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Italian Court Rules Migrants Shipped to Albania Must Be Sent Back

A Rome court dealt a blow to a controversial scheme to send migrants intercepted at sea by Italy to Albania, ruling that the first 12 migrants who were transported to an Albanian reception camp this week must be returned. Original post Here

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Albanians Scent Profit in Italy’s Costly Offshore Migrant Processing Plan

An Italian opposition MP has lambasted the start of the scheme to process migrants in Albania as a fiasco – but locals living near the new facilities are eying up potential economic benefits. Original post Here

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Albania Opposition MPs Claim Police Threatened Them in Parliament With Guns

After opposition MPs continued their protest in parliament on Thursday, clashing with the police and parliamentary guards, they claimed ‘armed persons threatened the deputies with weapons’. Original post Here

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Italian ship brings first migrants to Albania-based camp under controversial asylum-processing deal

TIRANA, Oct. 16, 2024 – An Italian military ship carrying the first group of migrants arrived in the Albanian port of Shëngjin early Wednesday, marking the launch of a controversial project to process Italian asylum applications on Albanian soil, drawing much international attention.  The initiative is part of a bilateral …

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First Italian Ship With Refugees Arrives in Albania

The first Italian ship holding 16 refugees intercepted at sea arrived in Albania early on Wednesday, as Italy’s controversial plan to ‘offshore’ the processing of migrants and refugees got underway. Original post Here

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Albanian Environmentalists See Red Over Green Sludge Coating Tirana’s Lake

The main artificial lake in the capital has been covered for weeks by thick green algae, which environmental activists blame on untreated urban sewage flowing into the water. Original post Here

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Could Michigan’s Albanian-Americans Swing the Vote for Trump?

Albanian-American supporters of Donald Trump are campaigning hard in the swing state of Michigan, where their numbers could sway the result. But some fear the return of Trump’s controversial Balkan envoy Richard Grenell. Original post Here

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Moldova Should Learn from Albania’s Mistakes in Justice Reform

As EU hopeful Moldova embarks on a complex process of judicial reform and vetting to root out corruption, experts advise it to note what has gone right – and wrong – in Albania, which began the same process a decade ago. Original post Here

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Albania Opens EU Accession Negotiations, Seeks Membership by 2030

In Luxembourg on Tuesday, Albania opened its first negotiation ‘cluster’, with Prime Minister Edi Rama saying his country has its sights set on joining the European club by the end of the decade. Original post Here

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Digital Rights Review: Websites Promote and Profit from Abuse of Women

BIRN’s monitoring of digital rights violations in August and September highlighted a threatening Hungarian ‘dark web’ site that contained illegally obtained images of women, plus a series of arrests for online sexual abuse in Romania. Original post Here

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During Europe Week, Gonzato: Strengthening the Rule of Law in Albania is the Foundation of Prosperity

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, said in a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of Europe Week that strengthening the rule of law is the foundation of prosperity and the key to Albania’s integration into the EU. Gonzato stated that Albania, as a candidate country seeking membership …

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Prime Minister Edi Rama: Europe Remains the Promised Land for Us, an Inalienable National Legacy

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his speech at the opening of Europe Week that, for Albanians, Europe remains both a dream and a promised land because of the country’s long isolation from the rest of the world. “For us Albanians, Europe remains, even in these gloomy times, what it …

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“The Rule of Law Cannot Be Negotiated,” Rama: Albania’s Path Toward the EU Is Difficult, but Irreversible

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his speech at the opening of Europe Week that Albania’s path toward the European Union is difficult, but irreversible. Rama emphasized that the rule of law, as a guarantee ensured by the EU, cannot be negotiated. “If today we are confident about the progress …

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Marta Kos to Visit Kosovo for the First Time, Date of Visit Revealed

*]: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=”fff59cf8-973b-45ad-9994-a7bce15b632b” data-turn-id-container=”fff59cf8-973b-45ad-9994-a7bce15b632b” data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, is expected to make her first official visit to Kosovo on Friday, May 15. *]: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:e00a4416-cd7f-4e71-ab3d-695465d210ed-8″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e00a4416-cd7f-4e71-ab3d-695465d210ed-8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-18″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> This was confirmed by unofficial sources within European institutions …

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“Moto Fest Shkodra 2026” Lights Up the City with Motorcycles, Music, and a Festive Atmosphere

The city of Shkodër came alive on Friday evening with the unique atmosphere of “Moto Fest Shkodra 2026,” an event that brought together hundreds of bikers, rock music fans, and visitors from different countries in the heart of the city. The main square was transformed into a massive celebration stage, …

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Young Woman from Korça Who Made Forbes’ Prestigious List of the World’s Top 30 Talents

Xhoela Bame, a young researcher from Korçë, has been named by the prestigious magazine Forbes as one of the “30 Under 30” individuals with extraordinary global impact — a recognition that places her among the most promising names in science and medicine. For several years, the young woman from Korça …

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63 Schools Rebuilt After the Earthquake as the EU’s €75 Million Program Concludes

The “Asim Vokshi” High School in Tiranë is one of the educational facilities rebuilt after the November 26, 2019 earthquake. Along with this school, 62 other educational buildings have been reconstructed across 11 of the country’s most affected municipalities. “A project based on two main pillars: building better and building …

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Europe Day: EU Ambassador, Gonzato says Albania plays key role in European Union security and future

TIRANA, May 9 – European Union Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato marked Europe Day during the opening of Europe Week under the motto “Open Space”. Speaking at the event, Gonzato said the European Union has taken steps to protect stability and democratic values at a time when global conflicts threaten …

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Europe Day: PM Rama says European Union security depends on openness, not isolation

TIRANA, May 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama marked Europe Day during the opening of Europe Week, describing 9 May as a symbol of European courage and cooperation. Speaking at the event, Rama said the European Union represents a space where different cultures live and cooperate in peace and equality. …

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Opposition Calls for Rama’s Resignation Over Corruption

Tirana protest unfolds amid EU concerns over shrinking parliamentary oversight. TIRANA, May 08, 2026 — Albania’s opposition staged a national protest in Tirana on Friday evening, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and what it described as his corrupt government, while accusing the ruling majority of abuse of …

News

During Europe Week, Gonzato: Strengthening the Rule of Law in Albania is the Foundation of Prosperity

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, said in a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of Europe Week that strengthening the rule of law is the foundation of prosperity and the key to Albania’s integration into the EU. Gonzato stated that Albania, as a candidate country seeking membership …

News

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Europe Remains the Promised Land for Us, an Inalienable National Legacy

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his speech at the opening of Europe Week that, for Albanians, Europe remains both a dream and a promised land because of the country’s long isolation from the rest of the world. “For us Albanians, Europe remains, even in these gloomy times, what it …

News

“The Rule of Law Cannot Be Negotiated,” Rama: Albania’s Path Toward the EU Is Difficult, but Irreversible

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his speech at the opening of Europe Week that Albania’s path toward the European Union is difficult, but irreversible. Rama emphasized that the rule of law, as a guarantee ensured by the EU, cannot be negotiated. “If today we are confident about the progress …

News

Marta Kos to Visit Kosovo for the First Time, Date of Visit Revealed

*]: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=”fff59cf8-973b-45ad-9994-a7bce15b632b” data-turn-id-container=”fff59cf8-973b-45ad-9994-a7bce15b632b” data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, is expected to make her first official visit to Kosovo on Friday, May 15. *]: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:e00a4416-cd7f-4e71-ab3d-695465d210ed-8″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e00a4416-cd7f-4e71-ab3d-695465d210ed-8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-18″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> This was confirmed by unofficial sources within European institutions …

News

“Moto Fest Shkodra 2026” Lights Up the City with Motorcycles, Music, and a Festive Atmosphere

The city of Shkodër came alive on Friday evening with the unique atmosphere of “Moto Fest Shkodra 2026,” an event that brought together hundreds of bikers, rock music fans, and visitors from different countries in the heart of the city. The main square was transformed into a massive celebration stage, …

News

Young Woman from Korça Who Made Forbes’ Prestigious List of the World’s Top 30 Talents

Xhoela Bame, a young researcher from Korçë, has been named by the prestigious magazine Forbes as one of the “30 Under 30” individuals with extraordinary global impact — a recognition that places her among the most promising names in science and medicine. For several years, the young woman from Korça …

News

63 Schools Rebuilt After the Earthquake as the EU’s €75 Million Program Concludes

The “Asim Vokshi” High School in Tiranë is one of the educational facilities rebuilt after the November 26, 2019 earthquake. Along with this school, 62 other educational buildings have been reconstructed across 11 of the country’s most affected municipalities. “A project based on two main pillars: building better and building …

News

Europe Day: EU Ambassador, Gonzato says Albania plays key role in European Union security and future

TIRANA, May 9 – European Union Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato marked Europe Day during the opening of Europe Week under the motto “Open Space”. Speaking at the event, Gonzato said the European Union has taken steps to protect stability and democratic values at a time when global conflicts threaten …

News

Europe Day: PM Rama says European Union security depends on openness, not isolation

TIRANA, May 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama marked Europe Day during the opening of Europe Week, describing 9 May as a symbol of European courage and cooperation. Speaking at the event, Rama said the European Union represents a space where different cultures live and cooperate in peace and equality. …

News

Opposition Calls for Rama’s Resignation Over Corruption

Tirana protest unfolds amid EU concerns over shrinking parliamentary oversight. TIRANA, May 08, 2026 — Albania’s opposition staged a national protest in Tirana on Friday evening, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and what it described as his corrupt government, while accusing the ruling majority of abuse of …