New details on 21 January 2011 protest killings’ investigation
Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has given this Monday new details regarding the ongoing investigations into the case of January 21, where four people were killed, namely, Ziver Veizi, Faik Myrtaj, Hekuran Deda and Aleks Nika. In the official response, it is emphasized that as a function of the conducted investigations, …
PM Rama’s message to Balkan leaders
“We are not the best, but we deserve integration”, said Prime Minister Edi Rama in his speech at the Balkan summit in Skopje. “I would like to thank the US undersecretary, our friends. With this, O’Brien emphasizes the importance that this initiative has, not only for our countries, but for …
Two injured in Tirana by falling scaffold near under-construction building
A serious event has been recorded this Moday on “Gjergj Fishta” Boulevard in Tirana, where the scaffolding of a building under construction collapsed.As a result, two passers-by were injured, namely a 70-year-old and a 45-year-old. At the time being, the two injured are in the hospital, under the care of …
Why Albania sees Kosovo as an Autonomous Province of hers
The article below was first published on Feb. 26, 2020 in the Tirana Observatory. Many of the issues affecting the Albania-Kosovo relationship remain the same since then, albeit new issues have risen to add fuel to previous disagreements. It is part of a book authored by Albert Rakipi, “Albania and …
Op/Ed: The Future of Europe – Assuming Responsibility with Courage
By Karl von Habsburg In mid-December last year, a friend from Ukraine paid a visit to Vienna. Ihor Zhaloba, a historian from Chernivtsi, a university professor, a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, co-chairman of the Austrian-Ukrainian Historical Commission, President of the Pan-European Union of Ukraine, and: soldier. Three …
Tirana, two arrested after embezzling EUR 10,000 off employer
Two people were arrested in Tirana in the framework of the police operation coded “All in”, as informed this Saturday. They were put in handcuffs after, in different periods of time, they stole the amount of EUR 10,000 from a company where they were employed, in the “Ali Demi” neighborhood. …
Dibra stricken by heavy snowfall, drivers urged to use tire chains
Snowfall has covered Dibra since the early hours of Saturday morning. Thickness of the snow in the city of Peshkopia and Bulqiza reaches 10 cm, while in the mountainous areas the thickness is greater, ranging from 15-20 cm. Peshkopi-Tirana road is passable after the snow removal vehicles have passed and …
Man steals ALL 5000 off Fier shop after breaking glasses
An unidentified person committed a theft in a grocery store in Fier, during the very early hours of this Saturday morning. Incident took place while it was still dark, in the “Apollonia” neighborhood, where the perpetrator broke the windows of the shop and took 5,000 ALL. On its part, the …
Two apartments burned in Memaliaj building, residents evacuated
A 2-story building was engulfed in flames on “Ali Pashë Tepelena” street in Memaliaj, in the early hours of this Saturday morning. From the fire on the second floor, 3 apartments were completely burned, while 3 other apartments were partially affected by the flames. Intervention of the fire brigade made …
Rama: East bus terminal in Tirana fully functional
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj have published this Friday morning the images from the East Bus Terminal in the capital, which is already in full operation. Students and citizens, who travel from the east to Tirana and vice versa, will not wait for hours to …
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 …