Blog
News

MP Kuko: Albania on the right path, intensive EU work begins

TIRANA, July 15 – Albania is on the right path in its European integration process, but the next phase will require intensive work, Socialist Party MP Romina Kuko said. Speaking on RTSH1’s “Trialog” programme hosted by Alba Alishani, Kuko said Albania successfully passed the first stage of negotiations with the …

Read More
News

PM Rama shares Brussels conference moments: A milestone day for European Albania

TIRANA, July 15 – Albania has provisionally closed its first 3 European Union negotiation chapters: Chapter 25 on Science and Research, Chapter 26 on Education and Culture, and Chapter 30 on External Relations. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels and described it …

Read More
News

“Sounds That Speak” installation unveiled at Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports inaugurated the artistic installation “Sounds That Speak” by artist Ergys Krisiko. The artwork previously won a grant from the “Heritage is Our Brand” programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by DMO Albania and the EU Policy Hub/Forum for Integration Policies in …

Read More
News

Çerçiz Topulli remembered for fight for Albania’s freedom and Albanian-language education

TIRANA, July 15 – Albania marks the anniversary of the death of patriot Çerçiz Topulli, who was executed by Montenegrin forces in Shkodër on July 15, 1915. Born in Gjirokastër, Topulli completed his early education in his hometown before continuing his studies in Ioannina. He later joined the Secret Committee …

Read More
News

Social security contributions rise by 10.9% to €939 million in 6 months

TIRANA, July 15 – Albania collected 93.9 billion Albanian Lek (€939 million) in social security contributions during the first half of 2026, marking a 10.9% increase compared with the same period last year. According to data published by the Agency for Media and Information, several factors supported the growth. These …

Read More
News

Defence Minister Nufi welcomes German Defence Chief Breuer

TIRANA, July 15 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi hosted a courtesy meeting with German Armed Forces Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer during his official visit to Tirana. The two officials highlighted the strong relations between Albania and Germany in defence and security. They also praised Germany’s role as a …

Read More
News

Over 41,000 farmers apply for 2026 national support scheme

TIRANA, July 15 – More than 41,000 farmers have applied for the 2026 National Support Scheme, which includes 12 support measures for the agriculture sector. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla met with farmers from Pogradec and Korça to discuss applications, sector challenges and financial support planned for …

Read More
News

Kos: Environmental laws must meet EU standards, protests are part of democracy

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said protests in Albania do not threaten the country’s path toward European Union membership. Speaking after the ninth Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, Kos said Albania had successfully closed three negotiation chapters. She urged Albania to align its legislation on protected areas with EU standards, describing environmental …

Read More
News

Rama: Albania on track with EU accession talks under agreed timetable

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania remains on track with its European Union accession negotiations and continues to follow the timetable agreed with the European Commission. Speaking at a joint press conference with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta …

Read More
News

Albania reaffirms commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi participated in the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, where Albania reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The forum provided Albania with an opportunity to present its progress and strengthen cooperation with …

Read More
News
Over 3,000 citizens receive free legal aid in first half of year

TIRANA, July 22 – More than 3,000 citizens received free legal aid during the first six months of the year, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Justice. Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the ministry expanded access to legal aid services across Albania and focused on services directly linked …

News
Foreign tourists pay healthcare service fees online at summer health centers

TIRANA, July 22 – Foreign non-resident tourists have started paying unified healthcare service fees at summer health centers since July 1, according to the Operator of Health Care Services. Director Jeta Deda said the primary healthcare system has published and displayed the applicable fees at these centers. The charges cover …

News
Normal situation restored after storm, institutions continue monitoring

TIRANA, July 22 – Authorities have restored normal operations after heavy rainfall and strong winds affected several areas of Albania on Tuesday evening. The storm caused temporary disruptions to electricity supply, water services and some infrastructure. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said that responsible institutions remained on the ground …

News
105th anniversary of Albania’s first technical school

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania marks the 105th anniversary of the first technical school in the country. American teachers founded the institution on July 22, 1921. The school offered professional training in different fields. Harry Fultz, a mechanics teacher, served as director of the American Technical School. He introduced a …

News
Albanian Parliament speaker meets U.S. Congress representatives

TIRANA, July 22 – Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met representatives of the United States Congress and the POPVOX Foundation, a U.S.-based civic technology organization. The meeting took place during a regional workshop on parliamentary modernization through artificial intelligence, hosted by Albanian Parliament. Representatives from the parliaments of Kosova, North …

News
Albania sends army platoon to multinational brigade in Romania

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania will send a platoon from its Armed Forces to a multinational brigade based in Romania. The decision follows a government approval of a draft decision on the deployment, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said after the Council of Ministers meeting. Nufi said the move is part …

News
Who Really Benefits from ‘Strategic Investor’ Status in Albania?

