Turkish President’s ‘Mosque Diplomacy’ Divides Albania’s Muslims
The lavish opening ceremony of a grand new mosque gifted by Turkey masks concern in Albania over whether Ankara’s generosity comes at a price. Original post Here
THE ADRIA SECURITY SUMMIT 2024 IS OFFICIALLY OPEN IN SARAJEVO
With the participation of 3,000 guests from over 50 countries, the latest advancements in the security sector will be presented THE ADRIA SECURITY SUMMIT 2024 IS OFFICIALLY OPEN IN SARAJEVO – THE LARGEST SECURITY INDUSTRY EVENT IN SE EUROPE (Sarajevo, October 9, 2024) “Our goal is not only to …
Spain and Albania: Walking Together Towards a Shared European Future
by Ambassador Álvaro Renedo Zalba* As we celebrate Spain’s national Holiday, please allow me to look back and reflect on the significance of the date we commemorate today. On October 12th, 1492, Christopher Columbus, at the behest of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragón, …
Albanian Police Seek Prosecution of Democratic Party Officials over Unrest
Proceedings have been initiated against three senior officials of the opposition Democratic Party after anti-government protesters threw Molotov cocktails and clashed with police at a demonstration in Tirana. Original post Here
2024 Jorgji Qirjako Translation Prize applications open
TIRANA, Oct. 8, 2024 – The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has announced the opening of applications for the prestigious annual translation award set up to honor Jorgji Qirjako, the institute’s former deputy director and one of Albania’s most prolific translators of international non-fiction and academic works. “Jorgji Qirjako …
Albanian opposition demands caretaker government, calls for civil disobedience in disruptive mass protest
TIRANA, Oct. 8, 2024 – In one of the most hard-line demonstrations in recent years, Albania’s opposition Democratic Party led a protest in Tirana on Monday night, calling for a caretaker transitional government and civil disobedience against the government. The protest, which drew thousands of supporters, was set up in …
Spurned by Stakeholders, Albanian Govt’s Anti-Graft Initiative Unravels
In Albania, a new commission ostensibly created to spur reform and tackle corruption has been rebuffed by the justice system and civil society and criticised by the EU. Original post Here
Albanian Anti-Govt Protesters Throw Molotov Cocktails, Clash with Police
Opposition supporters demonstrating in Tirana about the jailing of an MP threw incendiary devices at the prime minister’s office and the ruling Socialist Party headquarters and clashed with police outside parliament. Original post Here
Will any other Western Balkans country join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) on the same day as Montenegro?
by Marija Stojanović Journalist at European Western Balkans According to the recent announcement by Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Montenegro is poised to become the first country in the Western Balkans to join the Single Euro Payments Area …
How Much Has Organised Crime Penetrated Albania’s Police?
A number of high-ranking police officers have been arrested, charged or sentenced for involvement in organised crime networks after an underworld phone app was hacked. BIRN examines what is known about the suspects so far. Original post Here
Tirana, July 29 – The US Dollar strengthened further against the Albanian Lek (ALL) on Wednesday. The official exchange rate from the Bank of Albania showed the Dollar at 82.43 ALL. The currency gained 0.22 ALL compared with Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Euro lost 0.03 ALL and reached 93.66 ALL. The …
Tirana, July 29 – Dinamo City will host Aluminij on Thursday in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The Albanian side will seek a place in the third qualifying round after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Slovenia. Head coach Ilir Daja will …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to a report by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), which found that the opposition received more media coverage than the Socialist Party in major news broadcasts during June 2026. Rama said the findings provide clear and measurable evidence that Albania has no connection to autocratic …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met with Albania’s 12 regional prefects to discuss key priorities for the months ahead. The participants focused on strengthening interinstitutional coordination and increasing the presence of public institutions in local communities. Lamallari identified public safety, the smooth running of the tourism season, and the prevention and …
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the institutions’ initial suspicion following the discovery of human remains in the village of Kalludër, Zubin Potok, was that they could belong to the 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on 19 April 1999. Speaking to the media, Kurti said …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-turn-id-container=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Democratic Party (PD) has officially challenged before the Constitutional Court the law ratifying the €302 million loan agreement between Albania and the United States for the purchase of military equipment. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PD Parliamentary Group …
Prime Minister Edi Rama gave a television interview from Tirana to the British broadcaster Channel 4, where he was also questioned about the ongoing protests. In response, Rama said he has reflected on the demonstrations and understands the protesters. “I have reflected a great deal on these protests and have come …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in a report by British broadcaster Channel 4 News on the planned investment in Zvërnec, stating that it is absurd to believe Albania could move forward with a project that does not comply with European …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) has issued an official statement warning that the high temperatures expected in the coming days will significantly increase the risk of wildfires across the country. In its announcement, the Agency called on local government units, …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Institute for Crimes Committed During the War (IKKL) has published, for the first time, an official report on the victims of the Kosovo war, documenting 12,230 people killed between 1 January 1998 and 20 June 1999. The report was presented …