Albania, Greece Signal Readiness to Restart Maritime Talks Amid Lingering Tensions
Albania (Tirana Times) — June 5, 2025, Albania and Greece may be poised to revive negotiations over their long-disputed maritime border, a development that could mark a turning point in relations marred by legal battles, ethnic tensions, and political provocations. The possible reopening of talks was hinted at during a …
Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: Its implications for bilateral relations and domestic affairs of Albania
This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: Its implications for bilateral relations and domestic affairs of Albania appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here
Albania Legalizes Cannabis Amid Crime and State Capture Fears
Albanian police during an anti-cannabis operation. Photo: State Police. TIRANA, 4 June 2025 , (TT) — The Albanian government has approved the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, issuing licenses covering 29,000 hectares of land stretching from the north to the south of the country — a move …
Makeover of Communist-Era Albanian Jail as Film Set Angers Survivors
The decision to use the former Spac labour camp to shoot a film – and repaint some of the buildings – has enraged former inmates and activists who say the works threaten to alter history. Original post Here
‘I’m Both’: Film Explores Experience of ‘Generation B’ Albanians in Greece
In Albgreko, a short documentary, the children and grandchildren of Albanians immigrants in Greece speak of feeling both Albanian and Greek in ways that those who came in the 1990s never could. Original post Here
Spectacle Over Substance: How Albania’s “War on Money Laundering” Ignores the Towers That Tell the Truth
At first glance, the Albanian government’s latest initiative to combat money laundering appears bold: an investigation into 400 luxury vehicles purchased by individuals with no declared income. Authorities have stated that if the owners fail to justify the source of funds used to purchase these high-end cars, the vehicles will …
The Book “The Journey of the Najdi Boy” as a Literary Bridge Between Saudi Arabia and Albania – The First Saudi Novel in the Albanian Language
By Jerina Zaloshnja The Albanian edition of “The Journey of the Najdi Boy” (Tirana Times, 2025) appears to mark an important milestone in the cultural history between Saudi Arabia and Albania: it is the first work of Saudi literature to be translated into Albanian. This publication results from the collaboration …
Albania-Italy Crime Nexus: Power, Profit, and Corruption
By | Tirana Times | May 29, 2025 ROME — Albanian criminal networks have entrenched themselves across Italy, forging strong alliances with the country’s most powerful mafia syndicates, according to a sweeping new report by Italy’s anti-mafia directorate (DIA), presented this week to the Italian parliament. The 424-page report—among the …
Share Your Experience: Ukrainian Refugees’ Integration in the Balkans, Spain, Poland, Italy
Did you leave Ukraine after the full-scale invasion started in February 2022? Did you find refuge in one of the Balkan countries? Did you manage to integrate? Tell us your story. Original post Here
Former President Meta Faces Corruption Charges in Politically Sensitive Case
TIRANA, Albania — Former Albanian President Ilir Meta and his former wife, current MP Monika Kryemadhi, have been formally indicted by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) on charges of corruption, money laundering, and concealment of assets—marking one of the most politically explosive cases since the country’s post-communist transition. Meta, a …
TIRANA, May 20 – Five European Union member states have proposed a new approach for integrating Western Balkan countries into the EU. Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia presented a confidential document in Brussels, according to Euractiv. They said the enlargement process should become more concrete and more …
TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama held meetings in Seoul with leaders of several major South Korean industrial companies. He met representatives of LG Group, Kia Corporation and Lotte Group. Rama shared the meetings on social media and published photos from the encounters. The Prime Minister said he …
TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said South Korea stands as proof that history and culture matter, but do not alone determine the fate of nations. Rama made the remarks during the Asian Leadership Conference in South Korea. Rama said he first visited South Korea more than two …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to the Swedish media outlet Postimees, where he spoke about Albania’s European Union membership process and also responded to questions regarding the immunity case of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Full Interview: …
The European Commission has today made available €49 million for Albania, €44.2 million for Montenegro, and €65.7 million for North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. According to the official website of the European Commission, this follows the third payment request and the Commission’s positive …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama held a press conference in South Korea, where he is on a several-day visit. During the visit, he also met today with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Minseok. In his remarks, Rama stressed that the Korean …
The third stage of the 83rd Tour of Albania, following the Elbasan–Vlora route, concluded this Wednesday in the coastal city under strict security measures and temporary traffic restrictions. The tour began on May 18 and lasted for two days. The post Under tight security measures, the third stage of the …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met this Wednesday with NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Partnerships, Ambassador Kevin Hamilton. This marks Hamilton’s first visit to Kosovo. During the meeting, they discussed deepening cooperation with NATO. Prime Minister Kurti spoke about developments in the country, including in the fields of technology …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”29ffcb7e-d35b-4b20-b5da-416375ac529e” data-turn-id-container=”29ffcb7e-d35b-4b20-b5da-416375ac529e” data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Eric Wendt, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Albania, delivered his opening statement before the U.S. Senate, where he focused on his military experience, relations with Albania, and the objectives he hopes to achieve if …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”af7fec03-0c08-46eb-9dc4-a11509eee1fe” data-turn-id-container=”af7fec03-0c08-46eb-9dc4-a11509eee1fe” data-testid=”conversation-turn-15″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> During today’s Senate hearing on his nomination as U.S. ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt was asked by one of the senators about how he would institutionally respond to investments expected to be made by the Trump family in Albania. *]:pointer-events-auto …