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NATO Secretary General warns of destabilisation attempts in Western Balkans

TIRANA, May 13 – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that some actors are attempting to destabilise the Western Balkans and pull the region backwards. During a visit to Montenegro, he said the alliance remains committed to ensuring past conflicts remain in history. Turning to security concerns, Rutte said NATO …

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Albanian and North Macedonian parliamentary committees focus on climate cooperation

TIRANA, May 13 – The parliamentary Committee for Culture, Tourism and Diaspora of Albania and the Committee for Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development of Albania held a joint meeting in Struga, North Macedonia, on May 12–13. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe supported the event. Lawmakers from …

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Infrastructure Minister Karakaçi: Government approves fuel subsidy for public transport operators

TIRANA, May 13 – The Albanian government approved a new subsidy scheme for public transport operators following higher fuel prices. The measure provides 50 lek per litre of fuel for transport companies. After the government meeting, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi said the subsidy covers urban, intercity and …

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Rossmann & Lala Continues Expanding Price Reductions Across More Categories!

As part of its strategy to make personal and family care more affordable for every consumer, Rossmann & Lala is further expanding its price reductions to some of the most frequently used everyday categories: oral care, household cleaning products, and international chocolate brands. This step follows the successful price repositioning …

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Albania–Italy Migration Deal Continues

Tirana Times, May 13, 2026 — The Albania–Italy migration agreement remains in force, despite a brief but politically sensitive controversy triggered by comments from Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha on whether the protocol could continue beyond its initial five-year term. The debate began after Hoxha, in an interview with Euractiv, was asked …

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The Forgotten Synagogue and the Belated Love for Jewish Culture

By Auron Tare These days, in the noisy marketplace of Albanian opinions, a new theme is being articulated: the “love” of certain Albanian public gentlemen for Jewish culture and, beyond it, for Israeli politics. Some say it is pure love; others suspect it is interest; and others see it as …

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Localised light rain showers with alternating clear spells

TIRANA, May 13 – The Military Meteorological Service said the country will face relatively unstable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. It said the weather will feature alternating clear spells and periods of moderate to dense cloud cover, especially over the eastern and southern areas. In these regions, it said, localised light …

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Yzeiraj: Albania Remains Attractive for Foreign Investment

Endrit Yzeiraj said Albania is strengthening economic cooperation with North Macedonia through joint initiatives aimed at increasing trade and investment. He made the remarks at the Business Forum “North Macedonia–Albania: Beyond Borders” held in Skopje. The forum was organized by the Albanian Embassy in Skopje in cooperation with the Economic …

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“Double Your Entrepreneurship”, Finance Minister Malaj: 250 mln euro loan and sovereign guarantee for SMEs

TIRANA, May 13 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said small and medium-sized enterprises form a key pillar of the Albanian economy. He made the statement at the signing ceremony for the partnership between the state, the banking system, and businesses under the “Double Your Entrepreneurship” programme. He said SMEs account …

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“Clean Trails, Protected Forests”, youth join initiative on Kune Island

TIRANA, May 13 – The national programme “Clean Trails, Protected Forests” continued across the country with a focus on environmental protection and maintenance of tourist trails. This time, a group of students from Lezha joined the initiative on Kune Island. They responded to calls for broader civic engagement, as authorities …

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Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

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 …

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Diabetes, the silent disease affecting thousands of Albanians, prompts calls for early screening

November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Doctors are calling for greater awareness because diabetes, often described as a silent disease, can cause serious complications if left unmanaged. In Albania, around 100,000 adults and 300 …

News
Bank of Albania warns of fraudulent messages impersonating central bank

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – The Bank of Albania on Friday warned the public about fraudulent messages, known as phishing, circulating under the central bank’s name. The messages falsely claim that recipients’ bank accounts have been suspended and urge them to click on a link to update their personal information, …

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Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Albania made its debut with a national pavilion at “ProWine Shanghai 2026”, one of Asia’s largest wine trade fairs. The event was held from 10 to 12 November in Shanghai, China, with the Albanian pavilion among exhibitors from around the world. It was organised by the …

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Ibrahimaj: Card payment fees to be capped from January 2027, halving costs for retail businesses

