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Lamallari at the UN: Albania Strengthens Its Role in Migration Management

Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari addressed the International Migration Forum at the United Nations and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to safe, orderly, and legal migration. During his speech, Lamallari stressed that Albania supports migration policies based on human rights, international cooperation, and stronger engagement with the Albanian diaspora. Furthermore, he said …

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Jaupaj: Regional Forestry Initiative with North Macedonia Brings $50 Million Investment

Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj met today with Dame Dimitrovski, adviser to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, and Raimund Jehle during the regional conference United for Climate. During the meeting, Jaupaj discussed a regional forestry initiative supported by the Green Climate Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Furthermore, …

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“Flagship” Band Performs in Tirana, VanHorn Honors 250 Years of American Independence

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VanHorn attended the “Battle of the Bands” concert in Tirana featuring the Flagship and the Orchestra of the Albanian Armed Forces. During her opening remarks, VanHorn said the event celebrated “Freedom 250,” a global initiative launched by Donald Trump to honor 250 years of American independence, …

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Ura e Kamarës: A Medieval Monument Near Mirakë

Ura e Kamarës is a historic medieval bridge located near the village of Mirakë, along the Elbasan–Librazhd national road. To reach it, visitors follow the old Egnatia Road and pass through a narrow village path. Then they arrive at the bridge site. The bridge measures about 40 meters in length …

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Opposition protest held in central Tirana

TIRANA, May 8 – An opposition protest took place in central Tirana on Friday evening, gathering supporters along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. The demonstra ion started at around 19:30 and formed part of a series of opposition rallies against the government. Unlike previous …

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Week in Review: Turning Points and Endless Loops

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut. Original post Here

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Himara Triathlon Links Sport and Tourism on the Albanian Riviera

Himara Triathlon will take place on May 10 in the coastal town of Himarë, bringing together professional and amateur athletes. The event combines three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. It promotes both competitive sport and active lifestyles. The race will start at Potam Beach with the swimming stage. It will …

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Mesi Bridge in Shkodër, a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists

TIRANA, May 8 – Mesi Bridge attracts daily visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists admire its history, architecture, and cultural heritage value. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the site in Shkodër and described it as a restored pearl of cultural heritage. The bridge lies about 8 kilometres from …

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EU Ambassador Gonzato: Better services and infrastructure at core of “EU4Municipalities II”

TIRANA, May 8 – EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato attended today the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” project in Durrës. He described the initiative as a concrete programme that brings direct benefits at local level and places citizens at the centre of Albania’s EU integration process. Referring to …

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PM Rama: “EU4Municipalities II” a strategic EU investment in local governance modernisation

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended today in Durrës the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” programme. The initiative aims to strengthen local government and support Albania’s path toward the European Union. The programme will support municipalities through concrete investments. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacities …

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“In the Footsteps of the Berat Codices” Exhibition Draws Visitors to Onufri Museum

The exhibition “In the Footsteps of the Berat Codices” opened today at the Onufri Iconographic Museum as part of the International Museum Day celebrations. The National Museum Center of Berat organized the exhibition in cooperation with the General Directorate of Archives. As a result, the event attracted both local and …

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Agricultural University of Tirana–Vienna university cooperation becomes European model

TIRANA, May 19 – The cooperation between the Agricultural University of Tirana and the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences has delivered concrete results. It has developed into a key European model in higher education. Meanwhile, the rector of the Vienna university, Eva Schulev-Steindl, assessed the progress of …

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Constitutional Court opens doors to students for institutional engagement

TIRANA, May 19 – The Constitutional Court marks its 34th anniversary of activity with the “Open Days” initiative on 18–19 May. It welcomes students from public and private universities. Meanwhile, students gain direct insight into the institutional life of the court and its role and function. On the first day, …

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Football federation president Armando Duka sets World Cup 2030 target for Albania

TIRANA, May 19 – The president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armando Duka, said Albania aims to reach the World Cup in 2030 during the presentation of the new national team coach Rolando Maran. Meanwhile, Duka said the national team opens a new cycle with a coach who brings experience …

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“Mona Lisa of Berat” displayed after three-month restoration

TIRANA, May 19 – The monumental icon “Saint Mary with Christ in her right arm”, a work by Onufri, returned to public display in Berat. It followed a three-month restoration process at the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory of the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi …

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Italians Lead Tourist Visits in Albania, Accommodation Up 20.8%

Tourism in Albania continued to grow in March, with a strong increase in visitors staying in accommodation structures. According to INSTAT, total visitors increased by 20.8% compared to March 2025. Foreign visitors rose even more, by 23.7%. Resident visitors increased by 15.9%. Italian tourists led arrivals. They made up 30% …

