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Western Balkans Stability Monitor: Elections in the Air

The new edition of BIRN’s Western Balkans Stability Monitor looks at election fever in the region. Some countries are heading towards elections; in others, parties are using possible polls as a PR tool. Original post Here

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Rama shares views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park: One of Albania’s most beautiful natural treasures

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today new views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park. He described the area as one of Albania’s most valuable natural treasures and a destination with strong potential for sustainable tourism. In a social media post, Rama published images from the park. He highlighted the rare …

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“Dua” wins in Cannes, Basholli calls it a major prize for Kosovo cinema

Dua by Kosovar director Blerta Basholli has brought Kosovo a major international film award. After its emotional premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the film won the prestigious SACD Award. The prize is awarded by France’s Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers during the “Semaine de la Critique” section. The …

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Gonxhja: Socca European Championship in Tirana breaks records

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the Socca European Championship in Tirana as a record-breaking event. He said it placed the Albanian capital at the center of European minifootball. According to Gonxhja, 28 countries took part in the championship at the House of Football. More than 1,500 players …

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Monday to bring stable weather, light rainfall in southeastern Albania

TIRANA, May 25 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Monday. The weather will feature clear skies and periods of cloudiness, more pronounced in the southeastern regions. Light rainfall will occur in the form of isolated drops in mountainous areas of southeastern Albania. …

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Greek defense minister to visit Tirana for talks with Rama and Nufi, “To Vima” reports

Greece is increasing efforts to restart talks with Albania on maritime borders. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will visit Tirana next week for high-level meetings. He will meet Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Prime Minister Edi Rama. The visit aims to revive talks on maritime border delimitation. In October …

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Rama: Albania opens final phase of EU negotiations on May 26 in Brussels

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania will officially open the final phase of European Union membership negotiations on May 26 in Brussels. He said Albania successfully completed the opening phase of the process. During his weekly remarks, Rama highlighted the discussions between the European Commission and EU member states in …

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**Albanian Football Federation joins UEFA Grow conference in Warsaw** TIRANA, May 24 /ATSH/ – The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They also reviewed challenges linked to institutional development and improving operational efficiency. During the working sessions, delegates discussed financial relations with regional and local football associations. They also focused on improving financial data management and on changes in the field of human resources. The Albanian federation sent Administrative Director Aldi Topçiu, Finance Director Irma Zëri and finance specialist Marilda Mema. During the two-day conference, Topçiu gave a presentation on the federation’s organizational development over the years. He shared the federation’s experience with structural changes. He also explained the main reasons behind them and highlighted key challenges during the process. The federation said the conference created an important opportunity to exchange experience and best practices with European partners. It also helped strengthen FSHF’s administrative and financial capacities.

The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They …

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Hasani in Rome: Italy’s support for Albania remains steady and concrete

Igli Hasani praised Italy’s support for Albania as steady, concrete and sincere. He said the backing extends across Italy’s political spectrum. During an official visit to Rome, Hasani met senior Italian officials. They focused on Albania’s path toward European integration and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Hasani met with …

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Hoxha thanks Secretary Rubio for honoring Mother Teresa

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for honoring Mother Teresa. He praised her as a saint of Albanian origin who left a strong legacy of compassion, humility and service to humanity. In a social media post, Hoxha said Mother Teresa’s life …

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Latvia reaffirms support for Albania’s European Union path, Speaker Peleshi says

TIRANA, June 3 – Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi continued his Baltic parliamentary diplomacy tour with an official visit to Latvia, where he met Speaker of the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) Daiga Mieriņa. The two officials discussed bilateral relations, Albania’s European Union accession process, European and Euro-Atlantic security, support for Ukraine, …

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Albanian lawmakers attend regional security and defence committees meeting in Zagreb

TIRANA, June 3 – Members of Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence, Agron Malaj and Bujar Rexha, took part in the annual meeting of parliamentary security and defence committees from Southeast European countries in Zagreb, Croatia. The Croatian Parliament organised the event with RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation), …

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Finance Minister Malaj: Albanian Development Bank to finance up to €1 billion in investments

TIRANA, June 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj outlined plans for the Albanian Development Bank after a government meeting. The new financial institution will support strategic sectors of the economy and key development projects. Malaj said the bank will start with an initial capital of €100 million. He added that …

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Prime Minister Rama says Zvërnec land funds cleared after verification, warns of hybrid influence activity

TIRANA, June 3 – The government said it completed verification of funds used for the purchase of land in Zvërnec. It said investors passed financial checks. However, it said payments to the seller remain frozen due to a separate judicial process. Prime Minister Edi Rama made the announcement after a …

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Costa Visits Kosovo, Meets Haxhiu and Kurti

President of the European Council, António Costa, visited Kosovo as part of his Western Balkans tour. First, Costa met acting President Albulena Haxhiu in Pristina. The two officials discussed issues of mutual interest and Kosovo’s European path. Afterward, Costa held talks with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Meanwhile, the European …

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Program ‘Double Your Enterprise’ launches July 1 with €250 mln fund for businesses

TIRANA, June 3 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will launch the “Double Your Enterprise” programme on July 1. The scheme aims to support Albanian businesses through new financing opportunities. Ibrahimaj said the Bank of Albania has made €250 million available for the programme. In addition, …

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“Vlora Airport Will Be Built and Become Operational” – Karakaçi: Companies Given 30 Days to Resolve Their Dispute

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …

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Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …

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“Property’s Origin Is Now in SPAK’s Hands” – Rama on Zvërnec: This Will Put an End to Any Speculation That Project Is Not Based on the Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …

News
Albanian Book Fair Comes to North Macedonia: 55 Publishers from the Region Gather in Skopje for the First Time

Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …

News

Latvia reaffirms support for Albania’s European Union path, Speaker Peleshi says

TIRANA, June 3 – Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi continued his Baltic parliamentary diplomacy tour with an official visit to Latvia, where he met Speaker of the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) Daiga Mieriņa. The two officials discussed bilateral relations, Albania’s European Union accession process, European and Euro-Atlantic security, support for Ukraine, …

News

Albanian lawmakers attend regional security and defence committees meeting in Zagreb

TIRANA, June 3 – Members of Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence, Agron Malaj and Bujar Rexha, took part in the annual meeting of parliamentary security and defence committees from Southeast European countries in Zagreb, Croatia. The Croatian Parliament organised the event with RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation), …

News

Finance Minister Malaj: Albanian Development Bank to finance up to €1 billion in investments

TIRANA, June 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj outlined plans for the Albanian Development Bank after a government meeting. The new financial institution will support strategic sectors of the economy and key development projects. Malaj said the bank will start with an initial capital of €100 million. He added that …

News

Prime Minister Rama says Zvërnec land funds cleared after verification, warns of hybrid influence activity

TIRANA, June 3 – The government said it completed verification of funds used for the purchase of land in Zvërnec. It said investors passed financial checks. However, it said payments to the seller remain frozen due to a separate judicial process. Prime Minister Edi Rama made the announcement after a …

News

Costa Visits Kosovo, Meets Haxhiu and Kurti

President of the European Council, António Costa, visited Kosovo as part of his Western Balkans tour. First, Costa met acting President Albulena Haxhiu in Pristina. The two officials discussed issues of mutual interest and Kosovo’s European path. Afterward, Costa held talks with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Meanwhile, the European …

News

Program ‘Double Your Enterprise’ launches July 1 with €250 mln fund for businesses

TIRANA, June 3 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will launch the “Double Your Enterprise” programme on July 1. The scheme aims to support Albanian businesses through new financing opportunities. Ibrahimaj said the Bank of Albania has made €250 million available for the programme. In addition, …

News

“Vlora Airport Will Be Built and Become Operational” – Karakaçi: Companies Given 30 Days to Resolve Their Dispute

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …

News

Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …

News

“Property’s Origin Is Now in SPAK’s Hands” – Rama on Zvërnec: This Will Put an End to Any Speculation That Project Is Not Based on the Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …

News

Albanian Book Fair Comes to North Macedonia: 55 Publishers from the Region Gather in Skopje for the First Time

Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …