Rama: Albania’s EU progress must continue with more results for citizens
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the closure of three EU negotiation chapters as another important milestone in Albania’s European integration process. Speaking at a joint press conference with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos after the ninth Albania-EU …
Albania Joins the European Family in Three Areas as EU Calls for Deeper Reforms
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania reached an important milestone by closing its first three negotiation chapters with the European Union. Speaking after the 9th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Kos said the achievement marks a major step in Albania’s path toward EU membership. “Today, we closed the first …
Balla offers condolences for former Emir of Qatar: His vision and legacy will inspire future generations
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla visited the Embassy of Qatar in Tirana to express condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. During the visit, Balla conveyed his condolences to the Qatari Ambassador, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani …
Byrne: Albania enters a new phase of EU negotiations as Ireland pledges continued support
Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne praised Albania’s progress on its European integration path, saying the country is entering a new phase of negotiations after agreeing to close three negotiation chapters. Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Commissioner …
Rama from Brussels: Countdown begins to closing all EU negotiation chapters
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video from Brussels after Albania closed its first three EU accession negotiation chapters, describing the moment as the start of a new phase in the negotiation process. Rama said the talks are moving forward and rejected claims that the negotiations had stalled. “Some said …
FM Hoxha condemns Serbian minister’s Kosova statement over ethnic cleansing remarks
TIRANA, July 14 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha criticised a statement by Serbian Minister for Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snezhana Paunovic regarding Kosova. Paunovic said that, if she had been in the position of Slobodan Milosevic, she would have carried out “ethnic cleansing of Kosova …
Family-run agritourism guesthouse promotes local flavors in Berat
Agritourism continues to grow in Berat as family-run businesses promote local products and traditional cuisine while attracting more visitors. In a social media post, Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the ALDOR guesthouse in the village of Syzez. The family-run guesthouse welcomes both Albanian and international visitors in a traditional setting …
Butrint National Park opens ancient mosaics to visitors during Mosaic Month
Butrint National Park has invited visitors to explore its unique mosaics during a special month dedicated to these ancient artworks. Several mosaics are currently open to the public and will remain on display until the first week of August. The park opens the mosaics during specific periods as part of …
Shkodër welcomes tourists as visitors explore northern Albania’s cultural sites
TIRANA, July 14 – Shkodër continues to attract local and foreign visitors as its main streets and tourist attractions fill with tourists during the summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing a typical morning in the northern city, which has become one of Albania’s most …
Albanian flag featured at France’s National Day parade on Champs-Elysee
TIRANA, July 14 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended France’s National Day ceremony in Paris today at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Rama shared images on social media from the July 14 military parade along the Champs-Elysees. The footage showed members of the Albanian Armed Forces marching with …
More than 34,000 domestic and international tourists visited the protected areas of Kukës during the first half of 2026, exploring alpine landscapes, mountain trails, biodiversity and natural attractions. The protected areas offer visitors a unique experience through forests, lakes, natural springs and cultural heritage sites, combining adventure with nature exploration. …
Agrotourism is becoming an important driver of economic and social development in Albania’s rural areas, creating jobs and strengthening local economies. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the “N’Kanu” agrotourism centre in Perlat, Mirditë, describing it as an example of returning migrants investing in their hometowns and promoting rural …
Seman Beach, located 18 kilometres from Fier, is attracting visitors with its wide coastline, fine therapeutic sand and warm waters. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the popular summer destination on social media, highlighting its appeal among holidaymakers. In recent years, Seman and Darzezë beaches have become increasingly popular …
President Begaj praised the forum as a valuable platform that strengthens interfaith dialogue and promotes peace, mutual understanding, and cooperation across Europe. He said Albania stands as a model of religious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and hospitality. He added that these values define the country’s identity and encouraged the delegates to …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:0c81e9b2-d514-4f1d-a367-bde215b12958-50″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:0c81e9b2-d514-4f1d-a367-bde215b12958-50″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania ranks first in the Western Balkans in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today. In a video message, Rama said the global index places Albania 46th among 177 countries. He added that the country has achieved …
An artisan workshop in the heart of Tropoja has become a model for preserving cultural heritage and strengthening women’s economic independence. With support from the European Union through the EU4Innovation programme, local women artisans are keeping traditional crafts alive while creating new job opportunities for the community. At the workshop, …
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 …