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Albania’s 2027 budget exceeds €10 billion in planned public spending

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj says the 2027 draft budget provides for public spending exceeding €10 billion for the first time. The plan prioritises social welfare, fiscal stability, public investment and reforms linked to European Union integration. Revenue is projected at ALL 907.9 billion, or around €9.4 billion. The budget deficit …

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Bank of Albania Deputy Governor Ahmetaj says 2027 draft budget supports fiscal stability amid economic risks

Bank of Albania Deputy Governor Natasha Ahmetaj says the 2027 draft budget maintains fiscal consolidation. She told Parliament’s Economy, Employment and Finance Committee that the plan supports public finances and creates room for investment. Ahmetaj said economic activity, private-sector employment and wages have grown in recent years. Inflation remains low …

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Albania’s 2027 Budget Hits €10 Billion, with Higher Pensions and New Family Benefits

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has presented the draft 2027 budget to the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, with spending projected to reach around €10 billion for the first time. The main priorities will be supporting pensioners, children with disabilities, and families with young children. During his presentation, Malaj announced that …

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Albania Allocates €40 Million to Foreign Ministry in 2027, Minister Hoxha Says EU Negotiations Remain Top Priority

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will have a budget of 3.9 billion lek, approximately €40 million, for 2027, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The draft budget was presented by Minister Ferit Hoxha to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. Of the total …

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Dutch Ambassador Meets SPAK Chief and Prosecutor General, Judicial Cooperation in Focus

The Dutch Ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, has met with Prosecutor General Olsian Çela and the head of SPAK, Klodian Braho. The meetings focused on cooperation between the two countries, strengthening the rule of law, and protecting the independence of justice institutions in Albania. During the discussions, the ambassador praised …

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PM Rama Announces National Exam for Public Administration Jobs, Successful Candidates to Receive Four-Year Certificate

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new reform on Monday called the “Merit Ladder,” aimed at ensuring that the most qualified individuals are recruited and promoted within the public administration hierarchy. As part of the reform, Rama announced the creation of a national examination system that will allow candidates to …

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Albanian Parliament Speaker Peleshi Visits Prague, Czech Republic Reaffirms Support for Albania’s EU Integration

Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Czech Republic, where he met with Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate. The meetings focused on bilateral relations, strengthening interparliamentary cooperation, and the Czech Republic’s support for Albania’s …

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Rama Announces New Ministry of Public Administration as Part of Merit-Based Reform

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new reform called the “Merit Ladder,” which he said aims to ensure that the most qualified individuals are recruited and promoted within the public administration hierarchy. Rama emphasized that the reform also includes the establishment, for the first time, of a ministry dedicated to …

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Rama Shares Video of Mini-Stadium Construction in Katundi i Ri, Durrës: Built to UEFA Standards

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared a video on his Facebook page showing the ongoing construction of a mini-stadium featuring a modern football pitch in Katundi i Ri, Durrës. Through the video, the prime minister announced that the mini-stadium is being built in accordance with UEFA standards, in cooperation with …

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Anti Government Protests in Albania

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Anti Government Protests in Albania appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Exhibition Dedicated to Kadare in Pristina Highlights the Writer’s Connection to Kosovo

The exhibition was organized by the Albanian Embassy in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo, and the Kadare Studio House – Municipality of Tirana. At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nora Arapi-Krasniqi praised the writer’s role in supporting Kosovo’s cause. “For us in Kosovo, Kadare …

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President Begaj meets Ohad Kaynar, Accepts Credentials of Israel’s New Ambassador

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj welcomes the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Ohad Kaynar, this Friday on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence. During the ceremony, President Begaj wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission. The meeting also highlighted the excellent relations between …

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Draft Law introduces new museum and heritage rules, grants for privately owned monuments

TIRANA, Nov 6  /ATA/ Museums, cultural monuments and other cultural heritage sites across the country will be subject to new rules governing their administration, maintenance and restoration. The draft law on several additions and amendments to the Law “On Cultural Heritage and Museums”, published for public consultation by the Ministry of …

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Albanian Customs takes part in regional operation targeting illicit financial flows

