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Emigration and Infrastructure Woes Hold Back Albania’s Olive Growers

Albania should be well-placed to take advantage of growing demand for olive oil amid rising prices, but poor roads and a lack of labour during harvest season are stifling the sector. Original post Here

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Albania Greenlights Jared Kushner Plan to Develop Island as Luxury Resort

The government has granted Strategic Investor Status to a proposal by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, to build a luxury resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan. Original post Here

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Albania’s Government Criticised for Pre-Election ‘Sweeteners’

Though not strictly in violation of the law, a string of generous gestures by Albania’s government appears designed to curry favour with large segments of the electorate ahead of parliamentary polls in May. Original post Here

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Often Unnoticed, Albania’s Graft Prosecutors are Targeting Mayors Too

Besides targeting political figures at the state level, special prosecutors in Albania are also going after mayors at the local level where corruption is often more prevalent. Original post Here

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Albania to Register Diaspora Voters for First Time Ahead of May Polls

New regulations will allow Albanians living outside the country to cast postal ballots in the May parliamentary elections – a change long sought by most parties. Original post Here

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FDI SCREENING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING ALBANIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ALIGNMENT WITH THE EU

Navigating Albania-China Relations amid Euro-Atlantic Commitments During the post-communist period, Albania’s priorities were largely defined by the need to rebuild its economy, modernize infrastructure, and reintegrate into the global political and economic systems. In its pursuit of development and modernization, the Albanian government sought partnerships with a wide array of …

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FDI SCREENING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING ALBANIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ALIGNMENT WITH THE EU

Navigating Albania-China Relations amid Euro-Atlantic Commitments During the post-communist period, Albania’s priorities were largely defined by the need to rebuild its economy, modernize infrastructure, and reintegrate into the global political and economic systems. In its pursuit of development and modernization, the Albanian government sought partnerships with a wide array of …

Read More
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Albania in 2025: Parliamentary Elections Approach, But ‘No Real Alternatives’ Appear

Many expect the ruling Socialist Party to win this year’s parliamentary elections again, and are placing their hopes in anti-corruption bodies to bring some genuine change by battling high-level graft. Original post Here

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The Departed: Balkan Personalities Who Left the Stage in 2024

From a diplomat who fought in World War II to a Turkish cleric accused of subverting the state and a Bulgarian rock star who raised his voice for democracy, these are some of the key figures who passed away this year in the Balkans. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

TIRANA, Dec. 26, 2024 – The Albanian government’s recent announcement that will ban for at least a year the use within the country of the popular social media platform TikTok has generated debate over the impact of social media on society and the decision’s impact on free speech.  According to …

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EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among frontrunners in accession process

TIRANA, April 24 – European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania ranks among the leading countries in the EU accession process. Speaking in an interview with Klan News, she pointed to recent progress and said authorities could soon meet interim benchmarks on rule of law. She added that this …

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Çano: Germany provides €29 million in new support for development and reforms

Albania and Germany concluded Development Cooperation negotiations. They signed a new Cooperation Protocol for 2026–2028. This marks a key step in strengthening their long-term partnership. Eridana Çano, Director General of SASPAC, signed the protocol. Heike Backofen-Warnecke, representative of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), also signed it. …

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Rama meets Ambassador Whitaker. Talks focus on NATO Summit in Tirana

Prime Minister Edi Rama met Matthew Whitaker today in Tirana. Rama said they discussed the close ties between the two countries. He stressed the strategic partnership. He highlighted strong diplomatic and military relations. He said both sides see their strengthening as a shared priority. They also discussed the upcoming NATO …

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Kos: Albania among leaders in EU integration process

Marta Kos said Albania ranks among the leading countries in the EU integration process. In an interview with Klan News, she spoke about Albania’s progress. She said the EU may approve interim rule of law benchmarks in May. Then the process of closing chapters can begin. She praised Albania’s progress. …

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Hoxha meets Kos in Delphi. Intensive work continues for EU membership

Ferit Hoxha met Marta Kos at the Delphi Economic Forum. They discussed Albania’s EU integration process. Hoxha said the EU membership process never stops. It requires constant work and energy. He stressed the role of both Albania and its partners. He said they discussed key issues for steady progress. They …

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Week in Review: Moves Towards Change, But in Which Direction?

