Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 15, 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
Tirana’s Water Crisis Hits Diplomats
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 14, 2025) — In a city where cranes rise daily and glass towers dominate the skyline, the most basic element of urban life — running water — is vanishing. For more than three months, the residence of the European Union ambassador in Tirana has received …
Albania’s Demographic Collapse: A Silent National Emergency
By Tirana Times Albania is facing a demographic collapse of historic proportions. What was once described as a temporary “wave of migration” in the 1990s has hardened into a permanent, structural crisis that now threatens the very future of the nation. The data is stark, the trend undeniable, and the …
Albania Turns to Artificial Intelligence Amid Deep Corruption Crisis
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 11, 2025 ) – Albania’s government has unveiled what it calls a bold step in its fight against endemic corruption: the appointment of the country’s first artificial intelligence “minister.” The AI system, named Diella, meaning “sun” in Albanian, has been presented by Prime Minister Edi …
Week in Review: Crackdowns, Bans and Enforced Silences
From attempts to neuter popular opposition to efforts to stifle the truth about mass protests, this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories explores the turbulent political landscape across the region. Original post Here
Albanian PM Unveils New Govt, Initiates Tirana Mayor’s Dismissal
Rama announces new cabinet and calls fresh elections for the Tirana mayoralty – seven months after Mayor Erion Veliaj was arrested on charges of corruption and money-laundering. Original post Here
Albania’s Public Broadcaster Struggling With ‘Catastrophic’ Debts, Head Says
The new head of RTSH, Eni Vasili, admits to BIRN that the company is facing a dire financial situation – after several contributors revealed they had not been paid for months. Original post Here
Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances
Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here
China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia
The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here
Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas
Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here
Greece is increasing efforts to restart talks with Albania on maritime borders. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will visit Tirana next week for high-level meetings. He will meet Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Prime Minister Edi Rama. The visit aims to revive talks on maritime border delimitation. In October …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania will officially open the final phase of European Union membership negotiations on May 26 in Brussels. He said Albania successfully completed the opening phase of the process. During his weekly remarks, Rama highlighted the discussions between the European Commission and EU member states in …
The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They …
Igli Hasani praised Italy’s support for Albania as steady, concrete and sincere. He said the backing extends across Italy’s political spectrum. During an official visit to Rome, Hasani met senior Italian officials. They focused on Albania’s path toward European integration and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Hasani met with …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for honoring Mother Teresa. He praised her as a saint of Albanian origin who left a strong legacy of compassion, humility and service to humanity. In a social media post, Hoxha said Mother Teresa’s life …
Parliamentary Group Chair of the Socialist Party Taulant Balla said Albania’s European Union integration requires continued reforms and strong citizen involvement. He spoke during a discussion with students of the European University of Tirana held at Preza Castle. Balla focused on the progress of reforms and the fulfillment of conditions …
Three young innovators presented their projects on the podcast “Flasim”, hosted by Prime Minister Edi Rama. First, they introduced ideas focused on technology, research and agriculture. Then, they explained how innovation can become industry in Albania. Fabjola presented a self-healing concrete technology. She said the material uses industrial waste. It …
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio paid tribute to the legacy of Mother Teresa during a visit to the Missionaries of Charity. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana shared Rubio’s statement on social media. Rubio said Mother Teresa left an extraordinary legacy of compassion and service. He said he was honored …
The European Union Delegation in Albania has condemned the latest Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. It said the strikes targeted Kyiv during the night and caused several casualties. It also said the residential complex where the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Ukraine lives was hit. The …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Tirana, Alexey Zaitsev, to deliver a strong protest. The ministry responded to massive drone and missile attacks overnight in Ukraine. It said the attacks hit the residential complex where …