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Speaker Peleshi meets Greek Parliament Deputy Speaker and European Affairs Chair Plakiotakis in Athens on EU integration

TIRANA, June 10 – Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi met Ioannis Plakiotakis in Athens. Plakiotakis serves as Chair of the European Affairs Committee and First Deputy Speaker of the Greek Parliament. The talks focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation between Albania and Greece and supporting Albania’s European Union integration process. Both …

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Fuel Transparency Board cuts diesel and petrol prices in Albania

TIRANA, June 10 – The Transparency Board set new retail and wholesale price ceilings for diesel and petrol. Gazoil meeting SSH EN 590 standards will cost no more than 188 ALL per litre at retail level, while wholesale prices will not exceed 176 ALL per litre. Petrol will not exceed …

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Ministerial Ukraine–South East Europe in Tirana postponed due to Ukraine security situation

TIRANA, June 10 – The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs postponed the Ministerial Ukraine–South East Europe meeting. The meeting was scheduled for June 12, 2026 in Tirana. The ministry said it will announce a new date later. The ministry clarifies that the decision follows the security situation in Ukraine. …

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Academy of Sciences supports concerns of Albanians in Presheva Valley

TIRANA, June 10 – The Academy of Sciences of Albania said it supports the legitimate demands and concerns of Albanians in the Presheva Valley. It also said it stands ready to cooperate in addressing them. The statement followed a meeting between the Academy’s leadership, institute directors, and Presheva Municipality Mayor …

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Albanian asset recovery agency studies French practices in Paris visit

TIRANA, June 10 – A delegation from the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK) and the Asset Recovery Office visited Paris on June 9–10, 2026. The delegation was led by AAPSK Chief Administrator Risena Xhaja. The visit took place under the Council of Europe project “Strengthening …

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Is Greece Behind Albania’s Anti-Government Protests? 

Tirana Times, June 10, 2026  — Prime Minister Edi Rama has sought to link the growing anti-government protests over the planned tourism project in Zvërnec with foreign interests, suggesting that Greek media and online platforms have joined domestic opponents in trying to undermine what he describes as a historic investment for …

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Tirana Protests Trigger Albania-Iran Clash

Prime Minister Edi Rama accuses Tehran of exploiting anti-government protests over the Trump-linked Zvërnec project, while Iran says Tirana is using it as a scapegoat. Tirana Times, June 10, 2026. What began as an environmental protest against a controversial tourism project in the protected area of Zvërnec has entered a …

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Last Straw: Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ Fuelled by Long-Standing Grievances

Angered by the treatment of a protester at the site of a planned resort linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Albanians are taking to the streets, fuelled by long-standing grievances over the way their country has been run. Original post Here

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Sejko and CEF Director Discuss Expanded Cooperation in Banking Supervision

Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko met with the Director of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), Jana Repanšek, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He also met with Robertina Gjoka Vasilieva, CEF Manager for Albania. Furthermore, both sides reviewed their cooperation in developing professional skills and sharing financial knowledge. …

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Protests, Ibrahimaj says government holds stronger electoral mandate one year after elections

TIRANA, June 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj took part in the Albanian Radio and Television talk show Trialog, hosted by journalist Alba Alishani. She said the recent protests in Albania began as a public reaction to images of violence that shocked public opinion. Meanwhile, Ibrahimaj said protest …

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Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

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Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

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Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

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Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

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Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

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EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

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PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

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Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July

TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …

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Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital

TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …

News
Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …

News

Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

News

Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

News

Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

News

Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

News

Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

News

EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

News

PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

News

Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July

TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …

News

Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital

TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …

News

Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …