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Albania-Italy Anti-Cannabis Air Campaign Launched

For the 15th consecutive year, the Albanian State Police and the Italian Guardia di Finanza officially launched this Friday their joint campaign for aerial monitoring of Albanian territory, focusing on the prevention and crackdown of narcotic plant cultivation. The ceremony took place at the General Directorate of the State Police, …

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Tax Administration Announces Cancellation of Fines for Businesses Before 2014

The Tax Administration and Customs Administration are required to remove from their balance sheets all business debts created before December 31, 2014. The General Directorate of Taxes has announced that businesses with unpaid liabilities from 2015 to 2024 will be able to begin installment payments starting June 10. According to …

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Ombudsman: Priority Must Be Given to Prisoners Who Have No Voice — Well-Known Inmates Already Have “Public Advocacy”

The Ombudsman of Albania, Endri Shabani, speaking from Pogradec in a statement to the media, addressed complaints submitted to the Ombudsman’s institution by imprisoned citizens. He stated that although public attention is mainly focused on famous inmates, priority should be given to citizens suffering from health problems and living in …

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Nufi: Focus on Modernizing Air Defense and Cyber Capabilities in the Armed Forces

Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi stated during a press conference on Friday that the country’s main priority is the development of military and technological capabilities for the modernization of the Armed Forces, as well as preparedness for civil emergencies during the summer season. According to Nufi, particular focus is being …

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U.S. Embassy in Tirana: Cybersecurity Essential for Sovereignty and Economic Growth

Cybersecurity has now become an inseparable element of economic growth and national security. This was stated by the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Tirana, Kathryn Hammond, during an event where American cybersecurity solutions were presented. Referring to the importance of protecting digital infrastructure, Hammond …

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Rama from Estonia: “I Came and Brought You the Sunshine — In Albania You Will Not Find Sympathy for Putin”

Prime Minister Edi Rama, during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, spoke about the relationship between Albania and Estonia. Rama began his speech with a few jokes, humorously saying that he had “brought the sunshine to Estonia” with his arrival. At the same time, the Prime …

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Kurti Requests EU Candidate Status for Kosovo: “Serbia Attacks Instead of Cooperating”

Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, following a meeting with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, called for Kosovo’s advancement in the EU integration process, including obtaining candidate country status. He stated that Kosovo is not asking for shortcuts or a “back door,” but only for a merit-based process. At …

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Kos: “There Is a Place for Kosovo in the EU, but It Depends on Your Work”

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is visiting Pristina today, where she held meetings with Acting President Albulena Haxhiu and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Following the meeting with Kurti, during a press conference, Kos stated that Kosovo belongs in the European Union and said she would work to …

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EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos visits Kosova today

TIRANA, May 15 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visits Kosova today. She will meet Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Prishtina. Both sides hold a joint press conference at 10:45, according to the Office of the Prime Minister. Kosova hosts Kos during her first visit to the country …

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Hammond highlights Albania’s progress in digital transformation

TIRANA, May 15 – Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Kathryn Hammond highlighted the importance of cyber security during an event presenting American cyber security solutions. She linked cyber security to economic development and national defence. According to the U.S. Embassy, Hammond said cyber security has become …

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EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry

The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …

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Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme

Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …

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Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …

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Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection

Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …

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Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs

The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …

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PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …

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Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit

From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports

Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …

News
Speaker Peleshi: Parliament approved 131 laws during current term

TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …

News
Albania presents ‘eArkiva’ digital document management platform

TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …

News

EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry

The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …

News

Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme

Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …

News

Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …

News

Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection

Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …

News

Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs

The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …

News

PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …

News

Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit

From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here

News

Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports

Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …

News

Speaker Peleshi: Parliament approved 131 laws during current term

TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …

News

Albania presents ‘eArkiva’ digital document management platform

TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …