Finance minister Malaj: Defence budget reaches 2.6% of GDP, ALL 10.3 billion extra for security and Armed Forces modernisation
TIRANA, July 2 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the government strengthens national defence through the 2026 budget normative act. He said the measure also fulfils Albania’s NATO commitments. Malaj said the normative act allocates an additional ALL 10.3 billion for the defence sector. He also said the Armed Forces …
Gonxhja: New Apollonia Management Plan Strengthens Protection of Archaeological Park Boundaries
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja presented the new management plan for the Apollonia Archaeological Park on social media. First, he said the government declares the site an “Immovable Cultural Property” and strengthens the protection of its boundaries in line with state geospatial standards. Next, he said the …
Rama: AI as a Strategic Accelerator for Albania’s EU Integration
Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that artificial intelligence speeds up Albania’s EU integration by making public administration more efficient. He made the statement at the Ruhr Summit in Germany, where he presented Albania’s vision for using AI in governance. First, he said AI strengthens state capacity by making institutions …
PM Rama: Albania targets artificial intelligence-powered public procurement system
TIRANA, July 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to introduce an artificial intelligence-based public procurement system to improve transparency and reduce corruption, while highlighting the country’s broader digital transformation. Speaking at the Ruhr Summit on innovation and entrepreneurship, Rama said Albania now provides more than 1,000 fully …
Tirana International Airport Handles Around 300 Flights per Day Amid Expansion
Tirana International Airport “Nënë Tereza” (TIA) has reached around 300 flights per day, marking a record that reflects the continued growth of air traffic in Albania. Airport officials say that every flight depends on the daily work of ground teams who ensure safe and timely operations. They also stress that …
Jaupaj: Safe Chemical Management in Line with EU Standards
Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved amendments to the Law on Chemical Management, further aligning the country’s legislation with European Union standards. Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj described the move as another concrete step toward Albania’s European Union membership. According to Jaupaj, the draft law provides stronger protection for public …
Rama: “The Albanian Files” Becomes the First Book Treated as Criminal Evidence Since Communism
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that The Albanian Files will soon appear in the Adrion bookstore in Tirana.He said the book has “entered history” as the first publication treated as criminal evidence after the fall of communism. Rama made the comments while reacting to its submission to the Special Prosecution …
Communication Service Marks 95th Anniversary, Nufi Calls It Key to National Security
The Cyber and Communication Command of the Albanian Armed Forces marked the 95th anniversary of the Communication Service today. The ceremony brought together Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Arben Kingji, senior officers, non-commissioned officers, civilian staff, soldiers, and veterans. In his address, Nufi …
Sejko: Albanian Economy Expected to Grow Steadily as Inflation Rises to 2.9%
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said today that the Albanian economy will continue to grow at stable rates close to its potential in the coming quarters, while inflation will rise slightly above target in the second half of the year before gradually returning to target over the medium term. …
AMF Reports Progress in Aligning Non-Bank Financial Market Supervision with EU Standards
The Financial Supervisory Authority (AMF) reported today to the Parliamentary Committee on Civic Initiatives, Institutional Cooperation and Oversight that it achieved progress in 2025 in aligning its legal framework with European Union standards, strengthening oversight of non-bank financial markets, and modernizing reporting systems, in line with parliamentary recommendations. First, AMF …
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 …