Latest News from Albania
Berlin, Athens, and the Beleri case
As EU leaders meet in Brussels this week, their focus is largely on Ukraine and its ties to the EU. In the buildup to the summit, however, the Western Balkans also caught their attention. This includes the case of Albania and the imprisoned mayor-elect of Himare Fredi Beleri, which has not only caused a rift in Greek-Albanian relations, but also between Athens and Berlin this week.
Berlin backs Albania’s EU bid despite Athens’ opposition over jailed mayor
The public position taken on Wednesday by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in favor of Albania's candidacy to the EU revealed a slight crack in relations between Athens and Berlin.
Greece has clarified that Tirana's intransigence in the case of jailed ethnic Greek mayor-elect Fredi Beleri is in conflict with the European acquis.
Mali: Serbia has fulfilled all recommendations for fighting financial crime
BELGRADE - Serbia has fulfilled all 40 recommendations issued by the Council of Europe body on fighting financial crime and money laundering, Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Wednesday.
Albania needs to boost rights of minorities, EU GAC says
Albania needs to continue its efforts to further strengthen the protection of fundamental rights, media freedom and freedom of expression, and rights of persons belonging to minorities, the EU General Affairs Council on Enlargement said in its conclusions published on Tuesday.
“Shame on you, we have a dictatorship” – The Greek minority in Albania are angry after the court’s decision on Beleris (video)
Dozens of member of the ethnic Greek minority of Albania gathered outside the court that denied the mayor-elect to swear-in: “The court decision was orchestrated by Rama”
Fredi Beleri: Greece does not agree to Albania’s EU accession process
Diplomatic sources from Brussels reaffirmed on Tuesday Greece's stance that it will not consent to Albania's EU accession process without progress on the issue of the elected mayor of Himare, Fredi Beleri.
European Views on EU Expansion: Ukraine Favored, Balkans and Turkey Face Hurdles
A recent EU survey by YouGov and Datapraxis conducted across six member states highlights contrasting opinions on potential expansions. Support for Ukraine's accession emerges, but skepticism looms over Turkey and the Western Balkans. The findings impact upcoming decisions at the European Council summit regarding EU enlargement and budget allocation.
The Survey's Key Insights:
Athens sends new message to Tirana
There is currently no mention of Albania as a European Union candidate country in the Enlargement chapter of the latest draft of the forthcoming European Council, which starts Thursday.
Beleri oath request gets rejected
Fredi Beleri's request to be sworn in as mayor of Himare was rejected by Albania's Special Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime on Monday.
Beleri was arrested in May on voting fraud charges just before winning the municipal election in the predominantly ethnic-Greek southern Albanian region of Himare. He is currently in pretrial detention.
Albanian PM defiant over Beleri issue
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has reiterated his position on the case of Fredi Beleri, the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himare, southern Albania, currently in pretrial detention on charges of vote-buying, stressing the matter is exclusively within the jurisdiction of Albania's judiciary.
Genetic Study Reveals Strong Slavic Ancestry in Bulgarians, Romanians, and Croats Across the Balkans
Groundbreaking DNA research spanning Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Albania, and Greece has unveiled striking revelations about the genetic makeup of Balkan populations. The study, conducted collaboratively by scientists from Serbia, Spain, and the US, sheds light on the prevalence of Slavic genes in the region.
Firearm homicide rates in Greece are through the roof, survey shows
Greece has one of the highest firearm homicide rates in Europe, according to a survey by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
Greece and Albania at war, threat of veto arrived ​
Moreover, they also facing a big problem with minorities. Greece is now indirectly threatening to veto the beginning of Albania's accession negotiations to the European Union.
Altin Meshini is a successful producer of organic cheese in Prmet in southern Albania.
Albanian court delays decision on Beleri’s swearing-in request
Albania's Special Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime has postponed for December 11 the examination of a request from Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himara currently in pretrial detention, who is seeking permission to be sworn in before the municipal council.
Serbia narrowly avoided Croatia and Albania in the EURO 2024 draw
The Serbian national team, which is participating in the continental competition for the first time since 2000, will play in group C with England, Slovenia and Denmark.
Group B is also interesting, where Croatia, Albania, Spain and Italy are, and the Croatian media are aware that the "Blazers" will play in the "group of death".