Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007
TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …
High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …
Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …
FM Hoxha: Albania opposes any unilateral change to the Ibër River
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania opposes any unilateral change to the course of the Ibër River, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said today. He was responding to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s remarks about a possible change to the river’s course and the involvement of Serbian experts and …
Interior minister Lamallari, police chief Hita thank 300 personnel for fighting Kruja fire
TIRANA, August 10 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita thanked around 300 police officers, firefighters and Armed Forces personnel involved in the Kruja wildfire operation. Lamallari praised their work in evacuating residents and managing the fire, which strong winds intensified. He said special forces, …
PM Rama thanks Air Force pilots and firefighters for tackling Kruja fires
TIRANA, August 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his gratitude and respect for Air Force pilots, firefighters, army special forces and police officers who protected residents during the wildfires in Kruja. In a social media post, Rama said the teams had overcome a difficult challenge. He said they had …
Albania sees clear skies and temperatures up to 40°C
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania will experience mostly clear and hot weather on Monday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clouds will appear occasionally around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas in the south. Southeastern areas may see brief periods of denser clouds. The sky will clear …
8 wildfires remain active across 4 Albanian municipalities
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s Defence Ministry reported 8 wildfires across the counties of Tirana, Fier, Durrës and Lezha. Six remain active, while authorities have brought 2 under control or placed them under monitoring. A total of 227 personnel are working on the ground. Authorities have also requested 50 additional …
Tensions in Kosova parliament as constitutive session postponed
TIRANA, August 10 – Albin Kurti of the Self-Determination Movement (LVV) asked for more time for political talks on August 8. He did not nominate a candidate for parliament speaker. As a result, the constitutive session did not continue. Tensions rose after Time Kadriaj, an MP from the Alliance for …
Albanian Investment Development Agency launches national campaign to support small and medium-sized businesses
TIRANA, August 10 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) has launched a national information and promotion campaign for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). AIDA is working with 10 municipalities and the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC) on the campaign. The initiative will provide businesses with information on financing opportunities, exports, …
Police made 23 arrests as violence erupted between students and police officers at a demonstration in Tirana linked to the ongoing ‘Flamingo Revolution’ anti-government protests. Original post Here
The European Union backs Albania’s ambition to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2027, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on Tuesday. She spoke at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama and Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, following the 10th Albania-EU …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday that the provisional closure of Chapter 20 marks another step towards Albania’s EU membership. Speaking in Luxembourg after the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, Rama described the milestone as recognition of the country’s reforms and ongoing transformation. Chapter 20 covers enterprise and industrial policy. …
The US Embassy in Tirana has urged American citizens to avoid protests and public gatherings after clashes erupted during a demonstration on Durrës Street, near Skanderbeg Square, on Tuesday. In a security alert, the embassy said the protest had turned violent after demonstrators threw stones. It warned that unrest could …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has reaffirmed Albania’s determination to join the European Union, saying the country will not stop until its national flag flies alongside those of EU member states. In a video message from Luxembourg on Tuesday, Rama spoke alongside Albania’s negotiating team following the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, …
Albania could join the European Union before 2030 if positive momentum among member states continues, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on Tuesday. She made the remarks in Luxembourg after the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Asked whether the EU’s new accession rules could pave the way for Albania to …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday that Albania had ended its culture of impunity and that no one stood above the law. He made the statement in Luxembourg after the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Asked by The Kyiv Independent about investigations into senior officials, Rama said the justice system …
Albania has provisionally closed a fourth chapter in its EU accession negotiations, marking further progress towards membership. Speaking in Luxembourg on Tuesday, Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, said Albania had entered the final phase of the accession process. The 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference formally …
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the investment project in Zvërnec as a model for developing projects in harmony with nature. He made the remarks on Tuesday in Luxembourg, following the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Asked by The Kyiv Independent about Jared Kushner’s investment plans in Albania, Rama said international media …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden in Luxembourg on Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties and Albania’s EU accession process. After the meeting, Rama announced that Luxair will launch direct flights between Luxembourg and Albania in March 2027. The new route will strengthen air links between …