Letter From Brussels: Judgment Day for the Balkan Hopefuls
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
Multigenderism’s Curious Impact
1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …
Balluku Charges Test PM Rama’s Power
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …
Albanian Political Giants’ Electoral Reform Deal is a Sham, Rivals Suspect
Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here
Western Balkans Remains Key Smuggling Corridor in Europe: Report
The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 10, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Ambassador Tsao: lets focus cooperation on technology and AI
Tirana Times sat with the Head of the Taipei Representative office in Italy, Ambassador Vincent Tsao on his recent visit to Albania to talk about cooperation and exchange in technology, development, education and more… Your Excellency, Taiwan is known globally for its advanced technology and innovation sectors. What specific areas …
Albania’s Gender Equality Law: Now Let’s See It Implemented
Online disinformation from opponents of the new gender equality law shouldn’t obscure the real issue: this vital legislation has been adopted by parliament, but now we need it to work in practice, not just on paper. Original post Here
Albania Gender-Equality Law Draws Praise and Condemnation
Women’s rights groups hailed adoption of the new equality law as a historic move – while the opposition Democratic Party and ‘pro-family’ groups called it an attack on traditional values. Original post Here
Leaked Albanian Investigation Implicates Deputy PM in Tender-Rigging
A leaked file, apparently from an anti-corruption prosecutors’ probe, suggests deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku played an active role in predetermining the winner of a major construction tender. Original post Here
U.S. Embassy warns of possible Iran-linked attacks against MEK and public locations. Tirana Times, April 01, 2026 – The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has warned that Iran or groups linked to Tehran could carry out potential attacks in Albania, targeting members of the Iranian opposition group People’s Mojahedin Organization of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the Socialist Party assembly in Unit 4, Tirana. Rama said the government will act in the oil market through a public company. The goal is to protect consumers and increase transparency. He added that the legal framework for strategic fuel reserves is also in …
Ryanair officially opened its new base at Tirana’s “Mother Teresa” International Airport. The airline stations three planes in Tirana and adds 21 new destinations across Europe. The Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) says direct connections boost economic growth and increase GDP per capita. AAC adds the move supports government priorities: infrastructure, …
The US Embassy in Albania has warned that groups linked to Iran may target Americans or members of the Iranian opposition living in Albania. These groups could also strike public areas, including tourist sites, shopping centers, hotels, clubs, and restaurants, the embassy said in a social media statement. The embassy …
Albania inaugurated the Belgium–EU–Albania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUBACCI) at its embassy in Belgium, creating a new platform to strengthen economic ties and trade relations between Albania, Belgium, and the European Union. The event brought together business leaders, institutional representatives, and Belgian agencies, including HUB Brussels and AWEX, fostering …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met today with the Socialist Party assembly in Unit 4, Tirana. Rama highlighted Albania’s rapid progress in its EU accession negotiations, saying the country holds the record for opening all negotiation chapters faster than any other nation. “Compared to all countries that went through the negotiation …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met the Socialist Party assembly in Unit 4 today. He outlined plans for the next local elections. Rama said the party started a broad organization and communication drive. They engage members, supporters, and the community. “We involve everyone. We invite supporters and the community to talk …
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports announced a joint meeting of three permanent parliamentary committees: Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Development; Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora; and Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation, and Institutional Oversight. Officials from the central and local government discussed the implementation of the integrated waste management law and …
Artists Maéva Lessére and Simon Gabillet performed “Mamalia” last night at COD. The performance, guided by Edi Blloshmi, received warm applause. It blends contemporary ballet and theater, where the two characters interact across multiple dimensions. “Two curious souls explore each other’s existence through movements both primitive and modern. They highlight …
The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, provided details on the decisions taken following the government meeting. Ibrahimaj stated that a board will review foreign investment requests in critical sectors. According to her, paper documents and correspondence will be eliminated. She also said that a support measure for enterprises …