Petrit Malaj: Albania grows economy by 4% and reduces public debt
Petrit Malaj said today in Parliament that Albania achieved strong macroeconomic progress. He referred to international reports from the U.S. Department of State and the European Commission. Furthermore, Malaj said Albania recorded 4% economic growth in 2024. He added that inflation remained controlled at 2.2%. In addition, he noted that …
Alis receives applause for “Nan” at Eurovision Song Contest 2026 as voting opens for final qualification
Alis performed “Nan” on the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semifinal. The audience across Europe applauded the performance. The song delivered a strong emotional message about motherhood. The staging included powerful visuals, including references to the Albanian mother figure. Furthermore, the performance attracted attention from international media as …
Alis sends Albania to Eurovision 2026 Grand Final
TIRANA, May 14 – Albania has secured a place in the Grand Final of Eurovision 2026 after Alis qualified from the second semi-final in Vienna with the song “Nân”. Alis delivered an emotional performance that combined Albanian musical elements with a modern stage presentation, earning Albania one of the 10 …
OSCE democratic institutions office says political finance draft strengthens transparency
TIRANA, May 14 – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights published an interim urgent opinion on Albania’s draft law on political party financing. The office said the draft creates a detailed framework for regulating political financing, while calling for further clarifications …
Tourism minister looks at preparations in Jala and Dhërmi ahead of summer season
TIRANA, May 14 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja looked at preparations on the beaches of Jala and Dhërmi ahead of the new summer season. He reviewed readiness measures and ongoing work along the coastal areas. Gonxhja said operators and local authorities still need to complete several …
Defense Minister meets NATO Joint Force Command Naples Commander Admiral, focuses on regional security and hybrid threats
TIRANA, May 14 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met today in Tirana with Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples, during an official visit to Albania. Opening the talks, Nufi underlined that the visit reflects the strong partnership between the Albanian Armed Forces and NATO Allies, …
President Begaj meets NATO Joint Force Command Naples Commander Admiral Wikoff, reaffirms defence cooperation and NATO commitment
TIRANA, May 14 – President Bajram Begaj met in Tirana with Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples, praising his leadership in what he described as a complex geopolitical environment. Opening the meeting, Begaj highlighted the key role of the Naples-based command in maintaining security, peace …
Eurovision 2026: PM Rama calls for strong support as Albania prepares for tonight’s performance by Alis
TIRANA, May 14 – Albania turns its attention to Vienna tonight as Eurovision 2026 enters its second semi-final, with artist Alis set to perform the song “Nân”. Prime Minister Edi Rama called on the public and the Albanian diaspora to support the country’s entry. He urged voters to choose number …
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos to visit Prishtina on Friday
TIRANA, May 14 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will visit Prishtina on Friday. The trip marks her first visit to Kosova since she took office in 2024. She arrives on Thursday evening from London, where she holds two meetings earlier in the day. Kos will hold three …
Kosova marks 27th anniversary of Qyshk massacre
TIRANA, May 14 – Kosova on Wednesday marked the 27th anniversary of the Qyshk massacre, one of the crimes committed during the 1998–1999 war. Serbian forces killed 44 Albanian men in the village on May 14, 1999. The attack ranks among the many massacres reported during the conflict in Kosova. …
Albanian skier Lara Colturi is preparing for her next challenge as the new Ski World Cup season gets underway in Sölden, Austria. Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared footage of Colturi during training and wished her success in the upcoming competition. “Lara Colturi is ready for her next …
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met with Major General Roberto Vergori, the new commander of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR), in Tirana on October 20. They discussed KFOR’s role in ensuring security and stability in Kosovo and maintaining peace across the region. During the meeting, Nufi highlighted the importance of KFOR …
Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has reaffirmed the government’s readiness to hold talks with students and citizens, while ruling out dialogue with those who damage public and private property. In an interview with Klan News on October 20, Koçiu condemned the violence during recent protests in Tirana. She said …
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited protesting students and university lecturers to talks, saying he and his government are ready to meet anyone willing to engage in dialogue. In a video posted on social media on October 20, Rama said he remained available for discussions. To underline his offer, …
Albania will be represented by 12-year-old singer Eslin Kurti at the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Ta’ Qali, Malta, on October 24. Kurti will perform “Kërce me mua” (“Dance with Me”), a song that aims to bring energy, rhythm and a message of unity through …
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has responded to protests in Albania, Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal. Türk condemned all acts of violence during the demonstrations and called on all parties involved to immediately ease tensions and prevent further escalation. According to the senior UN official, the best …
Albanian and Turkish naval forces held a joint exercise in the Bay of Vlora and the naval base in it. The activity took place under NATO’s Neptune Strike 26-4 programme. The exercise involved Turkish warships TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep, aircraft and the Albanian Boarding Team. According to the Ministry …
Kosova remains at Tier 2 in the US State Department’s 2025 report on human trafficking. The report notes more funding for victim assistance and more convictions, but highlights gaps in law enforcement, identifying children forced to beg and providing long-term support. Police investigated four trafficking cases in 2025, down from …
Ahmet Prençi, commissioner of the Ombudsman’s National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, presented preliminary findings from monitoring police stations, the Security Block and the University Trauma Hospital on October 19. He said the investigation continued. Police escorted 50 people to stations, including 18 minors. The Security Block held 109 …
Demand for loans from businesses and individuals increased in the third quarter of 2026. Banks expect this trend to continue in the final quarter, according to the Bank of Albania’s lending survey. Businesses increased borrowing across all size categories for investment and liquidity needs. Higher investment needs, inventory financing and …