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week tells a story of political change in key countries in the region, but associated uncertainty about future political directions. Original post Here

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DPA exhibits rare diaries and manuscripts in Tirana

The General Directorate of Archives (DPA) organized a special exhibition in Tirana to mark World Book and Copyright Day. The event showcased rare diaries and original manuscripts of prominent Albanian figures for the first time. The exhibition took place in the cultural space “Auditor” and brought together officials, writers, critics, …

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Albania pushes cash reduction as businesses face 30 May POS terminal deadline

TIRANA, April 24 – Businesses in Albania have 37 days left to meet legal requirements for cashless payments through POS terminals in selected sectors. The obligation applies to accommodation services, transport operators, and public institutions. The deadline for tourism and transport businesses is set for 30 May 2026. Separate provisions …

News
Albania advances green finance framework with European Investment Bank support

TIRANA, April 24 – Albania’s Financial Supervisory Authority held talks with the European Investment Bank on developing a national green investment guide and strengthening sustainable finance standards. The meeting brought together experts from the European Investment Bank, led by Alessandro de Concini, the institution’s representative in Albania. Discussions focused on …

News
Dinamo City reach Albanian Cup final after narrow win over Vllaznia in Shkodër

TIRANA, April 24 – Dinamo City have qualified for the Albanian Cup final after defeating Vllaznia 1–0 at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium in Shkodër. The result followed a tightly contested semi-final second leg, where both sides created early chances but failed to convert in the first half. The first leg …

News

EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among frontrunners in accession process

TIRANA, April 24 – European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania ranks among the leading countries in the EU accession process. Speaking in an interview with Klan News, she pointed to recent progress and said authorities could soon meet interim benchmarks on rule of law. She added that this …

News

Çano: Germany provides €29 million in new support for development and reforms

Albania and Germany concluded Development Cooperation negotiations. They signed a new Cooperation Protocol for 2026–2028. This marks a key step in strengthening their long-term partnership. Eridana Çano, Director General of SASPAC, signed the protocol. Heike Backofen-Warnecke, representative of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), also signed it. …

News

Rama meets Ambassador Whitaker. Talks focus on NATO Summit in Tirana

Prime Minister Edi Rama met Matthew Whitaker today in Tirana. Rama said they discussed the close ties between the two countries. He stressed the strategic partnership. He highlighted strong diplomatic and military relations. He said both sides see their strengthening as a shared priority. They also discussed the upcoming NATO …

News

Kos: Albania among leaders in EU integration process

Marta Kos said Albania ranks among the leading countries in the EU integration process. In an interview with Klan News, she spoke about Albania’s progress. She said the EU may approve interim rule of law benchmarks in May. Then the process of closing chapters can begin. She praised Albania’s progress. …

News

Hoxha meets Kos in Delphi. Intensive work continues for EU membership

Ferit Hoxha met Marta Kos at the Delphi Economic Forum. They discussed Albania’s EU integration process. Hoxha said the EU membership process never stops. It requires constant work and energy. He stressed the role of both Albania and its partners. He said they discussed key issues for steady progress. They …

News

Week in Review: Moves Towards Change, But in Which Direction?

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week tells a story of political change in key countries in the region, but associated uncertainty about future political directions. Original post Here

News

DPA exhibits rare diaries and manuscripts in Tirana

The General Directorate of Archives (DPA) organized a special exhibition in Tirana to mark World Book and Copyright Day. The event showcased rare diaries and original manuscripts of prominent Albanian figures for the first time. The exhibition took place in the cultural space “Auditor” and brought together officials, writers, critics, …

News

Albania pushes cash reduction as businesses face 30 May POS terminal deadline

TIRANA, April 24 – Businesses in Albania have 37 days left to meet legal requirements for cashless payments through POS terminals in selected sectors. The obligation applies to accommodation services, transport operators, and public institutions. The deadline for tourism and transport businesses is set for 30 May 2026. Separate provisions …

News

Albania advances green finance framework with European Investment Bank support

TIRANA, April 24 – Albania’s Financial Supervisory Authority held talks with the European Investment Bank on developing a national green investment guide and strengthening sustainable finance standards. The meeting brought together experts from the European Investment Bank, led by Alessandro de Concini, the institution’s representative in Albania. Discussions focused on …

News

Dinamo City reach Albanian Cup final after narrow win over Vllaznia in Shkodër

TIRANA, April 24 – Dinamo City have qualified for the Albanian Cup final after defeating Vllaznia 1–0 at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium in Shkodër. The result followed a tightly contested semi-final second leg, where both sides created early chances but failed to convert in the first half. The first leg …