Blog
News

FSHF changes Superiore calendar, Dinamo City–Tirana moved to Saturday

The FSHF Competitions Department announced changes to the Week 32 schedule of the Abissnet Superiore. Officials adjusted the fixtures following a request from the State Police. The request relates to security measures during an opposition protest planned for April 17. The department rescheduled Dinamo City vs Tirana for Saturday at …

Read More
News

Education minister calls for structured policies to protect Albanian language in diaspora

TIRANA, April 15 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro on Wednesday called for a new and structured approach to teaching the Albanian language in diaspora communities. She warned that younger generations face a real risk of losing the language without concrete and long-term intervention. Speaking at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana, …

Read More
News

Municipalities seen as key drivers of local economic development, MP Mazniku says

TIRANA, April 15 – Municipalities must act as key drivers of economic development, not just service providers, Arbjan Mazniku said on Wednesday. He spoke at the conference “Implementation of the City Climate Contract” in Elbasan. Mazniku, co-chair of the Special Parliament Committee on Territorial Reform, addressed the session on structuring …

Read More
News

Fuel prices capped as diesel set at 207 Lek per litre

TIRANA, April 15 – Albania’s Transparency Board set new maximum fuel prices on Wednesday, with diesel capped at 207 Lek per litre. The decision takes effect at 13:30 local time. Under the ruling, retail diesel (SSH EN 590 standard) must not exceed 207 Lek per litre. Wholesale diesel stands at …

Read More
News

Speaker Peleshi and North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Gashi discuss parliamentary cooperation and EU integration

TIRANA, April 15 – Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi on Wednesday for talks focused on bilateral parliamentary cooperation and European integration. Both officials reviewed relations between Albania and North Macedonia. They described ties as friendly and stable. In addition, they stressed the need …

Read More
News

Parliamentary Committee approves ratification of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development multilateral convention on tax rules

TIRANA, April 15 – Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved on Wednesday a draft law ratifying the Multilateral Convention on facilitating the implementation of Pillar Two tax rules developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The committee examined the draft in its advisory …

Read More
News

Shockwaves or Spillovers: How Will the Iran War Affect the Western Balkans?

Western Balkan leaders are taking diplomatic sides in the US-Israeli war on Iran and the region faces escalating energy prices – with the economic impact likely to be more serious than any potential security risks. Original post Here

Read More
News

How Voice of America ‘Opened a Window’ in Isolated, Communist Albania

Afrim Krasniqi’s new book highlights the US radio station’s crucial role in bringing about change in Albania in 1990 – then ‘the most closed society in Europe’. Original post Here

Read More
News

Emergency teams respond to large fire in Tirana complex

Fire broke out in a residential building near “Farmacia 10” in Tirana on Rruga e Dibrës. The fire started on the first floor. It quickly spread across the building’s facade. Flames engulfed the structure. Firefighters evacuated residents using ladders. Police secured the area with safety cordons. Emergency teams transported several …

Read More
News

Brataj: 11 people hurt in “Arlis” blaze, all out of danger

Emergency Director Skënder Brataj confirmed that the fire at the “Arlis” complex in Tirana injured 11 people. Doctors placed six patients in hospital care. They admitted four patients to the Toxicology ward, one to emergency care, and one to the burns unit. Doctors treated a woman in her 50s for …

Read More
News
Finance minister outlines legal process in Bankers Petroleum tax dispute

TIRANA, June 11 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj responded in parliament to an interpellation requested by Opportunity Party leader Agron Shehaj regarding the collection of a financial penalty of around EUR 120 million from Bankers Petroleum. Malaj reviewed the history of the case and stressed the need to distinguish between …

News
The Independent: Albania emerges as a top summer destination for 2026

Albania is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after travel destinations for 2026, according to an article by Fran Watts published in the British newspaper The Independent. The report says growing numbers of visitors choose Albania for its clear waters, relaxed coastal towns and competitive prices. It notes that the …

News
Hoxha: Albania Targets Closing EU Negotiation Chapters by Next Year

Albania aims to close all EU negotiation chapters by next year, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said Albania’s EU accession process has entered a decisive stage. He also described EU membership as the country’s top national …

News
Hoxha: Everything that happens in Albania draws EU attention, protests are part of freedom of expression

The European Union follows developments in Albania closely, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference with journalists from EU member states, Hoxha addressed concerns over the proposed project in Zvërnec. He also commented on the European Commission’s reaction and recent protests …

News
Hoxha: Greece remains a strong supporter of Albania’s EU membership

Greece remains a strong supporter of Albania’s European Union membership, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Greece as stronger than ever. He said both countries are working to address long-standing bilateral issues …

News
Hoxha: No approved project in Zvërnec yet, full environmental impact assessment will be done

No approved project exists yet for the Zvërnec investment, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. He added that authorities will carry out a full environmental impact assessment before any decision. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said institutions continue preparatory work. He also …

News
Hoxha: EU enlargement will be key priority of Irish Presidency in 2026

EU enlargement will be a key priority of the Irish Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said his recent visit to Ireland focused on Albania’s EU …

News
TKOB prepares tribute evening for Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj

The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) is preparing a special evening dedicated to the great Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj. The event will pay tribute to one of the most powerful voices in Albanian opera. It will also honor his life, marked by artistic achievement and personal hardship. Lukë …

News
Golem Becomes a Tourism Hotspot, Short-Term Rental Market Records Strong Growth

Golem is emerging as one of Albania’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, recording significant increases in both demand and supply in the short-term rental market. According to data from AirDNA, a platform specializing in short-term rental market analytics for platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, the area recorded the strongest growth in …

News
Non-Performing Loan Ratio Fell to 3.75% in April

The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) returned to a downward trend in April. According to statistics from the Bank of Albania, the NPL ratio declined to 3.75%, down from 3.85% recorded in March. The indicator also continued to decrease on an annual basis, compared to 4.03% in April 2025. The …

News

Finance minister outlines legal process in Bankers Petroleum tax dispute

TIRANA, June 11 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj responded in parliament to an interpellation requested by Opportunity Party leader Agron Shehaj regarding the collection of a financial penalty of around EUR 120 million from Bankers Petroleum. Malaj reviewed the history of the case and stressed the need to distinguish between …

News

The Independent: Albania emerges as a top summer destination for 2026

Albania is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after travel destinations for 2026, according to an article by Fran Watts published in the British newspaper The Independent. The report says growing numbers of visitors choose Albania for its clear waters, relaxed coastal towns and competitive prices. It notes that the …

News

Hoxha: Albania Targets Closing EU Negotiation Chapters by Next Year

Albania aims to close all EU negotiation chapters by next year, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said Albania’s EU accession process has entered a decisive stage. He also described EU membership as the country’s top national …

News

Hoxha: Everything that happens in Albania draws EU attention, protests are part of freedom of expression

The European Union follows developments in Albania closely, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference with journalists from EU member states, Hoxha addressed concerns over the proposed project in Zvërnec. He also commented on the European Commission’s reaction and recent protests …

News

Hoxha: Greece remains a strong supporter of Albania’s EU membership

Greece remains a strong supporter of Albania’s European Union membership, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Greece as stronger than ever. He said both countries are working to address long-standing bilateral issues …

News

Hoxha: No approved project in Zvërnec yet, full environmental impact assessment will be done

No approved project exists yet for the Zvërnec investment, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. He added that authorities will carry out a full environmental impact assessment before any decision. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said institutions continue preparatory work. He also …

News

Hoxha: EU enlargement will be key priority of Irish Presidency in 2026

EU enlargement will be a key priority of the Irish Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said his recent visit to Ireland focused on Albania’s EU …

News

TKOB prepares tribute evening for Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj

The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) is preparing a special evening dedicated to the great Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj. The event will pay tribute to one of the most powerful voices in Albanian opera. It will also honor his life, marked by artistic achievement and personal hardship. Lukë …

News

Golem Becomes a Tourism Hotspot, Short-Term Rental Market Records Strong Growth

Golem is emerging as one of Albania’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, recording significant increases in both demand and supply in the short-term rental market. According to data from AirDNA, a platform specializing in short-term rental market analytics for platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, the area recorded the strongest growth in …

News

Non-Performing Loan Ratio Fell to 3.75% in April

The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) returned to a downward trend in April. According to statistics from the Bank of Albania, the NPL ratio declined to 3.75%, down from 3.85% recorded in March. The indicator also continued to decrease on an annual basis, compared to 4.03% in April 2025. The …