Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here
Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
UN Report Spotlights Mistreatment During Childbirth in Western Balkans
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Albanian Parliament Votes Against Lifting Former Deputy PM’s Immunity
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
The State Police of Albania strengthened its cooperation with Spain in the fight against international crime. The Director General of the State Police State Police of Albania met with the Spanish ambassador Ventura at the Directorate General of State Police in Tirana. First, both sides praised the strong and strategic …
FlyOne Armenia resumed direct flights between Albania and Armenia today. The airline landed its first flight at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, restoring a direct air connection between the two countries. FlyOne Armenia will operate the route twice a week, every Monday and Thursday. The new service gives passengers more …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Monday. Rama thanked Macron for the warm welcome and said he was pleased with the meeting. During a working lunch, the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Albania and …
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Albania’s European Union integration after meeting Prime Minister Edi Rama in Paris. Following the talks, Macron highlighted the growing ties between France and Albania. He pointed to progress in innovation, education, higher education, culture, and tourism as evidence of the close relationship …
European Council President António Costa said Albania could complete its European Union accession negotiations by 2027 if it maintains its current pace of reforms. Speaking at the EU–Moldova Summit in Brussels, Costa described Albania’s goal of closing negotiations by the end of 2027 as ambitious but achievable. He noted that …
Albania leads the Western Balkans in public support for European Union membership. Data from the European Commission shows very high levels of backing for EU integration. Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi stated that Albanians remain among the strongest supporters of the European project. He emphasized that 92% of citizens support …
The Central Election Commission of Albania and its counterparts in Moldova, Ukraine, and North Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen democratic resilience and European cooperation. First, the agreement was signed during the closing session of the regional conference “Money in Politics 2026.” As a result, the event marked …
Minister of Justice Toni Gogu held his first meeting with the new leadership of the National Bar Association in Tirana. First, both sides focused on strengthening institutional cooperation in the justice sector. They also discussed the implementation of new commitments following Albania’s signing of the Council of Europe Convention on …
The Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance reviewed the draft resolution on the annual activity report of the Bank of Albania for 2025. The committee also defined key priorities for the institution’s work in 2026. First, committee rapporteur and chair Milva Ekonomi praised the role of the Bank of …
The Municipality of Vlora has announced that navigation will be prohibited in the Cape Gjuhëz area on June 23 and 24, 2026, due to a coastal military exercise and live-fire drill conducted by the Albanian Armed Forces. According to an official notice from the Ministry of Defense, Military Unit No. …