Albanian Volleyball Authority Slammed for Suspending Player Over Gender Claims
The Albanian Volleyball Federation has been accused of discrimination and prejudice over its decision to suspend a Brazilian women’s volleyball player based on unsupported allegations about her gender. Original post Here
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama Meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama Meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh Riyadh, October 27, 2025 . Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is paying an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he was received at the Royal Palace in Riyadh by the Crown Prince and …
State Capture and Electoral Manipulation
ODIHR Report on Albania’s 2025 Elections Tirana, October 25, 2025. The final report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Albania’s May 11 parliamentary elections paints a deeply troubling picture of a country where democratic standards remain systematically undermined. The document exposes extensive evidence of …
SPAK Summons Deputy Prime Minister Balluku
SPAK Summons Deputy Prime Minister Balluku A Major Test for Albania’s Anti-Corruption Drive Tirana, October 27, 2025 .The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has officially summoned Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku for questioning, marking one of the most politically sensitive moments in Albania’s ongoing …
No Silver Bullet: Sanctions in Western Balkans Risk Becoming Empty Gestures
International sanctions can be a useful tool for holding powerful figures accountable – but if they’re not followed up with action in their home countries, their effect may be limited. Original post Here
Moving Albanian Drug Money, on Trust or in Crypto
Investigators have documented the use of foreign exchange offices in Albania to move drug money, either in crypto or via a centuries-old, trust-based system called Hawala. Original post Here
Obituary
Remembering Janusz Bugajski: Scholar, Mentor, and Lifelong Friend of the Balkans Janusz Bugajski (1954–2025) The international academic and analytical community has lost one of its most lucid and principled voices. Janusz Bugajski, the distinguished American analyst of Eurasian and Balkan affairs, passed away on October 18, 2025, at the age …
How Albania Became a Hub of the Global Fraud Industry
Organised crime networks are using call centres in Albania to defraud people across Europe, conning them with promises of big profits from scam investments and employing sophisticated social-engineering techniques. Original post Here
Why Britain Needs the Western Balkans Summit to Deliver on Migration
The UK’s ambitious agenda for the London summit of the Berlin Process reflects its commitment to the Western Balkans region but also its own domestic priorities, starting with illegal migration. Original post Here
Türkiye and Albania: From Shared Past to Strategic Future
By Marjana Doda, This feature draws on exclusive insights from an interview with Ambassador Tayyar Kagan Atay, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Tirana. On the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Atay reflects on the unique depth of Albanian–Turkish ties—links shaped by shared history …
President Bajram Begaj welcomed the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference on Monday. He called it a historic moment for Albania’s European path. The conference officially opens the closing phase of accession talks with the European Union. Begaj said Albania took another important step toward the European family. He described EU integration …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania remains the most pro-European country in Europe after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. Rama welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s focus on EU enlargement. He called the attention important and positive. He said enlargement was once a taboo topic, but that has changed. Rama called …
Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said EU enlargement remains a top priority after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Tirana. Raouna spoke alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. She commented on a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about new ideas for …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has entered an advanced stage in its EU integration process after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference. He called the conference another major milestone for the country. Rama said Albania opened all negotiation chapters in just 11 months. He described the pace as fast and …
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos backed Albania’s goal to close EU membership negotiations by the end of 2027. Kos spoke after the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Tirana alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and Cyprus Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna. She said Albania’s progress is possible because of strong public support …
German Ambassador Karl Bergner and Dutch Ambassador Reinout Vos strongly backed Albania’s path toward EU membership in a joint statement on Tuesday. The statement followed the 8th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels. The ambassadors called progress on the “Fundamentals” chapter an important step in Albania’s accession process. They congratulated Albanian …
Tirana will host the concert “Fio Zanotti & Super Band featuring FEZZ” on June 12, one of the most important cultural events of the year. The concert will take place at the Qendra Kulturore e Katedrales Ortodokse and will feature some of the leading figures of contemporary Italian music. Maestro …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albanian Radio and Television has launched the new edition of JuniorFest. The festival has promoted and showcased young Albanian talents for years. After memorable editions and successful performances, JuniorFest returns this year with a new artistic journey focused on music, creativity, and young performers. At the …
TIRANA, May 26 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi held a meeting in Madrid on Tuesday with the Speaker of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol. During the meeting, Peleshi discussed relations between Albania and Spain. In addition, he highlighted Spain’s continued support for Albania’s European Union membership process. At …
TIRANA, May 26 – The 8th Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference will take place in Brussels this Tuesday. The meeting will formally open the process for Albania to enter the phase of closing EU accession negotiations. The Agency for Media and Information said the conference follows a decision by the Committee …