EU integration: Deputy minister urges farmers to prepare for higher standards
TIRANA, June 8 – Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Fatmir Guri said farmers must prepare for higher requirements and standards linked to European Union integration during a parliamentary hearing on EU accession negotiations. Meanwhile, Guri presented progress in negotiations covering agriculture and rural development. He also addressed food safety, …
Rama: Flamingos of Zvërnec Are a Unique Asset for Tourism Development
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the flamingos of Zvërnec represent a unique natural asset for Albania’s tourism development. He argued that nature can support investment instead of blocking it. Furthermore, he referred to recent protests against the planned Zvërnec investment. He said such debates often misunderstand how nature and tourism …
Gonxhja in Pogradec: Seaplane as a New Opportunity for Tourism Development and Regional Connectivity
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja participated in the opening of the tourist season in Pogradec. He presented a symbolic seaplane flight as a new initiative to promote innovative tourism and strengthen regional connections between lakes, cities, and neighboring areas. Gonxhja held a meeting with local tourism operators …
Rama: EU Integration Remains Albania’s Historic Challenge and Greatest Opportunity
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania’s main challenge remains integration into the European Union. He stressed that the country must move to a new level of economic and social development. Speaking at the 35th anniversary celebration of the Socialist Party in Elbasan, Rama said Albania is closer than ever …
Rama: We Won the Elections to Bring Albania into the EU, Next National Vote in 2029
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government is driving Vlora toward a new era of tourism development. He stated that by 2030, Vlora will become one of the Mediterranean’s top tourist destinations. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Elbasan, Rama highlighted the impact of government investments in …
Rama: Camargue Shows That Development and Nature Protection Can Work Together
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to the public debate over the planned investment in Zvërnec. He called for respectful discussion and defended the right of environmentalists and citizens to express their concerns. In a social media post, Rama criticized the offensive language used by some participants in the debate. He …
Rama: €4 Billion Zvërnec Project Among Europe’s Largest Tourism Investments
Prime Minister Edi Rama described the planned Zvërnec project in Vlora as one of the largest tourism investments in Europe. He said the project will play a key role in Albania’s economic development. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Elbasan, Rama highlighted the importance of high-end tourism …
Rama: Albania Must Not Miss Tourism Opportunities as It Did in the Past
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania must not let major tourism opportunities slip away again. He stressed that the country has already lost important chances in the past and should not repeat the same mistakes. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Elbasan, Rama referred to the tourism …
Rama: Albania Near EU Membership as European Support Reaches Maximum Level
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is moving steadily closer to European Union membership. He stated that European partners strongly support the country and recognize its progress in the integration process. Furthermore, he spoke on the podcast “Flasim” and referred to the EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat. He said the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded on Facebook to social media commenters regarding recent protests and environmental issues.
In his post, Rama criticized the language used by some commenters, describing it as offensive and lacking substance. He argued that such rhetoric harms public debate on important issues and stressed that “street language” should not dominate public discussions. “A few words first for the revolutionaries who come here and …
Big changes are afoot amid the heat of the summer holiday season. Our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories takes a deep dive into the motives and agendas driving these changes. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 21 – The General Inspectorate and the Financial Intelligence Agency have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against money laundering and terrorist financing. General Inspector Dashnor Sula and Financial Intelligence Agency Director Ervin Koci signed the agreement. It aims to improve the detection and reporting of suspected illegal …
TIRANA, August 21 – Dinamo City drew 1-1 with Pafos at Elbasan Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The result leaves the tie open ahead of the return match. Neither side scored in the first half. Pafos missed a penalty in the 36th minute before …
TIRANA, August 21 – The National Maritime Museum is taking shape at the entrance to Shkodër. The museum will tell the story of the city’s historic links with the lake, rivers and navigation. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the construction work on social media as the project adds …
TIRANA, August 21 – NATO says any decision to reopen the main bridge over the Ibër River to vehicle traffic must address the needs of all local communities. A NATO official told Radio Free Europe that KFOR continues to provide security support for European Union diplomatic efforts. The official said …
TIRANA, August 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to the cultural event held in Pustec on August 20. Organisers played the North Macedonian national anthem but omitted the Albanian national anthem. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as a “meaningful parody”. He said Pustec Mayor …
Albania has a diverse fruit production map, with different regions specializing in different crops. Korçë remains one of the country’s leading apple-producing areas. The municipality produced around 17,700 tonnes of apples in 2025. Maliq followed with about 17,200 tonnes, while Devoll produced nearly 13,000 tonnes. Elbasan leads the country in …
Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract growing numbers of visitors. Between January and July 2026, the historic site welcomed 161,274 visitors, marking a 13% increase from the same period last year. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the figures. He said the castle continues to attract visitors because of …
TIRANA, August 21 – Albanian Olympic Committee President Fidel Ylli and Secretary General Gerti Shima took part in the election of Francesco Purromuto as the new president of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games. The election took place in Taranto ahead of the opening of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. …
The National Cinematography Center (QKK) has opened applications for its “First Feature Film” category. The call targets Albanian filmmakers and emerging talents who want to bring their first feature-length projects to the big screen. QKK aims to support new filmmakers with original ideas and distinctive stories. The initiative gives young …