Latest News from Albania

EU fails to launch membership talks with Balkans hopefuls

European Union leaders failed Friday to agree on launching membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in an embarrassing climb-down that could risk inflaming the volatile Balkans region.

The two countries had expected to receive a green light to begin negotiations on joining the European club, a process which could take several years.

France Sinks EU Hopes of North Macedonia, Albania

EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Friday failed to persuade France to allow a hoped-for start to accession talks for North Macedonia and Albania - and also failed to agree on a written conclusion, which, in the absence of a date for EU talks, would have sent a positive message to Skopje and Tirana about their further engagement in the process.

Three Countries Blocked Skopje and Tirana from Starting Accession Negotiations with the EU

EU leaders have failed to agree to launch accession talks with northern Macedonia and Albania, NOVA TV reported.

EU leaders to discuss North Macedonia, Albania accession after reaching deadlock

Talks in Brussels continued on Friday on the European Union accession prospects of North Macedonia and Albania after tense talks ended in a deadlock the previous night on objections from France, The Netherlands and Denmark, who strenuously oppos the position of the other 25 member-states to commence negotiations with the two Balkan nations.

President Iohannis says future EU budget should be adequate

AGERPRES special correspondent Florentina Peia reports: President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday that the future multiannual budget of the European Union should be an "adequate one." Asked what the size of the future budget should be, he said replied: "An adequate one".

Talks on the potential EU membership of Albania and North Macedonia disrupted!

The decision was not reached despite all night long dramatic discussion, and despite the warnings that turning Tirana and Skopje away would tarnish the EU's reputation and could risk inflaming the Western Balkans region.

Brussels: EU leaders deadlock over membership talks for North Macedonia and Albania

Diplomatic sources say that EU leaders struggled past midnight in a tense debate to reach common conclusions in a bland statement offering encouragement to the candidate countries, and yet postponing a formal decision for accession talks.

EU Leaders Approve Brexit Deal

EU leaders have failed to agree to launch accession talks with northern Macedonia and Albania. A major opponent of this idea is French President President Emmanuel Macron. He urges the Community to reform its membership rules before the accession of new Member States.

Death Trap: Safety Oversight Failing Albania’s Construction Workers

When the dust had settled, Bardhi managed to climb down to the street. Two co-workers were not so lucky: Ergys Brahimaj, 31, and Orjon Kodra, 36, lost their lives, the latest victims of a perilous construction sector.

Work accidents are among the top five causes of unnatural deaths in Albania.

European Council Fails to Reward North Macedonia, Albania

In a major blow to the hopes of the two Balkan countries, the European Council - preoccupied with Brexit - on Thursday failed to give Albania and North Macedonia a date to start EU membership talks.

In a last-ditch effort to reach an agreement on the matter, amid fading hope, the Council moved the issue of enlargement to Friday's last session of the council.

PM Borissov: It Would Be a Historic Mistake if North Macedonia and Albania Aren't Allowed to Enter EU Accession Negotiations

It is very important for the Balkans, the region and our relations with North Macedonia and Albania that these countries are given EU Membership perspective. It would be a historic mistake if they were not allowed to enter EU accession negotiations today. This was what Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said before the start of today's meeting of the European Council in Brussels.