Albanian and British armed forces hold friendly football match
The Armed Forces of Albania and the United Kingdom held a friendly football match to strengthen relations, mutual respect and cooperation between the two NATO allies. The Ministry of Defence said the sporting event aimed to promote the spirit of cooperation and alliance through sport. The ministry said teamwork, discipline, …
Albania coach Maran tests tactics ahead of Belarus match
Albania held its latest training session at the House of Football as preparations continue for four UEFA Nations League matches. Albania head coach Rolando Maran started the session in the gym before moving to the pitch. The team worked on tactics, different playing systems and set pieces. Kristjan Asllani continued …
‘Art Library’ Introduces Young People to Leading Figures of Albanian Visual Art
The National Center of Books and Reading has launched the “Art Library” series at the “Jordan Misja” Artistic Lyceum. The initiative brings together words and images while highlighting key figures in the history of Albanian visual art. The series will continue throughout the school year with monthly meetings. At the …
PISA Board to meet in Tirana for first time in October
The PISA Board will hold its meeting in Tirana for the first time in October, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said. She described the meeting as one of the major international events for education and quality assessment. Kumbaro said hosting the PISA Board meeting places Albania at the centre of discussions …
UEFA Women’s U-17 Euro: Albania Begin Camp as Coach Lulaj Calls Up 20 Players
Albania’s U-17 women’s national team begins its training camp today as the squad prepares for the first round of the 2027 UEFA Women’s U-17 European Championship qualifiers. Head coach Cyme Lulaj has announced a 20-player squad for Albania’s matches against Kosovo, Ireland and Azerbaijan. The young Reds and Blacks will …
Interior Minister Demo highlights technology’s role in public security
Interior Minister Ervin Demo highlighted the growing role of technology in public security and government services at the Future Tech 2026 fair. He said technology has become a priority for his ministry and an increasingly important part of citizens’ lives. Demo said technology now supports every area of State Police …
Albania Under-19 coach Tafaj calls up 22 players for Lithuania friendlies
Albania Under-19 will play two friendly matches against Lithuania on September 30 and October 2 at Vora Stadium. Albania Under-19 coach Fatjon Tafaj will begin the team’s training camp in Tirana today. The coaching staff has named 22 players for the two matches. Ten play in the Albanian league, while …
Tirana hosts international convention on regional cultural cooperation
Tirana is hosting the SEEDS International Convention, held under the project “Strengthening Entrepreneurship Economic Development Sustainably in South Adriatic Area.” The opening ceremony on September 23 brought together Deputy Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Marinela Prifti, representatives of the European Union Delegation in Albania, the Joint Secretariat, project partners and …
Bringing the Balkans into Schengen: a Win-Win Scenario for Europe
Inviting Western Balkan countries into Europe’s borderless travel area would ease their frontier disputes and revive EU credibility at the same time. Original post Here
Fading Away: Sicily’s Ancient Albanian Community Fears its Identity Risks Erasure
Climate change, job losses and emigration threaten the future of the centuries-old Arbereshe community on the Italian island of Sicily. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
A delegation of the Albanian Parliament took part in the Regional Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Clinic in Beciq, Montenegro, on September 24–26. MPs Milva Ekonomi, Antoneta Dhima and Kliti Hoti represented the Parliament. The National Democratic Institute organised the event with the Parliament of Montenegro. The meeting brought together MPs and parliamentary …
Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said direct engagement with citizens and communities in EU member states is essential for the success of Albania’s EU integration process. He made the remarks at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the European Parliament. Peleshi said enlargement cannot rely only on political …
Health and Social Protection Minister Klodiana Spahiu visited health facilities in Mallakastër to review investments, services and staff work. The visit took place as part of a process to restructure and reorganise health facilities. The process aims to align their capacities with community needs. Spahiu said the reorganisation aims to …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on the European Union not to leave the Western Balkans behind again. He said failure to integrate the region would also be a major failure for Europe. Rama spoke at the Inter-parliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership”. He said Albania …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is on the right track toward European Union membership in an interview with France 24. She included Albania among four countries currently making the most progress in the accession process. Kos described 2026 as a high-paced year for EU enlargement. She said …
Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament rapporteur for Albania, said the country has entered the final phase of its EU membership negotiations. He said Albania can close the remaining chapters within the set deadlines. Schieder spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. He …
European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said Albania has entered a new phase of its EU membership process. She noted that the country has opened all six negotiating clusters and provisionally closed three. Moreira de Sousa spoke at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the …
European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman David McAllister said the European Union should advance membership negotiations whenever countries meet reform conditions. He spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. McAllister said Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has increased the strategic importance of EU …
Autumn has begun to paint Tirana’s mountains in golden colors. After a long and scorching summer, golden grass now covers the slopes, while red shrubs add warmer tones. At the same time, green trees still dominate parts of the landscape, creating striking combinations of green, yellow, brown and red. A …