16 years from the Gerdec tragedy
16 years have passed since the explosion at the ammunition dismantling factory in Gërdec. 26 people lost their lives and 300 others were injured at noon on March 15, 2008, marking one of the worst tragedies in the country’s history. The powerful explosion is still fresh in the memories of …
Police arrested the former head of Albanian Road Authority
The former head of the Albanian Road Authority, Evis Berberi, is arrested by order of SPAK. According to SPAK, Barber is accused of corruption and money laundering. Barber resigned from this post a few days ago for personal reasons. But sources from the Special Prosecutor’s Office affirmed for ABC News …
It is summer day, celebrations nationwide
Albania celebrates Thursday the Summer Day, a “traditional” holiday for the country. In fact, the day supposedly has its origins in ancient pagan rites which were practiced thousands of years ago by the Illyrian tribes living in the western Balkans – and legend has it that these rites have been …
Begaj hosted by his counterpart in Azerbaijan: Energy and tourism are at the top of the agenda
The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj is on an official visit to Azerbaijan where he was received in a meeting by his counterpart Ilham Aliyev. Begaj I shared details of the meeting through a photo published on the X social network while writing: Productive meeting with my dear friend. …
The gun attack in Shkodra/ Balla: I believe in the team leading the investigation
At the end of the government meeting, the Minister of the Interior Taulant Balla responded to the interest of the media regarding the assassination attempt the day before in Shkoder. “In the last 7 months, we have a historic number of identification, finding and extradition of high-risk persons. Last week …
A minor arrested for selling cannabis
A 17-year-old boy was put in handcuffs in implementation of the measures defined in the nationwide operational plan “Tempulli 2”, where the coded police operation “The Supplier” was finalized. The minor, a resident of Durrës, was transporting cannabis seeds for sale. During the physical check and his bag, the Police …
First extradition from Dubai, thief of millions of euro to face justice
First extradition from Dubai to Albania was realized this Wednesday. After long negotiations, today will be extradited to Albania the first prisoner, Bruno Cobo, who was declared wanted by the Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) for theft through fraud. Cobo in collaboration with 16 other persons, stolen nearly millions of …
Gun attack in Shkodra/ Injured witness: We did not see the perpetrators, we have no conflicts with anyone
The testimony of policemen Gjergj Ndershtiqaj and Gjon Nika, who were injured on Tuesday evening in Grudë e Re in Shkodër, is revealed. They stated that they did not see the people who shot at them as soon as they got out of the car and claimed that they had …
“Gerdec case”, the hearing session for Fatmir Meidiu ends
The former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, refused to answer the questions of SPAK prosecutors in the capacity of the defendant. He made a statement in court, where he said that he would only answer the questions of the lawyers and at that stage, according to him, even the prosecutors …
January 21 to be investigated by SPAK”/ The Supreme Court examines the request of Aleks Nika’s family members
The Supreme Court is expected to consider today the request of the family members for the 4 murders on the boulevard on January 21. More specifically, the panel composed of judges Ilir Panda, Sokol Binaj and Sander Simoni, will consider the request of Aleks Nika’s family members, who request that …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …