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Jaupaj: Regional Forestry Initiative with North Macedonia Brings $50 Million Investment

Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj met today with Dame Dimitrovski, adviser to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, and Raimund Jehle during the regional conference United for Climate. During the meeting, Jaupaj discussed a regional forestry initiative supported by the Green Climate Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Furthermore, …

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“Flagship” Band Performs in Tirana, VanHorn Honors 250 Years of American Independence

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VanHorn attended the “Battle of the Bands” concert in Tirana featuring the Flagship and the Orchestra of the Albanian Armed Forces. During her opening remarks, VanHorn said the event celebrated “Freedom 250,” a global initiative launched by Donald Trump to honor 250 years of American independence, …

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Ura e Kamarës: A Medieval Monument Near Mirakë

Ura e Kamarës is a historic medieval bridge located near the village of Mirakë, along the Elbasan–Librazhd national road. To reach it, visitors follow the old Egnatia Road and pass through a narrow village path. Then they arrive at the bridge site. The bridge measures about 40 meters in length …

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Opposition protest held in central Tirana

TIRANA, May 8 – An opposition protest took place in central Tirana on Friday evening, gathering supporters along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. The demonstra ion started at around 19:30 and formed part of a series of opposition rallies against the government. Unlike previous …

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Week in Review: Turning Points and Endless Loops

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut. Original post Here

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Himara Triathlon Links Sport and Tourism on the Albanian Riviera

Himara Triathlon will take place on May 10 in the coastal town of Himarë, bringing together professional and amateur athletes. The event combines three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. It promotes both competitive sport and active lifestyles. The race will start at Potam Beach with the swimming stage. It will …

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Mesi Bridge in Shkodër, a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists

TIRANA, May 8 – Mesi Bridge attracts daily visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists admire its history, architecture, and cultural heritage value. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the site in Shkodër and described it as a restored pearl of cultural heritage. The bridge lies about 8 kilometres from …

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EU Ambassador Gonzato: Better services and infrastructure at core of “EU4Municipalities II”

TIRANA, May 8 – EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato attended today the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” project in Durrës. He described the initiative as a concrete programme that brings direct benefits at local level and places citizens at the centre of Albania’s EU integration process. Referring to …

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PM Rama: “EU4Municipalities II” a strategic EU investment in local governance modernisation

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended today in Durrës the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” programme. The initiative aims to strengthen local government and support Albania’s path toward the European Union. The programme will support municipalities through concrete investments. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacities …

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Kosova elections on 7 June; deadline closes at CEC, 22 parties in race and three coalitions registered

TIRANA, May 8 – The deadline for political parties in Kosova to notify the Central Election Commission (CEC) on participation or non-participation in elections and coalition formation closed at midnight. The obligation applied to 53 political parties registered in Kosova. The CEC said it received notifications from 22 parties for …

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Albania plans new affordable housing schemes with subsidised loans and rent support

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania is preparing new affordable housing policies in response to rising property prices, particularly in major cities. Speaking after a meeting with construction and real estate representatives, she said the reform would extend support beyond vulnerable groups to other people facing difficulties with …

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Deputy Interior Minister Qefalia: 19 laws approved from 2021 to 2025, remaining work to be completed by 2026

Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia said 19 laws were approved from 2021 to 2025 during a hearing before the Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. The laws cover the State Police, state border control, information processing, asset recovery, weapons, construction inspection, the Republican Guard, foreigners, asylum, citizenship, the …

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RTSH launches new season with new identity and diverse programming

RTSH has launched its new season with a new visual identity and a wider range of programmes. The new logo draws inspiration from an earlier TVSH design and retains a link with the visual history of Albania’s public broadcaster. RTSH says the new identity represents movement, broadcasting and continuity. The …

News
Trump thanks Albania and Kosovo for supporting Gaza stabilization efforts

US President Donald Trump has thanked countries that, according to him, have committed to helping stabilize the Gaza Strip, including Albania and Kosovo. In his statement, Trump said several countries had agreed to send troops and police forces and provide training as part of efforts to stabilize the situation in …

News
Trump thanks Kosovo at UN for Gaza engagement

US President Donald Trump today thanked Kosovo for its engagement in Gaza. “I also want to thank those who have sent troops to stabilize Gaza, including Kosovo,” the US president said in his speech to the UN General Assembly. On April 17, Kosovo’s Assembly approved a draft law allowing the …

News
EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee: Tourism shows positive growth, accession momentum must be maintained

The co-chairs of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, Taulant Balla and Marco Tarquinio, issued a joint statement today. They urged Albanian institutions to implement the recommendations of the European Commission and the European Parliament. They also called for continued momentum as Albania moves towards EU membership. The statement …

News
S&P confirms Albania’s ‘BB’ rating, maintains stable outlook

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has reaffirmed Albania’s long-term sovereign credit rating at “BB” and maintained a “stable” outlook. In its analytical report published on Sept. 21, the agency said Albania’s per capita income has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, government debt and overall external debt …

News
Transparency Board Announces New Fuel Prices: Diesel at 213 Lek/Litre and Petrol at 193 Lek/Litre

The Transparency Board announced on Tuesday the new fuel prices in the country, approved at its meeting on September 22, 2026. According to the decision, the retail price of diesel has been set at no more than 213 lek per litre, while the wholesale price has been set at no …

News
U.S. Embassy: When the United States and Albania Stand Together, Communities Are Safer

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has shared photos and details on social media from the 42nd Retraining Session of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) European Chapter. The training took place from September 19 to 23, bringing together professionals from the United States, Albania, and across Europe. In its statement, …

News
New Rules for Private Pension Funds Aim to Protect Citizens’ Savings

Greater oversight of private pension funds and more transparency for citizens. This is the aim of the new legal amendments announced for public consultation, which seek to align Albania’s pension fund rules more closely with European Union standards. The Financial Supervisory Authority is at the centre of the changes and …

News

Albania plans new affordable housing schemes with subsidised loans and rent support

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania is preparing new affordable housing policies in response to rising property prices, particularly in major cities. Speaking after a meeting with construction and real estate representatives, she said the reform would extend support beyond vulnerable groups to other people facing difficulties with …

News

Deputy Interior Minister Qefalia: 19 laws approved from 2021 to 2025, remaining work to be completed by 2026

Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia said 19 laws were approved from 2021 to 2025 during a hearing before the Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. The laws cover the State Police, state border control, information processing, asset recovery, weapons, construction inspection, the Republican Guard, foreigners, asylum, citizenship, the …

News

RTSH launches new season with new identity and diverse programming

RTSH has launched its new season with a new visual identity and a wider range of programmes. The new logo draws inspiration from an earlier TVSH design and retains a link with the visual history of Albania’s public broadcaster. RTSH says the new identity represents movement, broadcasting and continuity. The …

News

Trump thanks Albania and Kosovo for supporting Gaza stabilization efforts

US President Donald Trump has thanked countries that, according to him, have committed to helping stabilize the Gaza Strip, including Albania and Kosovo. In his statement, Trump said several countries had agreed to send troops and police forces and provide training as part of efforts to stabilize the situation in …

News

Trump thanks Kosovo at UN for Gaza engagement

US President Donald Trump today thanked Kosovo for its engagement in Gaza. “I also want to thank those who have sent troops to stabilize Gaza, including Kosovo,” the US president said in his speech to the UN General Assembly. On April 17, Kosovo’s Assembly approved a draft law allowing the …

News

EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee: Tourism shows positive growth, accession momentum must be maintained

The co-chairs of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, Taulant Balla and Marco Tarquinio, issued a joint statement today. They urged Albanian institutions to implement the recommendations of the European Commission and the European Parliament. They also called for continued momentum as Albania moves towards EU membership. The statement …

News

S&P confirms Albania’s ‘BB’ rating, maintains stable outlook

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has reaffirmed Albania’s long-term sovereign credit rating at “BB” and maintained a “stable” outlook. In its analytical report published on Sept. 21, the agency said Albania’s per capita income has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, government debt and overall external debt …

News

Transparency Board Announces New Fuel Prices: Diesel at 213 Lek/Litre and Petrol at 193 Lek/Litre

The Transparency Board announced on Tuesday the new fuel prices in the country, approved at its meeting on September 22, 2026. According to the decision, the retail price of diesel has been set at no more than 213 lek per litre, while the wholesale price has been set at no …

News

U.S. Embassy: When the United States and Albania Stand Together, Communities Are Safer

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has shared photos and details on social media from the 42nd Retraining Session of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) European Chapter. The training took place from September 19 to 23, bringing together professionals from the United States, Albania, and across Europe. In its statement, …

News

New Rules for Private Pension Funds Aim to Protect Citizens’ Savings

Greater oversight of private pension funds and more transparency for citizens. This is the aim of the new legal amendments announced for public consultation, which seek to align Albania’s pension fund rules more closely with European Union standards. The Financial Supervisory Authority is at the centre of the changes and …