Latest News from Albania
W Balkans celebrate Turkish parliament's centenary
Top leaders from the Western Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia on April 23 celebrated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Turkey's parliament.
Gramor Ruci, chairman of the Assembly of Albania, along with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Turkish political parties in North Macedonia praised Turkey's policies and activities in the region.
IMF, EU 3bn Loan Welcomed in Balkans Despite Unknowns
EU candidate states from the West Balkans have welcomed the offer of 3 billion euros in emergency loans, to be distributed among 10 states bordering or near the EU, although the borrowing conditions remain to be determined, the European Commission confirmed to BIRN.
Albanian seasonal workers could go to Greece in May, PM says
Albania and Greece, whose borders are closed because of the coronavirus outbreak, agreed to work on paving the way to allow Albanian seasonal agriculture workers to go to Greece by mid-May, Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, said on Wednesday.
Medical aid sent to ethnic Greeks in Albania
Pharmaceutical supplies and medical equipment were sent on Wednesday to ethnic Greeks in Albania by the Attica Regional Authority and the association representing relatives of soldiers that died on the Albanian front during World War II.
The supplies were handed by the Consul General of Greece in Gjirokaster, southern Albania, to the medical center of the municipality of Dropull.
After the Pandemic: Perils and Promise for Western Balkans
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‘Only a universal mobilization of solidarity will defeat the pandemic’
From the other end of the line, the voice of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, as always, conveys serenity and wisdom. Either in person or from a distance, his presence is soothing in any tough situation, but especially now, during the current crisis sparked by the unprecedented global coronavirus pandemic.
Balkan Gangsters ‘Profiting From Pandemic’, Report
In Serbia, it noted, agencies set up to fight cybercrime switched to focusing on people accused of causing panic and spreading disinformation on social networks and in Viber groups.
Some crime activities have decreased as a result of the pandemic, the report points out. Migration, for example, dropped significantly towards the end of March, it says.
The Government has Approved a Program for Supporting Bulgarian Communities Abroad
The Bulgarian cabinet adopted a Programme for support of the Bulgarian communities in Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Ukraine, Moldova and of citizens of North Macedonia with Bulgarian self-awareness.
Albania’s Planned Jail Terms for Curfew Breakers Spark Protests
Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama speaking in parliament on March 5 2020. Photo: LSA
"International rights organisations recommend decreasing the prison population due to the elevated danger that the COVID-19 disease poses to them. However, proposals running against these recommendations are being discussed in the parliament of Albania," their joint letter reads.
Bulgaria Allocates nearly BGN 200,000 to Help Albania Recover from the Earthquake
The government approved the provision of BGN 195 583 additional humanitarian aid for the reconstruction of Albania after the earthquake of November 26, 2019.
The decision is an expression of Bulgaria's solidarity with Albania and our comprehensive commitment to support our priority region in the Western Balkans.
Balkan Tourism Sector Braces for Summer Season Write-Off
Dragan Ivancevic's Hotel Adria in the Montenegrin coastal town of Budva stands empty, its doors shut by a government-imposed lockdown to fight the spread of COVID-19.
For years, the money spent by tourists flocking to Montenegro's Adriatic coastline has been a mainstay of the former Yugoslav republic's economy, accounting for 21 per cent of national output last year.
DefMin Ciuca: NATO plays an important role in fighting crisis generated by COVID-19
The Minister of Defence, Nicolae Ciuca, on Sunday underscored, in his message for the NATO Day, that the North Atlantic Alliance has been playing an important role in battling the crisis generated by COVID-19.
Croats Remain Traumatised by Quake Damage to Capital
While the soil continues to shake occasionally, and earthquakes of lesser intensity are still being felt, many Croats still suffer from high anxiety as a result of events on March 22, when a quake of at least 5.3 magnitude struck close to the capital, damaging buildings and injuring dozens of people and causing one death.
672,300 People have Acquired Citizenship in One of the 27 EU Member States
In 2018, around 672 300 persons acquired citizenship of one of the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU), down from 700 600 in 2017 and 843 900 in 2016.
Albania Sends 30 Doctors to Help Italy Fight Coronavirus
The team of 30 medical personnel from Albania will volunteer in the health institutions in the Italian town of Bergamo.
"Thanks to the Albanian government for this act of solidarity and affection," Italian embassy in Tirana said in a tweet.
Albania confirmed 11 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours - the smallest increase in diagnoses since March 21.