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AIIS brings ‘A Concise History of Greece’ in Albanian, Tirana event launches book with author and Greek Embassy

TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – A launch event for the Albanian language edition of “A Concise History of Greece” has generated wide interest in the book, which brings a detailed overview of modern Greece’s political, economic and social developments to local readers.  The latest edition of the book by renowned …

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Reflecting renewed emigration wave, remittances to Albania reached record high in 2023

TIRANA, March 28, 2024 – Money sent home by Albanians working abroad saw a significant increase in 2023, reaching the highest historical level since 2008, according to the latest data reported by Albania’s central bank.  Remittances were almost 930 million euros in 2023, with an 11.3 percent increase compared to …

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Albania’s sovereign credit rating upgraded by major int’l agency

TIRANA, March 26, 2024 – The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit rating agency, one of the three largest in the world, has upgraded Albania’s long-term sovereign credit rating by one notch, pushing it for the first time into ‘BB-‘ from ‘B+’. “The rating strengthens Albania’s external positions and brings tangible …

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“Gerderc” case, one of the witnesses refuses to testify

In the next hearing against the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu for the “Gërdeci” case, Mihal Delijorgji appeared to testify. ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that Delijorgji refused to give explanations, taking advantage of the right not to do something like that, because he was convicted in the …

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Jorgo Goro resigns as mayor of Himara

Jorgo Goro has resigned from the post of mayor of Himara. ABC Nea has obtained the letter addressed to the municipal council of Himara, dated March 25, Goro expresses gratitude for the 12 years he served the citizens while denying the accusations of abuse of office and falsification of documents. …

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Balluku: The economic development of the country is happening very fast

The Deputy Prime Minister, at the same time the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku says that the economic development of Albania is very fast and that the labor market requires professional people. During her speech at the Conference on Education and Vocational Training, Balluku stated that there is …

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“Vatra” e Luzatit reborn – descendants remember and respect the past

by Aleksandër Toti, Chief of Cabinet, Tepelena Municipality This weekend was unusual for Luzati, the beautiful village of Tepelena, as the opening of a museum-like spot was being inaugurated, namely VATRA, thus marking a rebirth of cultural and patriotic life and history. Sultan Novruz Day, known as the New Day …

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Three arrested and one under investigation for gambling

Three people have been arrested and another has been put under investigation for the criminal offense of “Organizing or practicing gambling activities in violation of the law”. According to the police, these persons, aged 51, 44, 41 and 45 years old, practiced the illegal activity of gambling in a bar. …

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The murder of Pjerin Xhuvani in Elbasan, experts begin the crime scene reconstruction

Three experts, two of whom are independent, are expected to reconstruct the scene of the crime that occurred on the eve of the 2021 parliamentary elections in Elbasan, based on a decision of the Court of Appeal. The three experts who will reconstruct the crime scene are Arjan Hanko, from …

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Tirana, five arrested with 11 ‘AK-47 ‘ in Car

Five people have been arrested this Tuesday in Tirana, after police found 11 weapons type ‘ Avtomat Kalashnikova’ or AK-47 in the baggage of their vehicle. Their arrested was made in the area of ‘Fresku’ in capital and police suspects that the weapons come from Shkodra to be sold in …

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EU Enlargement Report Criticises Serbia, Hails Montenegro’s Progress

Tough European Commission report takes Serbian democratic backsliding to task – while saying Montenegro will probably be the first among the current candidate countries to join the EU. Original post Here

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Oligarchy, Governance, and Justice in the Eyes of Citizens’ Expectations

By Zef Preçi The recent decision of Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption (SPAK) to formally indict Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku on charges related to abuse of office and corruption has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Balluku widely regarded as the government’s second-in-command and …

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Drug Shortages, Delays and Debts: Breast Cancer Treatment in Albania

Delays and drug shortages in the public healthcare system force hundreds of Albanian women every year to seek expensive, private treatment for breast cancer. Original post Here

