Greek Prime Minister Pays Historic Visit to Minority in Albania
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made the first visit to the Greek minorityin Albania in decades, where he voiced support for Albania’s European integration. Original post Here
Hidden Victims: Workplace Accidents go Underreported in Albania
Data analyzed by BIRN, and interviews with employers, lawyers and activists, suggest that the publicly available statistics on workplace accidents in Albania are just ‘the tip of the iceberg’. Original post Here
Albania Backs Scrapping Visas for Chinese in Snub to EU
Albania has decided to join Serbia in agreeing to offer Chinese citizens visa-free travel – the only two countries in the region to do this. Original post Here
‘Caged like a dog’; Russian Blogger Accused of Espionage Languishes in Albanian Prison
An eccentric Russian blogger or a dangerous spy? Friends of Svetlana Timofeeva and lawyers are asking why she has been kept for six months in isolation in pre-trial detention in Albania and still has no prospect of facing a court. Original post Here
Hoax Bomb Threats Leave Balkan Region Frustrated, Unnerved
Security agencies face growing questions – but also criticism – over the wave of false bomb threats that’s been shaking the region since March Original post Here
Year in Pictures: 2022 in the Balkans
From political protests to rising inflation and living costs, a new war in Europe and milestones in European Union integration processes, BIRN has selected photographs from across the region that highlight some key events of 2022. Original post Here
French Museum Keeps Memory of Long-Ago Balkans Alive
A vast treasure trove of photos of the Balkans, taken more than a century ago as part of a rich banker’s project, has been lovingly preserved in a Paris museum. Original post Here
Albania Opposition Says Theft Exposes Alleged Officials’ Ill-Gotten Wealth
The theft of over a hundred thousand euros from a governing official has stirred an opposition outcry about government corruption. Original post Here
Divided Albanian Democrats Row over Appointment of Election Officials
Concerns are growing over the credibility of Albania’s May local elections due to an ongoing court battle over control of the opposition Democrats. Original post Here
Old Albanian Woman Keeps Ancient Dress-Making Tradition Alive
A 70-year-old woman from northern Albania is one the few women still making the ancestral dress called the Xhubleta – which UNESCO recently added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Original post Here
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu and Agriculture Minister Andis Salla visited an olive collection and processing center in Dushk. Officials described the investment as a development engine for Elbasan County. The facility, built by Sami Debrova, exports to international markets. It highlights the potential of Albanian agriculture. Koçiu called the …
Ervin Demo inspected works on the Shkëmbi–Kala road in Berat. The project aims to create a ring route around the historic area of Kala–Goricë–Mangalem. The road stretches 1.3 km. It will become an attractive walking route for visitors and nature lovers. The project improves access to the city’s historic neighborhoods. …
Blendi Gonxhja announces that Albania will host the world padel elite at the “FIP Platinum Albania 2026” tournament in Tirana, scheduled for May 26–30 at Skanderbeg Square. He holds a joint press conference with Luigi Carraro, highlighting the event’s international importance. Gonxhja states that the tournament proves Albania’s organizational capacity …
TIRANA, April 30 – Kosova interim president Albulena Haxhiu starts consultations with political parties on Wednesday (30 April) to set the date for early parliamentary elections. She schedules the meeting for 15:00 as part of efforts to reach agreement on a date acceptable to all parties. A day earlier, Haxhiu …
TIRANA, April 30 – Weather conditions in Albania on Thursday bring cloudy skies and rain across most of the country. Kukës, Dibër and Durrës counties expect weak to locally moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms. Other regions record lighter rain during the day. In the northeast, above 1,000 metres altitude, precipitation …
Besfort Lamallari inaugurated the new police station in Krujë. The project marks an important step in modernizing the State Police and improving service quality for citizens. Officials attended the ceremony, including Police Director General Skënder Hita and Tirana Police Director Elton Alushi. Lamallari said modernization goes beyond infrastructure. He stressed …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the historic neighborhoods of Pogradec are being revitalized. He called them a future growth hub for the lakeside city. Historic areas across the country are returning to life. Projects preserve historical and architectural values. They also add new elements. These changes turn the areas into …
Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee visited Turkey to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation. Talks focused on joint programs for young people. The Albanian delegation included Igli Hasani, Ervin Hoxha, Sara Mila, and Edmond Haxhinasto. They met with Fatma Aksal, head of the Turkey–Albania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Mila proposed creating a cooperation …
Ferit Hoxha met with the Special Envoy of the Czech Republic for the Western Balkans, Edita Hrda. The meeting focused on EU enlargement in the region. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to the enlargement process of the European Union in the Western Balkans. They described it as a strategic …
The World Bank projects that the economy of Albania will grow by 3.4% this year, mainly driven by tourism. However, the institution warns that the conflict in the Middle East remains a major risk that could slow economic growth. It calls for stronger structural reforms to sustain the current momentum. …