Albania Has Paused ‘Golden Passports’ Scheme, Rama Assures EU
Bowing to criticism from the EU, Albania’s PM on Thursday said Tirana was temporarily scrapping its ‘golden passports’ scheme, in a meeting with Commission vice president Josep Borrell. Original post Here
Meeting of Stabilization-Association/ Borrell in Tirana: Albania’s clear commitment to EU accession
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, is today in Tirana where he will participate in the Stabilization-Association Council. Glad to start my day in Tirana where we will hold the Stabilisation & Association Council with PM @ediramaal – historically for the 1st …
Democrat accuses Minister of destroying cultural monuments
MP of the Democratic Party (DP), Ina Zhupa has accused this Thursday Minister of Culture, Elva Margariti of having destroyed monuments to build blocks of flats. In her speech in the Assembly, Zhupa also pointed out that the European Union has described Albania as a country with high risk for …
“Committed to integration”, Borrell: We agreed to withdraw from the golden passport scheme
The meeting of the Stabilization-Association Council was held today in Tirana. After the meeting, the representative of the EU for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borell, the Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi and Prime Minister Edi Rama held a press conference. The Head of EU Diplomacy, Josep Borrell emphasized that …
EU integration/Varhelyi: European Union must keep the promise
After the meeting of the EU-Albania Association Stabilization Council, European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said that the EU must keep their promise for Albania’s integration into the European bloc. During his speech at the joint conference with Prime Minister Rama and Josep Borrell, he said that Albania has made progress. Varhelyi …
Tirana man arrested for attempted murder
A 48-year-old man has been arrested by the Vora police this Thursday morning after he tried to kill a person with a shotgun. This event took place in the premises of Vora area in Tirana, where the perpetrator Edmond Picari forcibly entered the bar where Ervin Picari was staying and …
Arrest warrant for Bulqiza’s mayor on corruption charges
Mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla will be remanded into police custody, as he is accused of corruption and abuse of public tenders. Arrest warrant has been issued by the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Bulqiza have conducted …
Albanian Opposition Faces Obstacle to Entering Local Election Race
The official opposition Democratic Party has been blocked from running in the May local elections over a legal technicality – which can only help Prime Minister Edi Rama’s governing Socialists. Original post Here
Vjosa officially National Park/Rama: We will protect forever the wildest river in Europe
The Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of Tourism, Mirela Kumbaro are in Tepelena, where they are participating in an activity for the presentation of the Vjosa River as a National Park. During his speech, the head of government described the declaration of Vjosa as a National Park as …
Albania commemorates Gerdec blast victims
Albania commemorates this Wednesday 15 years since the tragedy of Gerdec, where 26 people lost their lives and more than 300 others were injured after a powerful explosion in a warehouse for the dismantling of ammunition. As a result of this explosion, hundreds of houses around the area in Gerdec …
Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here
Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here
On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …
When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here
Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …
Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here
The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here
As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here
Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …