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 …
Kosova Assembly suspends constitutive session as PM Kurti seeks more time for presidential deal
TIRANA, August 6 – Kosova’s Assembly suspended its constitutive session after Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti requested more time for political talks on a candidate for the country’s next president. Kurti told lawmakers that additional time was necessary to allow negotiations to continue. He said the parties needed more time to …
Strategic infrastructure and energy projects advance across Albania
TIRANA, August 6 – The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy continued work during the first seven months of 2026 on strategic projects in roads, energy, water supply and transport. The investments aim to improve public services, strengthen energy security and support economic development. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi …
“The Coffee Cantata” brings Bach’s humor and music to Tirana’s Grand Park
TIRANA, August 6 – Tirana’s Grand Park hosted The Coffee Cantata on Wednesday evening. The concert featured an Albanian-language performance of the satirical work by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. The event formed part of the “Bah… Café!” project with the support of the Municipality of Tirana. It combined classical …
August brings peak tourist season to mountainous Theth with around 2,000 overnight visitors
TIRANA, August 6 – August has brought the peak of the tourist season to Theth, one of the most visited destinations in the Albanian Alps. Around 2,000 tourists stay in the village each night on average, and most of them are foreign visitors. Besides the Grunas Waterfall and the Alp’s …
Clashes in Tirana over education, economic hardship and political accountability come amid more than 100 days of civic demonstrations demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Tirana Times, October 13, 2026 – Student-led protests demanding improvements in education, greater economic opportunities and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama turned violent …
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 …