Week in Review: Hostages to the Past
From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past. Original post Here
PM Rama congratulates Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Koretskyi
TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment by the Verkhovna Rada. Rama wished Koretskyi success as he joins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in leading Ukraine during one of the most difficult chapters in its history. He said the country …
The Brave Ones film returns to the screen after restoration
TIRANA, July 17 – The Central State Film Archive presented the restored version of the film “The Brave Ones” at Drita Cinema. The 1970 production by Film Studios “New Albania” returned to the big screen through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. The screening presented one of the most …
Albanian National Olympic Committee chief presents Tirana Olympic City project to global sports adviser
TIRANA, July 17 – Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli presented the “Tirana Olympic City” project during an official meeting with Olympic judge and global sports investment adviser Eng. Almohanad Alzooaabe. Ylli described the project as one of Albania’s most ambitious initiatives for developing sports infrastructure. He said …
FM Hoxha attends Washington, D.C. ministerial; Albania strengthens defenses against hybrid threats
TIRANA, July 17 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a ministerial meeting on the resurgence of political terrorism in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries. Hoxha said political extremism and the use of violence to achieve …
Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation visits Canada for NATO Parliamentary Assembly event
TIRANA, July 17 – Igli Hasani, head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, visited Ottawa, Canada, from July 13 to 15 for an event organized by the Parliamentary Assembly in cooperation with the Parliament of Canada. During the visit, Hasani met Canadian …
Black Lake of Radomira attracts adventure tourists
Radomira village, 37 kilometers from Dibër, has become a popular destination for mountain and adventure tourism. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj shared images of Black Lake, located in the heart of Korab-Koritnik National Park. The glacial lake lies among beech and pine forests and offers visitors an untouched natural landscape. The …
Grant 2026 winners announced, minister says Albania invests 16.5 mln euros in startups
TIRANA, July 17 – Albania announced the winners of the Innovation4Albania Grant 2026 programme, including startups and incubators that will receive financial support. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has invested 16.5 million euros in startups over the past four years. She noted that the initial commitment …
Excavations to resume at Sarda medieval site
TIRANA, July 17 – Archaeologists will soon resume excavations at the medieval city of Sarda on Shurdhah Island in Lake Vau i Dejës as part of the Albanian-French project The River Drin Valley in the Middle Ages. The project has documented the city’s structures and traced its development during the …
Gonxhja: Albania opens the way for European television series co-productions
Albania’s audiovisual industry is taking an important step toward integration into the international market. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania is moving toward approving the Council of Europe Convention on Co-production of Audiovisual Works in the Form of Series. The convention will create a common legal framework …
Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman described Albania as a reliable economic partner. Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Radman said the two countries have strong potential to expand economic cooperation. He identified transport, infrastructure, energy, and defence as key areas for closer collaboration. Radman also called …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s security cooperation with Croatia aims to strengthen regional peace and should not concern any country. Hoxha made the remarks after meeting Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman in Tirana. The two ministers agreed that the European future of the Western …
Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman praised Albania’s progress toward European Union membership and pledged Croatia’s continued support. Speaking alongside Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Radman said Albania and Croatia enjoy strong and friendly relations built on trust, shared values, and their NATO alliance. He said regular …
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla defended the fast-track approval of Albania’s defence agreement with the United States. Balla said national interest and security needs justified the accelerated parliamentary review. He rejected opposition claims that lawmakers violated parliamentary deadlines. He said the Constitution defines when fast-track procedures cannot apply. …
Albania’s Parliament approved today the direct loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi described the ratification as a historic moment in a social media post. Nufi said the agreement represents the strongest concrete and financial support Albania has received from …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj visited a food production company today to highlight the opportunities offered by the “Double Your Business” programme. The programme helps businesses increase investments, expand production, and create new jobs. During her visit to a pastry company, Ibrahimaj met entrepreneur Fatmir, who has built his …
The Albanian Academy of Sciences today honoured Maximilian Lambertz on the anniversary of his birth, remembering one of the most important figures in Albanology who dedicated his life to studying the Albanian language, folklore, and culture. Lambertz was born on 27 July 1882 in Austria. He developed an interest in …
TIRANA, July 27 – Pilur hosted the first edition of the Day of the Pilur Group during the weekend, honouring the legendary Albanian polyphonic group that has contributed to national culture for more than six decades. The event took place at the “Lefter Çipa Word Museum” Centre, bringing together former …
TIRANA, July 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that Diella, Albania’s artificial intelligence assistant on the e-Albania public services platform, has handled around 3 million interactions, becoming a digital communication bridge between citizens and the state. Rama shared an information video presenting Diella’s development and the work …
TIRANA, July 27 – Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs hosted on Monday the international conference “Fighting Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI): Albania and the Enlargement Context” in Tirana. The event brought together representatives from European institutions, NATO, security experts, academics and media representatives. Discussions focused on foreign …