Latest News from Albania
Balkans join fight against violent extremism
Balkans join fight against violent extremism
Balkan states are asking the United States and Europe to help confront the root causes of terrorism.
Representatives of 60 countries attend the February 18th opening of the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. [AFP]
Balkans Told to Curb Flow of Asylum Seekers
The number of asylum seekers in the EU from five Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia - rose by a massive 40 per cent in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
On February 25, the Commission wrote that the vast majority of applications had been rejected as unfounded.
Serbian citizens top list of asylum seekers in EU
Serbian citizens top list of asylum seekers in EU
BRUSSELS -- Serbia is still ranked first when it comes to the number of its citizens seeking asylum in Western Europe, a recent report by the European Commission has said.
It is necessary to take a series of measures to stop it, the report added.
Serbia ranks first in number of asylum seekers
BRUSSELS - Serbia is still ranked first when it comes to the number of its citizens seeking asylum in Western Europe and it necessary to take a number of steps to put a stop to that, according to the latest report by the European Commission.
AI: Pressure against media, discrimination in Kosovo
AI: Pressure against media, discrimination in Kosovo
There has been progress in Serbia regarding investigations into the murders of well-known journalists, but pressure against the media has increased.
This was announced by Amnesty International, the Beta news agency reported.
AI: Serbs in Kosovo subject to attacks and discrimination
LONDON - Amnesty International (AI), a human rights NGO, states in its annual report on the human rights situation in Serbia that Serbs are still subject to attacks and other minorities discriminated against in Kosovo, and a special court to try former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is expected to be set up there as well.
Amnesty Gives Balkans Mixed Verdict on Rights
The latest report published by international campaign group Amnesty International on Wednesday said attacks on the gay community were handled inappropriately by justice systems throughout the Balkans and Roma continue to face discrimination.
The latest State of the World's Human Rights report profiled the state of human rights in 160 countries and territories in 2014.
Albanian Women MPs Push For Gender Quotas
Three MPs representing three major political parties in Albania are calling for the introduction of gender quotas for the next mayoral and local council elections.
EU Commission Concerned by Asylum Abuse by Western Balkans Citizens
Asylum abuse by citizens of the visa-free countries in the Western Balkans remains a considerable concern for the EU, the European Commission said in a report on Wednesday.
Albania MP Apologizes For Assaulting Colleague
At his trial on Monday in the Albanian Supreme Court, Socialist MP Arben Ndoka apologized for having attacked a fellow MP, maintaining that such actions have occurred in other parliaments.
"I want to apologize to the public although such incidents have happened in parliaments all over Europe and in the Albanian parliament in the past," Ndoka told reporters outside the court.
IMF Releases 53 million Euro Loan to Albania
The Ministry of Finance announced on Sunday that the International Monetary Fund board of directors approved the second and third review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), allowing the disbursement of two tranches of an IMF loan worth 53 million euros.
"The Excecutive Board of IMF approved the review on 20 February 2015," the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.
Bulgaria's Foreign Minister to Participate in SEECP Informal Meeting
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov will take part in an informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) member states.
Greek Alternate FM in Albania for SEECP
On Monday and Tuesday, February 23 and 24, Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Chountis will carry out a visit Tirana, where he will participate in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) member states being hosted by the Albanian SEECP Chairmanship.
During his stay in the Albanian capital, Chountis will have a series of meetings:
Ivica Da?i?: Albania must respect OSCE
Ivica Da?i?: Albania must respect OSCE
Chairman of OSCE and chief of Serbian diplomacy Ivica Da?i? asked Albanians to respect the principles of OSCE and "not to worry about the talks between Belgrade, Pri?tina and the EU".
Albania Jails Ten Over Central Bank Theft
The Tirana First Instance Court handed down the jail terms on Thursday following a speedy trial.
The ten employees received relatively light sentences following a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to the charges.
One ex-bank employee, Bashkim Xhilaga, received a suspended sentence, based on his health condition.