Karakaçi: State to Manage Hydrocarbon Security Reserves
The state will manage Albania’s hydrocarbon security reserves under a draft law approved today by the Council of Ministers. The legislation will change how authorities store and manage these reserves. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi said the draft law introduces a major change to the current system. Private operators …
Begaj on Hague Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders: Deep Sadness
President Bajram Begaj expressed deep sadness over today’s Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. In a social media post, Begaj said their determination to appeal the verdict shows strong integrity and resilience. “For Albanians, no one and nothing …
Human Rights Groups Urge Serbia to Prosecute Senior Commanders Over Kosovo Crimes
Three human rights organizations have called on Serbia to prosecute senior military and police commanders over crimes committed against Kosovo Albanians. The Humanitarian Law Fund (HLC) in Serbia, the Humanitarian Law Fund Kosovo (HLF Kosovo) and the RECOM Reconciliation Network issued a joint statement following the first-instance verdict against four …
Bajraktari Calls Hague Verdict ‘Scandalous’, Urges Political Unity in Kosovo
Albanian-American activist Harry Bajraktari called the Hague verdict against four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders “scandalous.” He described it as a “sad day for Kosovo and international justice.” Bajraktari said the four were convicted for standing with their people against what he described as Serbian oppression, brutality and ethnic …
Sentencing of Four Former KLA Leaders, Rama: SHAME
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted immediately on Wednesday following the decision of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague regarding the former KLA leaders. Rama shared a photo on Facebook with the word “SHAME” written in capital letters. The image shows a map of Europe surrounded by a circle of …
Fuel Price Increase: Minister Ibrahimaj Announces Reactivation of the Transparency Board
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced after the government meeting on Wednesday the decision to reactivate the Transparency Board for fuel prices. According to the minister, this mechanism will serve to reduce the excise tax and lower market prices, which have remained at high levels for more than …
Begaj on Sentencing of Former KLA Leaders: Deep Sadness, Freedom Has a Name
President Bajram Begaj reacted on Wednesday to the sentencing of the former KLA leaders by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. He said that today’s decision brings deep sadness, adding that for Albanians, no one and nothing can tarnish the KLA. “Deep sadness over today’s decision. The determination to …
ABI Bank Consolidates Growth in First Half of 2026
Rapid branch network expansion, high liquidity and stronger capital demonstrate the Bank’s sustainable development The American Bank of Investments (ABI Bank) closed the first half of 2026 with a sound financial position and indicators demonstrating stability, strong financing capacity and growing confidence in the Albanian market. ABI Bank is continuing …
81 Years in Prison for Former KLA Leaders
The four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have been sentenced to a combined 81 years in prison by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, following the conclusion of the first-instance judgment in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Former Kosovo …
Albania’s digital banking progress
Developments in Albania’s financial sector have drawn the attention of European media outlet Euractiv, which has highlighted the country’s digital banking transformation and its potential for closer integration with the wider European financial market. The article also features Jet Bank, presented as the first fully digital, branchless bank in the …
Albania’s 2027 draft budget will support European Union accession negotiations and prepare the country for membership, State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka said on Tuesday. Speaking to the Assembly’s Committee on European Affairs and Foreign Policy, Dhuka said Albania had opened all negotiating chapters, received a positive assessment of …
Albania’s European identity, cultural heritage and aspirations for the future will take centre stage during Albania’s European Week in Ottawa in 2026. The Embassy of the Republic of Albania to Canada will organise the event in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Ottawa. …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo said police success depends on how safe citizens feel, how well authorities protect young people and how effectively they restrict criminal groups’ activities. Speaking at a joint conference of the State Police and Italy’s Guardia di Finanza on 2026 aerial monitoring results, Demo praised 15 years …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo said Albania plays an active role in Europe’s security architecture and in tackling cross-border threats. He made the remarks opening the international conference “Regional security: New risks, stronger cooperation” in Tirana. The event brought together Regional Cooperation Council Secretary-General Amer Kapetanović, Italian Interior Ministry representatives, the …
The European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, held a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations, during which she presented the 2026 Albania Report. In a post published on Tuesday, the EU Delegation announced that the meeting addressed issues related to the environment, transparency, land ownership rights, …
Aerial monitoring and the use of modern surveillance equipment have increased the Guardia di Finanza’s ability to identify suspected cannabis cultivation sites in Albania. During a joint press conference with the Albanian State Police, a representative of the Italian authorities emphasized that cooperation between the two sides has delivered concrete …
The Transparency Board decided to reduce fuel prices during its meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Board decided that gasoline will be sold at no more than 167 lek per liter, while diesel will be sold at no more than 208 lek per liter. “The retail price of diesel …
For the first time, PET scan examinations will be publicly funded. The project has been included in the draft 2027 budget, with an allocation of 250 million lek, and approximately 2,500 patients are expected to benefit from the service. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health and Social …
Albania recorded positive natural population growth in the third quarter of 2026, with 742 more births than deaths. According to data from INSTAT, a total of 5,787 births and 5,045 deaths were registered during this period. However, the birth rate continues to decline. Compared to the same period in 2025, …
Around 450,000 to 500,000 citizens across Albania use public transport, but the cost of the service and the tax burden on operators risk becoming even heavier. This concern was raised by the National Association of Urban Transport in a letter addressed to Parliament, outlining a series of requests for tax …