Latest News from Albania

Drugs found in cave in Alonissos

A total of 103 boxes containing more than a ton of cannabis were found by Hellenic Coast Guard sniffer dogs and divers in a cave on the islet of Piperi off the coast of the central Aegean island of Alonissos, authorities said Monday.

Bulgaria Conditions Support for North Macedonia’s EU Bid

Bulgaria's continued support for Skopje's EU accession bid - including its support for a start to its EU membership talks that will be decided at the European Council in October - depends on whether the two countries can resolve their disputes over history, Bulgarian leaders said on Monday at a meeting in Sofia held by President Rumen Radev.

Bulgaria’s Support for North Macedonia’s Accession to the EU is not Unconditional

The consultative summit meeting convened by President Rumen Radev in connection with the invitation expected to be extended to North Macedonia to start EU accession negotiations in October, decided that a national position on the matter should be developed with clear-cut requirements and criteria that will uphold Bulgaria's national interest, BNR reported.

Bulgaria Will Have a New Position on Northern Macedonia's European Integration

An advisory meeting to discuss the results of the work of the Joint Committee on Historical and Educational Affairs between Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia was held with President Rumen Radev. Prior to the invitation to Skopje to begin EU membership talks, the head of state requested that Bulgarian support should not be at the expense of native history, language and identity.

Skopje and Tirana Need to be Evaluated Separately, the Dutch Foreign Minister Said

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok says Skopje and Tirana need to be evaluated separately as regards the start of accession talks with the European Union, according to MIA, citing Albanian Top Channel television.

German Parliament Backs Albania, North Macedonia EU Talks

In a major boost to the EU membership hopes of both Balkan countries, the German Bundestag on Thursday night voted to support the start of EU accession talks for North Macedonia and Albania.

The vote means the German government should be "in favour" of a start date for the two countries at the European Council meeting on October 17-18.

Earthquake Causes Panic in Istanbul, Turkey

An earthquake measuring 5.8 in magnitude on Thursday struck Istanbul, the largest city and main economic centre of Turkey and the region. The epicentre was around 70 kilometres west of the city in the Marmara Sea.

After the quake struck, many people panicked and fled from their homes and sought safety in parks and the streets.

Four Foreign Ministers Supported the Western Balkans Accession Negotiations

We reaffirm our strong support for a credible perspective on the accession of the Western Balkan countries and their future in the EU. We firmly believe that EU enlargement is a mutually beneficial process for both the EU and the Western Balkans, and is a strategic investment in the security, stability and prosperity of Europe.

Dendias discusses North Macedonia, Albania with Balkan counterparts

The foreign ministers of Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania discussed the upcoming talks at the European Council about the possibility of agreeing to launch membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York.

Vucic: We are working on new withdrawals of Kosovo recognition

"They (representatives of Pristina) yesterday relieved us of all responsibility, saying that they had come for new recognitions of Kosovo's independence. Now I say publicly - we are working on new withdrawals of recognition, they are doing their job and we are doing ours, so let's see who will be more successful", Vucic told RTS.

Ekaterina Zaharieva: All of Bulgaria's Neighbouring Countries Must Enter the EU In Order for us to Have More Security and Prosperity

Staunch support for the accession of Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia to the EU. This is the idea on which the foreign ministers of Bulgaria Greece, Romania and Croatia agreed. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Nikos Dendias, Ramona Manescu and Gordan Grlić Radman met, by a tradition, within the frameworks of the session of the UN General Assembly, BNR reported.