Albania’s PM says 2027 NATO summit will not be held in Tirana

Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Rama stated there was "not yet [a] common position on when the summit will happen, for sure not in 2027." He added that "in 2028, if it will be a summit, it will be in Tirana." This announcement comes as Albania faces criticism over its defense spending levels.

Summit doubts

Reuters reported in June that plans for a summit in Albania had been thrown into doubt by resistance from the Trump administration and dissatisfaction among NATO members with Tirana's low defense spending. NATO leaders had previously mentioned Albania as a potential host in their June 2025 declaration, but a later July summit made no mention of timing or location.

Domestic pressure

Rama, who has been in office for 13 years, has faced months of protests dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution" that began in May after he approved a luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner in a protected wetland area. The protests have grown into wider anti-government demonstrations and violent student protests over university conditions.

Opposition lawmakers led by Sali Berisha disrupted parliament with flares and smoke bombs in October in support of the protesters. Rama has refused to resign, maintaining the resort complies with Albanian and EU law, while dismissing the protests as orchestrated by political rivals.