Hoxha: Albania Targets Closing EU Negotiation Chapters by Next Year
Albania aims to close all EU negotiation chapters by next year, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said Albania’s EU accession process has entered a decisive stage. He also described EU membership as the country’s top national …
Hoxha: Everything that happens in Albania draws EU attention, protests are part of freedom of expression
The European Union follows developments in Albania closely, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference with journalists from EU member states, Hoxha addressed concerns over the proposed project in Zvërnec. He also commented on the European Commission’s reaction and recent protests …
Hoxha: Greece remains a strong supporter of Albania’s EU membership
Greece remains a strong supporter of Albania’s European Union membership, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Greece as stronger than ever. He said both countries are working to address long-standing bilateral issues …
Hoxha: No approved project in Zvërnec yet, full environmental impact assessment will be done
No approved project exists yet for the Zvërnec investment, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. He added that authorities will carry out a full environmental impact assessment before any decision. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said institutions continue preparatory work. He also …
Hoxha: EU enlargement will be key priority of Irish Presidency in 2026
EU enlargement will be a key priority of the Irish Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said on Thursday. Speaking to journalists from EU member states, Hoxha said his recent visit to Ireland focused on Albania’s EU …
TKOB prepares tribute evening for Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) is preparing a special evening dedicated to the great Albanian bass-baritone Lukë Kaçaj. The event will pay tribute to one of the most powerful voices in Albanian opera. It will also honor his life, marked by artistic achievement and personal hardship. Lukë …
Golem Becomes a Tourism Hotspot, Short-Term Rental Market Records Strong Growth
Golem is emerging as one of Albania’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, recording significant increases in both demand and supply in the short-term rental market. According to data from AirDNA, a platform specializing in short-term rental market analytics for platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, the area recorded the strongest growth in …
Non-Performing Loan Ratio Fell to 3.75% in April
The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) returned to a downward trend in April. According to statistics from the Bank of Albania, the NPL ratio declined to 3.75%, down from 3.85% recorded in March. The indicator also continued to decrease on an annual basis, compared to 4.03% in April 2025. The …
Albanian Medicinal Plants Attract Tourists in Gjirokastër, Demand for Traditional Products Rises
Medicinal plants and traditional Albanian products are attracting growing interest from tourists in Gjirokastër, particularly foreign visitors seeking natural and authentic products from the region. Mountain tea, lavender, spices, and endemic plants are among the most sought-after products in the city’s historic bazaar, becoming an important part of its tourism …
Activists and Citizens Begin March Toward the Prime Minister’s Office
Although in smaller numbers than on previous days, activists and citizens once again gathered this Thursday, marking the 12th day of protests. After assembling in Skanderbeg Square at around 6:00 p.m., demonstrators began marching toward the Prime Minister’s Office, chanting slogans such as “Rama to prison, Berisha to prison” and …
Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …
Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …
Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …
9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …
Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …
Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …
US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …