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Rama: Albania, historical transformation in the internal and external plan

Prime Minister Edi Rama says that Albania has undergone a historic transformation, both internally with the reforms undertaken, and externally, as he mentioned the image that our country has created in the international arena. In the opening speech at the conference with the country’s ambassadors, Rama said: “We live today …

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“We will host NATO Summit in 2027”, Rama: We will continue to strengthen the trust of our strategic partners

Prime Minister Edi Rama has revealed at the ambassadors’ conference “Tirana Diplo 2024” that Albania will be the host country of the NATO Summit in 2027. He emphasized that once no one believed that our country would make such a big deal, but our relationship with the world has changed. …

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Film “The Life of Sheep”

Director Rajkumar Hirani: Art Against Reality and Strategic Importance by Arben Ramkaj In a world where tensions and conflicts are a constant reality, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands as a country of exceptional strategic importance and an unparalleled contributor to global security and peace. Rich with invaluable natural resources, …

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The head of the CIA in the Balkans—closing the door to the penetration of Russian influence

While primarily preoccupied with finding solutions to the crisis in the Middle East and frequently travelling to the region, CIA chief and ambassador William Burns paid a surprise and unannounced visit to several Balkan capitals and spoke with their leaders. The visit took place this week without public announcements but …

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Albanian Central Bank Printed Money to Finance Hotel Purchase – Draft Report

A damning draft audit into the workings of the Bank of Albania – declared secret but obtained by BIRN – found the central bank printed money to fund the purchase of an iconic Tirana hotel and other expenditures. Original post Here

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History of the Armed Forces, part of the Central State Archive/ Minister Vengu visits the Central Archive of the Armed Forces

Thousands of materials belonging to the Central Archive of the Armed Forces will be part of the Central State Archive. The work has already started and is expected to be completed by January 1, 2025. The Minister of Defense, Mr. Pirro Vengu, accompanied by the General Director of the Central …

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Minister Hasani gathers ambassadors and consuls on Monday: We discuss the challenges of Albanian diplomacy

On August 26-28, 2024, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organizes the Conference of Ambassadors “Tirana Diplo 2024”. The event will be organized in the premises of the Palace of Congresses. In addition to ambassadors and heads of consular posts, Albanian and foreign dignitaries will be invited. The three-day …

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Fight between several people in a hotel in Saranda, two arrested

A fight took place on Saturday evening between several people in a hotel in Saranda. According to the police, a 19-year-old man from Saranda and a Frenchman clashed with two other French citizens, disrupting public peace and causing material damage to the hotel. As a result, the 19-year-old man and …

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Declared wanted, a 50 year old is extradited from Spain

Ismali Zeneli was extradited from Spain to our country, after the finalization of the operation by Interpol Tirana. The 50-year-old was declared internationally wanted by the Interpol Directorate, he is part of the gang group where Erzen Breçani was arrested. The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized …

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An 18 year old died after he lost control of the vehicle

An 18-year-old, who was injured on Thursday, after losing control of the car and ended up in the canal, died this Friday. The accident happened yesterday, around the early hours of the morning. The driver of the vehicle was immediately sent to the hospital for medical assistance, but as a …

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Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

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‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

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Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

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Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

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Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

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Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

News
RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

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The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …

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Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans

An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …

News

Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

News

‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

News

Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

News

Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

News

Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

News

Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

News

RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

News

The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …

News

Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans

An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …