Western Balkans Six Need to Work Together for Sake of EU Enlargement
After Ukraine and Moldova started membership negotiations, would-be members of the EU in the Balkans need to take an ‘all for one and one for all’ approach to accession – or risk remaining stuck in the waiting room. Original post Here
Analysis: Bells toll for Albania’s demographics as census results confirm corrosive effects of massive emigration
TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – The much anticipated and much delayed results of the 2023 Census are out in Albania, confirming a massive population decline in 12 years and a worsening of all demographic indicators. Albania’s population shrank by almost 14 percent, losing about 429,000 residents. The country is also …
Bank of Albania shifts policy, cutting key rate by 0.25% to 3%
TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – The Bank of Albania has shifted direction for the first time since March 2022, easing its monetary policy by reducing the key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania decided to lower the base interest rate to 3.0 …
Albania Former Health Minister Detained Over Misused EU Funds
Former Health Minister Ilir Beqaj was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of abusing EU funds, Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime, SPAK, announced. Original post Here
Ilir Beqaj, high Socialist official mired in corruption investigations, arrested for abuse of EU funds
TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – Ilir Beqaj, Albania’s former minister of health who has a history of holding important position in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of involvement in a corruption scheme to profit from funds from the Agency for the Coordination of Foreign Aid and …
Share Your Experience: Corruption in Albania’s Health Sector
Have you been asked to transfer your treatment from a public to a private hospital? Do you suspect that healthcare staff are illicitly profiting from your treatment? Have you been asked for a bribe by a medical professional? Tell us your story. Original post Here
Tourist season/ State Police: 378 arrested, 25 of them in the wanted list
The State Police has made the balance of the month, helping for a tourist season as safe as possible. It is known that 378 citizens were arrested and 25 of them were wanted internationally. So far, the Traffic Police has arrested 143 drivers, of which 104 for driving while intoxicated …
Independence of USA, Begaj: We share friendship and strengthened partnership towards democratic values
President Bajram Begaj congratulated July 4, the day of US Independence. In a post on social networks, Begaj emphasizes the joint commitment between Albania and the USA as strategic allies. “Albania and the U.S. share a friendship and partnership strengthened by a common commitment to democratic values. Together, as strategic …
Former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj arrested
The former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, was arrested this Thursday. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that Beqaj was arrested for embezzling funds from the State Agency for Strategic Program and Aid Coordination, also known as SASPAC. Regarding this file, a few months ago, several checks were carried out …
CEC postpones the decision on the validity for the mandate of Fredi Beleri
Central Election Commission (CEC) has postponed the decision regarding the validity of the mandate of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri. “Regarding the time, I don’t believe we have the opportunity to do it today. We can probably organize it, it doesn’t have to come from the place of …
From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here
Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …
TIRANA, July 24 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi presented the work of the legislature during its first 2 sessions. He said the current parliamentary term has focused strongly on Albania’s European integration process. During an expanded meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, attended by Prime Minister and Socialist Party …
TIRANA, July 24 – The General Directorate of Archives and the National Agency of Information Society presented ‘eArkiva’, a platform for managing and digitising official documents. The National Agency of Information Society developed the system under the supervision of the General Directorate of Archives. Initially, ministries and other state institutions …
TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented his reflections on the June protests during a joint meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group and the government cabinet. Rama referred to the demonstrations as the “Boulevard of Flamingos”. He said he had prepared 2 documents that would guide the …
The National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble (TKOBAP) hosted the world premiere of the opera “Rozafa” last night, bringing one of Albania’s most powerful cultural legends to the stage. The opera features music by Ndoc Pistulli, a libretto by Zef Zorba, and orchestration by Gridi Kraja. The production …
TIRANA, July 24 – Albania improved several public debt risk indicators during the first half of 2026 through active debt management and prudent fiscal policy, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj said the share of short-term debt declined during the period, reducing refinancing needs. He added that the average maturity …
The Enkelana Marathon returns to Pogradec this weekend, combining sports competition with tourism promotion and the celebration of the region’s natural beauty. The half-marathon will take place along the shores of Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participants will run through a scenic route featuring crystal-clear waters, unique landscapes, …
TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said citizens’ expectations have increased as Albania has undergone major changes. He made the remarks during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group at the Palace of Brigades. Rama discussed the June protests, which he referred to …
TIRANA, July 24 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu has decided that the constitutive session of the new parliament elected after the June elections will take place on August 6 at 10:00. Haxhiu said parliamentary parties have a political and institutional obligation to continue dialogue until then. She said …