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Fishtë Brings Music and Art to Its Rural Tourism Experience

The village of Fishtë in Lezhë is expanding its tourism offer with a new cultural initiative that brings artists closer to audiences and creates a lively atmosphere for residents and visitors. “Hambar Teatri” offers an intimate space for music, poetry and artistic storytelling. Local residents launched the initiative through voluntary …

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Albanian agriculture minister discusses financing for medicinal plant exporter

Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, visited Çela Herbal in Bradashesh, near Elbasan, to discuss financial support for business expansion. The family-owned company, run by Aleksandër Çela, has traded medicinal plants for more than 30 years. It works with around 400 farmers nationwide and exports about 400 …

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Buried in Case Files, Lacking Security: Albania’s Courts Struggle in Dilapidated Buildings

Courts across the country are struggling under a double burden: dilapidated buildings and mountains of case files, while repeated demands for adequate premises and solutions continue to fall on deaf ears. Original post Here

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Letter from Brussels: EU’s 15-Year ‘Probation’ Plan is an Unfair Deal for Balkan States

A safeguard clause placing new the bloc’s members under monitoring for 15 years reflects real fears of Viktor Orban-style disruptors – but it could be a gift to anti-EU nationalists as well as a deterrent to backsliders. Original post Here

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Israeli FM Praises Rama as a “Courageous Voice” on the International Stage

Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Tirana on Monday. Sa’ar praised Rama’s support for Israel’s security and his firm stance against antisemitism and terrorism. In a statement on X, Sa’ar said the two officials held an in-depth discussion on strengthening bilateral relations and the …

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EU Ambassador: SME Support and Investment Climate Key to Albania’s EU Integration

Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improving the investment climate are essential to Albania’s EU accession process, EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said on Monday. Moreira de Sousa met with Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj to discuss Albania’s EU integration, SME development and ways to …

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Demo, AADF Discuss Scaling Up Development Projects Across Albania

Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), on Monday to discuss expanding cooperation with central and local institutions. Demo praised the foundation’s contribution to Albania’s development, highlighting its projects in education, technology, entrepreneurship, tourism, cultural heritage and local economic …

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Peleshi Calls for Stronger Albania-Greece Ties to Advance Regional Stability

Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said on Monday that cooperation between Albania and Greece remains essential for regional stability, economic growth and the Western Balkans’ European future. Addressing the Balkan Strategic Cooperation Forum in Tirana, Peleshi highlighted the partnership between the two countries, Greece’s support for Albania’s EU integration and opportunities …

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Tirana Exhibition Highlights Albania’s Role in Saving Jews During the Holocaust

Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs presented Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his delegation with historical and archival documents documenting Albanians’ efforts to protect and save Jews during the Holocaust. The exhibition featured official correspondence, travel documents and diplomatic records that shed light on acts of courage, solidarity …

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Albania’s High Court, Netherlands Pledge Continued Support for Judicial Reform

High Court President Sokol Sadushi met with the Netherlands’ new ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday to discuss judicial reforms, the court’s progress and ways to strengthen institutional cooperation. Monster praised the progress made by Albania’s justice institutions and reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting ongoing reforms. She also …

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Technological Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Global Debates, Risks and Prospects for Albania

By Denis Jukni Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from an experimental technology to a new infrastructure of the economy and public administration. Generative models, automation, robotics, cloud infrastructure, large-scale data processing and algorithmic systems are changing how companies produce, how institutions deliver services and how citizens receive information. This transformation …

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Week in Review: Polls and Storms

A crucial election in Serbia, escalating protests in Albania, bilateral disputes in the region and the costs of political deadlock in Kosovo. As BIRN’s selection of Premium stories shows, the next days, weeks and months could be pivotal for many countries across the region. Original post Here

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Gjergj Fishta: The Pen That Gave Voice to Albania’s National Soul

Albania marks the birth anniversary of Gjergj Fishta, a leading figure of the Albanian National Awakening whose literary work, educational efforts and public service helped strengthen national identity during a pivotal period in the country’s history. Born on October 23, 1871, in Fishtë, in the Zadrima region, Fishta became a …

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EU and Western Balkans leaders to meet in Brussels on November 25

European Union leaders and Western Balkan leaders will meet in Brussels on November 25. The summit will focus on the strategic importance of relations between the bloc and the region. The European Union will be represented by European Council President António Costa and the President of the European Commission. Ahead …

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PM Rama urges young people to distance themselves from violent protests

Prime Minister Edi Rama has urged young people to distance themselves from violent protests. He called on them to express their views through peaceful democratic means. In remarks on social media, Rama defended the right to peaceful protest. He said citizens could challenge the government through debate and elections. He …

News
Defense minister meets Turkey’s new military attaché in Tirana

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi has met Colonel Murat Ilhan, Turkey’s new military attaché in Tirana. Turkish Ambassador to Albania Bariş Ceyhun Erciyes also attended the meeting. According to the Ministry of Defense, the meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and Turkey and their shared commitment to closer cooperation in …

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Institute of Statistics: Albania records 10.7 million foreign arrivals in nine months

Albania recorded around 17.4 million entries by Albanian and foreign citizens from January to September 2026, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Foreign citizens accounted for 10.7 million entries, while Albanian citizens accounted for 6.7 million. Compared with the same period in 2025, foreign arrivals rose by 4.9%, while …

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Students continue protest outside prime minister’s office

Students continued their protest outside the prime minister’s office in Tirana for an 11th day. University lecturers and other citizens joined them again today. Lecturers and students first gathered outside the Polytechnic University of Tirana. Aleksandër Kovaçi, head of the University Lecturers’ Union, called for greater cooperation among intellectuals in …

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Albania holds 2026 National Water Rescue Championship

The Albanian Water Rescue Federation held the 2026 National Water Rescue Championship with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The competition tested speed, technique and endurance through events that combine sport with life-saving skills. A total of 34 competitors took part. The championship has taken place annually …

News
Conference League: Egnatia draw 1-1 away to Aarhus

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 1-1 away to Denmark’s Aarhus in their second Conference League group-stage match, extending their unbeaten run in European competition. Egnatia took the lead in the 13th minute when Gruda scored after Adjesa’s assist. Aarhus had already lost Kahl to a red card in the third minute …

News

Technological Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Global Debates, Risks and Prospects for Albania

By Denis Jukni Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from an experimental technology to a new infrastructure of the economy and public administration. Generative models, automation, robotics, cloud infrastructure, large-scale data processing and algorithmic systems are changing how companies produce, how institutions deliver services and how citizens receive information. This transformation …

News

Week in Review: Polls and Storms

A crucial election in Serbia, escalating protests in Albania, bilateral disputes in the region and the costs of political deadlock in Kosovo. As BIRN’s selection of Premium stories shows, the next days, weeks and months could be pivotal for many countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Gjergj Fishta: The Pen That Gave Voice to Albania’s National Soul

Albania marks the birth anniversary of Gjergj Fishta, a leading figure of the Albanian National Awakening whose literary work, educational efforts and public service helped strengthen national identity during a pivotal period in the country’s history. Born on October 23, 1871, in Fishtë, in the Zadrima region, Fishta became a …

News

EU and Western Balkans leaders to meet in Brussels on November 25

European Union leaders and Western Balkan leaders will meet in Brussels on November 25. The summit will focus on the strategic importance of relations between the bloc and the region. The European Union will be represented by European Council President António Costa and the President of the European Commission. Ahead …

News

PM Rama urges young people to distance themselves from violent protests

Prime Minister Edi Rama has urged young people to distance themselves from violent protests. He called on them to express their views through peaceful democratic means. In remarks on social media, Rama defended the right to peaceful protest. He said citizens could challenge the government through debate and elections. He …

News

Defense minister meets Turkey’s new military attaché in Tirana

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi has met Colonel Murat Ilhan, Turkey’s new military attaché in Tirana. Turkish Ambassador to Albania Bariş Ceyhun Erciyes also attended the meeting. According to the Ministry of Defense, the meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and Turkey and their shared commitment to closer cooperation in …

News

Institute of Statistics: Albania records 10.7 million foreign arrivals in nine months

Albania recorded around 17.4 million entries by Albanian and foreign citizens from January to September 2026, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Foreign citizens accounted for 10.7 million entries, while Albanian citizens accounted for 6.7 million. Compared with the same period in 2025, foreign arrivals rose by 4.9%, while …

News

Students continue protest outside prime minister’s office

Students continued their protest outside the prime minister’s office in Tirana for an 11th day. University lecturers and other citizens joined them again today. Lecturers and students first gathered outside the Polytechnic University of Tirana. Aleksandër Kovaçi, head of the University Lecturers’ Union, called for greater cooperation among intellectuals in …

News

Albania holds 2026 National Water Rescue Championship

The Albanian Water Rescue Federation held the 2026 National Water Rescue Championship with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The competition tested speed, technique and endurance through events that combine sport with life-saving skills. A total of 34 competitors took part. The championship has taken place annually …

News

Conference League: Egnatia draw 1-1 away to Aarhus

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 1-1 away to Denmark’s Aarhus in their second Conference League group-stage match, extending their unbeaten run in European competition. Egnatia took the lead in the 13th minute when Gruda scored after Adjesa’s assist. Aarhus had already lost Kahl to a red card in the third minute …