Kosova acting President Haxhiu: No agreement on president could lead to new elections
TIRANA, August 18 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu said the country could face new elections. She linked this possibility to the lack of an agreement on the next president. Haxhiu said political leaders should discuss specific names for a consensus candidate. She added that acting Prime Minister Albin …
“The Sun”: Albania sees 293% surge in tourist bookings
TIRANA, August 18 – British newspaper The Sun has highlighted Albania as one of Europe’s fastest-growing holiday destinations. The article cites Thomas Cook data showing a 293% increase in bookings for Albania compared with a year earlier. The Sun points to Albania’s beaches, affordable summer holidays and capital Tirana. It …
Heavy passenger traffic at port, PM Rama highlights Italian tourist influx in Vlora
TIRANA, August 18 – Italian tourists continue to arrive at the Port of Vlora in large numbers in late August. Many others are returning home after spending their holidays on Albania’s beaches and in its cities. Albanians living abroad are also arriving for their holidays. As a result, Vlora continues …
Foreign Tourists in Vlora: Good Food and Friendly People
Albania continues to attract foreign tourists. Visitors particularly praise its hospitality, cuisine and coastline. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared today the views of several foreign tourists who chose Vlora for their holidays. “For the first time in Vlora, and certainly not the last, new friends of Albania are coming …
Heritage treasures attract more visitors, Berat Museum Center welcomes over 61,000
Berat’s rich historical and cultural heritage continues to attract more visitors. The city of a thousand windows remains one of Albania’s leading cultural tourism destinations. Data from the first seven months of 2026 show growing interest in the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Miklor Pasku, director of the …
European Union Civil Protection Mechanism deploys firefighting teams and helicopters in Albania
TIRANA, August 18 – Large wildfires have affected Albania and several other European countries. The fires have claimed lives and damaged homes, ecosystems, farmland, infrastructure, cultural heritage and local economies. The European Union Delegation in Tirana said Europe remains united in response to the fires. It stressed that no country …
Ajden Nora brings monophonic singing to life as Gjirokastër’s tradition passes through generations
Gjirokastër continues to inspire young generations with its distinctive houses, architecture and rich cultural heritage. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared a video featuring young artist Ajden Nora. He highlighted how young people are keeping Albania’s cultural heritage alive through music and art. “When tradition finds the …
Tourism challenges in Shkodër region, visitor safety remains priority
TIRANA, August 18 – Tourist numbers in Shkodër region have risen significantly this summer. The increase has created new challenges for local institutions. Authorities are focusing on visitor safety and service quality. For the Regional Administration of Protected Areas in Shkodër, visitor safety remains a key concern. The focus has …
Wildfire in Mount Tërbun forests, 40 Armed Forces personnel deployed
TIRANA, August 18 – Authorities continue to monitor a wildfire in the Fushë-Laja area of Puka Municipality, in the forests of Mount Tërbun. The Puka Fire Protection and Rescue Service and forestry service have worked at the site for several days. Local service employees, residents, volunteers and personnel from the …
6,396 all-electric vehicles registered in 7 months, up 126%
TIRANA, August 18 – Albania registered 6,396 all-electric vehicles for the first time between January and July 2026. The figure represents a 126% increase from the same period last year, according to the General Directorate of Road Transport Services. All-electric vehicles accounted for 40.5% of all newly registered zero-mileage vehicles …
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Western Balkan countries to strengthen regional cooperation and continue reforms for European Union membership. Speaking at the Berlin Process summit in Budva, Montenegro, he also stressed that violence must never be an option during protests. Merz said EU enlargement must continue and bring …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage on social media showing protesters’ response to his invitation for dialogue. The video shows protesters removing stone benches that the government had symbolically placed as an invitation to discuss their demands. The benches were intended to provide a setting for dialogue between the …
Albania has ratified the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, the first legally binding international treaty dedicated entirely to safeguarding the legal profession. Justice Minister Toni Gogu outlined five key obligations the state assumes under the Convention. These include ensuring lawyers can practise freely, …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has praised public administration employees and frontline service workers for continuing to serve citizens amid heightened tensions. In a video message, Koçiu highlighted the daily work of doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, police officers, firefighters, emergency teams and municipal workers who clean and maintain cities. …
Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage has marked 61 years since its establishment, celebrating decades of research, documentation, conservation and restoration of the country’s historic monuments. The institution traces its roots to 1965, when Albania established the Institute of Cultural Monuments to bring these activities under one organization. It later …
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned violence and intimidation against journalists covering recent protests in Albania. The organization is calling for independent investigations, accountability and stronger protection for media workers. RSF documented 28 reports of violence, intimidation and attempts to obstruct reporting, affecting at least 23 media professionals. At least …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video on Facebook this Thursday showing his arrival in Budva, Montenegro, where the Berlin Process Summit is taking place. Alongside the post, Rama also shared his brief remarks to journalists, expressing his happiness at once again attending the annual gathering. “Actually, the only place …
From Spajić to Merz and Kos, Rama Shares Photos from Meetings at Berlin Process Summit in Montenegro
Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared more moments from his visit to Budva, Montenegro, where he attended the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit. This time, the Prime Minister shared several photos showing him meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Kosovo …
The stone benches placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office as part of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s invitation for dialogue have been overturned during today’s protest. Earlier, the Prime Minister had shared images of the benches, where he had placed invitations for dialogue with protesters. However, his call has not led …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti attended the Berlin Process Summit in Budva, Montenegro, on Thursday. During his speech, Kurti called for Kosovo to be granted EU candidate status and for accession negotiations with the European Union to begin. He also called for Kosovo’s membership in NATO. Kurti also criticised Serbia’s …