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Specialist Chambers: Detainees may visit Kosovo for humanitarian reasons

The legal framework of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers allows detainees to request visits to Kosovo for compelling humanitarian reasons. In a video statement released on Monday, the institution said that the regulations governing such visits were adopted by the judges in accordance with international human rights standards, including Article 5 …

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Day 23 of protests in Tirana, organizers publish five main demands

For the 23rd consecutive day, starting at 7:00 p.m., citizens gathered on the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard in Tirana to protest against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama. As on previous days, protesters first assembled in Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the government headquarters. Their chants echoed through the …

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More than 32,000 applications submitted for agricultural support funds, farmers have until June 26 to apply

Around 32,300 farmers have applied so far to benefit from Albania’s 2026 agricultural support schemes, for which a total fund of €52 million has been made available. This year, financial support for livestock and beekeeping has been increased, while the minimum herd size required to qualify for assistance has been …

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World Bank: Albanian children are not reaching their full potential

A child born in Albania today is likely to fall short of reaching his or her full potential. According to the World Bank’s latest Human Capital Index report, a child born today is expected to achieve only 63% of the economic productivity they could attain if they enjoyed full health …

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Jet Bank officially launches operations in Albania as the first 100% digital bank

Jet Bank has officially launched its operations and its mobile application, marking a historic milestone for the Albanian financial sector as the first 100% digital bank in the country. At the launch event held at the Palace of Brigades, with the participation of representatives from state institutions, the banking sector, …

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Albania’s Street Revolt Turns Political

Tens of thousands filled Tirana on June 20 demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government, turning a three-week protest movement into the most serious political challenge to his 14-year rule. Tirana Times, June 20, 2026 – Albania witnessed its largest anti-government protest in years on Saturday, …

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Tirana’s Towers, Albania’s New Pyramids?

How a criminal political economy built on concrete, dirty money and construction may put the Albanian state at risk. Tirana Times, June 22, 2026 – Tirana’s skyline has become the most visible expression of Albania’s new political economy. Over the past six or seven years, dozens of high-rise towers have …

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Albania’s Missing Generation: A Country Losing Its Future Before 2050

Tirana Times, June 22, 2026 – Albania is no longer facing a normal demographic decline. It is facing the possible disappearance of the very generation on which its economic, social and political future depends. New United Nations population projections cited in the latest analysis show that Albania is expected to …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 22, 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

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White Villages of the Blue Riviera: From Dhërmi to Vuno

The journey starts in the old village of Dhërmi along the main road. It leads through one of the most scenic hiking trails of the Albanian Riviera. First, the village of Dhërmi stands out with its white stone houses and blue sea views. Moreover, its narrow paths and natural spring …

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German Ambassador Bergner: Justice Reform a Key Factor in Albania’s Advancement Toward the EU

Germany supports Albania’s membership in the European Union. However, Berlin says the pace of accession talks will depend on the implementation of reforms. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, German Ambassador to Tirana Karl Bergner praised Albania’s progress. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and …

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Foreign Direct Investment Rises 50% to €1.14 Billion in Six Months

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Albania rose sharply during the first six months of 2026. FDI reached €1.144 billion, marking a 50% increase compared with the same period last year. Data from the Bank of Albania on the country’s balance of payments show that FDI flows reached €741 million in …

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Direct Luxembourg-Tirana Flights to Launch in 2027, Hoxha: Another European Airline Enters Albania

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announced today that Luxair will launch direct flights between Luxembourg and Tirana. Hoxha welcomed the arrival of another European airline in Albania. He described the development as excellent news for the country. Starting March 29, 2027, Luxair will operate the new route …

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Albania, US Company Argent LNG Sign Deal to Explore Adriatic Gas Terminal

Albania is exploring plans to build an LNG terminal on its Adriatic coast. The proposed terminal would receive US liquefied natural gas (LNG) by ship. It would then store the LNG and convert it from a liquid into gas. The gas could enter regional pipelines and reach countries across the …

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Peleshi: Parliamentary Cooperation with Austria Will Continue to Grow

Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met with Michael Hammer, chairman of the Austrian National Council’s Friendship Group with Albania, and its delegation. Peleshi highlighted the long-standing friendship between Albania and Austria. He said the two countries have strengthened their ties over the years through political cooperation and exchanges …

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Berisha Honored with the Key to the City of Mesquite, Texas

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has been honored with the Key to the City of Mesquite, Texas, as part of his visit to the United States. The key was presented to Berisha by Mesquite Mayor Daniel Aleman Jr., according to the Democratic Party’s press office. “During the …

