Blog
News

Euro U-19 2027 draw sets Albania in Group B6 with Armenia and Cyprus

TIRANA, June 15 – Albania’s Under-19 men’s national team learned its opponents on Monday for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The process placed Albania U-19 in Group B6 alongside Armenia and Cyprus. The team will compete in …

Read More
News

Traffic organization changes in Himara aim to ease summer mobility

TIRANA, June 15 – Himara municipality has started implementing changes to road circulation from today. The measures aim to manage vehicle flow more efficiently during the tourist season. Mayor Vangjel Tavo told Albanian news agency (ATSH) that the changes entered into force following a decision by the municipal council. He …

Read More
News

Foreign investment screening mechanism to strengthen economic security

TIRANA, June 15 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj attended the “Albania’s Foreign Direct Investment Screening Framework” event, organized by AmCham Albania in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, the business community, domestic and foreign investors, international organizations, diplomats …

Read More
News

Albanian Tax-Economic Center: Albania records higher living standards over past decade

TIRANA, June 15 – Albania has improved living standards significantly over the past 10 years, according to a new analysis by the Albanian Tax-Economic Center. The analysis, which the Media and Information Agency shared, reviews the 2025–2026 Living Standards Index. It shows that Albania recorded notable progress in well-being, human …

Read More
News

Albania’s Civic Revolt Demands the Government’s Resignation

What began as a protest over Zvernec and Sazan has become a nationwide civic movement demanding the resignation of the government and challenging corruption, oligarchic power and a political system many Albanians say has exhausted the country. Tirana Times, June  15, 2026 –  A protest movement that began with anger over …

Read More
News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 15, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

Read More
News

Italian Tourists Dance to Albanian Rhythms in Karaburun

Italian tourists were seen dancing aboard a tourist boat along the stunning coast of Karaburun, according to a video shared on social media by Socialist Party parliamentary leader Taulant Balla. The footage captures visitors enjoying the crystal-clear waters and vibrant summer atmosphere in one of southern Albania’s most popular coastal …

Read More
News

French magazine Quartz: Albanian Riviera and Alps among world’s rising destinations

TIRANA, June 15 – French magazine Quartz has listed Albania among the world’s most promising travel destinations and recommends visiting the country before mass tourism expands further. According to Quartz, Albania has attracted growing international attention thanks to its Adriatic and Ionian coastline, mountain landscapes and lower travel costs compared with …

Read More
News

Clear weather across Albania on Monday

TIRANA, June 15 – The Military Meteorological Service forecasts stable weather conditions across Albania on Monday. The service expects clear skies throughout the country. However, a few temporary clouds may appear over high mountainous areas from midday into the afternoon. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the west at an average …

Read More
News

Agriculture, Interior ministers announce new investments for food safety and border trade

TIRANA, June 15 – Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla and Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari visited the Qafë-Thana border point to North Macedonia. Representatives from the State Police, Customs and the National Food Authority joined the visit. The officials discussed stronger food safety controls and closer institutional coordination at …

Read More
News
Majlinda Dhuka says 2027 budget supports decisive phase of EU integration

Albania’s 2027 draft budget will support European Union accession negotiations and prepare the country for membership, State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka said on Tuesday. Speaking to the Assembly’s Committee on European Affairs and Foreign Policy, Dhuka said Albania had opened all negotiating chapters, received a positive assessment of …

News
Albanian embassy in Canada to highlight European identity and heritage in Ottawa

Albania’s European identity, cultural heritage and aspirations for the future will take centre stage during Albania’s European Week in Ottawa in 2026. The Embassy of the Republic of Albania to Canada will organise the event in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Ottawa. …

News
Public safety is the true measure of success against drugs

Interior Minister Ervin Demo said police success depends on how safe citizens feel, how well authorities protect young people and how effectively they restrict criminal groups’ activities. Speaking at a joint conference of the State Police and Italy’s Guardia di Finanza on 2026 aerial monitoring results, Demo praised 15 years …

News
Interior minister Demo: Albania is part of Europe’s security frontline

Interior Minister Ervin Demo said Albania plays an active role in Europe’s security architecture and in tackling cross-border threats. He made the remarks opening the international conference “Regional security: New risks, stronger cooperation” in Tirana. The event brought together Regional Cooperation Council Secretary-General Amer Kapetanović, Italian Interior Ministry representatives, the …

News
EU Ambassador in Tirana Meets with Civil Society to Discuss the 2026 Albania Report, Focusing on Environment, Transparency and Healthcare

The European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, held a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations, during which she presented the 2026 Albania Report. In a post published on Tuesday, the EU Delegation announced that the meeting addressed issues related to the environment, transparency, land ownership rights, …

News
Guardia di Finanza: Traffickers Are Moving Cannabis Plantations to Remote Areas, We Detect Them from the Air Using Modern Technology

