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Rama warns Albanian tourist accommodation structures of reference price for taxes

Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama warned this Tuesday the accommodation structures of Albania that next year they will have a reference price for taxes. In the meeting with the business, he emphasized that, looking at the current trend, by December, the number of tourists could reach 10 million. Furthermore, …

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Special Court hearing on sterilization tender case postponed

The appeal of GJKKO decided to postpone today’s session in charge of the persons arrested for one of the discussed issues, such as the sterilization file. The former Deputy Minister of Health, Klodian Rjepaj, and the businessman who won the tender for the sterilization concession, Ilir Rrapaj, were arrested for …

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The Unfinished EU: Western Balkan Integration as a Geostrategic Necessity

By Tanja Fajon, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Slovenia, Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria, Gordan Radman Grlic, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia In her 2023 State of the Union address, European Commission President von der Leyen asserted that the future of …

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Op/ed: Nuclear energy still a long-term option for Albania

By Dr Valentina Dedi*, Lead Economic Advisor, Consulting International, KBR Today’s focus on climate commitments, while ensuring energy security and affordability, seem to have created a new momentum for nuclear energy. The latest global developments, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have made many governments rethink their energy strategies and …

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Two “Canadair” planes working to extinguish Fier wildfires

Two Canadair planes are working this Monday to put out the fire that has been going on for several days in Darzeze in Fieri. Ministry of Defense informs that Canadair CL-415 aircraft are helping by throwing water to help 20 MZSH Fier officers, 40 FA forces and vehicles involved in …

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Rama official visit in Croatia, hosted with ceremony by his counterpart Plenkovic

Prime Minister Edi Rama has started an official visit to Croatia. The head of the Albanian government was received with an official ceremony by the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic. In the last two weeks, the Prime Minister of Albania has had a busy agenda of meetings, specifically in …

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Balla to prosecutors and judges: Work and crack down on crime

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, said that the State Police and the institutions that are under his authority will carry out their duty responsibly in defense of the lives of every citizen, including judges and prosecutors. “We discussed the issue of prosecutors’ safety, but our attention is on …

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Rama: Croatia is an example and a source of encouragement in our process towards the EU

Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, during his official visit to Croatia, expressed about some of the topics he discussed with his counterpart Petkovic. “Croatia is an example and a source of encouragement in our process of walking towards EU membership. Croatia is an example of success, recently also with …

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Tensions in North Kosovo/ Rama demands sanctions for Serbia

During the official visit to Croatia, Prime Minister Edi Rama analyzed the recent tensions in the north of Kosovo and the killing of the Kosovo Police officer by a group of armed Serbs. He called for the EU to apply punitive measures and sanctions to Serbia. The head of the …

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PM Rama’s message on breast cancer awareness month

Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Monday with the annual call to women and girls to take some time and take care of themselves by doing the necessary checks to prevent unwanted health surprises. “GOOD MORNING, and with the annual call every #PinkOctober to all women and girls to take …

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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 …

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, …

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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 …