Blog
News

Kosovo’s Hague Verdict: Heavy Sentences, Troubling Questions and a Test for International Justice

The convictions of Hashim Thaçi and three other former KLA leaders have shaken Kosovo. But beyond the sentences, the verdict has intensified scrutiny of how the Specialist Chambers were created, how the trial was conducted and whether an institution established under strong Western pressure can command the legitimacy international justice …

Read More
News

Kosovo Slams ‘Unjust’ Conviction of Hashim Thaci; Serbian Minister Applauds

Top politicians in Kosovo said the Hague judgment finding ex-President Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army ex-leaders guilty of war crimes was unjust – but a Serbian minister said it proved the KLA was ‘criminal’. Original post Here

Read More
News

US: We Respect Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders

The United States said it respects the verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. Washington also called on all sides to respect the court’s decision. “We respect today’s verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told …

Read More
News

Rama: Larger Administrative Units Could Improve Access to EU Funds

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Korçë today to attend a public consultation meeting on the new Administrative-Territorial Reform. Rama said larger administrative units could improve access to another category of European Union funds. He also said the reform could bring more investment to local communities. “What we are doing today …

Read More
News

Kurti: Verdict Is an Unacceptable Injustice, It Must Not Be Confused with the Will of the People

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the convictions and sentences against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi an “unacceptable injustice.” “The convictions and heavy sentences against four former KLA leaders represent an unacceptable injustice. They also represent a serious and harmful punishment,” Kurti said. Kurti also challenged …

Read More
News

Ahmeti Calls Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders Unjust

Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) in North Macedonia and one of the co-founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), called the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi “unjust and deeply disappointing.” Ahmeti called for restraint and unity. He also urged …

Read More
News

Rama on Hague Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders: Shame

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted today to the Hague court’s verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi for war crimes. In a social media post, Rama described the verdict as “madness.” He also published a photo of a map of …

Read More
News

EU Calls for Restraint Following Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders

The European Union has urged all sides and actors in Kosovo and the region to show restraint following the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. EU spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told Radio Free Europe that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office must carry …

Read More
News

Karakaçi: State to Manage Hydrocarbon Security Reserves

The state will manage Albania’s hydrocarbon security reserves under a draft law approved today by the Council of Ministers. The legislation will change how authorities store and manage these reserves. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi said the draft law introduces a major change to the current system. Private operators …

Read More
News

Begaj on Hague Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders: Deep Sadness

President Bajram Begaj expressed deep sadness over today’s Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. In a social media post, Begaj said their determination to appeal the verdict shows strong integrity and resilience. “For Albanians, no one and nothing …

Read More
News
Albania’s 2027 Tax Plan Raises Concerns Over Foreign Investment and Business Climate

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s proposed fiscal package for 2027 has triggered unusually broad opposition from domestic and foreign business organizations, with American, German and Italian investors warning that higher taxes and sudden changes in fiscal policy could undermine the country’s competitiveness and discourage future investment. The objections come as Prime …

News
Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package and the Risks to Investment

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package and the Risks to Investment appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

News
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj: 30% of 2027 budget allocated to social protection

Albania’s 2027 budget will reach €10 billion for the first time, with 30% allocated to social protection, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said in a television interview. As part of the plan, the government has allocated €250 million to pensions in 2027, including funding for pension indexation. In addition, it plans …

News
Vlora port suspends small-vessel departures as weather conditions worsen

The Port of Vlora Harbour Master’s Office has banned departures by small vessels and fishing boats planning to operate outside the Bay of Vlora from November 11 to 14 due to worsening weather conditions. The forecast warns of southerly to southeasterly winds reaching force 7–8 on the Beaufort scale, with …

News
Vlora hosts European Film Academy board, opening new cooperation opportunities

The European Film Academy’s Board held its three-day meeting in Albania, bringing leading European producers and filmmakers to Vlora. During their stay, board members met Albanian film professionals and explored the country’s history, culture and filming potential. The visit aimed to create new partnerships and promote Albania as a destination …

News
U.S. President Trump nominates Mikhail Bogachek as ambassador to Kosova

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Mikhail Bogachek as the next US ambassador to Kosova, submitting his name to the Senate for confirmation. The White House announced the nomination on November 10. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina remains under the leadership of Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati. Former ambassador Jeff …