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The Sound of Freedom: Why MTV was Beloved in the Balkans

MTV is shutting down its European music video channels, which were once symbols of freedom for many young people in the Balkans and the former Eastern Bloc. Lida Hujic had a front-row seat when the channel was at its peak. Original post Here

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Fatos Nano, Albania’s Reformist Prime Minister, Dies at 73

Tirana, October 31, 2025  Former Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the reformist leader who transformed the country’s Communist Party into a modern European-style Socialist Party and who steered Albania through several of its most turbulent post-communist years, has died at the age of 73. Nano  a figure at once admired, …

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Constitutional Court Overturns Dismissal: Veliaj Formally Reinstated as Tirana Mayor

Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him from office and invalidating President Bajram Begaj’s decree for early elections in Tirana. With a 5–3 vote, the Court decided that Veliaj  who has been in pre-trial detention for nine …

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Albania Constitutional Court Overturns Decision Sacking Tirana Mayor

Country’s top court rules in favour of ousted Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj regarding his dismissal – also cancelling fresh elections for a replacement for Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges. Original post Here

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Commemorating the Restoration of China’s Legitimate Seat at the United Nations, Preserving and Advancing the Traditional China–Albania Friendship

— Article by the Chinese Ambassador to Albania, Pang Chunxue On 25 October 1971, at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognizing the representatives …

News
US Academic Challenges National Narratives with Study of Race in Albania

In her new book based on her travels in Albania, Black American academic Chelsi West Ohueri looks at how people in the country see race and ethnicity – and the racial divides between Albanians and the marginalised Roma minority. Original post Here

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 3, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

EU Enlargement Report Criticises Serbia, Hails Montenegro’s Progress

Tough European Commission report takes Serbian democratic backsliding to task – while saying Montenegro will probably be the first among the current candidate countries to join the EU. Original post Here

News

Oligarchy, Governance, and Justice in the Eyes of Citizens’ Expectations

By Zef Preçi The recent decision of Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption (SPAK) to formally indict Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku on charges related to abuse of office and corruption has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Balluku widely regarded as the government’s second-in-command and …

News

Drug Shortages, Delays and Debts: Breast Cancer Treatment in Albania

Delays and drug shortages in the public healthcare system force hundreds of Albanian women every year to seek expensive, private treatment for breast cancer. Original post Here

News

The Sound of Freedom: Why MTV was Beloved in the Balkans

MTV is shutting down its European music video channels, which were once symbols of freedom for many young people in the Balkans and the former Eastern Bloc. Lida Hujic had a front-row seat when the channel was at its peak. Original post Here

News

Fatos Nano, Albania’s Reformist Prime Minister, Dies at 73

Tirana, October 31, 2025  Former Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the reformist leader who transformed the country’s Communist Party into a modern European-style Socialist Party and who steered Albania through several of its most turbulent post-communist years, has died at the age of 73. Nano  a figure at once admired, …

News

Constitutional Court Overturns Dismissal: Veliaj Formally Reinstated as Tirana Mayor

Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him from office and invalidating President Bajram Begaj’s decree for early elections in Tirana. With a 5–3 vote, the Court decided that Veliaj  who has been in pre-trial detention for nine …

News

Albania Constitutional Court Overturns Decision Sacking Tirana Mayor

Country’s top court rules in favour of ousted Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj regarding his dismissal – also cancelling fresh elections for a replacement for Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges. Original post Here

News

Commemorating the Restoration of China’s Legitimate Seat at the United Nations, Preserving and Advancing the Traditional China–Albania Friendship

— Article by the Chinese Ambassador to Albania, Pang Chunxue On 25 October 1971, at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognizing the representatives …

News

US Academic Challenges National Narratives with Study of Race in Albania

In her new book based on her travels in Albania, Black American academic Chelsi West Ohueri looks at how people in the country see race and ethnicity – and the racial divides between Albanians and the marginalised Roma minority. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 3, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here