Blog
News

Elite tourism can boost revenue and support wider economy, says prime minister

TIRANA, June 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania should aim for a higher level of tourism development as the country considers major investment projects such as the one planned in Zvërnec. Speaking on Monday, Rama said authorities have not yet received the project and have not completed the …

Read More
News

Fun Fair Albania ends with Children’s Day celebrations in Tirana

TIRANA, June 1 – Fun Fair Albania concluded on Monday after four days of activities that began on May 29. The event offered entertainment and recreational activities from morning until evening. Children’s Day brought additional crowds to the fair. As a result, dozens of activities, games, creative workshops and surprises …

Read More
News

Four Scenarios for Democracy in the Western Balkans: From Hope to Disenchantment

By the year 2040, will countries in the region choose to consolidate democracy, settle for ‘stabilitocracy’, or descend into full-blown authoritarianism? Original post Here

Read More
News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 1, 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

Read More
News

Swedish media Dagens highlights Albania as emerging European tourist destination

TIRANA, June 1 – Albania is emerging as a new European tourism destination. Swedish media outlet “Dagens” reports growing interest from European travelers and describes Albania as more affordable than Spain and Greece, while also comparing it with Italy. Meanwhile, “Dagens” highlights Albania’s beaches, natural landscapes and competitive prices. It …

Read More
News

Cherry Festival in Godolesh Highlights Local Tradition and Rural Tourism

The village of Godolesh welcomed hundreds of visitors this weekend for the annual Cherry Festival, an event dedicated to promoting the area’s agricultural traditions, cultural heritage and tourism potential. Residents and visitors from Elbasan, other Albanian cities and foreign tourists gathered in the village center to take part in the …

Read More
News

Blendi Gonxhja: FIP Platinum Albania Puts Albania on Global Padel Map

Blendi Gonxhja described the FIP Platinum Albania tournament as a major sporting and organizational success, saying it placed Albania on the map of top international padel events. He made the remarks after the tournament concluded in Tirana, where the finals took place at Skanderbeg Square. First, Gonxhja highlighted the strong …

Read More
News

Fun Fair Albania marks International Children’s Day in Tirana

TIRANA, June 1 – International Children’s Day on June 1 highlights the promotion of children’s rights and well-being. The day builds on international efforts strengthened by the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Meanwhile, Tirana hosts the …

Read More
News

FM Hoxha in Prishtina: Kosova–Serbia dialogue central to normalisation, Albania reaffirms strong support

TIRANA, June 1 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held meetings in Prishtina focused on Kosova’s political and institutional developments. He met the new leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ardian Gjini, and congratulated him on taking office at a key political moment. He …

Read More
News

Book Fair in Shkodër Honors Ridvan Dibra with Best Novel Award

For three days, the courtyard of the parish in Shkodër welcomed writers, researchers, publishers and readers. They gathered for the second edition of the “Libri të ban të lirë” book fair. The event once again highlighted Shkodra’s role as a center of Albanian culture and literature. First, the opening ceremony …

Read More
News
Is Greece Behind Albania’s Anti-Government Protests? 

Tirana Times, June 10, 2026  — Prime Minister Edi Rama has sought to link the growing anti-government protests over the planned tourism project in Zvërnec with foreign interests, suggesting that Greek media and online platforms have joined domestic opponents in trying to undermine what he describes as a historic investment for …

News
Tirana Protests Trigger Albania-Iran Clash

Prime Minister Edi Rama accuses Tehran of exploiting anti-government protests over the Trump-linked Zvërnec project, while Iran says Tirana is using it as a scapegoat. Tirana Times, June 10, 2026. What began as an environmental protest against a controversial tourism project in the protected area of Zvërnec has entered a …

News
Last Straw: Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ Fuelled by Long-Standing Grievances

Angered by the treatment of a protester at the site of a planned resort linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Albanians are taking to the streets, fuelled by long-standing grievances over the way their country has been run. Original post Here

News
Sejko and CEF Director Discuss Expanded Cooperation in Banking Supervision

Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko met with the Director of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), Jana Repanšek, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He also met with Robertina Gjoka Vasilieva, CEF Manager for Albania. Furthermore, both sides reviewed their cooperation in developing professional skills and sharing financial knowledge. …

News
Protests, Ibrahimaj says government holds stronger electoral mandate one year after elections

TIRANA, June 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj took part in the Albanian Radio and Television talk show Trialog, hosted by journalist Alba Alishani. She said the recent protests in Albania began as a public reaction to images of violence that shocked public opinion. Meanwhile, Ibrahimaj said protest …

