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Albania anti-corruption office reports stronger focus on corruption and financial crime in 2025

TIRANA, April 27 – Albania’s Special Prosecution Office said it intensified its focus on high-level corruption and financial crime during 2025, as part of broader efforts to strengthen rule-of-law enforcement. Head Klodian Braho told the High Council of Prosecution that investigators handled more criminal cases compared with the previous year. …

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Ceramic Workshop in Fishtë Becomes Tourist Attraction

After years in Italy, artisan Vasil Ukaj returned to his hometown of Fishtë to start a ceramics business. He launched the workshop in 2000 in a small family space, which has since grown into a popular stop for visitors. Tourists now visit the studio to watch the production process, try …

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Edi Rama: Government to Offer Easier Credit for Small and Medium Businesses

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new financing program called “Double Your Enterprise.” He said the initiative will provide reasonable interest rates for businesses that want to expand. Rama explained the program will be implemented in cooperation with the Bank of Albania and commercial banks, with government guarantees to support …

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‘As 1945 dawned’: Historic Albanian Play Returns to Memory

Teodor Laço crafts Duke gdhirë viti 1945 as a dramatic reflection of a nation in transition. The National Theatre brings the work to the stage in 1976, under the direction of Dhimitër Pecani, transforming the text into a vivid stage experience. The play captures the tense dawn of 1945, when …

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PM Edi Rama convenes government cabinet and SP parliamentary group, focus on EU integration

TIRANA, April 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday held a joint meeting with the government cabinet and the ruling Socialist Party parliamentary group, with European Union integration placed at the center of discussions. The meeting took place at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana. Officials said the agenda …

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Reuters: Albania’s hydropower shields electricity market amid regional energy shocks

TIRANA, April 27 – In an article published by Reuters, rising global energy prices linked to the Iran conflict have highlighted major differences in Europe’s energy resilience. Albania stands out due to its strong reliance on hydropower. The Drin River system in northern Albania generates more than 90% of the …

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Famous Albanian ballet dancer Kledi Kadiu launches International Ballet Competition in Tirana

TIRANA, April 27 – Albanian ballet dancer Kledi Kadiu, widely known for his career in Italy, has announced the first edition of the International Ballet Competition Albania in Tirana. The initiative will take place with support from the National Ballet School, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, and the …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: April 27, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Kosova Security Force advance team deploys to Gaza for coordination of deployment activities

TIRANA, April 27 – A Kosova Security Force team deployed to Gaza to conduct reconnaissance before troop deployment. The Kosova Security Force said the visit assessed conditions on the ground. It also coordinated operational preparations for the planned contingent deployment. The unit will operate within the International Stabilization Forces peacekeeping …

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Spring weather draws visitors to Durrës coastline

TIRANA, April 27 – Warm spring weather has increased visitor numbers along the coastline of Durrës, with both domestic and foreign tourists choosing the seaside for leisure. The Prime Minister shared images from recreational areas on the Durrës beaches, where many citizens have spent time during recent warm days. The …

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Gjirokastër Extends Visiting Hours at Cultural Monuments for Tourist Season

The official start of the tourist season in Gjirokastër has led to extended visiting hours at cultural heritage sites for visitors and tourists. According to the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage, from May 1 to October 31, Gjirokastër Castle and the Antigonea Archaeological Park will welcome ticketed visitors under a …

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Albanian PM Announces Kanye West Concert Despite Antisemitism Concerns

Controversial US rapper also known as Ye – who has been banned from the UK and Australia – will hold a concert in Tirana on July 11, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Facebook. Original post Here

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“Double Your Business” scheme, Finance Minister: sovereign guarantee and negotiations on loan terms

TIRANA, April 30 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj says the new programme “Double Your Business” will be launched soon. He speaks during a press conference on the first-quarter fiscal performance. He says the scheme remains in the preparation phase. The Ministry of Finance negotiates with the Ministry of Economy and …

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150,000 euro of confiscated crime assets allocated to 21 non-governmental organisations for social projects

TIRANA, April 30 – Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari met representatives of 21 civil society organisations (NGOs) selected for funding from a special state fund. The fund comes from assets seized and confiscated from criminal activity. The programme is managed by the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated …

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Slovak foreign minister: Western Balkans EU integration a strategic priority, rule of law in focus

TIRANA, April 30 – Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said European Union enlargement remains a strategic priority. He spoke at a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger, and the Czech Republic’s Petr Macinka. Blanár described the meeting as useful and necessary. …

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Czech foreign minister: Western Balkans belongs in EU, Albania’s progress impressive

