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Book “100 Years of Theatre in Shkodra (1879–1979)” highlights a century of Albanian stage history

The book “100 Years of Theatre in Shkodra: 1879–1979” by author Andrea Skanjeti has been published by the Academy of Sciences of Albania, presenting a century-long history of theatre in Shkodra, one of the country’s most important cultural centres. Academic and playwright Stefan Çapaliku contributed to preparing the book for …

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Deputy minister presents bill to strengthen Civil Society Support Agency

TIRANA, July 15 – Deputy Health and Social Protection Minister Denada Seferi presented a draft law to the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information. The bill proposes amendments to the law governing the Civil Society Support Agency. Seferi said the draft aims to strengthen the agency’s institutional role. …

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UEFA Conference League, Vllaznia aims for second qualifying round spot

TIRANA, July 15 – Vllaznia will face Malisheva on Wednesday in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The Shkodër-based team travels to Kosova with a 2-1 advantage from the first match at “Loro Boriçi” Stadium. Vllaznia conceded an early goal but reacted with …

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PM Rama to Euronews Serbia: Kosovo and Metohija no longer exists, only the Republic of Kosova

TIRANA, July 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Serbia bears the main responsibility for the current deadlock in its dialogue with Kosova because it has not accepted what he described as the new reality. In an interview with Euronews Serbia, Rama said the term “Kosovo and Metohija” no longer …

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FSHF: Major sporting events boost Albania’s international profile

The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) says that hosting international sporting events helps promote Albania, develop tourism, and support economic growth. FSHF highlighted the UEFA Europa Conference League final held in Tirana in 2022 as a clear example of how major football events can benefit the country. The federation aims to …

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Special prosecution chief: Electoral crime remains a concern, cases require evidence

TIRANA, July 15 – Electoral crime remains a serious concern, but prosecutors can file charges only when evidence supports them, Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime chief Klodjan Braho said on Tuesday. Braho made the remarks while reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight during …

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Former Kosova Prime Minister: Albania’s success benefits all Albanians

TIRANA, July 15 – Former Kosova Prime Minister and Honorary President of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ramush Haradinaj, welcomed Albania’s provisional closure of three European Union negotiation chapters, calling it an important achievement in the country’s integration process. In a social media post, Haradinaj said the milestone …

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North Macedonia’s Democratic Union for Integration leader condemns Serbian minister’s remarks

TIRANA, July 15 – Ali Ahmeti, leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration, a political party in North Macedonia, condemned remarks by Serbian minister Snezhana Paunovic. During a television interview, Paunovic said she would have ethnically cleansed Kosova in 1998 if she had been in Slobodan Milosevic’s position. …

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Budget transparency improves, British Embassy highlights Albania’s progress

TIRANA, July 15 – Albania scored 64 out of 100 in the 2025 Open Budget Survey, ranking above the global transparency benchmark of 60 points and above the regional average. The British Embassy in Tirana, which shared the findings, said the result reflects steady progress since 2021. It highlighted the …

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PM Rama: Albania to repeal strategic investments law, review protected areas law

TIRANA, July 15 – Albania will repeal the law on Strategic Investments and review the law on Protected Areas to align it with European Union standards, Prime Minister Edi Rama said. Rama made the statement during a press conference after the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference. The prime minister said Albania …

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EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry

The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …

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Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme

Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …

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Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …

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Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection

Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …

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Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs

The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …

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PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …

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Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit

From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports

Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …

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Speaker Peleshi: Parliament approved 131 laws during current term

TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …

News
Albania presents ‘eArkiva’ digital document management platform

TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …

News

EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry

The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …

News

Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme

Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …

News

Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …

News

Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection

Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …

News

Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs

The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …

News

PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests

TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …

News

Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit

From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here

News

Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports

Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …

News

Speaker Peleshi: Parliament approved 131 laws during current term

TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …

News

Albania presents ‘eArkiva’ digital document management platform

TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …