Latest News from Albania

Albanian Opposition Erect Tent to Press Election Demands

Albania's main opposition parties led by the Democratic Party demanded the formation of a technical government that would then ensure a new free and fair election on June 18. In the meantime, the Democrats announced a complete boycott of parliament until their demand is fulfilled.

Albania Moves War on Cannabis to Borders

In the first two months of 2017, police have prevented more than a dozen smuggler attempts to transport tons of cannabis into Italy or Greece, shifting their focus from a war against cannabis cultivation to a fight against its export.

An official Albanian State Police source told BIRN on Friday that the fight against drug smuggling attempts is a top priority at this time of year.

Southern Gas Corridor to be completed by 2020: Azerbaijan president

Azerbaijan aims to finalize the Southern Gas Corridor by 2020, Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev has said.

The Southern Gas Corridor includes the South Caucasus Pipeline, Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).      

Albania: Protesters Converge On Tirana, Demand Resignation of Edi Rama

Thousands of demonstrators converged in Tirana to demand the resignation of Albania's Socialist prime minister.

The protesters, led by the opposition Democratic Party, pitched tents on February 18 outside Prime Minister Edi Rama's office to demand his resignation and for a caretaker government to take power and guarantee free elections.

Albanian Opposition Calls Citizens to Anti-Government Rallies

Albania's main opposition party the Democratic Party, PD, will gather citizens from across the country in the capital Tirana for anti-government protests on Saturday afternoon, four months ahead of parliamentary elections set for June 18.

"Four years of arrogance, abandonment, and chaos," was the message carried by the party's promotional video for the protest.

Albania's PM Rama: Albania, Kosovo Will Have Joint Embassies

"Sooner or later, Albania and Kosovo will have joint embassies abroad," stated Albanian PM Edi Rama, reported BGNES.

"If anyone sees in this fact the idea of a Great Albania, this is their problem. This is not a matter of a Great Albania," said Rama.

According to Rama, the establishment of joint embassies will be done in view of cutting expenses.

Croatia, Albania Complain of Serbia's Nationalism to NATO

Croatian defence minister Damir Krsticevic and his Albanian counterpart Mimi Kodheli have penned a joint letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, complaining about Serbia's stance towards Kosovo, the Croatian defence ministry confirmed to BIRN.

Albania and Croatia complain to NATO about Serbia

Albania's and Croatia's defense ministers have sent a letter to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg concerning "the events in Kosovo."

The letter, penned by Mimi Kodheli and Damir Krsticevic, "condemns the Serbian officials' nationalist rhetoric."

EP Calls on Albania to Recognize Bulgarian Minority

The European Parliament has called on Albania to make sure the rights of all minorities - and specifically ethnic Bulgarians - are safeguarded and legally enshrined.

EU gets wake-up call as Gazprom eyes rival TAP pipeline

Gazprom's bid to tap into a pipeline meant to wean Europe off Russian gas threatens to undermine a pillar of European energy policy and slow plans to develop rival deposits in the east Mediterranean.

As the European Union struggles against the "iron embrace" of Russian pipelines, it has made opening a new Southern GasCorridor to carry gas from Azerbaijan by 2020 a priority.

Albanian PM Accused of Breaking Jobs Promise

Ahead of parliamentary elections in June, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been taking to Facebook to say he will help people to find jobs, but he hasn't delivered on his employment promise from the previous polls four years ago, economic experts told BIRN.

UK Officials Embarrassed by Albanian Convict's Return

Media revelations that a convicted killer from Albania is living in Leicester, central England, and running a lucrative car wash business have drawn angry protests from Conservative MPs and embarrassed Theresa May's government, which claims to have adopted a "deport first, appeal later" to foreign criminals.

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