UAE President’s Surprise Visit to Albania Underscores Strategic Diplomacy Beyond Friendship
TIRANA, Albania — July 17, 2025 Tirana Times. In a rare and tightly scheduled diplomatic mission, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan made an unannounced visit to Albania on the evening of July 16, marking his second trip to the Balkan country in less than …
Week in Review: Surprises in Store
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here
Week in Review: Opportunities and Setbacks
This week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories reflect the region’s ongoing push-and-pull between hopes of peace and the bitter weight of history. Original post Here
Albanian Prosecution Accuses Former Ruling Party MP of Organised Crime Ties
Special prosecutors conclude investigation into Jurgis Cyrbja, accusing the former Socialist MP of sharing state information with organised crime group members in exchange for their support in elections. Original post Here
Opposition: The Prime Minister Must Go!
In a meeting held yesterday with local officials, the leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, declared that the country is facing a series of serious problems that require deep and structural reforms. One of the first issues raised was that of drinking water. “Despite reported improvements, the situation calls for …
Skyscrapers and Shadows: Albania’s Construction Boom Masking a Web of Crime and Corruption
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) July 15,2025 — Just 300 meters from the office of Albania’s Prime Minister, a 40-story tower rises over Tirana’s skyline. It’s one of dozens of new high-rises reshaping the capital. But behind the glass and steel façade lies a darker truth that experts say reflects Albania’s …
From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers
After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …
Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins
In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 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
Week in Review: Surprises in Store
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here
BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here
As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here
Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here
Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …
Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here
The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here