Blog
News

“Balkans meet in Trieste”, FM Hoxha: Enlargement is Europe’s strength

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, was among the keynote speakers at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference. Italy’s ANSA news agency organized the event. The conference took place during the 34th General Assembly of the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE). The Friuli …

Read More
News

FM Hoxha: Kosovo, an independent state and should be recognized; Regional cooperation remains a major priority

Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, Hoxha also addressed Albania’s positions on Kosovo,  stressing that Albania considers it an independent state that should receive international recognition. “We have fundamental differences with Serbia over Kosovo,” he said. “Kosovo is an independent state and should be recognized.” At the same …

Read More
News

Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past

The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …

Read More
News

National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement

Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …

Read More
News

Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”

The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …

Read More
News

BBC: ‘Tirana teeth’: Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work

 BBC reports on Tirana’s growing dental tourism industry, as Albania seeks to establish itself as a cheaper alternative to Turkey for international patients seeking dental treatment. Anthony Hook is sitting in a dentist’s chair, grinning toothily into a handheld mirror. He has been asked to pose for photos showing off …

Read More
News

US Embassy: Albania to Play a Key Role in the International Stabilization Force Mission

International Stabilization Force (ISF) Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers held talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi. The discussions focused on Albania’s future contributions to the force and its role in supporting the ISF mission. During the meetings, the officials discussed Albania’s …

Read More
News

Mother Teresa Square to Become Pedestrian Zone with Museum and Underground Parking

Tirana plans to transform Mother Teresa Square into a mainly pedestrian public space. The project will move many of the square’s new functions underground. The Albanian Development Fund has launched a tender for the project. It has set a budget limit of 20.8 billion lek, or around €21 million, for …

Read More
News

Albania battles 43 wildfires as 13 remain active

The Ministry of Defence reported 43 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Of these, 13 remain active, while eight are under monitoring and 22 have been extinguished. Meanwhile, 697 local and municipal emergency personnel took part in firefighting and monitoring operations. In addition, they used 68 firefighting vehicles …

Read More
News

UNOPS and Albania join forces to modernise public procurement

The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) and UNOPS have signed a cooperation agreement in Tirana. The agreement is called “Procuring Together for a European Albania”. It aims to strengthen strategic purchasing. It also seeks to improve public procurement. OBP Administrator Jonaid Myzyri signed the agreement. Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS …

Read More
News
Exhibition Dedicated to Kadare in Pristina Highlights the Writer’s Connection to Kosovo

The exhibition was organized by the Albanian Embassy in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo, and the Kadare Studio House – Municipality of Tirana. At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nora Arapi-Krasniqi praised the writer’s role in supporting Kosovo’s cause. “For us in Kosovo, Kadare …

News
President Begaj meets Ohad Kaynar, Accepts Credentials of Israel’s New Ambassador

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj welcomes the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Ohad Kaynar, this Friday on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence. During the ceremony, President Begaj wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission. The meeting also highlighted the excellent relations between …

News
Draft Law introduces new museum and heritage rules, grants for privately owned monuments

TIRANA, Nov 6  /ATA/ Museums, cultural monuments and other cultural heritage sites across the country will be subject to new rules governing their administration, maintenance and restoration. The draft law on several additions and amendments to the Law “On Cultural Heritage and Museums”, published for public consultation by the Ministry of …

News
Albanian Customs takes part in regional operation targeting illicit financial flows

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The closing meeting of the Regional Operation “NELSON”, aimed at tackling the illegal movement of cash and high-value goods, took place at the headquarters of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) in Bucharest. The Albanian Customs Administration, working alongside the State Police, actively participated in the …

News
Bylykbashi calls for fundamental electoral system reform and open lists in elections

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair …

News
Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

TIRANA, Nov  6 /ATA/ Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. Amid profound shifts in Europe’s security and geopolitical landscape, regional cooperation is more important than ever, according to the Foreign Minister. “The CEI remains a valuable platform …

News
Rama announces new inspection framework for 2027, unannounced checks to be phased out

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 32nd Tirana International Fair (TIF32) featured a conference with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, providing foreign businesses and prospective investors with guidance on Albania’s legal requirements, regulatory standards and inspection procedures. The conference featured three thematic panels focusing …

News
Dutch Ambassador: Protests reflect social tensions, violence is unacceptable

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Dutch Ambassador Marleen Monster said Albania’s protests reflect public discontent and social tensions, stressing that while citizens have the right to demonstrate, violence is unacceptable. During a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have …

News
Gonxhja holds talks with World Bank Director on Sustainable Tourism Development

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja today held a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Western Balkans, and other representatives of the institution. Gonxhja said the discussions focused on the progress of reforms and projects aimed at increasing tourism’s economic …

News
Albania and India explore new avenues for tourism cooperation

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ On the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 international tourism fair, National Tourism Agency Director-General Jola Hysaj held a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The talks focused on strengthening tourism relations and cooperation between Albania and India through …

News

Exhibition Dedicated to Kadare in Pristina Highlights the Writer’s Connection to Kosovo

The exhibition was organized by the Albanian Embassy in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo, and the Kadare Studio House – Municipality of Tirana. At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nora Arapi-Krasniqi praised the writer’s role in supporting Kosovo’s cause. “For us in Kosovo, Kadare …

News

President Begaj meets Ohad Kaynar, Accepts Credentials of Israel’s New Ambassador

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj welcomes the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Ohad Kaynar, this Friday on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence. During the ceremony, President Begaj wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission. The meeting also highlighted the excellent relations between …

News

Draft Law introduces new museum and heritage rules, grants for privately owned monuments

TIRANA, Nov 6  /ATA/ Museums, cultural monuments and other cultural heritage sites across the country will be subject to new rules governing their administration, maintenance and restoration. The draft law on several additions and amendments to the Law “On Cultural Heritage and Museums”, published for public consultation by the Ministry of …

News

Albanian Customs takes part in regional operation targeting illicit financial flows

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The closing meeting of the Regional Operation “NELSON”, aimed at tackling the illegal movement of cash and high-value goods, took place at the headquarters of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) in Bucharest. The Albanian Customs Administration, working alongside the State Police, actively participated in the …

News

Bylykbashi calls for fundamental electoral system reform and open lists in elections

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair …

News

Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

TIRANA, Nov  6 /ATA/ Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. Amid profound shifts in Europe’s security and geopolitical landscape, regional cooperation is more important than ever, according to the Foreign Minister. “The CEI remains a valuable platform …

News

Rama announces new inspection framework for 2027, unannounced checks to be phased out

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 32nd Tirana International Fair (TIF32) featured a conference with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, providing foreign businesses and prospective investors with guidance on Albania’s legal requirements, regulatory standards and inspection procedures. The conference featured three thematic panels focusing …

News

Dutch Ambassador: Protests reflect social tensions, violence is unacceptable

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Dutch Ambassador Marleen Monster said Albania’s protests reflect public discontent and social tensions, stressing that while citizens have the right to demonstrate, violence is unacceptable. During a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have …

News

Gonxhja holds talks with World Bank Director on Sustainable Tourism Development

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja today held a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Western Balkans, and other representatives of the institution. Gonxhja said the discussions focused on the progress of reforms and projects aimed at increasing tourism’s economic …

News

Albania and India explore new avenues for tourism cooperation

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ On the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 international tourism fair, National Tourism Agency Director-General Jola Hysaj held a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The talks focused on strengthening tourism relations and cooperation between Albania and India through …