Diabetes, the silent disease affecting thousands of Albanians, prompts calls for early screening
November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Doctors are calling for greater awareness because diabetes, often described as a silent disease, can cause serious complications if left unmanaged. In Albania, around 100,000 adults and 300 …
Bank of Albania warns of fraudulent messages impersonating central bank
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – The Bank of Albania on Friday warned the public about fraudulent messages, known as phishing, circulating under the central bank’s name. The messages falsely claim that recipients’ bank accounts have been suspended and urge them to click on a link to update their personal information, …
Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Albania made its debut with a national pavilion at “ProWine Shanghai 2026”, one of Asia’s largest wine trade fairs. The event was held from 10 to 12 November in Shanghai, China, with the Albanian pavilion among exhibitors from around the world. It was organised by the …
Ibrahimaj: Card payment fees to be capped from January 2027, halving costs for retail businesses
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Businesses and consumers are set to benefit from lower costs for electronic and card payments under the new Payments Law, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. In a video message today, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the legislation caps interchange fees at …
Albanian government approves cybersecurity law changes, fines of up to 10 million leks
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albania’s government has approved amendments to the country’s cybersecurity law, introducing new obligations for public institutions and operators of critical information infrastructure, alongside tougher penalties for non-compliance. Under the amendments, operators will be required to submit declarations to the National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) detailing …
Përmet and Devoll Hospitals to adopt new management model, with services set to expand
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The hospitals in Përmet and Devoll have been included in the hospital reform as part of the reorganisation of healthcare facilities, aimed at improving management efficiency, optimising resources and enhancing services for citizens. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu and Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro …
Constitutional Court drafts 2027-2029 strategic plan with OSCE, Konrad Adenauer Foundation support
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albania’s Constitutional Court has begun drafting its Strategic Action Plan for 2027-2029, with support from the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). During a two-day workshop, court members, together with experts and advisers from the OSCE and KAS, worked on defining …
Reconstruction, Koçiu: 75 More Apartments handed over in Kombinat
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced today that a further 75 apartments had been handed over this week to families affected by the 26 November 2019 earthquake in the Kombinat area of Tirana. Koçiu shared footage of a family moving into its new home in Kombinat, assuring …
Minister: 72% of Culture Ministry budget to go to arts and heritage, new management model planned for Byllis
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – Around 72% of the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will be allocated to the arts, culture and cultural heritage, with a focus on restoring and protecting castles, museums, archaeological sites and historic monuments, Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on …
Berisha: Tackling depopulation and doubling wages and pensions are top priorities
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Democratic Party chairman Sali Berisha said today that Albania faced an existential threat from depopulation, adding that doubling wages and pensions was a central pillar of the party’s programme. Addressing residents of Kukës, Berisha also highlighted the need to transform the country’s national wealth into greater …
Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …
Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …
Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …
9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …
Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …
Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …
US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …