Two cruise ships dock in Durrës as Albania sees rising Mediterranean tourism interest
TIRANA, April 23 – The Port of Durrës received two cruise ships carrying foreign tourists as Albania continued to attract growing interest in Mediterranean cruise tourism. Around 150 passengers arrived aboard the vessels “Monet” and “La Belle de l’Adriatique”. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the arrivals, describing the …
Women and girls’ participation in technology transformation highlighted in Albania
TIRANA, April 23 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said Albania places women and girls at the centre of its technological transformation strategy. She spoke at a cybersecurity event marking International Girls in ICT Day, organised by the National Authority for Cyber Security. Koçiu said Albania has developed around 1,300 …
Albanian president addresses “American Dream at 250” forum during U.S. visit
TIRANA, April 23 – President Bajram Begaj of Albania is visiting the United States, where he took part as guest of honour in a forum titled “The American Dream at 250: Still Within Reach?” The event was organised by Texas A&M University and the George H. W. Bush School of …
Pilot project advances digital mapping of agricultural land in Berat
TIRANA, April 23 – Authorities in Albania have advanced a pilot project to digitalise agricultural land management in Berat, covering more than 100 farms. The initiative forms part of efforts to develop the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) and prepare for the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS). The EU4PropertyRights …
Albania hosts International Girls in ICT Day 2026 event promoting inclusion of women in technology
TIRANA, April 23 – Albania is hosting the International Girls in ICT Day 2026 event, a global initiative of the International Telecommunication Union aimed at encouraging more women to enter the technology and communications sectors. The event in Tirana brings together institutional representatives, international partners and the academic community under …
Briken Calja crowned European champion in clean and jerk in Batumi
TIRANA, April 23 – Albanian weightlifter Briken Calja won the European title in the clean and jerk at the European Championships in Batumi, Georgia. He competed in the 79-kilogram category and lifted 187 kilograms in the discipline. Calja also secured the silver medal in the combined total, lifting 340 kilograms …
Body of 21-year-old Albanian killed in Sweden arrives home
The body of 21-year-old Albanian Mateo Llupi, who lost his life following a shooting attack in the city of Helsingborg, has arrived in his home country. The tragic incident occurred shortly before midnight on April 14, putting Swedish authorities on alert. Police cordoned off the area and launched investigations to …
Albanian Parliament holds a minute of silence for the passing of Rexhep Qosja
The Parliament of Albania held a minute of silence during today’s plenary session in honor of the passing of Rexhep Qosja. The proposal was made by the head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, who stated: “Academician Rexhep Qosja, whose work represents an irreplaceable contribution to our national …
Prime Minister Rama reacts to the passing of academician Rexhep Qosja
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted following the news of the passing of academician Rexhep Qosja. “FAREWELL, GOOD ALBANIAN.Heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of Professor Rexhep Qosja,” Rama wrote. Academician Rexhep Qosja passed away on Thursday at the age of 89. According to a family statement, the funeral …
Begaj on Rexhep Qosja: One of the finest minds of Albanian culture has passed away, condolences
President Bajram Begaj reacted on Facebook regarding the passing of academician Rexhep Qosja, expressing his condolences to the family. Full post: “A rare academic has departed from the Pantheon…Rexhep Qosja was one of the finest minds of Albanian culture and thought. My most sincere condolences to his family, relatives, and …
Tech concerns mount over elections in Serbia, spy chief’s arrest tests Albania’s NATO ties, protests over court verdicts continue in Kosovo and North Macedonia mulls impact of dangerous virus, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
More than 9.4 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first eight months of 2026, according to INSTAT. The figure represents a 5.3% increase from the same period in 2025. In August alone, foreign entries rose 2% year on year. The pace slowed from July, when entries increased 7.1%, but …
Work is continuing on the Shëngjin bypass in Lezha, which will ease traffic and improve access to coastal tourist areas. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the construction site and said the bypass is expected to be fully completed by March 2027. The 8.1-kilometre road runs along the slopes …
Albanian lawmaker Taulant Balla met US General Wesley Clark during his visit to New York. Clark served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and led NATO’s air campaign in 1999 during the war in Kosova. Balla expressed gratitude to Clark for his role during NATO’s intervention and for his support for …
New US Ambassador Eric Wendt arrived in Tirana on Friday. He is expected to present his credentials to President Bajram Begaj on Saturday. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 at the Palace of Brigades. Begaj and Wendt are also expected to hold a private meeting. The US Senate confirmed …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s national flag has reached a higher standing internationally than ever before. He made the remarks during his visit to New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly. In a post on X, Rama said his mission to take the national flag …
Albania and Greece aim to strengthen customs cooperation. Their plans include joint border management, electronic data exchange and easier trade and movement between the two countries. General Director of Customs Besmir Beja met his Greek counterpart, Dimitrios Bourikos, in Tirana for the 14th Bilateral High-Level Meeting. The meeting covered joint …
Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in the eighth edition of the European Corporate Council, where he focused in his remarks on the importance of peace, economic development and creating opportunities for future generations. Rama described his participation in the forum as a “special honour and privilege”, praising its role …
The Council of Ministers has officially declared the village of Vuno an immovable cultural property with the status of a “Historic Centre”. The decision, approved at the government meeting on September 25, 2026, also provides for the designation of a protective zone, as well as the approval of a plan …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated from New York that the United States could have done more to prevent, in his view, the start of the process that led to the conviction of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. During a speech at …