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Public beach with symbolic prices in Shkodër offers improved conditions for all visitors

TIRANA, June 15 – The public beach managed by the municipality of Shkodër will offer symbolic prices and improved conditions for all visitors during this tourist season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the coastal area of Shkodër, where the municipality is introducing a new management model this year. …

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Shkodër promising for a successful tourist season, Rozafa Castle and Historical Museum among top attractions, over 65,000 visitors in five months

TIRANA, June 15 – Shkodër is experiencing a promising start to the tourist season. The city reaffirms its position as one of the most popular destinations in northern Albania. Streets and squares host daily groups of foreign tourists. Weekends bring an even higher flow of visitors from different countries. They …

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Euro U-19 2027 draw sets Albania in Group B6 with Armenia and Cyprus

TIRANA, June 15 – Albania’s Under-19 men’s national team learned its opponents on Monday for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The process placed Albania U-19 in Group B6 alongside Armenia and Cyprus. The team will compete in …

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Traffic organization changes in Himara aim to ease summer mobility

TIRANA, June 15 – Himara municipality has started implementing changes to road circulation from today. The measures aim to manage vehicle flow more efficiently during the tourist season. Mayor Vangjel Tavo told Albanian news agency (ATSH) that the changes entered into force following a decision by the municipal council. He …

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Foreign investment screening mechanism to strengthen economic security

TIRANA, June 15 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj attended the “Albania’s Foreign Direct Investment Screening Framework” event, organized by AmCham Albania in cooperation with the Center for International Private Enterprise. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, the business community, domestic and foreign investors, international organizations, diplomats …

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Albanian Tax-Economic Center: Albania records higher living standards over past decade

TIRANA, June 15 – Albania has improved living standards significantly over the past 10 years, according to a new analysis by the Albanian Tax-Economic Center. The analysis, which the Media and Information Agency shared, reviews the 2025–2026 Living Standards Index. It shows that Albania recorded notable progress in well-being, human …

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Albania’s Civic Revolt Demands the Government’s Resignation

What began as a protest over Zvernec and Sazan has become a nationwide civic movement demanding the resignation of the government and challenging corruption, oligarchic power and a political system many Albanians say has exhausted the country. Tirana Times, June  15, 2026 –  A protest movement that began with anger over …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 15, 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

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Italian Tourists Dance to Albanian Rhythms in Karaburun

Italian tourists were seen dancing aboard a tourist boat along the stunning coast of Karaburun, according to a video shared on social media by Socialist Party parliamentary leader Taulant Balla. The footage captures visitors enjoying the crystal-clear waters and vibrant summer atmosphere in one of southern Albania’s most popular coastal …

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French magazine Quartz: Albanian Riviera and Alps among world’s rising destinations

TIRANA, June 15 – French magazine Quartz has listed Albania among the world’s most promising travel destinations and recommends visiting the country before mass tourism expands further. According to Quartz, Albania has attracted growing international attention thanks to its Adriatic and Ionian coastline, mountain landscapes and lower travel costs compared with …

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Summer season: Albania to restrict truck traffic from June 19

TIRANA, June 17 – The State Police announced new traffic restrictions for heavy vehicles during the 2026 summer season. Authorities based the measure on Joint Instruction No. 106 of June 14, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the Ministry of Interior. The restrictions will remain in …

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Albania and Ukraine sign road transport agreement

TIRANA, June 17 – Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi announced the signing of a bilateral agreement between Albania and Ukraine on the international road transport of passengers and goods. Karakaçi signed the agreement with Serhiy Derkach, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. According to the minister, …

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Reform in justice and vetting mark key pillar of Albania’s European path

TIRANA, June 17 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the justice reform and vetting process marked a key pillar in Albania’s European integration path during the closing ceremony of the transitional reassessment of judges and prosecutors. Koçiu said the reform proved Albania can deliver difficult structural changes and confront …

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The Blue Eye attracts visitors with crystal waters and scenic nature, tourism grows in southern Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) continues to attract a high number of tourists during this period, confirming its position as one of the most popular destinations in southern Albania. The karst spring draws daily visitors from different countries. Tourists say they chose Albania after hearing …

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Kosova visitors fill Lezha beaches as summer season gains momentum

TIRANA, June 17 – Sunny weather and high temperatures have increased the number of visitors on the beaches of Lezha during the first weeks of the summer season. Shëngjin has attracted the largest crowds. Most visitors come from Kosova and continue to choose the destination year after year because of …

News
European Parliament backs Albania EU integration progress with 483 votes

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Parliament adopted its annual resolution on Albania with 483 votes in favor, 103 against and 70 abstentions, expressing broad support for the country’s EU integration process. Lawmakers welcomed Albania’s recent progress and called on authorities to ensure full implementation of adopted legislation. They also …

News
Finance Ministry: Revenue exceeds plan by 34.3 billion ALL in January-May 2026, public investment rises

TIRANA, June 17 – Albania collected 340.5 billion ALL in total revenue during January-May 2026. The figure exceeded the period plan by 5.3%, according to the Finance Ministry. Revenue rose by 11.2% compared with the same period in 2025. The state budget recorded an additional 34.3 billion ALL. Tax and …

News
European Commission exclusive to Albanian Radio and Television confirms support for Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Commission confirms its support for Albania’s European Union membership path. It links progress to maintaining the pace of reforms. The 2027 target for closing accession negotiations remains achievable, according to an exclusive response to Albanian Radio and Television. It describes sustained reform momentum as …

News
Balla: European Parliament Approves Resolution on Albania with 483 Votes in Favor, a Significant Recognition of the Country’s EU Path

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s annual Resolution on Albania, which was approved with 483 votes in favor. In a public statement, Balla described the decision as a major acknowledgment of Albania’s progress in the European integration process …

News
Braho: Vetting Is Not Immunity, Judges and Prosecutors Remain Under SPAK Scrutiny

The head of Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Klodjan Braho, stated that the vetting process cannot be considered a guarantee or form of “immunity” for judges and prosecutors in the future, emphasizing that any potential acts of corruption will remain subject to criminal investigation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of …

News

Summer season: Albania to restrict truck traffic from June 19

TIRANA, June 17 – The State Police announced new traffic restrictions for heavy vehicles during the 2026 summer season. Authorities based the measure on Joint Instruction No. 106 of June 14, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the Ministry of Interior. The restrictions will remain in …

News

Albania and Ukraine sign road transport agreement

TIRANA, June 17 – Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi announced the signing of a bilateral agreement between Albania and Ukraine on the international road transport of passengers and goods. Karakaçi signed the agreement with Serhiy Derkach, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. According to the minister, …

News

Reform in justice and vetting mark key pillar of Albania’s European path

TIRANA, June 17 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the justice reform and vetting process marked a key pillar in Albania’s European integration path during the closing ceremony of the transitional reassessment of judges and prosecutors. Koçiu said the reform proved Albania can deliver difficult structural changes and confront …

News

The Blue Eye attracts visitors with crystal waters and scenic nature, tourism grows in southern Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) continues to attract a high number of tourists during this period, confirming its position as one of the most popular destinations in southern Albania. The karst spring draws daily visitors from different countries. Tourists say they chose Albania after hearing …

News

Kosova visitors fill Lezha beaches as summer season gains momentum

TIRANA, June 17 – Sunny weather and high temperatures have increased the number of visitors on the beaches of Lezha during the first weeks of the summer season. Shëngjin has attracted the largest crowds. Most visitors come from Kosova and continue to choose the destination year after year because of …

News

European Parliament backs Albania EU integration progress with 483 votes

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Parliament adopted its annual resolution on Albania with 483 votes in favor, 103 against and 70 abstentions, expressing broad support for the country’s EU integration process. Lawmakers welcomed Albania’s recent progress and called on authorities to ensure full implementation of adopted legislation. They also …

News

Finance Ministry: Revenue exceeds plan by 34.3 billion ALL in January-May 2026, public investment rises

TIRANA, June 17 – Albania collected 340.5 billion ALL in total revenue during January-May 2026. The figure exceeded the period plan by 5.3%, according to the Finance Ministry. Revenue rose by 11.2% compared with the same period in 2025. The state budget recorded an additional 34.3 billion ALL. Tax and …

News

European Commission exclusive to Albanian Radio and Television confirms support for Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Commission confirms its support for Albania’s European Union membership path. It links progress to maintaining the pace of reforms. The 2027 target for closing accession negotiations remains achievable, according to an exclusive response to Albanian Radio and Television. It describes sustained reform momentum as …

News

Balla: European Parliament Approves Resolution on Albania with 483 Votes in Favor, a Significant Recognition of the Country’s EU Path

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s annual Resolution on Albania, which was approved with 483 votes in favor. In a public statement, Balla described the decision as a major acknowledgment of Albania’s progress in the European integration process …

News

Braho: Vetting Is Not Immunity, Judges and Prosecutors Remain Under SPAK Scrutiny

The head of Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Klodjan Braho, stated that the vetting process cannot be considered a guarantee or form of “immunity” for judges and prosecutors in the future, emphasizing that any potential acts of corruption will remain subject to criminal investigation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of …