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European Commission: EU Negotiations with Albania on Track to Close by December 2027

The Commission is expected to formally back Albania’s 2027 accession timeline in a new action plan, which is also expected to include a list of key deliverables that Tirana will need to prioritise in order to complete the process by the end of next year. The European Commission is working …

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Tax Authorities Continue Refunding Overpaid Tax, Around 2,200 Beneficiaries

The Tax Administration is continuing the process of refunding overpaid tax to individuals under the Annual Individual Income Declaration (DIVA) for 2025. According to the latest update from the General Directorate of Taxation, the next phase of the process includes 2,192 beneficiaries, with refunds amounting to €360,000. The refunds are …

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Foreign Minister at Adriatic Charter Meeting: Kosovo’s Membership Would Strengthen Regional Security and Cooperation

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Adriatic Charter, held under Croatia’s chairmanship. In his remarks, the minister stressed the need to strengthen this mechanism in the face of new security challenges and to promote more inclusive regional cooperation, …

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Protest in Tirana Continues for 116th Day, Rally Outside Parliament Tomorrow

The citizens’ protest in Tirana entered its 116th day on Wednesday. As they have done since the protests began, demonstrators first gathered in Skanderbeg Square at 19:30 before moving to the Prime Minister’s Office, where they continued with their speeches. The protesters then began marching through the streets of Tirana. …

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Municipal Spending Increased by Around 18% in 2025

Municipal spending increased sharply during 2025, but most of the funds continued to be used for salaries and day-to-day operations, while only around one-fifth went towards investment. According to the “Local Government in Albania 2025” report by the Institute for Albanian Municipalities, the country’s 61 municipalities spent around 87.1 billion …

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Sotira Farm in Kolonjë blends nature and Albanian hospitality in an agritourism experience

Sotira Farm in Kolonjë stands out as a successful agritourism investment. Located in southeastern Albania, the farm attracts thousands of foreign visitors each year. The farm supports the local economy while also creating tourism and employment opportunities for nearby residents. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of Sotira Farm …

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Albania aims to close environment chapter in 2027

Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj met European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall as Albania marked one year since it opened negotiations on Chapter 27, covering environment and climate change. In a video message on social media, Jaupaj said Albania remains committed to meeting European environmental standards. He presented the work carried …

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Buildings record highest energy efficiency performance at 94%

Energy Efficiency Agency Director Ani Hasa said the agency has achieved 65% of its energy efficiency targets. Buildings recorded the highest performance, with 94% target achievement. During a parliamentary hearing, Hasa said the agency had taken several steps since late 2019 to promote energy efficiency and establish a specialized body …

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Kosova PM Kurti discusses permanent U.S. base at Bondsteel with American congressman

Kosova Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he met American Congressman George Latimer during his stay in New York. They discussed developments in Kosova, cooperation with the United States and regional security. Kurti said the talks focused on economic development, security and strengthening Kosova’s international position. Meanwhile, the two also discussed …

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Tonin Tershana, the voice time could not fade

Tonin Tershana died on September 22, 2015, at the age of 66. He was one of the most prominent names and distinctive voices in Albanian music. Born in Shkoder on June 1, 1949, Tershana began performing at a very young age. At 16, he took part in the 4th Song …

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

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EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

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Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

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International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

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OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

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Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

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Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

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Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …

News
Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France

Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …

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Week in Review: Elections and Struggles

Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here

News

Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

News

EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

News

Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

News

International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

News

OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

News

Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

News

Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

News

Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …

News

Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France

Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …

News

Week in Review: Elections and Struggles

Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here