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Diaspora Vote Might Shake Up Albanian Politics, But Big Parties Likely to Prevail

For the first time, Albanians abroad will be able to vote by post in the country’s May parliamentary election; some hope the change will help end the domination of the two big parties, but experts are not so sure. Original post Here

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Jailed Albanian Mayor Hires US Law Firm That Worked for Trump

While behind bars and under investigation for graft and money laundering, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj and his businessman brother have engaged hard-hitting New York law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres to assist his case. Original post Here

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Albanian Rights Organisations Take TikTok Ban to Court

BIRN Albania, along with a civil rights group and a journalists’ association, have urged the country’s top court to declare a controversial law banning TikTok in Albania for a year unconstitutional. Original post Here

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Italy to Albania, and Back: A Migrant’s Journey Through Italy’s Asylum Experiment

Italy’s right-wing government called it a magic wand for the migrants arriving on its shores, but a deal with Albania to outsource and accelerate asylum processing has run afoul of Italian courts. Critics say it flies in the face of international humanitarian law. Original post Here

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Albanian Orthodox Church Gets First Ethnic Albanian Leader in Generations

The new Primate will need to be savvy, navigating between conflicting pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian currents in the small but opinionated Albanian Orthodox Church. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 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

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Albania’s Controversial TikTok Ban Still Not Fully Working

A government order to ban TikTok to protect children from violent material came into force more than a week ago, but the mobile phone app for the video-sharing platform is still partially working in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Sign Defense Agreement: A New Military Alliance in the Balkans?

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania, March 19th— Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo have signed a joint declaration aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation, marking a significant geopolitical development in the Western Balkans. The agreement, announced this week in Tirana, signals an increased level of military collaboration but stops short of …

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News Analysis: A Geopolitical Shift in the Western Balkans?

The Trilateral Defense Agreement Between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo The recent signing of a trilateral defense cooperation agreement between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo marks a significant geopolitical development in the Western Balkans. This move, underscores growing security collaboration in a historically fragile region. While the agreement does not constitute a …

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United Arab Emirates ‘s Expanding Influence in Albania – Financial and Political Concerns

By Tirana Times TIRANA, March 20th (Tirana Times ) The Albanian government has nearly doubled the projected cost of its “Smart City” initiative, now expected to cost $118.5 million—up from the initially planned $60 million—raising concerns over transparency, lack of competition, and the protection of personal data. The government announced …

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Gonzato: Cooperation with General Prosecution Important for EU Membership Priorities

Silvio Gonzato met with Albania’s Prosecutor General Olsian Çela to discuss stronger institutional cooperation in delivering justice and fighting crime. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed support for Albania’s prosecution system at all levels. They also highlighted assistance for the Case Management System. Moreover, both sides agreed that justice and …

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Koçiu: Albania Committed to Stronger Institutions Through UN80 Initiative

Albana Koçiu attended the UN80 initiative conference and highlighted the importance of reforming and modernizing the United Nations system. First, Koçiu said global challenges require stronger international cooperation. Therefore, she stressed that reforms within the UN are essential for supporting Albania’s European aspirations. Moreover, Koçiu reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger …

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Rama: Trump Forced Europe to Face Its Weaknesses

Edi Rama said U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Europe to recognize its weaknesses and rethink its future security strategy. He made the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama argued that Europe should take Trump seriously, even if not every statement should be interpreted literally. According to …

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Rama: Europe Risks Distorting Economic Priorities Under Security Pressure

Edi Rama warned that Europe risks weakening its economic priorities if security concerns dominate political decision-making. He delivered the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama reaffirmed Albania’s strong commitment to NATO. He described Albanians as “Western Taliban,” explaining that Albania remains fully loyal to the transatlantic …

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Gonzato: EU Remains Committed to Multilateralism and International Order

Representatives of the diplomatic corps and senior Albanian government officials gathered in Tirana to discuss how United Nations reform can deliver concrete improvements at the national level. During the discussions, participants highlighted the important role of the UN both globally and in Albania. Moreover, Silvio Gonzato stressed that the European …

News
Begaj: Albania Needs People Who Think Freely

Bajram Begaj visited the Mediterranean University of Albania, where he met with academics, professors, and students. He also toured classrooms, IT laboratories, and medical science facilities. During the visit, Begaj encouraged public and private universities to face modern challenges and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Moreover, he said …

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VanHorn Hosts Family of Former Embassy Employee Who Died Under Communist Regime

