SPAK starts investigations for “January 21”
SPAK has officially launched the investigation into the January 21 murders. The Special Prosecutor’s Office announces that the proceedings have been registered for the criminal offenses “Murder in other qualifying circumstances”, “Abuse of duty”, and “Performing actions that prevent the discovery of the truth”, carried out in cooperation. In the …
Leapfrogging Gas, Western Balkans Can Get Cleaner Air and Save Billions
With significant potential for green energy and limited gas infrastructure, the countries of the Western Balkans have a golden opportunity to skip gas as a transition fuel, savings billions of euros on the way. Original post Here
Albania’s Authorities Allow Jailed Politician Beleri to be Sworn in as MEP
Authorities in Tirana allowed jailed ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himara, Fredi Beleri, to go to Strasbourg to be sworn in after he won a seat in the European Parliament on behalf of Greece’s ruling party. Original post Here
Failure of the meeting for the regulatory commission of elections in Himara, Socialist Party sues CEC
The Socialist Party has filed a lawsuit against the Central Election Commission (CEC). ABC News journalist Fjona Xhafaj reports that the lawsuit from the socialists came after the Regulatory Commission in the CEC did not approve some procedural deadlines for the partial elections in Himara that will be held on …
Altin Dumani present the SPAK report to the deputies
Monday’s plenary session will focus on justice institutions. The agenda includes the reports of the General Prosecutor’s Office, SPAK, ILD, KLGJ and KLP, with the presence of their leaders. “Olsian Çela will start reporting and then Altin Dumani. This of course comes at a time when SPAK has important issues …
The law for arms trade/ Minister Tabaku: It is changing twice in a few months
The Parliament has approved the request of the Council of Ministers to pass with an accelerated procedure a draft law on weapons and ammunition. This caused debates from the opposition, where MP Jorida Tabaku said that the law is changing twice in a few months at the request of an …
Decriminalization/ Chief Prosecutor: In 2023, 77 people were registered for in-depth verification
Chief Prosecutor Olsian Cela says that during 2023, related to decriminalization, out of 91 new requests, 77 processes were registered for in-depth verification. While reporting to the Parliament of Albania, C ela stated that of these, 38 requests were made by the Department of Public Administration and 39 by the …
Albania’s Promised ‘Open Government’ Remains on Paper Only
More than a decade since it joined, Albania has made little progress in fulfilling the commitments made under the US ‘Open Government’ initiative. Original post Here
LGBT Pride and Euro 2024 Become Focus for Online Hate Speech
BIRN’s roundup of digital rights violations for June shows how marches to celebrate LGBT Pride month attracted online insults and threats, while nationalists used the Euro 2024 football tournament to voice ethnic slurs on social media. Original post Here
Tirana/ 13 arrested in one week for various criminal offenses
Thirteen people have been arrested and 13 citizens have been prosecuted for various criminal offenses in the field of road traffic in one week. 13,578 administrative measures have been imposed: 34 measures for black glasses. 1447 measures for speeding over the permitted rates. 452 measures for mobile phone use while …
TIRANA, April 28 – Albanian composer Aleksandër Lalo (1949–2017), born on 27 April 1949, remains a key figure in the country’s film music tradition. He would have turned 77 years old. His work shaped Albanian cinema across several decades. He developed a distinctive musical language that combined emotional depth with …
Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional Court, has died. His son, lawyer Çlirim Gjata, shared the news on social media. Rustem Gjata won a seat as a Democratic Party MP in the first pluralist elections in 1992. He helped draft the law on the Constitutional Court as a member …
President Bajram Begaj attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He called for tangible results to speed up regional economic development and EU integration. He said the Western Balkans is now a strategic front for Europe. Begaj described the initiative as a success story. He said it …
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka met German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. They discussed Albania’s progress in EU negotiations. Talks focused on Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The German minister expressed full support for Albania’s EU path. He confirmed strong partnership in advancing reforms and …
Andreas Schieder praised Albania’s progress in EU integration. He said negotiations could close by 2027–2028. He highlighted major reforms, especially in justice. He described them as among the deepest in the Western Balkans. Schieder said Albania has changed dramatically for the better. He stressed the need to present this progress …
Speaker Niko Peleshi met Irish MP Barry Ward in Dublin. They discussed Albania’s achievements and challenges in the EU accession process. Talks also focused on Ireland’s continued support. The meeting addressed Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026. Peleshi said Albania’s visible progress strengthens confidence in EU …
Silvio Gonzato highlights EU–Albania cultural partnership in Durrës museum reopening Silvio Gonzato said the EU and Albania strengthened their partnership through the reopening of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës. He stated that the EU4Culture programme restored the museum. He added that the project supports cultural revival and post-2019 earthquake recovery. …
Edi Rama said the Archaeological Museum of Durrës reopens after major restoration under the EU4Culture programme. He stated that the European Union has supported the restoration of 23 cultural heritage sites in Albania. Moreover, he highlighted the strong cooperation between Albania and the EU after the 2019 earthquake. He said …
Speaking at the joint meeting of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu warned that the justice system will be measured by the results it delivers for citizens, highlighting one of the main issues—delays of up to three years in providing reasoned court decisions. “There …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke this Tuesday from the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the agreement signed between the Albanian government—through ALBGAZ—Venture Global, a company active in liquefied natural gas produced in the United States, and Aktor LNG, a Greek company with experience in this sector. Rama said that the Albanian …