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Judges Issue Joint Statement: Salaries Must Be Unblocked Immediately or We Will Reduce Court Proceedings

Judges across the Republic gathered for an extraordinary meeting at the Justice Center, where they adopted a joint position regarding the freezing of magistrates’ salaries. The statement was read by Judge Alda Sadiku, who stressed that the judiciary’s demands are not subject to negotiation because, according to the judges, they …

News
Average Salary Reaches 92,150 Lek, 1 in 4 Employees Earn the Minimum Wage

The average salary in Albania exceeded 92,000 lek in the second quarter of the year, increasing by 10% in one year. However, significant disparities remain, with the finance and technology sectors paying more than double the national average. The average salary in Albania continued to rise during the second quarter …

News
The Hague Prosecution Seeks Six-Year Prison Sentence for Hashim Thaçi

Following the closing arguments presented by Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West and the prosecutor in the case, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague has requested a six-year prison sentence for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the case concerning obstruction of justice. “Based on all the evidence and facts, the …

News
Rama Unveils “Housing Program”: Confiscated Properties to Be Used for Housing

The government is expected to take a new approach to housing. The new National Housing Program provides for six new schemes, focusing on young families and young people who face difficulties in securing a home. During the presentation, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the program is not simply a …

News

German Ambassador Bergner: Justice Reform a Key Factor in Albania’s Advancement Toward the EU

Germany supports Albania’s membership in the European Union. However, Berlin says the pace of accession talks will depend on the implementation of reforms. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, German Ambassador to Tirana Karl Bergner praised Albania’s progress. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and …

News

Foreign Direct Investment Rises 50% to €1.14 Billion in Six Months

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Albania rose sharply during the first six months of 2026. FDI reached €1.144 billion, marking a 50% increase compared with the same period last year. Data from the Bank of Albania on the country’s balance of payments show that FDI flows reached €741 million in …

News

Direct Luxembourg-Tirana Flights to Launch in 2027, Hoxha: Another European Airline Enters Albania

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announced today that Luxair will launch direct flights between Luxembourg and Tirana. Hoxha welcomed the arrival of another European airline in Albania. He described the development as excellent news for the country. Starting March 29, 2027, Luxair will operate the new route …

News

Albania, US Company Argent LNG Sign Deal to Explore Adriatic Gas Terminal

Albania is exploring plans to build an LNG terminal on its Adriatic coast. The proposed terminal would receive US liquefied natural gas (LNG) by ship. It would then store the LNG and convert it from a liquid into gas. The gas could enter regional pipelines and reach countries across the …

News

Peleshi: Parliamentary Cooperation with Austria Will Continue to Grow

Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met with Michael Hammer, chairman of the Austrian National Council’s Friendship Group with Albania, and its delegation. Peleshi highlighted the long-standing friendship between Albania and Austria. He said the two countries have strengthened their ties over the years through political cooperation and exchanges …

News

Berisha Honored with the Key to the City of Mesquite, Texas

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has been honored with the Key to the City of Mesquite, Texas, as part of his visit to the United States. The key was presented to Berisha by Mesquite Mayor Daniel Aleman Jr., according to the Democratic Party’s press office. “During the …

News

Judges Issue Joint Statement: Salaries Must Be Unblocked Immediately or We Will Reduce Court Proceedings

Judges across the Republic gathered for an extraordinary meeting at the Justice Center, where they adopted a joint position regarding the freezing of magistrates’ salaries. The statement was read by Judge Alda Sadiku, who stressed that the judiciary’s demands are not subject to negotiation because, according to the judges, they …

News

Average Salary Reaches 92,150 Lek, 1 in 4 Employees Earn the Minimum Wage

The average salary in Albania exceeded 92,000 lek in the second quarter of the year, increasing by 10% in one year. However, significant disparities remain, with the finance and technology sectors paying more than double the national average. The average salary in Albania continued to rise during the second quarter …

News

The Hague Prosecution Seeks Six-Year Prison Sentence for Hashim Thaçi

Following the closing arguments presented by Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West and the prosecutor in the case, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague has requested a six-year prison sentence for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the case concerning obstruction of justice. “Based on all the evidence and facts, the …

News

Rama Unveils “Housing Program”: Confiscated Properties to Be Used for Housing

The government is expected to take a new approach to housing. The new National Housing Program provides for six new schemes, focusing on young families and young people who face difficulties in securing a home. During the presentation, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the program is not simply a …