European Bank for Reconstruction and Development raises Albania growth forecast to 3.5%
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised its forecast for Albania’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5%, from 3.4% in June. The bank linked the revision to reforms and investment related to European Union accession. Albania’s economy grew by 3.8% in 2025 and by 3.7% in the first …
Archaeological research resumes at Paleolithic settlement in Gajtan near Shkodër
Archaeological research has resumed for a second consecutive year in Gajtan village, east of Shkodër, near the Gajtan Cave. The work forms part of the Gajtan Paleolithic Archaeological Research in Albania project. Archaeologist Rudens Ruka leads the project, which brings together Albania’s Institute of Archaeology and several French research institutions. …
FM Hoxha meets EU vice-president Kallas, reaffirms Albania’s commitment to regional cooperation
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended a lunch hosted by European Commission Vice-President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Western Balkan leaders and foreign ministers also attended. The discussions focused on current developments in the Western Balkans, regional challenges and closer …
Excellence and internship programmes offer entry to Albania’s public administration
The Excellence Programme and the National Internship Programme are government initiatives that help young graduates enter Albania’s public administration. The two programmes differ in the type and duration of the opportunity they offer. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared the experiences of two young women who have joined the public …
Albania collects record 164.9 billion ALL in customs revenue
Albania’s Customs Administration collected a record 164.9 billion ALL in revenue during the first eight months of 2026. The figure is 6.8 billion ALL higher than in the same period last year. According to the General Directorate of Customs, the result reflects stronger import activity, improved administration and tighter controls. …
President Begaj meets Albania’s top security officials
President Bajram Begaj met with Interior Minister Ervin Demo, General Director of the State Police Skënder Hita and acting State Intelligence Service director Elvis Lila on September 24. The Presidency said Begaj discussed current issues with the three officials. The meetings came after the Special Prosecution Office investigated former State …
Tirana-Durres railway and airport link targeted for 2027
Albania aims to improve its railway network in the coming years. Major projects will strengthen links between Tirana, Durrës, the airport and regional transport corridors. Deputy Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enkelejda Muçaj said the Tirana-Durrës railway and its connection to Tirana International Airport should become operational by that date. She …
Durrës Port handles more than 2.78 million tonnes of goods in eight months
Durrës Port handled more than 2.78 million tonnes of goods and 1,432 vessels during the first eight months of the year. The figures cover the January-August period. The port reported a high level of activity during the period. Durrës Port remains one of Albania’s main hubs for maritime transport and …
China: Development, Openness and Cooperation
By H.E. Ms. Pang Chunxue, Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Republic of Albania Seventy-seven years ago, Chairman Mao Zedong proudly declared to the world: “The Chinese people have stood up!” Through reform and opening-up, China has become prosperous and has developed into the world’s second-largest economy. Today, …
Albania’s Cannabis Traffic is No Longer Only One-Way
Seizures in Albania of cannabis from Canada suggest the Balkan country – long seen as a source – is also becoming a destination point in a globalised market. Original post Here
The moralistic reaction to leaked tapes of women filmed secretly in intimate acts shows Albania is still struggling to accept women as sexual beings – while also failing legally to protect victims of non-consensual exposure. Original post Here
An anti-government protest led by students demanding better educational conditions escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the Albanian capital. Original post Here
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has condemned acts of vandalism at the Apostolic Nunciature in Tirana on Tuesday, including the removal of the Holy See’s flag. The ministry stressed that diplomatic missions must remain inviolable and retain their dignity under national law and international law. It also said …
The US Army will rotate troops from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and support units from the 1st Infantry Division into Kosovo to support NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR). The incoming troops will replace the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The rotation will also bring in elements of …
Albania aims to conclude agreements to avoid double taxation with all 27 European Union member states as it aligns its tax legislation and practices with European standards. Deputy Finance Minister Andi Memeti outlined the objective during a parliamentary committee discussion on ratifying an agreement with Lithuania. He said these agreements …
The National Territorial Council has cleared the way for the new Kavaja Market in the city centre. French architect Manuelle Gautrand designed the project to introduce a contemporary architectural concept to the urban space. The development covers 3,130 square metres of land, with a building area of 1,405 square metres. …
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula met on Tuesday with the families of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, who face trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Shiroka-Pula stood by the families and acknowledged the hardship they face. She pledged …
Students from several universities boycotted classes on Tuesday and gathered outside the Ministry of Education to protest for a second consecutive day. The boycott involved students from the University of Medicine, the Agricultural University, the Polytechnic University, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Philology. …
President Bajram Begaj met Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, and other board members at the Brigades Palace. Begaj praised the foundation’s contribution to economic development. He stressed the importance of continuing its projects in education, tourism, cultural heritage and agriculture, as well as efforts …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu responded to the violence during Tuesday’s protest outside the Ministry of Education. In a Facebook post accompanying footage from the demonstration, he said violence, calls for chaos and attacks on institutions and businesses were not solutions. Gogu stressed that the right to protest is fundamental and …