Blog
News

Former Finance Minister Arben Malaj warns of structural risks to growth in Albania

TIRANA, April 30 – A World Bank report forecasts a slowdown in Albania and the Western Balkans, raising concerns over growth prospects and social welfare. Speaking on “Mirëmëngjes Shqipëri” (“Good Morning Albania”), former Finance Minister Arben Malaj said international institutions projected continued growth but also highlighted structural weaknesses in the …

Read More
News

Abissnet Superiore on RTSH: Round 34 scheduled entirely for Saturday at 16:00

TIRANA, April 31 – All matches from round 34 of the Abissnet Superiore, broadcast on RTSH, take place on Saturday at 16:00. The league also schedules the final two rounds of the regular season on the same day and time next week, on Wednesday and Sunday. League leaders Elbasani face …

Read More
News

Fuel prices increase by 5 ALL, diesel reaches 208 ALL/litre and petrol 185 ALL/litre

TIRANA, April 30 – The Transparency Board has raised fuel prices by 5 ALL for both diesel and petrol in its decision dated 30 April 2026. Diesel now costs 208 ALL/litre, up from 203 ALL. Petrol is set at 185 ALL/litre. The Board also set wholesale limits. Diesel may not …

Read More
News

“Tourism Development Pole” project transforms former government residence in Sarandë

The Council of Ministers approves amendments to transfer the “Government Residence” property in Sarandë to the municipality. Authorities include the site in the “Tourism Development Pole of Sarandë” project. They design it as an Eco-Smart campus stretching from Qafa e Gjashtës to the former residence area. The government removes restrictions …

Read More
News

Golem substation upgrade strengthens coastal energy supply

TIRANA, April 30 – Energy and Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi inspects the Golemi electricity substation in Golem, Kavaja, as part of ongoing investments to improve power supply in coastal and tourist areas. He says the upgrade doubles capacity from 31.5 MW to 80 MW and will secure long-term supply for …

Read More
News

PM Rama reacts to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report on Media and Information Agency, praises communication role

TIRANA, April 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to a report published by SIGMA under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which evaluates Albania’s Media and Information Agency (MIA). The report highlights the creation of the Media and Information Agency as a structure within the Prime …

Read More
News

EU-funded project boosts nature tourism in Elbasan and Funar

Elbasan expands nature tourism with the second phase of the EU IPA Cross-Border project. The Council of the Municipality approves the creation of the Dopaj–Funar hiking trail and new orientation signage. Mayor Gledian Llatja presents the project as part of a broader strategy to develop nature and adventure tourism in …

Read More
News

Finance Minister Malaj reports positive fiscal performance in first quarter of 2026

TIRANA, April 30 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj reported a positive and stable fiscal and economic performance during the first three months of 2026. He said key indicators showed higher budget revenues, improved fiscal administration, stronger tax compliance, as well as growth in employment and business activity. He attributed the …

Read More
News

“Reporters Without Borders” publish media freedom report

TIRANA, April 30 – “Reporters Without Borders” has published its latest report on media freedom in Albania. The report highlights pressure on press freedom and media independence. It links this pressure to conflicts of interest between business and politics, an incomplete legal framework, and political influence over media regulation. The …

Read More
News

Albana Koçiu and Andis Salla visit olive collection center in Dushk

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu and Agriculture Minister Andis Salla visited an olive collection and processing center in Dushk. Officials described the investment as a development engine for Elbasan County. The facility, built by Sami Debrova, exports to international markets. It highlights the potential of Albanian agriculture. Koçiu called the …

Read More
News
“Eqrem Çabej” University Expands International Cooperation

Eqrem Çabej University in Gjirokastër is expanding its cooperation with international universities, creating more opportunities for academic exchanges and training for students and academic staff. Currently, the institution has around 100 cooperation agreements with universities across Europe and the United States. Rector Jaho Cana emphasized that most agreements involve countries …

News
Chinese Billionaire Dies in Car Accident in Xibrakë

Li Jianhong, chairman and president of Xinjiang Grand Scape Group, has died in a car accident in Albania during a business trip, Chinese media report. The incident occurred on Monday on the Librazhd–Elbasan road, near Xibrakë. According to reports, the 60-year-old died at the scene, while six other people were …

News
$6 Billion LNG Deal with the U.S., Rama: A Step Toward Energy Independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his podcast “Flasim” that the $6 billion agreement with the United States and Greecewill enable Albania to be supplied with liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 20 years. Rama emphasized that this investment is expected to create a stable foundation for diversifying the country’s energy …

News
Historical Heritage Attracts Thousands of Tourists

Elbasan is gaining increasing attention from tourists, becoming one of the country’s key destinations. During the past month, more than 3,500 tourists have visited the city, mainly on day trips. The most frequented sites remain the Elbasan Castle and the Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan, which offer insight into the city’s …

