EU Urges Albania to Rethink Planned Changes to Protected Areas
Letter from the Head of the EU Delegation in Tirana expresses concern that planned changes to the law on national parks could result in ‘large tourism and industrial investments’ in areas whose biodiversity needs protection. Original post Here
Albanian Gang Killings Spur Calls for Better Prevention
Albania is being blighted by gangland killings and the authorities appear helpless to act, experts say. Original post Here
Albanian Socialists ‘Fishing for Votes’ to Pardon Corrupt Officials
Ruling Socialists face accusations that they are the real movers behind an opposition MP’s proposal to widen an amnesty to include officials sentenced for corruption and organised crime. Original post Here
Turkey-Albania Media Deal Risks ‘Exporting Erdogan’s Propaganda’ – Experts
New media cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday may well strengthen Turkish government propaganda in the Albanian media, experts warn. Original post Here
BIRN Film Recounts Albanian Artist’s Repression by Communist Regime
BIRN’s documentary ‘Painting in Darkness’, telling the story of an artist who was imprisoned as a political dissident and whose works were confiscated by Albania’s repressive Communist regime, was premiered in Tirana. Original post Here
Defendants’ Portraits Shed Light on Political Trials in Communist Albania
An exhibition of 150 photographs of ‘enemies of the state’ who were prosecuted for political reasons at trials held in cinemas offers a fresh insight into the injustices of Communist-era Albania. Original post Here
MP Expulsions Deepen Political Polarisation in Albania
Dozens of opposition MPs have been temporarily expelled from Albania’s parliament under new rules pushed through by the ruling Socialist Party, deepening a political crisis just when parties should be coming together to reform the electoral law. Original post Here
Separate Kitchen, Private Gym – Life Behind Bars Comes with Perks for Albania’s VIP Prisoners
Former ruling party officials and convicted organised crime gangsters enjoy privileged treatment in Albania’s jails, a BIRN investigation has found. Original post Here
‘Even Bees Will Die’: River Diversion Threatens Albania’s Shushica Valley
Locals fear plan to divert water from a river in southern Albania to feed demand in nearby tourist resorts will dry out their valley and ruin their livelihoods. Original post Here
Ukraine’s Zelensky Calls for Defence ‘Co-Production’ With Balkan Countries
Volodymyr Zelensky in Tirana urged Balkan countries to ‘co-produce’ arms and proposed a joint defence industry forum to be held in Kyiv or a Balkan capital. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the historic neighborhoods of Pogradec are being revitalized. He called them a future growth hub for the lakeside city. Historic areas across the country are returning to life. Projects preserve historical and architectural values. They also add new elements. These changes turn the areas into …
Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee visited Turkey to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation. Talks focused on joint programs for young people. The Albanian delegation included Igli Hasani, Ervin Hoxha, Sara Mila, and Edmond Haxhinasto. They met with Fatma Aksal, head of the Turkey–Albania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Mila proposed creating a cooperation …
Ferit Hoxha met with the Special Envoy of the Czech Republic for the Western Balkans, Edita Hrda. The meeting focused on EU enlargement in the region. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to the enlargement process of the European Union in the Western Balkans. They described it as a strategic …
The World Bank projects that the economy of Albania will grow by 3.4% this year, mainly driven by tourism. However, the institution warns that the conflict in the Middle East remains a major risk that could slow economic growth. It calls for stronger structural reforms to sustain the current momentum. …
Public debt in Albania has followed a clear downward trend in the first quarter of 2026, falling to 48.79% of GDP, the lowest level recorded in the past decade. Preliminary data from the Ministry of Finance show that the decline is not only linked to economic growth but also to …
Klodjan Braho received the Minister of Justice of Austria, Anna Sporrer, at the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) in Tirana. The meeting took place as part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries. It followed a joint operation earlier this month, during which Albanian and Austrian authorities shut down several call …
Ismet Krasniqi says the Mediterranean Games in Prishtina will create strong economic and development opportunities for Kosovo. He makes these remarks during an investors’ conference in Prishtina. He stresses that major sports events generate tourism, create jobs, support local businesses, and strengthen international partnerships. He states that Prishtina can become …
Albanian Telegraphic Agency presents archival photos taken 40 years ago, on April 29, 1986. Photographer Meksi Xhufka captures the images during the artistic program “Bashkë me ju.” The production stages the show at the “Partizani” Sports Palace (today “Asllan Rusi”), instead of the Albanian Television studios. The photos show well-known …
TIRANA, April 29 – The Central Procurement Operator takes part in an international workshop in Poland organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The event focuses on integrating Environmental, Social and Governance criteria into public procurement, a key priority in European sector reform. In this context, the institution …
TIRANA, April 29 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu meets Austria’s Justice Minister Anna Sporrer in Tirana. The talks focus on Albania’s European Union integration process and cooperation in the justice sector. Gogu says Albania enters a decisive phase in negotiations with the European Union. He adds that the country advances …