July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast
TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …
Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money
The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here
PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …
National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”
TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …
XXI Chamber Fest Opens in Durrës with Artists from Eight Countries
The XXI edition of Chamber Fest Durrës 2026 has opened in the coastal city of Durrës. The international chamber music festival brings together artists from Albania, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and the United States. The opening night took place at the National Archaeological Museum. The “Arola” quartet …
Chief Inspector: Environmental protection tops inspection priorities
TIRANA, July 2 – Chief Inspector Dashnor Sula described Berat County as one of Albania’s most important tourist destinations, highlighting its strategic role in both the summer season and year-round tourism. Speaking to reporters before a training session for inspectors in Berat, Sula said the General Inspectorate will focus on …
Artistic Evening Held at Ethnographic Museum in Elbasan
Young artists in Elbasan held a musical evening at the city’s Ethnographic Museum. First, they transformed the museum garden into a performance stage for a night of music and artistic expression. The event brought together young talents who performed with emotion, passion, and quality musical interpretation. The city’s Directorate of …
Economy minister: Economic growth to provide ALL 17 billion in extra support for pensioners in 2026
TIRANA, July 2 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania’s economic growth will finance additional support for pensioners, with total extra assistance reaching ALL 17 billion during 2026. Speaking at a meeting with pensioners attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Ibrahimaj said recent economic growth has allowed the …
PM Rama: Foreign investment is not a threat, luxury resorts drive economic growth
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana. He said foreign investment does not threaten sovereignty or territorial integrity. He said patriotism means strengthening the economy and increasing citizens’ income. He added that Albania must improve competitiveness to attract foreign capital. Rama said rejecting foreign investment …
Albanian Polyphony Performed in Udine, Italy
The Director of the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble, Aulon Naçi, shared images on social media from the ensemble’s concert in Udine, Italy. He said another important chapter in the international journey of Albanian iso-polyphony concluded successfully in Italy. The performance took place within the Piccolo Opera …
Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …
TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …
TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …
While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …