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National anti-immigration strategy/ Balla: We aim to curb asylum requests

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla said that they have approved a national strategy, which aims to prevent illegal immigration and curb requests for asylum. He further stated that the government aims to reintegrate Albanian immigrants into the labor market and this strategy, Balla added, is part of the …

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Has the United States’ foreign policy failed in the Western Balkans?

Agim Nesho The establishment of Serbia’s new government and the emergence of ultra-nationalist pro-Russian figures like Vulin deal a heavy blow to Western policy and its strategy to bring Serbia closer to the EU. Despite Ambassador Hill’s assertion that “Serbia is closer to NATO than Kosovo,” Vucic’s nationalists responded with …

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New support package for investments in Alps

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images from the works in Shkodër, where the focus remains on tourism. Rama emphasizes that step by step work is being done for a healthier economy, while also wishing May 1, the International Workers’ Day. “GOOD MORNING and from Shkodra, where working people are …

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Protest in front of the City hall/ Three arrested, several others are being sought

Three people have been criminally prosecuted after the protest held in front of the Tirana Municipality. Three others have also been announced as wanted. The procedure has started for the citizen, Klodjan Korriku, Selaudin Gordani and Arben Qordja. “The Local Directorate of the Tirana Police, in relation to the violent …

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SPAK arrested 3 people for drug trafficking

Three people were arrested by order of SPAK, as part of the “Flame at Sea” operation. This operation was carried out on 15.08.2023, where an attempt was made to traffic a significant amount of narcotics by sea. Alket Deda, Xenofon Bodo, Selami Lushkaj have been imprisoned. The security measures against …

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Tourism/ Rama: Albania in a new stage of success

Prime Minister Edi Rama from Elbasan, where he inspected the Ferrochrome industry of AlbChrome in the city of Elbasan, stated that the employee is important to be motivated and also respected. Rama emphasized the importance of working conditions, while he said that the country is now in a new stage …

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Security Commission, Balla: Every apartment in Albania will have a unique code

Interior Minister Taulant Balla spoke about the law on addresses at the meeting of the Parliamentary Security Committee. Balla emphasized that it is very important that the national address register be updated regularly. “Each apartment in Albania will have a unique code.  We also worked with by laws. Good laws …

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Tirana mayor summoned by special prosecutors in corruption probe

TIRANA, Apr. 30, 2024 – Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was summoned on Tuesday to the office of Albania’s Special Prosecutors for Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) as part of its investigation into corruption related to the construction of the Tirana waste incinerator.  The move marks the first time Mr. Veliaj …

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Bank of Albania moves to apply for SEPA membership

Albanian businesses and individuals have for years complained that bank transfers — both domestic and international — are costly and slow. SEPA membership would help solve the problem.  TIRANA, Apr. 30, 2024 – Albania has started procedures to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) — a move experts say …

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Mayor of Tirana Municipality, Erion Veliaj arrives at SPAK

The Mayor of Tirana Erjon Veliaj has arrived at SPAK premises. He did not give a statement to the media, however, a few days ago he warned that he would submit to the Prosecutor’s Office the files on all matters, including the incinerator and the ‘5D’ one. Regarding the latter, …

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

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NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

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Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

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Korça Revives Historic Ties with France Through Culture and Vision

By Tirana Times  As the cobblestone streets of Korça echo with French music, scent of Alpine cuisine, and the laughter of children discovering animated French classics, the southeastern Albanian city reaffirms a timeless connection with France—one rooted in history, education, and enduring cultural admiration. From June 14 to 24, Korça …

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Albania’s Demographic Time Bomb: A Silent National Emergency

By Lutfi Dervishi For decades, the most pressing keywords in Albania’s political lexicon were democracy, corruption, and justice. Today, however, the most dangerous threat to the country’s future may lie elsewhere—hidden in plain sight and dangerously underdiscussed: demography. According to the most recent official census, Albania’s population stands at approximately …

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Korça Revives Historic Ties with France Through Culture and Vision

By Tirana Times  As the cobblestone streets of Korça echo with French music, scent of Alpine cuisine, and the laughter of children discovering animated French classics, the southeastern Albanian city reaffirms a timeless connection with France—one rooted in history, education, and enduring cultural admiration. From June 14 to 24, Korça …

News

Albania’s Demographic Time Bomb: A Silent National Emergency

By Lutfi Dervishi For decades, the most pressing keywords in Albania’s political lexicon were democracy, corruption, and justice. Today, however, the most dangerous threat to the country’s future may lie elsewhere—hidden in plain sight and dangerously underdiscussed: demography. According to the most recent official census, Albania’s population stands at approximately …