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Visit to Washington: Finance Minister Malaj Meets U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj, during an official visit to Washington, held a meeting at the U.S. Department of State with Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs. The visit took place במסגרת the annual meetings of the Albanian delegation with leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. …

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Death of Albanian Teen in Greece: Kefalonia Hospital Rejects Allegations, Calls for Investigation

Doctors have denied complaints regarding the alleged malfunctioning of the Emergency Department at Kefalonia Hospital, following the death of 19-year-old Albanian woman, Myrto. The allegations were made by an anonymous woman, while the Hospital Workers’ Union of the General Hospital of Kefalonia has called for an investigation into the case. …

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8th Pharmaceutical Conference Calls for Clearer Rules in the Medicines Sector

The Order of Pharmacists in Albania, in cooperation with the Chamber of Pharmacists of Kosovo, has opened the 8th Pharmaceutical Conference titled “Together for Pharmaceuticals.” Key topics discussed included the need for concrete reforms to address recurring issues in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as calls to establish European standards …

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Prison Directorate Details Operation at Peqin Prison: High-Risk Inmates Transferred

The General Directorate of Prisons has released details about a large-scale inspection carried out this Saturday at Peqin Prison, during which prohibited items were seized. Authorities also identified a suspected case involving narcotic substances and confirmed that two high-risk inmates serving life sentences have been transferred. Full statement: Under the …

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Minister Hoxha Attends Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Focus on Dialogue and Western Balkans EU Integration

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, took part in the 3rd Meeting of the Peace Platform for the Balkans, at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan. Strengthening regional cooperation, the prospects for European integration, economic development, and energy security were among the main topics discussed. Ministers …

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Monodrama Dedicated to Mother Teresa Staged in Pogradec

An evening filled with emotion and art was experienced at the “Lasgush Poradeci” theater hall in Pogradec, where the monodrama “Mother Teresa’s Dream – The Divine Human” was staged, serving as an artistic tribute to the iconic figure of Mother Teresa. The performance by actress Justina Aliaj, directed by Gëzim …

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Prime Minister Rama meets Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at democracy summit in Barcelona

TIRANA, April 18 – Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the “In Defence of Democracy” summit in Barcelona, where he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the opening of the event. Rama described Sanchez in a social media post as “a wise and courageous leader” and a valued partner. …

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Prime Minister Rama attends “In Defence of Democracy” summit in Barcelona

TIRANA, April 18 – Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in the fourth “In Defence of Democracy” summit held in Barcelona, Spain, joining leaders and officials for discussions on global democratic challenges. At the start of the summit, Rama met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. In a social media …

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Sejko meets World Bank and IFC officials; focus on financial stability and reforms

Gent Sejko met senior officials from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. He met Antonella Bassani, Xiaoqing Yu, and Alfonso García Mora. They discussed Albania’s latest economic and financial developments. They assessed them as positive. The economy showed steady growth. Inflation remained low. Financial stability strengthened. They highlighted …

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Opposition protest in Tirana sees escalation on main boulevard after speech

TIRANA, April 17 – A protest held by Albania’s Democratic Party took place on the main boulevard “Dëshmorët e Kombit” in central Tirana on Friday, later continuing with tensions near key state institutions. After opposition leader Sali Berisha addressed the gathering, some participants threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks in the …

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Week in Review: Spyware, AI and Arrests

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

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More than 9.4 million foreign nationals enter Albania in eight months

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 …

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Shëngjin bypass in Lezha expected to be completed in March 2027

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 …

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Albanian lawmaker Taulant Balla meets US General Wesley Clark in New York

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 …

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New US ambassador Eric Wendt arrives in Tirana

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 …

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PM Rama: I have raised Albania’s flag higher than ever on the road to EU

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 …

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Albania and Greece expand electronic customs data exchange

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 …

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Rama at the European Corporate Council: Peace is a prerequisite for economic development

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 …

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Vuno officially declared a “Historic Centre”, government approves protected area

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 …

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Rama makes strong statement from New York: Joe Biden betrayed Hashim Thaçi, “the George Washington of Pristina”

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 …

News

Week in Review: Spyware, AI and Arrests

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

News

More than 9.4 million foreign nationals enter Albania in eight months

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 …

News

Shëngjin bypass in Lezha expected to be completed in March 2027

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 …

News

Albanian lawmaker Taulant Balla meets US General Wesley Clark in New York

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 …

News

New US ambassador Eric Wendt arrives in Tirana

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 …

News

PM Rama: I have raised Albania’s flag higher than ever on the road to EU

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 …

News

Albania and Greece expand electronic customs data exchange

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 …

News

Rama at the European Corporate Council: Peace is a prerequisite for economic development

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 …

News

Vuno officially declared a “Historic Centre”, government approves protected area

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 …

News

Rama makes strong statement from New York: Joe Biden betrayed Hashim Thaçi, “the George Washington of Pristina”

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 …