Latest News from Albania
Euractiv: Greece Blocks Albania's Negotiations with the EU
The road to Albania's EU membership negotiations faces an unexpected halt due to Greece's recent action, reported EurActiv. Greece has wielded its influence within the Council of the EU to obstruct the opening of the initial five chapters necessary for Albania's EU membership negotiations to commence.
USAID signs partnership with Greece to improve energy security in western Balkans
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Greek government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday to improve energy security and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Special Forces of 8 Balkan Countries participated in the International Exercise "Strong Balkan-23”
Special operations forces formations from eight Balkan countries took part in the international exercise "Strong Balkan - 23" (B-9). The exercise of the special operations forces of the countries of the region took place from October 31 to November 10 on the territory of the Republic of Albania.
Greece sets up first barrier to Albania
Greece's decision not to agree to a joint letter of the 27 European Union member-states to Albania on the opening of negotiations of the first package of accession chapters constitutes a substantial escalation of the hard stance toward Tirana due to the ongoing violation of the rights of Fredi Beleri, an ethnic Greek who was jailed just before he was elected mayor of Himare in the neighboring c
European Commission report sends message to Albania
The European Commission's progress report on Greece's neighbor Albania, which opened accession negotiations with the EU in 2022, noted a determination to implement the required European reforms and some progress, but also urged Tirana to undertake further efforts regarding "freedom of expression, minority issues and property rights, as well as in key areas of the rule of law, such as the fight
Italy’s deal with Albania on migrant camps capped at 3,000 migrants
Albania will hold a maximum of 3,000 migrants at any one time under a deal announced this week allowing Italy to build two migrant reception and detention camps there, official documents showed on Wednesday.
The scheme is the first example of a non-EU country accepting migrants on behalf of an EU nation, and is part of an bloc-wide drive to clamp down on irregular immigration.
European Commission’s progress report on Albania highlights Beleri case
The European Commission's progress report on Albania, an EU hopeful, highlights the case of Fredi Beleri, an issue that continues to cause tensions between Athens and Tirana. Beleri has been in detention since May, facing allegations of vote buying, following his election as the mayor of the predominantly ethnic-Greek city of Himare in southern Albania.
Italy’s migrant deal with Albania faces rights hurdles and red tape
Italy's government is hailing as "historic" a plan to send seaborne migrants to Albania, but experts and opposition politicians warn that it could face significant bureaucratic and human rights obstacles.
Double standards weighing down Beleri case
Defense attorneys in the trial of ethnic Greek mayor-elect Fredi Beleri on vote-buying charges in Albania are highlighting what they call the different standards deployed by the Albanian judiciary.
Members of the ethnic Greek community allege charges against Beleri are linked to investments around the town of Himare, whose tourist development has been rapid in recent years.
Von der Leyen called on North Macedonia to Finish the Changes to its Constitution
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on North Macedonia to finish the changes to its constitution.
She gave a joint briefing with Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in Skopje, where she is visiting as part of her tour of the Western Balkans.
Vucic receives farewell visit from Albanian ambassador
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received a farewell visit from Albanian Ambassador to Belgrade Ilir Bocka on Monday.
Vucic thanked Bocka for his cooperation and the personal contribution he made during his nine-year tenure to building better Serbia-Albania relations.
FOTO TANJUG/JADRANKA ILIĆ
FOTO TANJUG/JADRANKA ILIĆ
FOTO TANJUG/JADRANKA ILIĆ
Beleri alleges political expediency behind judicial delays
Fredi Beleri, the mayor-elect of Himare, in southern Albania, currently held in detention pending trial on corruption charges, has accused judicial authorities of intentionally delaying the case for political convenience.
Serbian MPs approve FTA with China, W Balkan agreement on food security
BELGRADE - Serbian MPs on Thursday approved several agreements, including a FTA with China and an agreement on food security mechanisms in the Western Balkans.
The FTA with China pertains to 10,412 Serbian products and 8,930 Chinese products.
Beleri case upsets Albania political scene
The case of Fredi Beleri, the ethnic Greek elected mayor of Himare, in southern Albania, who is being tried by a special court on charges of corruption, is stoking tensions on the domestic political scene.
Spain seizes ancient gold jewelry stolen from Ukraine
Spanish police said on Oct. 23 they have seized centuries-old gold artefacts worth over 60 million euros ($64 million) that were stolen and taken out of Ukraine illegally.
The 11 pieces, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings, were displayed at a Kiev museum between 2009 and 2013, and were smuggled out of Ukraine before 2016, police said in a statement.