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Albania Turns to Filipino Workers as Emigration Crisis Drains Domestic Labor Force

News Analysis Albania Turns to Filipino Workers as Emigration Crisis Drains Domestic Labor Force TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times, March 5th — Confronted by a dramatic labor shortage and a shrinking population, Albania’s government is doubling down on foreign labor as a solution — most notably by negotiating to bring in …

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Follow Me: Albania’s Politicians Sharpen Social Media Skills as Election Looms

Ahead of polls in May, warring politicians are focusing their campaigning on social networks – which are steadily displacing traditional media as ways of persuading voters. Original post Here

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Balkan Countries Weigh Potential Damage Inflicted by Trump’s Tariffs

Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia were the Balkan countries worst hit by the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump as he sought to boost the American economy at the expense of its trading partners. Original post Here

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What is the aim of the Declaration on military cooperation between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo?

Albania, Croatia and Kosovo signed a joint declaration of cooperation on defence on 18 March in Tirana, which sparked anger among the Serbian officials, who interpreted such a move as a threat to both the country’s territorial integrity and regional stability. The document focuses on “strengthening the defence and security …

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Balkan Crime Groups Tightening Grip on South American Drug Trade: Report

Organised crime groups from the Western Balkans are emerging as key players in smuggling cocaine from Latin America, according to a new report. Original post Here

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In a depopulating Albania, why is the PM campaigning on a promise to make it easier for young people to leave?

If Rama wants to be the prime minister who ushers Albania into the European Union, he must first be the leader who makes Albania worth staying in. By ANDI BALLA In his recent campaigning for the upcoming May parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Edi Rama has come up with an interesting …

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‘Make Albania Great’: Opposition Chief Plots Return with Trump-Style Campaign

Opposition leader Sali Berisha hopes that borrowing MAGA-style rhetoric will being him victory in May’s elections – but many experts doubt that will work. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 31, 2025

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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Money Laundering Causes Poverty, Income Disparity in Balkans, Says BIRN Film

A new BIRN documentary shows how money laundering has been increasing poverty, prices and income inequality in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Original post Here

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Diaspora Vote Might Shake Up Albanian Politics, But Big Parties Likely to Prevail

For the first time, Albanians abroad will be able to vote by post in the country’s May parliamentary election; some hope the change will help end the domination of the two big parties, but experts are not so sure. Original post Here

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Kosova grants citizenship to former U.S. congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife

TIRANA, August 24 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu presented citizenship decrees to former U.S. Congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, at a special ceremony. DioGuardi, the first Albanian-American voting member of the U.S. Congress, has been one of the strongest voices in Washington in support …

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Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life” to undergo restoration

The Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life”, produced in 1981, will undergo restoration through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. Doctors Rubin and Ilir Topi have joined the initiative led by the Central State Film Archive. They chose to restore the film in memory of their father, doctor …

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Over 494,000 visitors explore protected areas in Vlora

Albania’s Vlora region continues to attract visitors with its rich natural landscapes, biodiversity and protected areas. From January to July, more than 494,000 people visited protected areas across the region. According to the Vlora Protected Areas Administration, 166,809 visitors were Albanian, while 327,239 were international tourists. Butrint National Park recorded …

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Brati Bridge: A Riverside Getaway in the Stunning Shushica Valley

In the heart of the Shushica Valley, Brati Bridge is attracting visitors looking for a different kind of summer getaway, away from both the sea and the mountains. From the new Vlora River Road, a scenic route offering views of the villages along the river, visitors can walk for about …

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Albanian internationals score and assist across European leagues

TIRANA, August 24 – Albanian internationals enjoyed another positive week in overseas leagues, with Jasir Asani, Cristian Shpendi and Etnik Brruti scoring, while Ernest Muçi and Stavro Pilo provided assists. In Turkey, Muçi returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. The Albania forward assisted Mohamed Salah for Trabzonspor’s …

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Up to 400,000 euros available for tourism and cultural projects, Investment Development Agency says

TIRANA, August 24 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency has announced its 7th call for proposals for small projects under Specific Objective 4.6 of the Greece–Albania Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. The call offers new funding opportunities for projects focused on development and cross-border cooperation. The total fund amounts to …

