Minister of Hajj and Umrah Begins Balkan Tour to Enhance Services for “Guests of God”
Tirana, October 26, 2024 Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, has begun a four-day official visit to several Western Balkan countries, including Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. This visit is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Western Balkans and improve …
Albania Socialist Party MP Charged With Violating Procurement Rules
Ruling party MP Plarent Ndreca was charged with procurement-related offences allegedly committed four years ago during his time as general secretary at the Interior Ministry. Original post Here
Opposition Leaders’ Arrests May Signal Demise of Albania’s Old Political Class
The arrests of two important opposition leaders hopefully mark the end of one era – and the birth of a new one in which justice no longer cowers before corrupt politicians in a captured state. Original post Here
The State Agency for Innovation and Excellence – A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
You may have not heard of this, but there is a new State Agency for Innovation and Excellence in Albania. This was a collaborative effort from multiple international and domestic actors. Of note is the EU4Innovation program, which may have served as an important catalyst for this mobilization towards innovation …
Albania’s Ex-President Meta Traded Favours for Luxury Villa, Prosecutors Allege
Anti-corruption prosecutors in Albania say Ilir Meta, a former president, prime minister and parliament speaker, and his MP wife had a “corrupt relationship” with a prominent tycoon, trading favours for gifts including a luxury villa, Beyoncé concert tickets and lunch in London. Original post Here
BIRN Spots Controversial Ship Allegedly Transporting Explosives to Israel in Albania
Cargo vessel denied entry to multiple ports owing to concerns about faciliating war crimes in Gaza has been seen in a private port in Albania. Original post Here
Lost in Translation: Open Balkan ID Initiative Yet to Take Off
Launched six months ago, the Open Balkan ID Number was presented as marking the start of a single labour market between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania. It has had some teething troubles. Original post Here
Amid Homophobic Rhetoric, Albania’s LGBTQ+ Community is ‘Battling Rejection’
Discriminatory comments from politicians are exacerbating prejudice and encouraging a hostile environment for the community in Albania, rights activist Amarildo Fecanji tells BIRN. Original post Here
Albanian Opposition Leaders’ Arrests Create Uncertainty Ahead of Elections
With two opposition leaders, Ilir Meta and Sali Berisha, both under arrest, the atmosphere ahead of polls due in 2025 looks increasingly fraught – with some fearing a drift towards radicalisation. Original post Here
Arrest of former President Ilir Meta on corruption allegations sends second key opposition leader into detention
TIRANA, Oct. 21, 2024 – The arrest on Monday of former President Ilir Meta, who now heads the opposition Freedom Party, on orders of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has sent shockwaves through Albania’s political landscape. Meta faces allegations of corruption, money laundering and asset concealment, …
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania’s property revaluation scheme has saved taxpayers €120.5 million in fiscal costs during the first seven months of 2026, according to the General Directorate of Taxation. The scheme allows property owners to revalue real estate by paying a reduced 5% tax rate. Tax authorities said the …
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania’s Finance Ministry has started preliminary preparations for a new Eurobond issue planned for 2027 as the country’s macroeconomic indicators continue to show positive performance. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said officials discussed recent macroeconomic developments, government borrowing plans in international capital markets and future cooperation …
TIRANA, August 6 – Kosova’s Assembly suspended its constitutive session after Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti requested more time for political talks on a candidate for the country’s next president. Kurti told lawmakers that additional time was necessary to allow negotiations to continue. He said the parties needed more time to …
TIRANA, August 6 – The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy continued work during the first seven months of 2026 on strategic projects in roads, energy, water supply and transport. The investments aim to improve public services, strengthen energy security and support economic development. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi …
TIRANA, August 6 – Tirana’s Grand Park hosted The Coffee Cantata on Wednesday evening. The concert featured an Albanian-language performance of the satirical work by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. The event formed part of the “Bah… Café!” project with the support of the Municipality of Tirana. It combined classical …
TIRANA, August 6 – August has brought the peak of the tourist season to Theth, one of the most visited destinations in the Albanian Alps. Around 2,000 tourists stay in the village each night on average, and most of them are foreign visitors. Besides the Grunas Waterfall and the Alp’s …
TIRANA, August 6 – The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague announced that closing statements in the trial against former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi and four others will take place in mid-September. The court scheduled the hearings for September 10, 11 and 14. The case involves Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni …
TIRANA, August 6 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a handwritten message on social media with four key words: “trust, empathy, service, commitment”. Rama shared the message weeks after presenting the political document “Besa” [Good Faith]. He described the platform as a new effort to restore trust between citizens and …
TIRANA, August 6 – President Bajram Begaj attended the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary edition of the Ulqin Book Fair in Montenegro. The event is considered one of the region’s most important cultural gatherings and brings together authors, publishers and readers from Montenegro, Albania, Kosova, North Macedonia and other …
TIRANA, August 6 – Despite technological developments, social media and wider access to online information, the number of visitors to the National Library’s “Sotir Kolea” Center continues to grow, even during the hot summer days. The increasing number of visitors shows that the love for books and the need for …