Speaker Peleshi and North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Gashi discuss parliamentary cooperation and EU integration
TIRANA, April 15 – Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi on Wednesday for talks focused on bilateral parliamentary cooperation and European integration. Both officials reviewed relations between Albania and North Macedonia. They described ties as friendly and stable. In addition, they stressed the need …
Parliamentary Committee approves ratification of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development multilateral convention on tax rules
TIRANA, April 15 – Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved on Wednesday a draft law ratifying the Multilateral Convention on facilitating the implementation of Pillar Two tax rules developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The committee examined the draft in its advisory …
Shockwaves or Spillovers: How Will the Iran War Affect the Western Balkans?
Western Balkan leaders are taking diplomatic sides in the US-Israeli war on Iran and the region faces escalating energy prices – with the economic impact likely to be more serious than any potential security risks. Original post Here
How Voice of America ‘Opened a Window’ in Isolated, Communist Albania
Afrim Krasniqi’s new book highlights the US radio station’s crucial role in bringing about change in Albania in 1990 – then ‘the most closed society in Europe’. Original post Here
Emergency teams respond to large fire in Tirana complex
Fire broke out in a residential building near “Farmacia 10” in Tirana on Rruga e Dibrës. The fire started on the first floor. It quickly spread across the building’s facade. Flames engulfed the structure. Firefighters evacuated residents using ladders. Police secured the area with safety cordons. Emergency teams transported several …
Brataj: 11 people hurt in “Arlis” blaze, all out of danger
Emergency Director Skënder Brataj confirmed that the fire at the “Arlis” complex in Tirana injured 11 people. Doctors placed six patients in hospital care. They admitted four patients to the Toxicology ward, one to emergency care, and one to the burns unit. Doctors treated a woman in her 50s for …
Inspector orders checks of businesses after “Arlis” fire
Inspector General Dashnor Sula formed a working group after the fire at the “Arlis” complex in Tirana. The fire affected a building near Farmacia 10. The group will verify the circumstances of the incident. Officials will check businesses operating inside the complex. They will assess compliance with technical and legal …
Ali Ahmeti calls for a borderless and peaceful Balkans at Diaspora Summit
Ali Ahmeti spoke at the fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He highlighted the role of the Albanian diaspora in national development. He said the diaspora has preserved language, culture, and identity. Ahmeti stated that Albanians abroad contributed to Kosovo’s freedom and state-building. He added that the Albanian language and …
NATO chief Rutte meets Albanian Defence Minister Nufi in Brussels
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Rutte praised Albania’s commitment to NATO. He highlighted Albania’s contribution to collective security. Both sides discussed support for Ukraine. They also reviewed recent security developments. They focused on the situation in the Western Balkans. …
Rama grants Albanian passport to former New York mayor Eric Adams
Prime Minister Edi Rama gave former New York City mayor Eric Adams an Albanian ID card and passport in Tirana. The ceremony took place during the fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit gala evening. Rama said no one expected the former New York mayor to become a citizen of Tirana and Albania. …
Serbian strongman Aleksandar Vucic vowed to defeat the student protest movement, but lost in the end. Other movements across the region can learn lessons from the Serbian students about tactics and perseverance. Original post Here
Kosova Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu has begun an official visit to North Macedonia. Her counterpart, Assembly Speaker Afrim Gashi, welcomed her with a state ceremony. During her stay in Skopje, Haxhiu is expected to meet North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. Her agenda also includes meetings …
The National Museum of Photography “Marubi” continues to host “Gjon Mili: Retrospective,” an exhibition celebrating the Albanian-American photographer who transformed motion photography and brought art and science into closer dialogue. Through bold experiments with light, movement and photographic techniques, Mili challenged traditional ways of seeing images. He captured fleeting moments …
The World Bank expects economic growth across the Western Balkans to accelerate in 2026 and strengthen further in 2027. Consumption and investment will support this growth. The region’s economies have remained resilient to shocks and continue to converge with the European Union. However, businesses need more efficient trade rules to …
Shaip Kamberi, an elected Albanian member of Serbia’s parliament, questioned whether the Student List would change its position on Kosova after the new government takes office. He said Serbian politicians continue to use the Kosova issue for political gain. He also argued that nationalist voters play a key role in …
Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli attended the “European City of Sport” Gala as a special guest, representing ACES Europe in his capacity as honorary president for the Balkans. The ceremony took place at the Hall of Honour of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). In his address, …
Deputy Justice Minister Elona Hoxha outlined six proposed legal instruments to prevent violence during protests, property damage and threats to public order. Speaking to Vizion Plus, she said the package aims to protect citizens and institutions while safeguarding the right to peaceful protest. The proposed Criminal Code amendments would penalise …
Albania and Italy have extended their agreement on the mutual recognition and conversion of driving licences for another five years. Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved the amendment, which continues the arrangement through an exchange of notes. The agreement allows Albanian citizens living in Italy and Italian citizens living in …
Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Enkelejd Musabelliu presented a bill on cross-border transformations, mergers and divisions of companies to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill aims to align Albanian legislation with European Union rules under Chapter 6 on company law. The proposal transposes EU Directive 2019/2121 …
Construction of the new Bahçallëk Bridge continues at a rapid pace at the entrance to Shkodër. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the works today, highlighting the investment in modern infrastructure. The project aims to improve road safety and ease traffic entering and leaving the city. It will also …