Defence Minister Nufi visits Civil Emergency Support Base on 39th anniversary, highlights wildfire response
TIRANA, September 2 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited Albania’s Civil Emergency Support Base as the structure marked the 39th anniversary of its establishment. Nufi praised the base’s role during the difficult wildfire season. From April through August 2026, the base carried out 54 firefighting operations, deploying more than 1,500 …
Lin Festival returns from September 4 to 6 with culture, art and traditions by the lake
The picturesque village of Lin will host the fourth edition of the Lin Festival from September 4 to 6, 2026. The National Center for Traditional Activities (QKVT) organizes the event to promote and preserve Albania’s intangible cultural heritage. Set along the shores of the lake, the festival will offer a …
Gonxhja: Public beaches expand by 67% as authorities curb price abuse
Albania has significantly expanded its public beaches during the 2026 tourist season. The move gives local and international visitors more space, access, and affordable options. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said today that municipalities increased the number of public beach station plots by 67% this season. Meanwhile, authorities …
Police rescue four German tourists after boat catches fire in Ksamil
TIRANA, September 2 – Border Police and the Marine Police Unit in Ksamil rescued four German tourists after the boat they were travelling on caught fire. Police said officers responded after receiving a report that a boat had caught fire inside near the Pema e Thatë area in Ksamil. Border …
New European Union ambassador takes office in Albania as Gonzato’s mandate ends
TIRANA, September 2 – Sofia Moreira de Sousa is taking over as the new European Union ambassador to Albania after the end of Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. Moreira de Sousa will first present her credentials to President Bajram Begaj. The ceremony will formally mark the start of her mandate in Albania. …
World Bank: Tourism has highest potential for creating new jobs in Albania
TIRANA, September 2 – Tourism has the greatest potential for creating new jobs in Albania, according to the World Bank. A more diverse tourism offer could also spread employment opportunities beyond the summer season. The assessment comes from the World Bank’s FY 2026 Albania Country Opinion Survey Report, based on …
Albania produced 183,000 tonnes of grapes in 2025 as farmer support continues
TIRANA, September 2 – Albania produced around 183,000 tonnes of grapes in 2025, according to the Agricultural Development and Rural Development Agency. Grape production continues to grow alongside vineyard expansion and new investment in technology and processing capacity. Fier, Elbasan, Berat and Vlora have some of the country’s largest vineyard …
International Monetary Fund returns to Albania to assess public investment management
TIRANA, September 2 – The International Monetary Fund has launched a mission in Albania focused on improving how the country plans, finances and implements public investments. The IMF instrument examines the full project cycle, from planning and selection to implementation and monitoring. IMF experts will be meeting senior officials at …
Albania Turns Away Tanker Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Durres decision puts sanctions enforcement under scrutiny after vessel had previously called at Albanian port. Tirana Times, September 01, 2026 – Albania’s decision to deny entry to a tanker identified by Ukrainian military intelligence as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet marks more than an isolated maritime enforcement action. It …
La Stampa: Italy trains its future nurses in Albania
Italy’s Piedmont region faces a shortage of around 6,000 nursing professionals. Regional authorities are now seeking both short-term and long-term solutions. Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on the region’s efforts to address the growing healthcare workforce gap. Piedmont Health Councillor Federico Riboldi recently visited Uzbekistan after an earlier mission to …
How the vision of a scholar and the support of Prime Minister Edi Rama made it possible to bring one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions to Albania By Nora Ahmeti TIRANA, Albania – At 6 p.m. on December 2, 2022, Albert Rakipi, a well-known figure in academic, diplomatic and foreign …
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Prime Minister Edi Rama at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday. Their meeting focused on Albania’s progress in defence and its commitment to NATO obligations. Following the meeting, Rama described Rutte as a strong friend of Albania and an attentive observer of developments in …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Brussels on Monday, where he took part in the Euronews Enlargement Summit. The high-level forum focused on EU enlargement and the European future of countries seeking membership. Discussions covered the progress of candidate countries, ongoing reforms and their commitments to the European Union. Participants also …
Albania is working to strengthen regional cooperation in aeronautical search and rescue. The country hosted the second 2026 meeting of the Regional Aeronautical Search and Rescue Advisory Committee (RASARAC), organised by the National Search and Rescue Centre. Deputy Defence Minister Blerina Abrazhda took part in the meeting. She reaffirmed Albania’s …
Albania is promoting its tourism potential at WTM London 2026, one of the world’s leading travel industry events. The country has opened its national pavilion with a programme that highlights tourism, culture, traditions and innovation. The fair runs from November 3 to 5 in London. It brings together tourism officials, …
The Durres Port Authority took part in Waterborne Transport Week 2026, an international event held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community organised the forum under the motto “Connecting Transport, Connecting People”. The event brought together representatives of European institutions, transport authorities and regional partners. …
Four NATO warships have arrived at the Port of Vlora as part of a joint military activity with the Albanian Navy. The fleet consists of two German vessels, one Italian vessel, and one Spanish vessel. The ships will remain in port until November 6. During this period, port activities and …
During an interview with journalist Maria Tadeo at the Euronews Enlargement Summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the Western Balkans’ path toward the European Union and Serbia’s regional role. He emphasized that although Serbia’s EU integration is important for regional stability, Belgrade must demonstrate concrete progress, meet …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said during his speech at the Euronews Enlargement Summit in Brussels that Albania aims to conclude accession negotiations with the European Union by the end of 2027. Rama expressed skepticism about the deadlines periodically set by the European Union regarding Albania, but emphasized that the country …
Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the student protests in Tirana, now in their 22nd day, during an interview in Brussels on Tuesday. The head of government emphasized that protesters are refusing dialogue and insisting on calls for his resignation, without presenting a clear set of demands. “It’s not easy …