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Rama Meets Young Man with Disability, Calls for Peaceful Dialogue

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage of his meeting with a young man with a disability, describing him as “a special visitor with no stones in his pockets, but with his heart in the right place.” In a social media post, Rama said the young man had contacted him …

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Albania Approves Gaza Stabilisation Force Agreement in Principle

Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved in principle an agreement on the country’s participation in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza. The agreement involves the Republic of Albania, represented by the Council of Ministers, and the Board of Peace. The government approved it at Wednesday’s meeting following a proposal from …

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Mehdi Frashëri’s Government Promised Liberal Reforms in Albania

Albania formed a government led by Mehdi Frashëri 91 years ago, promising a programme of liberal reforms aimed at modernising the country. King Zog’s appointment of Frashëri as prime minister received a positive response in the press at the time. His cabinet included figures educated at leading Western universities. Frashëri …

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“Mulberry House” Opens in Drenova to Preserve Albania’s Traditional Brandy-Making

Drenova has opened “Mulberry House,” a new space dedicated to the village’s traditional production of mulberry brandy. Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo announced the initiative, which forms part of the “Flavours of the Region” project, a partnership between the Albanian Development Fund and Korçë Municipality. The project aims to create new …

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ISUV Expands Laboratory Testing, Adds EU Labs for Confirmatory Analyses

Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved changes to the organisation and operation of the Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (ISUV) to strengthen laboratory capacity and improve controls over veterinary health, food safety and plant health. Under the decision, ISUV will conduct laboratory tests under national programmes, sectoral strategies, monitoring plans, …

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National Cyber Security Authority: Two Critical Vulnerabilities Threaten the Security of Websites and Web Applications

The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) issued a warning on Wednesday to institutions, businesses and system administrators regarding two critical vulnerabilities affecting websites and web applications. According to the announcement, these vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized individuals to execute code remotely, directly threatening the security of systems and data. Full statement: …

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Student Protests: Young Protesters Announce Next Rally Outside Parliament Tomorrow at 9:00 AM

After spending several hours outside the Prime Minister’s Office, protesters marched towards Skanderbeg Square, where they continued chanting slogans against the government. Upon arriving at the square, the young protesters announced that they would gather again tomorrow at 9:00 AM outside Parliament, coinciding with the scheduled plenary session. They also …

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Albania’s Students Demand the Fall of Rama and an End to Corruption

A wave of student protests have swept Albania over the last week and escalated into clashes with police. BIRN spoke with some of the protesters to hear what brought them into the streets. Original post Here

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Albania sends first helicopter contingent to NATO mission in Kosova

Albania is expanding its contribution to NATO operations. For the first time, a helicopter contingent will join the KFOR mission in Kosova. Thirteen members of the Albanian Armed Forces will serve at the US military base of Camp Bondsteel. A farewell ceremony at Farka Air Base marked their departure. Defence …

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Central bank governor Sejko assures public deposits are safe

Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko has assured the public that deposits in the country’s banking system remain safe. He also pledged that the central bank would continue operating professionally and responsibly to meet the needs of citizens and the economy. Sejko spoke at a meeting in Tirana between Prime …

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Week in Review: Big Changes, Bigger Challenges

Our selection of Premium stories this week seeks to unpack the aftermath of an eventful weekend, with dramatic and rapid changes in Serbia that could have a wider impact across the region. Original post Here

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Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …

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Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

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President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …

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Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …

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President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …

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Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue

The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …

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Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date

President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …

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Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …

News
Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78

Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …

News

Week in Review: Big Changes, Bigger Challenges

Our selection of Premium stories this week seeks to unpack the aftermath of an eventful weekend, with dramatic and rapid changes in Serbia that could have a wider impact across the region. Original post Here

News

Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …

News

Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

News

President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …

News

Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …

News

President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …

News

Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue

The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …

News

Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date

President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …

News

Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …

News

Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78

Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …