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Albania’s Street Revolt Turns Political

Tens of thousands filled Tirana on June 20 demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government, turning a three-week protest movement into the most serious political challenge to his 14-year rule. Tirana Times, June 20, 2026 – Albania witnessed its largest anti-government protest in years on Saturday, …

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Tirana’s Towers, Albania’s New Pyramids?

How a criminal political economy built on concrete, dirty money and construction may put the Albanian state at risk. Tirana Times, June 22, 2026 – Tirana’s skyline has become the most visible expression of Albania’s new political economy. Over the past six or seven years, dozens of high-rise towers have …

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Albania’s Missing Generation: A Country Losing Its Future Before 2050

Tirana Times, June 22, 2026 – Albania is no longer facing a normal demographic decline. It is facing the possible disappearance of the very generation on which its economic, social and political future depends. New United Nations population projections cited in the latest analysis show that Albania is expected to …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 22, 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

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White Villages of the Blue Riviera: From Dhërmi to Vuno

The journey starts in the old village of Dhërmi along the main road. It leads through one of the most scenic hiking trails of the Albanian Riviera. First, the village of Dhërmi stands out with its white stone houses and blue sea views. Moreover, its narrow paths and natural spring …

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“Rrënjët” Guesthouse Opens in Ersekë, Blending History and Comfort

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the opening of a new guesthouse called “Rrënjët” in the center of Rilindja Square in Ersekë. The project adds new accommodation capacity to the Kolonjë region. It also strengthens the local tourism offer. Moreover, Rama shared images of the guesthouse on social media. He described …

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Spanish Media: From Riviera to Alps, Albania Emerges as Europe’s Most Sought-After Destination

Albania is attracting strong international attention as one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations for 2026. The Spanish media outlet Noticias del Vino describes the country as “the last affordable paradise” in Europe. Moreover, the article highlights that Albania trends heavily on social media, especially TikTok. It shows how low-cost …

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Ksamil Transforms from Small Resort Town into International Tourism Trend

The coastal town of Ksamil has transformed from a small holiday destination into one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Albania and beyond. Moreover, the town attracts visitors with its crystal-clear waters, small islands, and proximity to Butrint National Park. It also benefits from its strategic location near Sarandë …

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Public Beach at “Taulantia” Promenade in Durrës Equipped with Sunbeds and Umbrellas

The public beach along the “Taulantia” promenade in Durrës has been equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. As a result, it now offers more comfort, relaxation, and free access to the coastline for both residents and tourists. Moreover, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images of the upgraded …

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UEFA Report: Albanian National Team Unites Fans and Enjoys the Most Positive Image

The Albanian national football team remains the strongest symbol of identity and pride for fans across the country. This conclusion comes from the “UEFA Grow Market Research” report, conducted by UEFA in cooperation with Nielsen. The report shows that interest in the national “A” team has increased over the past …

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Koopman on EU candidate status for Kosovo: “We’re not there yet,” Specialist Chambers law “extremely unhelpful”

Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …

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Citizens continue protests outside Prime Minister’s Office

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …

News
Albanian, Italian police vow to step up cooperation against organised crime and illicit trafficking

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …

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Albanian Development Fund focuses on strategic investments and regional growth

Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …

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2027 budget allocates 3.23 billion lekë for protected areas

Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …

News
Rrokaj meets counterparts in Bucharest to discuss joint archival projects

9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …

News
Bode meets British ambassador to discuss prison modernisation and transfer of Albanian prisoners

Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …

News
Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …

News
Kurti calls for no delays in Kosovo’s EU candidate status process

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …

News
Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …

News

Koopman on EU candidate status for Kosovo: “We’re not there yet,” Specialist Chambers law “extremely unhelpful”

Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …

News

Citizens continue protests outside Prime Minister’s Office

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …

News

Albanian, Italian police vow to step up cooperation against organised crime and illicit trafficking

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …

News

Albanian Development Fund focuses on strategic investments and regional growth

Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …

News

2027 budget allocates 3.23 billion lekë for protected areas

Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …

News

Rrokaj meets counterparts in Bucharest to discuss joint archival projects

9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …

News

Bode meets British ambassador to discuss prison modernisation and transfer of Albanian prisoners

Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …

News

Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …

News

Kurti calls for no delays in Kosovo’s EU candidate status process

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …

News

Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …