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 …
Sazan-Karaburun remains a top summer destination
TIRANA, August 4-Albania’s only national marine park, Sazan-Karaburun, continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign tourists this summer. The park’s crystal-clear waters, rich biodiversity, and natural beauty draw hundreds of visitors every day. Many explore the area on tourist boats and other vessels departing from the Port of …
Government boosts support for elite athletes with additional 40 million lek fund
TIRANA, August 4-Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja says the Albanian government continues to strengthen its support for sport. He described funding for elite athletes as one of the government’s key priorities. Under the latest normative act, the government has approved an additional 40 million lek fund. The …
Clear weather with high temperatures across Albania
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have clear skies throughout the territory. Meanwhile, some temporary clouds may appear over mountainous areas from midday to afternoon. Winds will blow from the southeast to the southwest at …
Fire in Hekal village in Mallakastër fully extinguished
TIRANA, August 4 – The fire that broke out in Hekal village, Mallakastër Municipality, has been fully extinguished, the National Civil Protection Agency said. The agency reported that the blaze affected an area covered with bushes and olive groves. Civil emergency teams and local firefighting services joined the operation. Meanwhile, …
Voskopoja blends history, nature and hospitality for visitors
TIRANA, August 4 – The mountain village of Voskopoja in Korça continues to attract visitors from around the world. The destination has become a year-round tourist attraction. Once one of the most important cultural, artistic and historical centers in the Balkans, Voskopoja remains a symbol of Balkan and European heritage. …
Albania’s National Library has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Central Library of Florence, with support from the Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana. The agreement aims to strengthen ties between the two institutions and promote the preservation of library and documentary heritage. At the signing ceremony, Italian Cultural Institute …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the European Union’s enlargement process was gaining momentum. She confirmed that Albania was expected to provisionally close another negotiating chapter today, covering enterprise and industrial policy. The decision was due during the 10th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Montenegro provisionally closed three …
Albania’s Prosecutor General, Olsian Çela, has met with Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) Chair Armela Krasniqi and signed a memorandum of cooperation to establish and operate a task force against digital audiovisual piracy. Under the agreement, AMA will report suspected criminal offences to the competent prosecution offices. The authority will also …
Private operators accounted for 92.7% of Albania’s rail freight transport, measured in tonne-kilometers, in 2025, according to the national statistics agency INSTAT. The figures appear in its report, “Transport in Figures 2025”, which highlights the dominant role of private companies in the sector. Rail freight transport reached 17 million tonne-kilometers …
Albania’s Transparency Board has set new fuel price caps, effective from 14:00 on October 13. Diesel may cost no more than ALL 219 per litre at retail and ALL 207 per litre at wholesale. Petrol prices may not exceed ALL 196 per litre at retail and ALL 184 per litre …
Albania’s accession talks with the European Union began on July 19, 2022. Today, the 10th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg is expected to provisionally close Chapter 20 on Enterprise and Industrial Policy. This would bring the number of provisionally closed chapters to four. In October 2024, Albania opened its first …
Albania had 1,048,092 road vehicles in 2025, up 9.3% from the previous year. Passenger movements through land border crossings also increased, rising 6.5% to 28,421,891 entries and exits, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Passenger cars accounted for 80.8% of the vehicle fleet, followed by motorcycles at 6.1%. The …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the closure of Chapter 20 marks an important step in Albania’s European integration. The announcement came during the 10th Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the European Union in Luxembourg on Tuesday. She said Albania had worked intensively over the past year to meet …
President Bajram Begaj attended the opening of the house museum of renowned Albanian writer Dritëro Agolli in Menkulas, Devoll, on the 95th anniversary of his birth. He described the museum as a national act of gratitude and an investment in Albania’s cultural heritage. Begaj said Agolli was one of the …
Albanian writer and poet Millosh Gjergj Nikolla, known by his pen name Migjeni, was born in Shkodër 115 years ago. His work brought open protest, dreams of a new world and deep optimism to Albanian literature. Migjeni wrote about the social hardships faced by ordinary people in the Albania of …