UK Minister’s Outburst on Albanian Migrants Outrages Tirana
The British ambassador in Albania on Monday was handed a protest note from the Albanian Foreign Ministry over the statement a British Minister made recently about illegal Albanian migrants in the UK. Original post Here
PM’s Order to Sing National Anthem in Schools Divides Albanians
PM Edi Rama’s decision that the national anthem be sung in all state schools at least once a week has not been universally welcomed, with some calling it a nationalist stunt. Original post Here
Floods in Western Balkans Cause Huge Damage, Drownings
States of emergency have been declared in some Western Balkan cities as floods block roads and cut off power while two people in Montenegro and Serbia reportedly drowned. Original post Here
Drug Traffickers’ Exploitation of Balkan Ports Requires Regional Response
Criminal networks are the primary illegal users of ports in the Balkans for the trafficking of cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin. Tackling them requires greater international police cooperation. Original post Here
US Probes FBI Ex-Agent’s Ties with Balkan Officials
A US federal grand jury is probing whether former senior FBI agent Charles McGonigal received payments or gifts from government officials in Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Kosovo. Original post Here
Albanians Mull Options as Data Security Takes New Hit
Albanians are seeking action after hackers behind a wave of cyber-attacks in 2022 opened a new front by hacking a private bank and leaking client data. Original post Here
Concerns Grow About Albanian Children Missing in UK
British admission that hundreds of Albanian minor asylum seekers have gone missing from placements in hotels has drawn criticism from experts demanding more responsibility on the issue. Original post Here
Attack on Albanian Journalist Over Court Report Widely Condemned
Local and international media organizations and the President of Albania have all condemned the attack on an Albanian journalist who had been threatened over his article reporting a court ruing. Original post Here
Albanian, Italian Authorities Conclude Operation Against Drug Gang
Albania’s Special Prosecution and counterparts in Bergamo, Italy, have cracked a drug-busting operation run by three Albanians, seizing large amounts of cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Original post Here
Albania Police Find More Surveillance Cameras Erected by Gangsters
Albania’s police are continuing an operation to find and dismantle surveillance cameras illegally erected in cities by criminal groups to collect information and monitor police movements. Original post Here
Parliament reappointed Denar Biba as head of the Competition Authority Commission. It approved the decision with 73 votes in favor and 13 against. Biba has held the post since December 2021. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tirana. He completed a master’s degree in Southeast …
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said IPARD funds will be available to farmers within this year. He made the statement in Parliament. He responded to LSI MP Tedi Blushi, who raised concerns about the IPARD funds. Salla said the process is currently under investigation. He assured that Albania …
Agriculture Minister Andis Salla said the agreement on implementing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is an important international instrument. It targets the management of transboundary and highly migratory fish stocks. He spoke in Parliament. He said the agreement promotes conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed him in an official ceremony at Palazzo Chigi. They then held a one-on-one meeting. They discussed bilateral cooperation. They focused on deepening relations. They also addressed regional and European issues of common interest. Rama also met Italian Defense Minister …
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko and Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met with the new IMF mission chief for Albania, Diego Cerdeiro. The meeting took place during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington. Sejko and Malaj presented an overview of Albania’s latest economic and financial situation. They …
BALA organized a panel with the High Inspector of Justice in Tirana. Diaspora Albanian jurists attended during the Fourth Diaspora Summit. Metani hosted the meeting. Rusi and Çela joined the discussion. The panel focused on justice reform and the role of the diaspora. Muharremi moderated the event. Metani said institutions …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi met EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Tatiana Mrazikova from the European Parliament office in Tirana, and IDEA +7 representatives. The meeting took place at the Albanian Parliament. It focused on strengthening cooperation between Albanian institutions and the European Parliament. Peleshi said closer EU cooperation helps speed …
Painter Skënder Kamberi has died at the age of 87. He dedicated his life to art and painting. He was born in Vlorë on February 2, 1939. He graduated from the Artistic Lyceum in 1960. He later studied at the Higher Institute of Arts, graduating in 1965. After his studies, …
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented after her meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Rome. She said both countries continue to cooperate closely. She stressed that the main priority remains the fight against irregular migration. Meloni said the meeting at Palazzo Chigi reviewed the strengthening of bilateral partnership. …
The Albanian Parliament approved all items on the agenda during today’s plenary session. It passed four key agreements and legislative acts. Lawmakers ratified Protocol No. 7 of CEFTA. The protocol covers dispute settlement in trade agreements. It passed with 87 votes in favor. Parliament also approved a financing agreement between …