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Albanian Customs takes part in regional operation targeting illicit financial flows

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The closing meeting of the Regional Operation “NELSON”, aimed at tackling the illegal movement of cash and high-value goods, took place at the headquarters of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) in Bucharest. The Albanian Customs Administration, working alongside the State Police, actively participated in the …

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Bylykbashi calls for fundamental electoral system reform and open lists in elections

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair …

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Hoxha: Regional cooperation and European integration must go hand in hand

TIRANA, Nov  6 /ATA/ Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. Amid profound shifts in Europe’s security and geopolitical landscape, regional cooperation is more important than ever, according to the Foreign Minister. “The CEI remains a valuable platform …

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Rama announces new inspection framework for 2027, unannounced checks to be phased out

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 32nd Tirana International Fair (TIF32) featured a conference with the participation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, providing foreign businesses and prospective investors with guidance on Albania’s legal requirements, regulatory standards and inspection procedures. The conference featured three thematic panels focusing …

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Dutch Ambassador: Protests reflect social tensions, violence is unacceptable

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Dutch Ambassador Marleen Monster said Albania’s protests reflect public discontent and social tensions, stressing that while citizens have the right to demonstrate, violence is unacceptable. During a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have …

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Gonxhja holds talks with World Bank Director on Sustainable Tourism Development

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja today held a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Western Balkans, and other representatives of the institution. Gonxhja said the discussions focused on the progress of reforms and projects aimed at increasing tourism’s economic …

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Albania and India explore new avenues for tourism cooperation

TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ On the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 international tourism fair, National Tourism Agency Director-General Jola Hysaj held a meeting with India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The talks focused on strengthening tourism relations and cooperation between Albania and India through …

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US ambassador Eric Wendt outlines priorities for Albania: defence, investment and security

United States Ambassador Eric Wendt has outlined his priorities in a video message posted on X. He identified defence, economic prosperity and security as the main areas for cooperation. He also thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their trust, along with the Albanian people for …

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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 …

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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 …

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Rama highlights modern wine and spirits production amid Përmet’s vineyards and mountains

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama today published a video from the village of Gosnisht, in Përmet, where the Jashari family has established a business dedicated to grape cultivation and the production of alcoholic beverages. Through footage shared on social media, Rama showcases the Jashari family’s business, located …

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Tirana Marathon today: Roads to be closed from 08:00 to 16:00

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The Tirana Marathon is holding its tenth edition today. In connection with the event, which will take place along the city’s main streets, Tirana Municipality, in cooperation with the State Police, has drawn up a traffic management plan involving road closures and diversions. Restrictions on vehicle …

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Shkodër begins to bounce back after heavy rainfall

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The situation in Shkodër is gradually returning to normal after heavy rainfall, with the Theth–Ndëlysaj road passable for 4×4 and heavy vehicles as debris clearance continues. In Malësi e Madhe Municipality, water levels in the Përroi i Thatë stream near Kamicë village, in the Qendër Administrative …

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Exploring Luzat and breathtaking mountain scenery above Tepelenë

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Just four kilometres beyond Tepelenë, along the national road towards Gjirokastër, a turn-off leads to the village of Luzat, a hidden natural gem in one of Albania’s most beautiful yet largely unexplored areas. The village’s historic quarter, characterised by picturesque old houses set against mountains rising more …

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Spahiu announces expansion of alternative childcare, with 200 foster families to be involved

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu paid a visit today to the “Hannah and Rozafa” Infant Home to assess the care services available to children, the conditions they live in and the work of the institution’s staff. She underlined the importance of advancing the deinstitutionalisation reform …

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Tirana hosts 10th marathon edition, with 5,800 participants taking to the streets

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The tenth edition of the Tirana Marathon got underway today at 08:00, bringing together around 5,800 participants in one of the capital’s largest sporting events. The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) brings footage capturing the atmosphere and participation in the marathon. This year’s new addition is a …

News
Tirana hosts Bulgarian Folk Ensemble “Carevo” for celebration of traditional music and dance

TIRANA, Nov 15  /ATA/ The Bulgarian folk ensemble “Carevo” performed in Tirana on Saturday, presenting a programme of traditional songs, music and dances. The concert was performed at the Cultural Centre of the Orthodox Cathedral and organised by the Bulgarian Embassy in Albania to mark the Day of the National …

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Luiza Gega wins Tirana Marathon’s 42-kilometre race

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Albanian runner Luiza Gega emerged victorious in the full 42-kilometre race at the Tirana Marathon, finishing in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 35 seconds. Gega also secured the top prize of €5,000 at the event’s tenth edition, which attracted around 5,800 participants. The marathon kicked off …

News
Customs Administration collects 207 billion leks in revenue in first 10 months of 2026

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 …

News
Berisha urges opposition parties to field joint candidates in local elections

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 …

News

Rama highlights modern wine and spirits production amid Përmet’s vineyards and mountains

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama today published a video from the village of Gosnisht, in Përmet, where the Jashari family has established a business dedicated to grape cultivation and the production of alcoholic beverages. Through footage shared on social media, Rama showcases the Jashari family’s business, located …

News

Tirana Marathon today: Roads to be closed from 08:00 to 16:00

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The Tirana Marathon is holding its tenth edition today. In connection with the event, which will take place along the city’s main streets, Tirana Municipality, in cooperation with the State Police, has drawn up a traffic management plan involving road closures and diversions. Restrictions on vehicle …

News

Shkodër begins to bounce back after heavy rainfall

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The situation in Shkodër is gradually returning to normal after heavy rainfall, with the Theth–Ndëlysaj road passable for 4×4 and heavy vehicles as debris clearance continues. In Malësi e Madhe Municipality, water levels in the Përroi i Thatë stream near Kamicë village, in the Qendër Administrative …

News

Exploring Luzat and breathtaking mountain scenery above Tepelenë

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Just four kilometres beyond Tepelenë, along the national road towards Gjirokastër, a turn-off leads to the village of Luzat, a hidden natural gem in one of Albania’s most beautiful yet largely unexplored areas. The village’s historic quarter, characterised by picturesque old houses set against mountains rising more …

News

Spahiu announces expansion of alternative childcare, with 200 foster families to be involved

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu paid a visit today to the “Hannah and Rozafa” Infant Home to assess the care services available to children, the conditions they live in and the work of the institution’s staff. She underlined the importance of advancing the deinstitutionalisation reform …

News

Tirana hosts 10th marathon edition, with 5,800 participants taking to the streets

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The tenth edition of the Tirana Marathon got underway today at 08:00, bringing together around 5,800 participants in one of the capital’s largest sporting events. The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) brings footage capturing the atmosphere and participation in the marathon. This year’s new addition is a …

News

Tirana hosts Bulgarian Folk Ensemble “Carevo” for celebration of traditional music and dance

TIRANA, Nov 15  /ATA/ The Bulgarian folk ensemble “Carevo” performed in Tirana on Saturday, presenting a programme of traditional songs, music and dances. The concert was performed at the Cultural Centre of the Orthodox Cathedral and organised by the Bulgarian Embassy in Albania to mark the Day of the National …

News

Luiza Gega wins Tirana Marathon’s 42-kilometre race

TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Albanian runner Luiza Gega emerged victorious in the full 42-kilometre race at the Tirana Marathon, finishing in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 35 seconds. Gega also secured the top prize of €5,000 at the event’s tenth edition, which attracted around 5,800 participants. The marathon kicked off …

News

Customs Administration collects 207 billion leks in revenue in first 10 months of 2026

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 …

News

Berisha urges opposition parties to field joint candidates in local elections

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 …