Customs revenue reaches ALL 23.5 billion in July
TIRANA, August 11 – Customs revenue reached ALL 23.5 billion in July 2026. The figure increased by around ALL 223 million from the same month in 2025. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, several major revenue items drove the increase. Value-added tax provided the largest contribution, with …
Civil emergency budget rises more than 13-fold in seven years
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania has increased funding for civil emergencies more than 13-fold over the past seven years. The budget rose from ALL 430 million in 2020 to ALL 5.79 billion in 2026, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said on Monday. Malaj said the higher funding will strengthen capacity to …
Albania advances EU integration work with more than 20 draft laws for Chapters 16 and 29
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …
Vlora Airport Heads to Arbitration
Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …
High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings
TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …
Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …
“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec
TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …
Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August
TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …
Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices
TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …
Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007
TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …
Petro Zheji (1929–2015) ranks among Albania’s most distinguished translators. During the communist era, he helped introduce major works of world literature to Albanian readers, alongside prominent translators such as Mitrush Kuteli, Jusuf Vrioni, Klio Evangjeli and Vedat Kokona. His translations covered a wide range of literary traditions, including German, Spanish, …
Albania’s State Police has dismissed social media reports claiming that Serbian police officers have joined its ranks. The force described the allegations as false and malicious. The police said the claims seek to exploit nationalist sentiment, stir tensions and undermine public trust. It warned that such allegations could fuel conflict …
Albania features among 10 European destinations recommended for autumn holidays in a selection published by French media outlet Ulysse. The list highlights places where visitors can enjoy nature, beaches and cultural attractions in October. In an article by Luc Rongier, Albania appears alongside Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, southern France, Croatia, …
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama today condemned violence during three days of protests in Tirana. Speaking outside a private business gutted by fire, he blamed the opposition and alleged that foreign forces also sought to destabilize Albania. He claimed these actors wanted to obstruct the country’s path towards European Union …
Durrës Port recorded significant growth in commercial activity during the first eight months of 2026. Data from the Durrës Port Authority show increases in both vehicle and container handling compared with the same period last year. The port handled a total of 15,827 vehicles between January and August 2026. This …
The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and eight business associations have condemned violence and property damage during recent protests in the capital. They have urged authorities to take concrete measures to protect public order and safety. In a joint statement, the organizations expressed concern over attacks on public institutions, …
Egnatia began its historic UEFA Conference League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Danish side Midtjylland at Elbasan Arena on Thursday. Gruda scored for the Albanian side, which claimed its first point in the competition’s league phase. Egnatia took the lead in the 26th minute when Gruda headed home a …
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Masked protesters continued to clash with police in Tirana on Thursday. They damaged public spaces and private businesses as unrest spread across the capital. After vandalizing businesses on Elbasan Street, masked youths set a kiosk ablaze on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Flames engulfed the structure and sent thick smoke into …
President Bajram Begaj has called on citizens and all parties involved in the recent protests to reject violence and prioritize dialogue. He stressed that Albania needs calm, responsibility and cooperation. In a message to the public, Begaj said he had followed both the protesters’ demands and the acts of violence …