Enkileda Carja named Europe’s Rising Star in weightlifting 2025
TIRANA, April 21 – Albanian weightlifter Enkileda Carja has been named Europe’s Rising Star of 2025 at the European Weightlifting Championships in Batumi. The award highlights her performances across major international competitions during the year. Carja won medals at world, European, and Balkan championships, along with the Solidarity Games in …
Italian ruling party delegation visits migrant facility in Albania, cites 536 cases processed
TIRANA, April 21 – Lawmakers from Italy’s ruling party Fratelli d’Italia visited a migrant facility in Gjadër, northern Albania, to assess its operations. The centre serves as a pre-removal detention site for migrants whose asylum requests Italy has rejected. The delegation included senior members of the Italian Chamber of Deputies …
Albania’s State Police Directorate and General Inspectorate sign cooperation deal targeting illegal construction and environmental crime
TIRANA, April 21 – Albania’s State Police and the General Inspectorate signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday to strengthen joint action against illegal construction, environmental crime and labour violations. The deal also covers food safety, medicines and medical equipment oversight. The agreement sets a framework for coordinated inspections and enforcement …
Heavy rainfall causes urban flooding in northern Albania city of Lezha
TIRANA, April 21 – Heavy rainfall in recent hours has caused flooding in several urban areas of the northern Albanian city of Lezha. Water accumulation disrupted movement for residents and vehicles across affected zones. Authorities reported the most severe conditions in the “Besëlidhja” and “Skënderbeg” neighbourhoods. Drainage systems struggled to …
European Wrestling Championships kicks off in Tirana with over 600 athletes competing
TIRANA, April 21 – The European Wrestling Championships for seniors kicks off in Tirana, hosting more than 600 athletes from 38 countries from April 20 to 26, 2026. The event takes place at the Olympic Park “Feti Borova,” where the official opening ceremony marked the start of competitions. Organizers scheduled …
Rama: New port law to boost coastal investment
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new law on tourist ports will support coastal investment. He said the changes are necessary to avoid blocking investors. Rama spoke at a meeting in Tirana with agrotourism representatives. He rejected claims that the government changes the law to favor oligarchs. He said the …
Balla meets Moldovan MPs to strengthen parliamentary cooperation
Taulant Balla met with Moldovan MPs and representatives of the Moldovan Football Federation. He focused on strengthening interparliamentary cooperation between Albania and Moldova. He said both countries share a common path toward European Union membership. He highlighted the need for closer cooperation in the EU integration process. Balla said Albania …
Rama: “Park of Faith” to attract tourists to Tirana
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the “Park of Faith” will attract tourists to Tirana. He described the project as a strong magnet for the Petrela area. He added that the park will develop step by step as vegetation grows. Rama noted a strong rise in tourist numbers in March. He …
Cultural week features films, theater, and exhibitions in Albania
This week features a rich calendar of cultural and artistic events in Albania. The “Italian Screens – Il Nuovo Cinema Italiano” cycle presents Italian films until April 25. Screenings take place in Tirana, Vlora, Shkodra, and Prishtina. The program promotes cultural dialogue between Italy, Albania, and Kosovo. One of the …
Gonxhja: Albania simplifies agrotourism licensing procedures
Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the government is simplifying licensing procedures for agrotourism. Authorities are working with the Agriculture Ministry under the “Mountain Package.” Gonxhja said the goal is faster and easier procedures. The government wants to remove unnecessary administrative barriers. He added that officials are waiting for final feedback …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …