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‘R and M’: Albanian Officials Accused of Siphoning Public Funds via Frontmen

Two senior public officials in the Albanian capital, Tirana, stand accused of fixing state tenders to enrich a company they owned through front men. Original post Here

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‘Coordinated’ Cyber Attack Targets Albania’s Online Citizens Channel

A major cyber attack on the online media outlet Citizens Channel by unknown perpetrators has raised fresh concerns about media freedom and access to independent information in Albania. Original post Here

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UK Must Ensure Albanian Returnees’s Dignity, Expert Says

Communications expert from Tirana tells BIRN that Britain must ensure returnees’ ‘dignity, safety, and respectful treatment’, after a UK report said some Albanians returning voluntarily were kept waiting for weeks in detention. Original post Here

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Albania Builds Migrant Centre and Camp as Criticism Continues

Work has started in Albania to build a reception centre and camp to receive migrants from Italy – but activists and locals in both countries remain highly critical of the plan. Original post Here

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Albania’s Parliament Blocks Court Review of Former Minister’s Immunity

Ruling Socialists voted against sending the issue of the immunity of the ex-minister to the Constitutional Court, as the Court had demanded. Original post Here

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Exhibition in Former Albanian Labour Camp Puts Focus on Ex-Inmates

An interactive exhibition at the infamous communist labour camp and prison in Spac has brought visitors closer to the experiences of those who survived it. Original post Here

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Elections and Reporting on Missing Girl Spur Digital Rights Violations Across Region

Romanian politicians mull social media restrictions; Turkey, Croatia, and other countries face surges in digital rights violations ahead of elections, while the rest of the region is shaken by misinformation on a missing girl in Serbia and phishing attempts. Original post Here

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Greece’s Ruling Party Fields Man Jailed in Albania as MEP Candidate

Fredi Beleri won a mayoral election in Albania in May last year but was put on trial for vote-buying, souring relations between Tirana and Athens. Original post Here

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Shell Dashes Albanians’ Hopes of Major Oil Find

The government of Edi Rama has been talking up the potential of a major oil discovery beneath Mount Shpirag, but the discovery has yet to materialise. Original post Here

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Plans to Allow Surrogacy in Albania Criticised by Opposition

A government proposal to extend the abortion time limit by two weeks and allow surrogacy was criticised by an opposition MP who called the practice a form of modern slavery for poor women. Original post Here

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Summer season: Albania to restrict truck traffic from June 19

TIRANA, June 17 – The State Police announced new traffic restrictions for heavy vehicles during the 2026 summer season. Authorities based the measure on Joint Instruction No. 106 of June 14, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the Ministry of Interior. The restrictions will remain in …

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Albania and Ukraine sign road transport agreement

TIRANA, June 17 – Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi announced the signing of a bilateral agreement between Albania and Ukraine on the international road transport of passengers and goods. Karakaçi signed the agreement with Serhiy Derkach, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. According to the minister, …

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Reform in justice and vetting mark key pillar of Albania’s European path

TIRANA, June 17 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the justice reform and vetting process marked a key pillar in Albania’s European integration path during the closing ceremony of the transitional reassessment of judges and prosecutors. Koçiu said the reform proved Albania can deliver difficult structural changes and confront …

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The Blue Eye attracts visitors with crystal waters and scenic nature, tourism grows in southern Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) continues to attract a high number of tourists during this period, confirming its position as one of the most popular destinations in southern Albania. The karst spring draws daily visitors from different countries. Tourists say they chose Albania after hearing …

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Kosova visitors fill Lezha beaches as summer season gains momentum

TIRANA, June 17 – Sunny weather and high temperatures have increased the number of visitors on the beaches of Lezha during the first weeks of the summer season. Shëngjin has attracted the largest crowds. Most visitors come from Kosova and continue to choose the destination year after year because of …

News
European Parliament backs Albania EU integration progress with 483 votes

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Parliament adopted its annual resolution on Albania with 483 votes in favor, 103 against and 70 abstentions, expressing broad support for the country’s EU integration process. Lawmakers welcomed Albania’s recent progress and called on authorities to ensure full implementation of adopted legislation. They also …

News
Finance Ministry: Revenue exceeds plan by 34.3 billion ALL in January-May 2026, public investment rises

TIRANA, June 17 – Albania collected 340.5 billion ALL in total revenue during January-May 2026. The figure exceeded the period plan by 5.3%, according to the Finance Ministry. Revenue rose by 11.2% compared with the same period in 2025. The state budget recorded an additional 34.3 billion ALL. Tax and …

News
European Commission exclusive to Albanian Radio and Television confirms support for Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Commission confirms its support for Albania’s European Union membership path. It links progress to maintaining the pace of reforms. The 2027 target for closing accession negotiations remains achievable, according to an exclusive response to Albanian Radio and Television. It describes sustained reform momentum as …

News
Balla: European Parliament Approves Resolution on Albania with 483 Votes in Favor, a Significant Recognition of the Country’s EU Path

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s annual Resolution on Albania, which was approved with 483 votes in favor. In a public statement, Balla described the decision as a major acknowledgment of Albania’s progress in the European integration process …

News
Braho: Vetting Is Not Immunity, Judges and Prosecutors Remain Under SPAK Scrutiny

The head of Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Klodjan Braho, stated that the vetting process cannot be considered a guarantee or form of “immunity” for judges and prosecutors in the future, emphasizing that any potential acts of corruption will remain subject to criminal investigation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of …

News

Summer season: Albania to restrict truck traffic from June 19

TIRANA, June 17 – The State Police announced new traffic restrictions for heavy vehicles during the 2026 summer season. Authorities based the measure on Joint Instruction No. 106 of June 14, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the Ministry of Interior. The restrictions will remain in …

News

Albania and Ukraine sign road transport agreement

TIRANA, June 17 – Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi announced the signing of a bilateral agreement between Albania and Ukraine on the international road transport of passengers and goods. Karakaçi signed the agreement with Serhiy Derkach, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. According to the minister, …

News

Reform in justice and vetting mark key pillar of Albania’s European path

TIRANA, June 17 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the justice reform and vetting process marked a key pillar in Albania’s European integration path during the closing ceremony of the transitional reassessment of judges and prosecutors. Koçiu said the reform proved Albania can deliver difficult structural changes and confront …

News

The Blue Eye attracts visitors with crystal waters and scenic nature, tourism grows in southern Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) continues to attract a high number of tourists during this period, confirming its position as one of the most popular destinations in southern Albania. The karst spring draws daily visitors from different countries. Tourists say they chose Albania after hearing …

News

Kosova visitors fill Lezha beaches as summer season gains momentum

TIRANA, June 17 – Sunny weather and high temperatures have increased the number of visitors on the beaches of Lezha during the first weeks of the summer season. Shëngjin has attracted the largest crowds. Most visitors come from Kosova and continue to choose the destination year after year because of …

News

European Parliament backs Albania EU integration progress with 483 votes

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Parliament adopted its annual resolution on Albania with 483 votes in favor, 103 against and 70 abstentions, expressing broad support for the country’s EU integration process. Lawmakers welcomed Albania’s recent progress and called on authorities to ensure full implementation of adopted legislation. They also …

News

Finance Ministry: Revenue exceeds plan by 34.3 billion ALL in January-May 2026, public investment rises

TIRANA, June 17 – Albania collected 340.5 billion ALL in total revenue during January-May 2026. The figure exceeded the period plan by 5.3%, according to the Finance Ministry. Revenue rose by 11.2% compared with the same period in 2025. The state budget recorded an additional 34.3 billion ALL. Tax and …

News

European Commission exclusive to Albanian Radio and Television confirms support for Albania

TIRANA, June 17 – The European Commission confirms its support for Albania’s European Union membership path. It links progress to maintaining the pace of reforms. The 2027 target for closing accession negotiations remains achievable, according to an exclusive response to Albanian Radio and Television. It describes sustained reform momentum as …

News

Balla: European Parliament Approves Resolution on Albania with 483 Votes in Favor, a Significant Recognition of the Country’s EU Path

The Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament’s annual Resolution on Albania, which was approved with 483 votes in favor. In a public statement, Balla described the decision as a major acknowledgment of Albania’s progress in the European integration process …

News

Braho: Vetting Is Not Immunity, Judges and Prosecutors Remain Under SPAK Scrutiny

The head of Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Klodjan Braho, stated that the vetting process cannot be considered a guarantee or form of “immunity” for judges and prosecutors in the future, emphasizing that any potential acts of corruption will remain subject to criminal investigation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of …