Hoxha: EU Membership Remains Albania’s Top Foreign Policy Priority
Albania’s EU membership remains the country’s main foreign policy priority, Foreign Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said following the government’s seminar in Pogradec. Hoxha said Albania will accelerate its diplomatic efforts and maintain a clear focus on the EU accession process. He also highlighted stronger regional cooperation …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
TIRANA, September 1 – The Ministry of Defence reported 27 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Four fires remain active, while authorities are monitoring 4 others. Firefighters deployed 432 operational personnel and 43 vehicles, with support from 70 military personnel and 3 Air Force helicopters. Today, authorities plan …
TIRANA, September 1 – Albanian referee Emanuela Rusta will officiate another major European fixture. She will referee the second leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Frankfurt. The match will take place on September 2 at 18:30 at the PSG Campus …
Albania’s history of protecting Jewish people during World War II took center stage at a documentary exhibition held today at the General Directorate of Archives. The exhibition highlighted how Albanian families sheltered Jewish people fleeing Nazi persecution and antisemitic terror. A group of history teachers from Albania and Kosovo attended …
TIRANA, September 1 – The US Embassy in Tirana praised Albania for repatriating 5 Albanian citizens from Syria. The group included 2 women and 3 children. The embassy described the operation as an important step for the families and for global security. It said the returnees would receive support for …
The Monastery of the Archangels in Derviçan has entered the restoration phase. The project also covers the eastern and western guest quarters of the complex. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images of the ongoing work at the important cultural and religious heritage site. The restoration will …
TIRANA, September 1 – Albania plans to increase funding for reimbursed medicines by 28% in 2027. The fund will reach 17.28 billion ALL, up from 13.5 billion ALL in 2026. The 2027–2029 Medium-Term Budget Programme projects an expansion of the reimbursed medicines list by 20 items. The list will grow …
Berat offers travelers a rare mix of history, adventure, gastronomy and hospitality. Pier Andrea Canei highlights the city in Italy’s “Style Magazine”. He presents Berat as an increasingly popular destination for international travelers. The UNESCO-listed city combines its historic “thousand windows” with the medieval Berat Castle, the Osum Canyon and …
TIRANA, September 1 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met his Slovenian counterpart Tone Kajzer in Bled, Slovenia. The meeting took place during the Bled Strategic Forum 2026. The ministers discussed Albania’s European Union membership process, Europe’s future and the strategic importance of the Western Balkans. They …
TIRANA, September 1 – More than 220 people have requested access to the courtroom for the September 16 verdict in the case of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague will allocate only 80 seats in the public gallery. Forty seats …
TIRANA, September 1 – The “After School” program will operate in 408 schools across Albania. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced the expansion as the new school year approaches. The program will offer activities in art, culture, creativity, practical skills and learning. It will cover 117 schools in Tirana, 96 …