Blog
News

Fuel Price: Parliamentary Committee Approves 20% Excise Duty Cut

TIRANA, May 5 – The Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved a normative act today. The act cuts excise duty by 20% when international hydrocarbon prices rise and increase retail fuel costs. Deputy Minister of Finance Andi Mehmeti addressed the meeting. He said tensions in the Middle East …

Read More
News

Weather: Clear Skies with Occasional Light Cloud Cover

TIRANA, May 5 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will face relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday. The weather will start with clear skies and light to moderate cloud cover. From midday, cloud cover will increase to moderate and at times dense levels. Late in the evening, isolated and …

Read More
News

“Chase Travel”: Albanian Riviera among top summer destinations for 2026

TIRANA, May 5 – The Albanian Riviera has emerged as one of the most attractive alternatives for international travellers for summer 2026. Traditional Western European destinations now face overcrowding and high prices, Betsy Blumenthal writes in Chase Travel. The US travel magazine includes the Albanian Riviera in its main travel …

Read More
News

European Political Community Summit in Armenia: PM Rama says Albania was heard with respect

TIRANA, May 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images today from the 8th summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia. The summit brought together 48 heads of state and government from across the continent under the motto “Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe”. Rama published …

Read More
News

Albania Reaffirms European Role at EPC Summit in Yerevan

Prime Minister Edi Rama attends the 8th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, Armenia. He shares photos from the event on social media. The summit gathers 48 European leaders under the theme “Building the Future: Unity and Stability in Europe.” Leaders discuss stronger cooperation. They focus on democratic resilience, economic …

Read More
News

Mila Urges Local Support for Corridor VIII Amid Residents’ Concerns

MP Sara Mila raises concerns about the implementation of Corridor VIII in Parliament. She says residents in the Elbasan County face several problems on the ground. In Papër and nearby areas, people report land registration issues. Some families are missing from official records. Others face errors in land size. Residents …

Read More
News

“Islands 2026” Brings Consular Services Closer to Albanians in Greece

The Embassy of Albania in Greece has launched the “Islands 2026” project in Rhodes. The initiative brings consular services closer to Albanian citizens living on Greek islands. It improves access to biometric documents and other consular services. The project is carried out in cooperation with IdentiTek and under the supervision …

Read More
News

Parliament Holds One Minute of Silence After Fatal Durrës Accident

The Assembly of Albania opened its plenary session with a minute of silence. The tribute honored two children who died in a tragic road accident in Durrës. Deputy Speaker Klodiana Spahiu expressed condolences to the families. She said: “The angels rest in peace.” The accident happened on May 3 in …

Read More
News

Albania Marks American Week with Cultural and Historical Exhibition

The American Week opens a new cultural highlight in Tirana with the “Founding Fathers” exhibition at the National Library of Albania. The exhibition showcases portraits and biographies of 13 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VanHorn …

Read More
News

Albania and New Jersey National Guard Mark 25 Years of Partnership

Ermal Nufi meets a delegation from the New Jersey National Guard in Tirana. The delegation is led by Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays. The meeting marks 25 years of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard. The partnership began in 2001 under the U.S. State …

Read More
News
Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

News
ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News
Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News
Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …

News
Summer Afternoon Draws Crowds of Tourists to Durrës

Durrës continues to attract local and foreign tourists, who enjoy the city’s beaches, seaside atmosphere, and cultural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of residents and visitors spending a summer afternoon in the city center and along the Taulantia Promenade, known as the Vollga area. The city recently transformed …

News
Special anti-corruption prosecution chief: Strategy targets 70% cut in case backlog

TIRANA, July 3 – Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) chief Klodian Braho said the institution has finalized its strategy against organized crime and aims to reduce its case backlog by more than 70%. Reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration on SPAK’s 2025 activity, Braho …

News
PM Rama: Albania develops first artificial intelligence model for public procurement

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence model for public procurement, describing the project as a major step toward improving the management of public funds and eliminating problems linked to tenders and contracts. Speaking during Public Administration Week, Rama said …

News
Former Kosova President Thaçi sends message to citizens

TIRANA, July 3 – Former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi has sent a message to Kosova’s citizens through Bedri Hamza following a meeting between the two. Hamza said in a social media post that Thaçi asked him to convey his warmest greetings to all citizens. He added that they ended their …

News
Valbona Valley draws global travelers to Albania’s wild north

TIRANA, July 3 – Valbona Valley unfolds in the high folds of the Albanian Alps as a vast natural amphitheatre of stone, forest, and ice-cold water. A crystal-clear river cuts through the valley and shapes its dramatic northern identity. The Valbona River runs fast and clear. It reflects shifting tones …

News
Foreign Tourists Visit Gjirokastër, Praise Nature, History and Hospitality

Foreign tourists visiting Gjirokastër continue to share positive impressions of Albania, highlighting the country’s natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. Mirela Kumbaro shared on social media comments from visitors exploring the UNESCO-listed stone city. Tourists from several European countries expressed admiration for Albania’s landscapes, beaches, and cultural heritage. A …

News

Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

News

ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News

Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News

Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …

News

Summer Afternoon Draws Crowds of Tourists to Durrës

Durrës continues to attract local and foreign tourists, who enjoy the city’s beaches, seaside atmosphere, and cultural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of residents and visitors spending a summer afternoon in the city center and along the Taulantia Promenade, known as the Vollga area. The city recently transformed …

News

Special anti-corruption prosecution chief: Strategy targets 70% cut in case backlog

TIRANA, July 3 – Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) chief Klodian Braho said the institution has finalized its strategy against organized crime and aims to reduce its case backlog by more than 70%. Reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration on SPAK’s 2025 activity, Braho …

News

PM Rama: Albania develops first artificial intelligence model for public procurement

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence model for public procurement, describing the project as a major step toward improving the management of public funds and eliminating problems linked to tenders and contracts. Speaking during Public Administration Week, Rama said …

News

Former Kosova President Thaçi sends message to citizens

TIRANA, July 3 – Former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi has sent a message to Kosova’s citizens through Bedri Hamza following a meeting between the two. Hamza said in a social media post that Thaçi asked him to convey his warmest greetings to all citizens. He added that they ended their …

News

Valbona Valley draws global travelers to Albania’s wild north

TIRANA, July 3 – Valbona Valley unfolds in the high folds of the Albanian Alps as a vast natural amphitheatre of stone, forest, and ice-cold water. A crystal-clear river cuts through the valley and shapes its dramatic northern identity. The Valbona River runs fast and clear. It reflects shifting tones …

News

Foreign Tourists Visit Gjirokastër, Praise Nature, History and Hospitality

Foreign tourists visiting Gjirokastër continue to share positive impressions of Albania, highlighting the country’s natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. Mirela Kumbaro shared on social media comments from visitors exploring the UNESCO-listed stone city. Tourists from several European countries expressed admiration for Albania’s landscapes, beaches, and cultural heritage. A …