Tabaku: EC Progress Report highlights need for far-reaching institutional reform in Albania
TIRANA, Nov 4 /ATA/ Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku today commented on the European Commission’s annual Progress Report on Albania, stressing that the country needs far-reaching changes in the way its institutions and state function. Tabaku said the report “reveals some sad truths about Albania, showing that, beyond the rhetoric, passing …
National libraries of Albania and Hungary establish scientific and professional cooperation
TIRANA, November 4 /ATSH/ – The National Library of Albania and the National Széchényi Library of Hungary have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening professional, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two institutions. Attending the signing ceremony was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Lira Pipa and …
Gogu: ALL 250 million earmarked for forensic hospital, construction to begin in early 2027
TIRANA, Nov 4 /ATA/-By Maela Marini/ Justice Minister Toni Gogu announced today that ALL 250 million have been allocated in the 2027 draft budget for the forensic hospital, with construction set to begin early next year. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs during a presentation of the 2027 draft …
Recently completed mural in Art Park of Tirana pays tribute to women of Albanian Film Archive
TIRANA, November 4, ATSH/ A new mural dedicated to the women who have worked at the Central State Film Archive over the years has been completed in Tirana’s Art Park. This artwork—a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports and the Central State Film Archive—serves as a …
Bank of Albania keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%
The Bank of Albania has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. The Supervisory Council announced the decision on November 3. Governor Gent Sejko also confirmed that the overnight deposit rate will remain at 1.5%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending rate will stay at 3.5%. Sejko said the decision reflects …
Albania strengthens aviation emergency response with search-and-rescue drill
Albania will test its aviation emergency response capabilities today through a planned search-and-rescue exercise near Tirana International Airport. The drill, named SAR-2026, will run from 10:30 to 12:00. The National Search and Rescue Centre is organising the exercise with institutions responsible for aviation emergencies. Participants include the Armed Forces, Tirana …
Albanian and Hungarian national libraries launch cultural cooperation
The National Library of Albania and Hungary’s National Szechenyi Library have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen professional, scientific and cultural ties. The signing ceremony brought together Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Lira Pipa and Hungarian Ambassador to Albania Martina Laura Kasnyik. The agreement provides for exchanges …
FM Hoxha: Albania seeks merit-based European Union membership, not shortcuts
Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended the international conference “EU Enlargement: Assessing New Concepts and the Outlook for 2027,” organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations. Hoxha said geopolitical realities had made enlargement a strategic and security necessity for Europe. However, he stressed that this …
Lezha begins construction of a new pedestrian zone
Construction has begun on a new pedestrian promenade in Lezha, a project worth ALL 62 million funded by the municipal budget. The development aims to create new recreational spaces for residents and tourists. The municipality expects to complete the project by next summer. Deputy PM Albana Koçiu shared footage of …
European Commission to present Albania’s 2026 progress report in Brussels
The European Commission is expected to publish its 2026 Enlargement Package today at around 13:00, including its annual report on Albania. The report will assess reform progress, accession criteria and the challenges Albania must address on its path towards European Union membership. For the first time, the package is expected …
Albania’s 2027 draft budget will support European Union accession negotiations and prepare the country for membership, State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka said on Tuesday. Speaking to the Assembly’s Committee on European Affairs and Foreign Policy, Dhuka said Albania had opened all negotiating chapters, received a positive assessment of …
Albania’s European identity, cultural heritage and aspirations for the future will take centre stage during Albania’s European Week in Ottawa in 2026. The Embassy of the Republic of Albania to Canada will organise the event in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Ottawa. …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo said police success depends on how safe citizens feel, how well authorities protect young people and how effectively they restrict criminal groups’ activities. Speaking at a joint conference of the State Police and Italy’s Guardia di Finanza on 2026 aerial monitoring results, Demo praised 15 years …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo said Albania plays an active role in Europe’s security architecture and in tackling cross-border threats. He made the remarks opening the international conference “Regional security: New risks, stronger cooperation” in Tirana. The event brought together Regional Cooperation Council Secretary-General Amer Kapetanović, Italian Interior Ministry representatives, the …
The European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, held a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations, during which she presented the 2026 Albania Report. In a post published on Tuesday, the EU Delegation announced that the meeting addressed issues related to the environment, transparency, land ownership rights, …
Aerial monitoring and the use of modern surveillance equipment have increased the Guardia di Finanza’s ability to identify suspected cannabis cultivation sites in Albania. During a joint press conference with the Albanian State Police, a representative of the Italian authorities emphasized that cooperation between the two sides has delivered concrete …
The Transparency Board decided to reduce fuel prices during its meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Board decided that gasoline will be sold at no more than 167 lek per liter, while diesel will be sold at no more than 208 lek per liter. “The retail price of diesel …
For the first time, PET scan examinations will be publicly funded. The project has been included in the draft 2027 budget, with an allocation of 250 million lek, and approximately 2,500 patients are expected to benefit from the service. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health and Social …
Albania recorded positive natural population growth in the third quarter of 2026, with 742 more births than deaths. According to data from INSTAT, a total of 5,787 births and 5,045 deaths were registered during this period. However, the birth rate continues to decline. Compared to the same period in 2025, …
Around 450,000 to 500,000 citizens across Albania use public transport, but the cost of the service and the tax burden on operators risk becoming even heavier. This concern was raised by the National Association of Urban Transport in a letter addressed to Parliament, outlining a series of requests for tax …