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Businesses and consumers are set to benefit from lower costs for electronic and card payments under the new Payments Law, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. In a video message today, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the legislation caps interchange fees at …

News
Albanian government approves cybersecurity law changes, fines of up to 10 million leks

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albania’s government has approved amendments to the country’s cybersecurity law, introducing new obligations for public institutions and operators of critical information infrastructure, alongside tougher penalties for non-compliance. Under the amendments, operators will be required to submit declarations to the National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) detailing …

News
Përmet and Devoll Hospitals to adopt new management model, with services set to expand

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The hospitals in Përmet and Devoll have been included in the hospital reform as part of the reorganisation of healthcare facilities, aimed at improving management efficiency, optimising resources and enhancing services for citizens. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu and Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro …

News
Constitutional Court drafts 2027-2029 strategic plan with OSCE, Konrad Adenauer Foundation support

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ –  Albania’s Constitutional Court has begun drafting its Strategic Action Plan for 2027-2029, with support from the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). During a two-day workshop, court members, together with experts and advisers from the OSCE and KAS, worked on defining …

News
Reconstruction, Koçiu: 75 More Apartments handed over in Kombinat

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced today that a further 75 apartments had been handed over this week to families affected by the 26 November 2019 earthquake in the Kombinat area of Tirana. Koçiu shared footage of a family moving into its new home in Kombinat, assuring …

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Minister: 72% of Culture Ministry budget to go to arts and heritage, new management model planned for Byllis

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – Around 72% of the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will be allocated to the arts, culture and cultural heritage, with a focus on restoring and protecting castles, museums, archaeological sites and historic monuments, Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on …

News

Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

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 …

News

Diabetes, the silent disease affecting thousands of Albanians, prompts calls for early screening

November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Doctors are calling for greater awareness because diabetes, often described as a silent disease, can cause serious complications if left unmanaged. In Albania, around 100,000 adults and 300 …

News

Bank of Albania warns of fraudulent messages impersonating central bank

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – The Bank of Albania on Friday warned the public about fraudulent messages, known as phishing, circulating under the central bank’s name. The messages falsely claim that recipients’ bank accounts have been suspended and urge them to click on a link to update their personal information, …

News

Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Albania made its debut with a national pavilion at “ProWine Shanghai 2026”, one of Asia’s largest wine trade fairs. The event was held from 10 to 12 November in Shanghai, China, with the Albanian pavilion among exhibitors from around the world. It was organised by the …

News

Ibrahimaj: Card payment fees to be capped from January 2027, halving costs for retail businesses

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Businesses and consumers are set to benefit from lower costs for electronic and card payments under the new Payments Law, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. In a video message today, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the legislation caps interchange fees at …

News

Albanian government approves cybersecurity law changes, fines of up to 10 million leks

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albania’s government has approved amendments to the country’s cybersecurity law, introducing new obligations for public institutions and operators of critical information infrastructure, alongside tougher penalties for non-compliance. Under the amendments, operators will be required to submit declarations to the National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) detailing …

News

Përmet and Devoll Hospitals to adopt new management model, with services set to expand

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The hospitals in Përmet and Devoll have been included in the hospital reform as part of the reorganisation of healthcare facilities, aimed at improving management efficiency, optimising resources and enhancing services for citizens. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu and Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro …

News

Constitutional Court drafts 2027-2029 strategic plan with OSCE, Konrad Adenauer Foundation support

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ –  Albania’s Constitutional Court has begun drafting its Strategic Action Plan for 2027-2029, with support from the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). During a two-day workshop, court members, together with experts and advisers from the OSCE and KAS, worked on defining …

News

Reconstruction, Koçiu: 75 More Apartments handed over in Kombinat

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced today that a further 75 apartments had been handed over this week to families affected by the 26 November 2019 earthquake in the Kombinat area of Tirana. Koçiu shared footage of a family moving into its new home in Kombinat, assuring …

News

Minister: 72% of Culture Ministry budget to go to arts and heritage, new management model planned for Byllis

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – Around 72% of the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will be allocated to the arts, culture and cultural heritage, with a focus on restoring and protecting castles, museums, archaeological sites and historic monuments, Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on …