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Radio Tirana in 1947, rare photographs from Albanian Telegraphic Agency archive

TIRANA, May 19 – The archive of the Albanian news agency (ATSH) contains rare photographs of Radio Tirana dated 1947. The images show the radio’s facilities, speakers, technicians and broadcasting equipment. They also feature antennas, an orchestra and singers performing live in front of microphones. Radio Tirana was founded in …

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Besëlidhja Crowned Albanian Basketball Champions for Third Consecutive Time

Besëlidhja Basketball Club wins the Albanian Basketball Championship for the 2025–2026 season. They defeat Tirana Basketball Club 103–84 in the third final game. They complete the final series 3–0. Coach Afrim Bilali leads the team. He guides Besëlidhja to a dominant performance throughout the series. The game starts balanced. Besëlidhja …

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Montenegrin FM Ervin Ibrahimovic highlights strong Albania–Montenegro partnership for EU integration

TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimovic visited Tirana on an official trip. He said Albania and Montenegro share friendship and a common European vision. Meanwhile, during a joint press conference with Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Ibrahimovic said relations between the two countries …

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Foreign ministers of Albania and Montenegro focus on cross-border projects and cooperation

TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held a press conference with his Montenegrin counterpart Ervin Ibrahimoviç. They underlined close cooperation between the two countries and commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Montenegro as a stable model …

News

“In the Footsteps of the Berat Codices” Exhibition Draws Visitors to Onufri Museum

The exhibition “In the Footsteps of the Berat Codices” opened today at the Onufri Iconographic Museum as part of the International Museum Day celebrations. The National Museum Center of Berat organized the exhibition in cooperation with the General Directorate of Archives. As a result, the event attracted both local and …

News

Agricultural University of Tirana–Vienna university cooperation becomes European model

TIRANA, May 19 – The cooperation between the Agricultural University of Tirana and the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences has delivered concrete results. It has developed into a key European model in higher education. Meanwhile, the rector of the Vienna university, Eva Schulev-Steindl, assessed the progress of …

News

Constitutional Court opens doors to students for institutional engagement

TIRANA, May 19 – The Constitutional Court marks its 34th anniversary of activity with the “Open Days” initiative on 18–19 May. It welcomes students from public and private universities. Meanwhile, students gain direct insight into the institutional life of the court and its role and function. On the first day, …

News

Football federation president Armando Duka sets World Cup 2030 target for Albania

TIRANA, May 19 – The president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armando Duka, said Albania aims to reach the World Cup in 2030 during the presentation of the new national team coach Rolando Maran. Meanwhile, Duka said the national team opens a new cycle with a coach who brings experience …

News

“Mona Lisa of Berat” displayed after three-month restoration

TIRANA, May 19 – The monumental icon “Saint Mary with Christ in her right arm”, a work by Onufri, returned to public display in Berat. It followed a three-month restoration process at the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory of the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi …

News

Italians Lead Tourist Visits in Albania, Accommodation Up 20.8%

Tourism in Albania continued to grow in March, with a strong increase in visitors staying in accommodation structures. According to INSTAT, total visitors increased by 20.8% compared to March 2025. Foreign visitors rose even more, by 23.7%. Resident visitors increased by 15.9%. Italian tourists led arrivals. They made up 30% …

News

Radio Tirana in 1947, rare photographs from Albanian Telegraphic Agency archive

TIRANA, May 19 – The archive of the Albanian news agency (ATSH) contains rare photographs of Radio Tirana dated 1947. The images show the radio’s facilities, speakers, technicians and broadcasting equipment. They also feature antennas, an orchestra and singers performing live in front of microphones. Radio Tirana was founded in …

News

Besëlidhja Crowned Albanian Basketball Champions for Third Consecutive Time

Besëlidhja Basketball Club wins the Albanian Basketball Championship for the 2025–2026 season. They defeat Tirana Basketball Club 103–84 in the third final game. They complete the final series 3–0. Coach Afrim Bilali leads the team. He guides Besëlidhja to a dominant performance throughout the series. The game starts balanced. Besëlidhja …

News

Montenegrin FM Ervin Ibrahimovic highlights strong Albania–Montenegro partnership for EU integration

TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimovic visited Tirana on an official trip. He said Albania and Montenegro share friendship and a common European vision. Meanwhile, during a joint press conference with Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, Ibrahimovic said relations between the two countries …

News

Foreign ministers of Albania and Montenegro focus on cross-border projects and cooperation

TIRANA, May 19 – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held a press conference with his Montenegrin counterpart Ervin Ibrahimoviç. They underlined close cooperation between the two countries and commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Hoxha described relations between Albania and Montenegro as a stable model …