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How Albania Became a Hub of the Global Fraud Industry

Organised crime networks are using call centres in Albania to defraud people across Europe, conning them with promises of big profits from scam investments and employing sophisticated social-engineering techniques. Original post Here

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Why Britain Needs the Western Balkans Summit to Deliver on Migration

The UK’s ambitious agenda for the London summit of the Berlin Process reflects its commitment to the Western Balkans region but also its own domestic priorities, starting with illegal migration. Original post Here

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Türkiye and Albania: From Shared Past to Strategic Future

By Marjana Doda, This feature draws on exclusive insights from an interview with Ambassador Tayyar Kagan Atay, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Tirana. On the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Atay reflects on the unique depth of Albanian–Turkish ties—links shaped by shared history …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: October 20, 2025

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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Albanian Judges Decry ‘Non-Existent Security’ After Courtroom Killing

The courtroom killing of a judge in Tirana has prompted calls from Albanian judges and prosecutors for authorities to get serious about their ‘almost non-existent’ security. Original post Here

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Albania–Kosovo Rift Weakens the Albanian Voice 

The Rama–Kurti clash over the war crimes tribunal highlights deeper structural tensions, from unimplemented agreements to competing regional agendas.  The latest clash between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kosovo’s Albin Kurti is more than another exchange of political insults. It reflects the fragile state of relations between Albania and …

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Tirana Protesters Demand Justice for Kosovo War Leaders 

Hundreds of protesters rallied in the Albanian capital on Friday demanding justice for former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) on trial in The Hague, denouncing the proceedings as an attack on the wartime struggle against Serbian forces.  The demonstrators, many waving KLA flags and chanting slogans such as …

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Protesters in Albania Demand ‘Justice’ in Kosovo Wartime Leaders’ Trial

Protesters in the Albanian capital expressed anger at the ongoing trial of wartime Kosovo Liberation Army officers at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, saying the defendants were freedom fighters, not criminals. Original post Here

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Albania in the Second War World : A Forgotten Theater of World War II

By Bernd Fischer It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify yet another book dealing with some aspect of World War II. Of all the armed conflicts of past centuries, World War II has engendered the most interest as well as an exhausting amount of written material. The opening of the …

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Vlora Airport Stirs Security Fears Over Russian Links

Albania’s Second National Airport Sparks Concerns for National Security and NATO The opening of Albania’s second international airport in Vlora, celebrated as a milestone in the country’s infrastructure modernization, has quickly become embroiled in controversy. Reports in Albanian media suggest that the concession holder, businessman and former Kosovo president Behgjet …

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Minister of State for Public Administration announces unified public jobs portal and administrative reforms

TIRANA, April 7 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented new measures to reform and modernize Albania’s public administration during an event on public sector employment. She announced the launch of a unified recruitment portal for public administration jobs. The National Agency for Employment and …

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PM Rama says EU accession talks advancing at “unique speed”

TIRANA, April 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said negotiations with the European Union are advancing at a “unique speed,” with strong support from the European Commission. Speaking at an event on public sector job vacancies, Rama highlighted progress in the accession process and the role of public administration. He …

News
Rama introduces public sector employment portal: A new window for young people

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part this Tuesday in an event where available job positions in the public sector were presented through the portal puna.gov.al. According to Rama, every young person, recent graduate, or professional seeking a new opportunity now has an easier way to get informed and apply for …

News
“It is being said that negotiations have been blocked, halted,” Rama: Completely untrue, we are on schedule

At the event held for the presentation of job vacancies in the public sector, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the importance of public administration as well as the negotiations for accession to the European Union. The Prime Minister pointed out that public administration has contributed to Albania’s development in …

News
Berisha calls on citizens to join April 17 protest and demands halving of fuel taxes

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, accused the government of negligence and lack of sensitivity toward pensioners and vulnerable groups, while calling on citizens to mobilize for the April 17 protest in Tirana. He stated that this date should mark “the most powerful peaceful uprising” to respond to …

News
Training with Albanian border police, U.S. Embassy: Enhancing expertise for national security

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana shared images on “X” from a recent training conducted between the Albanian border police and a U.S. overseas investigative unit. The embassy emphasized that the specialized training focused on practical techniques for detecting fraudulent documents and strengthening risk assessment skills. Further in the statement, the …

News
The 5Ps of Service Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Albanian and Western Balkan Service Providers

By Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, April 07, 2026 – In my earlier article for Tirana Times, I described Albania as a country that moves from being visited to being remembered. Having since deepened my engagement with the Albanian health tourism and hospitality ecosystem, and having had the privilege of …

News
Deputy Speaker Spahiu visits Arbëresh community in Italy

TIRANA, April 7 – Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Klodiana Spahiu visited Italy, stopping in Hora e Arbëreshëvet, a key center of the Arbëresh community and Albanian cultural heritage. During her visit, Spahiu met with the town mayor, Rosario Petta. They discussed ways to strengthen institutional cooperation and preserve …

News
Tourism in Gjirokastër shows positive trend but service improvements needed

TIRANA, April 7 – Tourism in Gjirokastër is showing strong growth this season, with increased interest from domestic and international visitors. Tour operators report satisfactory bookings and expect visitor numbers to rise further in the summer months. Despite this growth, several challenges persist that require urgent attention. One major concern …

News
New road to Ksamil nearing completion ahead of summer season

TIRANA, April 7 – Ksamil, a top tourist destination in southern Albania, is preparing for the summer season with improved access and infrastructure. Visitor numbers have risen in recent years, prompting upgrades to support tourism. The new road connects Ksamil to the Pulëbardha beach junction. It features panoramic sidewalks and …

News

Minister of State for Public Administration announces unified public jobs portal and administrative reforms

TIRANA, April 7 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented new measures to reform and modernize Albania’s public administration during an event on public sector employment. She announced the launch of a unified recruitment portal for public administration jobs. The National Agency for Employment and …

News

PM Rama says EU accession talks advancing at “unique speed”

TIRANA, April 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said negotiations with the European Union are advancing at a “unique speed,” with strong support from the European Commission. Speaking at an event on public sector job vacancies, Rama highlighted progress in the accession process and the role of public administration. He …

News

Rama introduces public sector employment portal: A new window for young people

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part this Tuesday in an event where available job positions in the public sector were presented through the portal puna.gov.al. According to Rama, every young person, recent graduate, or professional seeking a new opportunity now has an easier way to get informed and apply for …

News

“It is being said that negotiations have been blocked, halted,” Rama: Completely untrue, we are on schedule

At the event held for the presentation of job vacancies in the public sector, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the importance of public administration as well as the negotiations for accession to the European Union. The Prime Minister pointed out that public administration has contributed to Albania’s development in …

News

Berisha calls on citizens to join April 17 protest and demands halving of fuel taxes

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, accused the government of negligence and lack of sensitivity toward pensioners and vulnerable groups, while calling on citizens to mobilize for the April 17 protest in Tirana. He stated that this date should mark “the most powerful peaceful uprising” to respond to …

News

Training with Albanian border police, U.S. Embassy: Enhancing expertise for national security

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana shared images on “X” from a recent training conducted between the Albanian border police and a U.S. overseas investigative unit. The embassy emphasized that the specialized training focused on practical techniques for detecting fraudulent documents and strengthening risk assessment skills. Further in the statement, the …

News

The 5Ps of Service Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Albanian and Western Balkan Service Providers

By Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, April 07, 2026 – In my earlier article for Tirana Times, I described Albania as a country that moves from being visited to being remembered. Having since deepened my engagement with the Albanian health tourism and hospitality ecosystem, and having had the privilege of …

News

Deputy Speaker Spahiu visits Arbëresh community in Italy

TIRANA, April 7 – Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Klodiana Spahiu visited Italy, stopping in Hora e Arbëreshëvet, a key center of the Arbëresh community and Albanian cultural heritage. During her visit, Spahiu met with the town mayor, Rosario Petta. They discussed ways to strengthen institutional cooperation and preserve …

News

Tourism in Gjirokastër shows positive trend but service improvements needed

TIRANA, April 7 – Tourism in Gjirokastër is showing strong growth this season, with increased interest from domestic and international visitors. Tour operators report satisfactory bookings and expect visitor numbers to rise further in the summer months. Despite this growth, several challenges persist that require urgent attention. One major concern …

News

New road to Ksamil nearing completion ahead of summer season

TIRANA, April 7 – Ksamil, a top tourist destination in southern Albania, is preparing for the summer season with improved access and infrastructure. Visitor numbers have risen in recent years, prompting upgrades to support tourism. The new road connects Ksamil to the Pulëbardha beach junction. It features panoramic sidewalks and …