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EU Document Urges Albania to Address Political Pressure on Judiciary

A leaked internal document from the Council of the European Union voices disquiet over ‘undue pressure’ on justice system and warns that Albania will not be able to close any accession chapters until it makes clear progress. Original post Here

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Communist-Era Inmates Fight to Preserve Remains of Albania’s Dark Past

A move to turn the site of the former Spac labour camp in northern Albania into a film set has revived calls for better protection of what’s left of Albania’s dark communist past. Original post Here

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Balkan States Evacuate Citizens from Israel Amid Escalating Conflict

As Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, several Balkan countries have transported their citizens home by plane. Original post Here

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Albanian Cigarette Smuggling Case Exposes Customs Service Complicity

For years, a tobacco factory in eastern Albania churned out cigarettes that were then smuggled to other countries, all with the help of a network of corrupt customs officials, prosecutors allege. Original post Here

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Albania’s Tourism Industry is Booming, But at What Cost?

Critics are questioning the impact of Albania’s tourism boom on the environment and the lives of ordinary Albanians. Original post Here

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What’s driving Chinese FDI in the Western Balkans – and what should be done about it?

12 June 2025 Chinese FDI in the Western Balkans has increased substantially, but won’t catch up with EU FDI any time soon. Governments must ensure that China’s investments comply with environmental and labour standards. Attracting high-quality FDI should be the goal image credit: unsplash.com/vxhorse By Branimir Jovanović This article draws on …

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The Cost of Embezzlement: Lessons from Albania’s Grant Scandals

William Easterly, an American economist and professor at NYU, wrote an essay back in 2006 on foreign aid. His central thesis focused on scrutinising the idealistic sentiment behind foreign aid, and the harsh reality of  its lacklustre execution. In his cutting and astute observations, Easterly points to the fact that …

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With their Healthcare System in Decline, Some Albanians Look to Kosovo

Albanians in the north say they find cheaper treatment and a more pleasant experience if they go to hospital across the border in Kosovo. Original post Here

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Detention of Tirana Mayor Without Charges Highlights Rule-of-Law Concerns in Albania

TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times — The prolonged pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj — still held without formal charges — is raising fresh questions about Albania’s judicial practices, as critics point to growing divergence from European legal standards. Veliaj, once a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party and …

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Italy and Albania: Building a Shared Future Through Action and Partnership

By Marco Alberti, Ambassador of Italy to Albania The Italian anthem was written by Goffredo Mameli, a young man who sacrificed his life for Italy’s freedom— the same desire for freedom that has always characterized the Albanian people. This sense of freedom unites us. The very first word of our …

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News
EU Document Urges Albania to Address Political Pressure on Judiciary

A leaked internal document from the Council of the European Union voices disquiet over ‘undue pressure’ on justice system and warns that Albania will not be able to close any accession chapters until it makes clear progress. Original post Here

News
Communist-Era Inmates Fight to Preserve Remains of Albania’s Dark Past

A move to turn the site of the former Spac labour camp in northern Albania into a film set has revived calls for better protection of what’s left of Albania’s dark communist past. Original post Here

News
Balkan States Evacuate Citizens from Israel Amid Escalating Conflict

As Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, several Balkan countries have transported their citizens home by plane. Original post Here

News
Albanian Cigarette Smuggling Case Exposes Customs Service Complicity

For years, a tobacco factory in eastern Albania churned out cigarettes that were then smuggled to other countries, all with the help of a network of corrupt customs officials, prosecutors allege. Original post Here

News
Albania’s Tourism Industry is Booming, But at What Cost?

Critics are questioning the impact of Albania’s tourism boom on the environment and the lives of ordinary Albanians. Original post Here

News
What’s driving Chinese FDI in the Western Balkans – and what should be done about it?

12 June 2025 Chinese FDI in the Western Balkans has increased substantially, but won’t catch up with EU FDI any time soon. Governments must ensure that China’s investments comply with environmental and labour standards. Attracting high-quality FDI should be the goal image credit: unsplash.com/vxhorse By Branimir Jovanović This article draws on …

News
The Cost of Embezzlement: Lessons from Albania’s Grant Scandals

William Easterly, an American economist and professor at NYU, wrote an essay back in 2006 on foreign aid. His central thesis focused on scrutinising the idealistic sentiment behind foreign aid, and the harsh reality of  its lacklustre execution. In his cutting and astute observations, Easterly points to the fact that …

News
With their Healthcare System in Decline, Some Albanians Look to Kosovo

Albanians in the north say they find cheaper treatment and a more pleasant experience if they go to hospital across the border in Kosovo. Original post Here

News
Detention of Tirana Mayor Without Charges Highlights Rule-of-Law Concerns in Albania

TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times — The prolonged pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj — still held without formal charges — is raising fresh questions about Albania’s judicial practices, as critics point to growing divergence from European legal standards. Veliaj, once a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party and …

News
Italy and Albania: Building a Shared Future Through Action and Partnership

By Marco Alberti, Ambassador of Italy to Albania The Italian anthem was written by Goffredo Mameli, a young man who sacrificed his life for Italy’s freedom— the same desire for freedom that has always characterized the Albanian people. This sense of freedom unites us. The very first word of our …

News

EU Document Urges Albania to Address Political Pressure on Judiciary

A leaked internal document from the Council of the European Union voices disquiet over ‘undue pressure’ on justice system and warns that Albania will not be able to close any accession chapters until it makes clear progress. Original post Here

News

Communist-Era Inmates Fight to Preserve Remains of Albania’s Dark Past

A move to turn the site of the former Spac labour camp in northern Albania into a film set has revived calls for better protection of what’s left of Albania’s dark communist past. Original post Here

News

Balkan States Evacuate Citizens from Israel Amid Escalating Conflict

As Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, several Balkan countries have transported their citizens home by plane. Original post Here

News

Albanian Cigarette Smuggling Case Exposes Customs Service Complicity

For years, a tobacco factory in eastern Albania churned out cigarettes that were then smuggled to other countries, all with the help of a network of corrupt customs officials, prosecutors allege. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Tourism Industry is Booming, But at What Cost?

Critics are questioning the impact of Albania’s tourism boom on the environment and the lives of ordinary Albanians. Original post Here

News

What’s driving Chinese FDI in the Western Balkans – and what should be done about it?

12 June 2025 Chinese FDI in the Western Balkans has increased substantially, but won’t catch up with EU FDI any time soon. Governments must ensure that China’s investments comply with environmental and labour standards. Attracting high-quality FDI should be the goal image credit: unsplash.com/vxhorse By Branimir Jovanović This article draws on …

News

The Cost of Embezzlement: Lessons from Albania’s Grant Scandals

William Easterly, an American economist and professor at NYU, wrote an essay back in 2006 on foreign aid. His central thesis focused on scrutinising the idealistic sentiment behind foreign aid, and the harsh reality of  its lacklustre execution. In his cutting and astute observations, Easterly points to the fact that …

News

With their Healthcare System in Decline, Some Albanians Look to Kosovo

Albanians in the north say they find cheaper treatment and a more pleasant experience if they go to hospital across the border in Kosovo. Original post Here

News

Detention of Tirana Mayor Without Charges Highlights Rule-of-Law Concerns in Albania

TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times — The prolonged pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj — still held without formal charges — is raising fresh questions about Albania’s judicial practices, as critics point to growing divergence from European legal standards. Veliaj, once a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party and …

News

Italy and Albania: Building a Shared Future Through Action and Partnership

By Marco Alberti, Ambassador of Italy to Albania The Italian anthem was written by Goffredo Mameli, a young man who sacrificed his life for Italy’s freedom— the same desire for freedom that has always characterized the Albanian people. This sense of freedom unites us. The very first word of our …