UNED Campus in Gjirokastra: A European Hub in the Western Balkans
By Jerina Zaloshnja It is a beautiful, joyous day in Gjirokastra. October 30, 2024. The sun shines brightly in the warm, clear blue air. From the loudspeakers at the campus of UNED, Spain’s new university in the country, Spanish music reverberates slowly. Young students dressed in traditional Gjirokastra costumes …
The UNED Campus in Gjirokaster a gateway to global academic excellence and a bridge to Europe
By Ricardo Mairal Uson It is an immense honor and privilege for me to stand before you today, on this momentous occasion—the inauguration of the UNED Center in the historic and culturally significant city of Gjirokaster. This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the strong relationship between …
Albania struggles with hazardous waste scandal as ship awaits clearance off Durres coast
DURRES, Oct. 31, 2024 – A cargo ship laden with over 100 containers of suspected hazardous waste, which arrived in Albania from Singapore, remains anchored off the coast of Durres for the fourth consecutive day. The ship’s entry into port has been delayed by authorities awaiting necessary safety preparations, intensifying …
Is Albania Slipping into a one part-system ?
Albania is now an efficient laboratory to prove how easy it is to rebuild a totalitarian society in the conditions when the country is open to the world. The head of Albania’s opposition, Sali Berisha Albania’s former President and a former two-term Prime Minister was arrested on Saturday, Dec. …
From Ant to Colony
The late 1870s and early 1890s ushered in the Gilded Age of the U.S., where rapid industrialization and free-flowing innovations were sweeping the nation. As I see it, successful ventures from the private sector played an interesting role in the development of the state during this period. The steel conglomerate …
File Not Found: Drive for Open Data Stalls in Western Balkans
Governments in the Western Balkans committed years ago to make official data open and transparent – but a BIRN survey suggests they sometimes supply only incomplete or out-of-date information. Original post Here
USA and Albania toast the 248th Anniversary of US Independence Day
Courtesy of New York Magazine Erjola Braha, recently celebrated by Forbes Italia, presents Robert Mondavi’s wines at the official ceremony organized in Tirana on the occasion of US Independence Day. The United States Embassy in Tirana celebrated the 248th Anniversary of US Independence with a prestigious event, which saw the …
Exhibition of Prisoners’ Letters Sheds Light on Albania’s Communist-Era Jails
‘Letters From Hell’, an exhibition in Tirana, explores the grim conditions in two of Communist Albania’s most infamous prisons, Spac and Burrel, showcasing correspondence from some of the prisoners. Original post Here
Open Data Deficit Hinders Green Transition in Kosovo and Albania
Experts say a lack of open data when it comes to the environment is hindering the green transition in Albania and Kosovo. Original post Here
Albanian Opposition Protesters Block Roads in Six Towns
Albania’s opposition continued what it called its campaign of “civil disobedience” against Edi Rama’s government by blocking roads in six towns across the country. Original post Here
Ermal Nufi met with Gegë Lleshi on Wednesday to discuss closer cooperation in defense and security. During the meeting, both sides highlighted their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in military education, joint training, and exercises. In addition, they discussed cooperation in civil protection and emergency management. Nufi stressed that Kosovo …
Ervin Demo welcomed Monika Zach and an Austrian delegation in Tirana on Wednesday. The delegation included 14 mayors and around 60 senior local government representatives. The group was led by Johannes Pressl. During the meeting, both sides discussed the role of local government in the European integration process. In addition, …
Eva Palatova called for the rapid formation of a new government in Kosovo following the June 7 elections. Speaking during Europe Day activities in Prishtina, Palatova also urged political parties to reach a compromise on electing the country’s president. She stressed that the future government should have a strong parliamentary …
Adriatik Kupi welcomed a delegation from the United States Embassy in Tirana during an introductory meeting held at the General Directorate of Prisons. During the meeting, the US representatives praised the cooperative approach of the prison administration. They also highlighted the importance of continued institutional cooperation in support of reforms …
Ermal Nufi welcomed Cosmin Dobran in Tirana on Thursday. The meeting focused on the Security and Defense Partnership between Albania and the European Union. Both sides described the partnership as an important platform for structured cooperation. Albania reaffirmed its commitment to continuing dialogue and achieving concrete results. Meanwhile, Nufi stressed …
TIRANA, May 7 – Albania and France are deepening cooperation in the justice sector. Talks in Tirana focus on judicial reform, criminal legislation and the fight against organised crime during a visit by French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin. The issue featured in a joint press appearance with Albanian Justice Minister …
Sofjan Jaupaj presented a national climate plan for 2026–2036 in Tirana on Wednesday. He said the plan includes 66 priority measures. It targets climate impacts such as fires, floods, and droughts. Jaupaj explained that the measures fall into soft interventions, green actions, and infrastructure investments. He added that the total …
Petrit Malaj presented in Parliament a new emergency ordinance on excise tax changes for fuel. He said the government approved the measure to soften the impact of international fuel price fluctuations and to protect consumers. Malaj explained that the decision responds to global market shocks linked to the conflict in …
Joshua Volz said the United States is increasing its engagement in the Western Balkans to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on Russian supplies. In an interview, he stressed that energy is a matter of national security. He linked it directly to economic growth, investment, and political stability in the …
Vath Koreshi is being commemorated today, marking 90 years since his birth in Lushnjë on May 7, 1936. Koreshi became one of the most influential figures in Albanian literature and cinema. He wrote novels and film scripts that shaped modern Albanian cultural identity. He studied Albanian language and literature at …