Aerial monitoring and the use of modern surveillance equipment have increased the Guardia di Finanza’s ability to identify suspected cannabis cultivation sites in Albania. During a joint press conference with the Albanian State Police, a representative of the Italian authorities emphasized that cooperation between the two sides has delivered concrete …

News
Transparency Board Announces New Fuel Prices

The Transparency Board decided to reduce fuel prices during its meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Board decided that gasoline will be sold at no more than 167 lek per liter, while diesel will be sold at no more than 208 lek per liter. “The retail price of diesel …

News
Albania Allocates 250 Million Lek for Public PET Scan Services in 2027

For the first time, PET scan examinations will be publicly funded. The project has been included in the draft 2027 budget, with an allocation of 250 million lek, and approximately 2,500 patients are expected to benefit from the service. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health and Social …

News
“742 More Births Than Deaths” – INSTAT: Tirana Leads in Natural Population Growth

Albania recorded positive natural population growth in the third quarter of 2026, with 742 more births than deaths. According to data from INSTAT, a total of 5,787 births and 5,045 deaths were registered during this period. However, the birth rate continues to decline. Compared to the same period in 2025, …

News
2027 Fiscal Package: Public Transport Operators Call for Exemption from Road Tax

Around 450,000 to 500,000 citizens across Albania use public transport, but the cost of the service and the tax burden on operators risk becoming even heavier. This concern was raised by the National Association of Urban Transport in a letter addressed to Parliament, outlining a series of requests for tax …

News

Majlinda Dhuka says 2027 budget supports decisive phase of EU integration

Albania’s 2027 draft budget will support European Union accession negotiations and prepare the country for membership, State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka said on Tuesday. Speaking to the Assembly’s Committee on European Affairs and Foreign Policy, Dhuka said Albania had opened all negotiating chapters, received a positive assessment of …

News

Albanian embassy in Canada to highlight European identity and heritage in Ottawa

Albania’s European identity, cultural heritage and aspirations for the future will take centre stage during Albania’s European Week in Ottawa in 2026. The Embassy of the Republic of Albania to Canada will organise the event in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Ottawa. …

News

Public safety is the true measure of success against drugs

Interior Minister Ervin Demo said police success depends on how safe citizens feel, how well authorities protect young people and how effectively they restrict criminal groups’ activities. Speaking at a joint conference of the State Police and Italy’s Guardia di Finanza on 2026 aerial monitoring results, Demo praised 15 years …

News

Interior minister Demo: Albania is part of Europe’s security frontline

Interior Minister Ervin Demo said Albania plays an active role in Europe’s security architecture and in tackling cross-border threats. He made the remarks opening the international conference “Regional security: New risks, stronger cooperation” in Tirana. The event brought together Regional Cooperation Council Secretary-General Amer Kapetanović, Italian Interior Ministry representatives, the …

News

EU Ambassador in Tirana Meets with Civil Society to Discuss the 2026 Albania Report, Focusing on Environment, Transparency and Healthcare

The European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, held a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations, during which she presented the 2026 Albania Report. In a post published on Tuesday, the EU Delegation announced that the meeting addressed issues related to the environment, transparency, land ownership rights, …

News

Guardia di Finanza: Traffickers Are Moving Cannabis Plantations to Remote Areas, We Detect Them from the Air Using Modern Technology

Aerial monitoring and the use of modern surveillance equipment have increased the Guardia di Finanza’s ability to identify suspected cannabis cultivation sites in Albania. During a joint press conference with the Albanian State Police, a representative of the Italian authorities emphasized that cooperation between the two sides has delivered concrete …

News

Transparency Board Announces New Fuel Prices

The Transparency Board decided to reduce fuel prices during its meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Board decided that gasoline will be sold at no more than 167 lek per liter, while diesel will be sold at no more than 208 lek per liter. “The retail price of diesel …

News

Albania Allocates 250 Million Lek for Public PET Scan Services in 2027

For the first time, PET scan examinations will be publicly funded. The project has been included in the draft 2027 budget, with an allocation of 250 million lek, and approximately 2,500 patients are expected to benefit from the service. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health and Social …

News

“742 More Births Than Deaths” – INSTAT: Tirana Leads in Natural Population Growth

Albania recorded positive natural population growth in the third quarter of 2026, with 742 more births than deaths. According to data from INSTAT, a total of 5,787 births and 5,045 deaths were registered during this period. However, the birth rate continues to decline. Compared to the same period in 2025, …

News

2027 Fiscal Package: Public Transport Operators Call for Exemption from Road Tax

Around 450,000 to 500,000 citizens across Albania use public transport, but the cost of the service and the tax burden on operators risk becoming even heavier. This concern was raised by the National Association of Urban Transport in a letter addressed to Parliament, outlining a series of requests for tax …