Europa League, Egnatia faces Irish test aiming for play-off
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian champions Egnatia will take the field on Tuesday evening for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Egnatia will face Irish side Shamrock Rovers in an away match that will start at 21:00. The team coached by Nevil Dede …
Kosova starts trial of over 20 former Serbian officers 27 years after Reçak massacre
TIRANA, August 4 – Nearly 27 years after the Reçak massacre, Kosova’s justice system has opened an in absentia trial against more than 20 former Serbian army and police members. They face accusations over the killing of 42 Albanian civilians on January 15, 1999. The first hearing took place in …
20 wildfires managed in 24 hours, 727 operational forces deployed
TIRANA, August 4 – A total of 727 operational forces have worked over the past 24 hours to manage 20 wildfire outbreaks across Albania, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. The response included 128 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 medical ambulance and 3 Air Force helicopters. These …
Customs handles summer travel surge with round-the-clock service
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian Customs is managing heavy summer travel flows with 24-hour service and efficient border procedures, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj noted that more than 1.8 million passengers travelled through Tirana International Airport during July. The airport also handled about 9,500 flights, reflecting the peak of …
National Farm Support Scheme attracts more farmers
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s 2026 National Agricultural Support Scheme has expanded its beneficiary base and drawn significantly more applications after lowering minimum funding thresholds and easing eligibility requirements. Ardita Kuçi, Director General of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR), said the revised scheme has encouraged broader participation …
EU trade chapter signals major changes for Albania
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s provisional closure of Chapter 30 – External Relations commits the country to align future trade agreements with European Union rules, including a clause allowing their termination without compensation once Albania joins the bloc. EU affairs expert Geron Kamberi said the chapter focuses on the EU’s …
President Begaj receives Ecuador’s ambassador
TIRANA, August 4 – President Bajram Begaj received Ecuador’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Esteban Assar Moscoso Bohman, at an official credentials ceremony after the diplomat presented his Letters of Credence. Begaj wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ecuador. He …
US Embassy welcomes $302 million defence loan for Albania
TIRANA, August 4 – The US Embassy in Tirana welcomed Albania’s ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, describing it as strong support for the continued modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. According to the embassy, the funding will help Albania advance toward …
Drought lowers water level at Fierza hydropower reservoir
TIRANA, August 4 – Prolonged drought and high temperatures continue to reduce the water level at the Fierza reservoir, Albania’s largest hydropower lake, as inflows fall sharply. Water inflows from the rivers feeding the reservoir have dropped to about 80 cubic metres per second. Meanwhile, the lake level has fallen …
US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania
TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Tirana on Monday. Sa’ar praised Rama’s support for Israel’s security and his firm stance against antisemitism and terrorism. In a statement on X, Sa’ar said the two officials held an in-depth discussion on strengthening bilateral relations and the …
Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improving the investment climate are essential to Albania’s EU accession process, EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said on Monday. Moreira de Sousa met with Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj to discuss Albania’s EU integration, SME development and ways to …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), on Monday to discuss expanding cooperation with central and local institutions. Demo praised the foundation’s contribution to Albania’s development, highlighting its projects in education, technology, entrepreneurship, tourism, cultural heritage and local economic …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said on Monday that cooperation between Albania and Greece remains essential for regional stability, economic growth and the Western Balkans’ European future. Addressing the Balkan Strategic Cooperation Forum in Tirana, Peleshi highlighted the partnership between the two countries, Greece’s support for Albania’s EU integration and opportunities …
Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs presented Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his delegation with historical and archival documents documenting Albanians’ efforts to protect and save Jews during the Holocaust. The exhibition featured official correspondence, travel documents and diplomatic records that shed light on acts of courage, solidarity …
High Court President Sokol Sadushi met with the Netherlands’ new ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday to discuss judicial reforms, the court’s progress and ways to strengthen institutional cooperation. Monster praised the progress made by Albania’s justice institutions and reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting ongoing reforms. She also …
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Professional Military Training Center in Bunavi, Vlorë, on Monday to meet young recruits, cadets, students, instructors and center officials. Accompanied by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, Nufi highlighted the center’s role in preparing the next generation …
The RTSH Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Albanian composers alongside international classical masterpieces on October 15 at the Ferdinand Deda Hall of Albanian Radio and Television. Maestro Eno Koço will conduct the concert, which brings together different musical styles and periods. The programme features works by Aleksandër Peçi, Johann …
Albanian Interior Minister Ervin Demo highlighted the strategic partnership between Albania and Greece at the Balkan Strategic Cooperation Forum, citing progress in trade, regional development and security. Trade between the two countries has exceeded 1 billion euros, while more than 300 Greek companies operate in Albania. Demo identified further opportunities …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signed a general cooperation agreement in Tirana to strengthen ties between the two countries. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in the economy, security, technology, agriculture, energy, healthcare, education and tourism. Hoxha highlighted opportunities for Israeli investment in …