Nancy VanHorn welcomed the family of Loni Adami at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. She honored his courage and sacrifice as symbols of the struggle for freedom. Loni Adami and his colleague Kol Kuqali worked for the American embassy during Albania’s communist regime. Moreover, both men faced imprisonment and torture …

News
Beja at UNCTAD: Albanian Customs Moving Toward Full EU Standards Alignment

Besmir Beja held an official meeting at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva to discuss the modernization of Albania’s customs systems and their alignment with European Union standards. During the meetings with ASYCUDA program officials, participants highlighted the progress made by the Albanian customs administration in …

News
Albanian Film Artist Shyqyri Sako Passes Away at 89

Shyqyri Sako, one of Albania’s most respected film artists, passed away at the age of 89. During a career that lasted more than 50 years, Sako worked extensively in Albanian cinema and contributed to the visual identity of many films. First, he studied film painting for three years at the …

News
Gonxhja: Prishtina and Durrës Ready to Write a Historic Chapter in Mediterranean Sport

Blendi Gonxhja held an important working meeting with officials involved in the preparations for the Mediterranean Games Prishtina 2030. First, the meeting included Julian Pace Bonello, as well as representatives of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games, Kosovo’s Olympic Committee, and Albania’s Olympic leadership. Moreover, discussions focused on coordination and …

News

Gonzato: Cooperation with General Prosecution Important for EU Membership Priorities

Silvio Gonzato met with Albania’s Prosecutor General Olsian Çela to discuss stronger institutional cooperation in delivering justice and fighting crime. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed support for Albania’s prosecution system at all levels. They also highlighted assistance for the Case Management System. Moreover, both sides agreed that justice and …

News

Koçiu: Albania Committed to Stronger Institutions Through UN80 Initiative

Albana Koçiu attended the UN80 initiative conference and highlighted the importance of reforming and modernizing the United Nations system. First, Koçiu said global challenges require stronger international cooperation. Therefore, she stressed that reforms within the UN are essential for supporting Albania’s European aspirations. Moreover, Koçiu reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger …

News

Rama: Trump Forced Europe to Face Its Weaknesses

Edi Rama said U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Europe to recognize its weaknesses and rethink its future security strategy. He made the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama argued that Europe should take Trump seriously, even if not every statement should be interpreted literally. According to …

News

Rama: Europe Risks Distorting Economic Priorities Under Security Pressure

Edi Rama warned that Europe risks weakening its economic priorities if security concerns dominate political decision-making. He delivered the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama reaffirmed Albania’s strong commitment to NATO. He described Albanians as “Western Taliban,” explaining that Albania remains fully loyal to the transatlantic …

News

Gonzato: EU Remains Committed to Multilateralism and International Order

Representatives of the diplomatic corps and senior Albanian government officials gathered in Tirana to discuss how United Nations reform can deliver concrete improvements at the national level. During the discussions, participants highlighted the important role of the UN both globally and in Albania. Moreover, Silvio Gonzato stressed that the European …

News

Begaj: Albania Needs People Who Think Freely

Bajram Begaj visited the Mediterranean University of Albania, where he met with academics, professors, and students. He also toured classrooms, IT laboratories, and medical science facilities. During the visit, Begaj encouraged public and private universities to face modern challenges and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Moreover, he said …

News

VanHorn Hosts Family of Former Embassy Employee Who Died Under Communist Regime

Nancy VanHorn welcomed the family of Loni Adami at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. She honored his courage and sacrifice as symbols of the struggle for freedom. Loni Adami and his colleague Kol Kuqali worked for the American embassy during Albania’s communist regime. Moreover, both men faced imprisonment and torture …

News

Beja at UNCTAD: Albanian Customs Moving Toward Full EU Standards Alignment

Besmir Beja held an official meeting at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva to discuss the modernization of Albania’s customs systems and their alignment with European Union standards. During the meetings with ASYCUDA program officials, participants highlighted the progress made by the Albanian customs administration in …

News

Albanian Film Artist Shyqyri Sako Passes Away at 89

Shyqyri Sako, one of Albania’s most respected film artists, passed away at the age of 89. During a career that lasted more than 50 years, Sako worked extensively in Albanian cinema and contributed to the visual identity of many films. First, he studied film painting for three years at the …

News

Gonxhja: Prishtina and Durrës Ready to Write a Historic Chapter in Mediterranean Sport

Blendi Gonxhja held an important working meeting with officials involved in the preparations for the Mediterranean Games Prishtina 2030. First, the meeting included Julian Pace Bonello, as well as representatives of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games, Kosovo’s Olympic Committee, and Albania’s Olympic leadership. Moreover, discussions focused on coordination and …