Albania’s Defence Tax Breaks Raise State Capture Concerns
Proposed fiscal concessions would benefit private partners of the state defence company KAYO as an arms-trafficking investigation puts the sector under scrutiny. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Albania’s government is proposing additional tax privileges for the defence industry while the state company at the centre of its expansion, KAYO, …
“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence
Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …
Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …
European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people
The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …
Rama reiterates call for dialogue: You are welcome, whenever and wherever you want, without conditions. We are ready!
Prime Minister Edi Rama has renewed his call for dialogue with protesters, urging them to distance themselves from acts of violence, stone-throwing and arson attacks against institutions. Rama stressed that the government is ready to hold talks at any time and without preconditions, while calling on protest organisers to set …
Ervin Demo: The right to protest is guaranteed, violence cannot be justified and offenders will be held accountable under the law
Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests of recent days, stressing that the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution and that the State Police have a duty to ensure demonstrations take place peacefully. Demo emphasised that police intervention will only take place when necessary …
Protests in Europe and Albania, Council of Europe Secretary General reacts
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has reacted to the wave of protests sweeping several European countries in a post on the social media platform X. In his statement, Berset also mentioned Albania, highlighting the causes of social discontent as well as the violent incidents that …
US State Department report: Albania successfully responded to Iranian cyberattacks, US provided $25 million in cybersecurity assistance
Albania has been featured in a US State Department report on the security of digital infrastructure in developing countries, in which Washington acknowledges the progress made following the Iran-backed cyberattack in 2022. In the document submitted to the US Congress, the State Department states that the United States responded to …
Montenegro Seeks to Resolve Disputes with Croatia Ahead of EU Membership
Montenegro has taken steps to resolve disputes with Croatia that could hinder Podgorica’s ambition to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Last week, Zagreb circulated an eight-point list to other EU member states, outlining issues it wants resolved before Montenegro joins the bloc. Most of the …
Sunday’s Student Protest: Police Arrest 69, Launch Criminal Proceedings Against 20
Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding Sunday’s student protest, confirming that 69 people have been arrested and another 20 are facing criminal proceedings. The arrests were made after the suspects allegedly attacked police officers and damaged public and private institutional buildings using stones and other hard objects. “Tirana/Following …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has unveiled “Pasqyrë Albania”, a new digital platform designed to improve transparency over public investments and help citizens track applications, public services and complaints in real time. During the launch, Saimir Kapllani, an expert at the National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI), outlined the platform’s four …
Albania marks 73 years since the premiere of the opera “Rusalka”, staged in November 1953. The production marked the first opera staged by the Albanian Philharmonic. It also laid the foundations for the establishment of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Popular Ensemble. The Albanian Telegraphic Agency …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to EU membership, marking 33 years since the Maastricht Treaty entered into force and established the foundations of the European Union. In a social media post on November 1, Hoxha said the anniversary offered Albania an opportunity to look ahead to EU …
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting today with experts from the National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI), who have been working on the development of the “Pasqyra Albania” platform, to learn more about its features and innovations. During the discussion, Rama explained that the platform is built around four …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty’s entry into force, highlighting Albania’s path toward integration into the European Union. In a post on social media platform X, Hoxha described the treaty as a defining moment in the establishment of …
Around 55 pilots from Albania and various European countries are taking part in the 14th edition of the “Korça Open Air” championship, held in Lumalas. For four days, the airfield has been transformed into an arena for precision landing competitions, where pilots challenge one another to achieve the most accurate …
Albania plans to return to international financial markets in 2027 with the issuance of a new Eurobond. The planned amount is approximately €690 million, which would make it the largest borrowing of this kind ever undertaken by the country. According to the draft 2027 budget, the Eurobond issuance will amount …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has appointed Vlera Gjakova as his media adviser. Gjakova is originally from North Macedonia but has spent a significant part of her life in Kosovo, where she has also been involved in politics. Eight years ago, she joined Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje Movement, and in the 2019 …
Two separate protests took place in Tirana on Saturday. Students, lecturers and citizens gathered outside the Ministry of Education for the 19th consecutive day, demanding political change, the prime minister’s resignation and better living and education conditions. Meanwhile, the main opposition party held a rally outside the Prime Minister’s Office. …
The US Embassy in Tirana has urged American citizens to avoid protest areas, warning that demonstrations could escalate into violence and disrupt traffic and public services. In an official security alert, the embassy said protests continue in central Tirana and near government institutions. Some demonstrations have turned violent, with reports …