Latest News from Albania

Tentative step taken in Beleri case

In a move on Thursday that, under certain circumstances, might open the door to a compromise in the case of jailed ethnic Greek Fredi Beleri, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama referred to him as the "elected mayor of Himare" for the first time, even though he backed as correct the ruling by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime in Tirana that denied him permission to attend a

EIB, EBRD, EU support construction of North Macedonia’s rail line

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union announced on Tuesday a 560 million euro ($613.87 million) financing package for North Macedonia to build a railway line to neighboring Bulgaria.

Berlin, Athens, and the Beleri case

As EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, their focus is largely on Ukraine and its ties to the EU. In the buildup to the summit, however, the Western Balkans also caught their attention. This includes the case of Albania and the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare Fredi Beleri, which has not only caused a rift in Greek-Albanian relations, but also between Athens and Berlin this week.

Berlin backs Albania’s EU bid despite Athens’ opposition over jailed mayor

The public position taken on Wednesday by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in favor of Albania's candidacy to the EU revealed a slight crack in relations between Athens and Berlin.

Greece has clarified that Tirana's intransigence in the case of jailed ethnic Greek mayor-elect Fredi Beleri is in conflict with the European acquis.

Albania needs to boost rights of minorities, EU GAC says

Albania needs to continue its efforts to further strengthen the protection of fundamental rights, media freedom and freedom of expression, and rights of persons belonging to minorities, the EU General Affairs Council on Enlargement said in its conclusions published on Tuesday.

European Views on EU Expansion: Ukraine Favored, Balkans and Turkey Face Hurdles

A recent EU survey by YouGov and Datapraxis conducted across six member states highlights contrasting opinions on potential expansions. Support for Ukraine's accession emerges, but skepticism looms over Turkey and the Western Balkans. The findings impact upcoming decisions at the European Council summit regarding EU enlargement and budget allocation.

The Survey's Key Insights:

Athens sends new message to Tirana

There is currently no mention of Albania as a European Union candidate country in the Enlargement chapter of the latest draft of the forthcoming European Council, which starts Thursday.

Beleri oath request gets rejected

Fredi Beleri's request to be sworn in as mayor of Himare was rejected by Albania's Special Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime on Monday.

Beleri was arrested in May on voting fraud charges just before winning the municipal election in the predominantly ethnic-Greek southern Albanian region of Himare. He is currently in pretrial detention.

Albanian PM defiant over Beleri issue

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has reiterated his position on the case of Fredi Beleri, the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himare, southern Albania, currently in pretrial detention on charges of vote-buying, stressing the matter is exclusively within the jurisdiction of Albania's judiciary.

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