Solar Music Festival Brings Summer Energy to Saranda
Solar Music Festival brought a vibrant summer atmosphere to Saranda. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the event, showing music, entertainment and large crowds of young people. The festival formed part of Albania’s summer calendar of cultural and music events. These activities attract both visitors and music fans to …
Hotel Fire in Vlora Injures Six Tourists
A fire broke out at a hotel in Vlora early on August 16. Police said the incident happened at around 4:05 a.m. in the “10 Korriku” neighborhood. Six tourists suffered injuries. Five were citizens of Kosovo, while one was from Rrëshen. Five of the injured tourists were taken to the …
Rama Tells UnHerd: Protests Show a Normal European Albania
Prime Minister Edi Rama told British media outlet UnHerd that recent protests in Albania differ from those held in June. According to Rama, more political parties and opposition groups have joined the latest demonstrations. These groups include both far-left and far-right forces. Despite the tensions, Rama said he was “very …
Kosovan acting Defence Minister: Kosova ready to help Albania and Montenegro with wildfires
TIRANA, August 14 – Kosova is ready to assist Albania and Montenegro as they tackle wildfires in several areas, acting Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci said. Maqedonci said he had informed his counterparts in Albania and Montenegro that Kosova’s Ministry of Defence could provide support through its available capabilities. He said …
Fire situation improves in Kruja
TIRANA, August 14 – The wildfire situation in Kruja has improved significantly over the past 24 hours. The remaining active fires in Abaze and Gryka e Vajës are burning at much lower intensity. Kruja Mayor Artur Bushi said teams have tackled the fires from the air and on the ground. …
Summer season peaks as PM Rama highlights destinations across Albania
TIRANA, August 14 – Albania is experiencing high tourist flows this summer. Visitors have access to a wide calendar of cultural, artistic, sports and gastronomic activities. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo album today featuring major tourist destinations across the country. Alongside coastal resorts, visitors are showing growing interest …
Albania Ruling Party Documents Highlight Country’s Ageing Demographic
Papers highlight Albania’s transformation since 1990s – with population growth limited to a few urban centres and most municipalities housing shrinking, elderly communities. Original post Here
Albania introduces digital e-Visa system for foreign nationals
TIRANA, August 14 – Albania has digitized its visa application process through the e-Visa system. The system allows foreign nationals who need a visa to apply and track their applications online. Besmir Meta, an IT specialist at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said the National Agency of Information …
Average interest rate on new ALL loans falls to 6.3%
TIRANA, August 14 – Banks lowered interest rates on several major lending segments during the second quarter of the year. However, consumer loans and euro-denominated mortgages for individuals followed a different trend. Bank of Albania data show that the average rate on new ALL loans fell to 6.3%, from 6.5% …
Grant-funded startups report growth in jobs, revenue and clients
TIRANA, August 14 – Startups supported through Albania’s grant scheme in 2024-2025 have increased their activity, employment, revenue and number of clients. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj shared data on the performance of the businesses after receiving grant funding. She said Startup Albania supports Albanian startups through the grant …
TIRANA, August 31 – Albania plans to provide more than 5,700 learning packages for children in the diaspora during the 2026–2027 school year. The packages contain around 17,000 textbooks. They will reach 15 European countries, the United States and Canada. The materials include the joint textbooks “Albanian Language” and “Albanian …
TIRANA, August 31 – President Bajram Begaj received the new Dutch ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday. The ambassador presented her credentials during the meeting. Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger relations with the Netherlands. He described the country as an important European partner and a trusted NATO ally. …
TIRANA, August 31 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met regional leaders of the tax and customs administrations to discuss priorities for the coming period. The talks also focused on improving services for citizens and businesses. Malaj met the general directors of the Tax Administration and Customs Administration. They discussed efforts …
TIRANA, August 31 – Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for stronger cooperation between central institutions and municipalities to address the needs of minority communities in Kosova. Kurti made the call at a meeting with heads of municipal offices for communities and return. Kurti said challenges vary among communities …
TIRANA, August 31 – The Institute of GeoSciences has warned of a high fire risk in several Albanian counties this afternoon and on Tuesday, September 1. The institute expects high risk levels in Lezha, Tirana and Fier. Other counties will face moderate risk. Some areas in Shkodra, Kukës, Dibra, Durres, …
TIRANA, August 31 – The Self-Determination Movement and the Democratic League of Kosova have agreed on professor Bekim Sejdiu as their joint candidate for president. Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League leader Lumir Abdixhiku presented Sejdiu at a joint news conference. Abdixhiku said the negotiations had not been easy. …
TIRANA, August 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that 20 schools in Tirana now have smart cameras under the Smart City project. The investment aims to strengthen security in schools. Rama said the government decided to invest in new security technology after a 14-year-old boy was fatally …
Cash outside Albania’s banking system reached a record 5.6 billion euros, last month. Tirana Times, August 30, 2026 – The amount of cash circulating outside Albania’s banking system has reached a record high, raising fresh concerns over the scale of the informal economy, the possible presence of illicit money and …
Thousands honor the convicted Bosnian Serb commander as reactions from Belgrade to Podgorica and Skopje reveal how deeply the wars of the 1990s still shape the region’s European future. Tirana Times, August 31, 2026 – PALE, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Candles burned and flares lit the Olympic Park as several thousand …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here