Albania’s $6 Billion Gas Deal: Who Will Pay the Bill?
By Zef Preçi TIRANA, Albania – At the end of April, in the presence of Albania’s prime minister and U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, the state-owned company Albgaz signed a 20-year agreement with Greece’s Aktor LNG USA for the supply of American liquefied natural gas (LNG). The government presented …
Albania’s Former Spy Chief Faces New Corruption and Money Laundering Investigation
Prosecutors are considering organized crime charges against Vlora Hyseni as the expanding investigation raises questions about national security and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s decision to appoint her. TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s former intelligence chief, Vlora Hyseni, already under house arrest on suspicion of disclosing classified information and assisting a businessman …
Agriculture minister Andis Salla outlines priorities for ALL 18 billion budget
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla has presented a budget of around ALL 18 billion for 2027, a 10% increase on the initial 2026 allocation. The plan prioritises farmer support, agricultural competitiveness, food safety and preparations for European Union integration. Rural development remains the main funding priority, with ALL …
National Gallery of Arts presents works by 16 Albanian artists
The National Gallery of Arts has opened In the Present – Creativity Fund 2026 at HangArt-Kinostudio. The exhibition brings together new works by 16 Albanian artists. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport launched the open call for the first time in 2026. The gallery selected 10 established artists and …
EU ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa hands 2026 progress report to FM Ferit Hoxha
European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa has handed Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha a copy of the 2026 Progress Report on Albania during a meeting at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Hoxha described the report as the most comprehensive annual assessment of Albania’s progress towards European …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Italian President Sergio Mattarella meet Arbëreshë mayors
Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Italian President Sergio Mattarella received the mayors of all Arbëreshë municipalities in Italy at the Quirinal Palace in Rome. The meeting highlighted the community’s enduring role in Albanian-Italian relations and its contribution to their shared European heritage. Begaj described the Arbëreshë as the foundation of …
Albania Remains Kosovo’s Main Export Market, with €182 Million in Exports
Kosovo’s imports exceeded €6.3 billion in the first ten months of 2026, marking an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. According to the figures, Albania remains Kosovo’s main export partner, while China has overtaken Germany as the leading country of origin for imported goods. Kosovo imported more than €6.3 …
Begaj and Mattarella Welcome Mayors of Arbëresh Municipalities: “They Are the Foundation of Albanian-Italian Brotherhood”
Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Italian President Sergio Mattarella jointly welcomed the mayors of all Arbëresh municipalities in Italy at the Quirinal Palace in Rome. The meeting was held in recognition of the Arbëresh community, which has preserved the Albanian language, traditions, and identity for more than five centuries. During …
Albania and Kosovo Share Expertise in Rope Rescue Operations
At a time when emergencies and various disasters are putting response capabilities to the test, search and rescue teams are working to improve their readiness and skills to handle critical situations. As part of these efforts, teams from Albania and Kosovo held a joint training exercise in the Krraba area. …
Baby Bonus, Rama: Starting July 1, 2027, Financial Support for Every Newborn Will Be Provided for Five Years
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Monday a new baby bonus scheme, which is expected to take effect on July 1, 2027. Under the proposed scheme, families will receive monthly financial support for each newborn child over a five-year period. In a Facebook post, Rama stated that the amount of …
PRISHTINA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – US President Donald Trump has nominated Mikhail Bogachek as the next US ambassador to Kosovo, submitting his name to the Senate for confirmation, the White House announced on November 10. “Mikhail Bogachek, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of …
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 …