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“Temple” operation, 3 arrested in Tirana

Three people have been arrested following the police anti-drug operation codenamed “Temple”. Bruno Xhaferaj, Agron Mema and Rediol Mekolli, were caught on “Papa John Paul II” street, with 310 doses of cocaine ready for sale. Doses of cocaine were seized together with 5 mobile phones. From the verifications carried out, …

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Albania requests Turkey to extradite Dritan Rexhepi

Albania sent this Wednesday a request to Turkey for the extradition of Dritan Rexhepi, who was arrested a week ago in Istanbul. “The Ministry of Justice informs you that today, on 22.11.2023, it forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be sent to the Ministry of Justice of Turkey, …

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Names of arrested by SPAK order in Tirana operation revealed

The names of 11 persons for whom a security measure was issued by order of SPAK are released. One of the most wanted is the emir of Ervin Mata, who is thought to be outside Albania. He is accused of being a structured criminal group, drug trafficking and carrying out …

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Interior Minister welcomes operation for former police official’s arrest

Interior Minister, Taulant Balla has reacted this Tuesday regarding the action carried out on Monday by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK), where arrest warrants were issued for the former director of Tirana Police and 10 other people, while the son has been declared wanted. Through a post on …

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TNT blast recorded in Tirana’s Lapraka area

A blast was recorded this Tuesday morning in a business in Lapraka around 04.50, on “Dritan Hoxha” street. From the preliminary data, there are suspicions that a quantity of explosive material exploded and as a result of the explosion, the windows of a nearby business were damaged. On its part, …

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‘Partizani’ file/ Security measure for Berisha remains in force, his son-in-law Jamarber Malltezi is released

The appeal of GJKKO has decided this Tuesday not to change the security measures for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who will have to appear before the prosecutor’s office and will be banned from leaving the country. The court decided for Malltez, the security measure “House arrest”. At the end …

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Greek Minister to visit Beleri in prison

Greece’s Minister of State, Stavros Papastavrou, is expected to meet this Tuesday with the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, who is in prison. According to the Greek media, the meeting is expected to take place at noon today in the prison of Durrës, where Beleri has been held for …

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Operation in Tirana/ Are revealed the name of 11 arrested. The charges against them

The names of 11 persons for whom a security measure was issued by order of SPAK are released. One of the most wanted is the emir of Ervin Mata, who is thought to be outside Albania. He is accused of being a structured criminal group, drug trafficking and carrying out …

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Opposition warns to block session as parliament convenes to discuss 2024 budget

Albania’s Assembly will convene this Monday, although the opposition has warned that it will block the plenary session again. This plenary session is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. in a marathon session where the 2024 budget will be discussed and approved, while the opposition has opposed this budget. Meanwhile, …

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Berisha risks new security measure if he doesn’t appear at SPAK

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha risks facing a new measure if he again refuses to appear in the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). At 10:00 am, Berisha will have to appear in SPAK, according to the order of GJKKO, in implementation of the court’s decision given on …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …