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 …
Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices
TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …
Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007
TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …
High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …
The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) has urged institutions, businesses, organizations and system administrators to address two critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a technology widely used to run websites and web applications. If exploited, the flaws could allow attackers to execute code remotely without authorization, putting systems and sensitive data at …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is traveling to Budva, Montenegro, to attend the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit on October 21–22. The summit will bring together Western Balkan leaders and European partners to strengthen regional cooperation, advance economic integration and support the region’s European prospects. During the journey, Rama held a virtual …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended Parliament’s decision not to lift MP Belinda Balluku’s immunity while SPAK investigates her. He said the government did not obstruct justice but sought to protect it from bias. Rama addressed the issue during a virtual exchange with a student protester. He also criticised recent …
Albania plans to help 10,000 young people find jobs in 2027 through its Youth Guarantee Programme. To support this goal, the government has allocated nearly €60 million, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said. Speaking to Euronews Albania, Ibrahimaj explained that the government developed the programme in cooperation with the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage of his meeting with a young man with a disability, describing him as “a special visitor with no stones in his pockets, but with his heart in the right place.” In a social media post, Rama said the young man had contacted him …
Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved in principle an agreement on the country’s participation in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza. The agreement involves the Republic of Albania, represented by the Council of Ministers, and the Board of Peace. The government approved it at Wednesday’s meeting following a proposal from …
Albania formed a government led by Mehdi Frashëri 91 years ago, promising a programme of liberal reforms aimed at modernising the country. King Zog’s appointment of Frashëri as prime minister received a positive response in the press at the time. His cabinet included figures educated at leading Western universities. Frashëri …
Drenova has opened “Mulberry House,” a new space dedicated to the village’s traditional production of mulberry brandy. Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo announced the initiative, which forms part of the “Flavours of the Region” project, a partnership between the Albanian Development Fund and Korçë Municipality. The project aims to create new …
Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved changes to the organisation and operation of the Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (ISUV) to strengthen laboratory capacity and improve controls over veterinary health, food safety and plant health. Under the decision, ISUV will conduct laboratory tests under national programmes, sectoral strategies, monitoring plans, …
The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) issued a warning on Wednesday to institutions, businesses and system administrators regarding two critical vulnerabilities affecting websites and web applications. According to the announcement, these vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized individuals to execute code remotely, directly threatening the security of systems and data. Full statement: …