Marina Orikum in Vlora will soon host this event, which aims to promote maritime tourism in Albania by bringing together sailing, adventure, business and seaside entertainment over the course of three days.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja stated that the event will serve as an opportunity to showcase the potential of Albanian maritime tourism, foster new partnerships and promote the coastline even during the autumn season.

The event will feature luxury yachts, sailboats, various types of watercraft and fishing vessels, as well as a range of water sports activities, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry professionals and sea enthusiasts.

Over the three days—from October 16 to 18—the Balkans Sea Fair aims to create opportunities for exchange and collaboration within the maritime tourism sector, while highlighting the potential the Albanian coast offers beyond the traditional summer months. /j.p/p.s./

Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, organised by Italian news agency ANSA during the 34th General Assembly of the Association of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE), Hoxha said enlargement was now at the heart of the EU’s policy agenda.

He recalled the EU’s 2003 Thessaloniki pledge that the Western Balkans would become part of the European project, saying the region had waited more than two decades for that commitment to be fulfilled.

Hoxha said Albania welcomed the renewed momentum behind enlargement, citing EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos’s view that the process was no longer simply about adding new member states but about creating a stronger and safer European Union.

He said Albania’s goal of completing negotiations by 2027 was supported by efforts to address issues highlighted in European Commission and European Parliament assessments, including political polarisation, the rule of law, organised crime and corruption.

“We know that we still have things to do. The negotiation process is the bridge between where we are and where we want to go,” Hoxha said.

He also stressed the broader benefits of successive rounds of EU enlargement, saying each had made the bloc larger, stronger, safer and more prosperous.

On Kosovo, Hoxha said Albania regarded it as an independent state that should be recognised, while acknowledging fundamental differences with Serbia over the issue.

He nevertheless described Albania’s relations with Serbia as pragmatic and said the two countries should explore opportunities for cooperation as neighbours. He also highlighted regional cooperation as an important part of Albania’s European integration agenda.

Hoxha criticised Serbia’s glorification of former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic, who was convicted of genocide and war crimes, saying such actions were offensive to victims and undermined reconciliation.

On Russia’s war in Ukraine, Hoxha said Albania considered Russia the aggressor and supported sanctions and efforts to help Ukraine defend itself. He said support for Ukraine was also about protecting Europe.

The conference focused on strategic communication around EU enlargement and combating disinformation, bringing together senior representatives of the Central European Initiative, the OSCE, international media organisations and news agencies from 12 ABNA-SE member countries, including Director General of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Valbona Zhupa, international media representatives and local government officials in Trieste.

The event was held in cooperation with the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and the Central European Initiative.

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Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images of our team, with the medals and the national flag and described this achievement as a historic result.

Our national taekwondo team proudly raised the red and black flag at the Balkan Championship in Zrenjanin, Serbia. Albanian National Team returns with 18 medals, of which three are Balkan champion titles. The champions are Ernest Merdanaj, for the 6th time in a row, along with Ibrahim Hidri and Prena Marku.

This dignified performance represents a historic milestone for Taekwondo in Albania and the Albanian Taekwondo Federation. /r.e/p.s./

Convening in Tirana, representatives from state institutions, parliaments, media, and civil society across Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—alongside international organizations—established a crucial platform for dialogue to address the region’s most pressing media challenges.

The European Union has built strong legal tools to guarantee a safe and transparent media space,” said Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Klodiana Spahiu. She pointed to the Digital Services Act (DSA) to tackle illegal content, protect minors, and increase ad transparency without stifling free speech. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) in shielding editorial teams and media ownership from political interference. To achieve these goals, Spahiu confirmed that Albania is currently drafting a modernized audiovisual media law in strict accordance with European standards.

Despite the hundreds of media outlets in Serbia, former MP Jovan Jovanović warns that the information space remains firmly controlled by a handful of pro-government tabloids and broadcasters. This trend reflects a broader regional issue. On her part, Danijela Đurović, former Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, highlighted the shrinking space for independent journalism across the Western Balkans, where investigative reporters routinely face political coercion, economic hardship, and threats to their integrity.

Addressing a shared decline in public trust, experts at the regional conference highlighted that editorial independence, transparency, and journalist safety remain critical to the rule of law in the Western Balkans.The event concluded with a strong call to action for harmonizing legislation with European standards and protecting independent media to ensure functional democracies. The highlight of the closing session—moderated by UPF Albania’s Secretary General, Gani Rroshi—was the “Ambassador for Peace” award ceremony. Danijela Đurović and Jorida Tabaku were honored for their outstanding contributions to regional cooperation, dialogue, and peace.

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Groups from Kosovo, Bulgaria, France, Montenegro, Greece, North Macedonia and Albania held a celebration of emotions to the city of Korça, following the rhythms of folk and jazz music.

Mayor of Korça Sotiraq Filo praised the parade organized in the streets of the city, which, according to him, “turned into a mosaic of languages, costumes and identities which was enthusiastically received by citizens and visitors . It was a living testimony of the Balkan spirit that unites across borders”.

In the evening, the sounds of folk and jazz permeated the Old Bazaar, bringing an extraordinary atmosphere.

“Under the stage lights, with the audience singing, dancing and celebrating, Korça lit up with the energy of a night that is not easily forgotten. It was another night that proves why Korça is the capital of spirit, culture and hospitality”, said Filo.

“Spirit of the Balkans” is more than a festival. It is an embrace of cultures, a call to celebrate what unites us. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

The project was launched in 2024 in North Macedonia and aims to bring together children from the Western Balkan countries in creative events where everyone draws suns.

The final event, in which ten children from each Balkan country will participate, will be under the motto “Balkan Children Create”.

The event in Tirana took place at the “Vila Sofia Hotel”, where the honorary consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to Albania Selim Hoxhaj, was the host. Children from Bulgaria, students from the “Hristo Botev” Bulgarian language school, participated in it.

The next stop of the initiative is the city of Pogradec, where, with the help of the Bulgarian-Albanian Friendship Association (Korça region), there will also be included children from the Bulgarian language school “Saints Cyril and Methodius” . /m.m/j.p/p.s./

These grants, co-financed by the European Union, aim to support regional projects in the Western Balkans.

In Albania, the list of winners includes the Helsinki Committee, Council of Albanian Ambassadors, Albanian Institute of International Studies, Albanian Center for Quality Journalism and others.

Present at the distribution evening, the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union, Silvio Gonzato emphasized that, “I am proud of the Western Balkans Fund, which we continue to support with an additional 1 million euros, and I am happy to see how it helps NGOs realize new ideas that contribute to building more inclusive, diverse and more equal societies. These are the ideas and projects that can transform the countries of the region, create stable regional networks and pave the way for the integration of the region in the EU”.

Dr. Gjergj Murra, the Western Balkans Fund CEO, stated that, “Thanks to the strategic partnership we have established with the European Union, we now have an even greater influence in the region. We can never allow ourselves to forget that the alternative of a region where cooperation is lacking cannot be a real alternative”.

Project Manager Fjordi Bisha highlighted competitiveness of the selection process.

“I am pleased to welcome today the 12 regional champions, selected after a careful process from over 140 applicants,” he said.

Each grant, providing up to 30,000 euros, supports initiatives in regional cooperation in various fields, including education, culture, sustainable development, the green agenda, gender equality and human rights.

The Western Balkans Fund is an international organization established in 2017 by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the region to promote reconciliation and cooperation in the Western Balkans. Since its establishment, it has distributed over 300 grants to civil society.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media moments from the family photo of the leaders of the Western Balkans with President of the European Commission von der Leyen.

The participants were set to discuss on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans approved by the EU in May of this year.

“There will be reviewed progress of the preparations of each of the countries so that the European Commission approves the agendas in October, while the first payments are made before the end of the current year”, said media reports.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Edi Rama attended a joint press conference with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee Oliver Röpke, where he announced the establishment of the Joint Consultative Committee for promotion of cooperation with the EU. /m.m/a f/p.s./

During her stay there, MP Tabaku, who is also the chairperson of the European Affairs Committee, met with the vice-chairman of the European People’s Parties David McAllister.

Through a post on social media, Tabaku announced that during their meeting they discussed on the Growth Plan and what the countries of the Western Balkans benefit from it.

“Furthermore, they also discussed on topics such as the integration process and simultaneously strengthening the Democratic Party so that to be a competitive force. Albania needs a new vision”, said Tabaku./m.m/r.e/p.s./

At the end of this summit, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media some key moments from this important meeting writing that he was “proud of Albania”.

Earlier, in the speech he delivered to the summit, the prime minister stated that the new growth plan is a key platform to accelerate the entry into the European Union.

“The EU is supporting the countries of the region in economic growth and integration with a new growth plan. For the first time, all of us in the Western Balkans agree that the EU is not just doing business as usual, but is going a step further to support us in our economic growth and our integration into a new growth plan”, said Rama./m.m/r.e/p.s./