Albania Parliament’s Disinformation Committee: Welcome Vigilance – or Threat to Free Expression?
While addressing disinformation is a crucial task, the concern is that Albania’s new parliamentary committee could be just another tool to silence critical voices. Original post Here
New Probe of Albanian Protesters’ Killings Gives Hope for Justice
Families of demonstrators shot dead by security forces at an anti-government protest in 2011 have renewed hopes of justice after the Supreme Court transferred the case to a powerful special prosecution service that deals with high-level crime. Original post Here
Balkan Support for EU Accession High, Except in Serbia – Survey
Corruption remains a serious concern for people across the Western Balkans, where trust in politicians is low but support for EU accession high, except in Serbia. Original post Here
Political Attacks, Misogynistic Insults Continue to Pollute Balkan Online Space
The aftermath of elections in Turkey and Croatia and the electoral campaign in North Macedonia prompted politically-motivated digital rights violations in the region this month, while Kosovo and Montenegro saw an increase in misogynistic attacks on women online. Original post Here
Ukrainian Visit to Serbia Yields Pledges to Revive Trade
Ukrainian Foreign Minister says Kyiv delegation’s two-day visit to Serbia – a friend of Russia’s – ended with agreement to restore bilateral trade to pre-war levels. Original post Here
Condolences – and Silence – from Balkans Over Iranian President’s Death
Expressions of sorrow over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials are coming from some Balkan countries but not others – depending on the state of their relations with Tehran. Original post Here
Albania, Serbia Plan Joint Bid for 2027 European Youth Football Tournament
Albania’s Football Federation said it has teamed up with its Serbian counterpart to organise the European Under-21 football competition together with its neighbour in three years’ time. Original post Here
West Must Take the Offensive in Balkan Info Wars
The current defensive approach to Sino-Russian disinformation isn’t working; it’s time for a change in strategy. Original post Here
Albanian PM’s Greek Odyssey Sparks Discord in Tirana and Athens
Prime Minister Edi Rama says he’ll visit Greece to address the diaspora community there, despite a continuing row over Albania’s prosecution of an ethnic Greek mayor-elect – but Greek officials have reacted coldly and reiterated criticism of the Albanian judiciary. Original post Here
Balkan Farmers Struggle to Access Tens of Millions of Euros in EU Funds
Farmers in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia face similar challenges when trying to access funds from the European Union’s IPARD programme. Original post Here