European Bank for Reconstruction and Development raises Albania growth forecast to 3.5%
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised its forecast for Albania’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5%, from 3.4% in June. The bank linked the revision to reforms and investment related to European Union accession. Albania’s economy grew by 3.8% in 2025 and by 3.7% in the first …
Archaeological research resumes at Paleolithic settlement in Gajtan near Shkodër
Archaeological research has resumed for a second consecutive year in Gajtan village, east of Shkodër, near the Gajtan Cave. The work forms part of the Gajtan Paleolithic Archaeological Research in Albania project. Archaeologist Rudens Ruka leads the project, which brings together Albania’s Institute of Archaeology and several French research institutions. …
FM Hoxha meets EU vice-president Kallas, reaffirms Albania’s commitment to regional cooperation
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended a lunch hosted by European Commission Vice-President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Western Balkan leaders and foreign ministers also attended. The discussions focused on current developments in the Western Balkans, regional challenges and closer …
Excellence and internship programmes offer entry to Albania’s public administration
The Excellence Programme and the National Internship Programme are government initiatives that help young graduates enter Albania’s public administration. The two programmes differ in the type and duration of the opportunity they offer. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared the experiences of two young women who have joined the public …
Albania collects record 164.9 billion ALL in customs revenue
Albania’s Customs Administration collected a record 164.9 billion ALL in revenue during the first eight months of 2026. The figure is 6.8 billion ALL higher than in the same period last year. According to the General Directorate of Customs, the result reflects stronger import activity, improved administration and tighter controls. …
President Begaj meets Albania’s top security officials
President Bajram Begaj met with Interior Minister Ervin Demo, General Director of the State Police Skënder Hita and acting State Intelligence Service director Elvis Lila on September 24. The Presidency said Begaj discussed current issues with the three officials. The meetings came after the Special Prosecution Office investigated former State …
Tirana-Durres railway and airport link targeted for 2027
Albania aims to improve its railway network in the coming years. Major projects will strengthen links between Tirana, Durrës, the airport and regional transport corridors. Deputy Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enkelejda Muçaj said the Tirana-Durrës railway and its connection to Tirana International Airport should become operational by that date. She …
Durrës Port handles more than 2.78 million tonnes of goods in eight months
Durrës Port handled more than 2.78 million tonnes of goods and 1,432 vessels during the first eight months of the year. The figures cover the January-August period. The port reported a high level of activity during the period. Durrës Port remains one of Albania’s main hubs for maritime transport and …
China: Development, Openness and Cooperation
By H.E. Ms. Pang Chunxue, Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Republic of Albania Seventy-seven years ago, Chairman Mao Zedong proudly declared to the world: “The Chinese people have stood up!” Through reform and opening-up, China has become prosperous and has developed into the world’s second-largest economy. Today, …
Albania’s Cannabis Traffic is No Longer Only One-Way
Seizures in Albania of cannabis from Canada suggest the Balkan country – long seen as a source – is also becoming a destination point in a globalised market. Original post Here
The Albanian Parliament approved Albania’s participation in a peacekeeping mission as part of the International Stabilization Force in Gaza. Following the parliamentary vote, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi described the decision as a step that turns Albania’s commitment to peace into a concrete contribution on the ground. “A decision that turns …
Albania aims to significantly expand its railway network in the coming years. The country plans to improve connections between Tirana, Durrës, the airport and regional transport corridors by 2030. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj said today that the Tirana-Durrës railway and the link to Tirana International Airport …
An Italian military delegation, led by Major General Luigi Casali, paid an official visit to Albania as part of cooperation on the Porto Romano military port project. Deputy Defense Minister Blerina Abrazhda received the Italian delegation at the Ministry of Defense. During the visit, the delegation held a working meeting …
President Bajram Begaj met today with Montenegro’s Minister of Public Administration, Marash Dukaj. They discussed achievements and the role of the Albanian community in Montenegro. During the meeting, Begaj highlighted the Albanian community’s contribution at both local and central levels to Montenegro’s integration process. Begaj also described Albanians in Montenegro …
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met with U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres during his visit to the United States. Torres represents New York’s 15th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Bronx, home to a large Albanian-American community. The Bronx also hosts institutions that help preserve Albanian language and …
Culture and diplomacy took center stage at the “Diplomacy and Culture – Greece” meeting, organized by the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD). Greek Ambassador to Albania Elina Komini attended the event as a guest. The meeting explored the role of culture and diplomacy in strengthening international relations and overcoming …
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet today commemorated the 115th anniversary of the birth of “People’s Artist” Marie Kraja, describing her as one of the most prominent voices in Albanian opera and one of the founding figures of the institution. Marie Kraja was born on Sept. 24, 1911. She …
Agence France-Presse (AFP) has brought “Unbounded Voices: Women of the Balkans – Strength & Legacy” to Tirana. The photography exhibition opened today at Vila 31 x Art Explora with support from L’Oréal Group. The exhibition brings together intimate portraits of nine women from across the Balkans. Their stories explore daily …
Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni met today with European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa. During the meeting, Pirdeni and Ambassador Moreira de Sousa discussed the next steps in Albania’s EU accession negotiations, public administration reform and the fight against corruption. Pirdeni highlighted …
Vlora Hyseni’s public accusation against Klodiana Lala has triggered an unusually broad reaction from journalists’ organizations and opposition politicians, while raising a deeper question: was Albania’s intelligence service collecting information on investigative journalists, and could such information have been used to intimidate them? Tirana Times, September 24, 2026 – Klodiana …