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 …
Albanian weightlifter Antonino Mullisi has won the European Youth Championship title in 2026 and set two European records at the competition in Kosovo. Mullisi dominated the snatch with a 135-kilogram lift, setting a new European record. He then lifted 156 kilograms in the clean and jerk, finishing with 291 kilograms …
Albania reported 24 wildfires across the country by Tuesday evening, with six fires still active and five under surveillance. A total of 126 emergency personnel and 18 firefighting vehicles took part in operations. The Armed Forces also deployed 20 personnel, one helicopter and two Air Tractor aircraft. Mount Dajti remains …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said artificial intelligence will help make government services more transparent and responsive, allowing citizens to track their requests in real time. Speaking after the government’s expanded meeting in Pogradec, Rama said a new digital system will allow citizens to submit requests, follow their progress and see …
Albania’s EU membership remains the country’s main foreign policy priority, Foreign Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said following the government’s seminar in Pogradec. Hoxha said Albania will accelerate its diplomatic efforts and maintain a clear focus on the EU accession process. He also highlighted stronger regional cooperation …
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …
TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …
TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …
TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …
TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …
TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …