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Two Rinas officers arrested on corruption charges

Police Supervision Agency (PSA) has arrested two employees at the Rinas Police Station this Wednesday. According to the police, the two cops are suspected of being involved in ‘Passive corruption of persons exercising public functions’, carried out in collaboration. Detained policemen are: – Inspector, Ardit Doçi, 31 years old, with …

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SPAK seeks seizure of man involved in prosecutor’ assassination attempt

Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has requested this Wednesday the confiscation of the assets of Redjan Rraja, involved in former prosecutor Arjan Ndoja’s assassination attempt. It is about nine assets, including two “Audi-A8” luxury vehicles. SPAK has requested the confiscation of all assets in his name or …

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In depth: Balkan countries play Russian roulette with mosquitoes

Headache, fever and muscle aches. A fellow citizen had the feeling that a cold was bothering his body. He was almost certain that the seasonal flu had taken over when he felt nauseous, but he expected to get over it. The usual days for the common cold have passed and …

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SPAK asks the Assembly for authorization for “house arrest” for Sali Berisha

SPAK has requested authorization from the Assembly to change the security measure for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. It has been learned that SPAK has submitted a letter to the Parliament of Albania, where it also requests the change of the measure, to ‘house arrest’. “Until now, there is no …

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Significant amount of drugs seized in Vlora

Vlora’police conducted an anti-drug operation during the night hours. In connection with this operation, several people were also accompanied. Police sources confirmed to ABC News that a quantity of narcotics and a van were seized. It is expected that the police will come out with an official announcement about the …

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Balla-Wisner discusses war on narcotics trafficking

Albania’s Interior Minister, Taulant Balla held a meeting with the US Charge d’Affaires in Tirana, David Wisner. During the meeting, Balla and Wisner discussed the partnership and cooperation between Albania and the United States of America in the field of law enforcement, focusing on the fight against organized crime and …

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Seven arrested as 500 kg of drugs get busted in Vlora

A criminal cannabis trafficking group has been destroyed in Vlora, after an anti-drug operation carried out during the night until the early hours of the morning. According to the sources, about 500 kilograms of cannabis were seized and seven people were arrested. Two vans and two vehicles were seized during …

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Korca judge left to four years in prison for corruption

Special Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence of 4 years and 6 months in prison for Mimoza Margjeka, the judge of the Korçë Appeal, for the charge of “corruption”. On December 15 of last year, the Court gave this measure of punishment, which was suspended and converted into 3 …

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Balla vows for inter-institution coop to prevent violence

Interior Minister Taulant Balla said this Tuesday that there will be absolutely no lack of cooperation between institutions to prevent incidents of violence that can lead to tragedies. During his speech from the conference on the protection of “victims of crime”, where the international cross-sectoral strategy 2024-2023 is being presented, …

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Rama: About ten million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2023

During 2023, Albania has welcomed 9.54 million foreign visitors, Prime Minister Edi Rama informed this Monday, adding that only during the month of November, 547 thousand foreign tourists visited Albania. In a social media statement, PM Rama emphasized that these are proofs that Albania is being visited in every season …

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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 …

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 …

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 …