Albania’s Friend of the Book campaign returns with author Vath Koreshi
The Friend of the Book campaign has returned this October, organised by the National Centre for Books and Reading. The first event took place at Ismail Qemali School and focused on Albanian author Vath Koreshi, marking the 90th anniversary of his birth. The campaign also coincides with Book October, a …
Albania, Greece and North Macedonia join efforts to seek UNESCO status for Lake Prespa
Albania, Greece and North Macedonia are joining efforts to include Great Prespa Lake on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The initiative seeks to protect and promote the area’s natural and cultural heritage, according to Greek newspaper Kathimerini. Greece launched the initiative in 2014. The European Union now supports the process …
Kurti: We have begun talks to reach an agreement on the president
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Friday that talks have begun on reaching an agreement for the election of the country’s president. “We have started discussions and, of course, this weekend is crucial for reaching an agreement so that we can have a president next week,” Kurti said. Political …
PM Rama tells US Democrats: Don’t use Albania in your fight against Trump
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama launched a sharp attack on US Democrats over the ongoing “Flamingo Revolution” protests against a planned luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump. What began as protests against the project has evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations and is now entering …
Rama: From 2 to 12 million tourists, now we urgently need to improve quality
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania has recorded a significant increase in tourist numbers in recent years, but that the main challenge now is improving the quality of tourism. Speaking at the first edition of the “Future Hospitality Forum 2026,” Rama said the number of tourists has risen from …
Kurti shares photo with Trump: US is Kosovo’s main ally and indispensable partner
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has shared a photo of himself with US President Donald Trump and his wife, Rita Augestad Knudsen. In his post, Kurti said the meeting took place on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly. “I had the honour of meeting …
Defence Minister Nufi meets US Ambassador Eric Wendt: Albania and the US stand side by side
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has met with the new US Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt. In a social media post, Nufi shared moments from his meeting with the US ambassador, highlighting the importance of the partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defence and security. “Ambassador …
Saudi Arabia Eases Visa Procedures for Kosovo Citizens
Tirana Times, October 2, 2026 – Saudi Arabia has introduced simplified visa procedures for Kosovo citizens, allowing them to apply for an electronic tourist visa or obtain a visa on arrival from October 1, 2026. The measure marks a significant easing of travel requirements for citizens visiting the Kingdom for tourism, family visits …
Security Expert Questions Albania’s Readiness to Learn from Spy Chief’s Arrest
Security expert Arjan Dyrmishi tells BIRN the “whole system of governance” has been brought into question by the arrest of the head of Albania’s State Intelligence Service. Original post Here
Preza Castle: A Fortress Watching Over Tirana’s Historic Routes
Preza Castle rises on a rocky hill overlooking the Tirana plain. Its position gave the fortress a strategic view of the important economic and military routes that once crossed the area. The castle follows a rectangular plan, measuring about 80 by 50 meters. Four circular towers strengthen its corners, while …
After the capital endured a third night of violent clashes between student-led protesters and police, Edi Rama vowed not to bow to the demands for him to quit. Original post Here
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here
Albania’s construction sector expanded rapidly between 2020 and 2024, ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing markets. The latest Eurostat data show that real construction activity rose by 36% over the four-year period. Eurostat measures construction’s gross value added in real terms, using comparable prices and 2020 as the base year. Albania’s index …
Albania’s national futsal team secured a 4-2 victory over Turkey in their second friendly match in Tirana, bouncing back after losing the opening encounter. Shqipron Brahimi opened the scoring for Albania, giving the home side an early boost. Ermir Kryeziu then delivered an impressive performance, scoring twice, while Qendrim Bakia …
The General Directorate of Archives (GDA), in cooperation with the Historical and Diplomatic Archives of Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will donate reproductions of rare documents related to the 1908 Congress of Manastir to the Museum of the Albanian Alphabet in Bitola, North Macedonia. The initiative will support …
Albania joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 68 years ago, becoming part of an international effort to protect cultural and natural heritage around the world. UNESCO safeguards invaluable heritage sites that bear witness to human life and activity across the centuries. The organization has 194 member …
The Interfaith Council of Albania has issued a public statement calling for peace, justice, responsibility and national dialogue. The appeal comes as the country faces protests and rising tensions. Representatives of Albania’s official religious communities urged authorities to take citizens’ and students’ concerns seriously. They called for concrete and transparent …
Albania’s hotels and other accommodation facilities recorded a sharp slowdown in tourism growth during the peak summer season. Both visitor numbers and overnight stays increased at much slower rates than a year earlier, according to the country’s statistics agency, INSTAT. The number of visitors staying in Albanian accommodation rose by …
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony brought an authentic taste of Japanese culture to Tirana as part of Japanese Cultural Week, which began on October 14 and runs through October 18. Japanese masters led demonstrations that introduced participants to this centuries-old tradition. The ceremony combined aesthetics, philosophy, mindfulness and harmony. Participants …
The United Nations in Albania has expressed concern over acts of violence and rising tensions during protests in Tirana. The organization has called on all parties to avoid violence and engage in constructive dialogue. In its statement, the UN reaffirmed the importance of protecting fundamental rights. These include peaceful assembly, …