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Kucova base, Balluku: If it is reasonable, Ukrainian soldiers will also be trained

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and at the same time the Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku spoke about the Kuçova base opened on March 4. Asked if Ukrainian soldiers will be trained on this base, she said that if it is reasonable, there will be such training. “It is …

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SPAK seeks 2 years and 6 months in prison for Fredi Beleri

The court withdraws from the decision on the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri. The Special Prosecutor’s Office requested 2 years and 6 months in prison for Beleri. In his testimony in court, Beleri stated that SPAK and the State Police are influenced by politics. “I demand justice from the …

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Fredi Beleri sentenced two year in prison for corruption

The Special Court has sentenced the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, to two years in prison.  Fredi Beleri is accused by the Special Prosecutor’s Office of active corruption in the elections, and he was asked to be sentenced to 2.6 years in prison. Beleri and Kokoveshi were arrested, just …

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Balla: Albania the only one in Balkans, with a NATO airbase

For Interior Minister Taulant Balla, yesterday, which marked the opening of the NATO airbase in Kucova, was a historic day for the country. In a statement to the media, Balla said Albania is the only country in the Balkans with a NATO air base, while revealing whether the police will …

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The tragic explosion in Lushnja, one arrested

Police has arrested a 32-year-old man, who was responsible for the work where the explosion occurred, as a result of which a father and son died and seven others were injured. According to the police, the arrested person was authorized to carry out the construction of the silo, according to …

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SPAK seeks Jamaber Malltezi in jail

The Special Prosecutor’s Office seeks to return in prison the son-in-law of former Prime Minister Berisha, Jamarber Malltezi. Malltezi is under investigation for the “Partizani” affair. SPAK’s request will be examined today in the Supreme Court at 12:30. “The defense lawyer claims that there is no evidence for maintaining the …

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The hearing session for former Prime Minister Berisha is postponed

The hearing session for former prime minister Sali Berisha has been postponed again. The former prime minister requested the lifting of the arrest measure. Meanwhile, it is learned that the next session will be held on March 8, 2024. The former prime minister is accused by SPAK of corruption in …

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The hearing session for Jamarber Malltez is postponed again

The court session for the son-in-law of former prime minister Sali Berisha, Jamarber Malltezi, is postponed. ABC News has learned that the hearing will be held on March 8. According to SPAK, in order to commit corruption, Malltezi is accused of having cooperated with one of the highest authorities of …

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NATO base in Kucova opens today

NATO airbase in Kucova will be opened this Monday. The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, with a post on his official page on “Facebook”, has shared a video from the moment of the assembly of the “Bayraktar” drones, which, as he says, will make their first flight at the …

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NATO base/General Staff of the Armed Forces: Important role in protecting threats from the east

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Albania, Arben Kingji, at the inauguration of the NATO air base in Kucova, said that this base is necessary more than ever to respond to threats coming from the east. “The inauguration of the Kucova base is a significant event for the AF …

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The Cost of Non Enlargement: Why the EU Cannot Afford to Leave the Western Balkans Behind

Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – For years, the debate on European Union enlargement has been dominated by the presumed costs of admitting new members: institutional complexity, financial burdens, political resistance and the challenges of integrating countries still undergoing democratic and rule of law reforms. Yet a more strategic question …

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The Strategic Price of Non-Enlargement

By Albert Rakipi Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, the Western Balkans have lived inside the promise of European integration. In Albania, support for membership in the European Union has often remained above 90 percent. I have sometimes described this support as almost “totalitarian.” Yet …

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Albanian PM’s Response to Protests Causing Unease Within His Own Party

Faced with unprecedented anti-government protests, Edi Rama has chosen to go on the offensive, to the public unease of several MPs and ex-officials from his own Socialist Party. Original post Here

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€65 Million Allocated to Strengthen Local Government and Urban Transport in Albania

Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo has announced that the Albanian government has allocated €65 million to strengthen local authorities and improve public services. Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Demo said the funding, approved through a normative act, aims to boost municipal capacity and enhance infrastructure …

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Fincantieri–KAYO Deal Aims to Create 500 Jobs and Build 10 Vessels by 2030 in Albania

A new cooperation memorandum has been signed at the Pashaliman Naval Base in Vlora between Italy’s Fincantieri, the Albanian state company KAYO, and the Industrial School “Pavarësia”. The agreement focuses on training programs, internships, and job opportunities in the naval construction industry. Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero stressed that human capital …

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Rama: Fincantieri–KAYO Agreement Opens Job Opportunities in Naval Industry

Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that the cooperation between Italy’s Fincantieri and the Albanian state company KAYO marks an important step toward strengthening Albania’s military and naval industry. He said the agreement focuses on internships and job opportunities in shipbuilding and maritime industry development. Rama stated that the partnership …

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EU Commissioner Marta Kos: Albania Meets Key Interim Standards

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says that Albania has met the interim benchmarks for the fundamental cluster, marking an important step in the country’s EU accession process. In a post on X, Kos also says that Albania receives a positive assessment in the IBAR report. She says the Cypriot …

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Freedom of Information Still Impeded in Western Balkans, Report Warns

Despite robust legal frameworks, public institutions in the region are finding new ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report finds. Original post Here

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Fish Market in Vlora to Modernize Fisheries and Boost the Blue Economy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini visited the new facility after the Municipality of Vlora took ownership. The government invested €1.5 million in the project. The market covers 1,300 square meters and includes 15 cold storage rooms. It connects directly to the Fishing …

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Albanian Parliament Approves New Law and Several Resolutions

Albania’s Parliament approved a new draft law and several resolutions during a plenary session on Tuesday. Lawmakers passed a law that strengthens official controls on food and animal feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. The measure received 74 votes in favor. Parliament also approved …

News

The Cost of Non Enlargement: Why the EU Cannot Afford to Leave the Western Balkans Behind

Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – For years, the debate on European Union enlargement has been dominated by the presumed costs of admitting new members: institutional complexity, financial burdens, political resistance and the challenges of integrating countries still undergoing democratic and rule of law reforms. Yet a more strategic question …

News

The Strategic Price of Non-Enlargement

By Albert Rakipi Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, the Western Balkans have lived inside the promise of European integration. In Albania, support for membership in the European Union has often remained above 90 percent. I have sometimes described this support as almost “totalitarian.” Yet …

News

Albanian PM’s Response to Protests Causing Unease Within His Own Party

Faced with unprecedented anti-government protests, Edi Rama has chosen to go on the offensive, to the public unease of several MPs and ex-officials from his own Socialist Party. Original post Here

News

€65 Million Allocated to Strengthen Local Government and Urban Transport in Albania

Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo has announced that the Albanian government has allocated €65 million to strengthen local authorities and improve public services. Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Demo said the funding, approved through a normative act, aims to boost municipal capacity and enhance infrastructure …

News

Fincantieri–KAYO Deal Aims to Create 500 Jobs and Build 10 Vessels by 2030 in Albania

A new cooperation memorandum has been signed at the Pashaliman Naval Base in Vlora between Italy’s Fincantieri, the Albanian state company KAYO, and the Industrial School “Pavarësia”. The agreement focuses on training programs, internships, and job opportunities in the naval construction industry. Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero stressed that human capital …

News

Rama: Fincantieri–KAYO Agreement Opens Job Opportunities in Naval Industry

Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that the cooperation between Italy’s Fincantieri and the Albanian state company KAYO marks an important step toward strengthening Albania’s military and naval industry. He said the agreement focuses on internships and job opportunities in shipbuilding and maritime industry development. Rama stated that the partnership …

News

EU Commissioner Marta Kos: Albania Meets Key Interim Standards

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says that Albania has met the interim benchmarks for the fundamental cluster, marking an important step in the country’s EU accession process. In a post on X, Kos also says that Albania receives a positive assessment in the IBAR report. She says the Cypriot …

News

Freedom of Information Still Impeded in Western Balkans, Report Warns

Despite robust legal frameworks, public institutions in the region are finding new ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report finds. Original post Here

News

Fish Market in Vlora to Modernize Fisheries and Boost the Blue Economy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini visited the new facility after the Municipality of Vlora took ownership. The government invested €1.5 million in the project. The market covers 1,300 square meters and includes 15 cold storage rooms. It connects directly to the Fishing …

News

Albanian Parliament Approves New Law and Several Resolutions

Albania’s Parliament approved a new draft law and several resolutions during a plenary session on Tuesday. Lawmakers passed a law that strengthens official controls on food and animal feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. The measure received 74 votes in favor. Parliament also approved …