The cry of protesters that ‘Albania is not for sale’ is misinterpreted when it is portrayed as a rejection of all investment. Its proper interpretation is procedural: any transfer of common assets must take place in full transparency – with prices determined through competition, permits made public, and beneficiaries clearly …

News
Local storms cause minor damage in Saranda and Himara

TIRANA, July 22 – Local storms hit several areas of Albania overnight, causing fallen trees and minor material damage, according to reports. Coastal areas, including Saranda, Himara and Vlora, experienced strong winds and storms during the night, following earlier weather forecasts. In Saranda, several people reportedly suffered injuries after a …

News
Shkodër starts mountain trail inventory to improve visitor safety and promote tourism

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania has started the process of inventorying mountain trails to identify existing routes and map new itineraries, with work also underway in the Shkodër region. Tourism guide Kastriot Faci said the initiative aims to create a complete map of mountain trails across the country. He explained …

News
Severe storms set to sweep across Albania on Friday

Powerful storm engulfs Albania after battering Kosovo and North Macedonia. The storms will affect almost the entire country. Central and southeastern regions face the highest risk, but severe weather may develop anywhere. Storm cells will form quickly and move over isolated areas. They may bring very heavy rain and powerful …

News

Over 3,000 citizens receive free legal aid in first half of year

TIRANA, July 22 – More than 3,000 citizens received free legal aid during the first six months of the year, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Justice. Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the ministry expanded access to legal aid services across Albania and focused on services directly linked …

News

Foreign tourists pay healthcare service fees online at summer health centers

TIRANA, July 22 – Foreign non-resident tourists have started paying unified healthcare service fees at summer health centers since July 1, according to the Operator of Health Care Services. Director Jeta Deda said the primary healthcare system has published and displayed the applicable fees at these centers. The charges cover …

News

Normal situation restored after storm, institutions continue monitoring

TIRANA, July 22 – Authorities have restored normal operations after heavy rainfall and strong winds affected several areas of Albania on Tuesday evening. The storm caused temporary disruptions to electricity supply, water services and some infrastructure. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said that responsible institutions remained on the ground …

News

105th anniversary of Albania’s first technical school

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania marks the 105th anniversary of the first technical school in the country. American teachers founded the institution on July 22, 1921. The school offered professional training in different fields. Harry Fultz, a mechanics teacher, served as director of the American Technical School. He introduced a …

News

Albanian Parliament speaker meets U.S. Congress representatives

TIRANA, July 22 – Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met representatives of the United States Congress and the POPVOX Foundation, a U.S.-based civic technology organization. The meeting took place during a regional workshop on parliamentary modernization through artificial intelligence, hosted by Albanian Parliament. Representatives from the parliaments of Kosova, North …

News

Albania sends army platoon to multinational brigade in Romania

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania will send a platoon from its Armed Forces to a multinational brigade based in Romania. The decision follows a government approval of a draft decision on the deployment, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said after the Council of Ministers meeting. Nufi said the move is part …

News

Who Really Benefits from ‘Strategic Investor’ Status in Albania?

The cry of protesters that ‘Albania is not for sale’ is misinterpreted when it is portrayed as a rejection of all investment. Its proper interpretation is procedural: any transfer of common assets must take place in full transparency – with prices determined through competition, permits made public, and beneficiaries clearly …

News

Local storms cause minor damage in Saranda and Himara

TIRANA, July 22 – Local storms hit several areas of Albania overnight, causing fallen trees and minor material damage, according to reports. Coastal areas, including Saranda, Himara and Vlora, experienced strong winds and storms during the night, following earlier weather forecasts. In Saranda, several people reportedly suffered injuries after a …

News

Shkodër starts mountain trail inventory to improve visitor safety and promote tourism

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania has started the process of inventorying mountain trails to identify existing routes and map new itineraries, with work also underway in the Shkodër region. Tourism guide Kastriot Faci said the initiative aims to create a complete map of mountain trails across the country. He explained …

News

Severe storms set to sweep across Albania on Friday

Powerful storm engulfs Albania after battering Kosovo and North Macedonia. The storms will affect almost the entire country. Central and southeastern regions face the highest risk, but severe weather may develop anywhere. Storm cells will form quickly and move over isolated areas. They may bring very heavy rain and powerful …