News
Clear weather with temperatures up to 34 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, June 10 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will face stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. Meanwhile, weather will remain mostly clear across the country. In addition, during midday and afternoon hours, light to moderate passing cloudiness will appear. At the same time, eastern mountainous areas will see occasional …

News
Grazia: Albania cheaper than Spain and Portugal, ideal summer destination in Europe, says French media

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania has emerged as one of the most attractive summer destinations for 2026 due to lower costs and Mediterranean landscapes, according to an article by Luce Picat published in the French media outlet Grazia.fr. Meanwhile, the article said rising prices across Europe continue to affect family …

News
148 years since the League of Prizren, event that laid foundations of Albanian nation-state

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania marks 148 years since the founding of the League of Prizren. The League stands as the most important event of the 19th century in Albanian history. It marked the start of national political organization to defend Albanian lands and identity. The League of Prizren was …

News
Albania women reach 2027 World Cup play-offs after 5-2 win over Montenegro

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania’s women’s national team beat Montenegro 5-2 at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium and secured a place in the first round of the 2027 World Cup play-offs in Brazil. Albania started strongly and pushed forward from the opening minutes. Fortesa Berisha hit the crossbar in the 4th …

News
FM Hoxha meets Bulgarian counterpart, discusses energy and infrastructure cooperation

TIRANA, June 10 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha arrived in Sofia, where foreign ministers are meeting at the close of Bulgaria’s chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) for 2025–2026. Earlier, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova received Hoxha for bilateral talks. The meeting reaffirmed the …

News

Is Greece Behind Albania’s Anti-Government Protests? 

Tirana Times, June 10, 2026  — Prime Minister Edi Rama has sought to link the growing anti-government protests over the planned tourism project in Zvërnec with foreign interests, suggesting that Greek media and online platforms have joined domestic opponents in trying to undermine what he describes as a historic investment for …

News

Tirana Protests Trigger Albania-Iran Clash

Prime Minister Edi Rama accuses Tehran of exploiting anti-government protests over the Trump-linked Zvërnec project, while Iran says Tirana is using it as a scapegoat. Tirana Times, June 10, 2026. What began as an environmental protest against a controversial tourism project in the protected area of Zvërnec has entered a …

News

Last Straw: Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ Fuelled by Long-Standing Grievances

Angered by the treatment of a protester at the site of a planned resort linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Albanians are taking to the streets, fuelled by long-standing grievances over the way their country has been run. Original post Here

News

Sejko and CEF Director Discuss Expanded Cooperation in Banking Supervision

Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko met with the Director of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), Jana Repanšek, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He also met with Robertina Gjoka Vasilieva, CEF Manager for Albania. Furthermore, both sides reviewed their cooperation in developing professional skills and sharing financial knowledge. …

News

Protests, Ibrahimaj says government holds stronger electoral mandate one year after elections

TIRANA, June 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj took part in the Albanian Radio and Television talk show Trialog, hosted by journalist Alba Alishani. She said the recent protests in Albania began as a public reaction to images of violence that shocked public opinion. Meanwhile, Ibrahimaj said protest …

News

Clear weather with temperatures up to 34 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, June 10 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will face stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. Meanwhile, weather will remain mostly clear across the country. In addition, during midday and afternoon hours, light to moderate passing cloudiness will appear. At the same time, eastern mountainous areas will see occasional …

News

Grazia: Albania cheaper than Spain and Portugal, ideal summer destination in Europe, says French media

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania has emerged as one of the most attractive summer destinations for 2026 due to lower costs and Mediterranean landscapes, according to an article by Luce Picat published in the French media outlet Grazia.fr. Meanwhile, the article said rising prices across Europe continue to affect family …

News

148 years since the League of Prizren, event that laid foundations of Albanian nation-state

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania marks 148 years since the founding of the League of Prizren. The League stands as the most important event of the 19th century in Albanian history. It marked the start of national political organization to defend Albanian lands and identity. The League of Prizren was …

News

Albania women reach 2027 World Cup play-offs after 5-2 win over Montenegro

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania’s women’s national team beat Montenegro 5-2 at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium and secured a place in the first round of the 2027 World Cup play-offs in Brazil. Albania started strongly and pushed forward from the opening minutes. Fortesa Berisha hit the crossbar in the 4th …

News

FM Hoxha meets Bulgarian counterpart, discusses energy and infrastructure cooperation

TIRANA, June 10 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha arrived in Sofia, where foreign ministers are meeting at the close of Bulgaria’s chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) for 2025–2026. Earlier, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova received Hoxha for bilateral talks. The meeting reaffirmed the …