Latest News from Albania
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.
Police seize large cocaine haul, arrest 3 suspects
Greek police have seized a haul of 324 kilograms (714 pounds) of pure cocaine and arrested three people in the northern city of Thessaloniki.
They said Saturday that the suspects planned to mix the cocaine with other substances and sell it in Greece and other markets. It would have had a street value of 100 million euros.
"We don't need Serbia's permission, we will unite with Albania, if they stop us..."
The President of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, stated that this unification is not connected with the agreement that should be reached with Serbia, but that it is an internal decision of Kosovo, reports Gazeta Express.
Vote ‘Secured’: How to Rig an Albanian Election and Get Away with It
According to the investigation file seen by BIRN, prosecutors have identified a total of 96 instances in which votes were bought for the Socialist Party candidate and eventual winner, Muharrem Rama.
Five found guilty over deadly Norman Atlantic ferry fire
The Piraeus Court of First Instance found five people guilty on Wednesday in the criminal trial of 11 Greek nationals over the deadly fire that broke out on one of the garage decks of the Italian-flagged Norman Atlantic passenger ferry on December 28, 2014.
Vučić: "Belgrade Tower will be completed before the end of the year"
The tour of the works was also attended by the Minister of Finance Sinia Mali and the President of the company Eagle Hills Mohamed Alabbar.
"Dreams always come true when you work and live for them. The Belgrade Tower will be completed before the end of the year," it was written in the description of the Instagram profile of Buducnost Srbije AV.
Albanian PM looks to Turkey ahead of election
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama appears to be promoting Turkey as the country's main ally and benefactor and has been criticized for that.
Ramahas promised that a hospital will be built, with Turkish money, and will be ready by the April 25 election.
Russian Diplomat Expelled from Albania for Breach of Anti-Epidemic Measures
The Albanian government has officially expelled a Russian diplomat from the country for violating epidemiological measures imposed to counter the coronavirus pandemic, Albania's Top Channel TV reported Thursday.
War Crimes Prosecutors to Quiz Albanian Army Ex-Officer
Shehu is one of scores of Albanian army officers who joined the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA in its war against the Yugoslav Army and Serbian police and paramilitaries in 1999.
Parliament set to extend western coastal waters
Lawmakers in Greece are set Wednesday to approve legislation to extend the country's territorial waters along its western coastline from six to 12 nautical miles.
Delays Continue to Dog Bosnian Counter-Terrorism Policy
Infographic: BIRN
BIRN nevertheless obtained a copy of the report, which confirms that certain key goals of the strategy were not met. As BIRN previously reported, the report confirms that no money was allocated from the state budget for implementation of the strategy, leaving it reliant on the goodwill of donors.
Greece, Albania establish cross-border crime prevention center
Greece and Albania on Monday signed an agreement establishing a new "communications center" on the land border between the two countries, aimed at strengthening cooperation between their police forces and customs offices.
Storms Damage Ancient Montenegrin Coastal Town of Ulcinj
Storms and bad weather in January have caused serious damage to the famous Montenegrin coastal town of Ulcinj, bringing down part of the ancient town walls. Following heavy rain, part of Pinjes hill in Ulcinj also collapsed on to the local road on January 12, burying two vehicles.
Former Kosovo Police Officer Found Dead in Forest
Former Kosovo police officer Fadil Syleviqi, 55, was found dead on Friday afternoon on a forest road leading from Pristina to Badovci Lake, police said.
Police said they were informed shortly after 2pm local time that a person with no signs of life was lying on the ground by the road.