Gjirokastër attracts German tourists drawn to history, architecture and culture
TIRANA, May 7 – German tourists show rising interest in Gjirokastër, turning the historic southern Albanian city into a key destination in Albania. Visitors explore its architecture, cobblestone streets, and cultural heritage. Renata and Wolfgang, a German couple, visit Gjirokastër this spring during a longer trip across Albania. Spring travel …
Keti Meadows in Klos offers white lilies and a natural fragrance oasis near Tirana
TIRANA, May 7 – Keti Meadows in Mat, part of Klos municipality, offers a striking natural landscape rich in vegetation and floral scents. The site lies around 25 kilometres from Tirana and attracts visitors with its mountain scenery and seasonal flower bloom. White lilies dominate the area, creating a distinctive …
Tourism drives Albania’s economic growth
TIRANA, May 7 – Tourism remains a key driver of Albania’s economic growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said in an interview with the Montenegrin magazine “The Collection”. The interview is titled “Shaping the Future: Tourism as the Engine of Albania’s Economic Growth”. Gonxhja described tourism as a …
Government Launches 2026 Self-Employment Program to Support Young Entrepreneurs
The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has launched the 2026 call for the Self-Employment Program. The initiative aims to support unemployed jobseekers in starting their own businesses and creating new jobs. Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented the program and highlighted its importance. She said it supports young people, women, and vulnerable …
Sejko Warns Middle East Tensions Threaten Global and Albanian Economy
The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, said that tensions in the Middle East remain a major source of risk for the global and Albanian economy. He stressed that the impact of the conflict depends on its duration and intensity. As a result, inflation risks rise, while economic …
Bank of Albania Keeps Base Interest Rate Unchanged at 2.5%
The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has decided to keep the base interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. Governor Gent Sejko announced the decision during a press conference. He also said the Council kept the overnight deposit rate unchanged at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%. The …
VanHorn Praises Albania–US Defense Cooperation at Anniversary Ceremony
The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Albania, Nancy VanHorn, attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of the State Partnership Program between the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces. She said the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces train together and strengthen each other. …
President Begaj Welcomes AADF Chief Granoff and Discusses “Toka” Initiative
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met with Michael Granoff, Chairman of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), along with its executive directors. The discussion focused on the foundation’s latest projects. These projects aim to develop agriculture, tourism, education in artificial intelligence, and stronger links between diaspora researchers and Albanian institutions. …
EU Ambassador Urges Wider Participation in Lawmaking in Albania
A meeting focused on improving lawmaking and increasing transparency took place today in Tirana. Participants included members of Parliament, state institutions, civil society, and international partners. The discussions focused on more inclusive processes. These processes aim to ensure wider participation and faster alignment with EU standards. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato …
President Begaj Calls US Strategic Partnership Cornerstone of Albania’s Foreign Policy
President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. He said the strategic partnership with the United States is a key pillar of Albania’s foreign policy and security. He described the cooperation as one of the …
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 …