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Minister Hasani met David Cameron in Skopje

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani is participating in the 30th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council that is being held in Skopje, North Macedonia on November 30 – December 1, 2023. Shortly after arriving in Skopje, Minister Hasani met with the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron. …

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Kavaja man arrested after trying to kill 33-year-old with axe

A 52-year-old man was arrested this Thursday by the police in Kavaja after he tried to kill a 33-year-old man with an ax during a conflict for weak motives. Owner of the bar was put in handcuffs after he supported the 52-year-old man in this serious event, destroying the place …

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New EU Ambassador to Albania Appointed

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell announced today the new EU ambassador to Albania. He name is Silvio Gonzato, a prominent name in European diplomacy. He previously served as Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York. …

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Rama: Bridge connecting Permet villages constructed

Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has wished the citizens a beautiful Thursday with views of the new bridge, which was built in the Përmet Municipality. In a social media statement, he said that this bridge that crosses over the Vjosë river connects several beautiful villages with each other that …

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The hearing session for Gerdec, former Minister of Defense again in court

The former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, appeared today in the session that will take place today for Gërdec. Mediu is accused of abuse of duty as well as abuse of duty carried out in cooperation with the military chain of command. There are doubts that Mediu, in cooperation with …

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“Fight against organized crime”, Balla: Albania and Great Britain strengthen cooperation

Albania and Great Britain will strengthen cooperation between them in terms of the fight against organized crime. At the end of the official meetings in Great Britain, Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with his British counterpart James Cleverly, where he signed two documents in London to deepen this cooperation. Minister …

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Op/Ed: The dilemma over the criticism of the Greek veto

By GENC POLLO Ten days ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, standing on the side of visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, told the media that he was against the bilateralization of the European Union enlargement process.  The chancellor was apparently referring to the non-signing by the ambassador of Greece to …

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Rama congratulates Albanians on Liberation Day

Prime Minister Edi Rama has congratulated this Wednesday the Albanian people on the occasion of Liberation Day from the Nazi-fascist invaders. On the social networks, the Head of Government has shared a video from the “Mother Albania” monument, which is located at the entrance to the Nation’s Martyrs’ Cemetery. “Good …

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Parliament speaker’s message on Liberation Day

Speaker of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla has greeted this Wednesday, November 29, Liberation Day. In a social media reaction, Nikolla underlined that the liberation of Albania is a monumental work of the Albanian partisans, supported by the people, who in the Second World War placed Albania on the right side …

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Martyrs of Albania honored on Liberation Day

Martyrs of the homeland are honored near the “Mother Albania” monument this Wednesday on the occasion of Liberation Day. Present at the tributes are the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, the speaker of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla and the Prime Minister Edi Rama, as well as the head of …

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Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

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Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

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Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

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Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

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Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy

Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here

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Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell

Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here

News
Letter From Brussels: Judgment Day for the Balkan Hopefuls

In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here

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Multigenderism’s Curious Impact

1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe   In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …

News

Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

News

Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

News

Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News

Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News

Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy

Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here

News

Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell

Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here

News

Letter From Brussels: Judgment Day for the Balkan Hopefuls

In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here

News

Multigenderism’s Curious Impact

1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe   In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …