Balkan Countries Weigh Potential Damage Inflicted by Trump’s Tariffs
Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia were the Balkan countries worst hit by the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump as he sought to boost the American economy at the expense of its trading partners. Original post Here
What is the aim of the Declaration on military cooperation between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo?
Albania, Croatia and Kosovo signed a joint declaration of cooperation on defence on 18 March in Tirana, which sparked anger among the Serbian officials, who interpreted such a move as a threat to both the country’s territorial integrity and regional stability. The document focuses on “strengthening the defence and security …
Balkan Crime Groups Tightening Grip on South American Drug Trade: Report
Organised crime groups from the Western Balkans are emerging as key players in smuggling cocaine from Latin America, according to a new report. Original post Here
In a depopulating Albania, why is the PM campaigning on a promise to make it easier for young people to leave?
If Rama wants to be the prime minister who ushers Albania into the European Union, he must first be the leader who makes Albania worth staying in. By ANDI BALLA In his recent campaigning for the upcoming May parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Edi Rama has come up with an interesting …
‘Make Albania Great’: Opposition Chief Plots Return with Trump-Style Campaign
Opposition leader Sali Berisha hopes that borrowing MAGA-style rhetoric will being him victory in May’s elections – but many experts doubt that will work. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 31, 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
Money Laundering Causes Poverty, Income Disparity in Balkans, Says BIRN Film
A new BIRN documentary shows how money laundering has been increasing poverty, prices and income inequality in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Original post Here
Diaspora Vote Might Shake Up Albanian Politics, But Big Parties Likely to Prevail
For the first time, Albanians abroad will be able to vote by post in the country’s May parliamentary election; some hope the change will help end the domination of the two big parties, but experts are not so sure. Original post Here
Jailed Albanian Mayor Hires US Law Firm That Worked for Trump
While behind bars and under investigation for graft and money laundering, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj and his businessman brother have engaged hard-hitting New York law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres to assist his case. Original post Here
Albanian Rights Organisations Take TikTok Ban to Court
BIRN Albania, along with a civil rights group and a journalists’ association, have urged the country’s top court to declare a controversial law banning TikTok in Albania for a year unconstitutional. Original post Here
Tech concerns mount over elections in Serbia, spy chief’s arrest tests Albania’s NATO ties, protests over court verdicts continue in Kosovo and North Macedonia mulls impact of dangerous virus, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
More than 9.4 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first eight months of 2026, according to INSTAT. The figure represents a 5.3% increase from the same period in 2025. In August alone, foreign entries rose 2% year on year. The pace slowed from July, when entries increased 7.1%, but …
Work is continuing on the Shëngjin bypass in Lezha, which will ease traffic and improve access to coastal tourist areas. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the construction site and said the bypass is expected to be fully completed by March 2027. The 8.1-kilometre road runs along the slopes …
Albanian lawmaker Taulant Balla met US General Wesley Clark during his visit to New York. Clark served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and led NATO’s air campaign in 1999 during the war in Kosova. Balla expressed gratitude to Clark for his role during NATO’s intervention and for his support for …
New US Ambassador Eric Wendt arrived in Tirana on Friday. He is expected to present his credentials to President Bajram Begaj on Saturday. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 at the Palace of Brigades. Begaj and Wendt are also expected to hold a private meeting. The US Senate confirmed …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s national flag has reached a higher standing internationally than ever before. He made the remarks during his visit to New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly. In a post on X, Rama said his mission to take the national flag …
Albania and Greece aim to strengthen customs cooperation. Their plans include joint border management, electronic data exchange and easier trade and movement between the two countries. General Director of Customs Besmir Beja met his Greek counterpart, Dimitrios Bourikos, in Tirana for the 14th Bilateral High-Level Meeting. The meeting covered joint …
Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in the eighth edition of the European Corporate Council, where he focused in his remarks on the importance of peace, economic development and creating opportunities for future generations. Rama described his participation in the forum as a “special honour and privilege”, praising its role …
The Council of Ministers has officially declared the village of Vuno an immovable cultural property with the status of a “Historic Centre”. The decision, approved at the government meeting on September 25, 2026, also provides for the designation of a protective zone, as well as the approval of a plan …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated from New York that the United States could have done more to prevent, in his view, the start of the process that led to the conviction of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. During a speech at …