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Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities

Albania aims to reduce development gaps between municipalities through a new territorial reform. Administrative-Territorial Reform Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku spoke during a public hearing in Durrës. He said balanced territorial development remains a major challenge for local government. Mazniku said the 2014 reform brought positive results. He noted better services and …

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Tax Authorities and IMF Discuss Implementation of Fiscal Peace Measures

Albania’s tax administration met experts from the International Monetary Fund to discuss the implementation of the “Fiscal Peace” package. General Tax Director Ilir Binaj led the meeting in Tirana. The sides reviewed progress on tax reforms. They also discussed the EU Growth Plan, TADAT standards and debt management measures. Officials …

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Albania to Host Socca European Championship Starting Tomorrow

Albania will officially launch the Socca European Championship tomorrow at the House of Football. Organizers built a modern mini stadium for the event. The venue will host matches from 28 national teams over five days. The tournament will begin at 09:00 with the match between Bulgaria and Ireland. Group stage …

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Lamallari: Coastal Security and Territorial Control Key Priorities for Tourist Season

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said security and territorial control along Albania’s coastline remain key priorities for the tourist season. Lamallari spoke during a meeting in Sarandë with State Police officials, territorial inspectors and local institutions. He referred to recent events in the coastal city, where authorities detained four police officers …

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Balla from Bundestag: Albania Aims to Close EU Negotiations by 2027

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla said Albania aims to conclude European Union accession negotiations by 2027. Balla made the statement during an official visit to the Bundestag in Berlin. During the visit, he met Anton Hofreiter and members of the Bundestag Committee on European Union Affairs. At the …

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Western Balkans Chief Prosecutors Meet in Sarajevo on Joint Investigation Guidelines

Chief prosecutors from the Western Balkans met today in Sarajevo to strengthen regional cooperation against organized crime and corruption. The meeting took place during the Third Regional Consultative Forum. It focused on improving coordination with European partners in cross-border investigations. The forum was organized by the Western Balkans Criminal Justice …

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Former Montenegrin President: Circles from Belgrade Attempted to Destabilize Kosovo

Former Milo Đukanović has stated that powerful political and security circles from Belgrade were behind the so-called “S.Ç. affair,” with the aim of destabilizing Montenegro and compromising Kosovo ahead of important political processes in the region. In an interview with E Television, Đukanović emphasized that behind these operations were Serbian …

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Foreign tourists take part in recreational activities on Vlora coastline

TIRANA, May 19 – Vlora has welcomed the tourist season with visitors from around the world. Tourists explore the Ionian coastline and visit natural and cultural attractions. They also experience local cuisine and hospitality. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing tourists taking part in physical …

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Justice reform enters results phase, trust rises to 53 percent, Minister Gogu says

TIRANA, May 19 – Justice reform entered a phase of concrete results for citizens. Minister of Justice Toni Gogu made the statement during the 10th anniversary of the reform. He said institutions now focus on stronger procedural guarantees, higher efficiency in the justice system, and better access to justice for …

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Deputy PM Albana Koçiu presents Albania’s urban vision at World Urban Forum in Baku

TIRANA, May 19 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu participated in the World Urban Forum 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Leaders, international institutions, experts and policymakers discussed urbanisation, sustainable development and the future of cities. Meanwhile, Koçiu said on social media that the forum served as a meeting point for visions …

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A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia

Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …

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Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges

Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …

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NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty

Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …

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Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

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Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

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“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

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President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

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Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

News
American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

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Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …

News

A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia

Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …

News

Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges

Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …

News

NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty

Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …

News

Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

News

Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

News

“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

News

President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

News

Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

News

American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

News

Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …