Latest News from Albania
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.
Bulgaria's Varna to Host Men's Volleyball European League Finals
The Palace of Culture and Sports in the Bulgarian city of Varna will host this year's edition of then men's volleyball European League finals between July 1 and 3.
This will be the first participation of Bulgaria in the tournament, with eight teams competing this year.
John Kerry Pushes for Albanian Judicial Reform
Kerry met Prime Minister Edi Rama during his three-hour visit to Tirana on Sunday, emphasising the need for Albania to enact the judicial reform package that is currently under discussion in order to boost the fight against corruption.
Macedonian Ex-Ministers Suspected of Election Fraud
Macedonia's special prosecution office has pinpointed a former interior minister and transport minister as well as the secretary general of the government as the main suspects for organizing electoral fraud during the polls in 2013.
Albania Parties Split Over New FBI-Style Agency
Albania's parliament was split on Thursday over the planned formation of a new body to fight corruption, modelled on the FBI, called the National Bureau of Investigation, BKH.
The new structure will be considered part of the police although it will closely collaborate with the General Prosecutor's office as well.
Austria expects Balkan countries to close borders
Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz expects that after his country closes its borders to refugees the Balkans countries will do the same.
After meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati in Tirana, with Albania as the fourth country on his Balkan tour that began on Sunday night, Kurz said it was "theoretically possible that the refugee route would be diverted."
Killing People 'Pained' Enver Hoxha, Widow Says
Nexhmije Hoxha, 95-year-old widow of Albania's late communist dictator Enver Hoxha, on Monday made her an on-air farewell to Albanians, declaring that this would be her last recorded talk.
Balkan Leaders Urge Better Security Cooperation
Ministers and diplomats from Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Hungary and Bulgaria gathered for two days in Pristina, Kosovo, to discuss matters of shared interest, especially security and migration issues.
The struggle against terrorism and religious radicalisation was among the main topics, along the migration crisis and security in the region.
Albania Hopes Cameras Will Make Police Behave
The Albanian police have started to equip their forces in the field with body cameras that they must wear on appointed shifts.
Tirana is the first city where police forces have started to use their cameras. Some 584 have been bought and are now being installed into police uniforms in the city.
Farmers’ road blocks continue around the country on Wed: Bulgaria – Turkey border shut
Greek farmers will continue their tractor protests against pension reforms and tax changes with road blocks at central junctions around the country on Wednesday.
Tempi (northern Thessaly) – closed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., however on Thursday there are discussions to lift the road block so that citizens wishing to take part in protest rallies can pass through.
Albanians Vow to Defend Canyon from Power Plant
Albanian environmentalists say they will stage more protests against a government decision to allow hydropower plants to be built on one of the last "wild" rivers in Europe.
Southeast Europe Urges Strict Control of EU External Borders at Sofia Meeting
In a joint statement, Southeastern European countries have callef for stricter border controls at the EU's external frontiers, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said on Tuesday.
Mitov's remark came as Bulgaria hosted an informal meeting of states that are part of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which at the moment is rotationally chaired by Bulgaria.