Latest News from Albania
Kosovo Issue Highlights Bosnian Foreign Policy Splits
Divergences on Bosnia's foreign policy priorities are growing between the Bosnian government and Republika Srpska, the country's Serb-dominated entity, experts say.
"Although Republika Srpska is just an entity inside Bosnia, they have different perceptions of their foreign policy goals," Sead Turcalo, a political sciences professor in Sarajevo, told BIRN on Monday.
Vienna meeting concludes with agreement for ‘close alliance’ to reduce refugee flows
The foreign and interior ministers of the nine countries along Western Balkan Route, excluding Greece, that participated in Vienna meeting on refugee issue called by Austria agreed to forge a “close alliance” so as to drastically reduce refugee flows,
Protesting Lawyers Paralyze Albania's Courts
Lawyers in Albania on Wednesday started a three-day strike, boycotting all court sessions in the country.
The decision was taken by the National Chamber of Lawyers to show their opposition to changes in the law of social and health contributions, raising their monthly dues to the state.
Balkan States Unite to Curb Rate of Migration
Foreign and Interior Ministers of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia met in Vienna on Wednesday to coordinate moves on reducing the flow of the migrants along the so-called Balkan route.
Turkish books available in dozens of languages
Some 1,124 books of Turkish literature have been translated into 60 languages in 65 countries as part of a project that was first launched 11 years ago, the Culture and Tourism Ministry has said.
Bosnia Readies for Potential Refugee Influx
Bosnia's Defence Ministry is ready to make available five military facilities to accommodate refugees from the Middle East if their nomal route through the region changes to include Bosnia, the ministry told BIRN on Tuesday.
Balkan Leaders Discuss Energy, Transport at Summit
The Western Balkans Investment Summit in London on Monday brought together the prime ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia with investors to discuss the development of transport links, energy projects and privatisation.
Macedonia's Tighter Border Traps Refugees in Greece
Macedonia arrested two Afghans who tried to jump the fence on the border with Greece as authorities stuck firm behind their recent decision to bar entry to Afghans and other migrants apart from Syrians and Iraqis.
The Macedonian decision has created a refugee "bottleneck' in northern Greece, where thousands of migrants have gathered hoping to pass through to the European Union.
Serbian and Albanian PMs trade barbs at EBRD event in London
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama suggested on Monday Serbia was advancing more quickly along the EU path "because of the Russia factor."
Montenegro and Bosnia Plan Joint Embassies
The governments of Montenegro and Bosnia are to sign an agreement to establish joint embassies on the so-called "Nordic" model.
Under the agreement, which BIRN has seen, the new arrangements will contribute tocost-effectiveness and improved efficiency in the work of diplomatic and consular offices.
Bulgaria Invited to Participate at Western Balkans Migrant Route Meeting
The Austrian government invited Bulgaria for participation at an extraordinary meeting between the interior and foreign ministers of the countries along the Western Balkans migrant route.
The invitation was sent by Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.
Albania Ombudsman Slams Razing of Roma Homes
Albania's National Inspectorate for the Protection of the Territory, IKMT, has been condemned for demolishing seven homes belonging to the Roma community with police assistance in the suburb of Selita, clearing the way for Tirana's new ring road.
Balkan States Agree to Transport Migrants to Austria
At a meeting in Zagreb on Thursday, the police chiefs of Austria, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia agreed to organize the joint transport of Middle Eastern migrants from the Macedonia-Greece border all the way to Austria, where they will have the chance to stay or continue their journey to Germany.
Balkans Told to Stop Forcible Evicting Roma
The Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muiznieks has three Balkan governments for evicting Roma families from camps while not offering them any alternative accommodation.
Detention Refused for Macedonia Election Fraud Suspects
The Criminal Court in Skopje has until Thursday to answer complaints filed by Macedonia's Special Prosecution over the Court's decision last Friday to leave ministers suspected of election fraud at liberty.
The eight suspects, including two former ministers, were questioned about fraud allegations over the weekend but left the court as free people.