20 wildfires managed in 24 hours, 727 operational forces deployed
TIRANA, August 4 – A total of 727 operational forces have worked over the past 24 hours to manage 20 wildfire outbreaks across Albania, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. The response included 128 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 medical ambulance and 3 Air Force helicopters. These …
Customs handles summer travel surge with round-the-clock service
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian Customs is managing heavy summer travel flows with 24-hour service and efficient border procedures, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj noted that more than 1.8 million passengers travelled through Tirana International Airport during July. The airport also handled about 9,500 flights, reflecting the peak of …
National Farm Support Scheme attracts more farmers
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s 2026 National Agricultural Support Scheme has expanded its beneficiary base and drawn significantly more applications after lowering minimum funding thresholds and easing eligibility requirements. Ardita Kuçi, Director General of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR), said the revised scheme has encouraged broader participation …
EU trade chapter signals major changes for Albania
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s provisional closure of Chapter 30 – External Relations commits the country to align future trade agreements with European Union rules, including a clause allowing their termination without compensation once Albania joins the bloc. EU affairs expert Geron Kamberi said the chapter focuses on the EU’s …
President Begaj receives Ecuador’s ambassador
TIRANA, August 4 – President Bajram Begaj received Ecuador’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Esteban Assar Moscoso Bohman, at an official credentials ceremony after the diplomat presented his Letters of Credence. Begaj wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ecuador. He …
US Embassy welcomes $302 million defence loan for Albania
TIRANA, August 4 – The US Embassy in Tirana welcomed Albania’s ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, describing it as strong support for the continued modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. According to the embassy, the funding will help Albania advance toward …
Drought lowers water level at Fierza hydropower reservoir
TIRANA, August 4 – Prolonged drought and high temperatures continue to reduce the water level at the Fierza reservoir, Albania’s largest hydropower lake, as inflows fall sharply. Water inflows from the rivers feeding the reservoir have dropped to about 80 cubic metres per second. Meanwhile, the lake level has fallen …
US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania
TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …
Sazan-Karaburun remains a top summer destination
TIRANA, August 4-Albania’s only national marine park, Sazan-Karaburun, continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign tourists this summer. The park’s crystal-clear waters, rich biodiversity, and natural beauty draw hundreds of visitors every day. Many explore the area on tourist boats and other vessels departing from the Port of …
Government boosts support for elite athletes with additional 40 million lek fund
TIRANA, August 4-Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja says the Albanian government continues to strengthen its support for sport. He described funding for elite athletes as one of the government’s key priorities. Under the latest normative act, the government has approved an additional 40 million lek fund. The …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …