BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo
In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here
Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania
Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here
NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity
Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …
Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania
Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here
Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance
June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …
Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania 20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …
Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective
by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …
Korça Revives Historic Ties with France Through Culture and Vision
By Tirana Times As the cobblestone streets of Korça echo with French music, scent of Alpine cuisine, and the laughter of children discovering animated French classics, the southeastern Albanian city reaffirms a timeless connection with France—one rooted in history, education, and enduring cultural admiration. From June 14 to 24, Korça …
Albania’s Demographic Time Bomb: A Silent National Emergency
By Lutfi Dervishi For decades, the most pressing keywords in Albania’s political lexicon were democracy, corruption, and justice. Today, however, the most dangerous threat to the country’s future may lie elsewhere—hidden in plain sight and dangerously underdiscussed: demography. According to the most recent official census, Albania’s population stands at approximately …
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Tokyo today after his official trip to South Korea. Tokyo displayed the flags of Albania and Japan along major streets to honor relations between the two countries. Rama shared photos on social media showing the Albanian flag flying beside the Japanese flag in the …
A regional seminar on synthetic drugs and illegal diversion of medical cannabis opened today in Tushemisht. The two-day event focuses on growing drug trafficking threats in Southeast Europe. The seminar is organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania with support from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the US Department …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari attended the international “Europa Wachau” forum in Krems today. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner invited Lamallari to the event. The forum focused on a new European approach to migration management and security challenges linked to illegal movements across the continent. Lamallari …
Albanian institutions and international partners met today to discuss strengthening the country’s firefighting service and emergency response system. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Interior and focused on funding opportunities through a potential World Bank project. Deputy Interior Minister Xhemal Qefalia welcomed participants, while Arben Cara led the …
Posta Shqiptare and Montenegro’s postal service signed a cooperation memorandum today to modernize postal and financial services between the two countries. Administrator Etjen Xhafaj and his Montenegrin counterpart Josip Djuraskoviç signed the agreement. Xhafaj described the deal as an important step toward modernization and stronger regional cooperation. He said the …
Albania has launched the implementation of the “Green Vjosa” project, a new initiative focused on sustainable development and environmental protection in the Vjosa river basin. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj held the first meeting of the project’s Steering Committee today. The project, titled “Green Vjosa – Green and Inclusive Regional Development …
Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko held an official meeting today with India’s first ambassador to Albania, Ravindra Prasad Jaiswal. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen economic and financial cooperation between Albania and India. Talks also focused on economic developments and the technological transformation of the banking …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi received a delegation from the National People’s Congress of China today in Tirana. The Chinese delegation was led by senior official Li Hongzhong. Both sides discussed traditional friendly relations between Albania and China. They focused on expanding cooperation in economic, trade, education, cultural and youth …
The 63rd conference of the EPRA is being held in Tirana, bringing together regulators from 42 European countries. The event is hosted by the Audiovisual Media Authority of Albania for the first time in Albania. EPRA Chair Stephanie Comey opened the conference. She stressed the forum’s neutral and non-political role. …
The Tirana Mosaic is becoming an increasingly popular cultural attraction for foreign visitors. Tirana Mosaic is now considered an important educational and cultural destination in the capital. Director of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Kostandin Budurushi, said the site has seen a significant rise in visitors after its restoration. …