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Albania’s PM says 2027 NATO summit will not be held in Tirana
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama says NATO’s next summit will not take place in Tirana in 2027, despite earlier expectations that Albania would host after the 2026 meeting in Türkiye. A NATO official says the summit will be held in Albania, but its timing has not been decided.
The delay comes amid doubts over Albania’s defence spending and possible changes to NATO’s recent practice of holding annual summits. Rama said Tirana could host in 2028 if a summit is held that year. He is also facing months of protests over a proposed resort development in a protected wetland and on nearby Sazan Island, alleged corruption and university conditions; he denies wrongdoing and says the resort complies with Albanian and EU law.
In short
- Tirana will not host NATO’s summit in 2027.
- NATO says Albania will host, but the date is undecided.
- The announcement comes as Rama faces protests and defence spending criticism.
Explained simply
NATO is a military alliance of countries in Europe and North America. Its leaders meet at summits to discuss shared security and defence, and member countries take turns hosting; Türkiye is due to host the 2026 meeting.
Albania joined NATO in 2009, and Edi Rama has been prime minister since 2013. Hosting a summit would bring alliance leaders to Tirana and put Albania’s role in NATO in focus.
NATO members have agreed to spend more on defence, and Albania’s spending has been a point of concern. Rama is also facing protests over a proposed resort in a protected wetland and on Sazan Island, as well as allegations of corruption and complaints about university conditions; he denies wrongdoing.