Interior Minister welcomes Europol’s anti drugs, guns mega operation
Interior Minister Taulant Balla hailed this Friday for the international operation, which took place in 26 European countries, where the focus was on attacking criminal networks in the trafficking of weapons, narcotics and illegal immigrants. During this operation, in Albania, 28 people were arrested and firearms and drugs were seized. …
Shkoder, man arrested for violating citizen with hard objects
A 51-year-old man was arrested by the Police of Shkodra, as during a conflict he hit another person, a 64-year-old resident of the village of Gojan i Madh, Pukë, with hard objects. Law enforcement ha revealed that the injured is in the hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. Meanwhile, …
Investigations are closed for the laboratory with 485 kilograms cocaine in Fier
The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigation into the drug laboratory that was discovered a year ago in the village of Frakull in Fier. It is expected that SPAK will turn to the court with the request for the trial of the file in charge of Viktor Çervanaku, his …
Rama in the United Arab Emirates, joins the World Climate Summit
Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official working visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he is participating in the World Climate Action Summit, COP28. Rama has shared a video, on “Facebook”, of the moment of his arrival in Dubai where he was hosted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed …
Minister Hasani met David Cameron in Skopje
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani is participating in the 30th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council that is being held in Skopje, North Macedonia on November 30 – December 1, 2023. Shortly after arriving in Skopje, Minister Hasani met with the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron. …
Kavaja man arrested after trying to kill 33-year-old with axe
A 52-year-old man was arrested this Thursday by the police in Kavaja after he tried to kill a 33-year-old man with an ax during a conflict for weak motives. Owner of the bar was put in handcuffs after he supported the 52-year-old man in this serious event, destroying the place …
New EU Ambassador to Albania Appointed
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell announced today the new EU ambassador to Albania. He name is Silvio Gonzato, a prominent name in European diplomacy. He previously served as Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York. …
Rama: Bridge connecting Permet villages constructed
Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has wished the citizens a beautiful Thursday with views of the new bridge, which was built in the Përmet Municipality. In a social media statement, he said that this bridge that crosses over the Vjosë river connects several beautiful villages with each other that …
The hearing session for Gerdec, former Minister of Defense again in court
The former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, appeared today in the session that will take place today for Gërdec. Mediu is accused of abuse of duty as well as abuse of duty carried out in cooperation with the military chain of command. There are doubts that Mediu, in cooperation with …
“Fight against organized crime”, Balla: Albania and Great Britain strengthen cooperation
Albania and Great Britain will strengthen cooperation between them in terms of the fight against organized crime. At the end of the official meetings in Great Britain, Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with his British counterpart James Cleverly, where he signed two documents in London to deepen this cooperation. Minister …
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here