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Albanians continue to lead W. Balkans list of EU asylum applications 

TIRANA, May 28, 2024 — Nationals from Albania and Kosovo top the list of asylum seekers from the Western Balkans applying in European Union countries during the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). The report indicates that the number …

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Property prices on Albanian coast soar, partially driven by foreign buyers 

TIRANA, May 29, 2024 – Demand for coastal properties in Albania has surged by 20-30 percent compared to last year, according to the Albanian Builders Association.  Key areas like Vlora, Palasa and Saranda are particularly popular, with 40 percent of buyers being foreigners attracted by lower prices compared to neighboring …

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Attempt attack on the former prosecutor Ndoja/ SPAK closes the investigations

The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has closed the investigations for Plaurent Dervishaj and five other people accused of the assassination of former prosecutor Arian Ndoja and Aleksandër Lahos. The attack in which the driver Andi Maloku was killed. These people are also accused of theft, possession …

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Annual report of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko: Informality, negative impact!

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, reports to the Economy Commission, regarding the annual report of the BSH. During his speech, he emphasized that problem loans have been decreasing, while underlining that inflation marked a continuous gradual decline during 2023. According to him, the fall in inflation …

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Dozens protest out Tirana municipality

The opposition has once again held a protest in front of the Municipality of Tirana. The police have increased security measures in order to prevent incidents, meanwhile what is noticed is that there is a low number of participants. Earlier, the Tirana police repeated the call to the organizers, leaders …

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Rama: The anti-corruption resolution is what the country needs for EU

“The anti-corruption resolution is what the republic and citizens need from this parliament today to support EU membership in 2030.” This is how Prime Minister Rama began his speech from the floor of the Assembly regarding the anti-corruption resolution, an initiative proposed by the socialist majority. “The anti-corruption resolution is …

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Anti-corruption resolution/ Rama: After the approval, the commission will be established

The anti-corruption resolution passed the agenda only with majority votes during the meeting of the Conference of Presidents, after the opposition abstained. Prime Minister Edi Rama, during his speech from the floor of the Assembly, said that after the approval of the anti-corruption resolution, the commission will be established. So …

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A 28-year-old man falls from the construction site and dies

A serious incident happened in Tirana. A 28-year-old man died after falling from the height of a building while he was working. The incident happened around 08:00 on “Aleksandër Moisiu” street. So the investigation group is working to clarify the circumstances of the event. “On 27.05.2024, around 08:20, on “Aleksandër …

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The hearing session for Fredi Beleri is postponed due to the lack of lawyers

The hearing for Fredi Beleri is postponed again. The Special Court sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison for buying and selling votes The session scheduled to take place today has not taken place. The session was postponed because Beler’s lawyer did not appear at the session …

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Credit collections scheme leads to arrests, license suspensions 

TIRANA, May 26, 2024 – An Albanian court has ordered the arrest of several individuals in connection with a credit collections scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of citizens. According to the prosecution, a non-banking lender and collection enforcement companies orchestrated a coercive scheme that used manipulative tactics to force debtors …

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Parliament joins 51st Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …

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Next NATO summit to put Albania and PM Rama in international spotlight

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania will host the 37th NATO Summit after the alliance concluded its 36th summit in Ankara. Analysts say the decision highlights the strategic importance of Albania and the Western Balkans for NATO. Experts say the alliance has renewed its focus on the region as Europe reshapes …

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Albania marks 31 years in the Council of Europe

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania marks 31 years of membership in the Council of Europe on July 13, a milestone that reflects the country’s democratic transition and its commitment to European standards, according to the Agency for Media and Information (MIA). MIA said membership has supported reforms, strengthened institutions and …

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Murat Toptani, a versatile artist of the National Renaissance

TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …

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UK bans support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps

TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …

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Governor Sejko Meets EBRD’s New Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs

On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …

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Coalition of the Willing Summit: Rama Welcomed by Macron in Paris, Shares Footage from the Meeting

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the Coalition of the Willing Summit in support of Ukraine. Rama said he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron and shared footage of his arrival, where he was welcomed by the French leader. Rama and other European …

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Violations and Evasion at Currency Exchange Offices, Bank of Albania Revokes 83 Licenses

The Bank of Albania revoked the licenses of 83 currency exchange offices during 2025 following inspections that uncovered regulatory violations and financial irregularities related to cash circulation. According to the central bank, the inspections revealed shortcomings in customer identification procedures, transaction monitoring, screening against sanctions lists, and the reporting of …

News
Tax Authorities Audit High-Income Individuals, Identify €770,000 in Suspicious Findings

Around 200 high-income individuals in Albania are being audited as part of an intensified effort by the tax authorities to verify their wealth and income. The General Directorate of Taxes says it has identified €770,000 in suspicious findingsso far. The Tax Administration has stepped up inspections targeting individuals with significant …

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Rama: ‘Open Balkan’ Was Branded a “Terrible Idea” Simply Because Vučić and I Supported It

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Open Balkan initiative was labeled “a terrible idea” for one reason only: because it was backed by him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. “It was considered a terrible idea for only one reason – because Vučić and I were behind it. If you removed our …

News

Parliament joins 51st Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …

News

Next NATO summit to put Albania and PM Rama in international spotlight

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania will host the 37th NATO Summit after the alliance concluded its 36th summit in Ankara. Analysts say the decision highlights the strategic importance of Albania and the Western Balkans for NATO. Experts say the alliance has renewed its focus on the region as Europe reshapes …

News

Albania marks 31 years in the Council of Europe

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania marks 31 years of membership in the Council of Europe on July 13, a milestone that reflects the country’s democratic transition and its commitment to European standards, according to the Agency for Media and Information (MIA). MIA said membership has supported reforms, strengthened institutions and …

News

Murat Toptani, a versatile artist of the National Renaissance

TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …

News

UK bans support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps

TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …

News

Governor Sejko Meets EBRD’s New Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs

On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …

News

Coalition of the Willing Summit: Rama Welcomed by Macron in Paris, Shares Footage from the Meeting

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the Coalition of the Willing Summit in support of Ukraine. Rama said he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron and shared footage of his arrival, where he was welcomed by the French leader. Rama and other European …

News

Violations and Evasion at Currency Exchange Offices, Bank of Albania Revokes 83 Licenses

The Bank of Albania revoked the licenses of 83 currency exchange offices during 2025 following inspections that uncovered regulatory violations and financial irregularities related to cash circulation. According to the central bank, the inspections revealed shortcomings in customer identification procedures, transaction monitoring, screening against sanctions lists, and the reporting of …

News

Tax Authorities Audit High-Income Individuals, Identify €770,000 in Suspicious Findings

Around 200 high-income individuals in Albania are being audited as part of an intensified effort by the tax authorities to verify their wealth and income. The General Directorate of Taxes says it has identified €770,000 in suspicious findingsso far. The Tax Administration has stepped up inspections targeting individuals with significant …

News

Rama: ‘Open Balkan’ Was Branded a “Terrible Idea” Simply Because Vučić and I Supported It

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Open Balkan initiative was labeled “a terrible idea” for one reason only: because it was backed by him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. “It was considered a terrible idea for only one reason – because Vučić and I were behind it. If you removed our …