XXI Chamber Fest Opens in Durrës with Artists from Eight Countries
The XXI edition of Chamber Fest Durrës 2026 has opened in the coastal city of Durrës. The international chamber music festival brings together artists from Albania, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and the United States. The opening night took place at the National Archaeological Museum. The “Arola” quartet …
Chief Inspector: Environmental protection tops inspection priorities
TIRANA, July 2 – Chief Inspector Dashnor Sula described Berat County as one of Albania’s most important tourist destinations, highlighting its strategic role in both the summer season and year-round tourism. Speaking to reporters before a training session for inspectors in Berat, Sula said the General Inspectorate will focus on …
Artistic Evening Held at Ethnographic Museum in Elbasan
Young artists in Elbasan held a musical evening at the city’s Ethnographic Museum. First, they transformed the museum garden into a performance stage for a night of music and artistic expression. The event brought together young talents who performed with emotion, passion, and quality musical interpretation. The city’s Directorate of …
Economy minister: Economic growth to provide ALL 17 billion in extra support for pensioners in 2026
TIRANA, July 2 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania’s economic growth will finance additional support for pensioners, with total extra assistance reaching ALL 17 billion during 2026. Speaking at a meeting with pensioners attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Ibrahimaj said recent economic growth has allowed the …
PM Rama: Foreign investment is not a threat, luxury resorts drive economic growth
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana. He said foreign investment does not threaten sovereignty or territorial integrity. He said patriotism means strengthening the economy and increasing citizens’ income. He added that Albania must improve competitiveness to attract foreign capital. Rama said rejecting foreign investment …
Albanian Polyphony Performed in Udine, Italy
The Director of the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble, Aulon Naçi, shared images on social media from the ensemble’s concert in Udine, Italy. He said another important chapter in the international journey of Albanian iso-polyphony concluded successfully in Italy. The performance took place within the Piccolo Opera …
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 …
Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …
The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …
Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …
TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …
Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …
TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …