Speaker receives 2026 progress report, says parliament fully committed to Albania’s EU membership
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi on Thursday reaffirmed parliament’s commitment to Albania’s European Union membership bid during a meeting with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who formally presented the 2026 European Commission Progress Report. The report assesses the implementation of reforms and Albania’s …
General Directorate of Prisons and Council of Europe step up cooperation to improve penitentiary system
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ The General Directorate of Prisons and the Council of Europe are seeking to deepen their cooperation to improve Albania’s penitentiary system, ensure respect for human rights and align institutional practices with European standards. Director General of Prisons Sadleva Bodo met with Giulia Re, Head of the Council …
Ibrahimaj: European Commission highlights progress in employment and vocational training
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ The European Commission has acknowledged Albania’s progress in employment, education and vocational training, noting advances in various programmes and policies designed to strengthen skills and facilitate access to the labour market. Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj shared key findings from the European Commission’s 2026 Albania …
FM Hoxha meets Romanian Prime Minister Niculescu, secures support for Albania’s EU accession
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Romanian Prime Minister Luca Niculescu in Bucharest on Thursday , with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and Romania’s support for Albania’s European Union membership bid. The talks centred on further strengthening the partnership …
Health Minister: 33.4 billion leks allocated to social welfare, monthly support planned for children up to age five
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has earmarked 33.4 billion leks for social welfare programmes in 2027, focusing on vulnerable families, people with disabilities and other groups facing economic and social hardship, Minister Klodiana Spahiu said on Thursday. Presenting the 2027 draft budget to …
European Commission urges Albania to expand social reuse of confiscated assets
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ The European Commission has called for strengthening the capacities of the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK), with a particular focus on improving operating procedures, increasing transparency in the use of assets and ensuring their timely management in order to preserve their …
Rama announces new dialogue platform, says three groups of students were threatened over attempts to meet him
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today that a new platform for communication and dialogue with citizens will be launched tomorrow. Speaking at a press conference alongside European Union Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who handed him the European Commission’s Progress Report, Rama said the platform would give …
EU Ambassador presents 2026 Progress Report to National Council for European Integration
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ – European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Thursday presented the 2026 Progress Report on Albania to the National Council for European Integration and its two co-chairs, Taulant Balla and Jorida Tabaku. In a statement, the ambassador stressed the importance of political dialogue …
2027 Fiscal Package sparks debate at Tirana International Fair
TIRANA, Nov 5 /ATA/ The Tirana International Fair brought together Albanian and international businesses, with a panel discussion on the competitiveness of the Albanian economy focusing on business challenges, the need for stronger dialogue with public institutions and concerns over the impact of the 2027 fiscal package on business costs …
Bank of Albania governor Sejko meets European Central Bank Executive Board member Cipollone
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met European Central Bank Executive Board member Piero Cipollone to discuss payment modernisation and Albania’s financial integration with the European Union. Cipollone is visiting Albania to attend the eighth International Conference on Regional Card Schemes and Financial Market Infrastructures for Small-Value Payments. Sejko highlighted …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania Holta Zaçaj participated in the “Fast Payments in the Western Balkans” panel in Tirana, where she highlighted the significance of Albania’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). She noted that SEPA membership is expected to lower …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ A complex operation to remove a giant tumour on the side of the nose has been successfully carried out at the Mother Teresa University Hospital Centre (QSUT). According to a social media post by QSUT, the patient was initially assessed by the Otorhinolaryngology Department, where a comprehensive …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ State Police Director General Skënder Hita visited Malësia e Madhe to meet and thank two officers, Inspectors Hilmi Smajlaj and Samet Bajri, who serve with the General Patrol Unit of the Malësia e Madhe Police Commissariat and sustained knife injuries while attempting to apprehend a German national …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ The Democratic Party (DP) staged another nationwide protest on Saturday in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, expressing support for students and young people who have taken to the streets for several days to protest against the government. DP leader Sali Berisha called on citizens to …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Air traffic in Albania is expected to grow by 18.3% in 2026, with Tirana International Airport forecast to handle more than 13.5 million passengers, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Saturday. Speaking during a visit to the airport, Karakaçi welcomed the expansion of …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – The government plans to allocate 50 million leks in 2027 to develop and upgrade youth facilities in seven municipalities across Albania, as part of broader efforts to expand employment opportunities, improve skills and encourage young people’s participation in public life. The funding, included in next …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Students staged another protest outside the Ministry of Education on Saturday, with the gathering beginning at around 2 p.m. The students assembled to voice their demands and positions as part of demonstrations that have continued for several weeks. They have vowed to maintain their protests …
TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Tensions flared outside Ministry of Education on Saturday in Tirana as students protesting there blocked representatives and supporters of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) from joining their rally. The students formed a human cordon to prevent the opposition protesters from approaching the demonstration. Holding …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama today reiterated his invitation to the protesting students to engage in dialogue, expressing the government’s readiness to consider their proposals and address the concerns they have raised. Rama shared footage on social media of the stone table set up outside the Prime …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Despite being part of the “100 Villages” programme, the stone-paved streets of Arrëz and Sinicë, in Upper Devoll, remain largely off the tourist trail, attracting relatively few visitors. The villages are easily accessible, either by road from Bilisht towards Miras or via a hiking trail starting …