Albania’s parliament in deadlock as opposition disrupts proceedings over investigative commissions, electoral reform

Albania’s parliament in deadlock as opposition disrupts proceedings over investigative commissions, electoral reform

TIRANA, Jan. 19, 2024 – Albania’s parliament has started the new year in deadlock with now familiar scenes of opposition MPs disrupting proceedings in protest of what they say are “anti-democratic maneuvers” by Prime Minister Edi Rama to exclude the

Read Full Article
As Ecuador violence makes global headlines, experts point to Albanian connection 

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

Read Full Article
Emigration is top economic risk to Albania, says EBRD head

Emigration is top economic risk to Albania, says EBRD head

TIRANA, Jan. 14, 2024 – A potential deepening demographic crisis due to the increased emigration of young people is one of the top economic risks Albania faces, according to the head of the European Bank for Development in Albania EBRD’s

Read Full Article
Albania’s former prime minister and leader of largest opposition group, Sali Berisha, placed under house arrest, ordered not to communicate with public  

Albania’s former prime minister and leader of largest opposition group, Sali Berisha, placed under house arrest, ordered not to communicate with public  

TIRANA, Dec. 30, 2023 – Sali Berisha, Albania’s former prime minister and leader of the country’s largest opposition group, has been placed under police-supervised house arrest and ordered to stop communicating with anyone outside his household through a ruling of

Read Full Article
Albania risks losing another 13% of its residents to emigration in the next few years, AIIS report warns

Albania risks losing another 13% of its residents to emigration in the next few years, AIIS report warns

TIRANA, Nov. 30, 2023 – About 13 percent of Albania’s resident working-age population is likely going to leave the country in the next few years unless immediate measures are taken to increase local incomes and lower the cost of living,

Read Full Article
Albanian Constitutional Court suspends approval of Rama-Meloni agreement

Albanian Constitutional Court suspends approval of Rama-Meloni agreement

TIRANA, Dec. 14, 2023 – Albania’s Constitutional Court has suspended the approval process for the contentious deal with Italy to establish a third-country migrant processing camp in Albania under Italian jurisdiction. The court has instructed parliament not to proceed with

Read Full Article
Critics say majority has shut opposition out of parliamentary oversight

Critics say majority has shut opposition out of parliamentary oversight

TIRANA, Nov. 23, 2023 – Albania’s Parliament, controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, approved the 2024 state budget this week in less than two minutes and without any discussion amid chaotic scenes that saw opposition MPs lit up stadium flares

Read Full Article
Albanians continue to show overwhelming support for NATO as they worry about armed conflict in Kosovo and Russia’s meddling – AIIS survey

Albanians continue to show overwhelming support for NATO as they worry about armed conflict in Kosovo and Russia’s meddling – AIIS survey

National survey by the Albanian Institute for International Studies also indicates most people in Albania want better military preparedness. Support for Ukraine following Russian aggression there also continues to be strong among Albanians.  TIRANA, Nov. 10, 2023 – Albanians maintain

Read Full Article
Albania will host Italy’s asylum seekers, Rama and Meloni announce  

Albania will host Italy’s asylum seekers, Rama and Meloni announce  

TIRANA, Nov. 6, 2023 – In a surprise move at a Monday press conference in Rome, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have announced a bilateral agreement under which non-European asylum seekers that aim to

Read Full Article
Albert Rakipi and the College of Europe: The bold idea that brought EU’s venerable institution to Albania

Albert Rakipi and the College of Europe: The bold idea that brought EU’s venerable institution to Albania

How a think-tanker’s vision, backed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, secured the College of Europe’s presence in Tirana. TIRANA, Oct. 26, 2023 – More than a year ago, Albert Rakipi, a prominent figure in Albania’s international relations and think

Read Full Article