Week in Review: Bad Deals and Scandals
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here
Albania’s construction sector grows 36% in four years, among Europe’s fastest expansions
Albania’s construction sector expanded rapidly between 2020 and 2024, ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing markets. The latest Eurostat data show that real construction activity rose by 36% over the four-year period. Eurostat measures construction’s gross value added in real terms, using comparable prices and 2020 as the base year. Albania’s index …
Albania beat Turkey 4-2 in second futsal friendly in Tirana
Albania’s national futsal team secured a 4-2 victory over Turkey in their second friendly match in Tirana, bouncing back after losing the opening encounter. Shqipron Brahimi opened the scoring for Albania, giving the home side an early boost. Ermir Kryeziu then delivered an impressive performance, scoring twice, while Qendrim Bakia …
Archives Donate Rare Documents to Albanian Alphabet Museum in Bitola
The General Directorate of Archives (GDA), in cooperation with the Historical and Diplomatic Archives of Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will donate reproductions of rare documents related to the 1908 Congress of Manastir to the Museum of the Albanian Alphabet in Bitola, North Macedonia. The initiative will support …
Albania marks 68 years of UNESCO membership, highlighting its cultural and natural heritage
Albania joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 68 years ago, becoming part of an international effort to protect cultural and natural heritage around the world. UNESCO safeguards invaluable heritage sites that bear witness to human life and activity across the centuries. The organization has 194 member …
Albania’s Interfaith Council calls for peace, justice and national dialogue amid rising tensions
The Interfaith Council of Albania has issued a public statement calling for peace, justice, responsibility and national dialogue. The appeal comes as the country faces protests and rising tensions. Representatives of Albania’s official religious communities urged authorities to take citizens’ and students’ concerns seriously. They called for concrete and transparent …
INSTAT: Albania’s tourism growth slows sharply in August despite rise in hotel occupancy
Albania’s hotels and other accommodation facilities recorded a sharp slowdown in tourism growth during the peak summer season. Both visitor numbers and overnight stays increased at much slower rates than a year earlier, according to the country’s statistics agency, INSTAT. The number of visitors staying in Albanian accommodation rose by …
Japanese Tea Ceremony Brings Tradition and Philosophy to Tirana
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony brought an authentic taste of Japanese culture to Tirana as part of Japanese Cultural Week, which began on October 14 and runs through October 18. Japanese masters led demonstrations that introduced participants to this centuries-old tradition. The ceremony combined aesthetics, philosophy, mindfulness and harmony. Participants …
UN urges restraint and dialogue as tensions escalate during Tirana protest
The United Nations in Albania has expressed concern over acts of violence and rising tensions during protests in Tirana. The organization has called on all parties to avoid violence and engage in constructive dialogue. In its statement, the UN reaffirmed the importance of protecting fundamental rights. These include peaceful assembly, …
Balkans Sea Fair Returns to Orikum for Three Days of Sailing, Adventure and Business
Balkans Sea Fair will return to Marina Orikum in Vlora for its second edition, following its debut in May 2025. The three-day event, scheduled for October 16–18, will promote Albania’s maritime tourism through sailing, adventure, business and seaside entertainment. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the fair …
On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here
Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here
New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …
President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …
Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …
The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …
Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …
Albania’s Abissnet Superiore will resume on Wednesday and Thursday, October 28–29, with five matches scheduled across the ninth round. Wednesday’s fixtures begin at 13:30, when FK Vora host Vllaznia. Two more matches follow at 18:30, as Skënderbeu face Laçi and AF Elbasani take on Partizani at Elbasan Arena. Meanwhile, Thursday …
The Albanian government will review the draft 2027 budget today, with planned spending of €10 billion. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj will then present the document to the Assembly’s Conference of Chairpersons. Parliamentary committees will subsequently examine the proposal. Reporter Rugova Dunisha reported that the budget may include compensation for businesses …
The European Union has stressed that Serbia’s parliamentary election results do not change the framework of its facilitated dialogue with Kosova. All commitments made by both sides in the normalisation process remain in force, an EU spokesperson told Radio Television of Kosova. These include obligations under the 2023 Agreement on …