Anti-Government Protests Escalate in Tirana as Demonstrators Block Parliament
Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …
Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …
Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …
Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …
Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards
TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …
PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots
TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …
From the Nile to the Balkans
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …
Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs
While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here
ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases
TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …
Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania is preparing new affordable housing policies in response to rising property prices, particularly in major cities. Speaking after a meeting with construction and real estate representatives, she said the reform would extend support beyond vulnerable groups to other people facing difficulties with …
Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia said 19 laws were approved from 2021 to 2025 during a hearing before the Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. The laws cover the State Police, state border control, information processing, asset recovery, weapons, construction inspection, the Republican Guard, foreigners, asylum, citizenship, the …
RTSH has launched its new season with a new visual identity and a wider range of programmes. The new logo draws inspiration from an earlier TVSH design and retains a link with the visual history of Albania’s public broadcaster. RTSH says the new identity represents movement, broadcasting and continuity. The …
US President Donald Trump has thanked countries that, according to him, have committed to helping stabilize the Gaza Strip, including Albania and Kosovo. In his statement, Trump said several countries had agreed to send troops and police forces and provide training as part of efforts to stabilize the situation in …
US President Donald Trump today thanked Kosovo for its engagement in Gaza. “I also want to thank those who have sent troops to stabilize Gaza, including Kosovo,” the US president said in his speech to the UN General Assembly. On April 17, Kosovo’s Assembly approved a draft law allowing the …
The co-chairs of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, Taulant Balla and Marco Tarquinio, issued a joint statement today. They urged Albanian institutions to implement the recommendations of the European Commission and the European Parliament. They also called for continued momentum as Albania moves towards EU membership. The statement …
Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has reaffirmed Albania’s long-term sovereign credit rating at “BB” and maintained a “stable” outlook. In its analytical report published on Sept. 21, the agency said Albania’s per capita income has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, government debt and overall external debt …
The Transparency Board announced on Tuesday the new fuel prices in the country, approved at its meeting on September 22, 2026. According to the decision, the retail price of diesel has been set at no more than 213 lek per litre, while the wholesale price has been set at no …
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has shared photos and details on social media from the 42nd Retraining Session of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) European Chapter. The training took place from September 19 to 23, bringing together professionals from the United States, Albania, and across Europe. In its statement, …
Greater oversight of private pension funds and more transparency for citizens. This is the aim of the new legal amendments announced for public consultation, which seek to align Albania’s pension fund rules more closely with European Union standards. The Financial Supervisory Authority is at the centre of the changes and …