Central Purchasing Operator launches new electronic procurement platform
TIRANA, August 7 – The Central Purchasing Operator (OBP) launched a new electronic procurement platform to fully digitalize the management of public procurement requests, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said. Ibrahimaj said the new platform, prokurimet.obp.al, will allow more than 250 contracting authorities to manage procurement requests entirely online. …
Property revaluation saves taxpayers €120.5 million in seven months
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania’s property revaluation scheme has saved taxpayers €120.5 million in fiscal costs during the first seven months of 2026, according to the General Directorate of Taxation. The scheme allows property owners to revalue real estate by paying a reduced 5% tax rate. Tax authorities said the …
Finance Ministry begins preparations for new Eurobond issue
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania’s Finance Ministry has started preliminary preparations for a new Eurobond issue planned for 2027 as the country’s macroeconomic indicators continue to show positive performance. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said officials discussed recent macroeconomic developments, government borrowing plans in international capital markets and future cooperation …
Kosova Assembly suspends constitutive session as PM Kurti seeks more time for presidential deal
TIRANA, August 6 – Kosova’s Assembly suspended its constitutive session after Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti requested more time for political talks on a candidate for the country’s next president. Kurti told lawmakers that additional time was necessary to allow negotiations to continue. He said the parties needed more time to …
Strategic infrastructure and energy projects advance across Albania
TIRANA, August 6 – The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy continued work during the first seven months of 2026 on strategic projects in roads, energy, water supply and transport. The investments aim to improve public services, strengthen energy security and support economic development. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi …
“The Coffee Cantata” brings Bach’s humor and music to Tirana’s Grand Park
TIRANA, August 6 – Tirana’s Grand Park hosted The Coffee Cantata on Wednesday evening. The concert featured an Albanian-language performance of the satirical work by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. The event formed part of the “Bah… Café!” project with the support of the Municipality of Tirana. It combined classical …
August brings peak tourist season to mountainous Theth with around 2,000 overnight visitors
TIRANA, August 6 – August has brought the peak of the tourist season to Theth, one of the most visited destinations in the Albanian Alps. Around 2,000 tourists stay in the village each night on average, and most of them are foreign visitors. Besides the Grunas Waterfall and the Alp’s …
Judge sets September for closing statements in Thaçi trial on obstruction charges
TIRANA, August 6 – The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague announced that closing statements in the trial against former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi and four others will take place in mid-September. The court scheduled the hearings for September 10, 11 and 14. The case involves Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni …
PM Rama shares message: Trust, empathy, service, commitment
TIRANA, August 6 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a handwritten message on social media with four key words: “trust, empathy, service, commitment”. Rama shared the message weeks after presenting the political document “Besa” [Good Faith]. He described the platform as a new effort to restore trust between citizens and …
President Begaj at ‘Ulqin Book Fair’ in Montenegro: Books keep Albanian language and identity alive
TIRANA, August 6 – President Bajram Begaj attended the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary edition of the Ulqin Book Fair in Montenegro. The event is considered one of the region’s most important cultural gatherings and brings together authors, publishers and readers from Montenegro, Albania, Kosova, North Macedonia and other …
Euronews journalist Eni Ferati has obtained the testimony given before the Saranda Court by Sokrat Vata, the suspect in the killing of a 21-year-old Portuguese tourist, Luis Miguel Varela Mendes in Ksamil. Vata admitted responsibility for the killing but gave his account of the circumstances, claiming that amid the mass …
The excavation and exhumation of human remains at three locations in Mala Kaludra and Jabuka, in Zubin Potok, where three mass graves have been confirmed, have been completed, Kosovo’s Government Commission on Missing Persons announced. The excavations began in late July in villages in northern Kosovo, and authorities have confirmed …
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj has visited Italy, where he attended the opening ceremony of the “Taranto 2026” Mediterranean Games in support of the Albanian team of athletes. During the visit, President Begaj was welcomed by his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, as well as by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia …
Prime Minister Edi Rama will gather his government cabinet for a two-day meeting in Pogradec on August 23 and 24. The meeting will be held in a “retreat” format, with ministers expected to report on the work carried out so far and present their priorities for the coming months. The …
The Mayor of Mirdita, Albert Melyshi, spoke to the media about the wildfire situation in the municipality, describing it as serious and dangerous. He said the village of Tenë is currently the worst-affected area, where the first evacuations have also taken place. According to Melyshi, some of the fires are …
The Cërrik Municipal Council met to set the schedule for public hearings as part of the Administrative-Territorial Reform. From the beginning of the meeting, right-wing councillors voiced their opposition to the proposed merger of Cërrik with Elbasan, while left-wing councillors also appeared unclear about their position. Cërrik Mayor Florenc Doka …
A provocative incident was reported in Spain during the Conference League match between Getafe and Partizan Belgrade, where the visiting fans repeatedly chanted “Kosovo is Serbia”. Around 6,000 fans were present at the stadium, while the political chants by Serbian supporters could be heard throughout the match. Meanwhile, some of …
Theth welcomes the “Ah Theth” festival this weekend. The festival combines music, sports, adventure and tradition. It takes place from August 21 to 23. The event features two nights and three days of activities. Visitors can enjoy events from sunset to sunrise amid the spectacular landscapes of the Albanian Alps. …
Albania has reached its target of more than 600 MW in new renewable energy capacity ahead of schedule. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi said the energy sector reforms are producing concrete results. He said the government is modernizing the legal framework and aligning it with European Union standards. …
Albania’s cultural heritage sites recorded a strong increase in visitors during the first seven months of 2026. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja released the figures for January–July 2026. A total of 824,340 local and foreign visitors explored these destinations. The figure marks an 80% increase compared with …