Latest News from Albania
Gruevski Fled Macedonia 'to Avoid Assassination'
In his first TV appearance since he escaped from Macedonia to Hungary in November last year, former Macedonian prime minister and former VMRO DPMNE party leader Nikola Gruevski said he fled from Macedonia after "reliable sources" warned him that the new government was plotting to assassinate him.
Six arrests on drug charges in Thessaloniki
Police in Thessaloniki said Tuesday that they had arrested six foreign nationals for drug possession and dealing inside and around the city's Aristotle University.
The six suspects - who are from Algeria, Iraq, Syria and Albania - were arrested as part of ongoing efforts by police in the northern port city to curb lawlessness in and around university campuses.
Serbia-produced raspberries and blueberries find new market
The document was signed by Serbian and Lebanese Agriculture Ministers Branislav Nedimovic and Ghazi Zeaiter.
Under the document, Serbia and Lebanon will further trade in agriculture and food products.
Serbia is looking to export baby beef, pork, meat products and raspberries and blueberries to Lebanon, which wants to export olive oil and citrus fruits to Serbia.
IMF mission starts visit to Serbia
The mission will be in Belgrade until February 5, Tanjug has reported.
The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) said the Serbian delegation was led by Governor Jorgovanka Tabakovic, while ministers of finance and economy took part in the conversation, said Beta.
Last July, the IMF approved a 30-month Policy Coordination Instrument for Serbia.
"Albania as Colombia of Europe - a narco-state"
Namely, a country where narco-clans have ties with the police and the politicians.
Ministry: EU standards in personal data protection
Serbian citizens' personal data will thus be protected in the same way as in EU member states, the Ministry of Justice said on Monday, on the occasion of Data Privacy Day, Beta agency reported.
New Transparency Report Gives Balkan Countries Poor Scores
Transparency International's new report on perceived levels of public-sector corruption says Balkan countries are seen as highly corrupt and all of them have below-average ratings.
Albania has the worst score of the Balkan states, closely followed by Kosovo and Macedonia.
Greek and Macedonian PM nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
According to the Greek City Times, Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev are in the running for his prestigious award thanks to the signing of the Prespa Agreement.
The agreement, signed in June 2018, renames the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (whose constitutional name was "the Republic of Macedonia)") into "the Republic of North Macedonia."
European Union presidency to back FYROM accession talks
The European Union presidency says it will back the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to open accession talks after it reached a deal to change its name.
Romanian European Affairs Minister George Ciamba said Monday he wanted negotiations to start for FYROM in June at a meeting of EU ministers.
NATO Invests € 50 Million in Airbase 350 km from Sofia
NATO officially began work in Kuchova, Albania for the construction of the first airbase in the Western Balkans, announced the Ministry of Defense, cited by SeeNews.
Albania, Kosovo applaud name deal adoption that will stabilize region
Albania and Kosovo have hailed the vote of the Greek parliament ratifying the Prespes name deal, saying it's a great contribution to regional stability.
A statement Friday from Albania's Foreign Ministry considered the vote a "key contribution to stability, development and Euro-Atlantic integration of the whole region."
FYROM PM congratulates Greek counterpart
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has congratulated Greece following Friday's vote in the Greek Parliament to ratify the deal normalizing relations between the two countries.
"They used to pick up guns, now they pick up phones"
He added that there have been events in the past few weeks that would in the past would have lead to "both sides reaching for their weapons."
"Today, the presidents of these countries reach for the phone and call each other," the EU official has been quoted as saying.
According to him, these are some positive moves when observed over a longer period of time.
Albania, Macedonia, Profit from Kosovo's Tariff War
After Kosovo imposed a tax of 100 per cent on Serbian and Bosnian imports, citing their attitude of hostility, Kosovo appears to be replacing imports from Serbia with those from other countries in the region.
Kosovo Customs says Albania and Macedonia have benefitted most since the tariff was imposed.
US Balkan Allies Recognise New Venezuela President
Shortly after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the rightful President of the country, instead of incumbent Nicolas Maduro, Albania and Kosovo joined a host of other countries around the world in recognising his claim.