Albania’s Fiscal Peace Sparks Concern
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Albanian Mystery ‘Journalist’ Sparks Suspicion with Pro-Govt Articles
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here
Albanian Banks Brace for Rising Bad Loans
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
Trump Visa Freeze Sparks Blame Game in Albania
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here
U.S. designates Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Washington suspends visas for Albania
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
NATO Values as Security Infrastructure: Evidence From Student Conversations
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
‘Fiscal Peace’: Albanian Amnesty for Tax-Dodging Businesses Branded Unfair and Opaque
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 12, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
How Albanian Organized Crime Conquered Europe’s Cocaine Market
On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …
The Albanian opera “Fundi i Golemëve” by composer Nikolla Zoraqi will receive its world premiere at the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble in Tirana. First, the opera was composed in 1963 and remained unperformed on stage for decades. Now, it returns as one of the most important …
Blendi Gonxhja shared images of the restored Shën Prodhomi Monastery in Voskopojë. Authorities restored the monastery through a project designed by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Korçë, with financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Experts built the monastery …
TIRANA, May 26 – Rehearsals and preparations continue ahead of the Spring Festival at Albanian Radio and Television. Twenty participating artists are rehearsing with the Albanian Radio and Television orchestra and the festival band. Stage work advances. Meanwhile, preparation work continues as artists move closer to their performances. They share …
TIRANA, May 26 – Prime Minister Edi Rama published an artificial intelligence-generated analysis of media coverage in Albania on social media platform X. He said the report examines patterns in public communication and media visibility. The publication follows a recent assessment by Reporters Without Borders. In addition, Rama is in …
This week features a wide range of cultural and artistic events across Albania. The “TK Rin Art 2026” theater festival continues in Tirana and runs until June 5. It brings together school theater performances from across the capital. In Elbasan, the Skampa Theatre hosts the 30th edition of the Youth …
TIRANA, May 26 – The EU Chargé d’Affaires in Albania, Andre Rizzo, underlined the importance of cadastral reform and digital transformation at a regional conference on Western Balkan digitalisation and EU integration. He described the EU accession process as one of the most significant challenges for the region. In addition, …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albania hosted a regional conference in Tirana, bringing together Western Balkan countries around a shared vision for digital transformation, legal certainty on property, and European integration. At the conference, Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has opened all negotiation chapters with the European Union. In addition, …
TIRANA, May 26 – An international scientific conference titled “From the gigaworld to elementary particles, everything moves and self-organises: this is physics” was held at the Academy of Sciences. The event marked the promotion of a series of scientific works by academic Rexhep Meidani. The publications focus on space, time, …
TIRANA, May 26 – Prosecutor Vladimir Mara on Tuesday praised cooperation with the Bari Anti-Mafia Directorate and law enforcement agencies across Europe in operations targeting criminal groups. Speaking during a joint press conference with the Bari Anti-Mafia Directorate, Mara focused on a joint investigation that targeted a criminal group involved …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albania has officially joined the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj announced on Tuesday. He said Albania joined countries that promote biodiversity protection through responsible and sustainable wildlife management. In addition, he confirmed the country’s commitment to a modern and science-based …