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
Rama: Albania Has No Fear of Russia
Tirana Times | November 5, 2025 Berlin/Tirana – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has downplayed growing Western fears of a possible Russian expansion of aggression in Europe, declaring that Moscow would “not attack Albania or any other European country” and that NATO remains fully capable of deterring any threat. In …
Albania Boosts Defense Spending to Align with NATO Goals
By Tirana Times November 5, 2025 Albania’s draft budget for 2026 marks a significant milestone in the country’s defense modernization and strategic alignment with NATO objectives. The government has announced a €100 million increase in defense funding, raising total expenditures to €589 million or approximately 2.1% of GDP surpassing the …
Dark Secrets: How Encrypted Comms Boosted Organised Crime in the Balkans
Encrypted platforms and secure devices have helped crime gangs in the Balkans to coordinate trafficking and payments – but while police have cracked several of them, the criminals quickly adopt new tools. Original post Here
PM Rama’s Misguided Diplomacy on Kosovo
The Albanian Prime Minister’s suggestions have largely and consistently proven not to be in Kosovo’s best interest October 29, 2025 By Veton Suroi Last week, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama offered a new recommendation for Kosovo in the process of normalizing relations with Serbia: “In my view, Kosovo should completely …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced today that it identified a website during its ongoing monitoring of open online sources. The site contains materials similar to those published on the institution’s official page for entry visas. The website is: https://evisia-al.com/albaniavisaenquirylive/ Moreover, the Ministry clarified that this site includes …
Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that budget revenues have reached a historic level. He said this reflects the strengthening of Albania’s economy. During the podcast “Flasim,” he added that projections show over 1 billion euros in additional revenue. Moreover, he stressed that this increase comes not from higher taxes, but …
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:8c68888a-cf23-446d-8b54-24fa1d5e94ea-48″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-2″ data-scroll-anchor=”true” data-turn=”assistant”> The Union of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) has raised concern about the failure to enforce the law on the use of the Albanian language in North Macedonia. It views this as a violation of fundamental rights and constitutional principles. In a press release, UGSH …
Kosovo-based companies increased their investments in Albania sharply over the past year. As a result, Kosovo now ranks among the country’s leading foreign investors. According to the latest data from the Bank of Albania, investment inflows from Kosovo rose significantly. In the first nine months of 2025, they reached €153 …
Catholic believers celebrate Easter today. They mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It stands as one of the most important moments in the Catholic calendar. Prime Minister Edi Rama sent his greetings through an AI-generated video. He wrote: “Happy New Day.” Believers celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The New Testament …
President Bajram Begaj greeted Catholic believers this morning for Easter. He wished joy, peace, and blessings to their families. He shared the message on social media. Begaj said Easter shows that good defeats evil. He said effort overcomes injustice. He said love is stronger than force. He said light defeats …
Catholic believers gathered for the Easter Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa in Pristina. Bishop Dodë Gjergji led the ceremony. The Mass delivered strong messages of peace. It called for reflection, love, reconciliation, and renewed hope in Albanian families. Bishop Gjergji urged political leaders to act responsibly. He …
Today, Albania celebrates Catholic Easter. It is a special day. We invite you to explore the spiritual meaning of this feast. Discover traditions preserved for generations in Albania. Learn the long history of the Catholic Church in the country. Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It shows life’s victory …
On the eve of Catholic Easter, many believers gathered in Mother Teresa Square in Tirana for the Way of the Cross procession. The event brought together participants for a key religious ritual. Holding candles and offering prayers, Catholic believers marked Good Friday with a solemn procession. Archbishop Arjan Dodaj of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Friday with Socialist Party members from Unit No. 3 in Tirana. During his speech, Rama emphasized that the ruling majority has already begun groundwork to secure an even deeper victory in the upcoming elections, while mocking the opposition, saying that despite their …