Latest News from Albania
Albania Failing to Act on Threats to Crime Reporters
Crime reporters in Albania routinely face threats, insults and intimidation - often in court - from those accused of organised crime and their relatives. The authorities are failing to act, according to the findings of a BIRN investigation.
Merkel criticized Macron; "Relations between France and Germany heavily deteriorated"
On the sidelines of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German Chancellor was in sharp private criticism of a colleague, according to the "New York Times".
TAP pipeline completed; trial op starts soon
The Greek section of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) transporting natural gas from Azerbaijan to Greece, Albania, Italy and points beyond in western Europe is ready and will begin trial operations in early December.
During this so-called commissioning phase, small volumes of natural gas will go through the pipeline to ensure commercial use is safe.
"I am not surprised by the decision on Mali's PhD" VIDEO
North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski is on a two-day official visit to our country. In front of the Palace of Serbia, he was greeted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, with national honors, a guard and the intonation of the anthems of Serbia and North Macedonia.
Albanian Parliament Urged to Reject Online Media Regulation
Ulsi Manja (left) and Klotilda Bushka (right) at the parliamentary law committee hearing on Friday. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN
"Civil society organisations call upon the government to withdraw the proposed laws. If the government refuses to do so, we also call upon the parliament of Albania to reject these laws at once," the statement said.
Kosovo’s Kurti Set to Shake up Relations with Albania
The rise to power of Kosovo's Albin Kurti will test relations with neighbouring Albania, where he and Edi Rama have not always seen eye to eye.
Over 14,000 people visit autumn edition of Romanian Tourism Fair
Over 14,000 people visited Romanian Tourism Fair, the autumn edition, between 14 and 17 November, where a number of 236 companies from 17 countries presented their offer, the organisers have announced on Wednesday.
More WWII soldier remains buried in Western Macedonia
A religious ceremony was held Tuesday to bury the remains of another 193 Greek soldiers who died in the 1940-41 Greco-Italian War at the military cemetery of Kleisoura, in a valley where the armies of the two countries clashed near the Albanian border.
Greece must defend Western Balkans’ EU hopes
The history of Greece's foreign policy is a litany of strategic successes and missed opportunities. The same applies to the foreign policy of the European Union. Our national failures stem from the toxic combination of populism and fear of political cost. The failures of the EU usually result from diverging national interests among member-states.
Serbia Still Putting Children with Disabilities in Institutions: Report
More than three quarters of children living in state institutions in Serbia are children with disabilities, according to the latest United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.
At 77 per cent, Serbia ranks joint third with Hungary behind Turkmenistan and China in a total of 57 countries analysed.
"Pristina in disbelief": Rama releases a video with map of Kosovo within Serbia VIDEO
According to the media, Pristina is "in the state of shock".
"Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama, has just published a map showing the Republic of Kosovo within the territory of Serbia", the Pristina-based Gazeta Express newspaper reported.
Turkish Threat over ISIS Fighters Poses Challenge for Balkans
Burak Bilgehan Ozpek, a professor of international relations at Ankara's TOBB University, said that, like the issue of Syrian refugees and their flow through Turkey to the European Union, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would use the ISIS fighters as leverage for Western acquiescence to his policy on neighbouring Syria.
The contribution of Albanians
The contribution of Albanians and ethnic Greeks from Albania to the Greek economy is indisputable. The big migration wave of the 1990s revitalized almost all professions and remains a decisive factor in the country's economic development. Greece gained capable blue-collar workers and laborers who, with their dedication and hard work, continue to contribute to the country and create wealth.
Week In Review: Harnessing Outrage in the Balkans
All Is Not Lost
The recent French veto on the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia set off a deluge of analyses and expert opinions, most of which focused on how damaging the move would be to reformist efforts in the region, as well as EU credibility. Others wondered whether enlargement itself was dead?
Trump's envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue comments on the mini Schengen initiative
Although he welcomed the initiative of "Balkan Schengen", he warned that it could be successful only if it envolves everyone from the region, including Kosovo.