Albanian gov’t, UAE investor sign deal on €2 billion redevelopment of Durrës waterfront
TIRANA, Jan. 30, 2023 – Albania’s government has officially signed off on a 2 billion euro private-public partnership with a major UAE investor, Muhamed Alabbar, to redevelop the Durrës port area waterfront. The agreement on the Durrës Yacht and Marina Project signed Monday follows almost a year of negotiations between …
Illegal Builder in Albania’s capital Linked to Ruling Party
Government’s claim to be leading crackdown on illegal builds hides an important fact – that such violators are often well connected to the ruling Socialist Party. Original post Here
Britain Must Focus on Root Causes of Migrant Crisis
In dealing with the mass influx of Albanians into the UK, it is not enough to tighten security; measures must be taken to disincentivize their flight. Original post Here
Greek Prime Minister Pays Historic Visit to Minority in Albania
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made the first visit to the Greek minorityin Albania in decades, where he voiced support for Albania’s European integration. Original post Here
Hidden Victims: Workplace Accidents go Underreported in Albania
Data analyzed by BIRN, and interviews with employers, lawyers and activists, suggest that the publicly available statistics on workplace accidents in Albania are just ‘the tip of the iceberg’. Original post Here
Albania Backs Scrapping Visas for Chinese in Snub to EU
Albania has decided to join Serbia in agreeing to offer Chinese citizens visa-free travel – the only two countries in the region to do this. Original post Here
‘Caged like a dog’; Russian Blogger Accused of Espionage Languishes in Albanian Prison
An eccentric Russian blogger or a dangerous spy? Friends of Svetlana Timofeeva and lawyers are asking why she has been kept for six months in isolation in pre-trial detention in Albania and still has no prospect of facing a court. Original post Here
Hoax Bomb Threats Leave Balkan Region Frustrated, Unnerved
Security agencies face growing questions – but also criticism – over the wave of false bomb threats that’s been shaking the region since March Original post Here
Year in Pictures: 2022 in the Balkans
From political protests to rising inflation and living costs, a new war in Europe and milestones in European Union integration processes, BIRN has selected photographs from across the region that highlight some key events of 2022. Original post Here
French Museum Keeps Memory of Long-Ago Balkans Alive
A vast treasure trove of photos of the Balkans, taken more than a century ago as part of a rich banker’s project, has been lovingly preserved in a Paris museum. Original post Here
The first two semifinal matches of the Albanian Cup ended in draws. Egnatia and Elbasani drew 1–1 in the first semifinal. The match in Rrogozhinë stayed open for both teams. Everything remains undecided for the return leg. The home side started strongly. Sota gave Egnatia the lead in the 5th …
Minister Enea Karakaçi presented the new energy law. He said the reform aligns Albania with EU rules. It creates a more open and competitive market. It also reduces state intervention. The law shifts away from a centralized model. It promotes liberalization. Competition will drive the sector. Meanwhile, new energy sources …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met a high-level delegation from Poland today. Lt. Col. Tomasz Czyż led the delegation. Lamallari and Czyż discussed strengthening cooperation in fire protection and civil emergencies. They focused on experience sharing and professional capacity building. “Exchanging experiences and investing in professional skills are essential,” Lamallari said. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the Albanian government is preparing a new pension scheme. He emphasized it will not replace the current system but enrich it. During a visit to an industrial complex in Durrës, Rama explained the scheme. Employees can save a portion of their salary in a …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited an industrial complex in Durrës today. Several companies operate there in transport, recycling, and industrial processing. During the visit, Rama praised the companies’ growth. He said many started with limited resources and a big dream. Now they produce high-value products, like gold rings and pendants …
Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, said today that Albania is promoting an economy focused on attracting investments and exporting higher-value products. She spoke during a visit to an industrial complex in Durrës, alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and Mayor Emiriana Sako. “This business processes and exports precious metals. …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, met today with the Party Assembly in Lezhë. He discussed Albania’s EU accession negotiations, aiming for membership by 2030. Rama said Albania has opened all negotiation chapters in record time, thanks to national effort and EU readiness. “Today is our moment. We …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama outlined the government’s ambition to raise Albania’s total gross production to €35 billion by 2030. At a Socialist Party Assembly meeting, Rama said, “We inherited an economy with less than €10 billion total production. Today, it stands at around €27 billion. We …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama said today that Albania aims to finish negotiations with the European Commission by 2027 and join the European Union by 2030. At a Socialist Party Assembly in Lezhë, Rama explained: “When I said we would complete negotiations by 2027, many thought it …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs welcomed the two-day ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at paving the way for a sustainable resolution to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. In an official statement, the Ministry highlighted Albania’s consistent support for de-escalation, restraint, and meaningful …