In Albania visit, Blinken says bond between two countries strong as security int’l challenges grow
TIRANA, Feb. 15, 2024 – In an eight-hour visit to Tirana, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reaffirmed the strength of the United States’ relations with Albania, which he said is a key partner for stability in the Western Balkans and a firm ally at the international level — …
Prime Minister Rama travels to Turkey
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Ankara, Turkey, where he will be hosted by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prime Minister Rama’s first stop will be at Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish …
Blinken thanks Albania for giving refuge of those in need
The US State Secretary, Antony Blinken, commented this Tuesday his first official visit to Albania. In a comment to ‘Instagram’, Blinken said that, last week he did his first trip as Secretary to Albania, a longstanding U.S. partner and NATO ally. “In Albania, I discussed our support for its path …
McGonigal sentenced to 28 months in prison for concealing contacts with Albanian officials
TIRANA, Feb. 17, 2024 – The federal court in Washington has sentenced former FBI official Charles McGonigal to 28 months in prison for “serious breach of public trust” regarding the $225,000 he received from Albanian-American Agron Neza and failure to disclose contacts with officials in Albania, including Prime Minister Edi …
Explosion at the gate of a house in Vora
An explosion happen in the early hours of this Monday morning. According to the police, the incident happened in Marikaj, Vore. A small amount of explosives exploded at the gate of a citizien’s yard. As a resul, material damage is reported. So the investigative group is working to clarify the …
Attempted murder, hostage-taking and being part of criminal gangs, 5 criminal are extradited
Intensive and parallel cooperation with European counterparts finalized the extradition procedures for 5 citizens accused by the authorities in Albania and Italy. Among those extradited is Arjan Shehu, sentenced by the GjKKO, to 5 years and 4 months in prison, for the criminal offense of “Aiding illegal border crossing”, committed …
Online violence and blackmail, Balla hosts a meeting with the director of “Tik Tok”
Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with TikTok’s Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Central and Eastern Europe, Jakub Olek. After this meeting, Balla underlined that it is urgent to pay more attention to the control of posts in the Albanian language. He also emphasizes that the Ministry of …
“Rama-Meloni Agreement and Criminal Amnesty” on Thursday for voting
The Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party met today. During this meeting, the agenda for the new week in the Assembly was discussed. In the speech addressed to the deputies of the majority, Çuçi said that in the session of Thursday, two agreements and two draft laws will be voted …
Hasani wishes Kosovo’s independence
Happy Independence Day, Kosovo! Today, we celebrate the freedom and sovereignty of Kosovo, but we also humble ourselves for the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of our brothers and sisters for a democratic, safe and prosperous Kosovo. Albania has been, is and will always be by Kosovo’s side and support and …
Rama wishes the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence
Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. In a post on Facebook, next to a photo with the image of Ibrahim Rugova in the background, Rama writes: “Happy Independence Kosovo”. Earlier, President Begaj and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani conveyed messages on this important day for Albanians. …
The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here
Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …
Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …
By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
by Genc Pollo Let’s start with the dog. “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly,” says the Old Testament (Proverbs 26:11), offering a blunt metaphor for stupidity and the stubborn repetition of mistakes. That proverbial dog may be the right analogy for Prime Minister Edi …
By Augustin Palokaj Tirana Times, March 03 2026 – EU enlargement does not lack ideas; it lacks political will. That is why the recent joint opinion piece by Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, published in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, is troubling not so …
Do you live in the Balkans or France, and have you been awarded child support payments after divorce? Was the process easy – and did you receive the money as the court ordered? Original post Here