Bank of Albania keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%
The Bank of Albania has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. The Supervisory Council announced the decision on November 3. Governor Gent Sejko also confirmed that the overnight deposit rate will remain at 1.5%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending rate will stay at 3.5%. Sejko said the decision reflects …
Albania strengthens aviation emergency response with search-and-rescue drill
Albania will test its aviation emergency response capabilities today through a planned search-and-rescue exercise near Tirana International Airport. The drill, named SAR-2026, will run from 10:30 to 12:00. The National Search and Rescue Centre is organising the exercise with institutions responsible for aviation emergencies. Participants include the Armed Forces, Tirana …
Albanian and Hungarian national libraries launch cultural cooperation
The National Library of Albania and Hungary’s National Szechenyi Library have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen professional, scientific and cultural ties. The signing ceremony brought together Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Lira Pipa and Hungarian Ambassador to Albania Martina Laura Kasnyik. The agreement provides for exchanges …
FM Hoxha: Albania seeks merit-based European Union membership, not shortcuts
Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended the international conference “EU Enlargement: Assessing New Concepts and the Outlook for 2027,” organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations. Hoxha said geopolitical realities had made enlargement a strategic and security necessity for Europe. However, he stressed that this …
Lezha begins construction of a new pedestrian zone
Construction has begun on a new pedestrian promenade in Lezha, a project worth ALL 62 million funded by the municipal budget. The development aims to create new recreational spaces for residents and tourists. The municipality expects to complete the project by next summer. Deputy PM Albana Koçiu shared footage of …
European Commission to present Albania’s 2026 progress report in Brussels
The European Commission is expected to publish its 2026 Enlargement Package today at around 13:00, including its annual report on Albania. The report will assess reform progress, accession criteria and the challenges Albania must address on its path towards European Union membership. For the first time, the package is expected …
Government plans higher spending on public security in 2027
Interior Minister Ervin Demo has presented the government’s proposed 2027 budget for the Interior Ministry to the Assembly’s Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence. The plan allocates around ALL 40 billion, a 12% increase from 2026 and the ministry’s highest budget allocation to date. It aims to strengthen public security, …
Kruja: where history, culture and mountain tourism meet
Located on the slopes of a mountain, the historic city of Kruja remains one of Albania’s most popular tourist destinations. Just a short distance from Tirana, it attracts local and international visitors with its rich history, cultural traditions and natural beauty. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared new images of …
Government draft budget for 2027 prioritises infrastructure and energy projects
Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi has announced that the government’s draft budget for 2027 provides full funding for priority infrastructure and energy projects. It includes investment in roads and water supply and sewerage systems across all 12 counties. Key road projects include continued construction of the Elbasan bypass, completion …
Lion King musical brings a new adventure to Tirana’s Puppet Theatre
The musical “The Lion King” will bring a colourful theatrical experience to children and families in Tirana this November and December. Melsi Qirici, director of the National Centre of Culture for Children, has announced the performance dates. The show will take place on November 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania Holta Zaçaj participated in the “Fast Payments in the Western Balkans” panel in Tirana, where she highlighted the significance of Albania’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). She noted that SEPA membership is expected to lower …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ A complex operation to remove a giant tumour on the side of the nose has been successfully carried out at the Mother Teresa University Hospital Centre (QSUT). According to a social media post by QSUT, the patient was initially assessed by the Otorhinolaryngology Department, where a comprehensive …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ State Police Director General Skënder Hita visited Malësia e Madhe to meet and thank two officers, Inspectors Hilmi Smajlaj and Samet Bajri, who serve with the General Patrol Unit of the Malësia e Madhe Police Commissariat and sustained knife injuries while attempting to apprehend a German national …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ The Democratic Party (DP) staged another nationwide protest on Saturday in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, expressing support for students and young people who have taken to the streets for several days to protest against the government. DP leader Sali Berisha called on citizens to …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Air traffic in Albania is expected to grow by 18.3% in 2026, with Tirana International Airport forecast to handle more than 13.5 million passengers, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Saturday. Speaking during a visit to the airport, Karakaçi welcomed the expansion of …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – The government plans to allocate 50 million leks in 2027 to develop and upgrade youth facilities in seven municipalities across Albania, as part of broader efforts to expand employment opportunities, improve skills and encourage young people’s participation in public life. The funding, included in next …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Students staged another protest outside the Ministry of Education on Saturday, with the gathering beginning at around 2 p.m. The students assembled to voice their demands and positions as part of demonstrations that have continued for several weeks. They have vowed to maintain their protests …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Tensions flared outside Ministry of Education on Saturday in Tirana as students protesting there blocked representatives and supporters of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) from joining their rally. The students formed a human cordon to prevent the opposition protesters from approaching the demonstration. Holding …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama today reiterated his invitation to the protesting students to engage in dialogue, expressing the government’s readiness to consider their proposals and address the concerns they have raised. Rama shared footage on social media of the stone table set up outside the Prime …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Despite being part of the “100 Villages” programme, the stone-paved streets of Arrëz and Sinicë, in Upper Devoll, remain largely off the tourist trail, attracting relatively few visitors. The villages are easily accessible, either by road from Bilisht towards Miras or via a hiking trail starting …