Egnatia draw with Celje, Champions League tie remains open
TIRANA, July 23 – Albanian champions Egnatia drew 3-3 with Slovenia’s Celje in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Union of European Football Associations Champions League. The result leaves qualification open ahead of the return match. Egnatia took the lead in the 7th minute at the …
Mountain Economy Development: Albania Approves Four Priority Zones in Shkodër
The Council of Ministers today approved sweeping amendments to expand Albania’s priority mountain economy zones across the Shkodër municipality. The decision designates four distinct territories for targeted economic growth and infrastructure support: Zone No. 6 (4,667 hectares): Encompasses the villages of Nderlysaj, Lekaj, Gimaj, Nënmavriq, Nicaj-Shale, Abat, Pecaj, Vuksanaj, and …
Albanian government approves three expropriation decisions in southern Albania
TIRANA, July 23 – The Albanian government has approved three decisions on the expropriation of private properties for public interest. The projects will support infrastructure and urban development in Vlora and Saranda. The decisions, proposed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, provide more than ALL 11.9 million in total …
Albania Condemns Naval Blockade Threats Against Saudi Arabia
Albania strongly condemned the Houthi militia today over its threats against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which include imposing a naval blockade. In a social media statement, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEPJ) warned that these provocative and escalatory actions further destabilize the region. According to the Ministry, …
Government Approves Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Qatar
The Council of Ministers today approved two major agreements with Qatar and Ukraine. During today’s government meeting, ministers approved in principle a strategic cooperation agreement with the State of Qatar covering areas of mutual interest. The Council of Ministers also approved an agreement with Ukraine on international road transport. /a.c/ …
EU Integration: Government Approves Decision to Draft New Criminal Code
To advance Albania’s European Union integration process, the Council of Ministers today approved comprehensive measures to overhaul the nation’s criminal legislation. Specifically, the executive order mandates officials to draft, consolidate, and finalize three main pillars: a brand-new Criminal Code, structural amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, and updates to …
Nufi: We Have Started Preparations for the NATO Summit in Tirana, Awaiting the Official Date
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi declared today that heads of state and government from member nations will determine the official date for the upcoming NATO summit in Tirana. Speaking after today’s cabinet meeting, Nufi addressed questions regarding the summit’s organization, clarifying that member states dictate summit locations rather than the Alliance’s …
Rama Attends Opening Ceremony of Ziraat Bank Branch in Tirana
Albanian and Turkish institutional officials gathered in Tirana today to celebrate the official opening of the new Ziraat Bank branch. Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the ceremony alongside Turkish Ambassador to Albania Barış Ceyhun Erciyes, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj, Turkish Deputy Minister of Treasury and Finance Abdullah …
Rama: Military Personnel Status Ready, Big News Coming Soon for Armed Forces
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced tonight that the special status for military personnel is ready, promising that the long-awaited news for the Armed Forces will follow shortly. Prime Minister Rama made the statement during the graduation ceremony for 67 new officers from the Officer Preparation Course at the Armed Forces …
Rama: Albanian Armed Forces Now Highest Paid in the Region, Target NATO Average by 2030
Prime Minister Edi Rama declared today that Albania now boasts the highest-paid Armed Forces in the region, affirming a clear ambition to raise military salaries to match the NATO average by 2030. The Prime Minister delivered his remarks during the graduation ceremony for 67 new officers from the Officer Preparation …
By Zef Preci Tirana Times, September 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, Albania has had legislation requiring senior public officials to declare their assets and financial interests. Yet persistent concerns over unexplained wealth suggest that the central issue is no longer simply whether officials submit asset declarations. The …
Investigators examine weapons deals, state-linked defense companies and the role of businessman Ron Yeffet after allegations of international arms trafficking surfaced in recordings released by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. Tirana Times, October 03, 2026 – A series of searches by Albania’s special prosecutors has opened a potentially significant …
Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside …
Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …
Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …
The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …
The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …
The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …