US congress members visit Balkans, Kosova trip also planned
TIRANA, May 25 – US congress members Keith Self, a Republican, and Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat, are visiting Serbia. They will also visit the Presheva Valley, a region with an ethnic Albanian majority. Meanwhile, Serbian parliament speaker Ana Brnabic will receive the delegation in Belgrade. The congress members will also …
Prime Minister Rama to attend eighth intergovernmental conference with EU in Brussels
TIRANA, May 25 – Albania and the European Union will hold tomorrow the eighth Intergovernmental Conference on accession negotiations in Brussels. The meeting focuses on advancing reforms under Cluster 1 “Fundamentals” of the negotiation process. The conference will confirm Albania’s fulfilment of interim benchmarks. It will also define final benchmarks …
Opposition Democratic Party MP calls for special national status for Albanian Film Archive
TIRANA, May 25 – Democratic Party of the opposition MP Ina Zhupa, chair of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora, visited the National Film Archive of Albania. Zhupa called for stronger institutional attention and concrete government support for the archive. She described it as a key institution for preserving …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: May 25, 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
Protect Nature, EU interactive contest promotes Albania’s biodiversity
TIRANA May 25 – The Delegation of the European Union in Albania has launched the “Protect Nature” contest. The initiative promotes biodiversity and environmental protection through an interactive experience in several Albanian cities. The campaign covers Tirana, Shkodër, Durrës, and Vlora. It uses green stickers placed in public areas. Each …
Vatican honors Albanian ambassador Majlinda Frangaj for contribution to bilateral relations
TIRANA, May 25 – The Vatican has awarded Albanian ambassador to the Holy See Majlinda Frangaj the title “Dame Grand Cross of the Piano Order”, one of the highest civil decorations of the Holy See. The Piano Order was founded by Pope Pius IX. It is considered one of the …
Rama: Bënja Baths to become a modern tourism destination in nature
Renovation works at Bënja Baths are continuing. The site is located about 14 kilometers from the city of Përmet. It lies in the Petran administrative unit, near the meeting point of the Vjosa River and the Lengarica stream. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the transformation will be completed soon. He …
Tirana hosts elite padel tournament, free entry at Skanderbeg Square from 26–30 May
TIRANA, May 25 – Tirana will become an international centre for elite padel sport. The city will host a major tournament from 26 to 30 May at Skanderbeg Square, with free entry for the public. Top international players will compete in the event. They will play for key ranking points …
Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors, Gonxhja says
Gjirokastër Castle remains one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said today. He noted that the monument is enjoying another successful tourist season, with growing interest in cultural tourism in southern Albania. Gonxhja shared images from the site showing the castle …
Over 5,000 farmers apply for national support scheme, minister says
TIRANA, May 25 – Farmers across the country can apply from today for the National Support Scheme 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the programme with 12 support measures. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Andis Salla said farmers now have full access to apply and benefit from …
Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj said Albania continues to stand out as one of the most stable economies in the region. He said the country maintains positive growth prospects. This comes despite global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and inflationary pressures. Furthermore, he referred to the latest World Bank report. He said …
Preparations for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027 are now underway in Albania. Work has started at the Arena e Demave Stadium to replace the artificial turf with natural grass. The process has already begun with the removal of the existing playing surface. Next, workers will install a modern irrigation …
Prime Minister Edi Rama praised a cleanup action held in Theth as part of environmental protection initiatives. The campaign brought together many young people and volunteers under the motto: “Nature gives to us, we take care of it.” He said the initiative showed strong civic responsibility and respect for the …
Chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla held a meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Tirana Nancy VanHorn. He said cooperation between Albania and the United States remains at an excellent level across all bilateral areas. He also highlighted collaboration within shared international organizations. …
President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee Komiteti Olimpik Kombëtar Shqiptar, Fidel Ylli, attends the 55th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees. The event takes place under the European Olympic movement and stands as one of the most important meetings in the continental sports calendar. The European Olympic Committees …
The extraordinary exhibition of Albanian icons opens in Chambéry, France, as organizers complete final preparations. First, teams finish setting up the exhibition “Icons of Albania – Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korça.” The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambéry prepares to welcome visitors for the opening ceremony. …
Albania prepares for the upcoming international concert of artist Kanye West, scheduled for 11 July in Kashar, Tirana. First, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja attends an interinstitutional coordination meeting in Tirana. Officials discuss the necessary measures to ensure smooth organization of the event. Next, authorities focus on …
Archaeologists uncover new mosaics during excavations in Elbasan. First, the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences carries out excavations under the project “Roman-Byzantine Quarter Outside the Walls of Castrum Scampis – Extra Muros Early Christian Basilica.” They discover previously unknown mosaics near the early Christian basilica outside the …
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja meets Tobias Flessenkemper, Director at the Council of Europe’s Directorate for Democracy, in Tirana. First, they meet during the 42nd Conference of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), which takes place in Albania for the first time. The event brings together more …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shares video highlights from the final of the competition “Eja këndo me ne” at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. First, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) hosts the final event dedicated to children as part of the after-school program. The …