Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 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
Week in Review: Surprises in Store
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here
Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear
The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here
Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question
Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …
Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties
By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times, July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …
Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat
Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …
Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon
By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …
One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum
by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …
“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”
Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …
Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe
Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here
The Albanian Riviera remains one of the country’s most popular summer destinations. Qeparo continues to attract local and foreign visitors with its coastline, natural beauty and distinctive southern atmosphere. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the “Te Stefi” accommodation facility in Qeparo. He described it as “a beautiful address …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the “Golden Voyager” show from the Paris Olympic Games, which created a unique atmosphere along Vlora’s Lungomare as part of “DansMusik Fest.” “Towards the Moon,” Rama wrote alongside the footage of the seaside performance. Music, dance and artistic choreography combined with a spectacular …
TIRANA, August 20 – Members of Parliament from the Democratic Party of Kosova continued their blockade of the Government of Kosova for a sixth consecutive day. They protested the failure to resume the constitutive session of the Assembly. MPs from the Alliance for the Future of Kosova also joined Thursday’s …
TIRANA, August 20 – Albanian football faces an important European night as Egnatia and Dinamo play their opening play-off matches. Egnatia, the Albanian champion, will face Norway’s Lillestrøm in the Europa League play-offs. The match starts at 19:00, with the Rrogozhina club holding home advantage. Egnatia coach and former Albania …
TIRANA, August 20 – Loro Boriçi remains one of the most important figures in Albanian football history. Born in Shkodër on August 4, 1922, he became a leading player, national team captain and coach. He made his football debut for Vllaznia at just 14 years old. A prolific striker, Boriçi …
TIRANA, August 20 – Albania’s inflation measured under the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices methodology used by Eurostat reached 3.4% in July 2026, according to data published by the Institute of Statistics, INSTAT. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution, adding 1.09 percentage points as prices rose 3.2% year-on-year. …
Albania’s history comes to life through photography in a special exhibition at Rinia Park, organized for World Photography Day. The General Directorate of Archives (DPA), in cooperation with the Tirana Municipality’s Parks and Recreation Agency, presented a collection of photographs by Korçë photographers Vani Burda and Thimi Raci, two pioneers …
Gjirokastra will host a special music event on September 4 and 5, bringing artists, visitors and a festive atmosphere to the historic city. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event and invited visitors to enjoy “two nights, one city and thousands of moments that turn into memories.” …
Perched on the slopes above the Ionian Sea, Vuno offers a quieter and more authentic side of the Albanian Riviera. Located between Himara and Dhërmi, the historic village combines stone architecture, narrow cobbled streets, centuries-old churches and sweeping coastal views. Unlike the busier seaside resorts along the Riviera, Vuno preserves …
TIRANA, August 20 – Albania’s beekeeping sector continues to show potential for development, with 7,016 beekeepers applying for support under the 2026 National Scheme. The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development said the number followed a change in the funding threshold for beekeeping support. Data for 2025 show that Albania …