All News on Politics in Albania

Albania Parties Row Over Flood Response

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.

Albania Drive Against Corrupt Mayors Yields Few Results

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.

Balkan nations receive support for NATO membership

Turkey and Hungary voice support for quicker regional NATO integration as they continue comprehensive defence reforms.

Macedonia has satisfied all conditions for NATO membership, but is kept out by Greece's veto. [AFP]

Bulgaria Holds Day of National Mourning for Ex President Zhelyu Zhelev

Bulgaria holds a day of national mourning for late Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev.

Zhelev, a dissident who served as Bulgaria's first democratically elected president (1990-1997) after the fall of communism, passed away on Friday at the age of 79.

Bulgarian national flags at all state institutions will be flown at half-mast.

Albanian officer killed in Spain while trafficking drugs

TIRANA -- Albanian Army Major Sokol Feka was the pilot of a helicopter that crashed yesterday in Spain while transporting narcotics from Morocco.

Feka served in the Albanian military for 18 years and was made major in 2009. He is described as "a pilot who enjoyed the highest degree of trust."

Albania, Italy create anti-terror task force

Italian authorities say that in fighting terrorism, it is important to engage Albania and Kosovo.

Roberto Della Rocca, a deputy director with the Italian police (left) visits Albania's interior ministry. [Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs]

Albania minorities object to territorial division

Civil society groups in Albania call for a referendum on reversing the country's new territorial reorganisation to diffuse ethnic tensions.

The Macedonian minority representatives in Albania meet at Pustec municipality. [Courtesy of Municipality of Pustec]

Arrested Albanian Imams Praise Charlie Hebdo Attack

"Whoever has pained the prophet or has written articles in newspapers, magazines, books or produced movies in which he is offended? this is considered an act of war," imams Abdurrahim Balla and Bujar Hysa wrote in a letter sent from prison, which is being circulated on social networks.

Macedonia's Foreign Minister Visiting Albania to Boost Cooperation

Macedonia's Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki is visiting Albania on Monday as part of intensified contacts between the two Balkan neighbours.

Poposki is scheduled to meet his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati and Prime Minister Edi Rama as well as the head of the foreign affairs committee in Parliament, Arta Dade, the Foreign Ministry in Skopje said in a press release.

Gentiloni: Serbia, Albania EU membership important

ROME - Serbia's and Albania's EU membership is of strategic importance for the stabilization and security of the entire Western Balkans, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has said after meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati in Rome.

Ivica Da?i?: Kolinda, you need to choose your words

Minister of Foreign affairs Ivica Da?i? stated that newly elected president of Croatia Kolinda Grabar Kitarovi? should "choose her words and moves carefully."

Serbian Minister commented Kitarovi?'s innapropriate statements about Serbia and Vojvodina, saying that she is the president now, and not opposition anymore.