Albania signs €1bn deal with Italy and UAE on renewable energy, new undersea connection 

Albania signs €1bn deal with Italy and UAE on renewable energy, new undersea connection 

TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania, Italy and the United Arab Emirates have signed a trilateral agreement to develop renewable energy infrastructure, marking a €1 billion investment to produce and share solar, wind and other clean energy resources.  The project

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Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration 

Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration 

TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania has officially approved Jared Kushner’s ambitious plans to transform the uninhabited Sazan Island into a luxury eco-resort.  The Albanian government’s Strategic Investments Committee granted strategic investor status to Kushner’s Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC late

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Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

TIRANA, Dec. 26, 2024 – The Albanian government’s recent announcement that will ban for at least a year the use within the country of the popular social media platform TikTok has generated debate over the impact of social media on

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Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

TIRANA, Nov. 22, 2024 – Albania’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has been approved, and the country will join on Jan. 1, 2025, alongside Montenegro, the central bank announced Thursday.  SEPA membership is particularly important because

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Will any other Western Balkans country join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) on the same day as Montenegro?

Will any other Western Balkans country join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) on the same day as Montenegro?

by Marija Stojanović Journalist at European Western Balkans   According to the recent announcement by Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Montenegro is poised to become the first country in

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A Courageous Tug o’ War for American Investment

A Courageous Tug o’ War for American Investment

A delicate game attracting Democrat and Republican attention in the Western Balkans Mark Crawford     Sir Humphrey: There are four words you have to work into a proposal if you want a Minister to accept it. Sir Frank: Quick,

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A Rising Tide Lifts Empty Boats

A Rising Tide Lifts Empty Boats

Interpreting an Improved Economy in the Face of Depopulation   Mark Crawford In 2024 Albania faces a paradox of statistics. After a couple of years of strong GDP growth, Albania is projected to have a stable, if not solid next

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Albania faces international scrutiny over suspected toxic waste trafficking

Albania faces international scrutiny over suspected toxic waste trafficking

TIRANA, Aug. 30, 2024 – The discovery that 800 tons of industrial waste, suspected to contain hazardous toxic substances, were exported from Albania’s port of Durrës — likely originating outside the country — has sparked a major international investigation, raising

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Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

TIRANA, July 25, 2024 – The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana to establish Qatar Square, a significant development in the heart of Albania’s capital.  The €11 million project, to be

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EU agriculture funds for Albania suspended indefinitely following misuse investigation, ministry tells parliament 

EU agriculture funds for Albania suspended indefinitely following misuse investigation, ministry tells parliament 

TIRANA, July 21, 2024 – About 112 millions of euros aimed at helping Albanian farmers prepare for being part of the European Union have been suspended indefinitely due to prior misuse of the similar funds by Albanian government agencies, parliament

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