Maks Velo, the artist and uncompromising opponent of the communist regime
TIRANA, May 7 – Maks Velo, artist, writer, architect, and intellectual, died on 7 May 2020. He was born on 31 August 1935 in Paris. His family later returned to Albania, where he graduated in civil engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Tirana in 1957. Between 1960 and 1973, he …
Government Approves New Procedures for Funding Cultural and Artistic Projects
The government has approved a new set of procedures for financing artistic and cultural projects in Albania. The decision replaces the 2022 regulation and aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and quality in state support for the arts. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will manage the new system. Under …
Albania secures $40 mln climate project, expands forestry reform agenda, minister Jaupaj say
TIRANA, May 7 – Albania secured a $40 million climate project under the “Albadap” programme, which Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj described as the largest climate initiative in the Western Balkans. At a press conference in Tirana, Jaupaj said no EU or Western Balkan country runs a similar project financed by …
NATO more important than ever in current geopolitical environment, FM Hoxha tells Secretary General Rutte
TIRANA, May 7 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said NATO has become more important than ever in the current geopolitical environment after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in talks focused on Euro-Atlantic security, Ukraine, the Western Balkans and Albania’s role in the Alliance. The meeting marked Hoxha’s first encounter …
Interior Minister Lamallari at United Nations highlights Albania’s return migration approach
TIRANA, May 7 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari attended the International Forum on Migration Review at the United Nations in New York. He joined a panel discussion on “Migration as a creative force”. At the discussion, Lamallari presented Albania’s approach to migration. He focused on the return of emigrants and …
“After School” Programme Pilot Starts in Tirana Schools
TIRANA, May 7 – The “After School” programme started its pilot phase in several schools in Tirana. Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro announced the launch on her official page. She said the pilot began this week after regular classes. The programme includes activities such as dance, crafts, visual arts, and …
Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City Reach “Final Four” in Superiore League
Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City have secured places in the “Final Four” of the Albanian Superiore League. The teams will compete to determine the league champion. At the same time, Flamurtari has been relegated to the First Division after the 35th round results. Tirana earned a crucial 1-0 victory …
Fuel prices capped at 196 Lek per litre, Transparency Board decides
TIRANA, May 7 – The Transparency Board cut the price of diesel by 10 lek per litre at its latest meeting. It set a new maximum retail price for standard diesel at 196 lek per litre. It fixed the wholesale price at 184 lek per litre. The Board also set …
Ibrahimaj: Young People Are Building Innovative Solutions for Albania’s Economy
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj visited a FinTech company in Tirana to learn about new digital products and innovative projects developed by young Albanian entrepreneurs. During the visit, she said that startups are playing an increasingly important role in building a modern and competitive economy. In addition, she …
200,000 signatures delivered in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders
TIRANA, May 7 – The Organisation of Kosova Liberation Army War Veterans said it delivered 200,000 signatures to the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders. Veterans’ organisation head Hysni Gucati said the signatures represent “200,000 voices” calling for justice for the former …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
A delegation of the Albanian Parliament took part in the Regional Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Clinic in Beciq, Montenegro, on September 24–26. MPs Milva Ekonomi, Antoneta Dhima and Kliti Hoti represented the Parliament. The National Democratic Institute organised the event with the Parliament of Montenegro. The meeting brought together MPs and parliamentary …
Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said direct engagement with citizens and communities in EU member states is essential for the success of Albania’s EU integration process. He made the remarks at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the European Parliament. Peleshi said enlargement cannot rely only on political …
Health and Social Protection Minister Klodiana Spahiu visited health facilities in Mallakastër to review investments, services and staff work. The visit took place as part of a process to restructure and reorganise health facilities. The process aims to align their capacities with community needs. Spahiu said the reorganisation aims to …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on the European Union not to leave the Western Balkans behind again. He said failure to integrate the region would also be a major failure for Europe. Rama spoke at the Inter-parliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership”. He said Albania …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is on the right track toward European Union membership in an interview with France 24. She included Albania among four countries currently making the most progress in the accession process. Kos described 2026 as a high-paced year for EU enlargement. She said …
Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament rapporteur for Albania, said the country has entered the final phase of its EU membership negotiations. He said Albania can close the remaining chapters within the set deadlines. Schieder spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. He …
European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said Albania has entered a new phase of its EU membership process. She noted that the country has opened all six negotiating clusters and provisionally closed three. Moreira de Sousa spoke at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the …
European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman David McAllister said the European Union should advance membership negotiations whenever countries meet reform conditions. He spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. McAllister said Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has increased the strategic importance of EU …
Autumn has begun to paint Tirana’s mountains in golden colors. After a long and scorching summer, golden grass now covers the slopes, while red shrubs add warmer tones. At the same time, green trees still dominate parts of the landscape, creating striking combinations of green, yellow, brown and red. A …