Albania, Serbia Plan Joint Bid for 2027 European Youth Football Tournament
Albania’s Football Federation said it has teamed up with its Serbian counterpart to organise the European Under-21 football competition together with its neighbour in three years’ time. Original post Here
Balkan Farmers Struggle to Access Tens of Millions of Euros in EU Funds
Farmers in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia face similar challenges when trying to access funds from the European Union’s IPARD programme. Original post Here
Ukrainian Visit to Serbia Yields Pledges to Revive Trade
Ukrainian Foreign Minister says Kyiv delegation’s two-day visit to Serbia – a friend of Russia’s – ended with agreement to restore bilateral trade to pre-war levels. Original post Here
Political Attacks, Misogynistic Insults Continue to Pollute Balkan Online Space
The aftermath of elections in Turkey and Croatia and the electoral campaign in North Macedonia prompted politically-motivated digital rights violations in the region this month, while Kosovo and Montenegro saw an increase in misogynistic attacks on women online. Original post Here
Balkan Support for EU Accession High, Except in Serbia – Survey
Corruption remains a serious concern for people across the Western Balkans, where trust in politicians is low but support for EU accession high, except in Serbia. Original post Here
Condolences – and Silence – from Balkans Over Iranian President’s Death
Expressions of sorrow over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials are coming from some Balkan countries but not others – depending on the state of their relations with Tehran. Original post Here
Unofficial Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Ceremony Causes Controversy in Albania
A same-sex couple held a private civil partnership ceremony at Tirana City Hall – but even though it had no legal standing, their ‘marriage’ sparked angry reactions from traditionalists. Original post Here
Conflict of Interest? Restaurant Investment Raises Questions for Albanian Minister
Municipality’s payments to a restaurant owned by the wife of the former deputy mayor – now a government minister – raises fresh questions about business connections between state officials and their private business partners. Original post Here
Never Forget: Albanians Commemorate Communist-Era Labour Camp Uprising
Victims of Albania’s communist regime and activists gathered at a former labour camp to honour the prisoners’ uprising in 1984 and call for the location to be preserved as a reminder of past suffering. Original post Here
‘The Same Coin’: Crackdown Exposes Organised Crime’s Penetration of Albanian Politics
Experts say an operation that used seized communications app data to investigate seven organised crime groups offers new evidence of the connections in Albania between gangsters, politics and the economy. Original post Here
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:8c64583c-a703-4b61-8781-824378c77044-67″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8c64583c-a703-4b61-8781-824378c77044-67″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Press freedom in Kosovo has entered a clear period of decline, according to a report by partner organizations of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists. The report links the decline to political interference, …
On July 20, 1883, the monthly political, social, cultural and literary magazine “Flamuri i Arbërit” was first published in Corigliano Calabro, Italy. Jeronim De Rada, one of the most important figures of 19th-century Albanian literature and the Arbëresh community, founded the magazine. Known as the “father of Albanian journalism,” De …
Pogradec is enjoying a strong summer tourist season. The lakeside city continues to attract large numbers of visitors from Albania and abroad. Local authorities say tourist arrivals have risen sharply in July. Visitors choose Pogradec for its cool climate, scenic lake, and quality tourist services. The Municipality’s Tourism Directorate also …
Albania has transformed into one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourist destinations. The country has also earned a strong place on the global tourism map. According to UN Tourism, Albania ranks among the world’s busiest tourist destinations when measured by visitors per resident. This ranking compares annual tourist arrivals with the local …
Inspectors from the National Coastline Agency continue daily inspections along Pogradec’s lakeshore to ensure proper management of public beach areas and enforce regulations. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared photos from the inspections on social media. He said inspectors removed umbrellas placed outside approved concession areas and issued …
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded today to criticism and calls to cancel the Mountain Package. He said the initiative will help people in mountain areas develop their properties and attract investment. During an online conversation with citizens, Rama explained that the Mountain Package does not mean selling mountains. Instead, it …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro visited the facilities of “Fan Noli” University in Korça, where she held an open discussion on the challenges of internationalization and changes to the Higher Education Law. During the meeting, attended by Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi, Kumbaro spoke with University Rector Lorenc Ekonomi, faculty deans, professors, …
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla hosted today at the Albanian Parliament Altin Marku, a representative of the Albanian diaspora in Switzerland and head of the “Fol Shqip Show” platform, which promotes success stories of Albanians living abroad. During the meeting, Balla praised the diaspora’s contribution to strengthening ties …
The Bylis/Klos Archaeological Park has started conservation works on five of its most important monuments as part of a project focused on protecting and preserving cultural heritage. The project will restore and stabilize the Theatre of Bylis, the Theatre of Klos (ancient Nikaia), the Cistern, the Justinian Baths, the Prytaneion …
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj received today (July 21) the credentials of Mexico’s new ambassador to Albania, Genaro Fausto Lozano Valencia, who resides in Rome. During the meeting, President Begaj praised the friendly relations between Albania and Mexico. He expressed confidence that the new ambassador’s mission will strengthen political …