Monday Briefing from the Balkans: April 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
BIRN Fact-Check: Is Albanian PM’s Promise of 2030 EU Accession Realistic?
Experts say the Albanian prime minister’s pledge to secure membership of the EU by 2030 is little more than a “fairytale” for the electorate ahead of elections in May. Original post Here
Italy Sends More Migrants to Albania After Change of Plan
A new shipload of migrants from Italy arrived in Albania on Friday after the Rome government changed the rules on the use of its detention centre in the Balkan country after previous legal setbacks to the offshoring project. Original post Here
Albania’s ‘Elite Tourism’ Pits David Against Goliath in Fight for Water
In southwestern Albania, a government plan to harness a village’s natural springs for the needs of a luxury tourism development has locals up in arms. Original post Here
Albanian TikTok Shutdown Tool Raises Privacy Concerns
Albania’s cyber security authority said it will use Deep Packet Inspection to enforce the government’s TikTok ban – but experts say the use of the technology has no legal basis in Albania and could be used for censorship. Original post Here
Albanian Institute for International Studies Invited as Institutional Partner at NATO Public Forum 2025
TIRANA TIMES Albania April 7,— The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has been invited to serve as an Institutional Partner at the 2025 NATO Public Forum, set to take place on June 24-25 in The Hague during the NATO Summit. The invitation, extended by NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, recognizes …
Arrested Albanian Mayor Accused of Running ‘Disturbing’ PR Campaign From Jail
Published wiretaps appear to show that Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges, has been running a publicity campaign using cronies in the mass media to target his perceived enemies in the justice system. Original post Here
Albania Failing to Eradicate Banned Pesticides from Agricultural Products
When it comes to banning pesticides, Albania takes its cue from the EU, yet substances deemed dangerous to human health are still being used years later. Original post Here
Trump’s New Tariffs and Their Impact on Albania and the Western Balkans
By Tirana Times Editorial Board TIRANA, April 4, 2025 Tirana Times — President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on global trade partners have sparked concern and debate across Europe and the Western Balkans, with Albania finding itself in an uneasy position—politically aligned with the United States but economically vulnerable and …
Beware of Stone Slogans – Ylljet Alicka’s Cautionary Tale
Rafaela Prifti Alicka’s storytelling in Stone Slogans lays one episode after another with cynical awareness and mindful deliberation to reveal the anguish and despair that has taken hold of an existence controlled by fear in communist Albania. After reading the first story eponymous with the book’s title Slogans in Stone, …
TIRANA, May 15 – Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi met Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou in Athens during the Energy Conference. Karakaçi discussed current cooperation between Albania and Greece, while also addressing joint strategic energy projects. A key topic focused on a new interconnection line between the two countries. …
TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Estonia during his official trip with the Albanian delegation. He met the centre’s leadership and learned about its role in strengthening NATO cyber defence. Meanwhile, Rama said in a social media post …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”8fa7d608-d719-4436-9c65-0352c40cc134″ data-turn-id-container=”8fa7d608-d719-4436-9c65-0352c40cc134″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-9″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The building of the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has recently been renovated to meet the highest European Union standards, while the project’s funding was supported by the EU. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:92c9d7c5-2d9e-4efd-92bd-a0a1908c78ca-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:92c9d7c5-2d9e-4efd-92bd-a0a1908c78ca-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”5b0f1cb6-6588-41e1-9b36-c1f3b3458222″ data-turn-id-container=”5b0f1cb6-6588-41e1-9b36-c1f3b3458222″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The Albanian State Police has published the traffic management plan for the “Tour of Albania 2026,” an event that will take place on May 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, 2026, across the territory of the Republic of Albania. *]:pointer-events-auto …
For the 15th consecutive year, the Albanian State Police and the Italian Guardia di Finanza officially launched this Friday their joint campaign for aerial monitoring of Albanian territory, focusing on the prevention and crackdown of narcotic plant cultivation. The ceremony took place at the General Directorate of the State Police, …
The Tax Administration and Customs Administration are required to remove from their balance sheets all business debts created before December 31, 2014. The General Directorate of Taxes has announced that businesses with unpaid liabilities from 2015 to 2024 will be able to begin installment payments starting June 10. According to …
The Ombudsman of Albania, Endri Shabani, speaking from Pogradec in a statement to the media, addressed complaints submitted to the Ombudsman’s institution by imprisoned citizens. He stated that although public attention is mainly focused on famous inmates, priority should be given to citizens suffering from health problems and living in …
Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi stated during a press conference on Friday that the country’s main priority is the development of military and technological capabilities for the modernization of the Armed Forces, as well as preparedness for civil emergencies during the summer season. According to Nufi, particular focus is being …
Cybersecurity has now become an inseparable element of economic growth and national security. This was stated by the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Tirana, Kathryn Hammond, during an event where American cybersecurity solutions were presented. Referring to the importance of protecting digital infrastructure, Hammond …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, spoke about the relationship between Albania and Estonia. Rama began his speech with a few jokes, humorously saying that he had “brought the sunshine to Estonia” with his arrival. At the same time, the Prime …