularly in safeguarding the independence of the Bank of Albania. In its latest Progress Report on Albania, the Commission notes that the country has achieved a high level of alignment with EU legislation, …
The European Commission today approved its annual Expansion Package, evaluating candidate countries’ achievements over the past year and setting key reform priorities for the future. Expansion remains one of the European Union’s most strategic policies to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent. Furthermore, this year’s report demonstrates that …
From a family-owned business established in 1999, Besniku Shpk has grown over the years into one of the well-known names in Albania’s agribusiness sector. Operating in both the agricultural and livestock sectors, the company is entering a new phase of growth, marked by business expansion and ambitions to reach new …
TIRANA, November 4 /ATSH/ – A group of young people and citizens gathered again this afternoon in front of the Prime Minister’s Office on “Martyrs of Nation” boulevard, continuing the protests seen over the last few days. Tensions flared in front of the Prime Minister’s Office when police detained two …