Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 30, 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
Leaving Albania, the Country’s Youth Seek a More Stable Future
An inability to plan for the future is driving many young, educated Albanians to leave their homeland; experts say the government will have to address the trend sooner or later. Original post Here
Week in Review: Boom and Bust
From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive
When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here
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 …
The “Albania International Guitar Festival” is celebrating its 10th edition as one of the country’s leading artistic events. The festival will open on May 22 at the “Tonin Harapi” hall in Tirana. German guitarist Goran Krivokapić will perform the opening concert. He is a winner of several major international guitar …
Albania participated in the “Marché du Film”, one of the most important global events for the film industry. The event took place in Cannes and brought together more than 14,000 professionals from over 140 countries. The Albanian National Cinematography Center joined forces with the Kosovo Cinematography Center to present a …
Work has started in Kashar on the site where a temporary stadium will host the super show of Kanye West in Albania. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the construction site of the temporary stadium. The venue will host a production of global scale and standards …
Albania continues to expand its renewable energy sector. The country is increasing solar and wind production while reducing dependence on hydropower. According to the latest electricity report, photovoltaic producers generated 254 GWh of energy in the first quarter of 2026. In the same period of 2025, they produced 176 GWh. …
The fourth stage of the 83rd edition of the Tour of Albania concluded today with a strong performance from Dutch cyclist Niels Reemeijer. The 148.8 km stage started in Vlorë and passed through the Llogara Tunnel, Himarë, Qeparo and Kuç before returning to Vlorë. Reemeijer won after a highly competitive …
The fourth edition of “Automotive Fair Albania” opened in Tirana with a strong focus on technology, innovation and road safety. Mother Teresa Square turned into a center of motorsport and automotive innovation. The event gathered car companies, motorsport fans, institutions and many visitors. Iva Beharaj attended the opening ceremony. She …
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj presented a draft law in parliament to transfer the Water Resources Management Agency (AMBU) under the authority of the Ministry of Environment. The agency currently operates under the Prime Minister’s office. Jaupaj said the changes follow recommendations from the 2025 SIGMA report on strengthening governance in …
The “Gateway of the Alps” project will bring €100 million in investments to northern Albania, focusing on tourism and infrastructure development in Shkodër. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi presented the project today in parliament. He said the initiative includes new connecting roads, improved public transport and stronger links between …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met with Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner during the “Europa Forum Wachau”. The two ministers discussed stronger cooperation between Albania and Austria in security, border management, and the fight against organized crime. They also focused on coordination against common European challenges. In a social media post, …
On May 22, 1984, the Qafë Bari Prison became the scene of one of the most important acts of anti-communist resistance in Albania. The notorious prison, isolated in the mountains of Puka, held around 500 political prisoners. They served harsh sentences in inhumane conditions, facing systematic violence, hunger, isolation, and …