Tirana Times

Articles

Sweden Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Accession Amid Geopolitical Shifts

2 months ago | tiranatimes.com | Lutfi Dervishi

By Lutfi DervishiSweden remains a steadfast supporter of Albania’s European Union accession, citing the importance of enlargement in the wake of geopolitical shifts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Minister for European Union Affairs and Nordic Cooperation Jessica Rosencrantz, who vizited today (March 10th) Albania,highlighted Sweden’s commitment to a merit-based enlargement process and underscored Albania’s significant progress in judicial reforms.
New Book “The Lisbon Treaty and Transatlantic Dialogue: Significance and Inefficiencies”

2 months ago | tiranatimes.com | Javier Solana

A new book, The Lisbon Treaty and Transatlantic Dialogue: Significance and Inefficiencies, recently published by the EU Publications Office, provides a unique insight into the complex diplomatic dynamics between the European Union and the United States over the past three decades.
The Re-election of Donald Trump and its Implications

Nov 15, 2024 | tiranatimes.com | Bernd Fischer

By Bernd J. FischerProfessor Emeritus ,Indiana UniversityOn November 6th the world woke to what was, for many, an unexpected event, the re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Since then, there has been considerable speculation generated concerning how this happened, and some anxiety about what this election might mean for the United States, for the world as a whole, and for the Balkans.
UNED Campus in Gjirokastra: A European Hub in the Western Balkans

Nov 2, 2024 | tiranatimes.com | Jerina Zaloshnja

By Jerina ZaloshnjaIt is a beautiful, joyous day in Gjirokastra. October 30, 2024. The sun shines brightly in the warm, clear blue air. From the loudspeakers at the campus of UNED, Spain’s new university in the country, Spanish music reverberates slowly. Young students dressed in traditional Gjirokastra costumes offer grape raki and Gjirokastrite specialties – delicious thin pancakes – to all those attending. The atmosphere is festive.
How Would Europe Look Today Without Albania?

Aug 28, 2024 | tiranatimes.com | Lutfi Dervishi

by Lutfi DervishiIn 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 aging population and a shortage of labor, Albania has taken on the Herculean task of single-handedly saving the union.
Chronicles and Fragments

Jul 2, 2024 | tiranatimes.com | James Wood

Alas, there is nothing of quite that high order in Kadare’s most recent novel, “The Accident,” translated from the Albanian by John Hodgson (Grove; $24). The new book is spare and often powerful, but it is a bit too spare, so that the ribs of allegory show through, in painful obviousness. Many of Kadare’s familiar procedures and themes are in evidence, beginning with the positing of an enigma that needs decoding.
Roman tales: RUN, BABY, RUN

Mar 15, 2024 | tiranatimes.com | Jerina Zaloshnja

By Jerina ZaloshnjaWill you come running with “Camminata Tonificante” group, through Rome, this Tuesday? - Sabrina asked me. Sure, - I said, knowing that if I didn’t go with her, my Tuesday would not feel terribly different from most others, where for hours on end I might end up nestled on the couch, next to my laptop, safe in that routine, and certainly not pouring over a good book.
Op/Ed: The dilemma over the criticism of the Greek veto

Nov 29, 2023 | tiranatimes.com | Genc Pollo

By GENC POLLOTen days ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, standing on the side of visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, told the media that he was against the bilateralization of the European Union enlargement process. The chancellor was apparently referring to the non-signing by the ambassador of Greece to the EU of a circular letter authorizing the European Commission to open negotiations with Albania for some clusters and chapters of the membership draft/treaty.
New investigation offers proof Russians owned shell company that paid for Basha’s 2017 lobbying in Washington

Nov 1, 2023 | tiranatimes.com | Simon Bowers

TIRANA, Nov. 2, 2023 - A new investigation published Thursday by Finance Uncovered in cooperation with the BBC has offered proof that Russian owners were behind the company that paid for lobbying in Washington that led to a brief meeting and a photo of Lulzim Basha, serving as leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Albania, and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2017.