Five wildfires remain active as teams focus on Mount Dajti
TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has reported 34 wildfires over the past 24 hours. Five remain active and four are under monitoring, according to the Ministry of Defence. A total of 219 operational personnel and 35 firefighting vehicles have joined the response. The Armed Forces have deployed 60 personnel, one …
United Kingdom and Albania sign first regional deal to share crime-related assets
TIRANA, August 26 – The United Kingdom and Albania have signed their first regional Asset Sharing Agreement after authorities recovered proceeds linked to a drug trafficking case. The agreement follows a criminal case involving a conspiracy to supply cannabis to organised crime groups in England and Wales. British and Albanian …
Justice Minister: Justice should be a service, not only a judgment
TIRANA, August 26 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu called for a broader assessment of Albania’s justice reform. He said the assessment should cover more than the number of cases resolved, their duration and the quality of rulings. It should also reflect citizens’ experience when they first contacted the justice system. …
Vora-Hani i Hotit railway project presented in Lezha
TIRANA, August 26 – The Vora-Hani i Hotit railway reconstruction project was presented in Lezha during a public consultation with communities along the planned route. The project will rehabilitate the existing railway track and bring it in line with European transport standards. The project has entered the contractor selection phase. …
President Begaj receives credentials from Belgium’s ambassador
TIRANA, August 26 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Belgium’s ambassador to Albania, Olga Cogen, during a meeting in Tirana today. Begaj welcomed Belgium’s decision to open its first embassy in Albania, with its headquarters in Tirana. The move marks a new step in diplomatic relations between the …
Pogradec Agrotourism: SIAR Guesthouse Showcases Albania’s Rural Tourism Potential
SIAR Guesthouse in Pogradec is emerging as a new example of Albania’s growing agrotourism sector, combining nature, traditional hospitality and rural experiences. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the guesthouse, highlighting its contribution to the development of tourism and family-run businesses in Albania’s tourist areas. SIAR features nine private …
Hasan Ceka remembered on his birth anniversary as a founder of Albanian archaeology
TIRANA, August 26 – The Academy of Sciences today commemorated Hasan Ceka, one of the founders of Albanian archaeology. Ceka was born on August 25, 1900. He studied archaeology and history and later became known for laying the foundations of archaeological research in Albania. Ceka studied in Vienna and returned …
Ardenica: Where the Gods Once Spoke Albanian
Ardenica Monastery stands among the most important historical and religious sites in the Lushnjë area and ranks among Albania’s most visited cultural attractions. The monastery rises on the fertile hills of Ardenica, about 200 meters above sea level. Travelers heading toward Fier and Vlorë can spot the monastery after a …
Albanian ships face new environmental monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions
TIRANA, August 26 – Maritime transport operators in Albania will face new requirements to document and control greenhouse gas emissions. A draft decision under public consultation aims to align environmental rules with European Union practices. Under the proposed system, operators will measure, report and verify emissions from ships. The system …
Travel and Tours World: Albania attracts tourists and real estate investors
TIRANA, August 26 – Albania is attracting growing interest from international tourists and real estate investors, as demand for short-term rentals continues to rise, Travel and Tours World (TTW) reports. During June, travelers booked around 284,300 nights through short-term rental platforms. The figure rose 23% from the same period last …
Vora and Elbasani claimed important victories on Tuesday as the ninth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superliga got underway. Meanwhile, Skënderbeu and Laçi shared the points after a 1-1 draw. Vora beat Vllaznia 2-1 at home in a closely contested match. Kashari opened the scoring in the 16th minute, while Daka …
The Ministry of Environment has opened a public grant call for small and medium-sized enterprises under the ASCEND project. The programme has a total fund of €80,000. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said the initiative aims to support businesses that promote sustainable adventure tourism and showcase natural and protected areas. He …
Albania plans public investments of ALL 201.5 billion in 2027, equivalent to 6.9% of gross domestic product. Social protection and education will also receive substantial funding under the draft budget. Presenting the 2027 draft budget, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said capital expenditure would average around 6.6% of gross domestic product …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented Albania’s 2027 draft state budget and fiscal package at the Assembly’s Conference of Chairpersons. The meeting is expected to set the timetable for parliamentary discussions and approval. The Democratic Party did not attend, saying its lawmakers had not received the supporting documents needed to review …
Albania’s 2027 draft budget will double monthly pension bonuses from January 1, while increasing support for children with disabilities and families in need. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the measures at the Conference of Chairpersons. Pension indexing is scheduled for April 2027, with around ALL 1.35 billion allocated for the …
Durrës has become a meeting point for screenwriters and filmmakers from across Europe, as Albania hosts the international Equinoxe script development programme for the first time. The National Center of Cinematography said the programme has more than 30 years of experience in developing film scripts through professional guidance and collaboration …
Korça continues to welcome groups of foreign tourists in autumn, with its traditions, local cuisine and hospitality drawing visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists are visiting the city’s main attractions and exploring its streets. Tour operator Eriketa Koçollari said foreign groups from around the world continued to visit the city …
Strategic Group and Qatar-based Ocean B Holding have signed a strategic cooperation framework targeting up to $2 billion in investments in Kosova and Albania. Under the agreement, Ocean B Holding has authorised Strategic Group to represent its investment interests across the region. The mandate also covers Montenegro, North Macedonia and …
Albania plans to allocate ALL 76.7 billion to the Ministry of Defence in 2027, including ALL 7 billion in additional funding. The allocation will bring defence spending to 2.35% of gross domestic product, reflecting Albania’s commitments as a NATO member. Presenting the 2027 draft budget at the Conference of Chairpersons, …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the 2027 fiscal package at the Conference of Chairpersons. He said the proposed changes would have a neutral overall effect. The package aims to redistribute income and protect vulnerable groups and the middle class. The plan rests on 3 principles: income redistribution, greater tax fairness …