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Elections/ Media: Let’s return the pre-election coalitions

The chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu, participated in this Thursday’s plenary session in the Assembly. During his speech, he spoke about the discussion on Electoral Reform and Open Lists, where he said that constitutionality should be restored. So he emphasized that the agreement with the OSCE should be …

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Basha excluded by Parliament

It is not meant to be at least one normal parliamentary session. After the consensus reached between the democrats and majority for a normal parliamentary life, now the small group of democrat MPs gathered around Lulzim Basha protested. Basha himself urged since the beginning of today’s session, that the Parliament …

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Collaborator of Laert Haxhiu, Klea Gjata released from prison

The Special Court against Corruption released from prison, Klea Gjata, friend of Laert Haxhiu. She was arrested last September after the testimony of Arben Tafani, with the accuse for supporting the crime perpetrator and for not denouncing a crime. Her lawyer pretends that the family of Gjata was threatened by …

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The Constitutional Court rejected Fredi Beleri’s request to be released from prison

The elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Special Court. A decision for which his lawyer emphasized that they will appeal. Beleri claimed that the court had conducted an irregular process and that his right to be elected had been violated due …

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After 6 months, the Assembly returns to normality

The Parliament of Albania returns to normality, after several months of noise and chaos. The Speaker of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, at the beginning of the plenary session, presented the agenda to the legislators, while the deputies of Re-establishment are expected to join the votes with the socialists for the …

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The murder of Gentian Bejtja, two arrested, one of them the suspected perpetrator

The State Police announces that it has arrested one of the persons suspected of having participated in the murder of Gentian Bejtja in Fushë Krujë. He also accompanied another, who is suspected to be involved in the crime. According to the police, the arrested person is Ilir Beqaraj alias Brahimi, …

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Accused of murdering the businessman in Shengjin, Portuguese Ruben Saraiva sentenced to prison

The court of Lezha has left the Portuguese Ruben Saraiva in prison. The Portuguese is accused of murdering businessman Ardian Nikulaj, an event that happened in Shengjin. Saraiva appeared today in front of the Lezha court, under strict security measures, as she requested a change in the security measure. He …

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Photos of two arrested for the murder of Bejtja made public

Police made public the two persons arrested so far after the murder of Gentjan Bejtja, former prison police officer. The two men in the photo are Ilir Beqaraj alias Brahimi alias Mancellari and Edison Haxhiu. Beqiraj is the cousin of Ylli Brahimi, known for police as the right hand of …

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Drug trafficking from the USA to Albania by mail, one arrested

A case of trafficking of the narcotic substance cannabis sativa, from the USA, to our country, using the postal service, has been reported.  As a result, a 27-year-old man was arrested, while another was declared wanted. “Narcotics Investigation Specialists, in cooperation with the Directorate of Customs Investigation in the General …

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Op/Ed: If we want peace, we must prepare for war

By Charles Michel President of the European Council. It was 3:30 in the morning on 24 February 2022, when I was woken by the sound of my phone ringing. Countless intelligence briefings warning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine can never prepare you for the moment. Hearing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 28, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Albanian MPs join regional meeting on parliamentary integrity

A delegation of the Albanian Parliament took part in the Regional Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Clinic in Beciq, Montenegro, on September 24–26. MPs Milva Ekonomi, Antoneta Dhima and Kliti Hoti represented the Parliament. The National Democratic Institute organised the event with the Parliament of Montenegro. The meeting brought together MPs and parliamentary …

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Speaker Peleshi: Public support in EU states key to Albania’s accession

Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said direct engagement with citizens and communities in EU member states is essential for the success of Albania’s EU integration process. He made the remarks at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the European Parliament. Peleshi said enlargement cannot rely only on political …

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Health Minister Spahiu: Health structures to be reorganised around citizens’ needs

Health and Social Protection Minister Klodiana Spahiu visited health facilities in Mallakastër to review investments, services and staff work. The visit took place as part of a process to restructure and reorganise health facilities. The process aims to align their capacities with community needs. Spahiu said the reorganisation aims to …

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PM Rama: EU must not leave Western Balkans behind again

Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on the European Union not to leave the Western Balkans behind again. He said failure to integrate the region would also be a major failure for Europe. Rama spoke at the Inter-parliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership”. He said Albania …

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EU Enlargement Commissioner Kos says Albania is on track for membership

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is on the right track toward European Union membership in an interview with France 24. She included Albania among four countries currently making the most progress in the accession process. Kos described 2026 as a high-paced year for EU enlargement. She said …

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European Parliament Albania rapporteur Schieder: Albania can join EU within decade

Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament rapporteur for Albania, said the country has entered the final phase of its EU membership negotiations. He said Albania can close the remaining chapters within the set deadlines. Schieder spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. He …

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EU ambassador Moreira de Sousa: Albania advances, but reforms must be implemented

European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said Albania has entered a new phase of its EU membership process. She noted that the country has opened all six negotiating clusters and provisionally closed three. Moreira de Sousa spoke at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the …

News
European Parliament foreign affairs chief McAllister: EU should advance talks as Albania reforms

European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman David McAllister said the European Union should advance membership negotiations whenever countries meet reform conditions. He spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. McAllister said Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has increased the strategic importance of EU …

News
Golden Autumn in the Tirana Highlands, from Shënmëri to Mount Meçeku

Autumn has begun to paint Tirana’s mountains in golden colors. After a long and scorching summer, golden grass now covers the slopes, while red shrubs add warmer tones. At the same time, green trees still dominate parts of the landscape, creating striking combinations of green, yellow, brown and red. A …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 28, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Albanian MPs join regional meeting on parliamentary integrity

A delegation of the Albanian Parliament took part in the Regional Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Clinic in Beciq, Montenegro, on September 24–26. MPs Milva Ekonomi, Antoneta Dhima and Kliti Hoti represented the Parliament. The National Democratic Institute organised the event with the Parliament of Montenegro. The meeting brought together MPs and parliamentary …

News

Speaker Peleshi: Public support in EU states key to Albania’s accession

Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said direct engagement with citizens and communities in EU member states is essential for the success of Albania’s EU integration process. He made the remarks at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the European Parliament. Peleshi said enlargement cannot rely only on political …

News

Health Minister Spahiu: Health structures to be reorganised around citizens’ needs

Health and Social Protection Minister Klodiana Spahiu visited health facilities in Mallakastër to review investments, services and staff work. The visit took place as part of a process to restructure and reorganise health facilities. The process aims to align their capacities with community needs. Spahiu said the reorganisation aims to …

News

PM Rama: EU must not leave Western Balkans behind again

Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on the European Union not to leave the Western Balkans behind again. He said failure to integrate the region would also be a major failure for Europe. Rama spoke at the Inter-parliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership”. He said Albania …

News

EU Enlargement Commissioner Kos says Albania is on track for membership

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is on the right track toward European Union membership in an interview with France 24. She included Albania among four countries currently making the most progress in the accession process. Kos described 2026 as a high-paced year for EU enlargement. She said …

News

European Parliament Albania rapporteur Schieder: Albania can join EU within decade

Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament rapporteur for Albania, said the country has entered the final phase of its EU membership negotiations. He said Albania can close the remaining chapters within the set deadlines. Schieder spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. He …

News

EU ambassador Moreira de Sousa: Albania advances, but reforms must be implemented

European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said Albania has entered a new phase of its EU membership process. She noted that the country has opened all six negotiating clusters and provisionally closed three. Moreira de Sousa spoke at a conference with representatives of Albanian institutions and the …

News

European Parliament foreign affairs chief McAllister: EU should advance talks as Albania reforms

European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman David McAllister said the European Union should advance membership negotiations whenever countries meet reform conditions. He spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference “Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Membership” in Tirana. McAllister said Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has increased the strategic importance of EU …

News

Golden Autumn in the Tirana Highlands, from Shënmëri to Mount Meçeku

Autumn has begun to paint Tirana’s mountains in golden colors. After a long and scorching summer, golden grass now covers the slopes, while red shrubs add warmer tones. At the same time, green trees still dominate parts of the landscape, creating striking combinations of green, yellow, brown and red. A …