State Police and U.S. ICITAP reaffirm 30-year strategic partnership
TIRANA, July 15 – The State Police and the U.S. International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) reaffirmed their strategic partnership, built over more than 30 years of cooperation. State Police Director General Skënder Hita met with ICITAP Europe and Asia Programme Representative Alexzandria Burns and ICITAP Albania Programme Director …
Book “100 Years of Theatre in Shkodra (1879–1979)” highlights a century of Albanian stage history
The book “100 Years of Theatre in Shkodra: 1879–1979” by author Andrea Skanjeti has been published by the Academy of Sciences of Albania, presenting a century-long history of theatre in Shkodra, one of the country’s most important cultural centres. Academic and playwright Stefan Çapaliku contributed to preparing the book for …
Deputy minister presents bill to strengthen Civil Society Support Agency
TIRANA, July 15 – Deputy Health and Social Protection Minister Denada Seferi presented a draft law to the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information. The bill proposes amendments to the law governing the Civil Society Support Agency. Seferi said the draft aims to strengthen the agency’s institutional role. …
UEFA Conference League, Vllaznia aims for second qualifying round spot
TIRANA, July 15 – Vllaznia will face Malisheva on Wednesday in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The Shkodër-based team travels to Kosova with a 2-1 advantage from the first match at “Loro Boriçi” Stadium. Vllaznia conceded an early goal but reacted with …
PM Rama to Euronews Serbia: Kosovo and Metohija no longer exists, only the Republic of Kosova
TIRANA, July 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Serbia bears the main responsibility for the current deadlock in its dialogue with Kosova because it has not accepted what he described as the new reality. In an interview with Euronews Serbia, Rama said the term “Kosovo and Metohija” no longer …
FSHF: Major sporting events boost Albania’s international profile
The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) says that hosting international sporting events helps promote Albania, develop tourism, and support economic growth. FSHF highlighted the UEFA Europa Conference League final held in Tirana in 2022 as a clear example of how major football events can benefit the country. The federation aims to …
Special prosecution chief: Electoral crime remains a concern, cases require evidence
TIRANA, July 15 – Electoral crime remains a serious concern, but prosecutors can file charges only when evidence supports them, Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime chief Klodjan Braho said on Tuesday. Braho made the remarks while reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight during …
Former Kosova Prime Minister: Albania’s success benefits all Albanians
TIRANA, July 15 – Former Kosova Prime Minister and Honorary President of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ramush Haradinaj, welcomed Albania’s provisional closure of three European Union negotiation chapters, calling it an important achievement in the country’s integration process. In a social media post, Haradinaj said the milestone …
North Macedonia’s Democratic Union for Integration leader condemns Serbian minister’s remarks
TIRANA, July 15 – Ali Ahmeti, leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration, a political party in North Macedonia, condemned remarks by Serbian minister Snezhana Paunovic. During a television interview, Paunovic said she would have ethnically cleansed Kosova in 1998 if she had been in Slobodan Milosevic’s position. …
Budget transparency improves, British Embassy highlights Albania’s progress
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania scored 64 out of 100 in the 2025 Open Budget Survey, ranking above the global transparency benchmark of 60 points and above the regional average. The British Embassy in Tirana, which shared the findings, said the result reflects steady progress since 2021. It highlighted the …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Gjirokastër Castle remains the most popular tourist attraction in southern Albania. More Albanian and international visitors have explored the landmark this summer, highlighting the growing appeal of the UNESCO-listed museum city and its rich cultural heritage. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage reports that about 130,000 people have visited the …
Albania recorded strong growth in foreign trade in June 2026. According to the latest report from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), merchandise exports reached 35.4 billion lek, up 13.6 percent from a year earlier. Exports also increased 8.3 percent from May. Imports climbed to 83.5 billion lek, marking a 9.1 …
Albania’s annual inflation rate reached 3.2 percent in June 2026, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices tracks retail prices and aligns with European Union standards. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation, adding 1.02 percentage …
The luxury superyacht Yas docked at the Port of Durrës this weekend. At about 141 metres long, Yas ranks among the world’s largest private superyachts. It stands out for its sleek design and futuristic appearance. Engineers transformed a former military vessel into the iconic luxury yacht. According to the Port …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited the public to attend the National “NONA” Festival, which will take place in Përmet from August 7 to 9. In a social media post, Rama described the festival as a celebration of tradition, gastronomy, and the invaluable role of grandparents. He said the event …
Europe’s newest tourism hotspot could see major changes for visitors after joining the European Union, writes Vinicius Costa in the American travel magazine Travel Off Path. For nearly a decade now, Albania has been a beacon of freedom for travelers, especially digital nomads looking for hassle-free ways to extend their time in …
Pogradec, one of Albania’s most popular destinations on the shores of Lake Ohrid, is attracting many domestic and international visitors this summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from Pogradec’s beaches, showing organized public spaces and free umbrellas available for visitors. The lakeside city offers clean waters, open areas …
Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja described Nikaj-Mërturi as one of the Albanian Alps’ greatest treasures and a destination with strong mountain tourism potential. He met guesthouse owners, hotel managers and tour guides to discuss challenges, opportunities and sustainable tourism development. Moreover, Gonxhja stressed that close cooperation with local communities and businesses …
General’s Beach, located along the Kavaja coastline, offers visitors crystal-clear waters, unique landscapes and a peaceful natural environment. The beach lies between Durrës and Kavaja and surprises visitors with its rocky coastline, blue sea and green hills, creating a landscape that resembles the southern Albanian Riviera on a smaller scale. …