Administrative Court unblocks magistrates’ salaries, Rama: If only it had the same standard for citizens’ problems…
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …
Week in Review: Tests and Pressures
Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Ervin Demo to take over Interior Ministry as Lamallari moves to Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …
Ministry of Defense: 40 wildfires reported across Albania, six remain active
The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …
Klodiana Spahiu sworn in as new health minister
Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …
Ibrahim Kodra exhibition “The Sea and Music” to open in Tirana on September 23
An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …
Gonxhja: National Campaign to Register Artisans Begins
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …
Minister Ibrahimaj: Albania to make 7,000 apartments available under new housing fund
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has announced a new National Housing Fund to support not only vulnerable groups, but also professionals, young people and newly formed families. Speaking after a government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the programme will make 7,000 apartments available. Around 2,000 will be offered through interest-free loans …
Bank of Albania, UNDP strengthen cooperation on green finance and SME support
The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, met with UNDP Resident Representative Randi Davis to discuss cooperation in green finance, financial and digital education, payment systems, and support for SMEs. The meeting focused on Albania’s latest economic and financial developments and the Bank’s ongoing initiatives. Davis praised the …
Albania’s protected areas attract 4.5 million visitors in eight months
Albania is increasingly attracting visitors through its natural heritage, with protected areas becoming key destinations for tourists. Diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity and outdoor activities are drawing more visitors and adding a new dimension to the country’s tourism offer. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said more than 4.5 million visitors explored Albania’s …
The convictions of Hashim Thaçi and three other former KLA leaders have shaken Kosovo. But beyond the sentences, the verdict has intensified scrutiny of how the Specialist Chambers were created, how the trial was conducted and whether an institution established under strong Western pressure can command the legitimacy international justice …
Top politicians in Kosovo said the Hague judgment finding ex-President Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army ex-leaders guilty of war crimes was unjust – but a Serbian minister said it proved the KLA was ‘criminal’. Original post Here
The United States said it respects the verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. Washington also called on all sides to respect the court’s decision. “We respect today’s verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Korçë today to attend a public consultation meeting on the new Administrative-Territorial Reform. Rama said larger administrative units could improve access to another category of European Union funds. He also said the reform could bring more investment to local communities. “What we are doing today …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the convictions and sentences against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi an “unacceptable injustice.” “The convictions and heavy sentences against four former KLA leaders represent an unacceptable injustice. They also represent a serious and harmful punishment,” Kurti said. Kurti also challenged …
Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) in North Macedonia and one of the co-founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), called the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi “unjust and deeply disappointing.” Ahmeti called for restraint and unity. He also urged …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted today to the Hague court’s verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi for war crimes. In a social media post, Rama described the verdict as “madness.” He also published a photo of a map of …
The European Union has urged all sides and actors in Kosovo and the region to show restraint following the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. EU spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told Radio Free Europe that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office must carry …
The state will manage Albania’s hydrocarbon security reserves under a draft law approved today by the Council of Ministers. The legislation will change how authorities store and manage these reserves. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi said the draft law introduces a major change to the current system. Private operators …
President Bajram Begaj expressed deep sadness over today’s Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. In a social media post, Begaj said their determination to appeal the verdict shows strong integrity and resilience. “For Albanians, no one and nothing …