Albanian police step up cannabis prevention and school drug-sale operations
State Police Director General Skënder Hita has highlighted efforts to prevent cannabis cultivation and stop drug sales near schools in 2026, during a joint conference with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza. Police identified 132,000 cannabis seedlings before cultivation, compared with 17,447 last year. Authorities also used 84 drones to monitor territory, …
New school to open in Tirana’s Astir neighborhood, featuring 28 classrooms, laboratories and a library
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA – A new school is nearing completion in the Astir neighborhood of Tirana, further expanding the capital’s educational infrastructure alongside several schools and sports facilities constructed or renovated in recent years. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the new facility on social media today, describing …
Albania – Finland match at Air Albania stadium sold out
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ The Air Albania Stadium will be packed for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland, with all tickets sold out. The sell-out highlights the strong interest among fans in supporting the national team. On 12 November at 20:45, Albania’s players will take to the pitch before a …
Mattarella: European Union is incomplete without Albania
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ – Italian President Sergio Mattarella said the European Union would remain incomplete without the accession of Albania and other candidate countries, reaffirming Italy’s support for the Western Balkans’ European integration. “Italy will always consider the European Union incomplete and diminished until Albania and the other candidate …
Izmir steel factory blast: Albania expresses solidarity with Turkey, says Foreign Minister Hoxha
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, on Tuesday offered his condolences following an explosion at an iron and steel factory in Turkey’s Izmir province, which left several people dead and others injured. In a social media statement, Hoxha expressed his sympathies to the families of …
Rama: 2027 Defence budget to boost military modernisation and national security
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama said the 2027 defence budget would support the ongoing modernisation of Albania’s Armed Forces, enhance national security and ensure the country meets its commitments to NATO and its strategic allies. Rama also posted footage from the daily activities of first-year Bachelor’s students …
Dhuka: 2027 Budget to accelerate EU accession efforts and prepare Albania for membership
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ Minister of State and Chief EU Negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka, said the 2027 budget would help advance the country’s EU accession talks while laying the groundwork for its future membership in the bloc. Speaking at a hearing before the Committee on European Affairs and Foreign …
Hita: Police step up anti-cannabis efforts, launch 31 operations targeting drug dealing near schools
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ State Police Director General Skënder Hita on Tuesday presented the results of the State Police’s efforts to combat the cultivation, production and distribution of narcotics throughout 2026, at a joint press conference with representatives of Italy’s Guardia di Finanza (GdF). In his remarks, Hita praised cooperation …
Demo: Public safety is ultimate measure of success in fight against narcotics
TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ The effectiveness of the Police is ultimately measured by the sense of security among citizens, the protection of young people and the ability to restrict the operating space of criminal groups by targeting their financial resources. Interior Minister Ervin Demo conveyed this message at a joint press …
Spanish Culture Week kicks off in Tirana on Tuesday
Running through Nov. 13, the event will showcase Spanish history and contemporary culture through a series of activities hosted at cultural venues across the city. TIRANA, Albania — Spanish Culture Week will kick off in Tirana on Tuesday, Nov. 10, bringing a four-day program of exhibitions, film screenings, literature and …
Arianit Shehu, Executive Director of the American Center for Combating Extremism and Terrorism (ACCET), says the European Commission’s 2026 Progress Report confirms Albania’s progress towards EU membership. In an opinion article, Shehu says European integration must remain above party interests. The report, published on November 4, recognises Albania’s reforms and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albanians remain firmly committed to the European project. Despite political polarisation, internal conflicts and protests, he says EU membership remains the country’s shared goal. Speaking at the discussion “Europe’s Shared Future: Enlargement and the Next Generation”, held during the Paris Peace Forum, Rama linked Albania’s …
Albania plays an important role in European security, Interior Minister Ervin Demo said today. He made the statement while opening the international conference “Regional Security: New Risks, Stronger Cooperation” in Tirana. Regional representatives, EU officials and Italian delegates attended the event. “Albania is not Europe’s backyard. We are part of …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu began a two-day working visit to Rome today. He held talks with senior Italian officials to strengthen cooperation in justice and support Albania’s European integration. During the first day, Gogu met Maurizio Gasparri, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. He also met …
Albania has recorded the biggest improvement in UEFA’s Fair Play rankings for the 2025/26 season. According to UEFA’s official report, Albania scored 7.789 points, up from 7.503 in the previous season. The increase of 0.286 points places the country first in Europe for progress. Iceland ranks second, with an improvement …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has expressed his condolences to the families affected by a tragic accident in Bulgaria. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident in Bulgaria, which has claimed many lives and left others injured. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to the victims’ …
Albania has completed the technical preparations to provisionally close five more EU negotiating chapters in 2026, Chief EU Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka announced today. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs and Foreign Policy, Dhuka said Albania continues to follow the EU roadmap, which предусматри the closure of six additional …
Albania’s rich cultural heritage, from north to south, took centre stage at a special event held last night at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports organised the event as part of the 20th Annual Conference of the UNESCO Network of Experts on Intangible …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the specific nature of protests in Albania during his participation in the Paris Peace Forum, comparing them with similar movements in Italy and France. During a discussion on European Union enlargement and the future of younger generations, Rama was asked what distinguishes protests in …
Businesses play an important role in Albania’s European integration process and have many opportunities to benefit from it, EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said. During a meeting with business representatives, the ambassador presented the 2026 Albania Report and discussed key issues affecting the business environment, including the …