Elite tourism can boost revenue and support wider economy, says prime minister
TIRANA, June 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania should aim for a higher level of tourism development as the country considers major investment projects such as the one planned in Zvërnec. Speaking on Monday, Rama said authorities have not yet received the project and have not completed the …
Fun Fair Albania ends with Children’s Day celebrations in Tirana
TIRANA, June 1 – Fun Fair Albania concluded on Monday after four days of activities that began on May 29. The event offered entertainment and recreational activities from morning until evening. Children’s Day brought additional crowds to the fair. As a result, dozens of activities, games, creative workshops and surprises …
Four Scenarios for Democracy in the Western Balkans: From Hope to Disenchantment
By the year 2040, will countries in the region choose to consolidate democracy, settle for ‘stabilitocracy’, or descend into full-blown authoritarianism? Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 1, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Swedish media Dagens highlights Albania as emerging European tourist destination
TIRANA, June 1 – Albania is emerging as a new European tourism destination. Swedish media outlet “Dagens” reports growing interest from European travelers and describes Albania as more affordable than Spain and Greece, while also comparing it with Italy. Meanwhile, “Dagens” highlights Albania’s beaches, natural landscapes and competitive prices. It …
Cherry Festival in Godolesh Highlights Local Tradition and Rural Tourism
The village of Godolesh welcomed hundreds of visitors this weekend for the annual Cherry Festival, an event dedicated to promoting the area’s agricultural traditions, cultural heritage and tourism potential. Residents and visitors from Elbasan, other Albanian cities and foreign tourists gathered in the village center to take part in the …
Blendi Gonxhja: FIP Platinum Albania Puts Albania on Global Padel Map
Blendi Gonxhja described the FIP Platinum Albania tournament as a major sporting and organizational success, saying it placed Albania on the map of top international padel events. He made the remarks after the tournament concluded in Tirana, where the finals took place at Skanderbeg Square. First, Gonxhja highlighted the strong …
Fun Fair Albania marks International Children’s Day in Tirana
TIRANA, June 1 – International Children’s Day on June 1 highlights the promotion of children’s rights and well-being. The day builds on international efforts strengthened by the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Meanwhile, Tirana hosts the …
FM Hoxha in Prishtina: Kosova–Serbia dialogue central to normalisation, Albania reaffirms strong support
TIRANA, June 1 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held meetings in Prishtina focused on Kosova’s political and institutional developments. He met the new leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ardian Gjini, and congratulated him on taking office at a key political moment. He …
Book Fair in Shkodër Honors Ridvan Dibra with Best Novel Award
For three days, the courtyard of the parish in Shkodër welcomed writers, researchers, publishers and readers. They gathered for the second edition of the “Libri të ban të lirë” book fair. The event once again highlighted Shkodra’s role as a center of Albanian culture and literature. First, the opening ceremony …
TIRANA, June 3 – Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi continued his Baltic parliamentary diplomacy tour with an official visit to Latvia, where he met Speaker of the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) Daiga Mieriņa. The two officials discussed bilateral relations, Albania’s European Union accession process, European and Euro-Atlantic security, support for Ukraine, …
TIRANA, June 3 – Members of Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence, Agron Malaj and Bujar Rexha, took part in the annual meeting of parliamentary security and defence committees from Southeast European countries in Zagreb, Croatia. The Croatian Parliament organised the event with RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation), …
TIRANA, June 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj outlined plans for the Albanian Development Bank after a government meeting. The new financial institution will support strategic sectors of the economy and key development projects. Malaj said the bank will start with an initial capital of €100 million. He added that …
TIRANA, June 3 – The government said it completed verification of funds used for the purchase of land in Zvërnec. It said investors passed financial checks. However, it said payments to the seller remain frozen due to a separate judicial process. Prime Minister Edi Rama made the announcement after a …
President of the European Council, António Costa, visited Kosovo as part of his Western Balkans tour. First, Costa met acting President Albulena Haxhiu in Pristina. The two officials discussed issues of mutual interest and Kosovo’s European path. Afterward, Costa held talks with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Meanwhile, the European …
TIRANA, June 3 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will launch the “Double Your Enterprise” programme on July 1. The scheme aims to support Albanian businesses through new financing opportunities. Ibrahimaj said the Bank of Albania has made €250 million available for the programme. In addition, …
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …
Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled
Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …
Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …