Blog
News

Karakaçi: Albania Reaches Over 600 MW in New Renewable Energy Capacity

Albania has reached its target of more than 600 MW in new renewable energy capacity ahead of schedule. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi said the energy sector reforms are producing concrete results. He said the government is modernizing the legal framework and aligning it with European Union standards. …

Read More
News

Over 824,000 Visitors Explore Albania’s Cultural Heritage Sites

Albania’s cultural heritage sites recorded a strong increase in visitors during the first seven months of 2026. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja released the figures for January–July 2026. A total of 824,340 local and foreign visitors explored these destinations. The figure marks an 80% increase compared with …

Read More
News

Nufi in Puka’s Gojan i Madh: Wildfires Under Control

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited Gojan i Madh in Puka on Friday evening. He inspected the situation after wildfires affected the area. Nufi said the situation had been difficult during the day. However, firefighting teams brought the fires under control after several hours of work. He praised the local forces …

Read More
News

Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games: Albania sends record 72-athlete delegation

TIRANA, August 21 – The Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games open today in Italy, with Albania represented by 72 athletes. The delegation is the largest in Albania’s history at the Mediterranean Games. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja congratulated the Albanian athletes as the competition began. The delegation includes …

Read More
News

Medicinal and aromatic plants offer growing potential for Albanian agriculture

TIRANA, August 21 – The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is becoming an increasingly important sector for Albanian agriculture. It provides income for farmers and contributes to the country’s exports. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from fields in Devoll, where farmers have turned to medicinal plant cultivation in …

Read More
News

Return of emigrants increases border traffic, over 10,000 cross Kakavija border crossing with Greece in 24 hours

TIRANA, August 21 – Border traffic has increased at Kakavija border crossing with Greece as Albanian emigrants return, with more than 10,000 people and 3,000 vehicles processed over the past 24 hours. Border services processed 10,581 people at the Kakavija crossing. A total of 4,294 entered Albania, while 6,287 left …

Read More
News

Over 824,000 visitors to cultural heritage sites, Gjirokastër Castle leads

TIRANA, August 21 – Albania’s cultural heritage institutions and sites recorded a significant rise in visitors during the first 7 months of 2026. A total of 824,340 domestic and foreign visitors visited the sites from January to July, marking an 80% increase from the same period in 2023. According to …

Read More
News

10 active wildfires, 2 under monitoring as operations continue

TIRANA, August 21 – The Ministry of Defence reported 16 wildfires by 14:00. Ten remained active and two were under monitoring. The ministry said 240 military personnel, 3 firefighting vehicles, 4 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft supported the operations. In Gojan–Gjegjan, Puka, the situation remains calm and authorities report …

Read More
News

Week in Review: Momentous Moves and Dubious Intentions

Big changes are afoot amid the heat of the summer holiday season. Our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories takes a deep dive into the motives and agendas driving these changes. Original post Here

Read More
News

Inspectorate and Financial Intelligence Agency strengthen anti-money laundering cooperation

TIRANA, August 21 – The General Inspectorate and the Financial Intelligence Agency have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against money laundering and terrorist financing. General Inspector Dashnor Sula and Financial Intelligence Agency Director Ervin Koci signed the agreement. It aims to improve the detection and reporting of suspected illegal …

Read More
News
PM Rama: Inspections must pass “Besa” test, no unannounced checks

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said inspections must pass the “Besa” test and that authorities should no longer conduct checks without prior notice. Speaking at an extended meeting with inspectors, attended by Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and General Inspector Dashnor Sula, Rama called for a …

News
President President Begaj receives new EU Ambassador de Sousa, reaffirms 2030 membership goal

TIRANA, September 2 – President Bajram Begaj received the new European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who presented her credentials. The president wished de Sousa success in her new role and praised the EU Delegation’s contribution to strengthening relations between Tirana and Brussels and supporting Albania’s European …

News
Europexplores names Albania Europe’s top travel destination

TIRANA, September 2 – Albania has been highlighted as Europe’s top travel destination by Europexplores in an Instagram post. The travel platform describes Albania as one of the most talked-about destinations for European getaways. It highlights the turquoise beaches of the Albanian Riviera and Ksamil, along with the historic streets …

News
Gonzato Departs as New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa Officially Takes Office

A new chapter in the European Union’s diplomatic representation in Albania begins this Wednesday. Sofia Moreira de Sousa officially takes office as the EU Ambassador to Tirana, following the end of Italian diplomat Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. The Portuguese diplomat’s first institutional engagement will be at the Presidency of the Republic, …

News
Grenell Backs Six LDK MPs Who Rejected Sejdiu’s Candidacy for Kosovo President: “Great Friends of America”

Former U.S. envoy for the Balkans Richard Grenell has reacted to the latest political developments in Kosovo, expressing support for six MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) who have said they will not vote for Bekim Sejdiu as president. Grenell posted a photo of the six MPs on …

