Resilience & Reconstruction–Albanian Embassy Dialogue on Disinformation and Information Security in the Western Balkans

The Resilience and Reconstruction team convened a working meeting with H.E. Dr Uran Ferizi, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and his political advisor Flamur M. Krasniqi at the Embassy of Albania in London.

The discussion focused on the evolving disinformation landscape in the Western Balkans, with particular attention to cross-border information flows and their impact on democratic institutions, media ecosystems, and vulnerable communities in the region. The Res&Rec team and the Ambassador’s office explored current and emerging Russian-aligned narratives circulating in Albanian- and regional-language information spaces, including efforts to distort public perceptions of Euro-Atlantic integration, undermine trust in independent media, and instrumentalise historical grievances.

Both parties exchanged assessments of how these narratives interact with local political dynamics, socio-economic inequalities, and existing polarization, noting the risks they pose for social cohesion, minority rights, and long-term democratic resilience in the Western Balkans. The conversation also addressed the role of diaspora communities and digital platforms in both amplifying and countering harmful content, highlighting the importance of coordinated responses that link London-based institutions with partners in Tirana and across the region.

As an outcome of the meeting, Resilience & Reconstruction and the Embassy identified several concrete avenues for future collaboration, including expert roundtables on disinformation trends, closed-door briefings for policymakers and diplomats, and potential research partnerships to document the societal impacts of malign information influence in the region. 

The meeting forms part of Res&Rec’s broader work on documenting contemporary information threats and strengthening evidence-based responses to foreign information manipulation and interference affecting Europe’s neighbourhood.