Latest News from Albania
Kosovars Take to Streets to Mark State’s 13th Birthday
Marking the 13th anniversary of Kosovo's proclamation of independence, at a ceremony organised at the compound of the Kosovo Security Force KSF, the country's Acting President, Vjosa Osmani, recalled the past struggle for independence and the future goal of "integration into the community of European nations".
Pandemic Leads to Rise in Cyber Abuse of Children in Albania
Thousands of children in Albania are at greater risk of harm as their lives move increasingly online during the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF and local experts warn.
UNESCO: Pandemic Has Worsened Minorities’ Schooling in Balkans, Central Europe
Children with disabilities are more likely to be out of school and excluded from mainstream education in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia than elsewhere, a new analysis by UNESCO shows.
Albania Arrests ‘Corrupt’ Judge and Aides Over Suspicious Prison Releases
Albania's Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime, in Tirana. Photo: LSA
An investigation carried out by Albania's Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime, SPAK, has resulted in 13 persons, including a judge, Enkeleida Hoxha, two doctors, a defence lawyer and some private citizens, facing corruption charges.
Serbia's back on the "red list"
In addition to Serbia, Albania, Bahrain, Colombia, the Seychelles, the United Arab Emirates, but also the German provinces of Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, and several French and Italian regions are returning to the "red list".
There are 31 countries on the list, and as far as the Western Balkans are concerned, only Montenegro is on the "red list".
Albania Urged to Save Wild River by Proclaiming National Park
Twenty environmental organisations have called on the Albanian government to declare the river Vjosa - one of the last "wild" rivers in Europe - a national park. The request was sent on Wednesday to the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Blendi Klosi,
Montenegro’s COVID-19 Hotspots Demand New Measures as Crisis Escalates
Montenegrin minister of health Jelena Borovinic Bojovic on the press conference.Photo: Government of Montenegro
On Tuesday, the Institute for Public Health said Montenegro currently had 1,257 active coronavirus active cases for every 100,000 citizens. This is the highest rate in the region.
European Court Rejects Albanian Ex-Judge’s Appeal Against Sacking
The Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday dismissed claims by former judge Altina Xhoxhaj that her rights to a fair trial and to respect for private and family life were violated in 2018 when she was fired from the Albanian Constitutional Court after an investigation showed she owned properties whose cost could not be justified by her income.
Greece Extends Entry Restrictions Till 22 February
The Greek government extended the validity of its decision to close land borders with North Macedonia, Albania and Turkey, as well as the ban on third-country nationals entering Greece for another two weeks, until 22 February 2021, BGNES reported.
Albania to Probe Wiretaps Revealing Mafia Bribes of Officials
Albania's Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime, SPAK, on Friday launched an investigation into wiretapping carried out by the Anti-Mafia Prosecution Office in Catanzaro, in Calabria, southern Italy.
Week in Review: Enlargement, Elections and Revolutions
The French and Enlargement
French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/FRANCOIS MORI / POOL MAXPPP OUT
Albania’s Greens Fear New Airport Will Destroy Precious Wetlands
More than 30 local and international environmental organisations are urging the Albanian government to stop the project to build an airport in Vlora, saying it will cause huge damage to the environment of the internationally protected Vjose-Narte area in southwest Albania.
Supporting Western Balkans’ EU Prospects Won’t Hurt Macron
In the 2019 Eurobarometer, only a third of French respondents - 32 per cent - approved of enlargement, while 58 per cent were against. This was comparable to opinion in Germany or Austria, where 57 per cent were also opposed - but despite that, the governments of these countries strongly favour EU membership for the Western Balkans.
Albanian Govt Plan to Secretly Extend Airport Contract Condemned
The Albanian government under Prime Minister Edi Rama has secretly proposed to extend the contract for the private management of Tirana International Airport from 22 to 35 years, parliamentary submissions show.
Book Unpacks Balkans’ ‘Love-Hate’ Relationship With Turkey
Author Ahmet Erdi Ozturk is a young associated professor of politics and international relations and Marie Curie Fellow at Coventry University and London Metropolitan University.
Although the book has only been published very recently by Edinburgh University Press, it is already being touted as an important addition to Turkey-Balkan studies.