News
Public Transport Returns to Normal Following Meeting with Karakaçi and Ibrahimaj; Bus Fleet to Receive Subsidy

The urban bus fleet is expected to return to normal operations starting today, following a meeting between the Urban and Interurban Transport Association and government representatives. Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj attended the meeting. According to transport representatives, the parties reached an agreement to subsidize public …

News
“No More Inspections Without Prior Notice,” Rama: Inspectors to Be Equipped with Smart Cameras

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to the way inspections and checks on businesses will be carried out. In a video message posted on Facebook, Rama said there would no longer be routine inspections without prior notice, stressing that inspections should aim to help businesses comply with the law …

News
President Begaj Receives New Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania

President Bajram Begaj received today the new Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, on the occasion of the presentation of her credentials. The Presidency’s Press Office announced that the Head of State expressed confidence that cooperation between Albanian institutions and the EU Delegation in …

News
42 International Students in Korçë as “Fan S. Noli” University Expands International Cooperation

“Fan S. Noli” University in Korçë is expanding its cooperation with foreign universities. As part of mobility programs, 42 international students have come to Korçë this year, while 14 Albanian students have gone abroad. “We are in the process of internationalization. We have mobility agreements with several foreign universities. Among …

News
Avoidance of Double Taxation: Government Approves Fiscal Agreements with Germany and Lithuania

The Council of Ministers approved a series of draft laws and decisions during its latest meeting concerning fiscal agreements with Germany and Lithuania, the administration of confiscated properties, environmental protection, the development of the mountain economy, reconstruction, and the criteria for awarding the Public Order Service Medal. One of the …

News

PM Rama: Inspections must pass “Besa” test, no unannounced checks

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said inspections must pass the “Besa” test and that authorities should no longer conduct checks without prior notice. Speaking at an extended meeting with inspectors, attended by Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and General Inspector Dashnor Sula, Rama called for a …

News

President President Begaj receives new EU Ambassador de Sousa, reaffirms 2030 membership goal

TIRANA, September 2 – President Bajram Begaj received the new European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who presented her credentials. The president wished de Sousa success in her new role and praised the EU Delegation’s contribution to strengthening relations between Tirana and Brussels and supporting Albania’s European …

News

Europexplores names Albania Europe’s top travel destination

TIRANA, September 2 – Albania has been highlighted as Europe’s top travel destination by Europexplores in an Instagram post. The travel platform describes Albania as one of the most talked-about destinations for European getaways. It highlights the turquoise beaches of the Albanian Riviera and Ksamil, along with the historic streets …

News

Gonzato Departs as New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa Officially Takes Office

A new chapter in the European Union’s diplomatic representation in Albania begins this Wednesday. Sofia Moreira de Sousa officially takes office as the EU Ambassador to Tirana, following the end of Italian diplomat Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. The Portuguese diplomat’s first institutional engagement will be at the Presidency of the Republic, …

News

Grenell Backs Six LDK MPs Who Rejected Sejdiu’s Candidacy for Kosovo President: “Great Friends of America”

Former U.S. envoy for the Balkans Richard Grenell has reacted to the latest political developments in Kosovo, expressing support for six MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) who have said they will not vote for Bekim Sejdiu as president. Grenell posted a photo of the six MPs on …

News

Public Transport Returns to Normal Following Meeting with Karakaçi and Ibrahimaj; Bus Fleet to Receive Subsidy

The urban bus fleet is expected to return to normal operations starting today, following a meeting between the Urban and Interurban Transport Association and government representatives. Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj attended the meeting. According to transport representatives, the parties reached an agreement to subsidize public …

News

“No More Inspections Without Prior Notice,” Rama: Inspectors to Be Equipped with Smart Cameras

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to the way inspections and checks on businesses will be carried out. In a video message posted on Facebook, Rama said there would no longer be routine inspections without prior notice, stressing that inspections should aim to help businesses comply with the law …

News

President Begaj Receives New Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania

President Bajram Begaj received today the new Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, on the occasion of the presentation of her credentials. The Presidency’s Press Office announced that the Head of State expressed confidence that cooperation between Albanian institutions and the EU Delegation in …

News

42 International Students in Korçë as “Fan S. Noli” University Expands International Cooperation

“Fan S. Noli” University in Korçë is expanding its cooperation with foreign universities. As part of mobility programs, 42 international students have come to Korçë this year, while 14 Albanian students have gone abroad. “We are in the process of internationalization. We have mobility agreements with several foreign universities. Among …

News

Avoidance of Double Taxation: Government Approves Fiscal Agreements with Germany and Lithuania

The Council of Ministers approved a series of draft laws and decisions during its latest meeting concerning fiscal agreements with Germany and Lithuania, the administration of confiscated properties, environmental protection, the development of the mountain economy, reconstruction, and the criteria for awarding the Public Order Service Medal. One of the …