Blog
News

Greece’s Ruling Party Fields Man Jailed in Albania as MEP Candidate

Fredi Beleri won a mayoral election in Albania in May last year but was put on trial for vote-buying, souring relations between Tirana and Athens. Original post Here

Read More
News

Shell Dashes Albanians’ Hopes of Major Oil Find

The government of Edi Rama has been talking up the potential of a major oil discovery beneath Mount Shpirag, but the discovery has yet to materialise. Original post Here

Read More
News

Plans to Allow Surrogacy in Albania Criticised by Opposition

A government proposal to extend the abortion time limit by two weeks and allow surrogacy was criticised by an opposition MP who called the practice a form of modern slavery for poor women. Original post Here

Read More
News

Human Rights Regressing in Many Balkan Countries – Amnesty Report

As a number of Western Balkan countries join the global trend toward authoritarianism, human rights are suffering, the latest Amnesty International report warns. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albania Parliament’s Disinformation Committee: Welcome Vigilance – or Threat to Free Expression?

While addressing disinformation is a crucial task, the concern is that Albania’s new parliamentary committee could be just another tool to silence critical voices. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albania Sees Rise in Killings, Crime Starting from Toxic Online Content

Experts say legislation is needed to address toxic social media content that too often turns into offline violence in Albania, but there are fears authorities will seek again to exploit the issue for political gain. Original post Here

Read More
News

Boys Preferred: Sex-Selective Abortion Still Happening in the Balkans

In some parts of the Balkans, particularly among Albanians, a practice of selective abortion continues to cause a disbalance in the ratio of boys to girls born each year. Original post Here

Read More
News

Balkan States Fall in Press Freedom Rankings

Four Balkan states slipped down the latest press freedom rankings compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Original post Here

Read More
News

Parts of Albania’s Opposition Spurns Call to Join Anti-Corruption Commission

Several opposition groups have rejected PM Edi Rama’s invitation for them back a parliamentary commission tasked with undertaking a more systemic fight against corruption, saying Rama has no crerdibility in this field Original post Here

Read More
News

New Probe of Albanian Protesters’ Killings Gives Hope for Justice

Families of demonstrators shot dead by security forces at an anti-government protest in 2011 have renewed hopes of justice after the Supreme Court transferred the case to a powerful special prosecution service that deals with high-level crime. Original post Here

Read More
News
Dutch PM holds phone call with Albanian PM, highlights strategic role of Albania in Western Balkans

TIRANA, April 24 – The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, held a phone call with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Jetten posted details of the conversation on social media platform X, describing Albania as a key strategic partner in the Western Balkans for both the Netherlands and the …

News
Cambridge University to support Albanian education agency

Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro presented in Parliament a draft law to create the National Agency for Education Services. The reform aims to transform how education services are delivered to citizens. She said the reform is the result of work and reflection that started in 2019. The new agency will …

News
Parliament promotes new publication on Albanian committees (1920–2025)

The Albanian Parliament organized the promotion of the publication “Parliamentary Committees of Albania over the Years (1920–2025)” on the occasion of International Book Day. The event was held by the Parliamentary Library and Publications Service and brought together academics, deputies, and students. Participants included Prof. Dr. Teki Kurti, Prof. Dr. …

News
FM Hoxha highlights Albania’s steady EU orientation at Delphi Economic Forum

TIRANA, April 24 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania brings strategic value to the European Union through predictability, alignment and regional cooperation. He made the remarks during a panel at the Delphi Economic Forum titled “From responsibility to benefit: How can Western Balkans EU membership become a European geopolitical …

News
Return of “Spring Festival” on Albanian public broadcaster RTSH

TIRANA, April 24 – Albanian public broadcaster Albanian Radio and Television confirmed the return of the “Spring Festival”, a historic light-music event that promotes Albanian artists. The broadcaster designed the festival to revive its role in supporting music production. It also prioritises live performance as the core format of the …

News
Albania hosts NATO Steadfast Dart 27 preparations, delegation reviews port capabilities

TIRANA, April 24 – The Port of Durrës received a NATO delegation of 60 representatives during preparations for the Steadfast Dart 27 exercise. Officials held briefings at the “Hysni Aruçi” conference hall in Durrës. NATO representatives reviewed Albania’s infrastructure and support capacities for allied operations. Inspection teams then visited the …

News
Over 1,000 Austrian tourists visit Kruja museum in April

The Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja has become an important stop for foreign tourists visiting Albania. The museum attracts large groups from countries such as Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and others. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that more than 1,000 Austrian tourists visited the museum in April alone. The museum “Gjergj …

News
Albania increases elite athlete payments with 30%–200% boosts and higher daily allowances

TIRANA, April 24 – The Albanian government has approved new measures increasing financial rewards for elite athletes and their coaches, with implementation expected in April 2026. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Blendi Gonxhja, said the revised scheme introduces higher and more structured support for athletes across multiple disciplines. …

News
Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 11% in March amid shifting travel patterns

TIRANA, April 24 – Albania recorded a 10.8% rise in foreign tourist arrivals in March, as more than 600,000 foreign nationals visited the country, official data showed. The national statistics agency reported that the increase followed a slower start to the year. Travel activity recovered during March, with stronger flows …

News
Reform aims to strengthen Albanian municipalities through territorial reform

TIRANA, April 24 – Albania’s special parliamentary committee on administrative-territorial reform continued nationwide consultations, focusing on concerns over municipal competencies. In Lezha, local hearings highlighted concerns raised by municipal leaders regarding the scope of local government powers. During the discussion, the Minister of State for Local Governance, Ervin Demo, addressed …

News

Dutch PM holds phone call with Albanian PM, highlights strategic role of Albania in Western Balkans

TIRANA, April 24 – The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, held a phone call with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Jetten posted details of the conversation on social media platform X, describing Albania as a key strategic partner in the Western Balkans for both the Netherlands and the …

News

Cambridge University to support Albanian education agency

Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro presented in Parliament a draft law to create the National Agency for Education Services. The reform aims to transform how education services are delivered to citizens. She said the reform is the result of work and reflection that started in 2019. The new agency will …

News

Parliament promotes new publication on Albanian committees (1920–2025)

The Albanian Parliament organized the promotion of the publication “Parliamentary Committees of Albania over the Years (1920–2025)” on the occasion of International Book Day. The event was held by the Parliamentary Library and Publications Service and brought together academics, deputies, and students. Participants included Prof. Dr. Teki Kurti, Prof. Dr. …

News

FM Hoxha highlights Albania’s steady EU orientation at Delphi Economic Forum

TIRANA, April 24 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania brings strategic value to the European Union through predictability, alignment and regional cooperation. He made the remarks during a panel at the Delphi Economic Forum titled “From responsibility to benefit: How can Western Balkans EU membership become a European geopolitical …

News

Return of “Spring Festival” on Albanian public broadcaster RTSH

TIRANA, April 24 – Albanian public broadcaster Albanian Radio and Television confirmed the return of the “Spring Festival”, a historic light-music event that promotes Albanian artists. The broadcaster designed the festival to revive its role in supporting music production. It also prioritises live performance as the core format of the …

News

Albania hosts NATO Steadfast Dart 27 preparations, delegation reviews port capabilities

TIRANA, April 24 – The Port of Durrës received a NATO delegation of 60 representatives during preparations for the Steadfast Dart 27 exercise. Officials held briefings at the “Hysni Aruçi” conference hall in Durrës. NATO representatives reviewed Albania’s infrastructure and support capacities for allied operations. Inspection teams then visited the …

News

Over 1,000 Austrian tourists visit Kruja museum in April

The Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja has become an important stop for foreign tourists visiting Albania. The museum attracts large groups from countries such as Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and others. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that more than 1,000 Austrian tourists visited the museum in April alone. The museum “Gjergj …

News

Albania increases elite athlete payments with 30%–200% boosts and higher daily allowances

TIRANA, April 24 – The Albanian government has approved new measures increasing financial rewards for elite athletes and their coaches, with implementation expected in April 2026. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Blendi Gonxhja, said the revised scheme introduces higher and more structured support for athletes across multiple disciplines. …

News

Foreign tourist arrivals in Albania rise 11% in March amid shifting travel patterns

TIRANA, April 24 – Albania recorded a 10.8% rise in foreign tourist arrivals in March, as more than 600,000 foreign nationals visited the country, official data showed. The national statistics agency reported that the increase followed a slower start to the year. Travel activity recovered during March, with stronger flows …

News

Reform aims to strengthen Albanian municipalities through territorial reform

TIRANA, April 24 – Albania’s special parliamentary committee on administrative-territorial reform continued nationwide consultations, focusing on concerns over municipal competencies. In Lezha, local hearings highlighted concerns raised by municipal leaders regarding the scope of local government powers. During the discussion, the Minister of State for Local Governance, Ervin Demo, addressed …