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Belinda Balluku: Albanian PM’s Loyal Ally at Centre of Political Firestorm

The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here

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Parliament Blocks Arrest Bid for Former Deputy Prime Minister Balluku

Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …

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Albanian Ruling Party Refuses to Support Lifting of Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 9, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Do the Balkans really want EU membership?

By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …

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Marx on the Beach

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …

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Week in Review: Friends, Foes and Chocolate Thieves

From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here

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The Biblical Dog and our chances for full EU membership 

by Genc Pollo Let’s start with the dog. “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly,” says the Old Testament (Proverbs 26:11), offering a blunt metaphor for stupidity and the stubborn repetition of mistakes. That proverbial dog may be the right analogy for Prime Minister Edi …

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Albania Must Not Mirror Serbia’s EU Rejection

By Augustin Palokaj Tirana Times, March 03 2026 – EU enlargement does not lack ideas; it lacks political will. That is why the recent joint opinion piece by Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, published in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, is troubling not so …

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Share Your Experience: Child Support Payments After Divorce in the Balkans, France

Do you live in the Balkans or France, and have you been awarded child support payments after divorce? Was the process easy – and did you receive the money as the court ordered? Original post Here

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Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

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Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

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Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

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Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

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Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

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Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

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Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

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Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

News
Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

News
Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration

She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …

News

Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

News

Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

News

Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

News

Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

News

Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

News

Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

News

Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

News

Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

News

Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

News

Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration

She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …