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Growing Pains: Albania’s Farmers Find Pathway to EU Markets Hard to Follow

Albania’s huge agricultural sector is seeking to expand into European markets to flourish – but issues over old-fashioned methods, low productivity, banned pesticides and corruption stand in the way. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 23, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Share Your Experience: Overtourism from Spain to Turkey and the Balkans

Are you living in a hotspot destination? Struggling with rising rent in a popular neighbourhood or frustrated by the disruption caused by tourists? Tell us your story. Original post Here

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Opposition protests mark renewed political tensions in Albania

Protest against the government on the anniversary of the fall of dictator Enver Hoxha’s statue Tirana Times, February 21, 2026 – The national opposition protest held in Tirana on 20 February 2026 marked a new and more volatile phase in Albania’s political confrontation, as long-standing institutional disputes spilled decisively into …

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Albania to Contribute Troops to Gaza

PM Rama urges Trump to act on The Hague court and Kosovo leaders. Tirana Times, February 20 2026 – Albania has confirmed it will contribute troops and police personnel to the international stabilization mission in Gaza under the newly created Peace Board, an initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump …

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Balkan Leaders Heap Praise on Trump’s Board of Peace at Ceremonial Launch

Balkan and Turkish leaders lauded the Board of Peace at its Washington launch on Thursday – while the participation of an EU Commissioner from Croatia drew criticism from some EU states about her presence. Original post Here

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Rama is Turning Deputy’s Suspension Into ‘Personal Battle’ Against Albanian Judiciary

Proposed legal amendments preventing courts from suspending senior officials would be a major blow to progress on tackling corruption – and to Albania’s EU accession process, writes legal expert Gentian Serjani. Original post Here

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Powerful Interests are Driving Digital Repression in Southeast Europe

Digital spaces are the new frontlines for challenging entrenched political and economic interests, but the backlash against civic groups trying to expose corruption and environmental destruction or demand official accountability can be fierce. Original post Here

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Government Moves to Shield Cabinet from Prosecution as Judiciary–Executive Clash Deepens

Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …

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Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albanian Police Arrest Call Centre Fraudsters

Police raids targeted call centre fraud operations across Tirana, with 10 suspects arrested and almost a million euros in cash seized. Original post Here

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Diaspora key partner for economic development and innovation at Diaspora Summit

TIRANA, April 14 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania stands at an important stage of economic growth during the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. She also said the country still holds significant untapped potential. At a panel on “Diaspora, partner in business and innovation”, she said rising …

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North Macedonia Parliament Speaker Gashi urges policies to stop youth emigration

TIRANA, April 14 – North Macedonia Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi warned about rising youth emigration during the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He said governments must urgently design policies to stop the outflow of young people. At the opening of his remarks, Gashi described the trend as a demographic “bleeding” …

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Presheva Valley leader raises institutional concerns, calls diaspora vital national force

TIRANA, April 14 – Presheva Valley Albanian National Council head Enkel Rexhepi raised serious concerns over institutional challenges facing Albanians in southern Serbia during the Fourth Diaspora Summit. He described the diaspora as a “vital national force” for identity, development, and international representation. Speaking at a panel on diaspora and …

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Defence Minister Nufi praises Albania’s NATO mission staff during Brussels visit

TIRANA, April 14 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met military and civilian staff of Albania’s mission to NATO in Brussels and praised their role in representing the country within the alliance. He described their work as essential for maintaining Albania’s presence in NATO structures. During the meeting, he highlighted the …

News
Democratic Union for Integration leader in North Macedonia warns over Albanian language rights in that country, cites risks to Ohrid Agreement

TIRANA, April 14 – Democratic Union for Integration leader Ali Ahmeti warned at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana that the status of the Albanian language in North Macedonia faces growing risks. He urged institutions and society to defend existing rights with determination. His remarks came in the wake of student …

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Diaspora engagement key to accelerating Albania’s EU integration

TIRANA, April 14 – State Minister for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said Albania can accelerate its European Union integration through stronger diaspora engagement. She spoke during a panel at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana. At the session on international experience in public administration, she stressed the value of …

News
President Begaj urges Albanian-language law exams, stresses rights during meeting with North Macedonia Parliament Speaker

TIRANA, April 14 – President Bajram Begaj met North Macedonia Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi in Tirana and focused on bilateral relations and the rights of Albanians. He placed particular emphasis on language rights and institutional representation. During the meeting, both sides reviewed cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed …

News
Rama: Contract with Fincantieri for military ship production in Pashaliman

The Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He promoted major development and investment plans. First, he said Vlora transforms into a key tourism hub. He stressed that projects attract more visitors and investors. Moreover, he said Albania offers a safe environment for living and business. Therefore, he compared Vlora …

News
Rama: Tourism interest rises, prices must follow long-term vision

Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He focused on tourism growth and investment strategy.First, he said tourism demand continues to grow. He added that Albania can attract visitors beyond the summer season. Moreover, he said investment interest is increasing. Therefore, he urged operators to use this opportunity. In addition, …

News

Albanian Police Arrest Call Centre Fraudsters

Police raids targeted call centre fraud operations across Tirana, with 10 suspects arrested and almost a million euros in cash seized. Original post Here

News

Diaspora key partner for economic development and innovation at Diaspora Summit

TIRANA, April 14 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania stands at an important stage of economic growth during the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. She also said the country still holds significant untapped potential. At a panel on “Diaspora, partner in business and innovation”, she said rising …

News

North Macedonia Parliament Speaker Gashi urges policies to stop youth emigration

TIRANA, April 14 – North Macedonia Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi warned about rising youth emigration during the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He said governments must urgently design policies to stop the outflow of young people. At the opening of his remarks, Gashi described the trend as a demographic “bleeding” …

News

Presheva Valley leader raises institutional concerns, calls diaspora vital national force

TIRANA, April 14 – Presheva Valley Albanian National Council head Enkel Rexhepi raised serious concerns over institutional challenges facing Albanians in southern Serbia during the Fourth Diaspora Summit. He described the diaspora as a “vital national force” for identity, development, and international representation. Speaking at a panel on diaspora and …

News

Defence Minister Nufi praises Albania’s NATO mission staff during Brussels visit

TIRANA, April 14 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met military and civilian staff of Albania’s mission to NATO in Brussels and praised their role in representing the country within the alliance. He described their work as essential for maintaining Albania’s presence in NATO structures. During the meeting, he highlighted the …

News

Democratic Union for Integration leader in North Macedonia warns over Albanian language rights in that country, cites risks to Ohrid Agreement

TIRANA, April 14 – Democratic Union for Integration leader Ali Ahmeti warned at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana that the status of the Albanian language in North Macedonia faces growing risks. He urged institutions and society to defend existing rights with determination. His remarks came in the wake of student …

News

Diaspora engagement key to accelerating Albania’s EU integration

TIRANA, April 14 – State Minister for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said Albania can accelerate its European Union integration through stronger diaspora engagement. She spoke during a panel at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana. At the session on international experience in public administration, she stressed the value of …

News

President Begaj urges Albanian-language law exams, stresses rights during meeting with North Macedonia Parliament Speaker

TIRANA, April 14 – President Bajram Begaj met North Macedonia Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi in Tirana and focused on bilateral relations and the rights of Albanians. He placed particular emphasis on language rights and institutional representation. During the meeting, both sides reviewed cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed …

News

Rama: Contract with Fincantieri for military ship production in Pashaliman

The Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He promoted major development and investment plans. First, he said Vlora transforms into a key tourism hub. He stressed that projects attract more visitors and investors. Moreover, he said Albania offers a safe environment for living and business. Therefore, he compared Vlora …

News

Rama: Tourism interest rises, prices must follow long-term vision

Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He focused on tourism growth and investment strategy.First, he said tourism demand continues to grow. He added that Albania can attract visitors beyond the summer season. Moreover, he said investment interest is increasing. Therefore, he urged operators to use this opportunity. In addition, …