European Parliament to open regional contact office in Albania
The European Parliament has chosen Albania as the location for its new regional contact office for the Western Balkans. According to an official announcement, in the context of growing geopolitical tensions and renewed momentum for EU enlargement, the new office in Tirana will serve as a key communication hub between the European Parliament and national parliaments, civil society, and local partners in the region.
Why is this important: The office will promote the positions and activities of the European Parliament, particularly concerning EU membership, while supporting democracy and institutional reforms in the region. It will also facilitate official visits by MEPs and strengthen cooperation with other EU actors on the ground, as well as with international organizations and civil society groups.
Context: The European Parliament emphasized that the establishment of this office reflects its strong commitment to the accession process of Western Balkan countries.
“The creation of this liaison office aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to deepen engagement with candidate countries. Establishing a European Parliament office in Tirana underscores our firm commitment to supporting the Western Balkans on their path to EU membership, fostering stability, democracy, and stronger ties between the EU and its neighbors.”
Currently, the European Parliament operates three offices abroad: in New York, Jakarta, and Addis Ababa. The decision to open two additional liaison offices in Albania and Moldova follows a previous decision by the Parliament’s Bureau to establish offices in Ukraine and Panama.
Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the decision as a strategic recognition of Albania’s growing importance in EU affairs, stating: “This is an extraordinary recognition, another milestone for our international positioning. Albania is being established as a key reference point outside the EU, and soon, as a future EU member.”
Political debate: The decision has also sparked debate within Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, chaired by opposition MP Jorida Tabaku, who engaged in a heated exchange with Minister of State for Parliament, Taulant Balla.
Tabaku argued that the opposition also deserves credit for this development, emphasizing that its commitment to European integration sets Albania apart from other regional countries. “This is not a government achievement; it is a geopolitical decision. It cannot be used as a medal pinned on the government’s chest,” she insisted.
Minister Balla, however, highlighted the decision as a recognition of Albania’s leadership role in the region: “The opening of the European Parliament office in Tirana is also a call for all political actors to coordinate efforts toward realizing this historic aspiration.”
With this move, the European Parliament aims to further engage with Albania and the wider region, strengthening cooperation and reaffirming its commitment to the EU enlargement process.
Go deeper
Second complaint filed against Sali Berisha over Tropoja killings, as SPAK remains silent
Published on March 26, 2025
Why is this important: The Haklaj family occupies a central role in the so-called Tropoja file, which refers to a period of sustained violence in the northern Albanian region during the late 1990s and early 2000s, marked by politically motivated killings and cycles of retaliation. Over nearly a decade, around 150 people were killed in incidents tied to shifting power dynamics in Tropoja—a region long seen as a stronghold of Berisha and his Democratic Party. The lack of movement on this case again raises questions about SPAK’s willingness to address politically sensitive investigations, particularly those involving Berisha, who has also been named in other unresolved files, including the Gërdec explosion where 26 people were killed and the January 21 killings of innocent protestors.
Albania and Israel sign healthcare agreement to boost training and hospital standards
Published on March 26, 2025
Why this is important: The agreement is expected to raise healthcare standards in Albania and provide specialization opportunities for Albanian doctors in top Israeli hospitals. It also formalizes long-term cooperation with Sheba Medical Center to improve oncology care and hospital management.
Milorad Dodik travels to Israel despite arrest warrant from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published on March 25, 2025
Why is this important: Dodik is under a nationwide arrest warrant issued by the Bosnian state prosecutor, meaning any police officer, including border officials, is authorized to detain him. His ability to cross borders and leave the country has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of judicial authority and political impunity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.