Tirana to Celebrate Japanese Culture with Food, Film and Martial Arts
Tirana will host Japanese Cultural Week from October 14 to 18, offering five days of activities that showcase Japan’s traditions, art, architecture, cuisine, cinema and martial arts. The programme will feature traditional tea ceremonies, Japanese food demonstrations, exhibitions, film screenings and judo and karate competitions. On October 16, visitors can …
New Archaeological Excavations Shed Light on Butrint’s Ancient Fortifications
Archaeologists have begun excavating the upper city’s defensive walls at Butrint for the first time, seeking new evidence about the ancient city’s fortifications and urban development. The research forms part of the “Urban Topography of Butrint in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages” project, which examines the site’s evolution between …
Begaj Meets Senators Shaheen and Durbin, Ambassador Wendt Also Present
President Bajram Begaj welcomed US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin to the Palace of Brigades on Friday. Begaj awarded them the high distinction of “Commander of the Supreme Order of the Eagle.” The senators were accompanied by US Ambassador to Tirana Eric Wendt. During the meeting, Begaj praised the …
US Senator: Washington Should Focus on Economy and Stability in Western Balkans
US Senator Jeanne Shaheen said in Tirana on Friday that the United States should focus its policy towards the Western Balkans on three key areas: economic opportunities, stability and democratic institutions. Shaheen, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is leading a US congressional delegation on a multi-day …
Rama: Albania Closes Fourth Chapter in EU Negotiations, Countdown Begins Towards Historic Goal
Prime Minister Edi Rama has commented on the progress of Albania’s European Union accession negotiations in a social media post. He announced the closure of the fourth chapter in the European integration process, stressing that this would strengthen prospects for investment, employment and competitiveness. “Albania closes its fourth chapter, and …
Week in Review: Realities Old and New
A string of long-awaited elections, as well as changing international dynamics, are reshaping the region, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here
Albania sets new maximum fuel prices from 13:00
Albania’s Transparency Board has set new maximum wholesale and retail prices for diesel and petrol. The new prices will take effect on October 9 at 13:00 and will remain in force until the board’s next meeting. The maximum retail price for diesel will be ALL 213 per litre, while the …
Anti-corruption chief Braho meets European Commissioner McGrath
Klodjan Braho, head of Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), met European Commissioner Michael McGrath on Thursday. McGrath is responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection. The talks covered the Code of Criminal Procedure, political rhetoric towards the anti-corruption structure and continued cooperation …
Kosovo to Compete at European Individual Table Tennis Championships
Kosovo will compete at the 2026 European Individual Table Tennis Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) will host the tournament at Arena Stozice, bringing together the continent’s top players. Kreshnik Mahmuti and Shega Hashani will represent Kosovo, with Ridvan Hashani as their coach. FPPK President Nehat …
Restoration Work Begins at Selca Monumental Tombs
Specialists from the Korçë Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage have started maintenance work at the Monumental Tombs of Lower Selca. They are replacing and restoring the protective shelters over the ancient tombs to shield the structures from weather damage and preserve the site. The tombs stand in the Mokër area, …
Clashes in Tirana over education, economic hardship and political accountability come amid more than 100 days of civic demonstrations demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Tirana Times, October 13, 2026 – Student-led protests demanding improvements in education, greater economic opportunities and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama turned violent …
Police made 23 arrests as violence erupted between students and police officers at a demonstration in Tirana linked to the ongoing ‘Flamingo Revolution’ anti-government protests. Original post Here
The European Union backs Albania’s ambition to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2027, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on Tuesday. She spoke at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama and Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, following the 10th Albania-EU …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday that the provisional closure of Chapter 20 marks another step towards Albania’s EU membership. Speaking in Luxembourg after the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, Rama described the milestone as recognition of the country’s reforms and ongoing transformation. Chapter 20 covers enterprise and industrial policy. …
The US Embassy in Tirana has urged American citizens to avoid protests and public gatherings after clashes erupted during a demonstration on Durrës Street, near Skanderbeg Square, on Tuesday. In a security alert, the embassy said the protest had turned violent after demonstrators threw stones. It warned that unrest could …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has reaffirmed Albania’s determination to join the European Union, saying the country will not stop until its national flag flies alongside those of EU member states. In a video message from Luxembourg on Tuesday, Rama spoke alongside Albania’s negotiating team following the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, …
Albania could join the European Union before 2030 if positive momentum among member states continues, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on Tuesday. She made the remarks in Luxembourg after the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Asked whether the EU’s new accession rules could pave the way for Albania to …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Tuesday that Albania had ended its culture of impunity and that no one stood above the law. He made the statement in Luxembourg after the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Asked by The Kyiv Independent about investigations into senior officials, Rama said the justice system …
Albania has provisionally closed a fourth chapter in its EU accession negotiations, marking further progress towards membership. Speaking in Luxembourg on Tuesday, Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, said Albania had entered the final phase of the accession process. The 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference formally …
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the investment project in Zvërnec as a model for developing projects in harmony with nature. He made the remarks on Tuesday in Luxembourg, following the 10th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Asked by The Kyiv Independent about Jared Kushner’s investment plans in Albania, Rama said international media …