Albania and Kosova hold joint mountain search and rescue exercise
Personnel from Albania’s Civil Emergencies Support Base and the Kosova Security Force held a joint mountain search and rescue exercise in Prevalla, near Prizren. According to Defence Minister Ermal Nufi, the exercise took place from 2 to 5 November. Participants exchanged experience, tested new equipment and practised rescue techniques in …
Gonxhja: ALL 2.08 BILLION LEK ALLOCATED TO CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MUSEUMS IN 2027
Albania will allocate 2.08 billion lek to the Cultural Heritage and Museums programme in 2027, marking an 80% increase compared with 2026, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced on Thursday. Presenting the draft budget to the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, Gonxhja said the increased …
FM Hoxha and Romanian counterpart reaffirm support for Albania’s European integration
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met Romania’s new Foreign Minister, Dan Neculaescu, in Bucharest to discuss bilateral ties and regional security. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation, with a particular focus on expanding economic and trade relations and making full use of their potential. Hoxha …
Albania and India seek closer tourism cooperation
Albania and India are exploring ways to strengthen tourism ties following a meeting at the World Travel Market London 2026. Jola Hysaj, director general of the National Tourism Agency, met India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during the international travel fair. The two officials discussed exchanging experience …
Albania Allocates ALL 3.37 Billion to Arts and Culture in 2027, with ALL 1.5 Billion for Investment
Albania’s Arts and Culture programme will receive a budget of 3.37 billion lek in 2027, with around 1.5 billion lek, or 45% of the total, earmarked for public investment, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced. The draft budget also allocates 495.9 million lek to artistic projects, marking …
European Commission praises progress on Bank of Albania legislation
The European Commission’s 2026 report highlights Albania’s new law on the Bank of Albania and progress in central bank independence, payment systems and banking stability. The report notes that the new legislation aligns with European Union rules on central bank independence and the prohibition of monetary financing for the public …
PM Rama says businesses must drive economic development
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stressed the need for an inspection system that supports businesses and promotes economic growth without creating unnecessary barriers. Speaking at a conference organised by the General Inspectorate on investment and compliance with legal requirements, he said inspections should serve a practical purpose rather than burden …
Justice minister Gogu says anti-corruption is key to Albania’s European path
Justice Minister Toni Gogu has pledged to align Albania’s anti-corruption legislation with European Union standards. He also proposed three priorities for stronger regional cooperation at the EU–Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs in Budva, Montenegro, on 5–6 November. Speaking at a session on the judicial dimension of …
Albania allocates ALL 76.284 billion (approximately $943 million) for defence in 2027
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi presented the 2027 draft budget to the Assembly’s Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence. The plan allocates ALL 76.284 billion, a 10% increase on 2026, equivalent to 2.6% of gross domestic product. Capital spending accounts for ALL 43.6 billion, while current expenditure totals ALL 32.6 billion. …
Tirana to Host Second EU–Western Balkans Investment Conference, with Focus on Investment Opportunities
Tirana will host the Second EU–Western Balkans Investment Conference on November 25 and 26, 2026, an event aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and encouraging new investments between the European Union and countries in the region. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the forum will bring together high-level government representatives, international …
TIRANA, Nov 14 /ATA/ – The Customs Administration collected 207 billion leks in revenue in the January-October period of 2026, an increase of 7.6 billion leks compared with the same period a year earlier, official data showed on Saturday. The figure marks the highest customs revenue recorded for the first …
TIRANA, Nov 14 /ATA/ – Main opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has called on opposition forces to unite behind joint candidates in the upcoming local elections. Speaking during an online exchange with citizens on Saturday, Berisha said guidelines setting out the procedures for selecting candidates for mayoral positions had …
TIRANA, Nov 14 /ATA/ – Albania is showcasing its tourism potential at the PHILOXENIA 2026 International Tourism Fair in Thessaloniki, Greece, from Nov. 13 to 15, seeking to expand its reach in international markets and strengthen tourism ties with neighbouring countries. As part of the event, Jola Hysaj, director-general of …
The uncertainty over the summit exposes tensions between Prime Minister Rama’s international ambitions, Albania’s limited resources and a deepening political crisis at home. TIRANA, Albania – Albania will not host a NATO summit in 2027, Prime Minister Edi Rama has acknowledged, reversing months of confident government announcements about what had been …
By Sidonja Manushi TIRANA, Albania – The Federation of Saudi Chambers has launched International Business Concierge (IBC), a new platform designed to facilitate the entry of foreign companies into the Saudi market, support business establishment and encourage international investment in the Kingdom. The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader …
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced changes to the Socialist Party’s regional leadership at a meeting of its National Assembly taking place this Saturday in Lalzi Bay. Under the reshuffle, Ervin Demo and Albana Koçiu will jointly lead the party’s operations in Tirana. The changes come as the Socialist Party prepares …
Speaking at the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, Prime Minister Edi Rama discussed the European Commission’s latest enlargement report, describing its recommendation for Albania as historic. Rama said the report contained a passage that, in his view, had received too little attention given its significance for Albania’s European integration. He was …
Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the protests that have taken place across Albania in recent weeks, saying demonstrators had thrown stones and Molotov cocktails. He said the Socialist Party would step up its efforts to engage with citizens. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, Rama said the opposition …
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to criticism of media freedom in Albania, claiming that government critics are widely represented in the Albanian media and that Albania stands apart from other countries when it comes to freedom of expression. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, Rama said 60% of the …
TIRANA, November 14 /ATA/ – Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha spoke today during an online discussion with supporters. He addressed Prime Minister Rama’s speech at the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, as well as recent developments—specifically the European Commission’s report and the decision against holding the 2027 NATO summit in Tirana, …