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Regional Youth shares a vision of Peace, Development and European Integration

Tirana, 13.12.2024 Young people seek a region where their voices are heard, where they can decide about their future and where peace and cultural cooperation trump division, hate speech and prejudice. The European integration as a vessel of relevant reforms and incentives can be decisive toward achieving this noble goals. …

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Higher Pay Lures Albanians to Booming Montenegrin Resort

A flow of workers from northern Albania to the expanding town of Ulcinj on Montenegro’s coast is leaving their hometowns short of labour. Original post Here

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Albanian Opposition MPs Slam Govt for Sidelining Constitutional Court

Opposition MPs claimed the government is ignoring Council of Europe experts’ advice urging parliament to let the Constitutional Court review the mandate of a former minister who has been accused of abuse of office. Original post Here

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Privatization of Butrint: How Albania is Selling Off Its Archaeological Heritage

Butrint is one of the most prestigious archaeological sites in Albania. However, the government has decided to entrust its management to a private foundation, at the risk of jeopardizing its classification on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ilda Mara Courrier des Balkans   The archaeological site of Butrint, listed as …

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BIRN Reality Check: Pollution Continues Unabated in Albania’s Oldest Oilfield

BIRN reported in 2022 on the scourge of pollution in the area of Albania’s oldest oilfield. A subsequent inspection resulted in a 10,000-euro fine for the culprit, but the leaks continue. Original post Here

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Tirana’s ‘Heat Island’ Moment

It’s late July 2024 in Albania. An ever-present heat weighs down the air around you. Summers always get hot, but this time, it feels more draining than before. You’ve cranked the AC in your house, so the inside is safe. One step through those doors, however, and you’re right back …

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Digital Rights Worsened in Central, Southeast Europe in 2024: BIRN Report

From Budapest to Ankara, online freedoms are being compromised by government legislation, emerging technologies and tech giant algorithms, says BIRN’s new annual report on digital rights violations in Central and Southeast Europe. Original post Here

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Illicit Finance: Western Balkans Must Act to Clean Up Dirty Money Problems

National laws may be compliant with international standards but weak oversight, corruption and cash economies hamper an effective battle against money-laundering, says the author of a new report on illicit finance in the Western Balkans. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: December 2, 2024

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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Albanians ‘Deliberately Forgetting’ Horrors of Communist Past, Writer Says

In his new book, political scientist Ermal Hasimja says Albanians have deliberately decided to ‘forget’ the criminal nature of the country’s former communist regime, as a kind of defence mechanism. Original post Here

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Duka Attends FIGC Elections and Congratulates Malagò

Armand Duka attended the Electoral Assembly of the Italian Football Federation in Italy. He represented UEFA and delivered a formal address during the proceedings. First, Duka expressed UEFA’s support for Italian football. Then, he praised the role of FIGC in European football and emphasized the importance of cooperation between federations. …

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Berat Museum Unveils Earliest Archaeological Artifacts

The Ethnographic Museum of Berat has unveiled two of the earliest archaeological objects ever discovered within the grounds of Berat Castle: a stone axe and a stone hammer dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Archaeologist Hëna Spahiu discovered the artifacts during excavations in the 1970s. However, the museum kept …

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Finalist Teams Present Designs for New University Campus

Today, Prime Minister Edi Rama attended presentations by the five finalist teams in the international competition for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. Earlier, the competition attracted 41 Albanian and international teams. After a rigorous selection process, organizers chose five finalists to present their projects. The new campus …

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Mountain Package Inspires Diaspora Investment

The Mountain Package continues to inspire members of the Albanian diaspora to invest in their homeland. Recently, Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla shared a success story on social media that highlights this growing trend. Balla met with Albanian-Americans Saimir and Jonida Gjoka, who plan to launch an ambitious …

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Rama: Durrës University Campus Will Not Exclude Development in Tirana

Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the presentation of the five finalist projects for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. The project aims to transform higher education and create a modern academic center that meets contemporary standards. During the event, Rama said the new campus will bring together education, …

News
Italian Media Calls Albania the “Caribbean of the Balkans”

Albania continues to attract international attention as one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing tourist destinations. Recently, Italian travel outlet The Wom Travel described the country as the “Caribbean of the Balkans,” highlighting its crystal-clear waters, unspoiled nature, and unique mix of beaches, mountains, and historic towns. According to the publication, …

