Electoral Reform committee fails for second time in row
Meeting for the Electoral Reform Commission has failed again for the second time, this Friday. Opposition repeated the scenario this Friday as well, blocking the meeting of the Electoral Reform Commission. Based on field reports, the opposition MPs were sitting in the seats of the majority MPs in the commission. …
Several draft laws approved in 12 min plenary session
Plenary session of this Thursday was accompanied by incidents from the opposition, who blocked the floor protesting with placards in their hands. During the session, the majority approved the draft laws of the agenda in 12 minutes, closing the session in less than 30 minutes. At the helm of opposition …
Special Court leaves house arrest against Berisha in power
Appellate of the Special Court has upheld the “house arrest” decision for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha.This decision was taken this Thursday by judge Ilirjana Olldashi, leaving in effect the decision of December 30, 2023. After the Appeal decision of GJKKO, in communication to the media, the lawyer of the …
A 41 year old arrested in Italy for prostitution
A 41-year-old convicted in Italy for exploitation of prostitution was arrested in Rinas. According to the police, the 41-year-old, with several identities, was part of a criminal group that used foreign nationals for prostitution during the period 2008-2012 in Milan. He was sentenced to four years in prison in Italy …
EU committee urges Albanian parliament to give opposition denied oversight rights
TIRANA, Jan. 24, 2024 – The latest meeting of the EU-Albania Association Stabilization Parliamentary Committee has convened at the European Parliament, urging the ruling majority in the Albanian parliament to give back to the opposition rights that bolster parliamentary oversight through investigative commissions and other measures, aiming to enhance institutional …
Becchetti gets paid as Albanian taxpayers bail out air traffic control company whose foreign accounts were seized by Belgian court
TIRANA, Jan. 24, 2023 – The Albanian government has had to pump millions of euros to keep afloat Albcontrol, the state-owned company responsible for air navigation services in Albanian airspace, as its foreign accounts have been frozen by the order of Brussels First Instance Court to pay a controversial Italian …
Ryanair unveils expansion plans and new routes from Tirana International Airport
TIRANA, Jan. 24, 2024 – Europe’s largest airline, low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair, is doubling down in Albania with six new direct destinations to complement its existing 16 and the announcing of plans to open a base in Tirana as early as next year. Ryanair is set to introduce several new …
Gerdeci file, former Minister of Defense appears in Special Court
Former Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu appeared this Wednesday in the Special Court, where the next court session for the “Gërdec” case will take place. In the session held on January 10, 2024, Ylli Pinari, former director of the state enterprise in the Ministry of Defense, MEICO, testified against the …
Session on security of Berisha’s house arrest held
This Wednesday, the court hearing in the Special Appeal for the appeal of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha will take place. The lawyers of the former prime minister, as can be seen from the footage, have arrived at Apel. The former prime minister, who has been under “house arrest” since …
Rama: 2024 proclaimed as year of Albanian language
2024 has been declared as the year of Albanian language, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Wednesday. In a post on his personal Facebook page, PM Rama published a video by the Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu. “On the International Day of Education, we announce the year 2024, the …
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 …