Italian media highlights Albanian Alps as a top budget summer escape
TIRANA, August 3 – Italian news outlet Fanpage.it has ranked the Albanian Alps among the best-value mountain destinations for summer 2026. The report recommends Theth and Valbona Valley as ideal retreats for travelers seeking cooler temperatures during Italy’s Ferragosto holiday. According to Fanpage.it, Italy has experienced repeated heatwaves this summer, …
Gjirokastër celebrates August with “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” cultural evenings
TIRANA, August 3 – Gjirokastër has launched “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” (Iso on the Cobblestones), a month-long cultural event that fills the city’s historic bazaar with the sounds of Albanian iso-polyphony. Gjirokastër Mayor Flamur Golemi shared scenes from the lively streets, where performances will take place every evening from August 1 …
Five medieval icons undergo restoration in Korça museum
TIRANA, August 3 – Five icons of outstanding historical and artistic value are undergoing restoration at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça. Conservation specialists are carrying out the work to preserve the artworks and extend their lifespan for future generations. The collection includes a 14th-century icon that experts …
PM Rama: Albanian-made military vehicles secure export deals with 30 countries
TIRANA, August 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage on social media today showing the first Albanian-made military vehicles undergoing road tests after their delivery to the Albanian Armed Forces. Rama described the vehicles as a source of national pride. He said the vehicles meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization …
Veteran bard Isa Elezi keeps the centuries-old lahuta tradition alive
TIRANA, August 3 – Isa Elezi, a lahuta player from Rugova in Kosova, says the traditional instrument has long inspired Albanian warriors and preserved the nation’s history. Elezi describes the lahuta as more than a musical instrument. He says it carries centuries of values and traditions. According to him, its …
Decisive week ahead as Kosova awaits new institutions
TIRANA, August 3 – This week could bring progress in talks on forming Kosova’s new institutions. The discussions involve the Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje), which won the June 7 elections, and the opposition Democratic League of Kosova (LDK). Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he expects results from talks with …
Filip Shiroka remembered as a voice of Albania’s National Awakening
TIRANA, August 3 – Albania marks the anniversary of the birth of poet and patriot Filip Shiroka, one of the leading literary voices of the Albanian National Awakening whose work championed national identity and independence. Born in Shkodra on August 3, 1859, Shiroka devoted his poetry and journalism to patriotism. …
Defense Minister Nufi unveils Sports Academy Initiative for Armed Forces
TIRANA, August 3 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met elite athletes serving in Albania’s Armed Forces to present a new initiative that will introduce sports classes as an extracurricular program at the Armed Forces Academy. Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, also attended the meeting. Participants discussed …
Economic Sentiment Index weakens in July as Business Confidence falls
TIRANA, August 3 – Albania’s Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) weakened in July after business confidence declined across all sectors, especially construction and trade. Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved. According to the Bank of Albania, the index remained 5.4 points above its long-term average despite the monthly decline. Confidence in industry fell …
‘Double Your Entrepreneurship’ program offers up to €2 million loans for agri-tourism and agri-processing
TIRANA, August 3 – Businesses seeking to expand their activity can benefit from loans of up to €2 million through the government program “Double Your Entrepreneurship”. During a visit to a milk processing factory in Pogradec, Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the program supports businesses in agrotourism and agro-processing. …
Germany supports Albania’s membership in the European Union. However, Berlin says the pace of accession talks will depend on the implementation of reforms. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, German Ambassador to Tirana Karl Bergner praised Albania’s progress. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and …
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Albania rose sharply during the first six months of 2026. FDI reached €1.144 billion, marking a 50% increase compared with the same period last year. Data from the Bank of Albania on the country’s balance of payments show that FDI flows reached €741 million in …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announced today that Luxair will launch direct flights between Luxembourg and Tirana. Hoxha welcomed the arrival of another European airline in Albania. He described the development as excellent news for the country. Starting March 29, 2027, Luxair will operate the new route …
Albania is exploring plans to build an LNG terminal on its Adriatic coast. The proposed terminal would receive US liquefied natural gas (LNG) by ship. It would then store the LNG and convert it from a liquid into gas. The gas could enter regional pipelines and reach countries across the …
Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met with Michael Hammer, chairman of the Austrian National Council’s Friendship Group with Albania, and its delegation. Peleshi highlighted the long-standing friendship between Albania and Austria. He said the two countries have strengthened their ties over the years through political cooperation and exchanges …
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has been honored with the Key to the City of Mesquite, Texas, as part of his visit to the United States. The key was presented to Berisha by Mesquite Mayor Daniel Aleman Jr., according to the Democratic Party’s press office. “During the …
Judges across the Republic gathered for an extraordinary meeting at the Justice Center, where they adopted a joint position regarding the freezing of magistrates’ salaries. The statement was read by Judge Alda Sadiku, who stressed that the judiciary’s demands are not subject to negotiation because, according to the judges, they …
The average salary in Albania exceeded 92,000 lek in the second quarter of the year, increasing by 10% in one year. However, significant disparities remain, with the finance and technology sectors paying more than double the national average. The average salary in Albania continued to rise during the second quarter …
Following the closing arguments presented by Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West and the prosecutor in the case, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague has requested a six-year prison sentence for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the case concerning obstruction of justice. “Based on all the evidence and facts, the …
The government is expected to take a new approach to housing. The new National Housing Program provides for six new schemes, focusing on young families and young people who face difficulties in securing a home. During the presentation, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the program is not simply a …