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Kurti Travels to New York for Meetings with World Leaders

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti traveled to New York today, where he will hold meetings with world leaders, according to his office. The meetings will take place during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Kurti will promote …

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EU Ambassador Meets Malaj: Finance Ministry Plays Key Role in Accession Process

EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa met with Finance Minister Petrit Malaj to discuss the Finance Ministry’s role in Albania’s European Union accession process. In a social media post, Moreira de Sousa stressed the importance of the ministry’s role in managing EU funds and preparing Albania for the …

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Saranda Remains a Preferred September Destination as Cruise Ship Arrives with 457 Tourists

September is showing that Albania’s tourist season continues beyond the summer months, with many visitors choosing to explore the country in early autumn. Saranda remains one of the preferred destinations for travelers. Today, the “Seven Seas Navigation” cruise ship arrived at the port with 457 tourists from different countries, who …

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Albania and INTERPOL Strengthen Cooperation for International Security

Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola met with INTERPOL President Lucas Philippe in Paris to discuss cooperation between Albania and the international police organization. During the meeting, Ambassador Tola congratulated Philippe on the new momentum and dynamism he has brought to the organization since taking office. He also reaffirmed Albania’s …

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Demo Takes Office as Interior Minister, Koçiu: Moving Forward with Reforms to Strengthen Security

Ervin Demo has taken office as Minister of Interior after being sworn in at the Presidency. In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, outgoing Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari formally handed over his duties to Demo. Koçiu shared images on social media from Demo’s first moments as Interior Minister. …

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Hoxha Meets New WHO Representative in Albania: Strengthening Partnership on Health Reforms

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today in Tirana with the new World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Albania, Dr. Fabio Scano. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Albania and the WHO and advancing reforms in the country’s healthcare sector. Hoxha and Scano discussed the role …

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DEA OPEN AIR Brings Three Nights of Albanian Cinema to Saranda

The “DEA OPEN AIR” film festival continues to promote Albanian cinema, create new spaces for film screenings and strengthen connections between filmmakers, their works and audiences. As part of this initiative, the FOCUS CineKO program begins today in Saranda. The program will run for three consecutive nights and will present …

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Week in Review: Campaigns, Crackdowns and Clan Wars

With elections approaching in Bosnia and Serbia, rhetoric is heating up, while in Turkey and Albania, campaigners are feeling the pressure, as our round-up of Balkan Insight Premium stories shows. Original post Here

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US Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell questions Hague court role in Kosova

U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell has criticized the Hague court following its decision to sentence four former Kosova Liberation Army leaders to a combined 81 years in prison. Grenell described the decision as politically motivated. In an interview with Albanian television channel Top Channel, Grenell said Kosova …

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National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Opens Artistic Season with Tour in Italy

The National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble is ready to begin its new artistic season with a calendar of activities that will open with a tour of several Italian cities. Artistic Director Sokol Marsi said the ensemble has just returned from Kosovo, where it took part in a nationwide festival …

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Rama meets Wendt, U.S. Embassy: A strong partnership is measured by what two nations achieve together

The U.S. Embassy has issued a statement regarding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s meeting on Wednesday with the new U.S. Ambassador, Eric Wendt. The Embassy shared images from the meeting, stating that a strong partnership is measured by what two nations achieve together. In its post, the Embassy said that Rama …

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Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana, welcomed by Rama with an official ceremony

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was welcomed by Prime Minister Edi Rama with an official ceremony at midday on Wednesday, as part of her visit to Tirana. Von der Leyen arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office, where she was received by the head of the Albanian government. Her …

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U.S. State Department Report on Albania: Foreign Investment Rises, but Corruption and Informality Remain Concerns

The U.S. Department of State has published its 2026 report on Albania’s investment climate, highlighting challenges related to corruption, organized crime, money laundering, property rights and competition. The 40-page report notes that despite the increase in foreign investment, investors continue to face a lack of transparency, informality, difficulties in contract …

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Skender Hita Attends European Police Chiefs Convention: Cooperation with International Partners

Director General of the Albanian State Police, Skender Hita, attended the European Police Chiefs Convention (EPCC). Ahead of the conference, Director Hita was received in a separate meeting by Europol’s Acting Executive Director, Jürgen Ebner. Also present at the meeting was the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the …

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Will Albania’s Handling of ‘Flamingo’ Protests Affect its EU Accession Progress?

The anti-government protests that rocked Albania this summer will not jeopardise its EU membership prospects – but will feed into a broader assessment of Tirana’s respect for democracy and that rule of law. Original post Here

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Demo meets Director for Western Balkans Superti: Chapters 24 and 22 in focus as Albania presses ahead toward its 2027 goal

Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement, to discuss Albania’s progress toward EU membership. Their first meeting focused on the final milestones for Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom and Security,” and Chapter 22, “Regional Policy and Coordination of …

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Albania Customs Administration publishes new manual to standardize customs valuation practices

Albania’s Customs Administration has published the “Customs Valuation Manual”, a practical guide designed to standardize procedures and ensure the consistent application of rules for determining the value of goods for customs purposes. The manual brings together the relevant legal framework and customs valuation methods. It also addresses issues that customs …

News
Minister Gogu presents Criminal Procedure Code changes: Pre-trial detention should remain exceptional; Electronic monitoring to start by next spring

Justice Minister Toni Gogu, together with the Council of Europe, presented proposed amendments to Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code today. The initiative launches a public consultation on a broad reform of criminal procedures. The proposals focus on pre-trial detention, alternatives to imprisonment, stronger safeguards and the protection of individual rights. In …

News
Parliament honors Vendim Kapaj: Albanian traditional sounds featured in Nolan’s “The Odyssey”

On National Cultural Heritage Day, the Albanian Parliament expressed its appreciation for everyone who works to preserve and pass on the country’s cultural heritage from one generation to the next. In a social media post, Parliament highlighted the work of Vendim Kapaj, who holds the title “Grand Master” and has …

News
Finance Minister Malaj meets IMF mission: Significant improvements in public investment planning and management

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission assessing public investment efficiency (PIMA), led by Ian Hawkesworth. The meeting focused on the IMF’s findings and assessment of Albania’s public investment efficiency. The IMF plans to publish the full report soon. During the meeting, participants highlighted Albania’s …

News

Rama meets Wendt, U.S. Embassy: A strong partnership is measured by what two nations achieve together

The U.S. Embassy has issued a statement regarding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s meeting on Wednesday with the new U.S. Ambassador, Eric Wendt. The Embassy shared images from the meeting, stating that a strong partnership is measured by what two nations achieve together. In its post, the Embassy said that Rama …

News

Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana, welcomed by Rama with an official ceremony

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was welcomed by Prime Minister Edi Rama with an official ceremony at midday on Wednesday, as part of her visit to Tirana. Von der Leyen arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office, where she was received by the head of the Albanian government. Her …

News

U.S. State Department Report on Albania: Foreign Investment Rises, but Corruption and Informality Remain Concerns

The U.S. Department of State has published its 2026 report on Albania’s investment climate, highlighting challenges related to corruption, organized crime, money laundering, property rights and competition. The 40-page report notes that despite the increase in foreign investment, investors continue to face a lack of transparency, informality, difficulties in contract …

News

Skender Hita Attends European Police Chiefs Convention: Cooperation with International Partners

Director General of the Albanian State Police, Skender Hita, attended the European Police Chiefs Convention (EPCC). Ahead of the conference, Director Hita was received in a separate meeting by Europol’s Acting Executive Director, Jürgen Ebner. Also present at the meeting was the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the …

News

Will Albania’s Handling of ‘Flamingo’ Protests Affect its EU Accession Progress?

The anti-government protests that rocked Albania this summer will not jeopardise its EU membership prospects – but will feed into a broader assessment of Tirana’s respect for democracy and that rule of law. Original post Here

News

Demo meets Director for Western Balkans Superti: Chapters 24 and 22 in focus as Albania presses ahead toward its 2027 goal

Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement, to discuss Albania’s progress toward EU membership. Their first meeting focused on the final milestones for Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom and Security,” and Chapter 22, “Regional Policy and Coordination of …

News

Albania Customs Administration publishes new manual to standardize customs valuation practices

Albania’s Customs Administration has published the “Customs Valuation Manual”, a practical guide designed to standardize procedures and ensure the consistent application of rules for determining the value of goods for customs purposes. The manual brings together the relevant legal framework and customs valuation methods. It also addresses issues that customs …

News

Minister Gogu presents Criminal Procedure Code changes: Pre-trial detention should remain exceptional; Electronic monitoring to start by next spring

Justice Minister Toni Gogu, together with the Council of Europe, presented proposed amendments to Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code today. The initiative launches a public consultation on a broad reform of criminal procedures. The proposals focus on pre-trial detention, alternatives to imprisonment, stronger safeguards and the protection of individual rights. In …

News

Parliament honors Vendim Kapaj: Albanian traditional sounds featured in Nolan’s “The Odyssey”

On National Cultural Heritage Day, the Albanian Parliament expressed its appreciation for everyone who works to preserve and pass on the country’s cultural heritage from one generation to the next. In a social media post, Parliament highlighted the work of Vendim Kapaj, who holds the title “Grand Master” and has …

News

Finance Minister Malaj meets IMF mission: Significant improvements in public investment planning and management

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission assessing public investment efficiency (PIMA), led by Ian Hawkesworth. The meeting focused on the IMF’s findings and assessment of Albania’s public investment efficiency. The IMF plans to publish the full report soon. During the meeting, participants highlighted Albania’s …