Candidates for General Secretary of OSCE / Hasani: I hope to serve to Albania
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, has spoken to journalists about his candidacy for the position of Secretary General of the OSCE. “The prime minister has given me a very big position. It is a very important negotiation and allow me not to put pressure on my …
Scandal with hazardous waste/ Balluku: The port authority of Durres has nothing to do with their transport
The Deputy Prime Minister, Belinda Balluku, at the same time Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, stated that the Port Authority of Durrës has nothing to do with the transportation of hazardous waste to Thailand. In a statement, after the government meeting, Balluku said that justice must speak about this. “I …
A 48 year man sentenced with 9 years in prison is arrested in Fier
Altin Stopani alias Erion Veliu, from Fieri, has been arrested by the police for the purpose of extradition. It is learned that the 48-year-old man was sentenced in Italy to 9 years in prison for participating in a criminal organization, illegal possession of weapons, drug trafficking and exploitation for prostitution. …
The execution of Edmond Papa, who is the 45-year-old arrested as an accomplice in the murder
This Wednesday, Andrew Bode, wanted for the murder of Edmond Papa on December 16 in the Selita area of Tirana, was captured by the police. The 44-year-old, originally from Berat, was previously known as Edvin Bode, but due to problems with justice, he changed it a few years ago. He …
President Begaj meets with the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia
President Bajram Begaj received the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of North Macedonia, Izet Mejhiti, in a meeting this Wednesday. During the conversation, the cooperation so far was evaluated and the need for deepening the relations between Albania and North Macedonia …
How Would Europe Look Today Without Albania?
by Lutfi Dervishi In a continent teetering on the brink of demographic catastrophe, Albania, which is often bearing more weight than its knees can handle—a burden that should have been carried by the great powers—is emerging as a humanitarian superpower. While the EU has been grappling for decades with an …
Exhibition Shows How Communist Albania Spied on Foreign Tourists
In a private house in the port city of Durres, two local professors have put together an exhibition looking at how the Communist-era Sigurimi secret service kept its eyes on tourists daring to visit Europe’s most isolated country. Original post Here
Labour inspection monitors “Kurum”/ Experts go to the premises of the Turkish company
The working group, set up by the State Labor inception, arrives near the premises of “Kurum”, which will be familiar with the documentation and conditions of the employees who have left their jobs. “There will be verification with the departure of the employees as it has been confirmed that he …
Albania is officially the country of honor of tourism fair in Berlin
Albania has received an invitation to be the Country of Honor at the Fair Center in Berlin. The news was announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, as he considers this as an extraordinary promotion of the country. Rama has met with the boss of the Berlin Fair Center Mario Tobias …
The Assembly meets on September 12 for Xhaçka/ The Council of Legislation reviewed the decision of the Constitution
The Council of Legislation has decided that the decision of the Constitutional Court for Olta Xhaçka will be discussed in the session of September 12. “In the session of September 12, the consideration of the constitutional court will also be part of the agenda,” declared Dhurata Çupi. The decision to …
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 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
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here