Rama Meets German Chancellor Merz at EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today in Tivat during the EU–Western Balkans Summit. Rama shared details of the meeting in a social media post. He said they spoke after the summit session and before departing for their respective destinations. Furthermore, the summit brought together European …
Korça Opens Summer Season with International Carnival Festival
Korçë will open the summer season this weekend with the 2026 International Carnival Festival, one of the city’s most popular celebrations. Mayor Sotiraq Filo shared the festival program on social media and invited residents and visitors to join the festivities. “We invite everyone to become part of this colorful celebration …
UNUM Festival Brings Non-Stop Electronic Music to Shëngjin
The first night of UNUM Festival kicked off last night in Shëngjin, bringing music energy to the shoreline of Rana e Hedhun. The festival transformed the beach area into an international stage. It also turned Shëngjin into a key tourist hotspot during the event. Furthermore, UNUM Festival is considered one …
PM Rama in Tivat: Western Balkans must not stay in EU waiting room, calls for “Helmut Kohl moment” in enlargement
TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Western Balkans should not remain in the European Union waiting room. He spoke to international media on arrival at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. He called for stronger political momentum in the enlargement process. He also supported gradual …
PM Rama in Tivat: Western Balkans must not stay in EU waiting room, calls for “Helmut Kohl moment” in enlargement
TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Western Balkans should not remain in the European Union waiting room. He spoke to international media on arrival at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. He called for stronger political momentum in the enlargement process. He also supported gradual …
President Begaj receives credentials from North Macedonia and Saudi Arabia ambassadors
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 …
New Monograph Explores the Legacy of Don Gjon Buzuku
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 …
RTSH annual report: Over 56% of revenue comes from TV fee, third-party liabilities exceed 374 million ALL
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 …
RTSH annual report 2025: Vasili says 150 million ALL in arrears cleared
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 …
Fuel price caps set at 192 ALL for diesel and 172 ALL for petrol
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 …
Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …
The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …
Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …
An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has announced a new National Housing Fund to support not only vulnerable groups, but also professionals, young people and newly formed families. Speaking after a government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the programme will make 7,000 apartments available. Around 2,000 will be offered through interest-free loans …
The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, met with UNDP Resident Representative Randi Davis to discuss cooperation in green finance, financial and digital education, payment systems, and support for SMEs. The meeting focused on Albania’s latest economic and financial developments and the Bank’s ongoing initiatives. Davis praised the …
Albania is increasingly attracting visitors through its natural heritage, with protected areas becoming key destinations for tourists. Diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity and outdoor activities are drawing more visitors and adding a new dimension to the country’s tourism offer. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said more than 4.5 million visitors explored Albania’s …
General jurisdiction prosecutors from Tirana, Elbasan, Durrës, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Kukës, Korçë, Berat, Fier, Vlora, Dibër, Lezhë and Shkodër took part in a training session on prosecutorial ethics and professional dilemmas. The Dutch Embassy in Albania said the training was led by Dutch prosecutor Disa Jironet. It focused on complex cases, …