Demo Takes Office as Interior Minister, Koçiu: Moving Forward with Reforms to Strengthen Security
Ervin Demo has taken office as Minister of Interior after being sworn in at the Presidency. In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, outgoing Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari formally handed over his duties to Demo. Koçiu shared images on social media from Demo’s first moments as Interior Minister. …
Hoxha Meets New WHO Representative in Albania: Strengthening Partnership on Health Reforms
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today in Tirana with the new World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Albania, Dr. Fabio Scano. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Albania and the WHO and advancing reforms in the country’s healthcare sector. Hoxha and Scano discussed the role …
DEA OPEN AIR Brings Three Nights of Albanian Cinema to Saranda
The “DEA OPEN AIR” film festival continues to promote Albanian cinema, create new spaces for film screenings and strengthen connections between filmmakers, their works and audiences. As part of this initiative, the FOCUS CineKO program begins today in Saranda. The program will run for three consecutive nights and will present …
Week in Review: Campaigns, Crackdowns and Clan Wars
With elections approaching in Bosnia and Serbia, rhetoric is heating up, while in Turkey and Albania, campaigners are feeling the pressure, as our round-up of Balkan Insight Premium stories shows. Original post Here
US Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell questions Hague court role in Kosova
U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell has criticized the Hague court following its decision to sentence four former Kosova Liberation Army leaders to a combined 81 years in prison. Grenell described the decision as politically motivated. In an interview with Albanian television channel Top Channel, Grenell said Kosova …
National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Opens Artistic Season with Tour in Italy
The National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble is ready to begin its new artistic season with a calendar of activities that will open with a tour of several Italian cities. Artistic Director Sokol Marsi said the ensemble has just returned from Kosovo, where it took part in a nationwide festival …
Albanian icon heritage discussed at the Louvre Museum
A conference on cultural and scientific cooperation between Albania and France took place at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The event focused on Albania’s artistic heritage and the study of its medieval and post-medieval icons. The exhibition “Icons of Albania, Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korça,” …
Marubi exhibition showcases a decade of children’s creativity
The exhibition “Marubi: Education Studio,” curated by Tereza Çuni and Jozefina Vokrri, presents a decade of creativity, experimentation and arts education at the National Museum of Photography. The exhibition at the Marubi Museum features a selection of work developed over 10 years at the museum’s Education Studio. The display brings …
United States Embassy in Kosova urged citizens to avoid Skanderbeg Square over traffic disruptions
The United States Embassy in Kosova urged citizens to avoid Skanderbeg Square in Prishtina and surrounding areas on Friday, September 18. Several organizations had announced protests there at noon. The embassy warned United States citizens about large crowds, road closures and severe traffic disruptions. It advised them to avoid the …
Justice Minister Gogu: Criminal Procedure Code review follows Council of Europe recommendations
Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the review of Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code follows Council of Europe recommendations on pre-trial detention. He said the work aims to strengthen safeguards for personal liberty. It also seeks to make alternatives to detention more effective. Gogu spoke at a Justice Ministry roundtable on security …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 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 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 …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says institutional stability is essential for Kosova. She made the remarks after meetings with Kosova’s state leaders. Von der Leyen says institutional stability provides the main foundation for further progress. She highlights reforms, growth and progress on the European path as key priorities. …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met France’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Rene Troccaz in Przno, Montenegro. The meeting focused on Albania’s European Union membership process. The two officials also discussed developments in the Western Balkans. Regional cooperation, connectivity and security were also on the agenda. …