The War in Iran and Albania in a Fragmenting International Order
by Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, February 28 2026 – At the very moment when diplomacy appeared to be moving toward a fragile agreement, the United States and Israel launched a unilateral strike against Iran, shifting the region from tense negotiations to open confrontation. The targets included strategic infrastructure and …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 2, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Balkan Govts Scramble to Safeguard Citizens in Middle East Conflict Zone
Some Balkan countries are planning to evacuate stranded citizens from the conflict zone around Iran, others have already managed to fly people out – although some have only issued security warnings. Original post Here
Albanians Pay Price of Legal Row over Wastewater Treatment Project
For decades, sewage from the Albanian capital has been discharged untreated into the waters of the Lana River in Tirana. Original post Here
Albania Aligns With U.S. and Israel on Iran
Albania also voices solidarity with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners after Iran’s missile attacks. Tirana Times, March 1, 2026 – Albania threw its support behind U.S. strikes on Iran in the opening hours of the latest Middle East escalation, with Prime Minister Edi Rama declaring that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary …
Albania Backs U.S. Strikes on Iran
Kosovo and North Macedonia join support for Washington. Tirana Times, February 28, 2026 – Albania threw its support behind U.S. strikes on Iran on Friday, with Prime Minister Edi Rama declaring that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should be officially designated a terrorist organization and saying Tirana would move to …
Albanian Prime Minister Under Pressure Dismisses Deputy Accused of Corruption
After months of defending his deputy and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, who faces allegations of manipulating public tenders, Edi Rama finally dismissed her on Thursday night. Original post Here
Week in Review: Trades and Betrayals
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
PM Rama’s Big Shake-Up as SPAK Closes In
Tirana Times, February 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama carried out one of the deepest cabinet reshuffles of his fourth term, replacing officials across several of the most powerful ministries in a move that comes as his government faces rising scrutiny, swelling scandal pressure and an intensifying anti-corruption push …
Letter from Washington: Buying Friends and Finding Common Foes
As Milorad Dodik comes in from the cold, Albanians impress on Trump that they have an enemy in common. Original post Here
TIRANA, June 3 – Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi continued his Baltic parliamentary diplomacy tour with an official visit to Latvia, where he met Speaker of the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) Daiga Mieriņa. The two officials discussed bilateral relations, Albania’s European Union accession process, European and Euro-Atlantic security, support for Ukraine, …
TIRANA, June 3 – Members of Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence, Agron Malaj and Bujar Rexha, took part in the annual meeting of parliamentary security and defence committees from Southeast European countries in Zagreb, Croatia. The Croatian Parliament organised the event with RACVIAC (Centre for Security Cooperation), …
TIRANA, June 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj outlined plans for the Albanian Development Bank after a government meeting. The new financial institution will support strategic sectors of the economy and key development projects. Malaj said the bank will start with an initial capital of €100 million. He added that …
TIRANA, June 3 – The government said it completed verification of funds used for the purchase of land in Zvërnec. It said investors passed financial checks. However, it said payments to the seller remain frozen due to a separate judicial process. Prime Minister Edi Rama made the announcement after a …
President of the European Council, António Costa, visited Kosovo as part of his Western Balkans tour. First, Costa met acting President Albulena Haxhiu in Pristina. The two officials discussed issues of mutual interest and Kosovo’s European path. Afterward, Costa held talks with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Meanwhile, the European …
TIRANA, June 3 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will launch the “Double Your Enterprise” programme on July 1. The scheme aims to support Albanian businesses through new financing opportunities. Ibrahimaj said the Bank of Albania has made €250 million available for the programme. In addition, …
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …
Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled
Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …
Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …