Svetlana Timofeeva: ‘My Passion for Ruins Landed me in Albanian Prison’
Through a written interview from her cell in the Ali Demi prison in Tirana, the Russian blogger accused of espionage tells about her ill-fated adventure in Gramsh, her months spent in isolation – and her fear of possible extradition to Putin’s Russia. Original post Here
How Fear of Albanians Went Mainstream in 1990s Italy
The anti-Albanian campaigns in the British media today are all too reminiscent of the targeting of Albanians in Italy and Greece 30 years ago – and need to be fought, not indulged. Original post Here
Society for Albanian Studies calls for nominations for the annual Stavro Skendi Book Prize
TIRANA, April 12, 2023 – Nominations are being sought for the Stavro Skendi Book Prize for Achievement in Albanian Studies, the organization that governs the award said in a statement. Awarded by the Society for Albanian Studies – an affiliate organization of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian …
Isolation is not a joke: Leaving the ICSID would be a bitter mistake
TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL Albania’s troubles with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) seem to be expanding well beyond the infamous case of settling over the closure of Agon Channel and the hefty fine of 120 million euros that the country has to pay up to Italian investor …
Albania to Honour Heroes Who Saved Jews from Holocaust
New museum will celebrate the Albanians who risked their lives to shield Jews from Nazi persecution – and whose story has remained largely untold. Original post Here
Faced with corruption and unpredictable tax system, top business associations demand comprehensive reforms
TIRANA, April 12, 2023 – Doing business in Albania is hard as the economic “environment is inefficient and requires significant improvement,” five chambers of commerce in Albania, including those representing American, German, French and Italian investors said in a joint statement issued on Tuesday. To attract more foreign investment, they …
Albania’s massive ICSID court loss has Tirana pondering exiting jurisdiction
TIRANA, April 11, 2023 – With Albania’s government losing its final appeal to reverse a €120-million penalty in the Francesco Becchetti affair case earlier this month, Tirana is mulling exiting the jurisdiction of the international arbitration court that issued the ruling, according to Prime Minister Edi Rama. The tribunal organized …
Politicians and Public Targeted in Online Intimidation Cases
BIRN’s latest three-month monitoring review of digital violations, covering the period from January to March, highlights how online targeting of politicians and government critics, as well as other forms of digital intimidation, have become significant issues of concern in the Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe. Original post Here
Fresh Suspicions over Albania Airport after Turkish Partner Pulls Out
Environmentalists and the European Commission were already alarmed by Albanian plans to build an airport in a coastal region rich in biodiversity. Now one of the partners in the project has pulled out, taking its airport expertise with it. Original post Here
ODIHR starts monitoring mission for Albania’s May 14 administrative elections
TIRANA, March 8, 2023 – International observers of ODIHR, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, have started the mission of monitoring Albania’s local elections of May 14 with a press conference. The mission will be led by Ambassador Audry Glover, who has been in charge of international …
Hasan Prishtina was born on April 27, 1873, in Vushtrri, Kosovo. He came from a wealthy family. He studied in Thessaloniki and Istanbul. He later became a strong voice in the Ottoman Parliament between 1908 and 1912. He defended the rights of Albanians in the Balkans. He played a leading …
The 33rd week of the Abissnet Superiore ends with two final matches. The round confirms strong competition in the decisive stage of the championship. AF Elbasani wins an important match 3–1 against Vllaznia at “Elbasan Arena”. The team moves to first place with 62 points. Vllaznia drops to second place …
Kosovo commemorates April 27 as the Day of Missing Persons from the war. The country holds various activities and symbolic visits. Institutions, organizations, and families take part. The day highlights the ongoing need for justice. It also stresses the importance of finding the truth. Families continue to seek answers about …
TIRANA, April 27 – Spring has increased visitor numbers at Viroi Park in Gjirokastër. Camper travellers now stop there during trips in southern Albania. The park offers a quiet setting, clean air, and open space. It attracts visitors who seek nature and calm conditions. Meanwhile, Jolanda and Frans Koopman from …
TIRANA, April 27 – Kosovo’s parliament approved the draft law ratifying an agreement with Albania for the Mediterranean Games “Prishtina 2030”. Lawmakers voted 93 in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions. The agreement formalises cooperation between the two countries for the organisation of the Games. Opposition parties, including …
TIRANA, April 27 – Justice institutions signed an agreement to standardise statistics across the justice system. The Ministry of Justice, judicial and prosecutorial bodies, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the High Inspectorate of Justice, and the School of Magistrates took part. The EU Delegation in Albania attended the signing. Justice Minister …
TIRANA, April 27 – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Fatmir Guri described the cooperation protocol with Germany as an important and concrete step for aligning Albanian agriculture with European Union standards. He said the timing of the agreement matches Albania’s progress in the EU integration process. He also …
TIRANA, April 27 – The government and the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party held their expanded end-of-month meeting. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaired the meeting, which also included members of the cabinet. PM Rama said the discussion focused on communication with party structures under the framework of “Affairs of …
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Agron Gjekmarkaj meets Italian MP Giulio Cesare Sottanelli in the Parliament building. Sottanelli represents the “Azione” party. Gjekmarkaj thanks Italy for its long-standing support to Albania. He highlights Italy as a key and stable partner. He also praises the role of the Italian government, the Chamber …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha meets Izet Mexhiti, leader of the Democratic Movement and mayor of Çair. Mexhiti thanks Hoxha for the invitation. He stresses shared responsibility among Albanian leaders to strengthen ties between Albanians. He says Albanians in North Macedonia are an inseparable part of the …