MP Kuko: Albania on the right path, intensive EU work begins
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania is on the right path in its European integration process, but the next phase will require intensive work, Socialist Party MP Romina Kuko said. Speaking on RTSH1’s “Trialog” programme hosted by Alba Alishani, Kuko said Albania successfully passed the first stage of negotiations with the …
PM Rama shares Brussels conference moments: A milestone day for European Albania
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania has provisionally closed its first 3 European Union negotiation chapters: Chapter 25 on Science and Research, Chapter 26 on Education and Culture, and Chapter 30 on External Relations. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels and described it …
“Sounds That Speak” installation unveiled at Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports inaugurated the artistic installation “Sounds That Speak” by artist Ergys Krisiko. The artwork previously won a grant from the “Heritage is Our Brand” programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by DMO Albania and the EU Policy Hub/Forum for Integration Policies in …
Çerçiz Topulli remembered for fight for Albania’s freedom and Albanian-language education
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania marks the anniversary of the death of patriot Çerçiz Topulli, who was executed by Montenegrin forces in Shkodër on July 15, 1915. Born in Gjirokastër, Topulli completed his early education in his hometown before continuing his studies in Ioannina. He later joined the Secret Committee …
Social security contributions rise by 10.9% to €939 million in 6 months
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania collected 93.9 billion Albanian Lek (€939 million) in social security contributions during the first half of 2026, marking a 10.9% increase compared with the same period last year. According to data published by the Agency for Media and Information, several factors supported the growth. These …
Defence Minister Nufi welcomes German Defence Chief Breuer
TIRANA, July 15 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi hosted a courtesy meeting with German Armed Forces Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer during his official visit to Tirana. The two officials highlighted the strong relations between Albania and Germany in defence and security. They also praised Germany’s role as a …
Over 41,000 farmers apply for 2026 national support scheme
TIRANA, July 15 – More than 41,000 farmers have applied for the 2026 National Support Scheme, which includes 12 support measures for the agriculture sector. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla met with farmers from Pogradec and Korça to discuss applications, sector challenges and financial support planned for …
Kos: Environmental laws must meet EU standards, protests are part of democracy
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said protests in Albania do not threaten the country’s path toward European Union membership. Speaking after the ninth Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, Kos said Albania had successfully closed three negotiation chapters. She urged Albania to align its legislation on protected areas with EU standards, describing environmental …
Rama: Albania on track with EU accession talks under agreed timetable
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania remains on track with its European Union accession negotiations and continues to follow the timetable agreed with the European Commission. Speaking at a joint press conference with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta …
Albania reaffirms commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi participated in the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, where Albania reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The forum provided Albania with an opportunity to present its progress and strengthen cooperation with …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova’s acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca called on the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague to deliver a judicial decision, not a political one, regarding the upcoming ruling on former Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. The court is scheduled to issue its decision on September 16. …
Albania’s Selenicë Municipal Folklore Group represented the country at the 8th Balkan Festival “Opoja Vallëzon” in Bresanë, Kosovo, during the weekend. The group from Labëria, Vlora, performed on the festival’s opening night and introduced southern Albanian polyphonic singing to the event for the first time. This traditional art form, recognised …
TIRANA, July 28 – Around 432 children with disabilities aged 0–18 in Shkodër have started receiving a doubled monthly benefit. The measure covers all disability categories, including beneficiaries under the bio-psycho-social assessment scheme, blind persons, and people with paraplegic or tetraplegic status. Alma Mehmetaj, Director of the Social Service in …
TIRANA, July 28 – Parliament ratified the loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing program. The agreement opens the way for a $302 million investment to modernize Albania’s Armed Forces. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the agreement marks an important step for national security. He added …
TIRANA, July 28 – The Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform held a technical roundtable on preventing and addressing the use of administrative resources during election campaigns. Committee Chair Damian Gjiknuri said the panel aims to prepare a legislative package before the end of the year. He noted that lawmakers …
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an old fountain with historical value in Rromës village, Selenicë Municipality. Workers found the structure during the construction of a water storage facility. Local residents informed authorities about the discovery, and specialists from the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Vlora inspected and documented …
TIRANA, July 28 – World War I began on July 28, 1914. The conflict started after the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand network. The assassination ended the era of European empires and opened a bloody chapter in history. …
TIRANA, July 28 – Albania and Moldova are strengthening cooperation to modernize customs systems, align procedures with European Union standards, and facilitate trade. General Director of Customs Besmir Beja met with General Director of Moldova’s Customs Service Radu Vrabie during the first high-level Albania–Moldova meeting. The meeting received support from …
TIRANA, July 28 – Holta Canyon in Gramsh is one of Albania’s most visited tourist attractions. The destination offers visitors a journey through a landscape shaped by rock formations and thermal waters. Its caves and natural features make it an attractive site for exploration. PM Rama shared images of Holta …
TIRANA, July – Albania’s economy grew by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding the average growth rate of Western Balkan countries and the European Union. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the latest economic indicators and said the Finance Ministry expects growth to reach 4% by the end of …