Balkan Farmers Struggle to Access Tens of Millions of Euros in EU Funds
Farmers in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia face similar challenges when trying to access funds from the European Union’s IPARD programme. Original post Here
Ukrainian Visit to Serbia Yields Pledges to Revive Trade
Ukrainian Foreign Minister says Kyiv delegation’s two-day visit to Serbia – a friend of Russia’s – ended with agreement to restore bilateral trade to pre-war levels. Original post Here
Political Attacks, Misogynistic Insults Continue to Pollute Balkan Online Space
The aftermath of elections in Turkey and Croatia and the electoral campaign in North Macedonia prompted politically-motivated digital rights violations in the region this month, while Kosovo and Montenegro saw an increase in misogynistic attacks on women online. Original post Here
Balkan Support for EU Accession High, Except in Serbia – Survey
Corruption remains a serious concern for people across the Western Balkans, where trust in politicians is low but support for EU accession high, except in Serbia. Original post Here
Condolences – and Silence – from Balkans Over Iranian President’s Death
Expressions of sorrow over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials are coming from some Balkan countries but not others – depending on the state of their relations with Tehran. Original post Here
Unofficial Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Ceremony Causes Controversy in Albania
A same-sex couple held a private civil partnership ceremony at Tirana City Hall – but even though it had no legal standing, their ‘marriage’ sparked angry reactions from traditionalists. Original post Here
Conflict of Interest? Restaurant Investment Raises Questions for Albanian Minister
Municipality’s payments to a restaurant owned by the wife of the former deputy mayor – now a government minister – raises fresh questions about business connections between state officials and their private business partners. Original post Here
Never Forget: Albanians Commemorate Communist-Era Labour Camp Uprising
Victims of Albania’s communist regime and activists gathered at a former labour camp to honour the prisoners’ uprising in 1984 and call for the location to be preserved as a reminder of past suffering. Original post Here
‘The Same Coin’: Crackdown Exposes Organised Crime’s Penetration of Albanian Politics
Experts say an operation that used seized communications app data to investigate seven organised crime groups offers new evidence of the connections in Albania between gangsters, politics and the economy. Original post Here
Albania Bank Governor Faces Prosecution Threat Over Fraudulent Loans
Prosecutors say Gent Sejko has questions to answer over a dodgy company that harassed some 17,000 Albanians for nonexistant loans, and which operated under bank’s license for years. Original post Here
TIRANA, April 22 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Wednesday during a working visit. The meeting took place on 22 April alongside the Delphi Economic Forum, a regional platform for political and economic dialogue. The talks focused on strengthening relations between …
Photographer Jutta Benzenberg presents a special project titled “Zemra mes këtej dhe andej” (“Heart Between Here and There”) at the Prime Minister’s Office Library in Tirana. The project explores the Albanian diaspora through photography. In cooperation with GIZ Albania, Benzenberg displays 16 portraits accompanied by personal stories, journeys, and reflections …
TIRANA, April 22 – Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, is participating in the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece. The agenda includes high-level discussions on regional cooperation and European Union enlargement. Hoxha joins a ministerial meeting of foreign ministers from the Western Balkans and European Union member …
Albania participates in the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku, organized by UN-Habitat. Ervin Demo meets Azerbaijani Ambassador Anar Huseynov in Tirana to prepare Albania’s participation. Demo says Albania strengthens its voice on housing, urban development, and local governance. He says the country uses the forum to promote sustainable and …
Tirana International Airport attracts international attention as CNN highlights its fast and efficient passenger control system. CNN reports that the airport stands out in Europe for its simplified and rapid security procedures. It describes Tirana as a model of efficient air travel, despite tighter security rules and longer queues in …
TIRANA, April 22 – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has described Albania as one of the most advanced countries in the European Union enlargement process, highlighting the pace of reforms and progress in accession negotiations, eudebates.tv reported. Speaking during a debate on EU enlargement, Metsola placed Albania and Montenegro among …
TIRANA, April 22 – The Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH) Symphony Orchestra will perform a special classical music evening featuring works by Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. The concert brings together solo performance and orchestral interpretation under international direction. The programme includes Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in …
TIRANA, April 22 – Hilë Mosi, poet, publicist and politician, was born in Shkodër on 22 April 1885. He became known for his publicist and political activity in support of the Albanian national cause. Mosi completed his early education in Shkodër in a strong cultural and patriotic environment shaped by …
TIRANA, April 22 – The International Student Film Festival is being organized in Tirana as a new initiative supporting young filmmakers and strengthening links between film education and the industry. The project highlights student creativity while expanding professional opportunities in cinema. The festival brings together animation, feature film and documentary …
TIRANA, April 22 – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union accession after meeting Edi Rama in Athens. Speaking after the talks, Mitsotakis described the meeting as an opportunity to advance bilateral relations. He said both sides can address outstanding issues and build what he called …