Latest News from Albania
Bulgaria Tries to Explain Its Veto on North Macedonia EU Accession under EU Pressure
Facing pressure from EU members, the Bulgarian ambassador to the EU explained on Tuesday (11 May) to the EU ministers his country's decision to veto the start of neighbouring North Macedonia's accession negotiations.
EUSAIR strategy forum marks end of Slovenia’s AII presidency
Portorož – Slovenia is concluding its third presidency of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (AII). On this occasion, the Izola Declaration was adopted at the EUSAIR strategy forum in Portorož on Tuesday, underlining the European perspective of the Western Balkans, said Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar.
Activists Protest Against Killing of Women in Albania
Protesters rallied on Tuesday outside the city court in Elbasan, where a woman was killed last week by her husband.
The 54-year-old victim, a mother of three children who had requested a divorce from her husband, was killed in the court building in the middle of the day in front of her youngest son.
Decoupling Albania and North Macedonia in EU Accession Talks Is Bad Idea - Austrian Foreign Minister
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi's proposal to press ahead with accession talks with Albania but exclude North Macedonia for now has sparked criticism in Austria, with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg calling the move "absurd." Read more.
Landmine Blasts on Albania-Kosovo Border Blight Survivors’ Lives
"I have great difficulty walking. I am afraid that my legs are getting infected, because the prostheses are hurting me," Koloshi told BIRN.
North Macedonia PM Zoran Zaev on Official Visit to Brussels to Discuss EU Accession Process
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev will meet today at EU Headquarters in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President David Sassoli, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, EC Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans and with EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhei.
Balkan Migrant-Smuggling Business ‘Worth €50m a Year’: Report
The migrant-smuggling business in Western Balkan countries is worth at least 50 million euros a year, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime NGO said in a report published on Monday.
Germany, Slovakia Oppose ‘Disjointing’ Albania’s, North Macedonia’s EU Path
Germany and Slovakia have called for the EU to stick to the original plan of Albania and North Macedonia progressing towards eventual mem bership as part of one package.
Albanian Parliament Sets up Commission to Consider Ousting President
Albania's parliament on Friday voted to set up a commission to examine the possible ousting of the country's President, Ilir Meta.
It came after a.group of ruling Socialist deputies requested his dismissal, accusing him of interfering in the April 25 legislative elections in violation of the constitution.
For Some Abused LGBT Kosovars, Albania is Their Only Shelter
A lack of institutional support means LGBT victims of abuse in Kosovo often have to rely on the goodwill and creativity of rights activists, or seek shelter in neighbouring Albania. A new shelter in Pristina might change that.
EU Inaction Blamed for Proposal to Redraw Balkan Borders
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel at an EU-Western Balkans meeting in Brussels, February 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/VIRGINIA MAYO/POOL.
Albania’s Victorious Socialists Focus on Ousting President
After winning an unprecedented third mandate to govern Albania, Edi Rama's Socialist Party has turned its attention to its only rival who currently has a senior institutional position, President Ilir Meta.
Marijuana Traffic to Turkey via Bulgaria Increased by 30 Percent
Recently there has been a boom in marijuana trafficking to Turkey via Bulgaria. Drugs route usually starts from Albania, and our country is a transit territory, Nova TV reveals.
The pandemic, it turns out, has boosted drug consumption worldwide. Especially of marijuana.
Turkey adds crypto firms to terror financing rules
Turkey has added cryptocurrency trading platforms to the list of firms covered by anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regulation, it said in a presidential decree published early May 1.
The move came after a ban on using cryptocurrencies for making payments introduced in response to claims that such transactions are too risky took effect in Turkey on April 30.
Rama’s Election Win Cannot Bridge Albania’s Divisions
Albania's Socialist leader is savouring his unprecedented third election victory in a row, but his embittered opponents - convinced they lost an unfair race - won't easily be reconciled.