Rama Rebukes Farage: Albanian PM Slams “One-in-50” Prison Claim as Post-Brexit Scapegoating
While Turning UK Migration Debate into Personal Stagecraft TIRANA TIMES — July 2, 2025 — A fiery public exchange between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and British right-wing populist Nigel Farage has brought the issue of Albanian migration into the political spotlight once again — but this time with a …
Skopje Summit Revives EU Enlargement Hopes — But Ignores the Democratic Erosion in the Balkans
The participants of the Growth Plan Summit, 1 July 2025, Skopje; Photo: European Commission By Tirana Times SKOPJE, July 2, 2025 — The European Union’s renewed enthusiasm for enlargement took center stage at this week’s Growth Plan Summit in Skopje, where EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos joined the leaders …
Albania’s ‘Lads of London’ Create Bigger Problems for Their Home Country
A social media row between British right-winger Nigel Farage and Albania’s premier Edi Rama over the level of crime committed by Albanians in the UK misses the main point. Original post Here
The Silent Collapse of the Tower Euphoria
By Klodian Tomorri The history of the global economy is filled with well-documented episodes of collective madness. Often, these episodes have culminated in crises that brought even the greatest empires to their knees—such as the Mississippi Bubble or the South Sea Bubble. In other cases, they have devastated the lives …
Balkan Investigative Reporting Highlights: 20 Stories from 20 Years
As BIRN marks its 20th anniversary, here’s a diverse selection of investigations picked from two decades of in-depth reporting on one of Europe’s most complex and challenging regions. Original post Here
Rama Forces UK’s Farage Onto Backfoot Over Albanian Criminals
British far-right leader fails to land a punch with Albania’s prime minister in fiery row on social media over the number of Albanians held in UK jails. Original post Here
NATO’s Defence Spending Plan Poses Challenge for Balkan States
The Western military alliance’s new national spending benchmark on defence and security may cause problems for smaller and poorer NATO member states in the Balkans who cannot afford 5 per cent of GDP. Original post Here
Rule of Law or Rule by Law? Albania’s EU Path Faces a Crisis of Credibility
Jerina Zaloshnja As Albania accelerates the formal process of European Union accession—opening negotiation chapters at a pace that seems to outstrip democratic reforms—it faces an urgent and unavoidable truth: a country cannot genuinely integrate into the EU without first building a functioning rule-of-law society. No volume of technical chapters opened …
Balkan Countries ‘Failing to Enforce Freedom of Information Laws’: Report
Freedom of Information laws in the six Western Balkan countries may look robust, but public institutions all too often find ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report has found. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 30, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Europe House hosted the launch ceremony of “Weaving Digital Safety – Albania’s Women in Media Network Initiative (WISA)” today. The project aims to empower women in media and boost digital security in the sector. WISA responds to the challenges and needs of women working in media. It builds on their …
TIRANA, April 1 – Albanian President Bajram Begaj marked the 17th anniversary of the country’s NATO membership, calling it a historic achievement. He said joining the alliance strengthened Albania’s security, sovereignty, and role in the Euro-Atlantic community. In a social media post, Begaj highlighted Albania’s contribution as a reliable ally …
The fourth edition of the “School Sports Teams” project has started. The initiative promotes physical activity and sports in pre-university schools. Matches are underway between schools in every region. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared highlights from this year’s championship. The event features 608 teams from nine-year schools and high schools …
TIRANA, April 1 – Albania marks 17 years of NATO membership, a milestone that strengthened its Euro-Atlantic course and national security. In a post on X, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha described the anniversary as a decisive step toward the country’s future. He said Albania has proven …
TIRANA, April 1 – Ahead of its revival at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB), Albanian news agency, ATSH recalls one of the first performances of Cavalleria Rusticana in the capital with a historic photo gallery. The photographs date back to 1958, showing the opera’s protagonists and chorus. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said no mayor can run in the next local elections without implementing the 10 initiatives of the “Mountain Package.” At the Socialist Party Assembly in Unit 7, Rama called the program key for encouraging returnees to invest savings in agrotourism. He explained the package targets landowners, …
TIRANA, April 1 – The Military Weather Service announced that Albania will experience unstable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. Clouds will range from moderate to dense, with brief sunny intervals over the Western Lowlands. Rain will occur intermittently during the first 24 hours and remain generally light across much of the …
Kosovo faces Turkey tonight at 20:45 at Prishtina’s “Fadil Vokrri” Stadium. The match is part of the 2026 World Cup play-offs, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. President Bajram Begaj wished the Kosovo team success. “Heart in Prishtina. Go, Kosovo!” Begaj wrote on social media. The match is seen …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, also Socialist Party leader, announced the creation of a state oil company. He said it will transform the hydrocarbon market and protect consumers. At the Socialist Party Assembly in Unit 7, Rama addressed rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict. He explained that removing …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, also Socialist Party leader, said today that Albania fights corruption more than ever. He credited government reforms that make systems less vulnerable to corruption. At the Socialist Party Assembly in Unit 7, Rama highlighted that Albania leads the region in public procurement quality. Ministries and agencies …