Hita Meets Police Officials in Four Regions, Focuses on Public and School Safety
Director General, Senior Director Skender Hita has continued his meetings with local and border police structures as part of intensified measures to strengthen the rule of law across the country. During meetings in Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Shkodër and Lezhë, Director Hita focused on the crime situation, particularly serious crimes, as well …
New EU Ambassador to Albania After Meeting Rama: Good Discussion on the Country’s European Future
The new EU Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, posted on X about her meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama earlier today. Alongside a photo from the meeting, the Ambassador wrote that the discussion focused on Albania’s European future, expressing optimism about it. Full statement: “Today I had my …
New Parliamentary Session Begins, Balla: EU Integration by 2030 Is a National Mission
The head of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, stated at the opening of the new parliamentary session that Albania has entered a decisive phase in the process of negotiations for membership in the European Union. During his speech, Balla said that the Socialist parliamentary group would organize its …
Inflation at 3.2% in August, Transport and Food Drive Price Increases
Inflation in Albania rose to 3.2% in August 2026, marking a significant acceleration compared with the same month last year, when the rate stood at 2.3%. Compared with July, consumer prices increased by 0.1%. Data from INSTAT show that the annual increase in prices was driven primarily by food and …
Evis Kushi Elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament with 79 Votes as Opposition Boycotts Vote
During today’s plenary session, Evis Kushi was elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament with 79 votes in favor. At the time of the vote, the opposition boycotted the process and walked out of the chamber. Also today, Parliament voted on the President’s decree appointing Klodiana Spahiu as the new Minister of …
Honors for Ratko Mladić in Serbia, Minister Hoxha: Glorifying War Criminals Goes Against European Values
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha reacted in a post on X to the honoring of the convicted war criminal. Hoxha said that Albania condemns the glorification of Mladić and joins the European Union and other countries that have condemned the way he was honored in Serbia. He …
Court Presidents Call for Salaries to Be Unblocked: Constitutional Court Ruling Must Be Implemented
The presidents of Albania’s courts have called for the immediate unblocking of salaries for judges and judicial administration staff, as well as the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the matter. At a meeting held today, they discussed the situation created by the failure to process salaries and the …
Kosovo Records 27.8% Rise in Hotel Visitors
Kosovo recorded a significant increase in hotel visitors in July 2026, according to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS). Hotels welcomed 99,053 visitors during the month. Domestic visitors accounted for 32,098, while foreign visitors reached 66,954. Compared with July 2025, when hotels recorded 77,481 visitors, the total number increased by …
Gonxhja: Northern Towers Set for Restoration and Revitalization, Investments to Start by 2027
Albania is preparing to restore and revitalize its traditional northern towers. The government plans to start concrete investments by 2027. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the plan. He said the ministry is finalizing the national program with GIS and the State Cadastre Agency (ASHK). “Our goal is …
Athletes from Albania and the Region Compete in 14th “Labeat” Triathlon
Shirokë, on the shores of Lake Shkodra, hosted the 14th edition of the “Labeat” Triathlon, bringing together athletes from Albania and across the region. The event combines swimming, cycling and running, creating a demanding competition that tests athletes across three disciplines. This year’s edition attracted around 90 competitors from Albania, …
by Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, September 11, 2026 – The increasingly visible re-emergence of international terrorism against the backdrop of the major conflict unfolding in the Middle East is a new development, but hardly an unexpected one. The experience of the past three decades has shown that terrorism finds its …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially announced a change in of Albania’s Interior Ministry, with Besfort Lamallari leaving the post and Ervin Demo taking over as minister. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama said the move was part of a reshuffle within the government team. Lamallari will …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to his government, with Ervin Demo taking over as Interior Minister as of Friday. Demo had served as Minister of State for Local Government since September 2025. As part of the latest government changes, the Ministry of State for Local Government will be …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …
Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …
The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …
Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …
An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …