Italy Sends Second Migrant Ship to Albania as Legal Disputes Continue
After an initial attempt to send refugees and migrants for processing in Albania failed, owing to Italian court rulings, a second ship with eight on board arrived in Shengjin port on Friday. Original post Here
Donald Trump’s Comeback is Bad News for Bosniaks and Kosovars
Bosniaks and Kosovo Albanians will be lucky if all Washington does is ignore them under Donald Trump’s new administration, while Serb leaders and populists like Hungary’s Viktor Orban will feel emboldened. Original post Here
Central and Southeast Europe’s Populists Celebrate Trump Win
The region’s populists could hardly contain their glee at the return of the former president to the White House. Original post Here
Bosnian Serb Leaders Hold Cocktail Party to Toast Trump Victory
The US-sanctioned president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, threw a cocktail party in honour of Trump’s victory in the American presidential elections, saying his win “symbolises a return to values we hold dear”. Original post Here
‘Like Prison’: How African Migrant Workers Suffer Exploitation in Albania
Migrant workers from Africa have told BIRN about having to surrender their passports on arrival in Albania, working unpaid overtime and facing deportation once they are no longer required. Many are left with debts to the agencies that act as middlemen. Original post Here
How Allocation of EU Rapporteur Jobs Might Impact Western Balkan Accession Hopes
The names of the new EU rapporteurs for each of the six Western Balkan countries will emerge over the coming weeks. The relative strength of the various party groupings in the European parliament indicates how some countries might fare better than others. Original post Here
Baku hosting Global Summit of Religious Leaders within the framework of COP29
Baku, Azerbaijan – On November 5-6, 2024, the city of Baku is hosting the Global Summit of Religious Leaders within the framework of COP29, a highly significant event that brings together religious leaders and prominent figures from around the world to discuss the challenges of the climate crisis and the …
Albanian Premier Edi Rama’s Diaspora Tour: Outreach or Electioneering?
From New York to Thessaloniki, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been travelling the world to hold meetings with Albanian diaspora communities ahead of next year’s elections. Opponents say he’s trying to avoid discontent at home. Original post Here
UNED Campus in Gjirokastra: A European Hub in the Western Balkans
By Jerina Zaloshnja It is a beautiful, joyous day in Gjirokastra. October 30, 2024. The sun shines brightly in the warm, clear blue air. From the loudspeakers at the campus of UNED, Spain’s new university in the country, Spanish music reverberates slowly. Young students dressed in traditional Gjirokastra costumes …
The UNED Campus in Gjirokaster a gateway to global academic excellence and a bridge to Europe
By Ricardo Mairal Uson It is an immense honor and privilege for me to stand before you today, on this momentous occasion—the inauguration of the UNED Center in the historic and culturally significant city of Gjirokaster. This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the strong relationship between …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania’s State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka responded today to Serbian European Integration Minister Nemanja Starović over the debate surrounding the Ibër River. In a social media post, Dhuka said that the river flows forward and history does the same. As a lawyer, she said …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha responded on Tuesday to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric’s statement on the Ibër River. Hoxha stressed the need for dialogue, trust and practical cooperation in the region. Hoxha welcomed the calmer tone of Duric’s closing message. He …
TIRANA, August 11 – Velipoja Beach remains one of Albania’s most popular summer destinations. The beach stretches for more than 14 km and attracts large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors this season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the Velipoja coastline on social media today. He highlighted the …
TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër will host the second edition of the Youth Wave Festival on August 12. The event marks International Youth Day and will take place in front of the “Republika” Cinema. Shkodër Municipality said the festival will bring temporary parking and traffic restrictions in the area. Parking …
TIRANA, August 11 – The Kosova Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over delays in constituting parliament and forming the government. The chamber warned that the lack of functioning institutions is creating uncertainty and causing further damage to the economy and local businesses. The chamber called on parliamentary …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania ranks first worldwide in the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI), with 98.33 points. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the ranking today. He said Albania has moved from being the target of one of the most serious cyber attacks against a NATO member to becoming a …
TIRANA, August 11 – A fire has reignited in Drenie, Mallakastër, on Tuesday. The flames have spread in the northern part of the fire zone towards Drenie village. The National Civil Protection Agency said 2 Air Tractor aircraft are fighting the fire from the air. On the ground, 5 firefighting …
TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union has called for restraint over statements about a possible change to the Ibër River’s flow. It also called for actions that do not serve the normalization of relations between Kosova and Serbia to be avoided. A European Commission spokesperson said on August 11 …
TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union and Albania have deepened cooperation on security and defence through their Security and Defence Partnership. The partnership focuses on common challenges and threats. The EU Delegation in Albania said today’s threats know no borders. It added that security and defence partnerships turn shared …
TIRANA, August 11 – The number of public beach plots and stations has increased significantly this summer. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said 1,689 public plots are available in 2026. Last year, the figure stood at 1,014. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and …