Finance Ministry: Revenue exceeds plan by 34.3 billion ALL in January-May 2026, public investment rises
TIRANA, June 17 – Albania collected 340.5 billion ALL in total revenue during January-May 2026. The figure exceeded the period plan by 5.3%, according to the Finance Ministry. Revenue rose by 11.2% compared with the same period in 2025. The state budget recorded an additional 34.3 billion ALL. Tax and …
European Commission exclusive to Albanian Radio and Television confirms support for Albania
TIRANA, June 17 – The European Commission confirms its support for Albania’s European Union membership path. It links progress to maintaining the pace of reforms. The 2027 target for closing accession negotiations remains achievable, according to an exclusive response to Albanian Radio and Television. It describes sustained reform momentum as …
Balla: European Parliament Approves Resolution on Albania with 483 Votes in Favor, a Significant Recognition of the Country’s EU Path
The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s annual Resolution on Albania, which was approved with 483 votes in favor. In a public statement, Balla described the decision as a major acknowledgment of Albania’s progress in the European integration process …
Braho: Vetting Is Not Immunity, Judges and Prosecutors Remain Under SPAK Scrutiny
The head of Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Klodjan Braho, stated that the vetting process cannot be considered a guarantee or form of “immunity” for judges and prosecutors in the future, emphasizing that any potential acts of corruption will remain subject to criminal investigation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of …
“Concern Over Political Polarization and Confrontational Discourse” – European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Albania
The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted its resolution on Albania. The document praises Albania’s commitment to European Union integration and acknowledges the country’s ambition to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2027. The resolution highlights “concern over continued political polarization and confrontational political discourse, which undermine parliamentary oversight, public …
Environmental Organizations Welcome European Parliament Vote on Protected Areas in Albania
Environmental organizations have welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s resolution on Albania, describing the vote as strong support for the country’s protected areas. In their reaction, the organizations stressed that “Members of the European Parliament have called on Albania to repeal legal amendments that allow development within protected areas …
Rama in Berlin Meets German Economy Minister, Economic Partnership and Western Balkans Investments in Focus
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche, during his visit to Berlin at the invitation of the German business community. In a post on social media, Rama said that discussions focused on further strengthening the economic partnership between Albania …
Rama: EU Parliament Backs Albania Resolution, Zvërnec Development to Follow EU Environmental Standards
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted on Wednesday on social media following the vote on the resolution concerning Albania in the European Parliament. In his post, Rama commented on the debate surrounding the Vjosa-Narta protected area and the development project in Zvërnec, stressing that the amendment proposed in the resolution …
“Moratorium on Protected Areas” – What the European Parliament Approved Regarding Amendments on Zvërnec and Sazan
The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted its report on Albania, backing an amendment that raises concerns over the impact of the Strategic Investments Law and amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, while rejecting a more strongly worded version that included direct references to the tourism project on Sazan Island …
EU Approves Landmark Returns Regulation Inspired by Italy-Albania Model, Meloni Says
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has described the European Parliament’s approval of the new European Union regulation on the return of migrants without legal residence status as a “major success.” In a video shared on social media from Evian, where she is attending the G7 Summit, Meloni said the new …
The Centre for Arbëresh Studies and Publications commemorated linguist and Albanologist Antonino Guzzetta on the 104th anniversary of his birth. Born on October 14, 1922, in Piana degli Albanesi, Sicily, Guzzetta devoted his career to preserving and promoting the Albanian language and Arbëresh culture. Guzzetta graduated from the University of …
Student-led demonstrations turn into violent confrontations, with attacks on state institutions and luxury buildings amid allegations of systemic corruption, police brutality and a deepening political crisis. Tirana Times, October 14, 2026 – Albania’s capital descended into scenes resembling a war zone Wednesday as anti-government protesters attacked state institutions, set fires …
Student-led protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes with police, drawing international attention and raising fresh questions about government accountability, corruption and the future of young people. The demonstrations began with demands for better university conditions, lower education costs and greater financial support for students. However, they soon expanded …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi condemned attacks on Parliament and public institutions during a violent protest in Tirana. He described the acts of vandalism and destruction as unacceptable. In a social media statement, Peleshi stressed that violence serves no cause and harms the public interest and society. He also rejected attempts …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro urged students to reject violence as protests entered their second day. She expressed deep concern over attacks on the Education Ministry and other public institutions. “Physical clashes and property destruction must never replace words, arguments and dialogue,” Kumbaro said. The minister defended students’ right to protest …
The US Embassy in Tirana issued a security alert on Tuesday, warning American citizens that violent protests could spread near government buildings. The embassy said a demonstration on Durrës Street, near Skanderbeg Square, turned violent after protesters threw stones. It warned that unrest could spread to nearby areas and government …
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Albania (KISH) condemned the removal of the Vatican flag during a protest in Tirana on Tuesday, calling the act unacceptable. In a public statement, the conference said protesters had targeted the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Tirana. Several demonstrators removed the Vatican flag …
The German Embassy has shared the position of the European Union Delegation to Albania regarding the ongoing student protests in Tirana. The German Embassy has expressed the same position as the EU Delegation, which voiced concern over escalating tensions between law enforcement officers and young protesters and called on all …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced during a government meeting that a proposal to establish a working group tasked with drafting, coordinating and harmonising a state strategy regarding appeal proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague had been approved. Kurti stated that the first-instance verdict against the four …
The British Embassy in Tirana has reacted following clashes on the second day of protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a statement published on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the embassy stressed that the right to protest does not justify the use of violence or damage to public and …