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Media Agency: 14 wildfires reported in the past 12 hours, 5 remain active

TIRANA, August 5 – Fourteen wildfire outbreaks were reported across Albania during the past 12 hours. Five fires remain active, the Media and Information Agency (MIA) said on Tuesday. Emergency crews continue firefighting operations with 182 operational personnel. They also use 19 fire engines, three Air Force helicopters and one …

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First firefighting aircraft joins wildfire operations

TIRANA, August 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images today from wildfire operations across Albania. He highlighted the deployment of the country’s first firefighting aircraft and praised the crews working on the front line. Rama said the aircraft has begun operations as an additional firefighting asset during the challenging …

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Education Minister Kumbaro: Closing Chapter 25 marks progress in scientific research

TIRANA, August 5 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro welcomed the provisional closure of Chapter 25 of Albania’s European Union accession negotiations, which covers science and research. She described the step as further evidence of the country’s progress toward EU membership. Meanwhile, Kumbaro said the closure confirms Albania’s progress in aligning …

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Farmers’ cooperative opens new opportunities in Kolonja

TIRANA, August 5 – Agriculture Minister Andis Salla said the new agricultural cooperative “ARRKO” will create fresh opportunities for farmers in the municipality of Kolonja. The cooperative forms part of a national initiative that encourages farmers to organise around priority agricultural products. Meanwhile, the cooperative aims to unite local farmers …

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Kosova leaders fail to reach coalition deal, pledge to continue talks

TIRANA, August 5 – Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku failed to reach a political agreement during their meeting on August 4. However, both leaders said they will continue negotiations to form Kosova’s new institutions after the June 7 elections. The meeting …

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European Union allocates €100 million to Albania for critical minerals, green transition and democratic reforms

TIRANA, August 5 – The European Union will provide €100 million to Albania under a broad cooperation programme for 2025-2027, according to details published in the Official Journal. The funding will support critical raw materials, environmental protection and democratic reforms. Meanwhile, the programme places strong emphasis on developing Albania’s critical …

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Durrës unveils new installation celebrating the city’s cultural and tourism identity

TIRANA, August 5 – A new artistic installation has been placed on the Taulantia promenade in Durrës. The artwork has become a new landmark for residents and visitors. Meanwhile, Durrës Mayor Emiriana Sako said the installation represents more than an artistic work. She described it as a symbol of love …

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President Begaj receives Paraguay’s ambassador, seeks stronger bilateral ties

TIRANA, August 5 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Paraguay’s non-resident Ambassador to Albania, María José Argaña de Mateu, during an official ceremony in Tirana. Meanwhile, Begaj praised the friendly relations between Albania and Paraguay. He also expressed his commitment to giving new momentum to bilateral cooperation. In …

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Albania’s Defence Minister Ermal Nufi meets Italy’s Guido Crosetto to strengthen security cooperation

TIRANA, August 5 – Albania’s Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met with Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in Rome to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in defence and security. The two ministers discussed deeper cooperation between Albania and Italy, focusing on increasing the interoperability of the Armed Forces and exploring new opportunities …

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Hot weather across Albania, temperatures expected to reach 41°C

TIRANA, August 5 – Albania will experience stable and hot weather conditions on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will remain clear across the country, with occasional light clouds expected in mountainous areas from midday to afternoon hours. Winds will blow from the southeast to southwest at …

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Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

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Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

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Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

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Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

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Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

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EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

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PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

News
Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July

TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …

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Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital

TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …

News
Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …

News

Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

News

Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

News

Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

News

Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

News

Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

News

EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

News

PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

News

Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July

TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …

News

Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital

TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …

News

Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …