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Balkan Leaders Heap Praise on Trump’s Board of Peace at Ceremonial Launch

Balkan and Turkish leaders lauded the Board of Peace at its Washington launch on Thursday – while the participation of an EU Commissioner from Croatia drew criticism from some EU states about her presence. Original post Here

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Rama is Turning Deputy’s Suspension Into ‘Personal Battle’ Against Albanian Judiciary

Proposed legal amendments preventing courts from suspending senior officials would be a major blow to progress on tackling corruption – and to Albania’s EU accession process, writes legal expert Gentian Serjani. Original post Here

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Powerful Interests are Driving Digital Repression in Southeast Europe

Digital spaces are the new frontlines for challenging entrenched political and economic interests, but the backlash against civic groups trying to expose corruption and environmental destruction or demand official accountability can be fierce. Original post Here

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Government Moves to Shield Cabinet from Prosecution as Judiciary–Executive Clash Deepens

Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …

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Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albanian Ruling Party Proposes Law Granting Senior Officials Immunity

Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 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

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Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use

Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …

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Shielding Power from Justice

How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …

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Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Albania Launches Regional Project to Strengthen Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe

Albania’s Ministry of Justice hosted representatives from partner institutions in Kosovo and North Macedonia during the Regional Forum on Strengthening Mediation Mechanisms. During the event, officials officially launched the “SEE Mediation – Strengthening Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe” project. The forum brought together justice sector representatives, judges, prosecutors, and mediators …

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Balla: Irrigation, Legalization and Pensions Remain Government Priorities

Taulant Balla meets residents of Bago in Kavaja and discusses key issues affecting daily life. He focuses on agriculture, legalization, and pensions. He says the government restores attention to irrigation systems under Prime Minister Edi Rama. He explains that investments bring around 300,000 hectares of agricultural land back under irrigation …

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Success Stories from Albanians in Tourism, Innovation and Medical Tourism Featured in “Flasim”

The latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” highlights Albanian success stories in medical tourism, sustainable construction, and tourism entrepreneurship. The program focuses on how these sectors support economic growth and expand Albania’s international profile. Edi Rama hosts the episode and presents guests who share their experiences and business developments. He …

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Rama: Human Capital Is Key to Albania’s Economic Success in the Next Decade

Edi Rama highlights the importance of vocational education and human capital as key drivers of Albania’s economic development over the next decade. He opens the latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” and stresses that a strong workforce determines much of the country’s future economic success. First, he explains that Albania …

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Rama: PS 35th Anniversary Finds Albania Better Than Ever and Closer to the EU

Edi Rama states that the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party finds Albania in its strongest position ever and closer than ever to European Union membership. He opens the podcast “Flasim” and explains that the anniversary was planned in advance. He also frames the moment as both a celebration and …

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Albania and U.S. Strengthen Defense Partnership in Washington Meetings

Ermal Nufi meets senior officials at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, where both sides reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. He holds talks with Sonata Coulter and Rachel Schiller. During the meetings, he focuses on cooperation within the NATO alliance. …

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Shehu: Technology and Diaspora Drive Albanian Entrepreneurship in Global Markets

Entrepreneur Hudi Shehu says technology and the Albanian diaspora play a decisive role in helping young people build careers and businesses in global markets. He explains that technology reduces geographical barriers and allows entrepreneurs to operate internationally from anywhere. As a result, he says location matters less than skills and …

News
Gjon Mili Retrospective Opens at “Marubi,” Celebrating Pioneer of Modern Photography

The exhibition “Gjon Mili: Retrospective” opens at the National Museum of Photography Marubi National Museum of Photography and brings the work of photographer Gjon Mili back to Albania. The museum presents original works curated by Howard Greenberg. It showcases Mili as a pioneer of modern photography. First, the exhibition displays …

News
Yll Limani Concerts Turn Tirana into a Major Music Event Hub

Two nights of concerts by Yll Limani bring tens of thousands of young people to Tirana and turn the capital into a major center of music and entertainment. The events take place at the Athletics Track near the Grand Park of Lake Tirana. As a result, the concerts attract audiences …

News
Protests, Rama: Tourists Are Cancelling Bookings, There Is a Fascist Mentality That Does Not Accept Opposing Views

Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the recent protests are negatively affecting the tourism sector, leading to cancellations of bookings by foreign tourists for the summer season. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama said he has received complaints and messages from tourism operators across different parts of the country, who …

News

Albania Launches Regional Project to Strengthen Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe

Albania’s Ministry of Justice hosted representatives from partner institutions in Kosovo and North Macedonia during the Regional Forum on Strengthening Mediation Mechanisms. During the event, officials officially launched the “SEE Mediation – Strengthening Mediation Systems in Southeast Europe” project. The forum brought together justice sector representatives, judges, prosecutors, and mediators …

News

Balla: Irrigation, Legalization and Pensions Remain Government Priorities

Taulant Balla meets residents of Bago in Kavaja and discusses key issues affecting daily life. He focuses on agriculture, legalization, and pensions. He says the government restores attention to irrigation systems under Prime Minister Edi Rama. He explains that investments bring around 300,000 hectares of agricultural land back under irrigation …

News

Success Stories from Albanians in Tourism, Innovation and Medical Tourism Featured in “Flasim”

The latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” highlights Albanian success stories in medical tourism, sustainable construction, and tourism entrepreneurship. The program focuses on how these sectors support economic growth and expand Albania’s international profile. Edi Rama hosts the episode and presents guests who share their experiences and business developments. He …

News

Rama: Human Capital Is Key to Albania’s Economic Success in the Next Decade

Edi Rama highlights the importance of vocational education and human capital as key drivers of Albania’s economic development over the next decade. He opens the latest episode of the podcast “Flasim” and stresses that a strong workforce determines much of the country’s future economic success. First, he explains that Albania …

News

Rama: PS 35th Anniversary Finds Albania Better Than Ever and Closer to the EU

Edi Rama states that the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party finds Albania in its strongest position ever and closer than ever to European Union membership. He opens the podcast “Flasim” and explains that the anniversary was planned in advance. He also frames the moment as both a celebration and …

News

Albania and U.S. Strengthen Defense Partnership in Washington Meetings

Ermal Nufi meets senior officials at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, where both sides reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. He holds talks with Sonata Coulter and Rachel Schiller. During the meetings, he focuses on cooperation within the NATO alliance. …

News

Shehu: Technology and Diaspora Drive Albanian Entrepreneurship in Global Markets

Entrepreneur Hudi Shehu says technology and the Albanian diaspora play a decisive role in helping young people build careers and businesses in global markets. He explains that technology reduces geographical barriers and allows entrepreneurs to operate internationally from anywhere. As a result, he says location matters less than skills and …

News

Gjon Mili Retrospective Opens at “Marubi,” Celebrating Pioneer of Modern Photography

The exhibition “Gjon Mili: Retrospective” opens at the National Museum of Photography Marubi National Museum of Photography and brings the work of photographer Gjon Mili back to Albania. The museum presents original works curated by Howard Greenberg. It showcases Mili as a pioneer of modern photography. First, the exhibition displays …

News

Yll Limani Concerts Turn Tirana into a Major Music Event Hub

Two nights of concerts by Yll Limani bring tens of thousands of young people to Tirana and turn the capital into a major center of music and entertainment. The events take place at the Athletics Track near the Grand Park of Lake Tirana. As a result, the concerts attract audiences …

News

Protests, Rama: Tourists Are Cancelling Bookings, There Is a Fascist Mentality That Does Not Accept Opposing Views

Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the recent protests are negatively affecting the tourism sector, leading to cancellations of bookings by foreign tourists for the summer season. Speaking on the podcast “Flasim,” Rama said he has received complaints and messages from tourism operators across different parts of the country, who …