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Elite tourism can boost revenue and support wider economy, says prime minister

TIRANA, June 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania should aim for a higher level of tourism development as the country considers major investment projects such as the one planned in Zvërnec. Speaking on Monday, Rama said authorities have not yet received the project and have not completed the …

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Fun Fair Albania ends with Children’s Day celebrations in Tirana

TIRANA, June 1 – Fun Fair Albania concluded on Monday after four days of activities that began on May 29. The event offered entertainment and recreational activities from morning until evening. Children’s Day brought additional crowds to the fair. As a result, dozens of activities, games, creative workshops and surprises …

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Four Scenarios for Democracy in the Western Balkans: From Hope to Disenchantment

By the year 2040, will countries in the region choose to consolidate democracy, settle for ‘stabilitocracy’, or descend into full-blown authoritarianism? Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 1, 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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Swedish media Dagens highlights Albania as emerging European tourist destination

TIRANA, June 1 – Albania is emerging as a new European tourism destination. Swedish media outlet “Dagens” reports growing interest from European travelers and describes Albania as more affordable than Spain and Greece, while also comparing it with Italy. Meanwhile, “Dagens” highlights Albania’s beaches, natural landscapes and competitive prices. It …

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Cherry Festival in Godolesh Highlights Local Tradition and Rural Tourism

The village of Godolesh welcomed hundreds of visitors this weekend for the annual Cherry Festival, an event dedicated to promoting the area’s agricultural traditions, cultural heritage and tourism potential. Residents and visitors from Elbasan, other Albanian cities and foreign tourists gathered in the village center to take part in the …

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Blendi Gonxhja: FIP Platinum Albania Puts Albania on Global Padel Map

Blendi Gonxhja described the FIP Platinum Albania tournament as a major sporting and organizational success, saying it placed Albania on the map of top international padel events. He made the remarks after the tournament concluded in Tirana, where the finals took place at Skanderbeg Square. First, Gonxhja highlighted the strong …

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Fun Fair Albania marks International Children’s Day in Tirana

TIRANA, June 1 – International Children’s Day on June 1 highlights the promotion of children’s rights and well-being. The day builds on international efforts strengthened by the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Meanwhile, Tirana hosts the …

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FM Hoxha in Prishtina: Kosova–Serbia dialogue central to normalisation, Albania reaffirms strong support

TIRANA, June 1 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held meetings in Prishtina focused on Kosova’s political and institutional developments. He met the new leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ardian Gjini, and congratulated him on taking office at a key political moment. He …

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Book Fair in Shkodër Honors Ridvan Dibra with Best Novel Award

For three days, the courtyard of the parish in Shkodër welcomed writers, researchers, publishers and readers. They gathered for the second edition of the “Libri të ban të lirë” book fair. The event once again highlighted Shkodra’s role as a center of Albanian culture and literature. First, the opening ceremony …

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Kallas: Albania among four leading EU candidates, but must speed up reforms

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has praised Albania’s progress towards European Union membership. She ranked Albania among the four most advanced candidate countries, alongside Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine. Speaking at the presentation of the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report, Kallas highlighted Albania’s rapid progress. …

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Rama: Albania receives its strongest-ever EU progress assessment, membership prospects more realistic than ever

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania had received its strongest assessment yet in the European Commission’s annual Progress Report. He described the report as another source of pride for the country and an encouraging step towards its historic goal of joining the European Union. “Another meaningful and encouraging report card …

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Albania moves towards instant payments, saving citizens and businesses millions

Albania is taking an important step towards modernising its payment system through the regional TIPS Clone project. The new system will allow people and businesses to transfer money instantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko announced that the system is expected to …

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Design and innovation take centre stage at Tirana International Fair, with over 70 Italian companies

Design, innovation and business cooperation are in the spotlight at the 32nd Tirana International Fair. More than 70 Italian companies are presenting their products, services and projects, while exploring new opportunities in the Albanian market. The panel “Tradition as a Living Project” brought together Italian companies and design professionals to …

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Hoxha meets German lawmaker, calls for stronger German engagement in the Western Balkans

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, met with German MP Peter Beyer in Berlin to discuss bilateral relations and Germany’s role in the Western Balkans. Beyer is a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads Germany’s governing coalition. He also serves on the Bundestag’s Foreign …

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Nufi: NATO must strengthen cooperation against hybrid threats and disinformation

Albania’s Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has called for stronger cooperation among NATO member states to counter hybrid threats, disinformation and malicious online campaigns. In an interview with POLITICO Europe, Nufi warned that these threats aim to undermine public trust, fuel divisions and weaken the resilience of democratic societies. He also …

