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Malaj: Fuel Excise Cut Costs 37 Million Lek, Measures Remain Manageable

Petrit Malaj presented in Parliament a new emergency ordinance on excise tax changes for fuel. He said the government approved the measure to soften the impact of international fuel price fluctuations and to protect consumers. Malaj explained that the decision responds to global market shocks linked to the conflict in …

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SHBA: Kosovo to Be Included in Regional Energy Corridors

Joshua Volz said the United States is increasing its engagement in the Western Balkans to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on Russian supplies. In an interview, he stressed that energy is a matter of national security. He linked it directly to economic growth, investment, and political stability in the …

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90 Years Since the Birth of Vath Koreshi

Vath Koreshi is being commemorated today, marking 90 years since his birth in Lushnjë on May 7, 1936. Koreshi became one of the most influential figures in Albanian literature and cinema. He wrote novels and film scripts that shaped modern Albanian cultural identity. He studied Albanian language and literature at …

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Tirana hosts World Law Congress, World Law Foundation President highlights democratic challenges

TIRANA, May 7 – The World Law Congress opened its session in Tirana on May 7. World Law Foundation President Javier Cremades addressed the opening session by warning that modern democracies face rising pressure from autocratic tendencies. Political systems are becoming increasingly unstable in the digital era, he said. Cremades …

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“Rule of law is never built once and for all,” Justice Minister Gogu says as Albania highlights justice reform

TIRANA, May 7 – Minister of Justice Toni Gogu addressed Albania’s justice reform during the opening session of activities for the World Law Congress, which will be held in Tirana in 2027. Gogu described the rule of law as an ongoing process rather than a fixed outcome. He linked the …

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EU integration key to irreversible justice reform, PM Rama tells World Law Congress session

TIRANA, May 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s EU integration process remains the key driver for strengthening institutions and securing an independent justice system during the opening session of the World Law Congress in Tirana. He said the country now faces a decisive moment to make justice reform …

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Ministry of Education and AADF Launch Major Education Reform Initiative

Albania Signs Agreement to Create National Agency for Educational Services The Ministry of Education and the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) signed an agreement in Tirana to establish the National Agency for Educational Services. The initiative aims to transform the current education services administration into a modern, autonomous institution aligned with …

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Albania Strengthens Dialogue on Protection of Disabled Persons’ Rights

Ombudsman Hosts Italian Activist Maximiliano Ulivieri on Disability Rights The Ombudsman of Albania held an official meeting with Italian activist Maximiliano Ulivieri, a global advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. Ulivieri was accompanied by activist Suela Lala from the “Së Bashku” foundation and UNFPA representative Elsona Agolli. The …

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Maks Velo, the artist and uncompromising opponent of the communist regime

TIRANA, May 7 – Maks Velo, artist, writer, architect, and intellectual, died on 7 May 2020. He was born on 31 August 1935 in Paris. His family later returned to Albania, where he graduated in civil engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Tirana in 1957. Between 1960 and 1973, he …

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Government Approves New Procedures for Funding Cultural and Artistic Projects

The government has approved a new set of procedures for financing artistic and cultural projects in Albania. The decision replaces the 2022 regulation and aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and quality in state support for the arts. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will manage the new system. Under …

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The Re-emergence of Terrorism and the Threat to the Global Economy

by Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, September 11, 2026 – The increasingly visible re-emergence of international terrorism against the backdrop of the major conflict unfolding in the Middle East is a new development, but hardly an unexpected one. The experience of the past three decades has shown that terrorism finds its …

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Government reshuffle, Interior Minister Lamallari leaves, Ervin Demo takes over

Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially announced a change in of Albania’s Interior Ministry, with Besfort Lamallari leaving the post and Ervin Demo taking over as minister. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama said the move was part of a reshuffle within the government team. Lamallari will …

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Ervin Demo, who is Albania’s new Interior Minister?

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to his government, with Ervin Demo taking over as Interior Minister as of Friday. Demo had served as Minister of State for Local Government since September 2025. As part of the latest government changes, the Ministry of State for Local Government will be …

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Administrative Court unblocks magistrates’ salaries, Rama: If only it had the same standard for citizens’ problems…

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …

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Week in Review: Tests and Pressures

Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Ervin Demo to take over Interior Ministry as Lamallari moves to Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …

News
Ministry of Defense: 40 wildfires reported across Albania, six remain active

The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …

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Klodiana Spahiu sworn in as new health minister

Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …

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Ibrahim Kodra exhibition “The Sea and Music” to open in Tirana on September 23

An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …

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Gonxhja: National Campaign to Register Artisans Begins

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …

News

The Re-emergence of Terrorism and the Threat to the Global Economy

by Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, September 11, 2026 – The increasingly visible re-emergence of international terrorism against the backdrop of the major conflict unfolding in the Middle East is a new development, but hardly an unexpected one. The experience of the past three decades has shown that terrorism finds its …

News

Government reshuffle, Interior Minister Lamallari leaves, Ervin Demo takes over

Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially announced a change in of Albania’s Interior Ministry, with Besfort Lamallari leaving the post and Ervin Demo taking over as minister. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama said the move was part of a reshuffle within the government team. Lamallari will …

News

Ervin Demo, who is Albania’s new Interior Minister?

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to his government, with Ervin Demo taking over as Interior Minister as of Friday. Demo had served as Minister of State for Local Government since September 2025. As part of the latest government changes, the Ministry of State for Local Government will be …

News

Administrative Court unblocks magistrates’ salaries, Rama: If only it had the same standard for citizens’ problems…

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …

News

Week in Review: Tests and Pressures

Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Ervin Demo to take over Interior Ministry as Lamallari moves to Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …

News

Ministry of Defense: 40 wildfires reported across Albania, six remain active

The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …

News

Klodiana Spahiu sworn in as new health minister

Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …

News

Ibrahim Kodra exhibition “The Sea and Music” to open in Tirana on September 23

An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …

News

Gonxhja: National Campaign to Register Artisans Begins

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …