In a video message, Yzeiraj said all economic and political objectives, whether short- or long-term, depended on a fundamental foundation: macroeconomic stability.

“Any technical or political goal, whether short-term or long-term, rests on a single, invisible but essential foundation: the country’s macroeconomic stability,” he said.

Key economic indicators for the first half of the year showed continued stability and sustained confidence in Albania from international markets, Yzeiraj said.

“Economic growth has continued steadily and in line with our objectives,” he said, adding that inflation remained low and under control.

“Inflation remains low and, compared with all countries in the region, under control, protecting purchasing power and creating predictability for the market,” Yzeiraj said.

He also highlighted the cost of public debt, which he said had declined to levels comparable with or lower than those of regional countries.

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Sejko emphasized that, “Economic activity grew by 3.8%, driven by strong private sector balance sheets, rising tourism revenues, favorable financial conditions and increased lending.”

Governor Sejko highlighted that non-agricultural private sector employment rose 5.7% and wages increased by 8.5%, keeping unemployment at a three-decade low. Consumer inflation held steady at 2.2%. This price stability continues to drive the country’s overall economic health, which saw widespread improvement in 2025.

Further on, Sejko said that total exports grew 10.5% to €10 billion, achieving a historic post-transition high as a share of GDP. Meanwhile, the current account deficit shrank to 0.7% of GDP, foreign debt fell to 38% of GDP, and foreign exchange reserves climbed to €7.3 billion. Together, these improvements signal a highly competitive economy with robust resilience to global shocks.

Secondly, he continued, the country’s fiscal position also improved.

“The budget deficit recorded a value of 1.8% of GDP, while public debt decreased to 52.9% of GDP”, emphasized Sejko.

Thirdly, said Governor Sejko, the banking sector maintained high indicators of capitalization, liquidity and profitability, also marking progress in reducing the ratio of non-performing loans.

In order to consolidate financial stability, Sejko informed that, “The Bank of Albania continued to carefully monitor systemic risks.

Sejko noted that “at the same time, significant progress has also been made in the framework of European integration. Further approximation of the legal, regulatory and statistical framework with the acquis and standards of the European Union has strengthened institutional convergence and brought the Albanian financial system closer to the European architecture.” /k.s/a.f/r.e/p.s./

The alliance said the force supporting the Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission would be adjusted as local security institutions have become more capable and conditions on the ground have stabilised.

“NATO and KFOR remain committed to security in Kosovo,” NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, said in a statement. “Current conditions provide an opportunity to optimise KFOR’s size and posture.”

KFOR was deployed in Kosovo in 1999 following NATO’s air campaign against Serbian forces. The mission currently comprises around 4,600 troops, down from roughly 50,000 at the end of the war.

NATO said security conditions in Kosovo had generally improved in recent years and noted that it halted the deployment of reserve forces to KFOR in January after nearly two years of continuous rotations.

The alliance said any reductions would be implemented gradually and could be reversed if conditions on the ground deteriorate.

NATO also reiterated its support for the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, urging both sides to resolve disputes and reach a solution that respects the rights of all communities.

“The Western Balkans remains a region of strategic importance for NATO,” Grynkewich said, adding that the alliance would not allow a security vacuum to emerge in the region.

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Finance Minister Malaj attended the regional Conference on Internal and External Audit hosted by Albania’s Institute of Internal Auditors (AIIA Albania), a member of the Global Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA Global).

Under the theme “Power of Cooperation,” the conference brought together over 300 professionals and experts from 20 countries around the world, along with representatives from across the region.

The governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko also attended the conference, seen as a significant milestone in advancing the auditing profession.

The aim of this conference was to advance the implementation of new international internal audit standards and promote regional cooperation between the public and private sectors.

In his remarks, Finance Minister underlined the important role of internal and external auditing in enhancing transparency and stability of the institutions as the countries are going through a time of transformations and uncertainties, such as digitalization, geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and various emerging risks.

The Albanian government – Malaj said – has consistently acknowledged the need for strong internal audit to drive improvements in government, minimize risks, and ensure that public services are provided with integrity and correctness.

He pointed out the fact that the Albanian government has undertaken significant efforts over the years to improve the internal audit system in all public institutions, while remaining fully committed to advancing the effectiveness, independence and professionalism of the internal audit function in all public sector entities.

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In his letter, Ahmeti underlines that North Macedonia’s current government is attacking the foundations of the Ohrid Agreement, stability and interethnic harmony in the country, bringing back tensions that could lead to a crisis similar to that of 2001.

“Today, the Chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration, Ali Ahmeti, has sent letters to the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, Kosovo President and Prime Minister, Vjosa Osmani and Albn Kurti, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the President of France Emmanuel Macron, and the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken,” DUI said in a press release.

