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Foreign Direct Investment Reaches €404 Million in First Quarter

Foreign direct investment in Albania reached €404 million in the first quarter of 2026. The figure marks an 11.6% increase compared with the same period last year. According to the Bank of Albania balance of payments report, real estate remained the leading destination for foreign investment. The sector attracted €174 …

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Begaj in Sofia: Regional Cooperation Key to Europe’s Shared Future

President Bajram Begaj attended the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in Sofia on Tuesday. The summit marked the 30th anniversary of SEECP. Leaders gathered to discuss regional unity, security, and sustainable development. During the meeting, Begaj emphasized the importance of EU integration for the Western Balkans. He also called …

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Rama: Albania Must Stay Open to Large Foreign Investments

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted on social media about foreign investments and tourism development. He shared a Greek media article. The article reported new luxury hotel investments in Mykonos by major international brands. First, Rama linked the topic to ongoing debates in Albania over large-scale investments, including the project in …

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AIDA Launches “Aftercare” Meetings Campaign

The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) launched today its “Aftercare” meetings campaign in Tirana. The initiative follows up on foreign investors and improves their experience in Albania. First, AIDA set the goal of the campaign. It aims to monitor existing foreign investments. It also aims to identify investor needs and …

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INSTAT: Managers Remain the Highest-Paid Professionals, Earning Over 122,000 Lek per Month

Managers and executives of institutions and businesses continue to top the list of the highest-paid professions in Albania. Data published by INSTAT in its report “Wage Statistics, First Quarter 2026” show that income disparities remain significant between highly qualified professions and jobs requiring basic skills. According to the data, managers …

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Unemployment Rises Again at the Start of the Year as Employment and Economic Activity Decline

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e5f3a318-6513-4bde-9f7b-f91271dd3755-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e5f3a318-6513-4bde-9f7b-f91271dd3755-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s labor market showed signs of slowing down in the first quarter of 2026. Data published by INSTAT indicate that, compared to the end of 2025, unemployment increased, while employment and labor market participation declined. According to the Quarterly Labour …

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PM Rama: Protests and Debates Risk the Investment Climate, Look at Greece

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”f23059fa-d42e-42bc-aa77-a09f92c68c03″ data-turn-id-container=”f23059fa-d42e-42bc-aa77-a09f92c68c03″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted again this Wednesday on Facebook, emphasizing the need to remain open to foreign investment while comparing economic developments in Greece with the situation in Albania. He stated that the neighboring country continues to successfully attract …

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U.S. State Department: Iran Behind Attacks on Jewish and American Interests in Europe

The U.S. Department of State has published a joint statement by the United States, the United Kingdom, Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden regarding threatening activities by the Iranian state …

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INSTAT: 18.1% of Women in Albania Have Experienced Stalking

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e5f3a318-6513-4bde-9f7b-f91271dd3755-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e5f3a318-6513-4bde-9f7b-f91271dd3755-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The end of a relationship does not always come with mutual understanding. In many cases, it is followed by controlling, threatening, or stalking behavior that becomes a source of fear and insecurity for victims. According to INSTAT, around 18.1% of …

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Durrës Sees Surge in Tourists, but Benefits for Local Businesses Remain Limited

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”aa64064e-40d1-48a4-b0ec-77f5952fcf39″ data-turn-id-container=”aa64064e-40d1-48a4-b0ec-77f5952fcf39″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Durrës is experiencing another tourism season marked by a significant increase in visitor numbers. Tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and France have chosen the Albanian coast for their holidays, but the majority of them are staying under all-inclusive …

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The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

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UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

News
Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

News
Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News
Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News
US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

News
Speaker Peleshi in Netherlands, support reaffirmed for faster EU negotiation process

TIRANA, June 16 – Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he met Speaker of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen, Senate President Mei Li Vos, and members of the European Affairs Committee. The visit comes at …

News
PM Rama to attend Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, focus on investment and EU path

TIRANA, June 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, one of the key platforms for economic and political dialogue between Germany and Eastern European countries. The Media and Information Agency said Rama will also meet members of the committee’s board …

News
Israeli photographer captures Vjosa river landscapes in Albania

TIRANA, June 16 – Natural landscapes across Albania continue to attract visitors from around the world. Unspoiled rivers, mountains, and rural scenery are shaping growing interest among photographers who seek less-explored Mediterranean destinations. Iris from Israel is among them. She is a photographer with more than 40 years of professional …

News
Lezha and Bra sign twinning agreement

TIRANA, June 16 – The Municipality of Lezha and the Municipality of Bra in Italy signed a twinning agreement that aims to strengthen ties between the two communities and expand cooperation in several areas. Lezha Mayor Pjerin Ndreu and Bra Mayor Giovanni Fogliato signed the agreement in the presence of …

News

The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

News

UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

News

Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

News

Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News

Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News

US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

News

Speaker Peleshi in Netherlands, support reaffirmed for faster EU negotiation process

TIRANA, June 16 – Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he met Speaker of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen, Senate President Mei Li Vos, and members of the European Affairs Committee. The visit comes at …

News

PM Rama to attend Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, focus on investment and EU path

TIRANA, June 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, one of the key platforms for economic and political dialogue between Germany and Eastern European countries. The Media and Information Agency said Rama will also meet members of the committee’s board …

News

Israeli photographer captures Vjosa river landscapes in Albania

TIRANA, June 16 – Natural landscapes across Albania continue to attract visitors from around the world. Unspoiled rivers, mountains, and rural scenery are shaping growing interest among photographers who seek less-explored Mediterranean destinations. Iris from Israel is among them. She is a photographer with more than 40 years of professional …

News

Lezha and Bra sign twinning agreement

TIRANA, June 16 – The Municipality of Lezha and the Municipality of Bra in Italy signed a twinning agreement that aims to strengthen ties between the two communities and expand cooperation in several areas. Lezha Mayor Pjerin Ndreu and Bra Mayor Giovanni Fogliato signed the agreement in the presence of …