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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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PM Rama: Protesters reflect new expectations for government standards

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented his reflections on the June protests during a joint meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group and the government cabinet. Rama referred to the demonstrations as the “Boulevard of Flamingos”. He said he had prepared 2 documents that would guide the …

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US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania

TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …

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Sazan-Karaburun remains a top summer destination

TIRANA, August 4-Albania’s only national marine park, Sazan-Karaburun, continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign tourists this summer. The park’s crystal-clear waters, rich biodiversity, and natural beauty draw hundreds of visitors every day. Many explore the area on tourist boats and other vessels departing from the Port of …

News
Government boosts support for elite athletes with additional 40 million lek fund

TIRANA, August 4-Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja says the Albanian government continues to strengthen its support for sport. He described funding for elite athletes as one of the government’s key priorities. Under the latest normative act, the government has approved an additional 40 million lek fund. The …

News
Clear weather with high temperatures across Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have clear skies throughout the territory. Meanwhile, some temporary clouds may appear over mountainous areas from midday to afternoon. Winds will blow from the southeast to the southwest at …

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Fire in Hekal village in Mallakastër fully extinguished

TIRANA, August 4 – The fire that broke out in Hekal village, Mallakastër Municipality, has been fully extinguished, the National Civil Protection Agency said. The agency reported that the blaze affected an area covered with bushes and olive groves. Civil emergency teams and local firefighting services joined the operation. Meanwhile, …

News
Voskopoja blends history, nature and hospitality for visitors

TIRANA, August 4 – The mountain village of Voskopoja in Korça continues to attract visitors from around the world. The destination has become a year-round tourist attraction. Once one of the most important cultural, artistic and historical centers in the Balkans, Voskopoja remains a symbol of Balkan and European heritage. …

News
Market Surveillance Inspectorate ensures consumer protection

TIRANA, August 4 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted the role of the Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate (IQMT) in ensuring the safety of non-food products and protecting consumers. Ibrahimaj said all products that citizens use daily must meet safety requirements and comply with legal standards. She added that …

News
High traffic at Gjirokastër border crossings as tourist flows continue

TIRANA, August 4- Heavy traffic has continued over the past 24 hours at border crossings in Gjirokastër County. Thousands of citizens and vehicles have entered and left Albania. Kakavijë remains the county’s busiest border crossing. Over the past 24 hours, officers processed 9,141 travelers. Of these, 5,209 entered Albania, while …

News
Remains of 4 people found in Jabuka e Vogël in Kosova, suspected war victims

TIRANA, August 4 – The Government Commission for Missing Persons announced that authorities found and exhumed the remains of 4 people during excavations in Jabuka e Vogël village, in Zubin Potok Municipality. Initial assessments indicate that the remains may belong to victims of enforced disappearances during the war. Excavation activities …

News
Conference League, Dinamo City faces Auda in Riga

TIRANA, August 4 – Dinamo City will face Latvian side Auda on Tuesday afternoon in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The match will take place in Riga at 18:00. The return leg will be played one week later at “Elbasan Arena”. Meanwhile, …

News

US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania

TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …

News

Sazan-Karaburun remains a top summer destination

TIRANA, August 4-Albania’s only national marine park, Sazan-Karaburun, continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign tourists this summer. The park’s crystal-clear waters, rich biodiversity, and natural beauty draw hundreds of visitors every day. Many explore the area on tourist boats and other vessels departing from the Port of …

News

Government boosts support for elite athletes with additional 40 million lek fund

TIRANA, August 4-Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja says the Albanian government continues to strengthen its support for sport. He described funding for elite athletes as one of the government’s key priorities. Under the latest normative act, the government has approved an additional 40 million lek fund. The …

News

Clear weather with high temperatures across Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have clear skies throughout the territory. Meanwhile, some temporary clouds may appear over mountainous areas from midday to afternoon. Winds will blow from the southeast to the southwest at …

News

Fire in Hekal village in Mallakastër fully extinguished

TIRANA, August 4 – The fire that broke out in Hekal village, Mallakastër Municipality, has been fully extinguished, the National Civil Protection Agency said. The agency reported that the blaze affected an area covered with bushes and olive groves. Civil emergency teams and local firefighting services joined the operation. Meanwhile, …

News

Voskopoja blends history, nature and hospitality for visitors

TIRANA, August 4 – The mountain village of Voskopoja in Korça continues to attract visitors from around the world. The destination has become a year-round tourist attraction. Once one of the most important cultural, artistic and historical centers in the Balkans, Voskopoja remains a symbol of Balkan and European heritage. …

News

Market Surveillance Inspectorate ensures consumer protection

TIRANA, August 4 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted the role of the Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate (IQMT) in ensuring the safety of non-food products and protecting consumers. Ibrahimaj said all products that citizens use daily must meet safety requirements and comply with legal standards. She added that …

News

High traffic at Gjirokastër border crossings as tourist flows continue

TIRANA, August 4- Heavy traffic has continued over the past 24 hours at border crossings in Gjirokastër County. Thousands of citizens and vehicles have entered and left Albania. Kakavijë remains the county’s busiest border crossing. Over the past 24 hours, officers processed 9,141 travelers. Of these, 5,209 entered Albania, while …

News

Remains of 4 people found in Jabuka e Vogël in Kosova, suspected war victims

TIRANA, August 4 – The Government Commission for Missing Persons announced that authorities found and exhumed the remains of 4 people during excavations in Jabuka e Vogël village, in Zubin Potok Municipality. Initial assessments indicate that the remains may belong to victims of enforced disappearances during the war. Excavation activities …

News

Conference League, Dinamo City faces Auda in Riga

TIRANA, August 4 – Dinamo City will face Latvian side Auda on Tuesday afternoon in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The match will take place in Riga at 18:00. The return leg will be played one week later at “Elbasan Arena”. Meanwhile, …