Albania Opens EU Accession Negotiations, Seeks Membership by 2030
In Luxembourg on Tuesday, Albania opened its first negotiation ‘cluster’, with Prime Minister Edi Rama saying his country has its sights set on joining the European club by the end of the decade. Original post Here
Digital Rights Review: Websites Promote and Profit from Abuse of Women
BIRN’s monitoring of digital rights violations in August and September highlighted a threatening Hungarian ‘dark web’ site that contained illegally obtained images of women, plus a series of arrests for online sexual abuse in Romania. Original post Here
As Talks Begin, EU Chides Albania’s ‘Limited Progress’ in Tackling Corruption
As accession talks got underway, the EU ‘negotiating position’, published on Tuesday, says corruption remains “prevalent in most areas of public and business life, including in all branches of central and local government”. Original post Here
Androulakis Wins Second Chance to Revive Greece’s Centre-Left Party
After his re-election as leader of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis promised that “the best things are ahead” – but only time will show whether he can win back the trust of Greek voters for the once-powerful party he has supported since his youth. Original post Here
Albanian Police Arrest Two for Forcibly Exploiting Afghan Teenager
Police said they arrested two people for exploiting a 16-year-old from Afghanistan in the northern city of Shkodra, forcing him to work at a car service centre. Original post Here
Albanian Govt Fails to Attract Bidders for New Durres Port
After no companies presented bids to redevelop the old Port of Durres as a marina with apartment blocks, the government’s plans for the site – which include building a new port – are in disarray. Original post Here
Kosovo to Abolish Visas for Bosnian Citizens from 2025
At the Berlin Process Summit, Kosovo’s prime minister announced that his country will allow residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina to enter Kosovo only with ID cards – even if Bosnia does not do the same. Original post Here
Feuding Leaders of Albania and Kosovo Quietly ‘Forget’ Joint Govt Meetings
The silent passage of the tenth anniversary of Albania-Kosovo intergovernmental meetings this year underscores a relationship at a historic low – but who is to blame for this rift remains disputed. Original post Here
Ten Years On, What Has the ‘Berlin Process’ Done for the Western Balkans?
The Berlin Process initiative was launched in 2014 to boost the EU integration and alignment of the six Western Balkan countries. Despite continuing political problems in the region, it has delivered significant progress. Original post Here
Italian-Run Reception Centres in Albania ‘Ready to Accommodate Migrants’
The Italian ambassador to Tirana announced that two centres built to accommodate migrants who initially arrived in Italy are now ready to receive people, after months of delays. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 5 – The Kakavija border crossing with Greece continues to operate smoothly despite the peak summer travel season. Border Police report normal traffic flow, with no queues or long waiting times for travellers or vehicles. Meanwhile, officers processed 7,448 travellers during the past 24 hours. Authorities recorded 4,359 …
TIRANA, August 5 – Albania and Italy have established Fincantieri Albania, marking a new step in their strategic partnership and the development of Albania’s maritime industry. Officials signed the company’s founding act and statute at the Naval Vessels Division of Italy’s Fincantieri in Genoa. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Albanian Road Authority (ASRA) has announced that on August 6 and 7, 2026, traffic will be restricted on two lanes of the main Tirana–Durrës highway near the new Kashar overpass from 00:00 to 04:30. According to the authority, the restrictions …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Border crossing points in Korçë County continue to experience an increasing flow of travelers entering and leaving Albania. Over the past 24 hours, 5,252 Albanian and foreign nationals entered the country through the Kapshticë Border Crossing Point, while 4,658 people crossed …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”1a058c7f-d397-4086-bfe5-d644c7da2d09″ data-turn-id-container=”1a058c7f-d397-4086-bfe5-d644c7da2d09″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> A fire that broke out around midday on Wednesday in the village of Penkovë, in the Municipality of Selenicë, spread to an auto salvage yard used for storing vehicles for spare parts. The blaze destroyed dozens of vehicles, causing significant material …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Several neighborhoods in Vlorë continue to lack access to public transportation, including the Transballkanike area, where more than 5,000 residents live and around 1,000 businesses operate. Despite its large population, no urban bus service has operated along this route for more …
A large fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in an olive grove located about 100 meters from the Elbasan–Mjekës–Cërrujë–Gramsh 400 kV substation, raising concerns due to its proximity to critical power infrastructure. The blaze burned an area of olive trees, while thick smoke spread across the surrounding area. However, thanks …
A meeting between Vetëvendosje (LVV) leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku, aimed at reaching a coalition agreement, has concluded without a deal. Speaking briefly after the meeting, Kurti said there was no progress to announce. “We have no news, as long as we don’t have an agreement. …
Amid the constant buzz of thousands of bees and the scent of blooming flowers, Behexhet Ruda begins the same daily routine he has followed for more than 43 years. In the village of Shushicë, near Elbasan, the 66-year-old beekeeper tends to his hives with the same dedication that began in childhood, when he accompanied his …
TIRANA, August 5 – The Spanish travel blog “Viajablog” has presented Albania as a destination for every season. Writing for the blog, Quique Cardona highlights the country’s diverse climate and geographical position between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The article describes Albania as a destination where visitors can explore the …