Albania

 Hellenic Petroleum, Energean Oil submit offers for areas in western Greece as foreign firms opt out of tender

By Chryssa Liaggou

Greek companies Hellenic Petroleum and Energean Oil are the only suitors in the tender to survey for and utilize hydrocarbons in three land blocks in western Greece, the Energy Ministry announced on Friday.

According to a poll published on Wednesday, 83 per cent of Albanian support opening up the files of the Communist-era secret police, known as the Sigurimi.

Roughly 71 per cent of respondents to the poll said if the files were opened to the public, public institutions should be "lustrated" of former agents or collaborators of the Sigurimi.

Minister makes first bilateral visit to Albania since 1992

TIRANA -- A Serbian-Albanian working group was formed on Thursday in Tirana, Tanjug is reporting.

This happened "after a meeting between Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic and Albanian Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Entrepreneurship Arben Ahmetaj."

TIRANA/BELGRADE - The Serbian-Albanian working group was formed on Thursday after a meeting between Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic and Albanian Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Entrepreneurship Arben Ahmetaj in Tirana on Thursday.

Albanian opposition leader Lulzim Basha has attacked the government for leaving villages affected by floods feeling stranded.

After visiting the village of Feras in the region of Fier on Wednesday, he said: "Half of the homes are underwater? and the residents say that the government has not shown up.

Germany supports Montenegrin bid to join NATO

PODGORICA -- German Ambassador Gudrun Steinacker says that her country was in favor of Montenegro receiving an invitation to join NATO this year.

Isabel Coixet's 'Nobody Wants the Night' has been announced as the opening film of the 65th annual Berlin International Film Festival, that is scheduled to take place from 5 to 15 February 2015.

American film director Darren Aronofsky has been announced as the President of the Jury and German film director Wim Wenders is scheduled to be presented with the Honorary Golden Bear.

Albania dismantles massive drug network

Experts say that a police operation performed in co-operation with Germany demonstrates Albania's capacity to identify and lead major operations against organised crime groups.

Albanian police officers search a drug laboratory in the village of Xibrake, near Elbasan, on January 15th. [AFP]

The ?17 million grant, financed by the European Commission, completes the financing of the ?53 million road project, which will help ease congestion in Vlora and ease access for tourists visiting the southern "Ionian Riviera".

The 29km-long road will connect the Fier-Vlora highway with the national highway close to the town of Orikum.

Data obtained from the general prosecutor's office show that of 21 mayors charged as part of an anti-corruption drive in Albania, only six spent any time behind bars.

Only one - the head of the rural municipality of Ksamil, near the Greek border, is in prison today, pending charges.