Small and medium businesses to receive financing of up to ALL 250 million
TIRANA, July 17 – The Albanian government has launched the national program “Double Your Enterprise” to support small and medium-sized businesses through financing opportunities that aim to increase investment, employment and economic development. At the program’s presentation, Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said the institution had worked for a …
Kosova parliament session expected in early August
TIRANA, July 17 – Kosova’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu said the constitutive session of the country’s parliament will take place in early August. She explained that the constitutional deadline expires on August 7. Haxhiu added that the Constitution gives the president 30 days to call the session. Meanwhile, she said …
Albania advances EU integration process as enlargement gains momentum
TIRANA, July 17 – European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has effectively started closing negotiation chapters for the first time in its accession process, as the bloc prepares for a new phase of enlargement. Speaking at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Kos said EU enlargement …
PM Rama: “Double Your Enterprise” program to support small and medium-sized businesses
TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the national program “Double Your Enterprise” will support joint ventures in rural areas between private entities, farmers, and small and medium-sized businesses. Speaking at the presentation event of the program, Rama said rural development remains a priority, especially through the promotion …
Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government
Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …
Week in Review: Hostages to the Past
From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past. Original post Here
PM Rama congratulates Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Koretskyi
TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment by the Verkhovna Rada. Rama wished Koretskyi success as he joins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in leading Ukraine during one of the most difficult chapters in its history. He said the country …
The Brave Ones film returns to the screen after restoration
TIRANA, July 17 – The Central State Film Archive presented the restored version of the film “The Brave Ones” at Drita Cinema. The 1970 production by Film Studios “New Albania” returned to the big screen through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. The screening presented one of the most …
Albanian National Olympic Committee chief presents Tirana Olympic City project to global sports adviser
TIRANA, July 17 – Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli presented the “Tirana Olympic City” project during an official meeting with Olympic judge and global sports investment adviser Eng. Almohanad Alzooaabe. Ylli described the project as one of Albania’s most ambitious initiatives for developing sports infrastructure. He said …
FM Hoxha attends Washington, D.C. ministerial; Albania strengthens defenses against hybrid threats
TIRANA, July 17 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a ministerial meeting on the resurgence of political terrorism in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries. Hoxha said political extremism and the use of violence to achieve …
The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …
Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …
Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …
Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …
The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …
TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …
From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here
Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …
TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …
TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …