Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania

Our Embassy was pleased to welcome members of European Urban Connections, an international network of women professionals in the urban sector, for a discussion.

Representing expertise in architecture, engineering, urban development, construction, and the creative industries, the Dutch delegation exchanged ideas on how collaboration and innovation can contribute to more sustainable and inclusive cities.

We value these connections and the opportunities they create for knowledge sharing and partnership between the Netherlands and Albania.

Supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the MATRA programme, the Institute of Policy and Legal Studies (IPLS) held the third high-level meeting as part of its three-year project, “Consolidation of the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction – a Review of the Impact on Judicial Efficiency and Quality of Justice.”

The meeting focused on interim findings and analysis regarding the performance of the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction and its attached Appeal Prosecution Office. These insights were drawn from surveys and expert assessments carried out between September 2025 and April 2026.

Participants included representatives from the High Judicial Council, High Prosecutorial Council, Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction, Appeal Prosecution Office, Ministry of Justice, Tirana Chamber of Advocates, international partners, and civil society organizations. The event encouraged open dialogue about challenges and opportunities to improve judicial efficiency and justice quality.

Ambassador Vos highlighted that access to justice, timely case handling, and quality decisions are crucial for public trust in the justice system and for people to exercise their rights effectively.

The Netherlands continues to support Albania’s justice system by working closely with institutions and civil society to build trust and effectiveness.

📣Apply now! Several training opportunities for Albanian civil servants!

Join one of our four Rule of Law trainings on the Management of Borders, Human Rights, Democratic Institutions, and Integrity of Civil Servants, provided by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee.

The Management of Borders training and the Democratic Institutions training are held online from 28 September to 09 October 2026, and in-person in the Netherlands from 26 October to 06 November 2026. Applications for both training programmes are accepted until 3 August!

The Human Rights training and the Integrity of Civil Servants training are held online from 09 November to 20 November 2026, and in-person in the Netherlands from 30 November to 11 December 2026. The deadline to apply for both trainings is 7 September!

📌Find out more about the training courses and apply here: www.nhc.nl/matrarolt.

⚽🧡 The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here!

Both the Netherlands and Curaçao are on their way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with group stage matches set to take place in the US!

We love watching these beautiful games that bring us closer together. Sport is diplomacy at its most exciting form.

Who’s cheering for ? Drop a 🧡 in the comments!
© KNVB

The Regional Rule of Law Network met in Tirana, bringing together the Coordinator and the Rule of Law advisers from Dutch Embassies across the Western Balkans.

The program included a meeting with the Adviser to the President of the Supreme Court and a meeting at the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) with the Chief of Cabinet and the Advisers. Discussions focused on recent institutional developments within the justice sector and regional cooperation.

The visit also included a meeting with partners of the regional MATRA project on judicial cooperation in the Western Balkans and marked the conclusion of a three-year regional university law competition project.

We are grateful to our partners for the valuable discussions, warm hospitality, and their continued commitment to strengthening the rule of law across the region.

Embassy of the Netherlands in Kosovo
Embassy of the Netherlands in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Embassy of the Netherlands in Serbia and in Montenegro
Embassy of the Netherlands in North Macedonia

The Urk community in the Netherlands has generously donated a significant amount of medical goods and supplies to Albanian partner organizations and the Albanian Red Cross. We sincerely thank them for their solidarity, generosity, and continued support of humanitarian efforts.

As part of this initiative, representatives of the Urk community met with the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the Albanian Red Cross to discuss the donation and the effective distribution of assistance to those most in need.

Kryqi i Kuq Shqiptar 🤝

Over the past few days, our Embassy team completed a full First Aid training, both theoretical and practical, delivered by our colleagues of the IMPT (International & Military Police Tasks) unit of the Koninklijke Marechaussee.

Knowing how to respond in an emergency can make all the difference. From CPR to wound care, every skill gained empowers our team to act swiftly and confidently when it matters most, at work and beyond.

A well-prepared team is a safe team. First aid knowledge is not just a professional obligation. It is a human one. A heartfelt thank you to the Koninklijke Marechaussee and our Liaison Officer for making this possible.

Koninklijke Marechaussee 🤝

After an inspiring week in Amsterdam during the winners’ week of the World Press Photo Foundation, our six young photographers from the Western Balkans have returned home with fresh perspectives, valuable connections, and renewed motivation.

As winners of the photo competition “Are We There Yet: What Are the Road Signs to the EU?”, they had a unique opportunity to engage with some of the world’s top photographers, photojournalists, editors, and visual storytelling experts. Through exhibitions, discussions, and networking events, they gained direct insight into the power of photography to tell stories, inspire dialogue, and connect communities across borders.

The experience was more than just a visit; it was an investment in the next generation of visual storytellers from the Western Balkans. We look forward to seeing how the ideas, inspiration, and connections made in the Netherlands will inspire their future projects.

A heartfelt thank you to all partners, mentors, and the World Press Photo team for making this experience possible.

Embassy of the Netherlands in Kosovo
Embassy of the Netherlands in Serbia and in Montenegro
Embassy of the Netherlands in North Macedonia
Embassy of the Netherlands in Bosnia and Herzegovina
World Press Photo

Mbrojtja efektive e gazetarëve në Shqipëri nuk varet vetëm nga ajo që parashikohet në ligj, por nëse institucionet veprojnë sipas tij, me qëndrueshmëri dhe në çdo nivel.

📌 Që nga dhjetori 2023, projekti "Fuqizimi i Sigurisë së Gazetarëve përmes Bashkëpunimit dhe Angazhimit të Aktorëve dhe Zhvillimit të Kapaciteteve të Gazetarëve në Shqipëri" ka kontribuar në forcimin e lirisë së medias dhe sigurisë së gazetarëve në Shqipëri. Nëpërmjet angazhimit të vazhdueshëm me institucionet, monitorimit të vazhdueshëm dhe mbështetjes direkte të gazetarëve, projekti ka kombinuar ndikimin në politika me zbatimin praktik, duke adresuar njëkohësisht boshllëqet sistemike dhe rreziqet e përditshme me të cilat përballen gazetarët dhe punonjësit e mediave, duke kontribuar në forcimin e dimensioneve politike dhe operacionale të sigurisë së gazetarëve në Shqipëri.

Të dhënat gjatë zbatimit të projektit tregojnë sfida strukturore të qëndrueshme: rreziqet që prekin gazetarët janë gjithnjë e më kumulative dhe sistemike, veçanërisht në mjedisin digjital, ndërsa përgjigjet institucionale mbeten kryesisht reaktive dhe rast pas rasti.

Eksperienca nënvizon rëndësinë e angazhimit të qëndrueshëm që kombinon monitorimin, dialogun e politikave dhe mbështetjen praktike. Progresi i arritur gjatë kësaj periudhe ofron një bazë për punën e mëtejshme, ndërsa zhvillimet e fundit konfirmojnë se nevojiten përpjekje të vazhdueshme për të siguruar që ndryshimet ligjore dhe institucionale të përkthehen në mbrojtje efektive të gazetarëve në praktikë.

🔗 Lexo më shumë rreth arritjeve, sfidave dhe mësimeve të nxjerra, në linkun në komente.

🤝 Falenderojmë Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania, partnerët tanë Citizens.al dhe Free Press Unlimited, Safe Journalists Albania, Council of Europe Office in Tirana, dhe të gjithë gazetarët, prokurorët, përfaqësuesit e policisë dhe organizatat mediatike që janë angazhuar.

ℹ️ Projekti udhëhequr nga SCiDEV në partneritet me Citizens.al dhe Free Press Unlimited, mbështetur nga Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania; dhe zbatuar gjatë Dhjetor 2023 - Prill 2026.

We are proud to support initiatives that strengthen institutions and build public trust through evidence, dialogue and accountability.

Today's Cluster One Eu Negotiations Platform - Albania event was an excellent occasion to discuss the performance of justice institutions in Albania, including e Posaçme kundër Korrupsionit dhe Krimit të Organizuar and the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO). Because progress is measured not only by institutions investigating cases, but also by society's ability to assess results, ask difficult questions and engage in informed discussion.

A special appreciation to the CSDG - Qendra për Studimin e Demokracisë dhe Qeverisjes for six years of consistent monitoring and analysis of Albania's fight against corruption and organized crime.