Op-ed: A rebuttal for Prime Minister Rama’s conceptual comments on Kosovo
By VETON SURROI Prime Minister Rama does not have to be a mediator between the “Euro-Atlantic community” and Kosovo. The Albanian language, technically, does not constitute any added value in communication between the “Euro-Atlantic community” and Kosovo. I listened to the presentation of the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, …
Q&A: Türkiye-Albania relations face a bright future, says Ambassador Atay
Marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between Albania and Türkiye, Tirana Times interviewed Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye Tayyar Kağan Atay. Türkiye and Albania enjoy excellent relations and they have a bright future ahead, Ambassador Atay says, citing the strategic partnership the two countries enjoy as well as their …
Fraternal Discord: Rama’s Cancellation of Meeting With Kurti Strains Kosovo-Albania Ties
The cancellation of a joint meeting between the two governments due to the tense situation in Kosovo’s Serb-majority north has further damaged already frayed relations between Albin Kurti and Edi Rama. Original post Here
UK Rights Activists Condemn Push to Classify Albania as ‘Safe’
Dozens of rights organizations in the UK have urged parliament not to classify Albania as a ‘safe country’, so clearing the way for the fast-track repatriation of Albanian asylum seekers. Original post Here
Ex-MP of Ruling Party to Lead Albania’s Public Broadcaster
Alfred Peza, a former ruling Socialist Party official and MP, was elected director at the public radio and television broadcasting service, which could cause further concerns about the political independence of the service. Original post Here
UK Parliament Deems Most Albanian Asylum Requests Unfounded
Parliamentary inquiry concludes that most Albanians crossing the Channel in small boats are drawn to the country for economic reasons, not because they are persecuted. Original post Here
Albanian leaders in Montenegro appeal to citizens to vote
Early parliamentary elections are being held today in Montenegro, which were called after the government of Albanian Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic was ousted by a motion of no confidence in the parliament last fall. In these elections, 15 parties and coalitions compete for 81 seats in the parliament. Voting centers …
PM announces return of national folklore festival in Gjirokastra’s castle
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced this Sunday the return of the National Folk Festival in Gjirokastra Castle. On a social networks’s reaction, PM Rama emphasized that the stone city will be full of colors, rhythms and songs and dances. “GOOD MORNING and with the good news of the return …
The anthem of Kosovo turns 15 today
Today, the national anthem of Kosovo turns 15 years since its approval in the Assembly of 120 members, which declared independence on February 17, 2008. The proposal with the number “Europa” was approved on June 11, 2008, in a special session as the national anthem with 72 votes in favor, …
A 30-year old is arrested for selling drugs
A 30-year-old man in Gjirokastër has been arrested by Police, after he was caught red-handed selling the narcotic cocaine divided into doses. So, during the arrest, about 45,000 new lek profited from their sale, a vehicle and 2 mobile phones were seized from the young man. “The amount of the …
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
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
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
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
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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
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 …