Murat Toptani, a versatile artist of the National Renaissance
TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …
UK bans support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …
Governor Sejko Meets EBRD’s New Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs
On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …
Coalition of the Willing Summit: Rama Welcomed by Macron in Paris, Shares Footage from the Meeting
Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the Coalition of the Willing Summit in support of Ukraine. Rama said he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron and shared footage of his arrival, where he was welcomed by the French leader. Rama and other European …
Violations and Evasion at Currency Exchange Offices, Bank of Albania Revokes 83 Licenses
The Bank of Albania revoked the licenses of 83 currency exchange offices during 2025 following inspections that uncovered regulatory violations and financial irregularities related to cash circulation. According to the central bank, the inspections revealed shortcomings in customer identification procedures, transaction monitoring, screening against sanctions lists, and the reporting of …
Tax Authorities Audit High-Income Individuals, Identify €770,000 in Suspicious Findings
Around 200 high-income individuals in Albania are being audited as part of an intensified effort by the tax authorities to verify their wealth and income. The General Directorate of Taxes says it has identified €770,000 in suspicious findingsso far. The Tax Administration has stepped up inspections targeting individuals with significant …
Rama: ‘Open Balkan’ Was Branded a “Terrible Idea” Simply Because Vučić and I Supported It
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Open Balkan initiative was labeled “a terrible idea” for one reason only: because it was backed by him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. “It was considered a terrible idea for only one reason – because Vučić and I were behind it. If you removed our …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 13, 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
Letter from Brussels: No EU ‘Super Tuesday’ for Accession Laggard Serbia
As Albania and Montenegro surge ahead, the EU is split on whether to move Serbia forward on the path to accession in the absence of tangible progress. Original post Here
Vjosa River attracts more tourists with summer rafting adventures
TIRANA, July 13 – The Vjosa River has become one of the most popular summer destinations for visitors seeking adventure and cooler temperatures. High summer temperatures have increased interest in the river’s wild landscapes, untouched nature and outdoor activities. Local and foreign tourists visit Vjosa not only to relax but …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania will repeal the law on Strategic Investments and review the law on Protected Areas to align it with European Union standards, Prime Minister Edi Rama said. Rama made the statement during a press conference after the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference. The prime minister said Albania …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Most of the country will see clear skies. However, northern and eastern mountainous areas may have occasional light to moderate clouds. Meanwhile, the weather will remain mostly clear after midday. Northern and …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania is gaining international attention as an affordable summer destination, according to an article by Alba Sole Ingla published in the Catalan media outlet “El Nacional”. The article highlights Albania’s crystal-clear beaches, mountain landscapes, historical cities and rich gastronomy as key attractions for visitors seeking alternatives …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania is on the right path in its European integration process, but the next phase will require intensive work, Socialist Party MP Romina Kuko said. Speaking on RTSH1’s “Trialog” programme hosted by Alba Alishani, Kuko said Albania successfully passed the first stage of negotiations with the …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania has provisionally closed its first 3 European Union negotiation chapters: Chapter 25 on Science and Research, Chapter 26 on Education and Culture, and Chapter 30 on External Relations. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels and described it …
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports inaugurated the artistic installation “Sounds That Speak” by artist Ergys Krisiko. The artwork previously won a grant from the “Heritage is Our Brand” programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by DMO Albania and the EU Policy Hub/Forum for Integration Policies in …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania marks the anniversary of the death of patriot Çerçiz Topulli, who was executed by Montenegrin forces in Shkodër on July 15, 1915. Born in Gjirokastër, Topulli completed his early education in his hometown before continuing his studies in Ioannina. He later joined the Secret Committee …
TIRANA, July 15 – Albania collected 93.9 billion Albanian Lek (€939 million) in social security contributions during the first half of 2026, marking a 10.9% increase compared with the same period last year. According to data published by the Agency for Media and Information, several factors supported the growth. These …
TIRANA, July 15 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi hosted a courtesy meeting with German Armed Forces Chief of Defence General Carsten Breuer during his official visit to Tirana. The two officials highlighted the strong relations between Albania and Germany in defence and security. They also praised Germany’s role as a …
TIRANA, July 15 – More than 41,000 farmers have applied for the 2026 National Support Scheme, which includes 12 support measures for the agriculture sector. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla met with farmers from Pogradec and Korça to discuss applications, sector challenges and financial support planned for …