Bank of Albania, World Bank step up cooperation on digital payments
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met with a World Bank delegation to discuss Albania’s economic performance, EU integration and payment-system modernization. Sejko said the economy continues to perform well, supported by growth, stronger employment and incomes, and financial stability. He also highlighted Albania’s progress toward EU standards. The talks …
Lek strengthens against major foreign currencies on domestic market
The lek strengthened against major foreign currencies in the domestic foreign exchange market on Wednesday, compared with the previous day. According to the official exchange rate published by the Bank of Albania, the euro fell by 0.05 lek, to 92.02 lek, while the US dollar dropped by 0.19 lek, to …
“Balkans meet in Trieste”, FM Hoxha: Enlargement is Europe’s strength
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, was among the keynote speakers at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference. Italy’s ANSA news agency organized the event. The conference took place during the 34th General Assembly of the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE). The Friuli …
FM Hoxha: Kosovo, an independent state and should be recognized; Regional cooperation remains a major priority
Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, Hoxha also addressed Albania’s positions on Kosovo, stressing that Albania considers it an independent state that should receive international recognition. “We have fundamental differences with Serbia over Kosovo,” he said. “Kosovo is an independent state and should be recognized.” At the same …
Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past
The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …
National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement
Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …
Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”
The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …
BBC: ‘Tirana teeth’: Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
BBC reports on Tirana’s growing dental tourism industry, as Albania seeks to establish itself as a cheaper alternative to Turkey for international patients seeking dental treatment. Anthony Hook is sitting in a dentist’s chair, grinning toothily into a handheld mirror. He has been asked to pose for photos showing off …
US Embassy: Albania to Play a Key Role in the International Stabilization Force Mission
International Stabilization Force (ISF) Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers held talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi. The discussions focused on Albania’s future contributions to the force and its role in supporting the ISF mission. During the meetings, the officials discussed Albania’s …
Mother Teresa Square to Become Pedestrian Zone with Museum and Underground Parking
Tirana plans to transform Mother Teresa Square into a mainly pedestrian public space. The project will move many of the square’s new functions underground. The Albanian Development Fund has launched a tender for the project. It has set a budget limit of 20.8 billion lek, or around €21 million, for …
Erion Veliaj suffers major legal setback as High Court rules that he should stay in pre-trial detention on corruption and money-laundering charges – even though he is still Tirana’s acting mayor. Original post Here
Albania plans to deploy up to 40 Armed Forces personnel to the International Stabilization Force mission in Gaza, subject to approval of a draft law. Deputy Defence Minister Enkelejd Joti presented the draft legislation to the Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance. Joti said the mission aims to support security …
The National Business Center hosted an InfoCamere delegation in Tirana as the two institutions continued cooperation on digital systems and services for businesses. InfoCamere provides information technology services for the Italian Chambers of Commerce. The meeting followed an April visit by the National Business Center team to Padua. The team …
The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague is expected to deliver its first-instance verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four defendants face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which they have …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is in Naples, Italy, following the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate there on September 14. On September 15, he visited the Albanian Language Department at the University of Naples L’Orientale. The university is one of the historic centers of Albanian studies. Its Albanian language chair, established …
Albania marks 60 years since the founding of the Institute of Arts in Tirana. The institution opened on September 15, 1966, bringing together three major arts schools of the time. The new institution merged the State Conservatory of Tirana, the School of Fine Arts and the Aleksandër Moisiu Higher School …
Bledi Çomo, chairman of the Albania-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group, expressed Albania’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia over attacks and threats affecting the country’s security, population and civilian facilities. Çomo said the threats extend beyond the security of a single state. They also affect regional stability, freedom of navigation and the …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the “Albania Dashboard” digital platform will introduce a new way of working across Albania’s public administration. She said the system will put citizens at the center and provide better services without delays or bureaucracy. Koçiu said every citizen request will have an assigned official …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said economic growth has increased financial support for citizens. He referred to state budget figures for the first 7 months of the year. During this period, the government spent ALL 841 million more than a year earlier on economic assistance, people with disabilities and their caregivers. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the transformed Koman road, on social media today. The road connects the Vau i Dejës and Koman hydroelectric power plants. Rama highlights its setting in the spectacular landscape of northern Albania. The reconstruction began in February last year. The project received around ALL …