EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase
TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …
July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast
TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …
Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money
The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here
PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …
National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”
TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …
XXI Chamber Fest Opens in Durrës with Artists from Eight Countries
The XXI edition of Chamber Fest Durrës 2026 has opened in the coastal city of Durrës. The international chamber music festival brings together artists from Albania, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and the United States. The opening night took place at the National Archaeological Museum. The “Arola” quartet …
Chief Inspector: Environmental protection tops inspection priorities
TIRANA, July 2 – Chief Inspector Dashnor Sula described Berat County as one of Albania’s most important tourist destinations, highlighting its strategic role in both the summer season and year-round tourism. Speaking to reporters before a training session for inspectors in Berat, Sula said the General Inspectorate will focus on …
Artistic Evening Held at Ethnographic Museum in Elbasan
Young artists in Elbasan held a musical evening at the city’s Ethnographic Museum. First, they transformed the museum garden into a performance stage for a night of music and artistic expression. The event brought together young talents who performed with emotion, passion, and quality musical interpretation. The city’s Directorate of …
Economy minister: Economic growth to provide ALL 17 billion in extra support for pensioners in 2026
TIRANA, July 2 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania’s economic growth will finance additional support for pensioners, with total extra assistance reaching ALL 17 billion during 2026. Speaking at a meeting with pensioners attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Ibrahimaj said recent economic growth has allowed the …
PM Rama: Foreign investment is not a threat, luxury resorts drive economic growth
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana. He said foreign investment does not threaten sovereignty or territorial integrity. He said patriotism means strengthening the economy and increasing citizens’ income. He added that Albania must improve competitiveness to attract foreign capital. Rama said rejecting foreign investment …
A monumental statue dedicated to Queen Teuta has been installed on the scenic Shëngjin-Velipojë route. The monument adds a new historical, cultural and tourism attraction to the area. Sculptor Julian Muçollari created the nearly nine-meter-high monument. Journalist Marin Mema inspired the concept. Historian Paulin Zefi, actors from Albanian-speaking territories and …
More than 5,300 children with disabilities receive support in Albanian schools, Deputy Health and Social Welfare Minister Ina Majko said as the new school year begins. Majko said support for children and their families includes dedicated services aimed at promoting inclusion in education. She highlighted assistant teachers, psychosocial services and …
Albania marks today the 84th anniversary of the Peza Conference, held on September 16, 1942, by representatives of Albanian antifascist forces seeking to establish a united front against the occupiers. The conference adopted several important decisions, including the creation of the National Liberation Antifascist Front. The front brought together antifascists …
The Trial Panel at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has found former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi criminally responsible for war crimes. Presiding Judge Charles Smith presented the panel’s findings today during the first-instance judgment hearing. The panel found …
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague today convicted four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders of war crimes and handed down prison sentences. Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi received a 25-year prison sentence. The Trial Panel found him criminally responsible for war crimes including murder, torture, cruel treatment and …
The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) took part in the ICE 2026 Conference on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) in Sofia. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), together with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and the Bulgarian Paying Agency, organized the …
Albania is emerging as one of Europe’s fastest-growing nature tourism destinations in 2026, as more international travelers choose its mountain villages, national parks, rivers, coastal landscapes and protected areas. According to Travel and Tour World, Albania’s combination of the Albanian Alps, Ionian coastline and protected natural landscapes is attracting adventure …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Italy is Albania’s “European alter ego” during a visit to Naples, where he attended the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate. Rama said the new consulate represents more than a diplomatic office. He described it as a bridge between the two countries and highlighted the strong …
Real estate recorded the strongest sales growth in Albania’s services sector during the second quarter of 2026, while tourism-related activities also continued to expand at a strong pace. According to data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the net sales volume index for real estate rose 38.9% compared with the …
Cinema is playing an increasingly important role in promoting Albanian tourist destinations by bringing the country’s cities, landscapes and cultural values to a wider audience. In this context, the National Tourism Agency (NTA) and Infinity Film Production signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to promote the feature film “A Christmas Serenade” …