News
Justice Minister Toni Gogu discusses faster court proceedings with Italian officials

Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu held three meetings in Rome with Italian officials to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of justice. During a visit to the Italian Senate, Gogu met Maurizio Gasparri, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. He thanked Gasparri for ratifying the …

News
Agriculture budget rises 10% in 2027 to support farmers and food safety

Albania’s draft 2027 budget allocates around ALL 18 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, a 10% increase on the initial 2026 budget, Agriculture Minister Andis Salla said. Rural development remains the main priority, with ALL 8.4 billion, including ALL 5.3 billion for the national support scheme, up …

News
Kanina Castle reopens to visitors after restoration works

Restoration and improvement works have finished at Kanina Castle in Vlora. The historic monument is now ready to welcome visitors with improved infrastructure, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced. The project included conservation and structural works, alongside infrastructure upgrades, to protect the castle’s historical and cultural heritage. In …

News
Albania prepare for Finland in Nations League

Albania’s national team continued preparations for their upcoming matches against Finland and Belarus with a training session at the House of Football on Wednesday. The Albanian Football Association said all players trained at full intensity and were available to coach Rolando Maran. The team began the session in the gym …

News

Albania’s 2027 Tax Plan Raises Concerns Over Foreign Investment and Business Climate

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s proposed fiscal package for 2027 has triggered unusually broad opposition from domestic and foreign business organizations, with American, German and Italian investors warning that higher taxes and sudden changes in fiscal policy could undermine the country’s competitiveness and discourage future investment. The objections come as Prime …

News

Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package and the Risks to Investment

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package and the Risks to Investment appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

News

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj: 30% of 2027 budget allocated to social protection

Albania’s 2027 budget will reach €10 billion for the first time, with 30% allocated to social protection, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said in a television interview. As part of the plan, the government has allocated €250 million to pensions in 2027, including funding for pension indexation. In addition, it plans …

News

Vlora port suspends small-vessel departures as weather conditions worsen

The Port of Vlora Harbour Master’s Office has banned departures by small vessels and fishing boats planning to operate outside the Bay of Vlora from November 11 to 14 due to worsening weather conditions. The forecast warns of southerly to southeasterly winds reaching force 7–8 on the Beaufort scale, with …

News

Vlora hosts European Film Academy board, opening new cooperation opportunities

The European Film Academy’s Board held its three-day meeting in Albania, bringing leading European producers and filmmakers to Vlora. During their stay, board members met Albanian film professionals and explored the country’s history, culture and filming potential. The visit aimed to create new partnerships and promote Albania as a destination …

News

U.S. President Trump nominates Mikhail Bogachek as ambassador to Kosova

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Mikhail Bogachek as the next US ambassador to Kosova, submitting his name to the Senate for confirmation. The White House announced the nomination on November 10. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina remains under the leadership of Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati. Former ambassador Jeff …

News

Justice Minister Toni Gogu discusses faster court proceedings with Italian officials

Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu held three meetings in Rome with Italian officials to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of justice. During a visit to the Italian Senate, Gogu met Maurizio Gasparri, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. He thanked Gasparri for ratifying the …

News

Agriculture budget rises 10% in 2027 to support farmers and food safety

Albania’s draft 2027 budget allocates around ALL 18 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, a 10% increase on the initial 2026 budget, Agriculture Minister Andis Salla said. Rural development remains the main priority, with ALL 8.4 billion, including ALL 5.3 billion for the national support scheme, up …

News

Kanina Castle reopens to visitors after restoration works

Restoration and improvement works have finished at Kanina Castle in Vlora. The historic monument is now ready to welcome visitors with improved infrastructure, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced. The project included conservation and structural works, alongside infrastructure upgrades, to protect the castle’s historical and cultural heritage. In …

News

Albania prepare for Finland in Nations League

Albania’s national team continued preparations for their upcoming matches against Finland and Belarus with a training session at the House of Football on Wednesday. The Albanian Football Association said all players trained at full intensity and were available to coach Rolando Maran. The team began the session in the gym …