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
Roland Sejko’s documentary “Film di Stato” (“State Film”) has been selected as Albania’s entry for the 2027 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The film draws on an extensive collection of archival material. Through historical footage and images, it tells the story of Albania during the communist …
Prime Minister Edi Rama discussed Albania’s economic growth and tourism targets during a meeting with members of the Albanian community in Staten Island, New York. Rama said Albania has undergone significant economic transformation over the past decades. He also linked this progress to the contribution of the Albanian diaspora. “The …
Three young Albanians have returned from abroad and chosen to build their professional futures in their home country. Their stories, ranging from tourism to medicinal and aromatic plants, featured in the “Flasim” podcast with Prime Minister Edi Rama. The three entrepreneurs all share a similar journey. They left Albania, gained …
Wizz Air brought a group of travellers, content creators and media representatives from Warsaw to Albania with its mystery “Let’s Get Lost” flight. The participants discovered their destination only after they landed at Tirana International Airport. Tirana International Airport “Nënë Tereza” announced the initiative on social media. The airport said …
The Albanian Parliament will host the Inter-Parliamentary Conference “A Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Accession” tomorrow, Sept. 28, in Tirana. The conference will bring together representatives of Albanian institutions, the European Parliament and parliaments from other European countries. Participants will discuss the EU enlargement process and Albania’s path …
Albania secured their first UEFA Nations League win with a 2-0 victory over Belarus in Group I. A crowd of 18,150 watched the national team claim the win in Italian coach Maran’s first official match in charge. Belarus started strongly and controlled possession early in the game. The visitors held …
Farka Lake, 9.6 kilometers from central Tirana, turned into a sports arena on Sunday as the sixth edition of “Tiranathlon” brought together cycling, running and swimming. The international triathlon attracted sports fans and participants of different ages. They competed across the three disciplines in one of Tirana’s natural settings. This …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a video message from Mother Teresa International Airport shortly after returning from the United States, described the measure imposed on the former head of Albania’s State Intelligence Service (SHISH) as extreme. “I have just returned from New York, where, as you know, I represented Albania …
Interest among public administration employees in 0% interest housing loans has significantly exceeded the number of available quotas. By the application deadline, 2,164 applications had been submitted for 300 new home-purchase loans, around seven times the number of expected beneficiaries. The Ministry of Health recorded the highest number of applications, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to opposition demands for explanations regarding the appointment of Vlora Hyseni as head of Albania’s State Intelligence Service (SHISH). In a message from Mother Teresa International Airport, Rama said that Hyseni’s appointment to lead the State Intelligence Service was also based on assessments and references …