Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania

05/11/2026

Great to welcome at our Embassy, representatives from the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries (KNB) as they joined the International Union of Notaries Congress in Tirana.

We discussed strengthening the rule of law, the vital preventive role notaries play, and how Dutch and Albanian notaries can learn from each other through capacity building and the sharing of best practices.

In 2027, the Netherlands will hold the Presidency of the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (CNUE), an important milestone in its engagement with the European notarial community.

02/11/2026

🇳🇱🤝🇦🇱Ambassador Marleen Monster met with the General Prosecutor and the Head of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) to exchange views on ongoing cooperation and shared priorities in strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding the independence of justice institutions in Albania.

The Netherlands values the important role of Albania’s prosecutorial institutions in upholding the rule of law and tackling corruption and organised crime.

We remain committed to close and constructive cooperation with our Albanian partners in support of these shared objectives.

30/10/2026

In times of unrest, human rights defenders carry a heavy share of the public burden. They often become targets of physical and digital attacks, smear campaigns and efforts to delegitimise them. Protecting them is urgent, because it is tied to protecting civic space and, above all, to ensuring that dissent is not silenced, whether by pressure or through self-censorship.

📍 From 14 to 16 October, amid citizen protests in Tirana, human rights defenders, civil society organisations and partners from across Europe and the Western Balkans gathered to discuss their protection. The meeting explored protection mechanisms ranging from temporary relocation to longer-term support that allows defenders to continue their human rights work.

While these discussions were under way, clashes between protesters and police escalated, with reported cases of violence against citizens, activists and journalists. This underlined that the protection of human rights defenders cannot be separated from the protection of civic space.

Participants agreed that protecting civic space requires strong legal guarantees, institutional accountability and respect for fundamental human rights.

➡️ Reflecting on these developments and the common challenges defenders face, participants also stressed that pressure now comes from many directions. Meeting it requires broader alliances, trust, cooperation and shared responsibility among civil society, institutions, and regional and international partners. Above all, we must stand together, protecting not only individuals at risk but also the right of citizens to organise, raise their voices and demand accountability.

Read more here 🔗 https://scidevcenter.org/2026/10/26/when-temporary-safety-ends-protection-gaps-for-human-rights-defenders-in-the-western-balkans/

ℹ️ The regional workshop “Strengthening Regional Temporary Relocation Pathways for Human Rights Defenders in EU Candidate Countries and Neighbouring EU Member States” is organised and implemented by ProtectDefenders.eu, Justice & Peace Netherlands, Araminta Advisers and SCiDEV, and is funded by the European Union and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), with contributions and support from the European Parliament in the Western-Balkans and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania.

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

Ne shprehim shqetësim në lidhje me përshkallëzimin e dhunshëm të protestës në Tiranë.

Liria e tubimit dhe e shprehjes janë të drejta themelore dhe vlera thelbësore evropiane. Ato duhet të respektohen dhe të ushtrohen në mënyrë paqësore.

Ne jemi në dijeni të pretendimeve për përdorim të tepruar të dhunës nga policia ndaj protestuesve dhe gazetarëve.

Presim që veprimet e policisë të jenë proporcionale dhe të respektojnë të drejtat themelore, siç edhe presim që këto raste të hetohen me përparësi.

Inkurajojmë të gjitha palët të ulin tensionet.

Dialogu konstruktiv ndërmjet të gjithë aktorëve të përfshirë është e vetmja rrugë përpara.

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We express concern on the violent escalation at the protest in Tirana.

Freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights and core European values. They should be respected and exercised peacefully.

We take note of the allegations of excessive violence by the police against protestors and journalists.

We expect police action to be proportionate and respect fundamental rights and expect these cases to be investigated as a matter of priority.
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We encourage all sides to de-escalate the tension.

Constructive dialogue between all stakeholders is the only way forward.

13/10/2026

Check this out and join us⬇️
Albanian Media Institute / Instituti Shqiptar i Medias

IA dhe demokracia: Quo vadis?

Si po ndikon inteligjenca artificiale te demokracia? Çfarë sfidash sjell për informimin dhe debatin publik?

Instituti Shqiptar i Medias ju fton në një bisedë të hapur online me Marietje Schaake, drejtoreshë e politikave ndërkombëtare në Cyber Policy Center të Universitetit Stanford dhe autore e librit “The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley”.

📅 E hënë, 26 tetor 2026
🕤 09:30–10:30
💻 Online, në Zoom

Aktiviteti zhvillohet në kuadër të Ditëve të Edukimit për Median dhe Informacionin 2026 dhe Javës Globale të UNESCO-s për Edukimin për Median dhe Informacionin, me mbështetjen e Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania.

12/10/2026

🇳🇱🤝🇦🇱The Netherlands looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Gjykata e Lartë e Republikës së Shqipërisë, including through enhanced collaboration with the Dutch Supreme Court and sharing best practices to promote institutional growth and build on the progress made.

07/10/2026

Ambassador Marleen Monster joined the Faktoje discussion on how audit findings can become meaningful for public accountability.

The event brought together representatives from Parliament, the Supreme State Audit Institution, media, and civil society to discuss transparency, the media's role in informing the public, and ensuring follow-up on recommendations.

The Netherlands is pleased to support this initiative and continues to be an engaged, fair, and committed partner in Albania’s EU integration process.

07/10/2026

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Albania supported the roundtable “Open Justice and the Integrity of Judicial Proceedings – Balancing Court Security, Media Access and the Public’s Right to Information”, organized by Scidev in cooperation with the Shoqata e Prokuroreve.

The discussion brought together journalists covering the judiciary, judges, prosecutors, representatives of judges’ and prosecutors’ associations, Members of Parliament and civil society to reflect on the relationship between court security, media freedom, access to justice and the public’s right to information.

For the Netherlands, strong institutions, the rule of law, judicial integrity, and a free and independent media are essential foundations of a democratic society.

05/10/2026

🇳🇱🤝🇦🇱A warm welcome to Lighthouse Club Amsterdam!

Our Ambassador hosted 25 professionals from the Netherlands during their study trip to Tirana. Their curiosity about Albania sparked a lively conversation about the country’s history, culture, and the changes shaping its future.

Thanks to Lighthouse Club Amsterdam for the thoughtful questions and engaging exchange. It was a pleasure to share our perspective on Albania and connect with such an enthusiastic group.