News
Albania aligns central banking legislation with EU standards, European Commission reports

The European Commission has recognised Albania’s progress in aligning its monetary policy legislation with European Union standards, particularly in safeguarding the independence of the Bank of Albania. In its latest Progress Report on Albania, the Commission notes that the country has achieved a high level of alignment with EU legislation, …

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EU Expansion Package: Progress for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, While Kosovo Gains Renewed Support

The European Commission today approved its annual Expansion Package, evaluating candidate countries’ achievements over the past year and setting key reform priorities for the future. Expansion remains one of the European Union’s most strategic policies to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent. Furthermore, this year’s report demonstrates that …

News
“Besniku Shpk”, a success story in Albania’s and the regional agribusiness market

From a family-owned business established in 1999, Besniku Shpk has grown over the years into one of the well-known names in Albania’s agribusiness sector. Operating in both the agricultural and livestock sectors, the company is entering a new phase of growth, marked by business expansion and ambitions to reach new …

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Protesters gather outside PM’s office; several detained for obstructing police

TIRANA, November 4 /ATSH/ – A group of young people and citizens gathered again this afternoon in front of the Prime Minister’s Office on “Martyrs of Nation” boulevard, continuing the protests seen over the last few days. Tensions flared in front of the Prime Minister’s Office when police detained two …

News

Kallas: Albania among four leading EU candidates, but must speed up reforms

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has praised Albania’s progress towards European Union membership. She ranked Albania among the four most advanced candidate countries, alongside Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine. Speaking at the presentation of the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report, Kallas highlighted Albania’s rapid progress. …

News

Rama: Albania receives its strongest-ever EU progress assessment, membership prospects more realistic than ever

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania had received its strongest assessment yet in the European Commission’s annual Progress Report. He described the report as another source of pride for the country and an encouraging step towards its historic goal of joining the European Union. “Another meaningful and encouraging report card …

News

Albania moves towards instant payments, saving citizens and businesses millions

Albania is taking an important step towards modernising its payment system through the regional TIPS Clone project. The new system will allow people and businesses to transfer money instantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko announced that the system is expected to …

News

Design and innovation take centre stage at Tirana International Fair, with over 70 Italian companies

Design, innovation and business cooperation are in the spotlight at the 32nd Tirana International Fair. More than 70 Italian companies are presenting their products, services and projects, while exploring new opportunities in the Albanian market. The panel “Tradition as a Living Project” brought together Italian companies and design professionals to …

News

Hoxha meets German lawmaker, calls for stronger German engagement in the Western Balkans

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, met with German MP Peter Beyer in Berlin to discuss bilateral relations and Germany’s role in the Western Balkans. Beyer is a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads Germany’s governing coalition. He also serves on the Bundestag’s Foreign …

News

Nufi: NATO must strengthen cooperation against hybrid threats and disinformation

Albania’s Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has called for stronger cooperation among NATO member states to counter hybrid threats, disinformation and malicious online campaigns. In an interview with POLITICO Europe, Nufi warned that these threats aim to undermine public trust, fuel divisions and weaken the resilience of democratic societies. He also …

News

Albania aligns central banking legislation with EU standards, European Commission reports

The European Commission has recognised Albania’s progress in aligning its monetary policy legislation with European Union standards, particularly in safeguarding the independence of the Bank of Albania. In its latest Progress Report on Albania, the Commission notes that the country has achieved a high level of alignment with EU legislation, …

News

EU Expansion Package: Progress for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, While Kosovo Gains Renewed Support

The European Commission today approved its annual Expansion Package, evaluating candidate countries’ achievements over the past year and setting key reform priorities for the future. Expansion remains one of the European Union’s most strategic policies to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent. Furthermore, this year’s report demonstrates that …

News

“Besniku Shpk”, a success story in Albania’s and the regional agribusiness market

From a family-owned business established in 1999, Besniku Shpk has grown over the years into one of the well-known names in Albania’s agribusiness sector. Operating in both the agricultural and livestock sectors, the company is entering a new phase of growth, marked by business expansion and ambitions to reach new …

News

Protesters gather outside PM’s office; several detained for obstructing police

TIRANA, November 4 /ATSH/ – A group of young people and citizens gathered again this afternoon in front of the Prime Minister’s Office on “Martyrs of Nation” boulevard, continuing the protests seen over the last few days. Tensions flared in front of the Prime Minister’s Office when police detained two …