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Bayraktar drones, Peleshi: Defense capability increases

Bayraktar drones have arrived in Albania. Through a post on social networks, the Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, says that since two days, the assembly has started and at the same time, the installation of the supporting infrastructure for their operation and control is being carried out. According to Peleshi, …

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SPAK investigations with EPPO/ Fiscal evasion with damage of 195 million euros in 17 countries

The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has developed an investigation, in cooperation with foreign authorities, for tax evasion. According to the investigations, extended to 17 countries, including Albania through evasion, they have caused a damage of 195 million euros. In Albania, checks were carried out in 5 premises and laptops and …

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Greece and 6 pro-integration of the Balkan countries in EU

Seven countries have addressed a letter to the European Union requesting the fastest possible integration into the Western Balkans Union. The letter, which is addressed to the heads of the institutions of the union, bears the signature of the foreign ministers of Italy, the Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia …

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Rama in Azerbaijan: To invest towards renewable energy

Prime Minister Edi Rama, from Baku where he is participating in the 10th Summit of the Southern Gas Corridor as the guest of honor of President Ilham Alije, declared that the Southern Gas Corridor has made Europe safer. He added that the percentage of gas that will come from Russia …

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“EU is closer to us”, Rama: Growth plan, key platform for integration

In the joint media conference with Commissioner Varhelyi, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the EU is now closer to the Western Balkans. Rama estimated that the economic growth plan is a key platform to accelerate European integration. “Welcome to Tirana, all of you who come from the region. I …

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Rama: All WB countries said “yes” to possibility of cooperation, investments in arms production

Prime Minister Edi Rama, commented Thursday the declaration of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy for potential joint arms production. In the press conference with the EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi at the end of the Growth and Convergence for the Western Balkans Summit, Rama said that “Albania does not …

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Regional summit on the growth and convergence plan to take place Thursday

Another Summit will take place on Thursday in Albania. The Regional Summit on the Growth and Convergence Plan with have a focus on the integration of the Western Balkans towards the European Union, as well as the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. This summit will also …

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Summit on the EU’s economic growth plan for the region, Western Balkan leaders gathers in Tirana

Today the leaders of the Western Balkan countries and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, will gather for the regional summit on the European Union’s economic growth plan for the region. The EU’s plan for the Western Balkans aims at the economic advancement of the region, accelerating necessary reforms, …

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Rama: Let’s take the necessary steps near the union, otherwise we will fail

Prime Minister Edi Rama, in the opening speech of the summit between the EU and the Western Balkans on the new growth plan, emphasized that the union must find new ways to help the region. He emphasized that the necessary steps must be taken to join the union, otherwise we …

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Rama: In June we apply for the euro payment area

In June, Albania intends to apply to the common euro payments area. The statement was made by Prime Minister Rama, during his speech at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana. In his speech, Rama said that Albania will work hard to carry out this exercise, as he considered, not easy. …

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Albania advances EU integration work with more than 20 draft laws for Chapters 16 and 29

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …

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Vlora Airport Heads to Arbitration

Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …

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High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings

TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …

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Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …

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“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec

TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …

News
Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …

News
Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …

News
Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007

TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …

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High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …

News
Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …

News

Albania advances EU integration work with more than 20 draft laws for Chapters 16 and 29

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …

News

Vlora Airport Heads to Arbitration

Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …

News

High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings

TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …

News

Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …

News

“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec

TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …

News

Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …

News

Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …

News

Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007

TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …

News

High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …

News

Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …