Bank of Albania shifts policy, cutting key rate by 0.25% to 3%
TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – The Bank of Albania has shifted direction for the first time since March 2022, easing its monetary policy by reducing the key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania decided to lower the base interest rate to 3.0 …
Albania Former Health Minister Detained Over Misused EU Funds
Former Health Minister Ilir Beqaj was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of abusing EU funds, Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime, SPAK, announced. Original post Here
Ilir Beqaj, high Socialist official mired in corruption investigations, arrested for abuse of EU funds
TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – Ilir Beqaj, Albania’s former minister of health who has a history of holding important position in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of involvement in a corruption scheme to profit from funds from the Agency for the Coordination of Foreign Aid and …
Share Your Experience: Corruption in Albania’s Health Sector
Have you been asked to transfer your treatment from a public to a private hospital? Do you suspect that healthcare staff are illicitly profiting from your treatment? Have you been asked for a bribe by a medical professional? Tell us your story. Original post Here
Tourist season/ State Police: 378 arrested, 25 of them in the wanted list
The State Police has made the balance of the month, helping for a tourist season as safe as possible. It is known that 378 citizens were arrested and 25 of them were wanted internationally. So far, the Traffic Police has arrested 143 drivers, of which 104 for driving while intoxicated …
Independence of USA, Begaj: We share friendship and strengthened partnership towards democratic values
President Bajram Begaj congratulated July 4, the day of US Independence. In a post on social networks, Begaj emphasizes the joint commitment between Albania and the USA as strategic allies. “Albania and the U.S. share a friendship and partnership strengthened by a common commitment to democratic values. Together, as strategic …
Former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj arrested
The former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, was arrested this Thursday. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that Beqaj was arrested for embezzling funds from the State Agency for Strategic Program and Aid Coordination, also known as SASPAC. Regarding this file, a few months ago, several checks were carried out …
CEC postpones the decision on the validity for the mandate of Fredi Beleri
Central Election Commission (CEC) has postponed the decision regarding the validity of the mandate of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri. “Regarding the time, I don’t believe we have the opportunity to do it today. We can probably organize it, it doesn’t have to come from the place of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, tribute to renowned writer Ismail Kadare
Tributes are being held in honor of Ismail Kadare, the well-known Albanian writer. Prime Minister Edi Rama, in the speech he is giving to the audience, said that Kadare feels protected by Mother Teresa, referring to the installation of the Albanian saint that stands next to the archmort of the …
25 police officers in Korça suspended for abuse with Frontex funds
Korça Prosecutor’s Office is criminally prosecuting 25 employees of the Korça Police Department and the Border and Migration Directorate. On the other hand, the court decides the suspension from duty of these employees. According to the Korca prosecutor’s office, the police officers are accused of abusing the funds in terms …
TIRANA, July 14 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha criticised a statement by Serbian Minister for Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snezhana Paunovic regarding Kosova. Paunovic said that, if she had been in the position of Slobodan Milosevic, she would have carried out “ethnic cleansing of Kosova …
Agritourism continues to grow in Berat as family-run businesses promote local products and traditional cuisine while attracting more visitors. In a social media post, Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the ALDOR guesthouse in the village of Syzez. The family-run guesthouse welcomes both Albanian and international visitors in a traditional setting …
Butrint National Park has invited visitors to explore its unique mosaics during a special month dedicated to these ancient artworks. Several mosaics are currently open to the public and will remain on display until the first week of August. The park opens the mosaics during specific periods as part of …
TIRANA, July 14 – Shkodër continues to attract local and foreign visitors as its main streets and tourist attractions fill with tourists during the summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing a typical morning in the northern city, which has become one of Albania’s most …
TIRANA, July 14 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended France’s National Day ceremony in Paris today at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Rama shared images on social media from the July 14 military parade along the Champs-Elysees. The footage showed members of the Albanian Armed Forces marching with …
The Albanian Football Federation held the draw for the 2026-2027 Abissnet Superiore season calendar at the “House of Football” in Tirana. During the ceremony, club representatives and media members attended as the federation announced the fixtures for the 88th edition of Albania’s top football championship. The new season will start …
TIRANA, July 14 – Albanian champions Egnatia will host Moldova’s Petrocub on Wednesday in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The match will kick off at 21:00 at Arena Egnatia in Rrogozhinë. The tie remains open after Egnatia secured a 1-1 draw in …
TIRANA, July 14 – Kolonja continues to attract French visitors with its traditional cuisine, unspoiled landscapes and cultural heritage, as culinary tourism gains popularity in southeastern Albania. Visitors can explore historical sites and take part in traditional cooking experiences. Many learn how to prepare lakror [traditional Albanian pie], one of …
TIRANA, July 14 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said the 9th Albania–European Union Intergovernmental Conference reflects years of sustained institutional work on the country’s European integration. In a social media post, Hoxha recalled key milestones in Albania’s accession process. He noted that the country had not opened any negotiation chapters …
TIRANA, July 14 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said Albania is maintaining economic stability and stronger public finances through the new Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for 2027-2029. In a social media post, Malaj said the framework sets clear priorities for growth, public investment and lower public debt. He added that …