Albania increases elite athlete payments with 30%–200% boosts and higher daily allowances
TIRANA, April 24 – The Albanian government has approved new measures increasing financial rewards for elite athletes and their coaches, with implementation expected in April 2026. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Blendi Gonxhja, said the revised scheme introduces higher and more structured support for athletes across multiple disciplines. …
Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 11% in March amid shifting travel patterns
TIRANA, April 24 – Albania recorded a 10.8% rise in foreign tourist arrivals in March, as more than 600,000 foreign nationals visited the country, official data showed. The national statistics agency reported that the increase followed a slower start to the year. Travel activity recovered during March, with stronger flows …
Reform aims to strengthen Albanian municipalities through territorial reform
TIRANA, April 24 – Albania’s special parliamentary committee on administrative-territorial reform continued nationwide consultations, focusing on concerns over municipal competencies. In Lezha, local hearings highlighted concerns raised by municipal leaders regarding the scope of local government powers. During the discussion, the Minister of State for Local Governance, Ervin Demo, addressed …
Justice or Realpolitik? Two Prime Ministers, Two Futures for the Balkans
Kosovo’s Albin Kurti and Albania’s Edi Rama have distinct and divergent approaches to governing, each with its own set of risks and rewards. Original post Here
Hoxha meets Greek business leaders at Delphi Forum
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met representatives of the Greek Businessmen’s Union at the Delphi Economic Forum. The meeting focused on economic diplomacy and Albania’s potential for foreign investment. Hoxha said Albania offers an open market and a dynamic economy that is increasingly friendly to foreign investors. …
Himara to open tourist season on May 1–3
Himara will open the tourist season on May 1–3. The coastal city will welcome local and foreign visitors. The three-day event will create a festive atmosphere in the southern destination. The program will promote the area’s history, cultural heritage, pristine beaches, traditions, and rich Albanian cuisine. Minister of Tourism, Culture, …
Traffic resumes in Llogara Tunnel after accident
Traffic has resumed in the Llogara Tunnel after a temporary closure caused by a collision between two vehicles. The Albanian Road Authority said police, ambulance, and firefighters arrived quickly and managed the situation. Authorities reopened the tunnel shortly after clearing the scene. The Llogara Tunnel includes a main tunnel and …
Marta Kos notes progress for Albania toward EU membership
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos reported positive developments for Albania and Montenegro on their path to EU membership. She met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. They discussed EU enlargement and the Western Balkans. Mitsotakis said enlargement had not made the expected progress but noted a new momentum. He …
Qosja leaves final letter with burial wishes for family
Academic Rexhep Qosja passed away at the age of 89. He wrote a final letter before his death and stated his last wishes. He asked for a simple burial ceremony. He rejected religious rituals and official attendance. He requested that only close family members attend the funeral. He chose to …
Hoxha meets Moldovan foreign minister at Delphi Forum
At the Delphi Economic Forum, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi. Hoxha said the meeting gave both sides a chance to exchange views on EU accession. He stressed that Albania actively engages in the European integration process. He …
Ambassador Eric Wendt met with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, the U.S. Embassy announced in a Facebook post. According to the statement, the meeting focused on highlighting the more than 100-year relationship between the United States and Albania, as well as discussing the expansion of trade, energy …
Prime Minister Edi Rama attended on Thursday the presentation of the five projects submitted as part of the international “Tirana Fountain Tower” competition. During his remarks, Rama responded to criticism regarding urban development and construction projects in the capital, stressing that no one is forcibly removed from their home to …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in Pržno, Montenegro. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said that during the meeting, Hoxha reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to a safer, more competitive and better-connected Western Balkans, stressing that the security …
The Albanian Mountaineering and Mountain Tourism Federation has issued an official statement regarding an incident reported a few days ago, in which a group from North Macedonia removed a double-headed eagle symbol that had been placed by a team of Albanian mountaineers on Mount Korab. The Federation stressed that the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected the new Cardiac Surgery facility at the “Mother Teresa” University Hospital Center (QSUT), which aims to provide modern services and raise standards of patient care. During the visit, Rama said investments in QSUT would continue in 2027, with the aim of fully addressing the needs …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials at both central and regional levels, focusing on improving security, strengthening prevention measures, and responding to all forms of illegal activity with the full force of the law and professionalism. Minister Demo requested detailed and up-to-date information from …
Businesses and consumers showed greater confidence in economic developments in September, contributing to a 0.3 percentage point increase in the Economic Sentiment Indicator, according to the Bank of Albania. According to the Business and Consumer Confidence Survey, published today by the central bank, the Economic Sentiment Indicator stands 7.8 percentage …
Buying a home with a mortgage is the only option for many Albanian families seeking to address their housing needs. This has made housing loans one of the most widely offered banking products, but how do interest rates on these loans vary? According to the latest report by the Bank …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with France’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, René Troccaz, during his stay in Pržno, Montenegro. The talks focused on Albania’s accession process to the European Union, developments in the Western Balkans, as well as the strategic importance of strengthening regional …
Bjarke Ingels Group has been announced as the winner of the international competition for “Tirana Fountain Plaza,” one of five architectural visions presented for Tirana 2030. The new development, named “Tirana Fountain Plaza,” is expected to replace the existing building of the “Tajvani” complex. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister …