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Albania Must Not Mirror Serbia’s EU Rejection

By Augustin Palokaj Tirana Times, March 03 2026 – EU enlargement does not lack ideas; it lacks political will. That is why the recent joint opinion piece by Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, published in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, is troubling not so …

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Share Your Experience: Child Support Payments After Divorce in the Balkans, France

Do you live in the Balkans or France, and have you been awarded child support payments after divorce? Was the process easy – and did you receive the money as the court ordered? Original post Here

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The War in Iran and Albania in a Fragmenting International Order

by Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, February 28 2026 – At the very moment when diplomacy appeared to be moving toward a fragile agreement, the United States and Israel launched a unilateral strike against Iran, shifting the region from tense negotiations to open confrontation. The targets included strategic infrastructure and …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 2, 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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Balkan Govts Scramble to Safeguard Citizens in Middle East Conflict Zone

Some Balkan countries are planning to evacuate stranded citizens from the conflict zone around Iran, others have already managed to fly people out – although some have only issued security warnings. Original post Here

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Albanians Pay Price of Legal Row over Wastewater Treatment Project

For decades, sewage from the Albanian capital has been discharged untreated into the waters of the Lana River in Tirana. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns With U.S. and Israel on Iran

Albania also voices solidarity with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners after Iran’s missile attacks. Tirana Times, March 1, 2026 –   Albania threw its support behind U.S. strikes on Iran in the opening hours of the latest Middle East escalation, with Prime Minister Edi Rama declaring that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary …

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Albania Backs U.S. Strikes on Iran

Kosovo and North Macedonia join support for Washington. Tirana Times, February 28, 2026 – Albania threw its support behind U.S. strikes on Iran on Friday, with Prime Minister Edi Rama declaring that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should be officially designated a terrorist organization and saying Tirana would move to …

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Albanian Prime Minister Under Pressure Dismisses Deputy Accused of Corruption

After months of defending his deputy and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, who faces allegations of manipulating public tenders, Edi Rama finally dismissed her on Thursday night. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Trades and Betrayals

From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here

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Kosovo Records 27.8% Rise in Hotel Visitors

Kosovo recorded a significant increase in hotel visitors in July 2026, according to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS). Hotels welcomed 99,053 visitors during the month. Domestic visitors accounted for 32,098, while foreign visitors reached 66,954. Compared with July 2025, when hotels recorded 77,481 visitors, the total number increased by …

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Gonxhja: Northern Towers Set for Restoration and Revitalization, Investments to Start by 2027

Albania is preparing to restore and revitalize its traditional northern towers. The government plans to start concrete investments by 2027. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the plan. He said the ministry is finalizing the national program with GIS and the State Cadastre Agency (ASHK). “Our goal is …

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Athletes from Albania and the Region Compete in 14th “Labeat” Triathlon

Shirokë, on the shores of Lake Shkodra, hosted the 14th edition of the “Labeat” Triathlon, bringing together athletes from Albania and across the region. The event combines swimming, cycling and running, creating a demanding competition that tests athletes across three disciplines. This year’s edition attracted around 90 competitors from Albania, …

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New Initiative to Finance Women Entrepreneurs Launches National Analytical Panel

The Bank of Albania and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched the “WE Finance Code Albania – Code for Financing Women Entrepreneurs” today. The initiative starts a national partnership to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led or owned by women. The …

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Tirana Court Administration Boycotts Work Over Magistrates’ Salary Dispute

The administration of the Tirana Court boycotted work today. Employees protested after authorities failed to pay their August salaries. Although court administration employees do not directly take part in the institutional dispute over magistrates’ salaries, the salary blockage has affected them directly. Lawyer Arben Llangozi said in a social media …

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Le Figaro Nautisme: Albania’s Wild Coast Near Vlora, Karaburun and Sazan

A spectacular and largely untouched coastline stretches opposite Vlora. France’s “Le Figaro Nautisme” highlights the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island as a unique destination between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. In an article by Charlotte Lacroix, the French media outlet describes a coastline of crystal-clear waters, steep cliffs, caves and …

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Rama Meets New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the European Union’s new ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, at the Prime Minister’s Office today. Moreira de Sousa has officially taken charge of the EU Delegation in Tirana. Rama shared photos from the meeting on social media. “Welcome to Tirana, the new Ambassador …

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OSHEE Moves Toward a Smart Energy Grid, Hima: Digitalization and AI Will Play Key Role

The Electricity Distribution Operator (OSHEE Group) plans to develop a smarter energy grid. General Administrator Mentor Hima said digitalization, smart meters, automation and artificial intelligence will play a key role in this transformation. Hima presented the vision at the “3rd International Conference on Renewable Energies and Smart Technologies – IEEE …

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Gonxhja: Nearly 1.1 Million Visitors Explore Cultural Sites, Gjirokastra Castle Leads

Albania continues to attract visitors with more than its coastal and mountain destinations. Cultural and historical attractions also draw growing interest. Cultural heritage institutions and sites recorded a significant increase in visitors during the first eight months of 2026. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced today that …

News
Albanian Port Bars Alleged Russian-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Oil Tanker

Ukraine welcomes Albania’s ‘demonstration of solidarity’ in blocking the ‘Hanuman’ tanker, whose operator, it believes, is linked to Kremlin allies. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Records 27.8% Rise in Hotel Visitors

Kosovo recorded a significant increase in hotel visitors in July 2026, according to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS). Hotels welcomed 99,053 visitors during the month. Domestic visitors accounted for 32,098, while foreign visitors reached 66,954. Compared with July 2025, when hotels recorded 77,481 visitors, the total number increased by …

News

Gonxhja: Northern Towers Set for Restoration and Revitalization, Investments to Start by 2027

Albania is preparing to restore and revitalize its traditional northern towers. The government plans to start concrete investments by 2027. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the plan. He said the ministry is finalizing the national program with GIS and the State Cadastre Agency (ASHK). “Our goal is …

News

Athletes from Albania and the Region Compete in 14th “Labeat” Triathlon

Shirokë, on the shores of Lake Shkodra, hosted the 14th edition of the “Labeat” Triathlon, bringing together athletes from Albania and across the region. The event combines swimming, cycling and running, creating a demanding competition that tests athletes across three disciplines. This year’s edition attracted around 90 competitors from Albania, …

News

New Initiative to Finance Women Entrepreneurs Launches National Analytical Panel

The Bank of Albania and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched the “WE Finance Code Albania – Code for Financing Women Entrepreneurs” today. The initiative starts a national partnership to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led or owned by women. The …

News

Tirana Court Administration Boycotts Work Over Magistrates’ Salary Dispute

The administration of the Tirana Court boycotted work today. Employees protested after authorities failed to pay their August salaries. Although court administration employees do not directly take part in the institutional dispute over magistrates’ salaries, the salary blockage has affected them directly. Lawyer Arben Llangozi said in a social media …

News

Le Figaro Nautisme: Albania’s Wild Coast Near Vlora, Karaburun and Sazan

A spectacular and largely untouched coastline stretches opposite Vlora. France’s “Le Figaro Nautisme” highlights the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island as a unique destination between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. In an article by Charlotte Lacroix, the French media outlet describes a coastline of crystal-clear waters, steep cliffs, caves and …

News

Rama Meets New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the European Union’s new ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, at the Prime Minister’s Office today. Moreira de Sousa has officially taken charge of the EU Delegation in Tirana. Rama shared photos from the meeting on social media. “Welcome to Tirana, the new Ambassador …

News

OSHEE Moves Toward a Smart Energy Grid, Hima: Digitalization and AI Will Play Key Role

The Electricity Distribution Operator (OSHEE Group) plans to develop a smarter energy grid. General Administrator Mentor Hima said digitalization, smart meters, automation and artificial intelligence will play a key role in this transformation. Hima presented the vision at the “3rd International Conference on Renewable Energies and Smart Technologies – IEEE …

News

Gonxhja: Nearly 1.1 Million Visitors Explore Cultural Sites, Gjirokastra Castle Leads

Albania continues to attract visitors with more than its coastal and mountain destinations. Cultural and historical attractions also draw growing interest. Cultural heritage institutions and sites recorded a significant increase in visitors during the first eight months of 2026. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced today that …

News

Albanian Port Bars Alleged Russian-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Oil Tanker

Ukraine welcomes Albania’s ‘demonstration of solidarity’ in blocking the ‘Hanuman’ tanker, whose operator, it believes, is linked to Kremlin allies. Original post Here