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Proposal to Restructure Albanian Superliga to Reduce Matches Without Sporting Objectives

The Football Association of Albania (FSHF) discussed a proposal to change the structure of the “Abissnet Superiore” and lower divisions during a consultation meeting with club representatives. First, the Competitions Department and the Leagues and Competitions Committee held talks with clubs from both the Superliga and the First Division. The …

News
Gjirokastër Castle Welcomes 100,000 Visitors in 2026

Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and cultural heritage sites are attracting increasing international attention. As a result, Gjirokastër Castle has reached a major milestone this year. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the castle welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 2026. This achievement highlights the strong rise in foreign tourist …

News
Berat Welcomes 550,000 Tourists in First Five Months of 2026

Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and Berat has recorded strong visitor numbers in early 2026. As a result, the city has confirmed its status as one of the country’s most popular destinations. Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo announced that around 550,000 visitors traveled to Berat between …

News
Albania and Spain Intensify Cooperation Against International Crime

The State Police of Albania strengthened its cooperation with Spain in the fight against international crime. The Director General of the State Police State Police of Albania met with the Spanish ambassador Ventura at the Directorate General of State Police in Tirana. First, both sides praised the strong and strategic …

News

Duka Attends FIGC Elections and Congratulates Malagò

Armand Duka attended the Electoral Assembly of the Italian Football Federation in Italy. He represented UEFA and delivered a formal address during the proceedings. First, Duka expressed UEFA’s support for Italian football. Then, he praised the role of FIGC in European football and emphasized the importance of cooperation between federations. …

News

Berat Museum Unveils Earliest Archaeological Artifacts

The Ethnographic Museum of Berat has unveiled two of the earliest archaeological objects ever discovered within the grounds of Berat Castle: a stone axe and a stone hammer dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Archaeologist Hëna Spahiu discovered the artifacts during excavations in the 1970s. However, the museum kept …

News

Finalist Teams Present Designs for New University Campus

Today, Prime Minister Edi Rama attended presentations by the five finalist teams in the international competition for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. Earlier, the competition attracted 41 Albanian and international teams. After a rigorous selection process, organizers chose five finalists to present their projects. The new campus …

News

Mountain Package Inspires Diaspora Investment

The Mountain Package continues to inspire members of the Albanian diaspora to invest in their homeland. Recently, Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla shared a success story on social media that highlights this growing trend. Balla met with Albanian-Americans Saimir and Jonida Gjoka, who plan to launch an ambitious …

News

Rama: Durrës University Campus Will Not Exclude Development in Tirana

Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the presentation of the five finalist projects for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. The project aims to transform higher education and create a modern academic center that meets contemporary standards. During the event, Rama said the new campus will bring together education, …

News

Italian Media Calls Albania the “Caribbean of the Balkans”

Albania continues to attract international attention as one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing tourist destinations. Recently, Italian travel outlet The Wom Travel described the country as the “Caribbean of the Balkans,” highlighting its crystal-clear waters, unspoiled nature, and unique mix of beaches, mountains, and historic towns. According to the publication, …

News

Proposal to Restructure Albanian Superliga to Reduce Matches Without Sporting Objectives

The Football Association of Albania (FSHF) discussed a proposal to change the structure of the “Abissnet Superiore” and lower divisions during a consultation meeting with club representatives. First, the Competitions Department and the Leagues and Competitions Committee held talks with clubs from both the Superliga and the First Division. The …

News

Gjirokastër Castle Welcomes 100,000 Visitors in 2026

Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and cultural heritage sites are attracting increasing international attention. As a result, Gjirokastër Castle has reached a major milestone this year. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the castle welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 2026. This achievement highlights the strong rise in foreign tourist …

News

Berat Welcomes 550,000 Tourists in First Five Months of 2026

Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and Berat has recorded strong visitor numbers in early 2026. As a result, the city has confirmed its status as one of the country’s most popular destinations. Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo announced that around 550,000 visitors traveled to Berat between …

News

Albania and Spain Intensify Cooperation Against International Crime

The State Police of Albania strengthened its cooperation with Spain in the fight against international crime. The Director General of the State Police State Police of Albania met with the Spanish ambassador Ventura at the Directorate General of State Police in Tirana. First, both sides praised the strong and strategic …