Opposition Democratic Party MP calls for special national status for Albanian Film Archive
TIRANA, May 25 – Democratic Party of the opposition MP Ina Zhupa, chair of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, visited the National Film Archive of Albania. Zhupa called for stronger institutional attention and concrete government support for the archive. She described it as a key institution for preserving …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: May 25, 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
Protect Nature, EU interactive contest promotes Albania’s biodiversity
TIRANA May 25 – The Delegation of the European Union in Albania has launched the “Protect Nature” contest. The initiative promotes biodiversity and environmental protection through an interactive experience in several Albanian cities. The campaign covers Tirana, Shkodër, Durrës, and Vlora. It uses green stickers placed in public areas. Each …
Vatican honors Albanian ambassador Majlinda Frangaj for contribution to bilateral relations
TIRANA, May 25 – The Vatican has awarded Albanian ambassador to the Holy See Majlinda Frangaj the title “Dame Grand Cross of the Piano Order”, one of the highest civil decorations of the Holy See. The Piano Order was founded by Pope Pius IX. It is considered one of the …
Rama: Bënja Baths to become a modern tourism destination in nature
Renovation works at Bënja Baths are continuing. The site is located about 14 kilometers from the city of Përmet. It lies in the Petran administrative unit, near the meeting point of the Vjosa River and the Lengarica stream. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the transformation will be completed soon. He …
Tirana hosts elite padel tournament, free entry at Skanderbeg Square from 26–30 May
TIRANA, May 25 – Tirana will become an international centre for elite padel sport. The city will host a major tournament from 26 to 30 May at Skanderbeg Square, with free entry for the public. Top international players will compete in the event. They will play for key ranking points …
Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors, Gonxhja says
Gjirokastër Castle remains one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said today. He noted that the monument is enjoying another successful tourist season, with growing interest in cultural tourism in southern Albania. Gonxhja shared images from the site showing the castle …
Over 5,000 farmers apply for national support scheme, minister says
TIRANA, May 25 – Farmers across the country can apply from today for the National Support Scheme 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the programme with 12 support measures. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Andis Salla said farmers now have full access to apply and benefit from …
Ancient olive groves of Ndroq, Varosh Castle and warm hospitality near Tirana
Visitors travel to Ndroq and explore its ancient olive groves and rural trails. First, they follow walking paths through green hills and traditional village landscapes.Then, they pass through old orchards and stone terraces. As they move forward, they discover the olive groves of Ndroq. Locals cultivate these groves and maintain …
France awards soprano Ermonela Jaho with Knight of Arts and Letters title
TIRANA, May 25 – France has awarded Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho the title “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of Arts and Letters). France grants the distinction to individuals with outstanding contributions to the arts. Jaho reacted online after receiving the award. She said the title represents a great …
The Albanian government approved an amendment to its agreement with Italy on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses for conversion purposes. The Council of Ministers adopted Amendment No. 2, which updates the existing cooperation framework between the two countries. The agreement aims to improve procedures for recognizing and converting driving …
Prime Minister Edi Rama told Socialist Party leaders and parliamentary committee chairs that the party derives its mandate from the people’s vote and has a duty to fulfill its commitments. During the meeting, Rama presented “Loyal Presence,” a new document that complements the previously introduced “Besa” platform. He urged the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the “Loyal Presence” document to Socialist Party political leaders and parliamentary committee chairs, describing it as a roadmap for a new phase in the party’s development. Rama said the document places respect, listening, empathy, solidarity, responsiveness and dedication to citizens at the center of the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government and the Socialist Party will continue their mission until Albania completes its accession to the European Union. Speaking at a meeting with Socialist Party political leaders and parliamentary committee chairs, Rama stated that the country must seize what he described as a decisive …
Albania and Indonesia have strengthened economic cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on labour mobility. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and Indonesia’s Minister for Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin signed the agreement in Jakarta. The memorandum creates a framework for safe, regular and sustainable employment opportunities. It also aims …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return 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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]: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:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …