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Rama in the United Arab Emirates, joins the World Climate Summit

Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official working visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he is participating in the World Climate Action Summit, COP28. Rama has shared a video, on “Facebook”, of the moment of his arrival in Dubai where he was hosted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed …

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Minister Hasani met David Cameron in Skopje

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani is participating in the 30th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council that is being held in Skopje, North Macedonia on November 30 – December 1, 2023. Shortly after arriving in Skopje, Minister Hasani met with the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron. …

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Kavaja man arrested after trying to kill 33-year-old with axe

A 52-year-old man was arrested this Thursday by the police in Kavaja after he tried to kill a 33-year-old man with an ax during a conflict for weak motives. Owner of the bar was put in handcuffs after he supported the 52-year-old man in this serious event, destroying the place …

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New EU Ambassador to Albania Appointed

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell announced today the new EU ambassador to Albania. He name is Silvio Gonzato, a prominent name in European diplomacy. He previously served as Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York. …

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Rama: Bridge connecting Permet villages constructed

Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has wished the citizens a beautiful Thursday with views of the new bridge, which was built in the Përmet Municipality. In a social media statement, he said that this bridge that crosses over the Vjosë river connects several beautiful villages with each other that …

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The hearing session for Gerdec, former Minister of Defense again in court

The former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, appeared today in the session that will take place today for Gërdec. Mediu is accused of abuse of duty as well as abuse of duty carried out in cooperation with the military chain of command. There are doubts that Mediu, in cooperation with …

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“Fight against organized crime”, Balla: Albania and Great Britain strengthen cooperation

Albania and Great Britain will strengthen cooperation between them in terms of the fight against organized crime. At the end of the official meetings in Great Britain, Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with his British counterpart James Cleverly, where he signed two documents in London to deepen this cooperation. Minister …

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Op/Ed: The dilemma over the criticism of the Greek veto

By GENC POLLO Ten days ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, standing on the side of visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, told the media that he was against the bilateralization of the European Union enlargement process.  The chancellor was apparently referring to the non-signing by the ambassador of Greece to …

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Rama congratulates Albanians on Liberation Day

Prime Minister Edi Rama has congratulated this Wednesday the Albanian people on the occasion of Liberation Day from the Nazi-fascist invaders. On the social networks, the Head of Government has shared a video from the “Mother Albania” monument, which is located at the entrance to the Nation’s Martyrs’ Cemetery. “Good …

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Parliament speaker’s message on Liberation Day

Speaker of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla has greeted this Wednesday, November 29, Liberation Day. In a social media reaction, Nikolla underlined that the liberation of Albania is a monumental work of the Albanian partisans, supported by the people, who in the Second World War placed Albania on the right side …

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News
NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News
Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …