Blog
News

Albanians continue to show overwhelming support for NATO as they worry about armed conflict in Kosovo and Russia’s meddling – AIIS survey

National survey by the Albanian Institute for International Studies also indicates most people in Albania want better military preparedness. Support for Ukraine following Russian aggression there also continues to be strong among Albanians.  TIRANA, Nov. 10, 2023 – Albanians maintain a strong commitment to their country’s NATO membership, with 81 …

Read More
News

Op/Ed: 2.3 million Palestinians from Gaza to Albania!

Biting satire by LUTFI DERVISHI One of the world’s most complicated conflicts, the Arab-Israeli conflict, could be resolved by Albania. It’s not just about offering ideas, which we’ve never lacked, but it’s about a practical solution: Europeanizing the Palestinians. Albania can offer that 2.3 million Palestinians from Gaza come and …

Read More
News

Op/Ed: Is the controversial Albania-Italy deal an anti-migration publicity stunt?

By ANDI BALLA  The recent Albania-Italy bilateral deal aimed at processing irregular migrants and refugees rescued in the Mediterranean in camps within Albanian territory under Italian extraterritorial jurisdiction has sparked intense debate in both countries and beyond.  However, a closer examination of the deal reveals some critical points that call …

Read More
News

EC report on Albania based on EU’s political agenda, economic convergence

European Union Ambassador in Tirana, Luigi Soreca and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku introduced this Thursday the European Commission Report for Albania 2023. During his speech, Soreca stated that this package of the European Commission Report is based on two very important political developments, such as the expansion of the …

Read More
News

Deputy PM comments migration agreement signed by government

Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has commented on the agreement signed by the Albanian government with the Italian state for the establishment of two camps in Lezhë for housing immigrants. Balluku said that Albanian politicians deal with the skin colour of the immigrants who will be temporarily sheltered in Albania, …

Read More
News

3-year-old hit by teacher, two police officers prosecuted

Two police officers have been criminally prosecuted, who are suspected of not having carried out full investigative actions to bring to justice the persons who violated the 3-year-old girl in the premises of the “Stinët” kindergarten. Deputy commissioner Ylli Cako, with the duty of Chief of the Crime Investigation Section, …

Read More
News

Statement of Albanian’s sister that got shot dead in carpenter’s shop

Desara Myrtaj, sister of the 34-year-old Albanian Klaudio Myrtaj who was shot in the head a few days ago in Cuneo, Italy, has spoken about this serious event. In a statement to the Italian media, the 29-year-old confessed that she talked to her brother every day and that she had …

Read More
News

Forensic report on child that got violated in nursery released

Institute of Forensic Medicine has performed the expert examination for the 3-year-old girl who was raped a few days ago by a teacher in a private kindergarten in Tirana. Examination was carried out on Wednesday, November 8, and on the same day it was sent to the Prosecutor’s Office of …

Read More
News

Young mother kept under police custody after abandoning newborn

A 30-year-old mother who abandoned her child in the basement of a building in the Yzberisht area is being kept under police custody. According to Article 124, “abandonment of minor children”, when the offense has caused serious damage to the child’s health or death, is punishable by imprisonment from three …

Read More
News

Majority votes draft laws amid chaos

Speaker of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, started this Thursday the voting of several draft laws and agreements amid the chaos of the session. MP of the Socialist Party (SP), Ermonela Felaj, demanded the overthrow of several draft laws proposed by the opposition. With 75 votes against, all opposition proposals were …

Read More
News
Finance minister outlines legal process in Bankers Petroleum tax dispute

TIRANA, June 11 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj responded in parliament to an interpellation requested by Opportunity Party leader Agron Shehaj regarding the collection of a financial penalty of around EUR 120 million from Bankers Petroleum. Malaj reviewed the history of the case and stressed the need to distinguish between …

News
The Independent: Albania emerges as a top summer destination for 2026

Albania is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after travel destinations for 2026, according to an article by Fran Watts published in the British newspaper The Independent. The report says growing numbers of visitors choose Albania for its clear waters, relaxed coastal towns and competitive prices. It notes that the …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News

Finance minister outlines legal process in Bankers Petroleum tax dispute

TIRANA, June 11 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj responded in parliament to an interpellation requested by Opportunity Party leader Agron Shehaj regarding the collection of a financial penalty of around EUR 120 million from Bankers Petroleum. Malaj reviewed the history of the case and stressed the need to distinguish between …

News

The Independent: Albania emerges as a top summer destination for 2026

Albania is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after travel destinations for 2026, according to an article by Fran Watts published in the British newspaper The Independent. The report says growing numbers of visitors choose Albania for its clear waters, relaxed coastal towns and competitive prices. It notes that the …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …