Minister Gonxhja: Museum Week brings together culture, history and art
TIRANA. May 18 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the “Museum Week 2026” initiative in a social media post. He said the event will take place from 18 to 24 May across Albania. During the week, museums, archaeological parks and cultural heritage sites will open their …
Defense Minister Nufi at Civil Emergencies Support Base: We ensure faster response across the country
TIRANA, May 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Civil Emergencies Support Base. He met Armed Forces personnel engaged in emergency response operations. The visit focused on wildfire preparedness ahead of the summer season. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Arben Kingji attended the event. National Civil Protection …
President Begaj meets Higher Security and Defence Course, says Western Balkans stability key to regional security
TIRANA, May 18 – President Bajram Begaj met participants of the Higher Security and Defence Course held at the Armed Forces Defence and Security College. He praised the college for organising the programme. He also highlighted the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding among participants. In addition, he stressed the …
OTP Bank Albania inaugurates new Private Banking premises in Tirana
Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – OTP Bank Albania has inaugurated new premises dedicated to the Private Banking segment, unveiling an exclusive space designed for clients seeking personalized service and advanced financial standards. Located in the heart of Tirana, the premises have been designed in line with OTP Group standards, …
Shadow Fleet, Weak Oversight: How Russian Sanctions Evasion Reached Albania’s Ports
Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – Albania’s ports have emerged as a potential weak point in the international effort to enforce sanctions against Russia, following revelations that vessels linked by Ukrainian intelligence to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” have visited the country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. …
Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk
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International Museum Day marked, free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 in Albania
TIRANA, May 18 – The global museum community marks International Museum Day today. In this context, Albania offers free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 for related cultural events. Meanwhile, the International Council of Museums established the day in 1977. The initiative aims to raise public awareness …
Albania Cycling Tour 2026 starts, temporary road closures in Tirana
TIRANA, May 18 – Albania hosts the 83rd Albania Cycling Tour from today until 22 May. Twenty elite teams from Albania, the Balkans and Europe take part in the race. The first stage starts at 12:00. Cyclists begin in Tirana and finish in Lezha. The State Police announces temporary traffic …
“Egnatia Fest 2026” Opens Tourist Season in Librazhd
Librazhd opened the tourism season with “Egnatia Fest 2026” in the Cherry Park. Around 54 businesses joined the event and promoted the area’s nature, history, traditions, and tourism potential. Minister Andis Salla attended the festival and highlighted the importance of local tourism and private investment for economic growth. Salla said …
Dushaj, the Picturesque Village of Stone Towers Above Fushë-Bulqizë
Dushaj stands above Fushë-Bulqizë with stone towers, green valleys, waterfalls, and mountain landscapes. The village has become a growing destination for visitors seeking nature, history, and authentic Albanian hospitality. At the entrance of the village, the historic Kulla Hupi welcomes tourists preparing for the new tourism season. Workers continue restoration …
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi says the country is developing its military industry and domestic production capacity. The state-owned company KAYO has established 6 commercial partnerships, while local assembly of armoured vehicles has begun. This progress builds on work launched in 2024 to establish the legal and industrial foundations for domestic …
Elbasani came from behind to beat Laçi 2-1, while Skënderbeu and Vllaznia played out a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s two other fixtures of Week 10 of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore. In Korçë, Skënderbeu and Vllaznia shared the points after an evenly contested encounter. The hosts dominated the first half and created …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj says artificial intelligence will extend across all levels of public administration. The goal is to make Albania a leader and a reference point for public-sector use of the technology by 2030. In a video message on social media, the minister said work on integration …
Born far from Albania, in the Egyptian city of Faiyum, Tefta Tashko-Koço would become one of the most celebrated voices in the country’s musical history. Her remarkable soprano brought together the refinement of European classical music and the emotional depth of Albanian urban folk songs, creating an artistic legacy that …
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla visited the Orikum pumping station following the completion of its reconstruction. The investment aims to improve flood protection for agricultural land. The station had lost drainage capacity because of ageing infrastructure. The project replaced 4 old electric pumps with modern submersible pumps. It …
Prime Minister Edi Rama says pensioners can now use 19 services on the e-Albania platform through voice commands with the help of virtual assistant Diella. Users can also access the platform through Face ID or fingerprint recognition after activation. In a video shared on social media, Rama demonstrated how Diella …
Albania has showcased its rich archaeological heritage at the Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism (BMTA) in Paestum, Italy, for the second consecutive year. The delegation promoted the country’s archaeological sites and cultural tourism potential. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and sustainable site management. Deputy Ministers of Tourism, …
The electricity distribution operator has completed equipment replacement works at the Rubik and Shutri substations in Mat and Mirdita. The upgrades aim to improve supply reliability for around 4,000 customers. The work covered the 35-kilovolt network and is intended to strengthen the security and quality of electricity supply in both …
Berat welcomed more than one million tourists between January and October 2026, marking a 15% increase compared with the same period last year. The city’s cobbled streets, historic houses and autumn-coloured vineyards attract visitors throughout the year. Mild temperatures also make autumn ideal for exploring Berat Castle and its historic …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj says the 2027 fiscal package will focus on citizens and aim to lower the cost of living. Planned measures target food prices, fuel costs, rents and housing. The minister said the government considered concerns raised by citizens when drafting the package. The proposed measures …