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Hasani: The current geopolitical situation has produced many challenges that require attention

At the end of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Berlin Process in Tirana, Minister Hasani said that this was the last ministerial meeting in the series of three ministerial meetings that precede the Summit in Tirana. This was the last ministerial meeting in the series of three ministerial …

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“Let’s walk together towards the EU path”, Baerbock in Tirana: The time has come to keep the promises

“Let’s walk together towards the EU path, the time has come to keep the promises we made”, said the German foreign minister in Tirana, at the end of the meeting in the framework of the Berlin process. “Albania has arrived safely in our European family. Germany will pour 300 thousand …

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Varhelyi: The Berlin Process, the most reliable platform we have

Commissioner for enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi at a press conference after the meeting of 24 delegations in Tirana in the framework of the preparations for the Berlin Process Summit that will be held in the Albanian capital. Varhelyi said that the Berlin Process was and is the most reliable platform that …

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Rama met the King of Spain in European Political Community Summit

King of Spain, Felipe VI has received the leaders who gathered in Granada, Spain, within the framework of European Political Community Summit. Among them was Prime Minister Rama, who shared this Friday on the social networks images from the moment of the reception of the King of Spain, Felipe VI. …

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24 delegations to gather in Tirana ahead of Berlin Process Summit

A very important international event will take place this Friday for the first time in history outside the borders of the EU, few days ahead of the Berlin Process Summit. Foreign Ministry announced earlier that 24 delegations from member countries of the Berlin Process, which precedes the October 16 summit, …

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Minister Baerbock’s message on EU integration, Kosovo-Serbia tensions

Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Annalena Baerbock has visited for the first time Tirana, in the framework of preparations for the Berlin Summit Process, which will be held in the Albanian capital, for the first time in history, outside the EU member states. In a statement to the media, Baerbock said …

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A phone call not every writer wants

By Kristoffer Leandoer Every year he waits in vain by the phone on this very day, and a whole nation waits with him. Every year the Albanian people are equally surprised that Ismail Kadare has been passed over once again. The recently published “A dictator calls” (Counterpoint LLC), makes full use of …

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Op/ed: The end of a policy at the gates of the monastery?

By Veton Surroi When this text is published, there will be a day of mourning in Serbia because of the “tragedy in Banjska”. Thus, an explanation of the acceptability of the action of the paramilitary unit in Banjska, described as a terrorist act by the USA, EU and Great Britain, …

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Weed farm destroyed in Tirana, electrician wanted

Police have cracked down this Thursday on a case of adaptation of premises for the cultivation of narcotic plants, by means of lamps and other devices that were illegally supplied with electricity in Vora. As a result of this operation, the author was declared wanted, his wife was prosecuted for …

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Acting mayor of Himara summoned by SPAK

Acting mayor of Himara Municipality, Jorgo Goro appeared this Thursday at the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Baaed on the available information, there is a complaint against Goron by Fredi Beleri’s staff for violations. Meanwhile, it is expected that in the following hours, …

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 …

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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

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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 …

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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 …

News
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

News
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 …

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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 …

News

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

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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

News

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 …