All News on Politics in Albania
Albania's President Bujar Nishani Arrives in Bulgaria on 2-Day Visit
Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev and his Albanian counterpart Bujar Nishani, who arrives in Sofia Tuesday, will discuss cooperation in the spheres of trade, economy and culture, the EU integration of the countries of the Western Balkans, and the increased migratory pressure on Europe.
Nishani arrives in Bulgaria at the invitation of Plevneliev.
Overview of Foreign Minister Kotzias’ participation in Ministerial Week of the UN General Assembly
While participating in the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly, in New York City, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias accompanied Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to meetings with the Presidents of China, Xi Jinpin; Egypt, Abdel Fatah Al Sisi; the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades; Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas; Brazil, Dilma Rousseff; and Equador, Rafael Correa. Mr.
Meta Attacks BIRN in Albanian Corruption Row
Albania's Speaker of Parliament, Ilir Meta, on Thursday angrily denied allegations of taking bribes following BIRN's investigations into corrupt dealings involving the electricity distributor CEZ Shperndarje and the debt collection company DIA.
Former Self-Determination leader announces protests
Self-Determination Movement founder Albin Kurti says opponents of the future Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) want a referendum called on this issue.
The former leader of the party told a panel held in Tirana, Albania that they had gathered 100,000 signatures in support of the initiative.
PM A. Tsipras on a hectic schedule in US visit
Government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassili said that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ participation in the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly is an opportunity for a series of meetings within the framework of the government’s multi-dimensional policy.
Calls Mount For Probe into Albania's CEZ Scandal
Albania's main opposition Democratic Party and the junior ruling coalition partner, the Socialist Movement for Integration, have called for an "international" or "American" probe into allegations that local politicians received kickbacks from a contractor of the Czech power giant CEZ.
Albania Mulls Possible Influx of Refugees
Albania's government has set up a working group at ministerial level to prepare for a possible influx of refugees, although Albania has not yet been affected by the mass movement of people across the Balkans.
Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi said the government was preparing itself for a possible influx amid internet reports of expected arrivals.
Montenegro Seeks Closer Ties With Belarus
Montenegro and Belarus will sign a five-year agreement on economic and security cooperation on the sidelines of this year's UN General Assembly session, which starts in New York on Wednesday.
Under the draft protocol, which BIRN has seen, the two countries' foreign ministries have agreed a model for a five-year cooperation, which was initiated by Belarus.
Albania Would Welcome Refugees, Rama Says
Prime Minister Edi Rama, who was visiting Puglia in southern Italy, told the online edition of Corriere Della Sera on Tuesday that Albania would welcome Syrian refugees - although refugees crossing the Balkans towards Germany had largely bypassed Albania so far.
UN names Argentine to head Syria chemical weapons probe
A disarmament expert from Argentina has been appointed to head an independent panel tasked with determining who is behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria, the United Nations said on Sept.15.
Tax Evasion Arrests Strike Fear Into Albanians
Albanian police on Thursday said they had arrested two hairdressers for working in a side-street shop in Tirana that was not registered with the tax authorities.
According to police, Taulant Hasanaj, 29, was arrested for resisting a tax inspector while Indrit Lluka, 33, was arrested for "conducting an economic activity... unregistered in the tax office."
Japan boosts embassy security worldwide after ISIL threat
Japan has ordered beefed-up security at its embassies worldwide, a top official said Sept. 11, after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group highlighted its missions in Indonesia, Malaysia and Bosnia-Hercegovina as part of a broader threat.
EU Ban on Balkan Asylum Seekers Alarms Roma
Roma associations in Macedonia - home to a large community - have condemned EU plans to exclude Balkan nations from claiming asylum as part of measures to cope with the growing refugee crisis.
OSCE Chides Albania Over June Local Elections
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission offered about 23 recommendations to Albania to improve elections standards in its final report on the June 21 local election, published on Tuesday.
The report raised concerns about the campaign, the process and the administration of justice related to electoral disputes.
Balkan States Told to Take in More Refugees
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, on Wednesday proposed a new plan for accepting 160,000 refugees in the EU and at the same time proposed that non-EU countries in the Western Balkans be put on a list of safe countries.
The proposition presented to the European Parliament adds another 40,000 to an existing plan for quotas set in May.