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Albania’s Disregard for Environmental Protection ‘Hurting EU Accession Hopes’

Amid continuing street protests, Albania is coming under increasing pressure to reverse its weakening of environmental protections in the interests of ‘luxury tourism’, or risk a setback in its pursuit of EU accession. Original post Here

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Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia sign agreement on cross-border citizens’ rights

The Ombudsmen of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia signed a memorandum of cooperation today in Prizren. The agreement aims to strengthen and protect citizens’ rights across borders. First, the heads of the institutions committed to turning cooperation into real benefits for citizens in all three countries. They emphasized practical protection …

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First Division Format to Change from the 2027/2028 Season

The Executive Committee approved a new format for Albania’s First Division starting from the 2027/2028 season. The change aims to increase competition and maintain sporting interest throughout the season. However, the current format will remain unchanged for the next edition. The championship will continue with three regular phases and 33 …

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INSTAT: Unemployment falls to 8.4% in 2025 as average wage rises to 84,000 lek

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-343″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-343″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s labor market improved further in 2025, as unemployment declined and average monthly wages increased, according to the latest data from INSTAT. The country’s labor force reached 1,279,906 people. Men accounted for 54.2% of the total, while women made up …

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Rama to France24: Outside interference fuels Zvërnec protest

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-347″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5e4ae464-f2d0-41ad-87cc-49336df2d056-347″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to questions from France24 about the protest against the Zvërnec project. He said several outside actors have influenced the movement. “There is a lot of interference. Iran has targeted us during a three-year cyber conflict. …

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Balla to Young Albanians in North Macedonia: The Albanian Language Is Not Negotiable

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met with young Albanians from North Macedonia and stressed the importance of protecting Albanian language rights. He stated that Albanians in North Macedonia are a state-forming nation, not an ethnic minority. Therefore, the right to education and the use of the Albanian language …

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Rama: Revival of Korça’s French High School Discussed with Macron

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the revival of the French High School in Korça was among the projects discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting in Paris. The project is a joint initiative between the Albanian and French governments. It aims to create a regional center of …

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Albania Signs Energy Agreement with ENI to Study National Oil and Gas Capacity

Albania and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding in Tirana to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement focuses on improving energy security and developing strategic hydrocarbon supply capacities. Prime Minister Edi Rama, Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, and senior Italian representatives attended the …

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Winning Project Announced for the New University Campus “Aleksandër Moisiu” in Durrës

The international competition for the new campus of Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës has concluded with the announcement of the winning design. First, the jury selected the winning consortium, 51N4E with JESHILE Landscape Design. Next, the process ended a strong competition involving 41 Albanian and international teams. Moreover, five finalist …

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Lamallari holds meeting with Dutch counterpart in The Hague: Albania–Netherlands agreement on security and law enforcement

Albanian Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari is on an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There, he met with his counterpart, Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel, in The Hague. First, the two ministers focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in security. They also discussed law enforcement …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 6, 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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Second phase of soft loan scheme opens, applications due by July 31, official says

TIRANA, July 6 – The second phase of the municipal soft loan scheme opened on July 1 after the completion of the first stage, a city official said. He said 2,500 applicants were approved in the first phase out of 4,909 applications. However, he added that several applicants were excluded …

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Turkey at the centre of global diplomacy as Ankara hosts NATO Summit on 7 July, agenda revealed

TIRANA, July 6 – Turkey will host the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara on 7 July. The meeting takes place amid global uncertainty. Ankara last hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. Meanwhile, the summit will gather 32 heads of state and government. …

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Preza Castle: Where History and Nature Meet in a Peaceful Landscape

Just a few kilometers from Tirana, Preza Castle rises on a green hill, and it stands as one of the most distinctive historical and panoramic sites in the area. First, visitors reach the castle through a rural landscape, and they pass traditional houses and green hills that create a calm …

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RTSH Governing Council head outlines reforms for RTSH Parliament channel, archives and auditing

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Governing Council Chairman Fatjon Hoxhalli said the public broadcaster is strengthening the structure of the RTSH Parliament channel as part of a broader effort to modernize its operations. Speaking at the parliamentary Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight, Hoxhalli said the channel has …

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RTSH targets digital transformation, Director Vasili: Public media must be present wherever the audience is

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Director General Eni Vasili highlighted digital transformation as the public broadcaster’s main strategic priority during a parliamentary committee session reviewing RTSH’s 2025 performance. She said public media must reach audiences wherever they consume content. According to Vasili, the future of public broadcasting depends on a …

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Ministry of Defence reports 16 wildfire hotspots across Albania, five active but under control

TIRANA, July 6 – The Ministry of Defence said 16 wildfire hotspots were recorded across Albania during the day under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency. Meanwhile, the ministry said five active hotspots remain under control. It added that operational structures continue work to fully extinguish them. Operations …

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Velipojë: Well-Managed Public Beaches Offer Clean and Organized Conditions for Visitors

Velipojë beach, with a coastline stretching over 14 kilometers, remains one of the most visited destinations by both domestic and foreign tourists this summer season. First, authorities have expanded public beach areas and improved coastal management, which has significantly increased the number of visitors. Next, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared …

News
Parliament committee approves resolution on RTSH activity for 2025

TIRANA, July 6 – The Parliamentary Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight approved on Sunday the draft resolution assessing the activity of Albanian Radio Television (RTSH) for 2025. Earlier in the session, RTSH Director General Eni Vasili said digital transformation remains a core institutional priority in cooperation with …

News
Today marks final deadline for National Agriculture Support Scheme applications

TIRANA, July 6 – Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) said today is the final day to apply for the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development extended the deadline. The agency said it will accept applications for all support measures until …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 6, 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

News

Second phase of soft loan scheme opens, applications due by July 31, official says

TIRANA, July 6 – The second phase of the municipal soft loan scheme opened on July 1 after the completion of the first stage, a city official said. He said 2,500 applicants were approved in the first phase out of 4,909 applications. However, he added that several applicants were excluded …

News

Turkey at the centre of global diplomacy as Ankara hosts NATO Summit on 7 July, agenda revealed

TIRANA, July 6 – Turkey will host the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara on 7 July. The meeting takes place amid global uncertainty. Ankara last hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. Meanwhile, the summit will gather 32 heads of state and government. …

News

Preza Castle: Where History and Nature Meet in a Peaceful Landscape

Just a few kilometers from Tirana, Preza Castle rises on a green hill, and it stands as one of the most distinctive historical and panoramic sites in the area. First, visitors reach the castle through a rural landscape, and they pass traditional houses and green hills that create a calm …

News

RTSH Governing Council head outlines reforms for RTSH Parliament channel, archives and auditing

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Governing Council Chairman Fatjon Hoxhalli said the public broadcaster is strengthening the structure of the RTSH Parliament channel as part of a broader effort to modernize its operations. Speaking at the parliamentary Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight, Hoxhalli said the channel has …

News

RTSH targets digital transformation, Director Vasili: Public media must be present wherever the audience is

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Director General Eni Vasili highlighted digital transformation as the public broadcaster’s main strategic priority during a parliamentary committee session reviewing RTSH’s 2025 performance. She said public media must reach audiences wherever they consume content. According to Vasili, the future of public broadcasting depends on a …

News

Ministry of Defence reports 16 wildfire hotspots across Albania, five active but under control

TIRANA, July 6 – The Ministry of Defence said 16 wildfire hotspots were recorded across Albania during the day under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency. Meanwhile, the ministry said five active hotspots remain under control. It added that operational structures continue work to fully extinguish them. Operations …

News

Velipojë: Well-Managed Public Beaches Offer Clean and Organized Conditions for Visitors

Velipojë beach, with a coastline stretching over 14 kilometers, remains one of the most visited destinations by both domestic and foreign tourists this summer season. First, authorities have expanded public beach areas and improved coastal management, which has significantly increased the number of visitors. Next, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared …

News

Parliament committee approves resolution on RTSH activity for 2025

TIRANA, July 6 – The Parliamentary Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight approved on Sunday the draft resolution assessing the activity of Albanian Radio Television (RTSH) for 2025. Earlier in the session, RTSH Director General Eni Vasili said digital transformation remains a core institutional priority in cooperation with …

News

Today marks final deadline for National Agriculture Support Scheme applications

TIRANA, July 6 – Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) said today is the final day to apply for the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development extended the deadline. The agency said it will accept applications for all support measures until …