Hoxha: Albania Seeks New Partnership Opportunities with Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met with Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and his delegation to discuss expanding cooperation between Albania and the region. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on recent regional developments and explored new opportunities for cooperation in areas of …
Zaçaj at IMF and World Bank Meeting: Albanian Economy Shows Resilience Amid Global Uncertainty
First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Holta Zaçaj, participated in the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Constituency, held on July 6–7, 2026, in Lisbon, Portugal. During the high-level gathering, central bank governors, finance ministers, and senior representatives from member countries discussed the latest …
Terras: Kosovo’s Future Lies in the EU, but Membership Requires Reforms
European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras said Kosovo’s future belongs in the European Union. However, he stressed that the country must continue reforms to achieve membership. “We are working in this direction,” Terras said after meetings with Kosovo’s political leaders in Pristina. During his visit, Terras met with Acting …
A salute to America
By Marco Rubio Two hundred and fifty years ago today, in a brick hall in Philadelphia, our forefathers declared their independence from the most powerful empire on earth. They were not fools. They knew exactly what the words on that parchment would mean. They knew that in that moment, they …
NATO’s Ankara Summit and Albania’s Uncertain Moment
Tirana Times, July 07, 2026 – The next NATO Summit, where the leaders of Allied member states gather annually, will take place on July 7–8, 2026, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. It will be NATO’s 36th summit and the second hosted by Türkiye, after the Istanbul Summit of 2004. …
Concrete, Cocaine and Corruption: Albania’s Fragile Growth Model
Albania’s Concrete Economy: How Construction Became the Country’s Dominant Growth Model Tirana Times, July 7, 2026 – A booming construction sector has made Albania an outlier in Europe, but behind the cranes and luxury towers lies a deeper story of weak productivity, distorted investment and suspected flows of illicit money. …
Albanian PM Cheers on Kanye West Concert Despite Antisemitism Row
Edi Rama defends concert planned for Saturday by controversial US rapper, saying it will transform Tirana for a day into a ‘global capital of music’. Original post Here
Environmental Website Highlights Vjosa as Europe’s Last Wild River
Environmental Website A well-known environmental website has highlighted the Vjosa as Europe’s last major wild river, emphasizing its unique natural and cultural value. According to the Italian environmental platform LifeGate, the Vjosa River Basin remains one of the few places in Europe where water still flows freely and without barriers. …
Young Albanian MPs Complete Study Visit to the European Parliament
The Parliamentary Youth Club and ten newly elected members of Albania’s Parliament completed a three-day study visit to the European Parliament as part of the Young Political Leaders (YPL) Programme for the Western Balkans. The European Parliament invited the delegation to take part in the visit, which took place from …
Rama: Kanye West Concert Will Turn Tirana into a Global Music Entertainment Hub
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today showing the construction of a stadium in Kashar for the upcoming concert of Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. According to Rama, organizers built the venue specifically for what he described as the largest concert ever held in Albania. He …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja welcomed the delegations and artistic groups taking part in the sixth International Folk Festival Tirana, “Days of Celebration in Tirana,” after three nights of music, dance and cultural performances. Gonxhja praised the artists for their contribution and highlighted folklore’s role in bringing cultures …
The International Air Beat Festival – Lulu Fest filled the city of Korça with music and performances for two consecutive nights, bringing together more than 200 musicians from Albania, Italy, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the festival on social media. He said the …
Italian media outlet Quotidian Post.it has ranked Albania among Europe’s top 10 destinations for affordable summer holidays in 2026. Travel experts selected the destinations for their combination of natural beauty, quality experiences and reasonable prices. The report says travelers can still enjoy memorable holidays on a limited budget by choosing …
More than 34,000 domestic and international tourists visited the protected areas of Kukës during the first half of 2026, exploring alpine landscapes, mountain trails, biodiversity and natural attractions. The protected areas offer visitors a unique experience through forests, lakes, natural springs and cultural heritage sites, combining adventure with nature exploration. …
Agrotourism is becoming an important driver of economic and social development in Albania’s rural areas, creating jobs and strengthening local economies. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the “N’Kanu” agrotourism centre in Perlat, Mirditë, describing it as an example of returning migrants investing in their hometowns and promoting rural …
Seman Beach, located 18 kilometres from Fier, is attracting visitors with its wide coastline, fine therapeutic sand and warm waters. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the popular summer destination on social media, highlighting its appeal among holidaymakers. In recent years, Seman and Darzezë beaches have become increasingly popular …
President Begaj praised the forum as a valuable platform that strengthens interfaith dialogue and promotes peace, mutual understanding, and cooperation across Europe. He said Albania stands as a model of religious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and hospitality. He added that these values define the country’s identity and encouraged the delegates to …
*]: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:0c81e9b2-d514-4f1d-a367-bde215b12958-50″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:0c81e9b2-d514-4f1d-a367-bde215b12958-50″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania ranks first in the Western Balkans in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today. In a video message, Rama said the global index places Albania 46th among 177 countries. He added that the country has achieved …
An artisan workshop in the heart of Tropoja has become a model for preserving cultural heritage and strengthening women’s economic independence. With support from the European Union through the EU4Innovation programme, local women artisans are keeping traditional crafts alive while creating new job opportunities for the community. At the workshop, …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here