Pension increase and bonus/ Balluku: Increase in September
Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku during her stay in Diber held a meeting with the pensioners of this city. She emphasized that in the month of September, pensioners will receive the second bonus, before these, which were provided by the extraordinary tax from the energy producers. The Minister of Infrastructure …
Deserted Albanian Village Tries to Keep Ancient Carnival Alive
The spring carnival is the pride and joy of the village of Narta in southern Albania, held at the end of the Orthodox Easter Fast – but as emigration shrinks the local community, some fear for its future. Original post Here
Freedom of Information in Balkans Still ‘On Paper Only’, Panel Hears
Planned legal changes to FOI laws seem to be designed to make it even harder for journalists to hold the authorities accountable, a BIRN panel discussion in Skopje heard. Original post Here
Former candidate for deputy was shot dead
A serious incident happened a few minutes ago in the city of Shengjin, where citizen Ardian Nikulaj was shot dead. The police are at the scene and have surrounded the entire area, while the causes are still unknown. Ardian Nikulaj, 50, was a businessman and former candidate for MP in …
What do Albania’s upcoming municipal elections mean for foreign investors?
NEWS ANALYSIS TIRANA, April 19, 2023 – Albania’s political parties have started campaigning across the country for the upcoming May 14 municipal elections, which will determine the mayors and municipal council members of Albania’s 61 municipalities. By their very nature, municipal elections are supposed to focus on local issues, but …
US Highlights Concerns about Election of Albania’s Chief Anti-Corruption Prosecutor
The US ambassador has urged members of the High Council of Prosecutors to freely elect the next anti-corruption chief after days of media speculation about interference in the process. PM Rama denied he is trying to influence the decision. Original post Here
Albanian Court Sentences Iranian Citizen on Terrorism Charges
Albania’s special anti-corruption court announced a 10-year jail sentence for Bijan Pooladrag, who was first arrested in 2020 on suspicion of being an Iranian agent monitoring the MEK organisation in Albania. Original post Here
Albania and UK Announce Joint Task Force Against Crime and Illegal Migration
As the number of illegal emigrants from Albania soar, London and Tirana announced they will tackle the issue through a joint task force. Original post Here
Albania’s New Anti-Corruption Chief Prosecutor Seen as US Favoured Candidate
The High Council of Prosecutors chose a new head of the Special Prosecution against Organised Crime and Corruption on Friday, in an election which was being closely followed by the US to ensure there was no political interference. Original post Here
Socialist Party Candidate’s Son Accused of Vote Buying in Albania Election
Opposition activists in a mayoral election in remote northern Albania have accused the ruling Socialists of using state aid packages for vote-buying purposes. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the historic neighborhoods of Pogradec are being revitalized. He called them a future growth hub for the lakeside city. Historic areas across the country are returning to life. Projects preserve historical and architectural values. They also add new elements. These changes turn the areas into …
Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee visited Turkey to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation. Talks focused on joint programs for young people. The Albanian delegation included Igli Hasani, Ervin Hoxha, Sara Mila, and Edmond Haxhinasto. They met with Fatma Aksal, head of the Turkey–Albania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Mila proposed creating a cooperation …
Ferit Hoxha met with the Special Envoy of the Czech Republic for the Western Balkans, Edita Hrda. The meeting focused on EU enlargement in the region. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to the enlargement process of the European Union in the Western Balkans. They described it as a strategic …
The World Bank projects that the economy of Albania will grow by 3.4% this year, mainly driven by tourism. However, the institution warns that the conflict in the Middle East remains a major risk that could slow economic growth. It calls for stronger structural reforms to sustain the current momentum. …
Public debt in Albania has followed a clear downward trend in the first quarter of 2026, falling to 48.79% of GDP, the lowest level recorded in the past decade. Preliminary data from the Ministry of Finance show that the decline is not only linked to economic growth but also to …
Klodjan Braho received the Minister of Justice of Austria, Anna Sporrer, at the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) in Tirana. The meeting took place as part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries. It followed a joint operation earlier this month, during which Albanian and Austrian authorities shut down several call …
Ismet Krasniqi says the Mediterranean Games in Prishtina will create strong economic and development opportunities for Kosovo. He makes these remarks during an investors’ conference in Prishtina. He stresses that major sports events generate tourism, create jobs, support local businesses, and strengthen international partnerships. He states that Prishtina can become …
Albanian Telegraphic Agency presents archival photos taken 40 years ago, on April 29, 1986. Photographer Meksi Xhufka captures the images during the artistic program “Bashkë me ju.” The production stages the show at the “Partizani” Sports Palace (today “Asllan Rusi”), instead of the Albanian Television studios. The photos show well-known …
TIRANA, April 29 – The Central Procurement Operator takes part in an international workshop in Poland organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The event focuses on integrating Environmental, Social and Governance criteria into public procurement, a key priority in European sector reform. In this context, the institution …
TIRANA, April 29 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu meets Austria’s Justice Minister Anna Sporrer in Tirana. The talks focus on Albania’s European Union integration process and cooperation in the justice sector. Gogu says Albania enters a decisive phase in negotiations with the European Union. He adds that the country advances …