CEFTA meeting in Moldova discusses authorised economic operators and risk management
TIRANA, April 23 – Customs administrations from the region and international partners met in Moldova at a CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) working group session. The meeting focused on authorised economic operators and customs risk management as part of regional efforts to facilitate trade. Participants discussed the development of …
Kosovan literary figure and political thinker Rexhep Qosja dies aged 89
TIRANA, April 23 – Rexhep Qosja, a leading Kosovan literary scholar, public intellectual and political thinker, has passed away aged 89. Born in 1936 in Vuthaj (Montenegro), Qosja became one of the most influential voices in Albanian-language intellectual life. He worked across literature, academia and public debate, with influence in …
Two cruise ships dock in Durrës as Albania sees rising Mediterranean tourism interest
TIRANA, April 23 – The Port of Durrës received two cruise ships carrying foreign tourists as Albania continued to attract growing interest in Mediterranean cruise tourism. Around 150 passengers arrived aboard the vessels “Monet” and “La Belle de l’Adriatique”. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the arrivals, describing the …
Women and girls’ participation in technology transformation highlighted in Albania
TIRANA, April 23 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said Albania places women and girls at the centre of its technological transformation strategy. She spoke at a cybersecurity event marking International Girls in ICT Day, organised by the National Authority for Cyber Security. Koçiu said Albania has developed around 1,300 …
Albanian president addresses “American Dream at 250” forum during U.S. visit
TIRANA, April 23 – President Bajram Begaj of Albania is visiting the United States, where he took part as guest of honour in a forum titled “The American Dream at 250: Still Within Reach?” The event was organised by Texas A&M University and the George H. W. Bush School of …
Pilot project advances digital mapping of agricultural land in Berat
TIRANA, April 23 – Authorities in Albania have advanced a pilot project to digitalise agricultural land management in Berat, covering more than 100 farms. The initiative forms part of efforts to develop the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) and prepare for the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS). The EU4PropertyRights …
Albania hosts International Girls in ICT Day 2026 event promoting inclusion of women in technology
TIRANA, April 23 – Albania is hosting the International Girls in ICT Day 2026 event, a global initiative of the International Telecommunication Union aimed at encouraging more women to enter the technology and communications sectors. The event in Tirana brings together institutional representatives, international partners and the academic community under …
Briken Calja crowned European champion in clean and jerk in Batumi
TIRANA, April 23 – Albanian weightlifter Briken Calja won the European title in the clean and jerk at the European Championships in Batumi, Georgia. He competed in the 79-kilogram category and lifted 187 kilograms in the discipline. Calja also secured the silver medal in the combined total, lifting 340 kilograms …
Body of 21-year-old Albanian killed in Sweden arrives home
The body of 21-year-old Albanian Mateo Llupi, who lost his life following a shooting attack in the city of Helsingborg, has arrived in his home country. The tragic incident occurred shortly before midnight on April 14, putting Swedish authorities on alert. Police cordoned off the area and launched investigations to …
Albanian Parliament holds a minute of silence for the passing of Rexhep Qosja
The Parliament of Albania held a minute of silence during today’s plenary session in honor of the passing of Rexhep Qosja. The proposal was made by the head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, who stated: “Academician Rexhep Qosja, whose work represents an irreplaceable contribution to our national …
Prime Minister Edi Rama urged Elbasan to become a leading city for startups and innovation during a meeting with winners of Albania’s national startup program for 2025 and new applicants for 2026. During the event, young innovators presented projects in technology and the digital economy. Meanwhile, organizers highlighted the rapid …
Mayor of Elbasan Gledian Llatja said startups will transform into concrete development models for Elbasan during a meeting with winners of Albania’s 2025 startup program and new applicants for 2026. The event took place at the newly renovated “Onufri” arts high school in Elbasan. Young innovators presented promising technology projects …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met today in Elbasan with winners of Albania’s 2025 startup program and applicants for 2026, who presented promising projects in technology and innovation. During the meeting, Rama said technology is rapidly transforming economic development and innovation. He explained that the world has moved from linear growth …
Albania inaugurated its National Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia with the presentation of “A Place in the Sun” by artist Genti Korini, curated by Małgorzata Ludwisiak. During the opening ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja described Albania’s participation as a …
Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari addressed the International Migration Forum at the United Nations and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to safe, orderly, and legal migration. During his speech, Lamallari stressed that Albania supports migration policies based on human rights, international cooperation, and stronger engagement with the Albanian diaspora. Furthermore, he said …
Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj met today with Dame Dimitrovski, adviser to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, and Raimund Jehle during the regional conference United for Climate. During the meeting, Jaupaj discussed a regional forestry initiative supported by the Green Climate Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Furthermore, …
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VanHorn attended the “Battle of the Bands” concert in Tirana featuring the Flagship and the Orchestra of the Albanian Armed Forces. During her opening remarks, VanHorn said the event celebrated “Freedom 250,” a global initiative launched by Donald Trump to honor 250 years of American independence, …
Ura e Kamarës is a historic medieval bridge located near the village of Mirakë, along the Elbasan–Librazhd national road. To reach it, visitors follow the old Egnatia Road and pass through a narrow village path. Then they arrive at the bridge site. The bridge measures about 40 meters in length …
TIRANA, May 8 – An opposition protest took place in central Tirana on Friday evening, gathering supporters along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. The demonstra ion started at around 19:30 and formed part of a series of opposition rallies against the government. Unlike previous …
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