As Ecuador violence makes global headlines, experts point to Albanian connection
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2024 – Ecuador’s war on organized crime has made headlines across the world recently as the country’s president declared an internal state of war following armed clashes, unleashing the army to take on powerful gangs. The violence has been building for a long time as the Latin …
Heir to Albanian throne, wife announce they are divorcing
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2024 – Crown Prince Leka, grandson of the late King Zog of Albania, and his wife, actress Elia Zaharia, have announced in separate statements that they have started divorce proceedings. The announcements come after weeks of speculation in the Albanian press after the couple did not appear …
Foreign minister visits North Macedonia, agenda revealed
Foreign Minister Igli Hasani will visit this Wednesday North Macedonia on Wednesday as part of a three-day regional tour, after being to Kosovo on Tuesday. During the visit, Minister Hasani will be met by his counterpart Bujar Osmani, with whom he will hold a meeting at 08:50, while they are …
Ambassador Hoxha moved to EU after finishing term in UNSC
Government has decided that after the end of Albania’s mandate in the UN Security Council, it will move Ambassador Ferit Hoxha to the EU. Graduated in 1988 at the Faculty of Foreign Languages; French Language and Culture, University of Tirana, Albania. He also graduated from the Dutch Institute of International …
Sessions on former PM Berisha’s questioning postponed by SPAK
Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has accepted this Wednesday the requests of the lawyers of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Jamarbër Malltez, postponing the interrogation sessions for next week. Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha was summoned on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to the Special Prosecutor’s Office to be questioned as …
PM met footwear business representatives, discussions revealed
Prime Minister Edi Rama held this Wednesday a meeting with representatives of the footwear business this Wednesday. In a social media statement, the head of government said that the discussions have focused on the needs for further transformation of the sector, the support measures that must be taken to overcome …
Foreign Minister Hasani’s agenda on Kosovo visit unveiled
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani will start this Tuesday the three-day tour in the region with Kosovo. During today’s visit, he will hold meetings with political leaders in Kosovo, including his counterpart Donika Gërvalla, President Vjosa Osmani, and heads of political parties. However, meeting with Prime Minister …
Fier apartment engulfed by flames
A fire broke out during the night on the 9th floor of a multi-storey building in the “Apollonia” neighborhood in the city of Fier. Flames are suspected to have started as a result of an electrical spark, while there was only one elderly person with vision problems in the apartment. …
Minister Hasani calls on Serbia to not send army in border with Kosovo
Albania’s Foreign Minister, Igli Hasani underlined Tuesday that Serbia should give up actions such as sending the army to the border with Kosovo. In the conference with counterpart Donika Gërvalla, he was asked about the risk of other attacks like the one that happened in Banjska a few months ago, …
RENEA’s action to arrest Eljon Hatos fails
ENEA forces and those of the police of Shkodra have carried out a surprise control in a residence in the village of Grudë in Shkodra in search of Eljon Hato, declared wanted for the “Metamorfoza” file, also known as a friend of Ervis Martinaj. Controls were carried out in his …
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 …