National tax revenues reach 11.5 billion ALL in first quarter
TIRANA, May 8 – National tax revenues in January–March 2026 reached 11.5 billion ALL. They achieved 97.6% of the planned target for the first quarter, the Ministry of Finance said. The report on fiscal indicators showed revenues from this category stood around 500 million ALL lower than the same period …
Judicial reform enters phase of consolidation of European standards
TIRANA, May 8 – Minister of Justice Toni Gogu reported today to the National Council for European Integration on progress in Chapter 23 “Judiciary and Fundamental Rights”. He said judicial reform is entering a consolidation phase of European standards. He also said Albania fulfilled 14 interim benchmarks during 2025–February 2026. …
French ambassador: Negotiations continue, result is close
TIRANA, May 8 – French Ambassador to Albania Catherine Suard said Albania’s EU accession negotiations continue without interruption in an interview for “Klan News”. Reform momentum remains strong, she said, with judicial reform and the opening of negotiation clusters as key areas. She also underlined the need for reforms across …
“Otello” Premieres at National Theatre with a Strong Cast
Othello will premiere soon at the National Theatre of Albania under the direction of Qëndrim Rijani. The production brings together a well-known cast of Albanian actors, including Arben Derhemi, Viktor Zhusti, Lulzim Zeqja, Linda Jarani, Donald Shehu, Luli Bitri, Artan Imami, and others. The play is based on Shakespeare’s tragedy, …
Fuel prices fall again, diesel down by 3 ALL, petrol by 1 ALL
TIRANA, May 8 – The Transparency Board decided new reductions in fuel prices in the country. Diesel drops by 3 ALL per litre and will be sold at 193 ALL per litre. Petrol falls by 1 ALL per litre and will be sold at 179 ALL per litre. The decision …
Zucchero to Perform Live in Tirana in 2026 World Tour Stop
Zucchero will perform in Tirana on July 21, 2026, as part of his “Overdose D’Amore Gold – World Tour 2026”. The concert will take place at the Pista Olimpike e Vrapit and will bring blues, rock, and soul music to the Albanian capital. Meanwhile, the announcement was shared by Blendi …
Nexhmije Pagarusha, icon of Albanian music
TIRANA, May 7 – Nexhmije Pagarusha, one of the most iconic figures in Albanian music, was born 93 years ago in the village of Pagarusha in Malisheva of Kosova. Her career lasted more than five decades and moved between folk and operatic music, shaped by a distinctive soprano voice. “Baresha” …
More than 200 artists to perform during 10-day VjosArt festival in Albania
TIRANA, May 7 – More than 200 artists from Albania and across the region will perform during the 2026 edition of the VjosArt festival. The 10-day event combines art, tourism and environmental awareness along the Vjosa River. The festival will take place from May 21 to May 31 across several …
Albania, Kosovo Strengthen Defense Cooperation
Ermal Nufi met with Gegë Lleshi on Wednesday to discuss closer cooperation in defense and security. During the meeting, both sides highlighted their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in military education, joint training, and exercises. In addition, they discussed cooperation in civil protection and emergency management. Nufi stressed that Kosovo …
Demo Meets Austrian Delegation on EU Integration Cooperation
Ervin Demo welcomed Monika Zach and an Austrian delegation in Tirana on Wednesday. The delegation included 14 mayors and around 60 senior local government representatives. The group was led by Johannes Pressl. During the meeting, both sides discussed the role of local government in the European integration process. In addition, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Socialist lawmakers and all Members of the European Parliament supported recommendations backing Albania’s European Union membership during the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting in Strasbourg. Rama said all MEPs voted in favour of Albania’s European integration, alongside members of the Socialist Party, describing …
Albania has joined the European Council of Legal and Forensic Medicine (ECLFM), the highest European body for forensic medicine. Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the membership strengthens Albania’s position within the European forensic medicine community and creates new opportunities for professional and scientific development. Through this membership, Albania will officially …
German Ambassador Karl Bergner met with Albania’s Ombudsman Endrit Shabani and praised the institution’s work to protect human rights and promote European values. During the meeting, Bergner congratulated Shabani on his new role and highlighted the Ombudsman’s contribution to building a fairer and more inclusive society. The two officials discussed …
The French Cultural Week will begin this Sunday and continue until July 24, bringing a diverse program of artistic activities across Albania. The event will showcase French culture through impressionist painting, classical theatre, ballet, cinema, literature, music and other forms of artistic expression. As one of the world’s leading cultural …
Composer Aldo Shllaku brought the magic of Hollywood film music to his hometown of Shkodër, performing his internationally acclaimed works for the first time before a local audience. The concert featured emotional soundtracks created by Shllaku, an artist who has built a successful career in the global film industry while …
The fifth edition of the Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival brought international jazz performances to the “Mirush Kabashi” open-air theatre near Tirana’s Artificial Lake. The festival welcomed artists from Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside some of Albania’s most renowned jazz musicians. The evening opened …
New digital rights monitoring report published by BIRN reveals an increasingly hostile digital landscape – especially for journalists and civil society – across the Western Balkans and Turkey. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace, Cumhurbaskanlıgı Kulliyesi, in Ankara. Rama shared images from the meeting on social media. He described Erdogan as a valued friend and said the talks followed the NATO Summit and …
TIRANA, July 9 – President Bajram Begaj visited the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia on Thursday, where he met local representatives and residents in Presheva and Bujanoc. During his meetings with Presheva Mayor Ardita Sinani, Bujanoc Mayor Arbër Pajaziti, Albanian National Council Chairman Enkel Rexhepi and Albanian MP in Serbia’s …
TIRANA, July 9 – The Institute of Statistics of Albania, in cooperation with line ministries and partners, reviewed the preliminary results of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and discussed the preparation of the final report. The meeting marked an important stage in transforming collected data into analysis and recommendations for …