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
Albania Opposition Says Theft Exposes Alleged Officials’ Ill-Gotten Wealth
The theft of over a hundred thousand euros from a governing official has stirred an opposition outcry about government corruption. Original post Here
Divided Albanian Democrats Row over Appointment of Election Officials
Concerns are growing over the credibility of Albania’s May local elections due to an ongoing court battle over control of the opposition Democrats. Original post Here
Old Albanian Woman Keeps Ancient Dress-Making Tradition Alive
A 70-year-old woman from northern Albania is one the few women still making the ancestral dress called the Xhubleta – which UNESCO recently added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Original post Here
Turkish Medical Leader Sentenced for Terror Propaganda Exits Prison
Turkish Medical Association leader and senior human rights activist – jailed for two years and eight months for terrorist propaganda – walks free on account of time already served. Original post Here
HRW Report: Southeast, Central Europe Backsliding on Human Rights
Annual report shows that human rights record of several Southeast and Central European countries deteriorated, with autocratic rulers cracking down on critics, journalists and LGBT groups amid increase in violence against women and high political tensions. Original post Here
Gay Couple in Albania Eyes Strasbourg in Battle over Parental Rights
A gay couple in Albania girds for a long legal fight for the right to register both women as parents of their young twins. Original post Here
Albania Court Detains Finance Ministry Officials for Abuse of Office
Three top Albanian Finance Ministry officials face bribery and abuse of office charges for the double compensation of the same private property. Original post Here
Albania in 2023: Local Elections and the Fate of the Opposition
As Albania confronts the tough task of accession talks with the European Union, there are concerns about how the state of the opposition Democrats is affecting the state of Albanian democracy. Original post Here
Fed by demand for new guns and leftovers from depots looted in the 1990s, Albania has become a key hub for small-arms trafficking. Original post Here
Albania will perform 13th in the second semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on May 14. The contest will take place in Vienna. Alis will represent Albania with the song “Nân”. The public and professional juries will select the top 10 countries from each semifinal. These countries will advance …
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 …