Looking to escape economic rut, Albania pins hopes on yet uncertain oil bonanza
TIRANA, Aug. 30, 2023 – Faced with a GDP per capita falling far behind even the poorest EU members, lackluster foreign investments and a growing budget deficit that has to be financed by an ever-shrinking and aging population, Albania’s government is hoping for a miracle: a winning lottery ticket that …
Michel’s 2030 EU enlargement goal welcomed, but also met with skepticism
TIRANA, Aug. 31. 2023 – European Council President Charles Michel has set a goal for the European Union and aspirant states to be ready for enlargement by 2030. Speaking at a regional forum in Slovenia on Aug. 28, Michel said that it was time for those states that have been …
Premier sees Prekal-Kir road’s construciton as ‘impulse for tourist development’
Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Thursday with some pictures of the works being done on the Prekal-Kir road in Shkodër. In a social media statement, the Head of Government underlined that this road segment will serve as a new impulse for tourist development. “GOOD MORNING, and with the works …
Durres driver arrested after crashing pedestrian to death
A 34-year-old man was arrested by the Durrës police this Thursday for an accident that happened a few days ago. Fatbardh Keci hit pedestrian Jonuz Mani to death, then fled the scene and hid the vehicle in Shijak. Regardless, the vehicle was found and blocked by the police. “Specialists of …
“Metamorphosis” operation, the Appellate Court gives today the decision for the arrested
The Appellate Court will decide on the morning of this Thursday for the arrested during the “Metamorphosis” operation. The session will take place at 10:00 a.m. and it is expected that the decision will be given on the request of the businessman Pellumb Gjoka, the police officer Oltion Bistri and …
Woman involved in Kukes ex-mayor sex scandal seeks lighter security measure
Alma Kaçi appeared this Thursday in the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), where the request for replacing the security measure is expected to be examined. The 40-year-old woman has demanded the replacement of the measure ‘house arrest’ with ‘investigation in free state’. At the end of last …
Tirana, three arrested for cocaine dealing
Three people have been arrested after being accused of supplying cocaine to several distribution networks. In the framework of the operation coded “Three stars”, to attack criminal activity in the field of narcotics, it was possible to arrest three persons, respectively 27, 30 and 24 years old, who, in cooperation …
Youth caught with drugs, gun in Saranda
A 21-year-old has been arrested this Wednesday morning by Saranda Police after being caught with narcotics and firearms in the car. Arrest of the young man was made possible after a police search of the ‘Benz’ type vehicle that was moving on the Sarandë-Ksamil road axis near the bay of …
Undeclared money/ Over 1 million euros seized since the beginning of the year in Durres, 10 arrested
Over 1 million undeclared euros have been seized in the port of Durres since the beginning of the year. Journalist Leonidha Musaj reports that so far 10 operations have been carried out and as a result 10 people have been arrested who tried to smuggle these large sums of money …
Veliaj hosts the delegation of Japanese MPs
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj hosted a delegation with representatives of the Japan-Albania Friendship Group, which is conducting an official visit to Albania. He expressed his happiness that Albania, which with the opening of the Pyramid, will soon return to the digital epicenter for the Balkans, is supported by …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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, …
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 …