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Ministry of Education and AADF Launch Major Education Reform Initiative

Albania Signs Agreement to Create National Agency for Educational Services The Ministry of Education and the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) signed an agreement in Tirana to establish the National Agency for Educational Services. The initiative aims to transform the current education services administration into a modern, autonomous institution aligned with …

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Albania Strengthens Dialogue on Protection of Disabled Persons’ Rights

Ombudsman Hosts Italian Activist Maximiliano Ulivieri on Disability Rights The Ombudsman of Albania held an official meeting with Italian activist Maximiliano Ulivieri, a global advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. Ulivieri was accompanied by activist Suela Lala from the “Së Bashku” foundation and UNFPA representative Elsona Agolli. The …

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Maks Velo, the artist and uncompromising opponent of the communist regime

TIRANA, May 7 – Maks Velo, artist, writer, architect, and intellectual, died on 7 May 2020. He was born on 31 August 1935 in Paris. His family later returned to Albania, where he graduated in civil engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Tirana in 1957. Between 1960 and 1973, he …

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Government Approves New Procedures for Funding Cultural and Artistic Projects

The government has approved a new set of procedures for financing artistic and cultural projects in Albania. The decision replaces the 2022 regulation and aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and quality in state support for the arts. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will manage the new system. Under …

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Albania secures $40 mln climate project, expands forestry reform agenda, minister Jaupaj say

TIRANA, May 7 – Albania secured a $40 million climate project under the “Albadap” programme, which Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj described as the largest climate initiative in the Western Balkans. At a press conference in Tirana, Jaupaj said no EU or Western Balkan country runs a similar project financed by …

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NATO more important than ever in current geopolitical environment, FM Hoxha tells Secretary General Rutte

TIRANA, May 7 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said NATO has become more important than ever in the current geopolitical environment after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in talks focused on Euro-Atlantic security, Ukraine, the Western Balkans and Albania’s role in the Alliance. The meeting marked Hoxha’s first encounter …

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Interior Minister Lamallari at United Nations highlights Albania’s return migration approach

TIRANA, May 7 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari attended the International Forum on Migration Review at the United Nations in New York. He joined a panel discussion on “Migration as a creative force”. At the discussion, Lamallari presented Albania’s approach to migration. He focused on the return of emigrants and …

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“After School” Programme Pilot Starts in Tirana Schools

TIRANA, May 7 – The “After School” programme started its pilot phase in several schools in Tirana. Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro announced the launch on her official page. She said the pilot began this week after regular classes. The programme includes activities such as dance, crafts, visual arts, and …

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Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City Reach “Final Four” in Superiore League

Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City have secured places in the “Final Four” of the Albanian Superiore League. The teams will compete to determine the league champion. At the same time, Flamurtari has been relegated to the First Division after the 35th round results. Tirana earned a crucial 1-0 victory …

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Fuel prices capped at 196 Lek per litre, Transparency Board decides

TIRANA, May 7 – The Transparency Board cut the price of diesel by 10 lek per litre at its latest meeting. It set a new maximum retail price for standard diesel at 196 lek per litre. It fixed the wholesale price at 184 lek per litre. The Board also set …

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Week in Review: Turning Points and Endless Loops

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut. Original post Here

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Himara Triathlon Links Sport and Tourism on the Albanian Riviera

Himara Triathlon will take place on May 10 in the coastal town of Himarë, bringing together professional and amateur athletes. The event combines three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. It promotes both competitive sport and active lifestyles. The race will start at Potam Beach with the swimming stage. It will …

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Mesi Bridge in Shkodër, a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists

TIRANA, May 8 – Mesi Bridge attracts daily visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists admire its history, architecture, and cultural heritage value. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the site in Shkodër and described it as a restored pearl of cultural heritage. The bridge lies about 8 kilometres from …

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EU Ambassador Gonzato: Better services and infrastructure at core of “EU4Municipalities II”

TIRANA, May 8 – EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato attended today the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” project in Durrës. He described the initiative as a concrete programme that brings direct benefits at local level and places citizens at the centre of Albania’s EU integration process. Referring to …

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PM Rama: “EU4Municipalities II” a strategic EU investment in local governance modernisation

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended today in Durrës the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” programme. The initiative aims to strengthen local government and support Albania’s path toward the European Union. The programme will support municipalities through concrete investments. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacities …

News
Kosova elections on 7 June; deadline closes at CEC, 22 parties in race and three coalitions registered

TIRANA, May 8 – The deadline for political parties in Kosova to notify the Central Election Commission (CEC) on participation or non-participation in elections and coalition formation closed at midnight. The obligation applied to 53 political parties registered in Kosova. The CEC said it received notifications from 22 parties for …

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Health Minister Sala presents national strategy for artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan

TIRANA, May 8 – Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Sala presented Albania’s national strategy for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan. The presentation focused on oncology during the First Congress on Artificial Intelligence in Oncology. The event was organised by the European Society for Artificial …

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“Pearl of Dibër” awakens in spring, Rama publishes images from Grama Pastures

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today images from Grama Pastures in Dibër, where nature wakes up in spring among greenery and mountain calm. Grama is called the pearl of Dibër. It is rich in flat pastures, a beautiful lake, and endless greenery. On the ascent to …

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Gonxhja: Archaeological Museum Project Will Meet International Standards

Blendi Gonxhja said the new Archaeological Museum project will meet international standards for preservation, exhibition, and public access. Speaking in Parliament, Gonxhja answered concerns raised by opposition MP Ina Zhupa over plans to relocate the museum collection to an underground space. He said the ministry follows international models that combine …

News
National tax revenues reach 11.5 billion ALL in first quarter

TIRANA, May 8 – National tax revenues in January–March 2026 reached 11.5 billion ALL. They achieved 97.6% of the planned target for the first quarter, the Ministry of Finance said. The report on fiscal indicators showed revenues from this category stood around 500 million ALL lower than the same period …

News

Week in Review: Turning Points and Endless Loops

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut. Original post Here

News

Himara Triathlon Links Sport and Tourism on the Albanian Riviera

Himara Triathlon will take place on May 10 in the coastal town of Himarë, bringing together professional and amateur athletes. The event combines three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. It promotes both competitive sport and active lifestyles. The race will start at Potam Beach with the swimming stage. It will …

News

Mesi Bridge in Shkodër, a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists

TIRANA, May 8 – Mesi Bridge attracts daily visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists admire its history, architecture, and cultural heritage value. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the site in Shkodër and described it as a restored pearl of cultural heritage. The bridge lies about 8 kilometres from …

News

EU Ambassador Gonzato: Better services and infrastructure at core of “EU4Municipalities II”

TIRANA, May 8 – EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato attended today the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” project in Durrës. He described the initiative as a concrete programme that brings direct benefits at local level and places citizens at the centre of Albania’s EU integration process. Referring to …

News

PM Rama: “EU4Municipalities II” a strategic EU investment in local governance modernisation

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended today in Durrës the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” programme. The initiative aims to strengthen local government and support Albania’s path toward the European Union. The programme will support municipalities through concrete investments. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacities …

News

Kosova elections on 7 June; deadline closes at CEC, 22 parties in race and three coalitions registered

TIRANA, May 8 – The deadline for political parties in Kosova to notify the Central Election Commission (CEC) on participation or non-participation in elections and coalition formation closed at midnight. The obligation applied to 53 political parties registered in Kosova. The CEC said it received notifications from 22 parties for …

News

Health Minister Sala presents national strategy for artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan

TIRANA, May 8 – Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Sala presented Albania’s national strategy for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan. The presentation focused on oncology during the First Congress on Artificial Intelligence in Oncology. The event was organised by the European Society for Artificial …

News

“Pearl of Dibër” awakens in spring, Rama publishes images from Grama Pastures

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today images from Grama Pastures in Dibër, where nature wakes up in spring among greenery and mountain calm. Grama is called the pearl of Dibër. It is rich in flat pastures, a beautiful lake, and endless greenery. On the ascent to …

News

Gonxhja: Archaeological Museum Project Will Meet International Standards

Blendi Gonxhja said the new Archaeological Museum project will meet international standards for preservation, exhibition, and public access. Speaking in Parliament, Gonxhja answered concerns raised by opposition MP Ina Zhupa over plans to relocate the museum collection to an underground space. He said the ministry follows international models that combine …

News

National tax revenues reach 11.5 billion ALL in first quarter

TIRANA, May 8 – National tax revenues in January–March 2026 reached 11.5 billion ALL. They achieved 97.6% of the planned target for the first quarter, the Ministry of Finance said. The report on fiscal indicators showed revenues from this category stood around 500 million ALL lower than the same period …