Rama: Socialist Party Moves Albania Closer to EU on 35th Anniversary
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama joined the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary celebration in Korça on Wednesday. He highlighted Albania’s latest step toward European Union membership after the recent intergovernmental conference with the EU. Rama said the Socialist Party moved Albania one step higher on its path to …
Government Launches “Smart City” Program for Smarter Urban Management
The Albanian government launched the “Smart City” program to support the development of smarter cities across the country. State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo presented the initiative on Wednesday. He said the program will connect different systems already used by municipalities. The goal is to improve urban management and …
Western Balkans Parliamentary Officials Meet in Tirana to Strengthen Regional Cooperation and EU Integration
General secretaries from the parliaments of the Western Balkans, Austria and Slovenia met in Tirana on Wednesday. The forum focused on regional cooperation, parliamentary diplomacy and European Union integration. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Agron Gjekmarkaj and Secretary General Genci Gjonçaj opened the meeting. They stressed the importance of parliamentary cooperation …
Korça Moves Toward Regional Events Hub with New Festival and Creative Industry Center
Korça is moving closer to becoming a regional center for festivals and cultural events. Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the construction site of the new Festival and Creative Industry Center on Wednesday. The project covers 18 hectares and aims to create a modern space for festivals, concerts and artistic events …
Rama Recalls 1996 Election Violence During Socialist Party Anniversary in Korça
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama marked the party’s 35th anniversary in Korça on Wednesday. In his speech, Rama reflected on May 26, 1996, and described it as a difficult moment in Albania’s democratic history. He said Socialist Party members faced violence and brutality during the parliamentary elections …
Police Chief Hita Meets Dutch Ambassador, Highlights Results in Cross-Border Crime Cooperation
Albania’s State Police Director General Skënder Hita met Dutch Ambassador Reinout Vos in Tirana on Wednesday. During the meeting, Hita received a congratulatory letter from Dutch Police Chief Janny Knol. In her message, Knol praised cooperation between Albanian and Dutch police and wished Hita success in his new role. She …
Ukraine’s foreign minister praises Albania’s firm stance after Hoxha’s response to Russia
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday shared the reaction of Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, after Russia called on diplomatic staff and foreign citizens to leave Kyiv ahead of planned attacks. Sybiha said Ukraine highly values Albania’s principled and strong position. “We appreciate Albania’s principled …
Antonio Costa to Visit Tirana on 2 June as Part of Western Balkans Tour
President of the European Council António Costa will visit six Western Balkan countries ahead of the EU–Western Balkans Summit. The diplomatic tour starts on 1 June in Sarajevo. Costa will meet members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s Council of Ministers. On 2 June, he will …
Balla Meets Bulgarian Philanthropist Milen Vrabevski, Discusses Regional Cooperation
Chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla met Bulgarian philanthropist Milen Vrabevski in Tirana on Wednesday. Vrabevski is the founder of the Bulgarian Memory Foundation. The two discussed cultural, educational and youth initiatives in the Western Balkans. They focused on strengthening regional cooperation and building mutual understanding between …
Abdixhiku and Osmani Hold Rally With Citizens in Lugu i Baranit: When the People Rise, Change Cannot Be Stopped
LDK’s candidate for prime minister, Lumir Abdixhiku, together with presidential candidate Vjosa Osmani, held a rally with citizens in Lugu i Baranit, delivering messages of change and political mobilization. Abdixhiku emphasized that the unity of citizens transforms hope into a movement that cannot be stopped. Full post: “From Lugu i …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …