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After Distria’s gold, Fazliu, Gjakova and Cena compete at European Judo Championships

Kosovo continues competition at the European Judo Championships 2026 in Tbilisi after winning gold with Distria Krasniqi. Laura Fazliu competes in the -63 kg category. Akil Gjakova and Dardan Cena compete in the -73 kg category. Athletes aim for strong results for Kosovo. The team targets additional medals after Krasniqi’s …

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Akil Gjakova one win away from European bronze medal

Akil Gjakova competes at the European Judo Championships 2026 in Tbilisi. He fights for the bronze medal against Bilal Çiloğlu. Gjakova receives a bye in the first round. He beats Samuel Gassner by ippon in the second round. He defeats Benjamin Levy by ippon. He loses in the quarterfinals to …

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Beja at CEFTA: Albania strengthens role in regional trade facilitation

Besmir Beja visited the CEFTA Secretariat. He met Pranvera Kastrati to strengthen institutional cooperation. He prepared for Albania’s CEFTA presidency in 2026. Beja highlighted the role of the Albanian Customs Administration. He promoted trade facilitation. He advanced digitalization processes. He supported Authorized Economic Operators to improve the business climate. He …

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Albania sets fuel price caps with diesel not exceeding 210 lek per litre

.TIRANA, April 17 – Albania’s Transparency Board has set new maximum fuel prices that take effect at 1600 local time on Friday. The decision caps retail diesel prices at no more than 210 Lek per litre. The board set wholesale diesel prices at no more than 198 Lek per litre. …

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EU-harmonised inflation in Albania reaches 2.6% in March, driven by transport and food

TIRANA, April 17 – Albania’s annual inflation measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices stood at 2.6% in March. The data follows the methodology of Eurostat and reflects changes in consumer prices. The Institute of Statistics reported a monthly increase of 0.9% compared with February. Transport led the rise …

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Albanian president receives credentials of new Turkish ambassador

TIRANA, April 17 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Turkey’s new ambassador to Albania, Barıs Ceyhun Erciyes. The ceremony took place in Tirana as part of formal diplomatic procedures. During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations, regional cooperation and their partnership within NATO. They also addressed European …

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EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos tells BBC Albania making steady progress toward membership

TIRANA, April 17 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is progressing steadily on its path toward European Union membership. She made the remarks in an interview with BBC. Kos said Albania continues to advance in its reform agenda as enlargement returns to the European Union’s strategic priorities. …

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Week in Review: Big Changes and Steep Climbs

A momentous election spells change not just for Hungary but also for much of the Western Balkans, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here

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In Albania, Is Tailor-Made Legislation Being Written for Tycoons?

New legal amendments allowing ‘strategic investors’ to develop port facilities at tourist resorts without competitive tenders represent the latest custom-written legislation brought in by Edi Rama’s government to benefit big business, critics claim. Original post Here

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Albania introduces new foreigners’ regulation with online applications and one-day provisional permit

TIRANA, April 17 – The Albanian government has approved a set of regulatory changes for foreign nationals aimed at reducing bureaucracy and speeding up procedures. The reform also seeks to align migration and labour rules with European standards. The changes were published in the Official Gazette. The new framework introduces …

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

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EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

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Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

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International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

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OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

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Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

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Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

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Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …

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Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France

Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …

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Week in Review: Elections and Struggles

Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

News

EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

News

Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

News

International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

News

OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

News

Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

News

Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

News

Defense Minister Nufi Meets New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met today with the new U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Albania and the United States in the fields of defense and security. Nufi described the United States as Albania’s indispensable partner in security and defense, while stressing that Albania …

News

Bujar Alimani’s ‘The Delegation’ Screened in Reims, France

Albanian film “The Delegation” (Le Dernier Prisonnier), directed by Bujar Alimani, was screened in the French city of Reims on Thursday evening. The event took place through cooperation between the European Commission Representation in France and the association “7ème Œil.” Albanian Ambassador to France Dritan Tola, Montenegro’s Ambassador to France …

News

Week in Review: Elections and Struggles

Women get a raw deal at elections in Bosnia, a spy chief’s arrest raises security questions in Albania and protesters challenge war crimes verdicts in Kosovo – plus much more in our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories. Original post Here