News
Albania’s top-flight league opens with Egnatia win over Tirana

TIRANA, August 24 – The first round of Albania’s top-flight football league has ended, with all five matches played over three days. The opening round began on Friday with Vllaznia and Skënderbeu drawing 2-2. On Saturday, Partizani and Teuta played out a 0-0 draw, while Laçi and AF Elbasani finished …

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32,000 foreigners held residence permits in Albania in 2025

TIRANA, August 24 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania continued to rise in 2025, reaching 32,163 by the end of the year. The figure was 46.6% higher than in 2024, according to the Institute of Statistics. Men accounted for 65% of residence permit holders, while women …

News
PM Rama shares exchange with “AI minister” ahead of government meeting

TIRANA, August 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video on social media featuring an exchange with Diella, described as the “AI minister”, shortly before the start of a government cabinet meeting in Pogradec. In the video, Rama asks Diella, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, about Education …

News
Pogradec’s Koran Fish Festival sees 2 million young fish released into Lake Ohrid

TIRANA, August 24 – Authorities released 2 million Koran fish fry into Lake Ohrid in Pogradec this weekend as part of efforts to replenish aquatic fauna and protect the endemic species. The Koran is important to the lake’s ecosystem and the local economy. The release took place during the Koran …

News

Kosova grants citizenship to former U.S. congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife

TIRANA, August 24 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu presented citizenship decrees to former U.S. Congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, at a special ceremony. DioGuardi, the first Albanian-American voting member of the U.S. Congress, has been one of the strongest voices in Washington in support …

News

Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life” to undergo restoration

The Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life”, produced in 1981, will undergo restoration through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. Doctors Rubin and Ilir Topi have joined the initiative led by the Central State Film Archive. They chose to restore the film in memory of their father, doctor …

News

Over 494,000 visitors explore protected areas in Vlora

Albania’s Vlora region continues to attract visitors with its rich natural landscapes, biodiversity and protected areas. From January to July, more than 494,000 people visited protected areas across the region. According to the Vlora Protected Areas Administration, 166,809 visitors were Albanian, while 327,239 were international tourists. Butrint National Park recorded …

News

Brati Bridge: A Riverside Getaway in the Stunning Shushica Valley

In the heart of the Shushica Valley, Brati Bridge is attracting visitors looking for a different kind of summer getaway, away from both the sea and the mountains. From the new Vlora River Road, a scenic route offering views of the villages along the river, visitors can walk for about …

News

Albanian internationals score and assist across European leagues

TIRANA, August 24 – Albanian internationals enjoyed another positive week in overseas leagues, with Jasir Asani, Cristian Shpendi and Etnik Brruti scoring, while Ernest Muçi and Stavro Pilo provided assists. In Turkey, Muçi returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. The Albania forward assisted Mohamed Salah for Trabzonspor’s …

News

Up to 400,000 euros available for tourism and cultural projects, Investment Development Agency says

TIRANA, August 24 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency has announced its 7th call for proposals for small projects under Specific Objective 4.6 of the Greece–Albania Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. The call offers new funding opportunities for projects focused on development and cross-border cooperation. The total fund amounts to …

News

Albania’s top-flight league opens with Egnatia win over Tirana

TIRANA, August 24 – The first round of Albania’s top-flight football league has ended, with all five matches played over three days. The opening round began on Friday with Vllaznia and Skënderbeu drawing 2-2. On Saturday, Partizani and Teuta played out a 0-0 draw, while Laçi and AF Elbasani finished …

News

32,000 foreigners held residence permits in Albania in 2025

TIRANA, August 24 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania continued to rise in 2025, reaching 32,163 by the end of the year. The figure was 46.6% higher than in 2024, according to the Institute of Statistics. Men accounted for 65% of residence permit holders, while women …

News

PM Rama shares exchange with “AI minister” ahead of government meeting

TIRANA, August 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video on social media featuring an exchange with Diella, described as the “AI minister”, shortly before the start of a government cabinet meeting in Pogradec. In the video, Rama asks Diella, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, about Education …

News

Pogradec’s Koran Fish Festival sees 2 million young fish released into Lake Ohrid

TIRANA, August 24 – Authorities released 2 million Koran fish fry into Lake Ohrid in Pogradec this weekend as part of efforts to replenish aquatic fauna and protect the endemic species. The Koran is important to the lake’s ecosystem and the local economy. The release took place during the Koran …