Albania’s central bank governor and French economic official discuss stronger cooperation
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met Pierre Sentenac, the new head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, at the central bank. Sejko highlighted Albania’s close relations with France and described France as an important European partner. Sejko briefed Sentenac on recent economic and financial developments in …
Tirana hosts film festival on war, peace and human rights
The 21st International Human Rights Film Festival opens in Tirana on September 14 and runs through September 19. The Academy of Film and Multimedia “Marubi” organises the festival. This year’s programme focuses on war, peace, the rule of law and the memory of victims. Over six days, the festival will …
Confiscated property rentals generate ALL 180 million in 2026
Revenues from managing and renting confiscated property reached ALL 180 million in the first eight months of 2026, according to Risena Xhaja, head of Albania’s Agency for the Administration of Confiscated Assets. Xhaja presented the figures during a hearing with the Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. She …
Albanian director Ilir Yzeiri wins documentary award in Venice
Albanian director and researcher Ilir Yzeiri has won the Best Documentary Director award at the Venice International Film Festival. He received the award for his documentary “Lucia Nadin and Albanians in Venice 1474–1552”. The documentary previously earned selection by the Veneto Region for the festival’s 83rd edition. Italian company Cinemaset, …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 14, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Kosova awaits September 16 Hague verdict
The Hague will deliver its verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four have pleaded not guilty. The case has attracted significant attention in Kosova because of the defendants’ prominent roles during the 1998-1999 …
Albania Among Top 10 Non-EU Destinations for European Residents
Albania ranks among the 10 most preferred destinations outside the European Union for EU residents, according to Eurostat data. The Agency for Media and Information cited Eurostat figures showing around 2 million trips to Albania that included at least one overnight stay. These trips accounted for 2% of all journeys …
Defence industry needs time to build capacity, deputy minister says
Deputy Defence Minister Blerina Abrazhda says Albania needs time to build its defence industry and develop the infrastructure, technology and skilled workforce required for production. She made the remarks in response to opposition criticism of the sector’s initial industrial projects. Abrazhda said Albania should assess early projects not only by …
17,000 students begin new year at Albania’s vocational schools
Around 17,000 students have started the new school year at vocational schools across Albania. The programmes combine theoretical education with practical training and work experience to prepare students for the labour market. Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj wished students a successful new school year. She also sent a …
Gonxhja: Dea’s Return Enriches the Story of Butrint
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced that the Goddess of Butrint, known as Dea, has returned to her place of discovery. The return allows visitors to see the valuable archaeological work up close. The sculpture has completed a long journey from the ancient city of Butrint to …
Erion Veliaj suffers major legal setback as High Court rules that he should stay in pre-trial detention on corruption and money-laundering charges – even though he is still Tirana’s acting mayor. Original post Here
Albania plans to deploy up to 40 Armed Forces personnel to the International Stabilization Force mission in Gaza, subject to approval of a draft law. Deputy Defence Minister Enkelejd Joti presented the draft legislation to the Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance. Joti said the mission aims to support security …
The National Business Center hosted an InfoCamere delegation in Tirana as the two institutions continued cooperation on digital systems and services for businesses. InfoCamere provides information technology services for the Italian Chambers of Commerce. The meeting followed an April visit by the National Business Center team to Padua. The team …
The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague is expected to deliver its first-instance verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four defendants face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which they have …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is in Naples, Italy, following the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate there on September 14. On September 15, he visited the Albanian Language Department at the University of Naples L’Orientale. The university is one of the historic centers of Albanian studies. Its Albanian language chair, established …
Albania marks 60 years since the founding of the Institute of Arts in Tirana. The institution opened on September 15, 1966, bringing together three major arts schools of the time. The new institution merged the State Conservatory of Tirana, the School of Fine Arts and the Aleksandër Moisiu Higher School …
Bledi Çomo, chairman of the Albania-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group, expressed Albania’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia over attacks and threats affecting the country’s security, population and civilian facilities. Çomo said the threats extend beyond the security of a single state. They also affect regional stability, freedom of navigation and the …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the “Albania Dashboard” digital platform will introduce a new way of working across Albania’s public administration. She said the system will put citizens at the center and provide better services without delays or bureaucracy. Koçiu said every citizen request will have an assigned official …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said economic growth has increased financial support for citizens. He referred to state budget figures for the first 7 months of the year. During this period, the government spent ALL 841 million more than a year earlier on economic assistance, people with disabilities and their caregivers. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the transformed Koman road, on social media today. The road connects the Vau i Dejës and Koman hydroelectric power plants. Rama highlights its setting in the spectacular landscape of northern Albania. The reconstruction began in February last year. The project received around ALL …