All News on Politics in Albania

Austria to deploy military on its borders with Italy

Austrian Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil told Austrian newspaper ‘Osterreich’ that 3 military battalions were ready to deploy in the state of Tirol in light of the refugee crisis. His new statements come a day after he told news outlets Saturday that tighter military border controls were necessary on the borders of Greece, Italy and Bulgaria to stem immigration flows.

Albania Acts to Stop Strasbourg Rulings on Landowners

Albania's government hopes new legislation will halt further rulings by the European Human Rights Court in favour of former landowners, which have obliged it to pay them large amounts of financial compensation.

Highways Dominate Balkan Mini-Summit in Albania

Foreign ministers of Western Balkan countries met on Wednesday in Durres, Albania, with EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn to discuss joint infrastructural projects financed by the EU.

The Durres meeting was the fourth such meeting of Western Balkan ministers in the so-called Berlin Process, a five-year process started in August 2014 marked by yearly summits.

Bulgaria Appoints Kalin Mitrev Alternate Director of EBRD Office

The Bulgarian government has named Kalin Mitrev as the country's representative in the Board of Directors at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Mitrev will also assume the Alternate Director's position, heading the bank's joint office for Poland, Bulgaria and Albania.

Albania Bids For Slice of Russian Tourist Market

The Albanian government is eyeing the tourist market in Russia at a time when Russian holidaymakers are becoming wary of such traditional destinations as Turkey and Greece.

The idea is to exploit the problems facing Turkey and Greece, when both are struggling with refugee crises, and when terrorism is also making itself felt in Turkey.

Albanian Territorial Reform Has Created Confusion, Report

Territorial and administrative reform in Albania, which has changed the map of the country, reducing 400 local units to 61, is proceeding slowly and has created confusion, a mission of Congress of Local and Regional Authorities that visited Albania in February says.

Self-Censorship in Albania's Media Worries MEPs

The European Parliament has expressed concern about a culture of self-censorship among journalists in Albania in its draft resolution on the country's progress in 2015.

Albania, Greece Agree to End Forgotten 'War'

Albania and Greece are going to work together to abolish the technical state of war that has existed between them since World War Two.

Greece passed a law declaring a state of war between the two states after Italian occupation forces in Albania attacked Greece in October 1940.

Albania Opposition Signs Lobby Firm Before US Visit

Albania's opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha travels on Monday to the US with key aides for meetings with members of Congress and US officials to discuss democracy and the rule of law in Albania.

However, BIRN has learned that on the eve of the visit the Democratic Party signed a contract with the lobbying firm Podesta Group to secure access to Washington's top echelons.

Italy to Help Albania Stop Refugee Influx

Italian police are to help their counterparts in Albania stop a feared influx of refugees after countries on the so-called Balkan route closed their borders.

Worried that refugees may divert their route to Western Europe through Albania and the Adriatic Sea - ending up in Puglia - Italian authorities have decided to invest in preventing such a situation.

Terror Suspect Presents Albania With Huge Bill

Saudi businessman Yassin Kadi lost his business empire in Albania, built up in the 1990s, after his name was included on a UN black list of terror financiers in 2001.

Fifteen years later, Kadi has cleared his name following lengthy court proceedings in Europe and the US and has won back his properties in Albania.

Frontex Doesn't Rule Out Migrant Route through Bulgaria

Bulgaria might be affected to a bigger extent by the migrant crisis after the Western Balkans route is closed, EU border agency Frontex's Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri has said.

Kathimerini: Bulgaria, Albania Take Action Fearing Refugee Influx

Bulgaria and Albania are beefing up security along their border with Greece in fear that "thousands of refugees may show up at their doorstep," Greek daily Kathimerini writes.

The development follows the "official" closure of the so-called Western Balkans route for migrants crossing into Europe from Turkey and heading further west to Germany.

Albania and Bulgaria seal their borders against refugees (pics+vid)

With Western Balkan route being officially closed, Greece’s neighboring countries are trying to seal their borders so as to prevent the 42,000 refugees and immigrants who are trapped in Greece to seek alternative routes so as to continue their journey to Europe.

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