Balla meets German Bundestag EU Affairs Committee Chair
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met today with Anton Hofreiter, Chair of the German Bundestag’s Committee on European Union Affairs. The meeting focused on Albania’s European integration process. They also discussed progress in the EU accession negotiations and close cooperation with Germany in support of Albania’s path to …
Peleshi meets German Bundestag Tourism Committee Chair
Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met today with Anja Karliczek, Chair of the German Bundestag’s Parliamentary Committee on Tourism. He also welcomed members of the German delegation visiting Albania. During the meeting, both sides praised the strong political and economic ties between Albania and Germany. They also highlighted …
POLITICO: Brussels draws up accelerated EU roadmaps for four leading candidates, including Albania
The European Commission is drawing up proposals that would give the four leading EU candidates a clearer, step-by-step path to membership. The plans target Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania, according to two senior Commission officials who spoke to POLITICO. The officials work on the draft proposals and spoke anonymously about …
IMF and World Bank complete Albania assessment: Financial system makes progress, modernized payment infrastructure
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met with representatives of the joint IMF and World Bank mission as Albania completed its Financial Sector Assessment Program, or FSAP. The Albanian authorities requested the assessment, while the Bank of Albania coordinated the process domestically. Senior officials from the Financial Supervisory Authority, the …
Lezhë coast attracts more visitors as August records 20% increase
The Lezhë coast attracted more holidaymakers during the 2026 summer season, with visits to the beaches of Shëngjin and Tale increasing by 14% compared with last year. According to data from the Municipality of Lezhë, August recorded the highest number of visitors during the season. The number of holidaymakers increased …
Building a pathway to peace: Working together to return Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war
By H.E. Mrs. Elissa Golberg, Ambassador of Canada to Italy, Albania, Malta and San Marino; Yulia Gorokhovska, Chargés d’affaires, Embassy of Ukraine in Albania and H.E. Mr. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Croatia and Albania. Every morning at 9:00 a.m., Ukraine stops. Across cities in …
Maran at Press Conference: Respect Must Be Shown to San Marino
Albania will face San Marino on Tuesday evening in their second Group C1 match of the UEFA Nations League. The Red and Blacks are clear favorites to win the game. Head coach Rolando Maran appeared at the pre-match press conference alongside captain Berat Djimshiti. He stressed the importance of taking …
Demo meets EU Ambassador: Stronger cooperation on security and European integration
Minister of Interior Ervin Demo met today with the European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, to discuss stronger cooperation in security and Albania’s priorities in the European integration process. The meeting focused on EU support for strengthening the capacities of the State Police, combating organized crime and …
Ibrahimaj meets Mehring: Cooperation with Bavaria to support Albanian startups and innovation
Albania is showcasing its innovation ecosystem at Bits & Pretzels 2026, one of Europe’s leading startup and innovation events, in Munich, Germany. This year, Albania is participating as the partner country. The country is represented by 17 startups from Albania, Kosovo and the diaspora. They are presenting their success stories …
Gonxhja: World Bank provides $3 million grant for Albania’s tourism development project
The World Bank, through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will provide a $3 million grant to prepare an integrated tourism ecosystem development project in Albania. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced today that the government had approved the grant agreement with the World Bank. …
Albania will continue to support NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo to help maintain security and regional stability, Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces Arben Kingji said on Sunday. Kingji met KFOR Commander Major General Özkan Ulutaş as he prepared to end his term leading the NATO …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Malësia e Madhe and Përmet have transformed over the past decade, emerging as tourist destinations with growing economic potential. Speaking in the fifth episode of the seventh season of his “FLASIM” podcast, Rama recalled that both areas once seemed to offer few opportunities for development. …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has criticized Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić for pledging during an election campaign to “raise the Serbian flag again in Kosovo.” Hoxha described the remarks as provocative and threatening, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could encourage dangerous actions. He cited the 2023 …
Albania is taking steps to align its tax legislation with European Union standards by implementing DAC8, which requires the collection and exchange of information on crypto-asset transactions. The General Directorate of Taxes said the rapid growth of the digital economy makes greater tax transparency and stronger international cooperation increasingly important. …
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Croatian President Zoran Milanović have congratulated Justina Shiroka-Pula on taking office as Kosovo’s president, expressing support for stronger bilateral ties and Kosovo’s European integration. Mattarella called for deeper cooperation between Italy and Kosovo, reaffirming Italy’s support, including through its participation in NATO’s KFOR mission. He …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, French Ambassador Catherine Suard and EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa attended Rodeo, a performance by the French Grenade dance company, at the “Let’s Stay Together” Community Center in Kombinat, Tirana. Koçiu said the event brought art closer to the community while promoting …
President Bajram Begaj visited Dibër this weekend and attended the closing ceremony of the 32nd edition of the “Oda Dibrane” festival. During his visit, he also met Dibër Mayor Rahim Spahiu to discuss local development projects, challenges, cultural heritage and tourism potential. Begaj described the festival as a symbol of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia on Sunday, including a deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Rama expressed Albania’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people. He also offered condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He stressed …
Albania’s Abissnet Superiore resumed this weekend after the international break for Nations League matches, with Teuta extending their winning streak and Elbasani sharing the points with Vora. Teuta beat Skënderbeu 2-0 at the Niko Dovana Stadium to secure their fifth consecutive victory and maintain top spot in the standings. Kallaku …
Albania and Italy are strengthening cultural cooperation to preserve and digitize their shared film heritage. Albanian Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli visited the Central State Film Archive, where they viewed rare footage documenting the history of relations between the two countries. …