News
Frozen Courtesies: Albania–Greece Relations Between Rhetoric and Reality

Strategic ambitions, unresolved disputes, and a relationship caught between political narratives and diplomatic inertia. Tirana Times, May 02, 2026 – The latest encounter between Edi Rama and Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Delphi Economic Forum was meant to signal momentum in a relationship long burdened by history. Instead, it exposed a …

News
EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

By Ferit Hoxha Anyone who knows even a little about Albania is aware that the cornerstone of Albanian foreign policy in the post-communist period has been a clear orientation toward the Euro-Atlantic world, as a guarantee of democracy, security, and the country’s development, and as an expression of our aspiration …

News
“Jerusalem Post” highlights Albania as one of Europe’s most attractive tourism destinations

TIRANA, May 1 – The Jerusalem Post presents Albania as an emerging tourism hotspot in Europe. It highlights its mix of culture, history, coastline, and mountain landscapes. Located in the Balkans next to Greece, the country increasingly positions itself as an alternative to more crowded Mediterranean destinations. In recent years, …

News
Week in Review: Faint Hopes and No Regrets

In a world that increasingly finds itself turned upside down, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week tries to make sense of the past, present and future. Original post Here

News
“The EU is a blessing for us,” Rama: Europe is too slow, it must speed up

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented 13 of his drawings at the premises of the Embassy of Italy in Berlin, as part of an event linked to his personal exhibition “Chrysalizing”, currently being held at Société Gallery. The exhibition also includes sculptures created by Rama, who has long been known for …

News
Democratic Party launches statute reform, amendment calendar approved

At a meeting held this Friday, the Working Group for amendments to the Statute of the Democratic Party of Albaniaapproved both the working methodology and a detailed calendar for the process of reviewing the party’s founding document. According to the decision taken, the process will extend throughout the month of …

News

“Eqrem Çabej” University Expands International Cooperation

Eqrem Çabej University in Gjirokastër is expanding its cooperation with international universities, creating more opportunities for academic exchanges and training for students and academic staff. Currently, the institution has around 100 cooperation agreements with universities across Europe and the United States. Rector Jaho Cana emphasized that most agreements involve countries …

News

Chinese Billionaire Dies in Car Accident in Xibrakë

Li Jianhong, chairman and president of Xinjiang Grand Scape Group, has died in a car accident in Albania during a business trip, Chinese media report. The incident occurred on Monday on the Librazhd–Elbasan road, near Xibrakë. According to reports, the 60-year-old died at the scene, while six other people were …

News

$6 Billion LNG Deal with the U.S., Rama: A Step Toward Energy Independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his podcast “Flasim” that the $6 billion agreement with the United States and Greecewill enable Albania to be supplied with liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 20 years. Rama emphasized that this investment is expected to create a stable foundation for diversifying the country’s energy …

News

Historical Heritage Attracts Thousands of Tourists

Elbasan is gaining increasing attention from tourists, becoming one of the country’s key destinations. During the past month, more than 3,500 tourists have visited the city, mainly on day trips. The most frequented sites remain the Elbasan Castle and the Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan, which offer insight into the city’s …

News

Frozen Courtesies: Albania–Greece Relations Between Rhetoric and Reality

Strategic ambitions, unresolved disputes, and a relationship caught between political narratives and diplomatic inertia. Tirana Times, May 02, 2026 – The latest encounter between Edi Rama and Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Delphi Economic Forum was meant to signal momentum in a relationship long burdened by history. Instead, it exposed a …

News

EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

By Ferit Hoxha Anyone who knows even a little about Albania is aware that the cornerstone of Albanian foreign policy in the post-communist period has been a clear orientation toward the Euro-Atlantic world, as a guarantee of democracy, security, and the country’s development, and as an expression of our aspiration …

News

“Jerusalem Post” highlights Albania as one of Europe’s most attractive tourism destinations

TIRANA, May 1 – The Jerusalem Post presents Albania as an emerging tourism hotspot in Europe. It highlights its mix of culture, history, coastline, and mountain landscapes. Located in the Balkans next to Greece, the country increasingly positions itself as an alternative to more crowded Mediterranean destinations. In recent years, …

News

Week in Review: Faint Hopes and No Regrets

In a world that increasingly finds itself turned upside down, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week tries to make sense of the past, present and future. Original post Here

News

“The EU is a blessing for us,” Rama: Europe is too slow, it must speed up

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented 13 of his drawings at the premises of the Embassy of Italy in Berlin, as part of an event linked to his personal exhibition “Chrysalizing”, currently being held at Société Gallery. The exhibition also includes sculptures created by Rama, who has long been known for …

News

Democratic Party launches statute reform, amendment calendar approved

At a meeting held this Friday, the Working Group for amendments to the Statute of the Democratic Party of Albaniaapproved both the working methodology and a detailed calendar for the process of reviewing the party’s founding document. According to the decision taken, the process will extend throughout the month of …