TIRANA, April 30 – Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka joined Austrian and Slovak counterparts in Tirana for a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, where they reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union path and reviewed progress in accession talks. At the start, Macinka framed the visit as …

News
Austria’s foreign minister backs Albania’s EU path, urges continued reforms and delivery from the EU

TIRANA, April 30 – Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed strong support for Albania’s European Union path during a joint appearance in Tirana with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and counterparts from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where she framed EU enlargement as a strategic investment for Europe rather than …

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Albania’s foreign minister Hoxha meets Austrian, Czech and Slovak counterparts, strong backing for EU path

TIRANA, April 30 – Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha hosted counterparts from Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia in Tirana. Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Petr Macinka and Juraj Blanár joined him in a joint media statement. They confirmed continued support for Albania’s European Union path. At the start, Hoxha described the visit as …

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Battle of Kaçanik Gorge marks symbol of Albanian resistance and sacrifice

TIRANA, April 30 – April 30, 1910 remains recorded in history as the day of a major confrontation between Albanian insurgents and Ottoman forces in Kaçanik Gorge. Idriz Seferi, one of the best-known leaders of the Albanian uprisings, chooses Kaçanik Gorge as a strategic position to stop the advancing Ottoman …

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Berisha at IDU Forum in Zagreb: Electoral Autocracy and “Narco-State” Hindering EU Integration

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, spoke at the forum of the International Democrat Union (IDU) in Zagreb, where he addressed Albania’s European Union integration process and the factors he claims are obstructing it. He identified what he described as “electoral autocracy” and a “narco-state” as the main …

News

Gjirokastër Extends Visiting Hours at Cultural Monuments for Tourist Season

The official start of the tourist season in Gjirokastër has led to extended visiting hours at cultural heritage sites for visitors and tourists. According to the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage, from May 1 to October 31, Gjirokastër Castle and the Antigonea Archaeological Park will welcome ticketed visitors under a …

News

Albanian PM Announces Kanye West Concert Despite Antisemitism Concerns

Controversial US rapper also known as Ye – who has been banned from the UK and Australia – will hold a concert in Tirana on July 11, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Facebook. Original post Here

News

“Double Your Business” scheme, Finance Minister: sovereign guarantee and negotiations on loan terms

TIRANA, April 30 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj says the new programme “Double Your Business” will be launched soon. He speaks during a press conference on the first-quarter fiscal performance. He says the scheme remains in the preparation phase. The Ministry of Finance negotiates with the Ministry of Economy and …

News

150,000 euro of confiscated crime assets allocated to 21 non-governmental organisations for social projects

TIRANA, April 30 – Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari met representatives of 21 civil society organisations (NGOs) selected for funding from a special state fund. The fund comes from assets seized and confiscated from criminal activity. The programme is managed by the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated …

News

Slovak foreign minister: Western Balkans EU integration a strategic priority, rule of law in focus

TIRANA, April 30 – Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said European Union enlargement remains a strategic priority. He spoke at a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger, and the Czech Republic’s Petr Macinka. Blanár described the meeting as useful and necessary. …

News

Czech foreign minister: Western Balkans belongs in EU, Albania’s progress impressive

TIRANA, April 30 – Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka joined Austrian and Slovak counterparts in Tirana for a joint press conference with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, where they reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union path and reviewed progress in accession talks. At the start, Macinka framed the visit as …

News

Austria’s foreign minister backs Albania’s EU path, urges continued reforms and delivery from the EU

TIRANA, April 30 – Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed strong support for Albania’s European Union path during a joint appearance in Tirana with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and counterparts from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where she framed EU enlargement as a strategic investment for Europe rather than …

News

Albania’s foreign minister Hoxha meets Austrian, Czech and Slovak counterparts, strong backing for EU path

TIRANA, April 30 – Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha hosted counterparts from Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia in Tirana. Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Petr Macinka and Juraj Blanár joined him in a joint media statement. They confirmed continued support for Albania’s European Union path. At the start, Hoxha described the visit as …

News

Battle of Kaçanik Gorge marks symbol of Albanian resistance and sacrifice

TIRANA, April 30 – April 30, 1910 remains recorded in history as the day of a major confrontation between Albanian insurgents and Ottoman forces in Kaçanik Gorge. Idriz Seferi, one of the best-known leaders of the Albanian uprisings, chooses Kaçanik Gorge as a strategic position to stop the advancing Ottoman …

News

Berisha at IDU Forum in Zagreb: Electoral Autocracy and “Narco-State” Hindering EU Integration

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, spoke at the forum of the International Democrat Union (IDU) in Zagreb, where he addressed Albania’s European Union integration process and the factors he claims are obstructing it. He identified what he described as “electoral autocracy” and a “narco-state” as the main …