Albania’s Justice minister Gogu: Justice is not certified by one ruling, but proven every day
TIRANA, August 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the balance between judicial independence and executive responsibility. He said the minister must not interfere in specific court cases. “Where judges and prosecutors act, the executive stays silent,” Gogu wrote in the first of 3 notes he plans to publish …
218 more births than deaths in Albania in second quarter, Tirana records highest natural increase
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania recorded a positive natural population increase in the second quarter of 2026. The country registered 218 more births than deaths, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Statistics. Between April and June, authorities recorded 5,083 births, down 3% from the same period in 2025. …
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 …
The European Commission has condemned violent incidents in Tirana and other Albanian cities, stressing that freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights that must be exercised peacefully. In a statement on Sunday, the Commission denounced arson, attacks on state institutions and damage to public and private property. It also …
The Muslim Community of Albania has called on all sides to preserve peace, show restraint and resolve differences through dialogue amid ongoing protests across the country. In a statement on Sunday, the community warned that tensions could threaten public safety and social cohesion. At the same time, it reaffirmed citizens’ …
Skënderbeu claimed their first win of the Albanian Superliga season on Sunday, beating Elbasan 2-1 in the seventh round. Meanwhile, media reports say Elbasan coach Ivan Gvozdenović has resigned following the defeat. Under coach Julian Ahmataj, the Korçë side overturned an early deficit thanks to Bismark, who scored twice to …
Nufi Condemns Attack on Socialist Party Headquarters as Protesters Set Fire to Tirana Police Station
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has condemned the attack on the Socialist Party headquarters, calling it a threat to political pluralism and democracy. Meanwhile, protesters set fire to Police Station No. 3 on Mine Peza Street in Tirana, injuring several police officers, according to reports. In a social media post, Nufi …
European Parliament rapporteur for Albania Andreas Schieder has expressed concern over clashes between protesters and police in Tirana, urging all sides to stop the escalation immediately. In a social media statement, Schieder noted that young people across Europe, from Paris and Berlin to Tirana, are demanding better education and equal …
Vora secured a commanding 4-1 win over Partizani in the seventh round of the Albanian Superliga on Sunday, with Bernard Karrica scoring a hat-trick. Arian Bellaj’s side controlled the match and made their chances count. Karrica opened the scoring in the 17th minute before converting a penalty in the 50th …
Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania Joan has called on decision-makers to make wise and mature choices in the interests of the country and all its citizens. Speaking at the end of the Divine Liturgy, Joan stressed that Albania belongs to all its citizens and that everyone has the …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi has condemned violence during protests in Albania, stressing that attacks on institutions and the destruction of public and private property have nothing to do with the right to demonstrate. Peleshi said young people have every right to demand greater opportunities and rights. They also deserve to …
Albert Nushi, Head of the Management Sector at the Public Security Department, announced at a press conference that 54 people were taken into police custody following the previous day’s violent protest. Of those, 27 were arrested and 27 others face criminal proceedings for property destruction and violence against police officers. …
The official visit that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had planned to make to Vienna, Austria, on Monday, October 19, has been cancelled by the Albanian side. The news was published by the Austrian press release portal OTS.at. According to the announcement, the scheduled meeting between the Albanian Prime Minister …