Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary Corruption Worsening, Transparency Says
Latest Transparency International report on perceived levels of public corruption gives Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania the thumbs down – but notes progress in Kosovo, North Macedonia and Moldova. Original post Here
Albanian gov’t, UAE investor sign deal on €2 billion redevelopment of Durrës waterfront
TIRANA, Jan. 30, 2023 – Albania’s government has officially signed off on a 2 billion euro private-public partnership with a major UAE investor, Muhamed Alabbar, to redevelop the Durrës port area waterfront. The agreement on the Durrës Yacht and Marina Project signed Monday follows almost a year of negotiations between …
Illegal Builder in Albania’s capital Linked to Ruling Party
Government’s claim to be leading crackdown on illegal builds hides an important fact – that such violators are often well connected to the ruling Socialist Party. Original post Here
Britain Must Focus on Root Causes of Migrant Crisis
In dealing with the mass influx of Albanians into the UK, it is not enough to tighten security; measures must be taken to disincentivize their flight. Original post Here
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
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …
Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …
Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed Belgium’s decision to open an embassy in Tirana, describing it as an important step that will strengthen relations between the two countries. During an official visit to Brussels, Hoxha met with Maxime Prévot. The two officials reaffirmed the strong partnership between …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that supporting the Socialist Party means supporting Albania’s integration into the European Union, while warning that there are political forces opposing this process. Speaking at a party event in Tirana, Rama said the Socialist Party’s mission is to bring Albania into the “crown of Europe,” …
The leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, has responded to acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti following criticism directed at the Democratic Union for Integration during its time in government. Kurti had suggested that DUI governed alongside a VMRO administration that was more hostile toward Albanians. Ahmeti …
The Transparency Board has decided to raise the fuel price caps in the country. According to the decision taken during its meeting on June 2, 2026, the maximum retail price of diesel fuel must not exceed 191 lek per liter, an increase of 6 lek compared to the Board’s previous …