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Shkodër starts mountain trail inventory to improve visitor safety and promote tourism

TIRANA, July 22 – Albania has started the process of inventorying mountain trails to identify existing routes and map new itineraries, with work also underway in the Shkodër region. Tourism guide Kastriot Faci said the initiative aims to create a complete map of mountain trails across the country. He explained …

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Severe storms set to sweep across Albania on Friday

Powerful storm engulfs Albania after battering Kosovo and North Macedonia. The storms will affect almost the entire country. Central and southeastern regions face the highest risk, but severe weather may develop anywhere. Storm cells will form quickly and move over isolated areas. They may bring very heavy rain and powerful …

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Restoration project for Saint Nicholas Church in Upper Krutja, Lushnja

TIRANA, July 22 – The National Institute of Cultural Heritage (IKTK) has presented a restoration project for Saint Nicholas Church, a Category I Cultural Monument located in Upper Krutja, Lushnja. IKTK representatives held a working meeting at the Lushnja Municipality, where they discussed planned interventions for the protection, consolidation and …

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Justice reform enters consolidation phase as European Commission highlights vetting progress

TIRANA, July 22 – Minister of Justice Toni Gogu said the latest European Commission Rule of Law Report recognizes Albania’s progress in consolidating justice reform, highlighting the completion of the vetting process, the reduction of pending cases at the High Court and the start of justice system digitalization. Speaking at …

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KOKSH and TİKA Discuss Cooperation to Develop Sports and Infrastructure in Albania

President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH), Fidel Ylli, met with TİKA Program Coordinator in Tirana Murat Ölçenoğlu to discuss cooperation opportunities supporting sports development and infrastructure projects in Albania. The meeting focused on exploring joint initiatives that could contribute to the advancement of Albanian sports. Ylli presented KOKSH’s …

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President Begaj receives credentials from new Ivory Coast ambassador

TIRANA, July 22 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Ivory Coast’s new ambassador to Albania, Nogozene Bakayoko, during a ceremony held in Tirana. Bakayoko, who is based in Rome, presented her credentials as she began her diplomatic mission in Albania. Begaj wished her success and expressed confidence that …

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Bad weather leaves 21 power feeders out of service as over 1,000 workers restore electricity

TIRANA, July 22 – The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said emergency teams have been working since the first hours of the severe weather that hit Albania on Tuesday evening to restore normal conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds caused disruptions in several areas, while responsible structures continue efforts to …

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Albanian Iso-Polyphony becomes voice of Nolan’s “Odyssey” soundtrack

Albanian iso-polyphonic music has become a key part of the soundtrack for “Odyssey,” the upcoming Hollywood production directed by Christopher Nolan and produced by Universal Pictures. The film’s score comes from acclaimed composer Ludwig Göransson, who won an Oscar for his work on “Oppenheimer.” Speaking on the program “Në Radio” …

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Canadian experts train Albanian firefighters to strengthen emergency response

TIRANA, July 22 – The Canadian mission “Firefighters Without Borders Canada” is conducting a national training program in Albania in cooperation with Albanian fire protection and rescue institutions. Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo said the program aims to strengthen firefighters’ professional capacities and improve preparedness for emergency …

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Rama: Construction of Dukagjin Road to Begin Within Two Weeks

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced from Theth that construction of the Dukagjin road will begin within the next two weeks. Speaking with local residents, Rama said preparing the project required time and careful planning. He stressed that infrastructure projects depend on the country’s economic growth and available financial resources. Rama …

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EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry

The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …

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Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme

Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …

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Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …

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Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection

Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …

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Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs

The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …

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PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …

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Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit

From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports

Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …

News
Speaker Peleshi: Parliament approved 131 laws during current term

TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …

News
Albania presents ‘eArkiva’ digital document management platform

TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …

News

EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry

The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …

News

Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme

Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …

News

Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …

News

Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection

Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …

News

Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs

The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …

News

PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …

News

Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit

From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here

News

Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports

Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …

News

Speaker Peleshi: Parliament approved 131 laws during current term

TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …

News

Albania presents ‘eArkiva’ digital document management platform

TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …