Public consultations begin on new territorial map
TIRANA, August 7 – Cërrik and Maliq municipalities have started public consultations on the new territorial map. The proposal would reduce the number of municipalities in Albania from 61 to 46. Cërrik Municipality said it launched the process after receiving a notification from Parliament. The consultation period on the draft …
Albania advances in implementing EU Growth Plan
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania continues to make progress in implementing reforms linked to European integration and has received financial support under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. According to the EU-funded platform “WEBALKANS_eu”, Albania has made strong and sustainable progress. The platform said the country has …
Football Federation approves Elite Youth Academy participation in youth championships
TIRANA, August 7 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) has approved the participation of Elite Youth Academy teams in the Abissnet Superiore U-16 and U-17 championships for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 seasons. The decision aims to strengthen youth football development and create more opportunities for young …
Defense Minister thanks firefighters battling wildfires
TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi shared footage today from the firefighting operation in the Mount Dajti area and praised the commitment and sacrifice of personnel working on the ground. Nufi said in a social media post that emergency structures and Armed Forces personnel provide protection for citizens, …
Foreign tourists praise Durrës for hospitality, beaches and affordable prices
TIRANA, August 7 – Foreign tourists visiting Durrës during the summer season have praised the city’s beaches, hospitality, affordable prices and relaxing atmosphere. Visitors from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic said they had a positive experience and considered Durrës an attractive destination for …
Financial Times: PM Rama says Albania has clear path to EU membership
TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has a clear path toward European Union membership in an interview with the Financial Times, which examined the European Union’s renewed enlargement agenda. Rama said the country is in one of the strongest positions in its modern history. He added …
Business turnover rises by ALL 127 billion in first half of 2026
TIRANA, August 7 – Business turnover across Albania’s main economic sectors increased by ALL 127 billion during the first half of 2026, reflecting stronger economic activity, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj said business turnover rose by 7% compared with the same period in 2025. He added that the figures …
Central Purchasing Operator launches new electronic procurement platform
TIRANA, August 7 – The Central Purchasing Operator (OBP) launched a new electronic procurement platform to fully digitalize the management of public procurement requests, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said. Ibrahimaj said the new platform, prokurimet.obp.al, will allow more than 250 contracting authorities to manage procurement requests entirely online. …
Property revaluation saves taxpayers €120.5 million in seven months
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania’s property revaluation scheme has saved taxpayers €120.5 million in fiscal costs during the first seven months of 2026, according to the General Directorate of Taxation. The scheme allows property owners to revalue real estate by paying a reduced 5% tax rate. Tax authorities said the …
Finance Ministry begins preparations for new Eurobond issue
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania’s Finance Ministry has started preliminary preparations for a new Eurobond issue planned for 2027 as the country’s macroeconomic indicators continue to show positive performance. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said officials discussed recent macroeconomic developments, government borrowing plans in international capital markets and future cooperation …
Prime Minister Edi Rama will attend the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg on Tuesday. In a Facebook post, Rama said that Albania is marking another important step towards European Union membership. He added that the formal closure of negotiations on Chapter 20, “Enterprise and Industrial Policy,” is expected to …
The European Union and Montenegro have provisionally closed accession negotiations on economic and monetary policy, Chapter 17; statistics, Chapter 18; and social policy and employment, Chapter 19. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that reforms under the three provisionally closed chapters would bring tangible benefits to Montenegro. Kos also …
The Transparency Board has announced new fuel prices. Starting Tuesday, the retail price of diesel fuel meeting the SSH EN 590 standard will be capped at 219 lek per litre, while the wholesale price must not exceed 207 lek per litre. Meanwhile, the retail price of petrol meeting the SSH …
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula met with Albania’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Petrit Malaj, on Monday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation. According to the Kosovo Presidency, Malaj congratulated Shiroka-Pula on her election and expressed hope that the two countries would further deepen their ties during her mandate. Shiroka-Pula stressed …
Albania expects to provisionally close Chapter 20 of its European Union accession negotiations today in Luxembourg. Prime Minister Edi Rama will attend the 10th Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the EU. Rama described the move as another step towards EU membership. The closure would bring Albania’s total to 4 provisionally …
The European Commission’s enlargement strategy, presented on October 6, proposes enhanced rule-of-law monitoring for new EU members for up to 15 years after accession. The plan aims to prevent democratic backsliding and avoid situations like Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary and Poland exposed weaknesses in Article 7 …
Albania will experience relatively unstable weather on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching 22 degrees Celsius, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Until midday, moderate to heavy cloud cover will bring occasional light rain to southern and southeastern areas and the eastern mountain regions. Brief thunderstorms are also possible. After midday, skies …
Albania is strengthening its presence on the international tourism map, with 20 accommodation establishments featured in the Michelin Guide’s selection of hotels. The selected properties span several of the country’s main destinations, including Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë, Himarë, Berat, Gjirokastër, Korçë and Sarandë. The list covers a wide range of accommodation, …
Albania’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, met with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Europe Board member Michal Konecny and Albanian Basketball Federation President Avni Ponari at the ministry. The talks focused on increasing support for the national federation and investing in sports infrastructure. The participants highlighted …
Albania marks 95 years since the birth of writer and academic Dritëro Agolli, born on October 13, 1931. He died in Tirana on February 3, 2017. Agolli developed a distinctive literary voice rooted in Albanian language, tradition and folk wisdom. His first poetry collection, “Në rrugë dola” (I Set Out …