Week in Review: Boom and Bust
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
Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive
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
BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo
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
Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania
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
NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity
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 Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania
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
Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance
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 …
Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK
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 …
Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks
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
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective
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 …
Armand Duka attended the Electoral Assembly of the Italian Football Federation in Italy. He represented UEFA and delivered a formal address during the proceedings. First, Duka expressed UEFA’s support for Italian football. Then, he praised the role of FIGC in European football and emphasized the importance of cooperation between federations. …
The Ethnographic Museum of Berat has unveiled two of the earliest archaeological objects ever discovered within the grounds of Berat Castle: a stone axe and a stone hammer dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Archaeologist Hëna Spahiu discovered the artifacts during excavations in the 1970s. However, the museum kept …
Today, Prime Minister Edi Rama attended presentations by the five finalist teams in the international competition for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. Earlier, the competition attracted 41 Albanian and international teams. After a rigorous selection process, organizers chose five finalists to present their projects. The new campus …
The Mountain Package continues to inspire members of the Albanian diaspora to invest in their homeland. Recently, Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla shared a success story on social media that highlights this growing trend. Balla met with Albanian-Americans Saimir and Jonida Gjoka, who plan to launch an ambitious …
Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the presentation of the five finalist projects for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. The project aims to transform higher education and create a modern academic center that meets contemporary standards. During the event, Rama said the new campus will bring together education, …
Albania continues to attract international attention as one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing tourist destinations. Recently, Italian travel outlet The Wom Travel described the country as the “Caribbean of the Balkans,” highlighting its crystal-clear waters, unspoiled nature, and unique mix of beaches, mountains, and historic towns. According to the publication, …
The Football Association of Albania (FSHF) discussed a proposal to change the structure of the “Abissnet Superiore” and lower divisions during a consultation meeting with club representatives. First, the Competitions Department and the Leagues and Competitions Committee held talks with clubs from both the Superliga and the First Division. The …
Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and cultural heritage sites are attracting increasing international attention. As a result, Gjirokastër Castle has reached a major milestone this year. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the castle welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 2026. This achievement highlights the strong rise in foreign tourist …
Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and Berat has recorded strong visitor numbers in early 2026. As a result, the city has confirmed its status as one of the country’s most popular destinations. Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo announced that around 550,000 visitors traveled to Berat between …
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 …