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German Foreign Minister Visits Tirana: EU Membership Wholly Dependent on Reforms

Last week, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas visited Tirana on an official visit, as part of his Balkans tour. Maas met his homologue Ditmir Bushati, whereas later on, he will meet with Prime Minister Edi Rama, opposition lead Lulzim Basha, and representatives from the Vetting Commission. In a joint press...

3 hrs ago

No To The Demolition Of The National Theatre- Your Heritage Is Not For Sale!

I once vowed to keep this blog free from opinions that could be construed as political, but there is one pertinent issue that has really grabbed my attention. Now before you all decry me...

By Alice Elizabeth Taylor Yesterday at 11:56

General Prosecutor Marku Dismantles Tahiri Investigation

Ever since the nomination of Temporary General Prosecutor Arta Marku in December 2017, the investigation into international drug trafficking and corruption of former Minister of Interior Affairs and right hand of Prime Minister Edi...

Yesterday at 07:38

The “Updated” Special Law for the National Theater Is Still Made for Fusha

During the parliamentary session today, the Socialist majority is expected to pass an "updated" Special Law for the National Theater, after President Ilir Meta returned the law to Parliament and the European Commission criticized its contents as potentially violating the principle of equality before the law. The original Special Law explicitly included the beneficiary of...

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei September 20, 2018

Socialist Claims Opposing Politician Vetting, Debunked

The Democratic Party’s proposal concerning the vetting of politicians seems to not only to have caught the Socialist majority by surprise, but to have thrown it into a messy, and, perhaps, panicked propagandistic effort to bury it before it sets roots. From the reintroduction of Fazlic to the fake news about the arrest of a...

By Ilmi Rehova September 20, 2018

Perspectives

Vetting Comes to a Standstill

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei

In Albania, New Turkish Mosque Stirs Old Resentments

By Michael Colborne and Maxim Edwards

Land Swap Is Not a solution – Try Harder

By Adriatik Kelmendi

How the Rama–Vučić Friendship Is Being Used by Serbian Propaganda

By Ilmi Rehova

ECtHR Refuses to Explain Adjournment of Albanian Property Cases

By the Editors

Vlahutin: Justice Reform Further Delayed, Mission Accomplished!

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei

Government Closes 150 Schools, 7,000 Children Kept from Starting New School Year

About 7000 children throughout the country did not attend school on Monday, on the first day of the...

September 19, 2018

KPK Starts Vetting of Serious Crimes and Appeals Courts

In a press release, the Independent Qualification Commission has announced the opening of 36 dossiers. From the Serious...

September 19, 2018

High Court Closes Application Call, Announces Final Candidate List for KLGj

The High Court has published the new list of High Judicial Council (KLGj) candidates, alongside the two sole...

September 19, 2018

Air Albania €29,800,000 Short

Last Friday, Prime Minister Edi Rama inaugurated the first flight of Air Albania, the new national airways operating...

September 18, 2018

Rruga e Kombit Highway Toll: Municipal Council Silent, Kukës Citizens Protest

Yesterday, the Socialist members of the Kukës municipal council decided not to discuss or oppose the issue of...

September 18, 2018

Rama Government Frustrates Parliamentary Investigation into Tahiri Affair

In March 2018, Parliament established a parliamentary committee to investigate former Minister of Interior Saimir Tahiri, under investigation...

September 17, 2018

Government Closes 150 Schools, 7,000 Children Kept from Starting New School Year

About 7000 children throughout the country did not attend school on Monday, on the first day of the new school year. Today, the NGOs group...

September 19, 2018

KPK Starts Vetting of Serious Crimes and Appeals Courts

In a press release, the Independent Qualification Commission has announced the opening of 36 dossiers. From the Serious Crimes Prosecution, 16 prosecutors will be vetted,...

September 19, 2018

High Court Closes Application Call, Announces Final Candidate List for KLGj

The High Court has published the new list of High Judicial Council (KLGj) candidates, alongside the two sole applicants who responded to the second call...

September 19, 2018

Air Albania €29,800,000 Short

Last Friday, Prime Minister Edi Rama inaugurated the first flight of Air Albania, the new national airways operating from Rinas Airport, which he had launched under the...

September 18, 2018

Rruga e Kombit Highway Toll: Municipal Council Silent, Kukës Citizens Protest

Yesterday, the Socialist members of the Kukës municipal council decided not to discuss or oppose the issue of the Rruga e Kombit highway tolls. Although...

September 18, 2018

Rama Government Frustrates Parliamentary Investigation into Tahiri Affair

In March 2018, Parliament established a parliamentary committee to investigate former Minister of Interior Saimir Tahiri, under investigation for his involvement in drug trafficking in collaboration...

September 17, 2018