In the letter, Ahmeti expresses his profound concern over the latest political and constitutional developments in North Macedonia put the Ohrid Agreement and the stability and equality principles in jeopardy.

“The last three decisions – the plan to repeal the Law of Languages, the ban on identification of ethnicity in state institutions and the formation of the government majority – represent a serious threat to the peace and stability of the country and the region as a whole. These three major blows to the foundations of the Ohrid Agreement constitute a serious threat to peace, stability, inter-ethnic harmony and multi-ethnic democracy in North Macedonia. These are not just internal political issues, but have serious consequences for the region and its stability. These interventions threaten to destroy the key elements of peace and equality, returning us to the conditions before 2001, which were the causes of the crisis and war of that year. I call on you for joint and determined action to protect the achievements of the Ohrid Agreement and the guaranteed rights of Albanians,” Ahmeti stated in his letter.

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Malaj said that during the meeting, they discussed on strengthening of cooperation for economic stability.

“We discussed strengthening cooperation between our institutions for macroeconomic stability as well as increasing citizens’ awareness of financial education,” he said. /p.s./

The two U.S. Senators issued a press statement following a bipartisan meeting at the Capitol with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski, and Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Filip Ivanovic, on a visit to Washington to attend the high-level NATO Summit.

The Senators praised the contribution of the Western Balkan nations to NATO, their steadfast support for Ukraine and their role towards regional stability.

The meeting at the Capitol highlighted efforts to support Western Balkan countries on their path towards EU membership, stressing the region’s crucial role in European security amidst ongoing challenges, including Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the Western Balkans by supporting the progress of each of these countries towards EU membership, which would help our transatlantic alliance achieve regional and global stability,” Senator Shaheen said.

Senator Shaheen emphasized the United States’ role in bolstering regional stability through NATO alliances, advocating continued support for Ukraine and standing firm against totalitarian regimes.

Senator Tillis echoed these sentiments, underscoring bipartisan Senate unity in promoting peace efforts in the region.

Republican Senators Mike Rounds, Jerry Moran and Pete Ricketts attended the meeting too.

As co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, U.S. Senators  Shaheen and Tillis have led bipartisan efforts in the Senate in support of the Transatlantic Alliance.

They have called for a reaffirmation of the US commitment to NATO.

A high-level NATO summit is being held in Washington this week, commemorating 75 years since the alliance’s founding treaty.

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The meeting focused on the recent situation in the region, with Basha underlining that the escalating threats from Serbia, Belgrade’s ties with Russia and the terrorist attack in Banjska last September are rising alarm about peace and security and they deserve heightened attention of the European Union.

“We discussed the regional situation, the threats from Serbia and its links with Russia. The terrorist attack in Banjska showed that Russia is supporting similar tactics and strategies employed in Crimea and that lead to the invading war on Ukraine. This is an alarm about peace and security in the region and in Europe and as such it deserves priority attention from the EU and the member states,” Basha said in a post on the social media.

“Kosovo’s recognition by the EU and NATO member states that have yet to recognize the country, and its membership with the Euro-Atlantic institutions would be a significant contribution to  peace and stability in the region and Europe,” Basha concluded.

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In a statement on the social media on Monday, the government head noted that both North Macedonia and Montenegro are NATO allies and underlined that “the future of the region lies within Greater Europe.”

“Threats against the stability and integrity of North Macedonia and Montenegro are dangerous and unacceptable. Let’s not forget that Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro are NATO allies fully dedicated to the security and territorial integrity of one another,” PM Rama stated.

“We have achieved in the last decade in this region what no one could even imagine in endless decades before and we cannot and will not allow anyone to pull us back in the past we are leaving behind for good! Together! Greater Europe is our only future,” he concluded.

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Prime Minister, at the same time the head of the SP Edi Rama made the statement today during a briefing with reporters after meeting of the Leading Board of the Socialist Party.

“You have read the latest report of the World Bank and besides the analysis of the stability of the economy, there is highlighted the fact that we are at the moment when we have started to increase wages in these 3 decades, and this clearly speaks of the stability of the economy. April to April, the curve has started to take the average salary to 900 Euros,” Rama emphasized.

PM Rama stated that, “Beyond the predictions in the electoral programs, not only in our electoral program of 2021, but also in the electoral program of the Democratic Party of that time, where the minimum wage was predicted to reach 38 thousand Lekë by 2025, while today we are at 40 thousand and within 2025 we want to go to 45 thousand Lekë”.

But, continued Rama, “Our ambition is to reach a minimum salary of 60,000 Lekë”.

“We have almost doubled the income per capita from the 3300 Euros when we started this journey to 6400 Euros. Our ambition is to definitely touch 10 thousand Euros on the way to Albania 2030. These facts speak of an extremely important moment and the necessity to move forward”, said Rama./k.s/ /gj.m/p.s./