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“Freedom for the Liberators”, march in Skopje tomorrow in support of former KLA leaders

The Albanian Youth Forum announced in a social media post that a march will be held in Skopje on Tuesday, September 15, in support of the former KLA leaders, ahead of the final verdict in The Hague. The march will take place at Skanderbeg Square at 6:00 p.m. “FREEDOM FOR …

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Police assist two German tourists lost near Mount Dajti

Tirana police came to the aid of two German tourists who lost their way in the mountains behind Mount Dajti on Sunday evening. Police learned at around 20:15 that the two tourists needed help near Qafë Mollë. Officers from Police Station No. 4 immediately began searching for them. The officers …

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Teuta lead Albania’s Super League after fourth round

The fourth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore ended on Sunday with AF Elbasani beating Egnatia 2-1 at Elbasan Arena. Earlier on Sunday, Laçi defeated Vllaznia 2-0 at home. On Friday, Skënderbeu and Tirana drew 1-1 in Korça. Meanwhile, Dinamo City beat Partizani 4-2 in another Tirana derby on Saturday. Teuta …

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Albania’s central bank governor and French economic official discuss stronger cooperation

Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met Pierre Sentenac, the new head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, at the central bank. Sejko highlighted Albania’s close relations with France and described France as an important European partner. Sejko briefed Sentenac on recent economic and financial developments in …

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Tirana hosts film festival on war, peace and human rights

The 21st International Human Rights Film Festival opens in Tirana on September 14 and runs through September 19. The Academy of Film and Multimedia “Marubi” organises the festival. This year’s programme focuses on war, peace, the rule of law and the memory of victims. Over six days, the festival will …

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Confiscated property rentals generate ALL 180 million in 2026

Revenues from managing and renting confiscated property reached ALL 180 million in the first eight months of 2026, according to Risena Xhaja, head of Albania’s Agency for the Administration of Confiscated Assets. Xhaja presented the figures during a hearing with the Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. She …

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Albanian director Ilir Yzeiri wins documentary award in Venice

Albanian director and researcher Ilir Yzeiri has won the Best Documentary Director award at the Venice International Film Festival. He received the award for his documentary “Lucia Nadin and Albanians in Venice 1474–1552”. The documentary previously earned selection by the Veneto Region for the festival’s 83rd edition. Italian company Cinemaset, …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 14, 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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Kosova awaits September 16 Hague verdict

The Hague will deliver its verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four have pleaded not guilty. The case has attracted significant attention in Kosova because of the defendants’ prominent roles during the 1998-1999 …

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Albania Among Top 10 Non-EU Destinations for European Residents

Albania ranks among the 10 most preferred destinations outside the European Union for EU residents, according to Eurostat data. The Agency for Media and Information cited Eurostat figures showing around 2 million trips to Albania that included at least one overnight stay. These trips accounted for 2% of all journeys …

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Hoxha: Albania Stands in Solidarity with France After Cyberattacks, Calls for European Unity

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha expressed Albania’s full solidarity with France following devastating cyberattacks on an unprecedented scale. He said an offensive cyber unit linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had carried out the attacks. Hoxha stressed that Albania understands the threat firsthand, as Iranian state …

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Hita Meets Italian Counterpart to Strengthen Fight Against Emerging Crime

State Police Director General Skënder Hita is leading a delegation on a working visit to Italy, where Italian Police Chief Prefect Vittorio Pisani welcomed him in Rome. During the meeting, both officials praised the excellent bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership and investigative and operational …

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Gogu, Nordio Discuss Expanding Albania-Italy Cooperation in Justice

Justice Minister Toni Gogu met with his Italian counterpart, Carlo Nordio, in Rome on Tuesday to discuss strengthening cooperation between Albania and Italy in the field of justice. In a social media post, Gogu thanked Nordio for Italy’s continued support as Albania’s strategic partner on its path towards European integration. …

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Gonxhja: Young People Are Not Our Opponents; Dialogue Must Bridge Differences

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja attended an expanded meeting of the National Youth Council on Tuesday, stressing the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and greater youth involvement in decision-making. Gonxhja said the meeting highlighted the education, communication skills, critical thinking and social awareness of a generation eager …

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Hoxha in Budapest: Hungary Continues to Support Albania’s EU Progress

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha is on an official visit to Budapest, where Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orbán welcomed him. During their talks on Albania’s European integration, Hoxha praised Hungary’s strong support and its role as an influential voice for the …

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Rama: Without Normalising Ties with Kosovo, Serbia Will Remain Hostage to Its Past

Prime Minister Edi Rama said it was too early to express optimism about recent political developments in Serbia and their potential impact on the region’s European integration process. Speaking at a discussion in Dublin, Ireland, with European and Balkan experts and diplomats, organised by the Institute of International and European …

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Rama: Albania Aims to Complete EU Accession Talks by End of 2027

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to complete its European Union accession negotiations by the end of 2027, describing the target as ambitious but achievable. Speaking in Dublin, Ireland, at an event hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), Rama addressed an audience of European and …

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Hungary reaffirms support for Albania’s EU integration during Hoxha’s visit to Budapest

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, is on an official visit to Budapest, where he was received by Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Orban. The meeting focused on Albania’s path to EU membership. Hoxha welcomed Hungary’s continued support for Albania’s integration and …

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Hita meets Italian police chief in Rome to discuss organized crime and police cooperation

Albania’s State Police Director General, Skënder Hita, was received in Rome by his Italian counterpart, Prefect Vittorio Pisani, Director General of the Italian Police. The official meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in tackling organized crime, illicit trafficking and cybercrime. During the bilateral meeting, the two police …

News
PM Rama says Europe made a ‘major mistake’ by abandoning diplomacy with Russia over Ukraine

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has criticized Europe’s approach to the war in Ukraine, calling it a major mistake to abandon diplomacy with Russia and focus its efforts on arming Ukraine. Speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin, Rama said Europe had traditionally favored diplomacy …

News

Hoxha: Albania Stands in Solidarity with France After Cyberattacks, Calls for European Unity

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha expressed Albania’s full solidarity with France following devastating cyberattacks on an unprecedented scale. He said an offensive cyber unit linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had carried out the attacks. Hoxha stressed that Albania understands the threat firsthand, as Iranian state …

News

Hita Meets Italian Counterpart to Strengthen Fight Against Emerging Crime

State Police Director General Skënder Hita is leading a delegation on a working visit to Italy, where Italian Police Chief Prefect Vittorio Pisani welcomed him in Rome. During the meeting, both officials praised the excellent bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership and investigative and operational …

News

Gogu, Nordio Discuss Expanding Albania-Italy Cooperation in Justice

Justice Minister Toni Gogu met with his Italian counterpart, Carlo Nordio, in Rome on Tuesday to discuss strengthening cooperation between Albania and Italy in the field of justice. In a social media post, Gogu thanked Nordio for Italy’s continued support as Albania’s strategic partner on its path towards European integration. …

News

Gonxhja: Young People Are Not Our Opponents; Dialogue Must Bridge Differences

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja attended an expanded meeting of the National Youth Council on Tuesday, stressing the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and greater youth involvement in decision-making. Gonxhja said the meeting highlighted the education, communication skills, critical thinking and social awareness of a generation eager …

News

Hoxha in Budapest: Hungary Continues to Support Albania’s EU Progress

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha is on an official visit to Budapest, where Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orbán welcomed him. During their talks on Albania’s European integration, Hoxha praised Hungary’s strong support and its role as an influential voice for the …

News

Rama: Without Normalising Ties with Kosovo, Serbia Will Remain Hostage to Its Past

Prime Minister Edi Rama said it was too early to express optimism about recent political developments in Serbia and their potential impact on the region’s European integration process. Speaking at a discussion in Dublin, Ireland, with European and Balkan experts and diplomats, organised by the Institute of International and European …

News

Rama: Albania Aims to Complete EU Accession Talks by End of 2027

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to complete its European Union accession negotiations by the end of 2027, describing the target as ambitious but achievable. Speaking in Dublin, Ireland, at an event hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), Rama addressed an audience of European and …

News

Hungary reaffirms support for Albania’s EU integration during Hoxha’s visit to Budapest

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, is on an official visit to Budapest, where he was received by Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Orban. The meeting focused on Albania’s path to EU membership. Hoxha welcomed Hungary’s continued support for Albania’s integration and …

News

Hita meets Italian police chief in Rome to discuss organized crime and police cooperation

Albania’s State Police Director General, Skënder Hita, was received in Rome by his Italian counterpart, Prefect Vittorio Pisani, Director General of the Italian Police. The official meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in tackling organized crime, illicit trafficking and cybercrime. During the bilateral meeting, the two police …

News

PM Rama says Europe made a ‘major mistake’ by abandoning diplomacy with Russia over Ukraine

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has criticized Europe’s approach to the war in Ukraine, calling it a major mistake to abandon diplomacy with Russia and focus its efforts on arming Ukraine. Speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin, Rama said Europe had traditionally favored diplomacy …