United Arab Emirates ‘s Expanding Influence in Albania – Financial and Political Concerns
By Tirana Times TIRANA, March 20th (Tirana Times ) The Albanian government has nearly doubled the projected cost of its “Smart City” initiative, now expected to cost $118.5 million—up from the initially planned $60 million—raising concerns over transparency, lack of competition, and the protection of personal data. The government announced …
Serbia Angered by Defence Pact Linking Croatia, Albania and Kosovo
A defence agreement between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, calling for joint responses to common security challenges, has drawn a furious response from Serbia, which called it a threatening move. Original post Here
News or PR? In Edi Rama’s Albania, It’s Hard to Tell the Difference
Under Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist Party, Albania’s government has been bombarding the media with carefully curated PR packages that air as ‘news’. Original post Here
EU’s Democratic Blind Spot in the Balkans
By Genc Pollo The European Union’s stance on democracy in the Balkans is increasingly difficult to defend. The recent visit of EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos to Albania is a glaring example of Brussels’ selective engagement, where stability appears to take precedence over genuine democratic governance. Despite mounting evidence of …
Albanian Court Upholds Detention of Tirana Mayor Amid Corruption Investigation
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania Venesday March 12th—A special appeals court in Albania has upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, rejecting his request for a more lenient security measure. The ruling, reaffirmed on Monday by Judge Engert Pëllumbi, has sparked significant controversy, with Veliaj’s legal team and …
Albanian Orthodox Church Elects New Archbishop Following Unanimous Vote
The Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church has elected Metropolitan Joan Pelushi of Korça as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania. The 69-year-old cleric succeeds Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, marking a historic transition for the Church after more than three decades of leadership under the Greek- born …
Albanian Government Doubles Cost of ‘Smart City’ Project Without Transparency
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times ) The Albanian government has nearly doubled the projected cost of its “Smart City” initiative, now expected to cost $118.5 million—up from the initially planned $60 million—raising concerns over transparency, lack of competition, and the protection of personal data. The government announced the …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 17, 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
Albania Appeal Court Orders Tirana Mayor to Stay in Custody
Appeals court dismisses plea to release the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, who is in detention as charges of corruption and money laundering are investigated. Original post Here
Communist-Era Bunkers Leave Lasting Mark on Albania’s Landscape
Albania’s communist-era military bunkers – now a tourist attraction but also a reource for experimental artists – are dotted everywhere, from beaches to mountain tops. Original post Here
A new clinical guideline approving gender-affirming hormone therapy in Albania sparked an online backlash about subsidies for transgender people – although official documents show that no reimbursement for medication will be provided. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 17 – Gjirokastër, known as Albania’s “Stone City,” continues to attract visitors from around the world. Its history, distinctive architecture, traditions and cultural heritage fill its cobbled streets with tourists during the summer season. Visitors from different countries are exploring the city’s historic streets and traditional houses. One …
TIRANA, August 17 – Albanian international Arbër Hoxha scored his first league goal of the new season for Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. He scored in the 63rd minute as Dinamo secured a 4-0 win over Rudes in the third round of the Croatian football championship. Hoxha started the match and …
Golem Beach remains one of the most popular coastal destinations for local and foreign tourists this summer. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage showing the lively atmosphere along the Golem coastline. The area continues to welcome large numbers of visitors during the peak August season. Located along the Durrës coastline, …
Kanali i Setës offers visitors a unique mix of nature, history and human ingenuity in Dibër. The journey begins near Çidhen, on the road to Lurë National Park. The trail follows the mountains and reveals spectacular views of the Setë River canyon. The canal runs along the steep slopes of …
Radhima, about 10 kilometers south of Vlora, continues to attract thousands of visitors looking for a peaceful holiday surrounded by nature. The area is known for its clear waters and beautiful coastal landscapes. These features make Radhima a popular choice for both local and foreign tourists. During August, the coastline …
Nepravishta, near Libohovë, offers visitors a unique way to explore southern Albania. The village combines nature, local traditions, cultural heritage and warm hospitality. Visitors can follow scenic trails that lead to old mosques, olive oil producers and local family homes. They can also walk through the Bureto hills while tasting …
TIRANA, August 17 – Heavy passenger and vehicle traffic has been recorded at the Morina border crossing between Kosova and Albania. Authorities are using simplified border procedures for vehicles with Albanian and Kosovan registration plates. However, large numbers of vehicles have occasionally caused long queues extending deep into Kosova. Some …
TIRANA, August 17 – Tirana International Airport processed nearly 1.65 million passengers in July, setting another record for air traffic. The airport recorded 28.1% more passengers than in July 2025, while annual growth reached 19.4%. A further record came on July 27. The airport handled 58,805 passengers on 329 commercial …
TIRANA, August 17 – Albania’s main economic indicators for the first half of 2026 confirm continued economic stability, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said. In a video message, Yzeiraj said macroeconomic stability remains the foundation for the country’s short-term and long-term economic and policy objectives. He said economic growth has …