In particular, in the field of oncology, the inclusion of innovative therapies provides improved treatment options and enhances Albanian patients’ access to modern medicines. For 2026, an additional 1.5 billion ALL will be allocated for innovative oncology drugs, increasing the total pharmaceuticals budget by 16% compared to 2025.

Minister Sala also stated that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MHSP) is investing in expanding diagnostic and treatment capacities, with a third linear accelerator already in operation, while the installation of a fourth linear accelerator is planned within the year. In addition, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), PET scan and brachytherapy services are expected to become available within the year.

Another strategic priority presented during the meeting was the pharmaceutical reform, outlined in the draft law “On Medicinal Products for Human Use,” which represents the most far-reaching reform of the pharmaceutical sector in Albania.

The draft law aims to fully align Albanian legislation with European Union Directive 2001/83 and to establish a modern, transparent, and predictable regulatory system. In the coming weeks, it will undergo public consultation as part of an inclusive process involving all stakeholders in the sector.

According to Minister Sala, the new law will ensure greater safety, quality, and access to innovative therapies for patients, strengthen the regulatory framework for healthcare professionals, and create a more stable and competitive environment for the pharmaceutical industry. A key element of the reform will be the reinforcement of the pharmacovigilance system and the capacities of the National Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices.

Pursuant to the decision of the Council of Ministers, graduates of the ‘Rehabilitation Sciences’ program are now authorized to practice as physiotherapists. With the approval of the amendment to the Council of Ministers’ decision, these degrees are officially recognized as valid qualifications for the profession, allowing graduates to register and practice legally as physiotherapists.

Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro announced that, following extensive consultations and the approval of amendments to the Council of Ministers’ decision on regulated professions, graduates of the ‘Rehabilitation Sciences’ program are now officially authorized to practice as physiotherapists. This change applies both to current students and those who have already graduated, resolving a longstanding legal issue.

Minister Kumbaro emphasized that this legal amendment will have a positive impact on new enrollments at the University of Sports.

‘I believe this is good news for students choosing to enroll in this program. It comes at the right time, as registrations are ongoing, and it ensures that both current and future students will have the opportunity to integrate into the labor market, just like their peers graduating in physiotherapy from higher education institutions in the health sector,’ stated Kumbaro.

Before the legal amendment, the ‘Rehabilitation Sciences’ degree was not recognized for practicing physiotherapy, creating registration difficulties for graduates. Following the amendment, graduates of this program are now authorized to practice. Over the past three academic years, 72 students have graduated, and 256 students are currently enrolled in the 2025–2026 academic year.

Rector Agron Kasa appreciated the commitment to resolving this long-standing issue, enabling Rehabilitation Sciences graduates to enter the labor market. Minister Kumbaro emphasized that the Albanian government and Ministry of Education will continue supporting the University of Sports, recognizing it as a national asset.
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Bardhi, accompanied by lawmaker Klevis Balliu, met Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric and Slovak Ambassador Albin Otruba in Tirana, according to a statement posted on social media.

During the meeting, Bardhi said they reaffirmed support of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group for Albania’s integration into the European Union.

However, he criticised the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, saying it was not genuinely committed to meeting European standards.

“The government has killed the essence of democracy: free and fair elections. It is the most corrupt government in Europe and is openly turning into a bunker for the corrupt,” Bardhi said.

Albania, he added, “deserves a government that views European integration not as propaganda, but as a tool to improve citizens’ lives and strengthen a functioning democracy in the country.”

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In the Shkodër region, heavy rainfall yesterday afternoon damaged the Breg Lumi–Theth road section, leaving nine people and five vehicles stranded. Thanks to the swift intervention of municipal forces, the State Police, and Armed Forces personnel, the individuals were successfully evacuated. The road remains blocked and is being cleared of debris, with the support of ten Armed Forces personnel.

In the municipality of Fushë Arrëz, power outages have been reported due to strong winds.

In the Lezhë region, a tree has fallen on the Lezhë–Shëngjin road, damaging power lines and causing electricity interruptions. Debris has also been reported on the Lezhë–Balldren road, and operational teams are working to clear it.
No weather-related issues have been reported in other regions of the country.

According to the Military Weather Service, intermittent light to moderate rainfall is expected over the next 24 hours. In Shkodër, Vlorë, and Gjirokastër, showers are likely to intensify into storms. From the afternoon through the early hours of the morning, heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning is also expected in Lezhë, Durrës, and Tirana. Fog and reduced visibility are forecast in low-lying areas.

The Ministry of Defence and the National Civil Protection Agency are fully on standby, coordinating with relevant agencies to respond to any possible effects of severe weather.

Civil Protection has urged residents in areas at risk to get in touch with local authorities should any issues arise.
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The government announced July 2 and 3 as days of national mourning, meanwhile flags in state and public institutions will fly at half-mast.
The public homage and the state ceremony will be organized in the premises of the National Theater of Opera, Ballet and Popular Ensemble, on Wednesday, from 09:00 to 11:00 and from 11:30 to 12:30. A Special State Commission has been set up for the organization of the homage and the state ceremony, under the auspices of the Prime Minister.
Ismail Kadare, the historical leader of Albanian literature for more than seven decades, was a member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania; member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences of France; external member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, external member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Montenegro.
Ismail Kadare was born in Gjirokastra on January 28, 1936. The city of his birth followed him forever wherever he lived and wrote, in the West and in the East, becoming an inseparable part of his creativity in all phases of life. With a literary opus that contains over 70 works, in all types and subtypes of literature, essays and journalism, countless in reprints, Ismail Kadare has been and will be the leader of the country in the history of Albanian literature.
The Academy of Sciences has expressed its condolences, stressing that the Academy of Sciences, Albanian literature and its balance, the Albanian language and its speakers, European and world literature have been left inconsolable after his death.
Albanian literature will sadly miss a master, European literature will physically miss the spokesperson of a nation and a region; our civilization will miss the pronouncer of great words.

Ismail Kadare is the most important writer of Albanian literature from the beginning and throughout the five centuries of its life. His work is a pillar of Albanian literature.
Kadare’s literature has internationalized Albanian culture on a European and world scale. The languages in which his literature has been spoken are over 50 and the number of titles published and republished beyond his native language is over 1500. His work is studied in universities within the history of European and world literature. A new branch has already been added to the science of Albanology, that of Kadareologists, researchers and translators of his work. Under the influence of this new branch, the place of the Albanian language in universities has also expanded, with the opening of new departments and units from Japan to the United States of America, from France to Russia. Today, Kadare’s work is translated and studied even in some countries where there were restrictions.
Ismail Kadare will remain a moral authority for the Albanian people, an institution of creativity and thought, a fundamental reference for his life. The work he has created is related to essential issues of the Albanian and Balkan worldview, the interaction of cultures and civic values of the region, the evolution of historical and cultural identities. It is a window of primary importance to recognize the psychoses and complexes of the peoples of Southeast Europe, their true aspirations.
His name and work will be eternally present in the lives of Albanians and the whole world.
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The DP head, Lulzim Basha, has reacted on social media regarding this decision by publishing photos of him alongside the congressmen who initiated this draft law.
He says that it is an honor and a privilege that he himself had their help and support in this process in the Council of Europe.

“The much-awaited news from Washington DC. The US Congress passes bill that frozen Russian assets will be transferred to Ukraine for its reconstruction,” Basha says.

The head of the DP expresses gratitude to the US legislators, in particular to the initiators of this bill, Congressman French Hill and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Michael McCaul.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have had their help and support and other US friends in this vital process for Ukraine even in the Council of Europe,” says Basha.
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Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, in a post on his social media account, shared images of the process of assembling 3 “Bajraktar” drones at the Kuçova airbase.

“The work continues on the assembly of the drones until the first flight of one of them at the new NATO Air Base in Kuçova,” he said.

“Enhancing military capacities and investments in defense technology are proof of our commitment to national security,” said Peleshi.

Bayraktar drones, known for their efficiency and advanced technology, are already in Albania. A day ago, Minister Peleshi visited the Kuçova air base, where he saw first-hand the work on the assembly of Bayraktar drones.

These drones will serve the interests of national security, the fight against crime and the illegal cultivation of hashish, civil emergencies, the protection of the territory and the collection of geospatial information.
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Referring to the report published by the Institute of Statistics, exports to Great Britain reached 6.2 billion ALL at the end of the 11- month period of this year, from 2 billion ALL recorded in the 11- month period of 2022.

Unlike exports, imports increased at lower rates. According to statistics, at the end of the 11 month period they hit about 8 billion ALL, from 6.7 billion ALL in the same period of 2022.
After exiting the European Union, Albania has signed at the beginning of 2021 a partnership, trade and cooperation agreement with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

The agreement ensures that commodities originating from the United Kingdom and Albania benefit from the same reciprocal preferential tariff treatment as they did when the United Kingdom was part of the European Union.

Referring to official analyses and data, there is still an untapped potential of trade relations between the two countries.
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In his remarks, Minister Balla stated that compliance with the Law and Code of Ethics during the exercise of duty and beyond it should be the distinguishing norm for this elite security structure.

“I assure you that I will do everything in my capacity to guarantee the best possible financial treatment for all levels of the Republican Guard,” said Balla.

“Even though today I am here to address a phenomenon, which should never happen again to any employee of the Republican Guard, as was a recently reported case, which of course was handled right away by our side, and such actions will be prompt in all cases when a member of this honorable Republican Guard breaches the ethical norms,” Minister of Interior said.

“Being a member of the Guard of the Republic is an honor. And in fact, over the years, the Guard of the Republic, as the Commander put it, have been and continue to be a success story in guarding the personalities, but also in guaranteeing the smooth running of many important international meetings, like the summit last year, or the upcoming Berlin Process summit on October 16, an important event, for which the Guard of the Republic bears the greatest responsibility,” Balla said.

“Nevertheless, what is very important for me is that we must continue to increase the support for the Guard of the Republic, either in infrastructure or in technology,” Minister Balla concluded.
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In a televised interview, Hastad put emphasis on the continued implementation of the justice reform in Albania, as well as the upcoming mayoral elections on May 14.

“For us, the launch of the accession negotiations represents a cornerstone of a process that will take a long time. It took a very long time for Sweden too. Real work for Albania starts now that the accession talks have been launched. Sweden has been assisting Albania in this process for 20 years and your success is our success too, because we we have been waiting for this to happen,” she said.

Ambassador Hastad said that “Sweden has helped Albania for 20 years, because our priority is expansion.”

“We have supported the entire Western Balkans. We have allocated 500 million euros for a period of 7 years only in preparation for EU membership. Sweden will work hard together with you. We are working with agencies and governments on the environment. We have assisted and prepared Albania to open Chapter 27, which deals with the environment and climate change,” she said.

Highlighting that Albania was one of the first countries to support Sweden’s membership with NATO, Hastad said “we are happy to help Albania become a member of the European Union, because it is in our interest to help you.”

Speaking about the May 14 local elections, Swedish diplomat said “elections are the core of democracy and everyone is watching Albania now.

“Europe is watching. Sweden is watching, because your progress is our progress. Elections are extremely important. My message is: Vote! Do not sell the vote, do not buy the vote, and do not waste it! Many people have fought for the right to vote. Local elections are crucial, because important decisions are made at the local level. Active opposition is needed in democracy and a governing party to work together so that things can change,” she said.

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