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The closing meeting of the Regional Operation “NELSON”, aimed at tackling the illegal movement of cash and high-value goods, took place at the headquarters of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) in Bucharest. The Albanian Customs Administration, working alongside the State Police, actively participated in the …

News
Bylykbashi calls for fundamental electoral system reform and open lists in elections

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair …

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Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

TIRANA, Nov  6 /ATA/ Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. Amid profound shifts in Europe’s security and geopolitical landscape, regional cooperation is more important than ever, according to the Foreign Minister. “The CEI remains a valuable platform …

News
Rama announces new inspection framework for 2027, unannounced checks to be phased out

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 32nd Tirana International Fair (TIF32) featured a conference with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, providing foreign businesses and prospective investors with guidance on Albania’s legal requirements, regulatory standards and inspection procedures. The conference featured three thematic panels focusing …

News
Dutch Ambassador: Protests reflect social tensions, violence is unacceptable

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Dutch Ambassador Marleen Monster said Albania’s protests reflect public discontent and social tensions, stressing that while citizens have the right to demonstrate, violence is unacceptable. During a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have …

News
Gonxhja holds talks with World Bank Director on Sustainable Tourism Development

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja today held a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Western Balkans, and other representatives of the institution. Gonxhja said the discussions focused on the progress of reforms and projects aimed at increasing tourism’s economic …

News
Albania and India explore new avenues for tourism cooperation

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ On the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 international tourism fair, National Tourism Agency Director-General Jola Hysaj held a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The talks focused on strengthening tourism relations and cooperation between Albania and India through …

News

Exhibition Dedicated to Kadare in Pristina Highlights the Writer’s Connection to Kosovo

The exhibition was organized by the Albanian Embassy in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo, and the Kadare Studio House – Municipality of Tirana. At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nora Arapi-Krasniqi praised the writer’s role in supporting Kosovo’s cause. “For us in Kosovo, Kadare …

News

President Begaj meets Ohad Kaynar, Accepts Credentials of Israel’s New Ambassador

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj welcomes the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Ohad Kaynar, this Friday on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence. During the ceremony, President Begaj wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission. The meeting also highlighted the excellent relations between …

News

Draft Law introduces new museum and heritage rules, grants for privately owned monuments

TIRANA, Nov 6  /ATA/ Museums, cultural monuments and other cultural heritage sites across the country will be subject to new rules governing their administration, maintenance and restoration. The draft law on several additions and amendments to the Law “On Cultural Heritage and Museums”, published for public consultation by the Ministry of …

News

Albanian Customs takes part in regional operation targeting illicit financial flows

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The closing meeting of the Regional Operation “NELSON”, aimed at tackling the illegal movement of cash and high-value goods, took place at the headquarters of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) in Bucharest. The Albanian Customs Administration, working alongside the State Police, actively participated in the …

News

Bylykbashi calls for fundamental electoral system reform and open lists in elections

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair …

News

Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

TIRANA, Nov  6 /ATA/ Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. Amid profound shifts in Europe’s security and geopolitical landscape, regional cooperation is more important than ever, according to the Foreign Minister. “The CEI remains a valuable platform …

News

Rama announces new inspection framework for 2027, unannounced checks to be phased out

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 32nd Tirana International Fair (TIF32) featured a conference with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, providing foreign businesses and prospective investors with guidance on Albania’s legal requirements, regulatory standards and inspection procedures. The conference featured three thematic panels focusing …

News

Dutch Ambassador: Protests reflect social tensions, violence is unacceptable

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Dutch Ambassador Marleen Monster said Albania’s protests reflect public discontent and social tensions, stressing that while citizens have the right to demonstrate, violence is unacceptable. During a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have …

News

Gonxhja holds talks with World Bank Director on Sustainable Tourism Development

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja today held a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Western Balkans, and other representatives of the institution. Gonxhja said the discussions focused on the progress of reforms and projects aimed at increasing tourism’s economic …

News

Albania and India explore new avenues for tourism cooperation

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ On the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 international tourism fair, National Tourism Agency Director-General Jola Hysaj held a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The talks focused on strengthening tourism relations and cooperation between Albania and India through …