Elite tourism can boost revenue and support wider economy, says prime minister
TIRANA, June 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania should aim for a higher level of tourism development as the country considers major investment projects such as the one planned in Zvërnec. Speaking on Monday, Rama said authorities have not yet received the project and have not completed the …
Fun Fair Albania ends with Children’s Day celebrations in Tirana
TIRANA, June 1 – Fun Fair Albania concluded on Monday after four days of activities that began on May 29. The event offered entertainment and recreational activities from morning until evening. Children’s Day brought additional crowds to the fair. As a result, dozens of activities, games, creative workshops and surprises …
Four Scenarios for Democracy in the Western Balkans: From Hope to Disenchantment
By the year 2040, will countries in the region choose to consolidate democracy, settle for ‘stabilitocracy’, or descend into full-blown authoritarianism? Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 1, 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
Swedish media Dagens highlights Albania as emerging European tourist destination
TIRANA, June 1 – Albania is emerging as a new European tourism destination. Swedish media outlet “Dagens” reports growing interest from European travelers and describes Albania as more affordable than Spain and Greece, while also comparing it with Italy. Meanwhile, “Dagens” highlights Albania’s beaches, natural landscapes and competitive prices. It …
Cherry Festival in Godolesh Highlights Local Tradition and Rural Tourism
The village of Godolesh welcomed hundreds of visitors this weekend for the annual Cherry Festival, an event dedicated to promoting the area’s agricultural traditions, cultural heritage and tourism potential. Residents and visitors from Elbasan, other Albanian cities and foreign tourists gathered in the village center to take part in the …
Blendi Gonxhja: FIP Platinum Albania Puts Albania on Global Padel Map
Blendi Gonxhja described the FIP Platinum Albania tournament as a major sporting and organizational success, saying it placed Albania on the map of top international padel events. He made the remarks after the tournament concluded in Tirana, where the finals took place at Skanderbeg Square. First, Gonxhja highlighted the strong …
Fun Fair Albania marks International Children’s Day in Tirana
TIRANA, June 1 – International Children’s Day on June 1 highlights the promotion of children’s rights and well-being. The day builds on international efforts strengthened by the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Meanwhile, Tirana hosts the …
FM Hoxha in Prishtina: Kosova–Serbia dialogue central to normalisation, Albania reaffirms strong support
TIRANA, June 1 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held meetings in Prishtina focused on Kosova’s political and institutional developments. He met the new leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ardian Gjini, and congratulated him on taking office at a key political moment. He …
Book Fair in Shkodër Honors Ridvan Dibra with Best Novel Award
For three days, the courtyard of the parish in Shkodër welcomed writers, researchers, publishers and readers. They gathered for the second edition of the “Libri të ban të lirë” book fair. The event once again highlighted Shkodra’s role as a center of Albanian culture and literature. First, the opening ceremony …
TIRANA, June 5 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of North Macedonia’s new ambassador to Albania, Vele Trpevski, and the new ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Turki Ibraheem Almadhi. During talks with Trpevski, Begaj praised the strong neighbourly relations and cooperation between Albania and North Macedonia. He expressed …
The Permanent Commission on Linguistics and Literature and the Institute of Linguistics and Literature at the Academy of Sciences presented a new book by Bardhyl Demiraj titled Don Gjon Buzuku and His Meshari. The event highlighted the importance of the Meshari, the earliest known monument of the Albanian language. At …
TIRANA, June 5 – The Chair of the Steering Council of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), Fatjon Hoxhalli, presented the institution’s financial and organisational situation before the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information Media. He outlined revenue sources, financial obligations and investment constraints. Hoxhalli said the TV licence …
TIRANA, June 5 – The Director General of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), Eni Vasili, said 2025 marked a major financial challenge for the public broadcaster, while the institution continued to fulfil its public service mission. Presenting the annual balance sheet, Vasili said RTSH inherited weak operational conditions in both …
TIRANA, June 5 – The Transparency Board set new maximum wholesale and retail fuel prices on Friday. The new rates entered into force at 1300 local time. Under the decision, retail diesel prices under the SSH EN 590 standard cannot exceed 192 ALL per litre. Wholesale diesel prices cannot exceed …
Organizers opened the Albanian-language Book Fair “Shkup 2026” in Skopje’s “Skënderbeu” Square. The event became one of the key cultural platforms for promoting reading and Albanian-language literature. First, the fair brought together publishers, writers, researchers, and readers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. It created a shared space for cultural …
TIRANA, June 5 – Albania on Thursday marked the 106th anniversary of the Vlora War, one of the most significant events in the country’s efforts to consolidate statehood. The conflict began on June 5, 1920, at a time when Albania’s future remained under discussion in international forums and concerns over …
TIRANA, June 5 – Minister for Relations with Parliament Erjona Ismailaj said the planned investment in Zvërnec will not damage the flora and fauna of the Narta Lagoon. She said the project will support economic development and create thousands of jobs in the Vlora region. Speaking in a media interview, …
TIRANA, June 5 – The second edition of the “Bread & Heart” festival featured the promotion of A Private Glossary, a book by Italian architect Stefano Boeri and Israeli film director Amos Gitai. The festival serves as a meeting point for architecture, culture and urban development. The book combines architecture, …
TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said no approved project exists for Zvërnec. He made the remarks in an interview with foreign media at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. Meanwhile, he rejected claims about the project and described the debate as part of what he called …