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 …
TIRANA, April 29 – The Central Procurement Operator takes part in an international workshop in Poland organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The event focuses on integrating Environmental, Social and Governance criteria into public procurement, a key priority in European sector reform. In this context, the institution …
TIRANA, April 29 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu meets Austria’s Justice Minister Anna Sporrer in Tirana. The talks focus on Albania’s European Union integration process and cooperation in the justice sector. Gogu says Albania enters a decisive phase in negotiations with the European Union. He adds that the country advances …
TIRANA, April 29 – Albanian company Kayo and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri signed an agreement in Tirana to produce vessels at the Vlora Bay naval base in Albania. The project will serve the Albanian Armed Forces and allied countries. Prime Minister Edi Rama and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the signing …
TIRANA, April 29 – Kayo chief Ardi Veliu said on Wednesday that the agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will increase employment and support the modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. Officials signed the agreement in Tirana during a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office. The project will produce vessels at …
TIRANA, April 29 – Albania and Italy agreed to jointly produce military vessels, initially for the Albanian Armed Forces and later for export markets. Albanian company Kayo will carry out production in cooperation with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. The agreement was signed in Tirana by Kayo chief Ardi Veliu and …
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, made a strong statement during the podcast The Rest Is Politics: Leading, where he spoke about what he described as serious personal attacks and slander against him. In part of the discussion, Vučić stated: “Can you understand the argument when someone is casting a curse against you? …
Following the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj and Minister of Education and Sports Mirela Kumbaro announced the latest government decisions, focusing on issues affecting the Albanian diaspora, fiscal policies, and the development of scientific research. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj announced the ratification of an agreement between Albania and Poland on social security, describing …
Former President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, reacted this Wednesday following the dissolution of the Kosovo Assembly the previous day and the decision for the country to hold new elections within 45 days. In a video message published on the social network Facebook, Osmani stated that roads closed by injustice are always opened by …
The head of the World Bank in Albania stated that the Albanian economy continues to demonstrate resilience, but in order to sustain this pace and turn it into long-term development, faster reforms and greater investment in human capital are required. Speaking during the presentation of the regional economic report, Emanuel Salinas Paolucci emphasized that the main …
The Democratic Party of Albania has officially launched the procedure for electing a new leader, through a decision by the Commission for the Organization and Control of Electoral Operations (KOKOE). According to the official document dated March 18, 2026, the process begins immediately and clearly defines the deadlines and criteria …