Albanian Customs takes part in regional meeting in Sarajevo on firearms trafficking
TIRANA, June 4 – Representatives of the Albanian Customs Administration took part in a regional meeting on firearms trafficking held on 2–3 June in Sarajevo. The event took place under the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) project. It also …
Albania loses 0–1 to Israel in friendly under new coach Rolando Maran
TIRANA, June 4 – Albania lost 0–1 to Israel in a friendly match at “Air Albania” stadium in Tirana. The result marked an unsuccessful start to the new era under Italian coach Rolando Maran. Maran started Anis Mehmeti in attack alongside Armando Broja and used Qazim Laçi in an advanced …
Speaker Peleshi in Lithuania: Support reaffirmed for Albania’s European Union path and 2027 NATO summit bid
TIRANA, June 4 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi concluded a parliamentary diplomacy tour of the Baltic states with an official visit to Lithuania, where officials reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union membership process and its bid to host a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in 2027. During meetings with Lithuanian …
Malaj Meets IMF: Albanian Economy Shows Stable Growth
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj held a meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund mission for Albania, Diego Cerdeiro, as part of regular consultations on economic and fiscal developments. During the meeting, both sides discussed the performance of the Albanian economy. They noted that it continues to show stable …
PM Rama: Nature protection must go hand in hand with development
TIRANA, June 4 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said nature protection should not stand in opposition to development. He said both objectives can advance together through responsible planning and architecture. Rama made the remarks at the second edition of the Bread & Heart festival in Tirana. Speaking at the event, …
Archaeologists uncover Roman thermal complex near Lushnja
TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the discovery of significant archaeological remains near Lushnja. He said specialists identified a new archaeological site in the village of Zgjana. According to Gonxhja, experts from the National Institute of Cultural Heritage worked with the Department of Archaeology …
Institute of Statistics: Construction costs rise 1.1% in first quarter of 2026
TIRANA, June 4 – Albania’s Construction Cost Index rose 1.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the INSTAT, Albania’s Institute of Statistics. According to the institute, higher labour costs drove the annual increase. The “Wage Expenses” group rose 4.8%. In …
Shkodër tourism rises 30% as Alps, museums and Shiroka–Zogaj drive visitor growth
TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism in Shkodër has recorded a significant increase in recent years, strengthening the local economy and boosting activity across hotels, gastronomy, trade and tourism services. According to the Director of Tourism at Shkodër Municipality, Renato Lumçi, visitor numbers rose by 30% in the first five months …
Fiscal Peace Agreement applications close on 5 June 2026
TIRANA, June 4 – The Tax Administration has set 5 June 2026 as the deadline for applications to the Fiscal Peace Agreement and called on taxpayers to meet all legal conditions. The procedure runs online through the “e-filing” system. Meanwhile, the process covers registered taxpayers, including individuals and business entities …
European Youth Film Festival, fourth edition in Tirana
The fourth edition of the Tirana European Youth Film Festival starts today at the “Agimi” art center in the capital. The festival will bring several days of European films for young audiences and film lovers. The festival promotes contemporary European cinema, supports young filmmakers, and encourages cultural dialogue through film. …
The Benja Thermal Springs in Përmet continue to attract domestic and foreign tourists as autumn brings cooler temperatures to the Langarica Valley. Visitors come to enjoy the natural hot springs and the peaceful surroundings. The springs rank among Përmet’s best-known natural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the …
Albania ranks among the countries that have undergone the most dramatic tourism transformations in Europe, evolving from one of the continent’s most isolated nations into an increasingly popular destination for international visitors, Israeli media outlet Ynet News reports. Journalist Asaf Rosen highlights the country’s opening after the fall of communism, …
Eni Vasili, director-general of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), has outlined the institution’s funding needs and technology priorities for 2027. Speaking to the Committee on Human Rights and Public Information, she highlighted digitalisation, infrastructure modernisation and rising operating costs. The state budget allocation for RTSH is projected at ALL 940 …
Eni Vasili, director-general of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), has identified modern television infrastructure as a key priority for the public broadcaster. Speaking to the Committee on Human Rights and Public Information, she stressed the need to bring its production studio into operation. RTSH currently produces most of its own …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has presented a 2027 budget plan allocating ALL 10.5 billion to vocational education, entrepreneurship and innovation. The ministry’s overall budget stands at ALL 42 billion. Vocational education and employment services will receive ALL 8.9 billion. Investment of ALL 1.22 billion will support vocational schools, …
Gjirokastër Castle welcomed 300,000 domestic and foreign visitors between January and October 2026. Visitor numbers rose by 6.5% compared with the same period in 2025. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared the latest figures and reported a 10.5% increase in revenue over the same period last year. “Between …
Valbona Valley remains one of Albania’s most treasured mountain destinations, offering a unique experience for visitors seeking tranquillity, unspoilt nature and breathtaking scenery. During autumn, vibrant seasonal colours make the valley even more captivating, turning it into a natural postcard of the Albanian Alps. Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared …
Eni Vasili, director-general of Albanian Radio and Television, has outlined RTSH’s priorities for services aimed at Albanians abroad and foreign-language audiences in 2027. She presented them during a hearing with the Committee on Civic Initiatives as part of discussions on the 2027 budget. The priorities include establishing an international correspondent …
Restoration teams are improving the infrastructure at Rozafa Castle in Shkodër, one of the country’s most important historical and cultural monuments. Work began around two months ago. Crews have completed the Castle Museum’s façade and are now repairing the cobblestone paving in an inner courtyard. “We are currently working on …
Albania’s annual inflation rate reached 3.4% in October 2026, up from 2.3% in the same month last year. Consumer prices also rose by 0.5% compared with September, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation, adding 1.36 percentage points. Transport …