Albania’s central bank governor and French economic official discuss stronger cooperation
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met Pierre Sentenac, the new head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, at the central bank. Sejko highlighted Albania’s close relations with France and described France as an important European partner. Sejko briefed Sentenac on recent economic and financial developments in …
Tirana hosts film festival on war, peace and human rights
The 21st International Human Rights Film Festival opens in Tirana on September 14 and runs through September 19. The Academy of Film and Multimedia “Marubi” organises the festival. This year’s programme focuses on war, peace, the rule of law and the memory of victims. Over six days, the festival will …
Confiscated property rentals generate ALL 180 million in 2026
Revenues from managing and renting confiscated property reached ALL 180 million in the first eight months of 2026, according to Risena Xhaja, head of Albania’s Agency for the Administration of Confiscated Assets. Xhaja presented the figures during a hearing with the Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. She …
Albanian director Ilir Yzeiri wins documentary award in Venice
Albanian director and researcher Ilir Yzeiri has won the Best Documentary Director award at the Venice International Film Festival. He received the award for his documentary “Lucia Nadin and Albanians in Venice 1474–1552”. The documentary previously earned selection by the Veneto Region for the festival’s 83rd edition. Italian company Cinemaset, …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 14, 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
Kosova awaits September 16 Hague verdict
The Hague will deliver its verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four have pleaded not guilty. The case has attracted significant attention in Kosova because of the defendants’ prominent roles during the 1998-1999 …
Albania Among Top 10 Non-EU Destinations for European Residents
Albania ranks among the 10 most preferred destinations outside the European Union for EU residents, according to Eurostat data. The Agency for Media and Information cited Eurostat figures showing around 2 million trips to Albania that included at least one overnight stay. These trips accounted for 2% of all journeys …
Defence industry needs time to build capacity, deputy minister says
Deputy Defence Minister Blerina Abrazhda says Albania needs time to build its defence industry and develop the infrastructure, technology and skilled workforce required for production. She made the remarks in response to opposition criticism of the sector’s initial industrial projects. Abrazhda said Albania should assess early projects not only by …
17,000 students begin new year at Albania’s vocational schools
Around 17,000 students have started the new school year at vocational schools across Albania. The programmes combine theoretical education with practical training and work experience to prepare students for the labour market. Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj wished students a successful new school year. She also sent a …
Gonxhja: Dea’s Return Enriches the Story of Butrint
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced that the Goddess of Butrint, known as Dea, has returned to her place of discovery. The return allows visitors to see the valuable archaeological work up close. The sculpture has completed a long journey from the ancient city of Butrint to …
With elections approaching in Bosnia and Serbia, rhetoric is heating up, while in Turkey and Albania, campaigners are feeling the pressure, as our round-up of Balkan Insight Premium stories shows. Original post Here
U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell has criticized the Hague court following its decision to sentence four former Kosova Liberation Army leaders to a combined 81 years in prison. Grenell described the decision as politically motivated. In an interview with Albanian television channel Top Channel, Grenell said Kosova …
The National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble is ready to begin its new artistic season with a calendar of activities that will open with a tour of several Italian cities. Artistic Director Sokol Marsi said the ensemble has just returned from Kosovo, where it took part in a nationwide festival …
A conference on cultural and scientific cooperation between Albania and France took place at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The event focused on Albania’s artistic heritage and the study of its medieval and post-medieval icons. The exhibition “Icons of Albania, Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korça,” …
The exhibition “Marubi: Education Studio,” curated by Tereza Çuni and Jozefina Vokrri, presents a decade of creativity, experimentation and arts education at the National Museum of Photography. The exhibition at the Marubi Museum features a selection of work developed over 10 years at the museum’s Education Studio. The display brings …
The United States Embassy in Kosova urged citizens to avoid Skanderbeg Square in Prishtina and surrounding areas on Friday, September 18. Several organizations had announced protests there at noon. The embassy warned United States citizens about large crowds, road closures and severe traffic disruptions. It advised them to avoid the …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the review of Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code follows Council of Europe recommendations on pre-trial detention. He said the work aims to strengthen safeguards for personal liberty. It also seeks to make alternatives to detention more effective. Gogu spoke at a Justice Ministry roundtable on security …
Commercial flights in Albania increased by 22% in August 2026 from the same month last year, according to Eurostat data. The increase ranked among the highest in Europe. Albania also recorded a much higher increase than the European Union average of 2.3%. In the region, Montenegro followed Albania with a …
Prime Minister Edi Rama called for institutional dialogue over the law on magistrates’ salaries. He urged judicial representatives to join a joint working meeting and seek a long-term solution. Rama said the meeting should include the heads of the two justice system councils and leaders of judicial institutions. He said …
Thousands of people gathered in central Prishtina on Friday to protest the prison sentences handed to four former Kosova Liberation Army leaders by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The court found Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi guilty of four war crimes on September 16. …