Latest News from Albania
Albania Opposition Leader Faces Money Laundering Charges
The leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, has been ordered to appear before prosecutors on Monday to answer questions in a case related to payments that his party made to US lobbying firm Muzin Capitol Partners that were not declared in Albania.
Two other members of the Democratic Party, Arben Ristani and Ilir Dervishi, have also been summoned.
‘Fearless Cities’ Movements Plot Common Path in Serbia
"It is a good opportunity to see how both smaller and bigger European cities are doing, and how we are actually on the same page for how we want to introduce citizens to decision-making," Radomir Lazovic, one of the founders of Ne Davimo Beograd, said.
Albania busts gang trafficking migrants into EU, arrests 8
Albanian police said on Wednesday they had broken up a criminal gang trafficking Syrian, Turkish and Iraqi migrants to western Europe from Greece and had arrested eight people including the Turkish ringleader.
Merkel Reassures North Macedonia on EU Talks
After a 40-minute meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, North Macedonia voiced optimism about getting a start date set for EU accession talks, saying that Merkel had informed Prime Minister Zorav Zaev that the Bundestag would adopt a decision supporting a start date for talks in September.
The Netherlands Has Blocked Negotiations with Albania For the EU
The Dutch parliament opposed the start of negotiations with Albania last night but rejected the same resolution that concerns Northern Macedonia.
Dutch Parliament voted four resolutions on EU enlargement yesterday but only Albania has won a majority of votes, including the ruling, with 105 votes out of 150 MPs in parliament.
Albania TV Channels Sell ‘News’ Spots During Elections
TV channels in Albania have declared their latest election campaign pricelists, with a number of them offering spots for paid appearances on editorial programmes, despite the electoral code explicitly banning broadcasters from running election propaganda as news content.
EU set to delay membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia
European Union leaders appear set to push back the start of membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia despite warnings that further delays could undermine pro-democratic reform efforts and stability in the volatile Balkans region.
Bulgarian PM Borisov: We will Keep Safe the Airspace of Northern Macedonia with New Fighter Jets
Prime Minister Boyko Borisov watches the tactical classes "Strike Back 2019" on the Novo Selo with the Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov and the General of Defense General Andrei Bocev.
Global Peace Index Shows Balkans Getting More Peaceful
The latest Global Peace Index published by the International Institute for Economics and Peace, an independent think tank that aims to measure peace and stability in the world, says the world was a slightly more peaceful place last year.
Bulgaria Among 13 Countries with a Declaration on Accelerated EU Integration of the Western Balkans
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva, together with the ministers of 12 other EU member states, urged acceleration of the European integration of the Western Balkans, the press center of the MFA announced.
Albanian ForMin: Negotiations for EU accession "an extraordinary mechanism of transformation" for Albania
The process of negotiations for EU accession is "an extraordinary mechanism of transformation" for Albania, the acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Gent Cakaj, stated on Monday. He spoke about this at a press conference he held in Bucharest alongside his Romanian counterpart, Teodor Melescanu.
Germany Deals Blow to Albania, North Macedonia EU Hopes
The German parliament on Thursday approved the NATO accession protocol with North Macedonia - but did not discuss supporting the launch of EU accession talks either with North Macedonia or Albania.
North Macedonia prime minister hints at early elections
North Macedonia's prime minister says he could call early elections if his country fails to get a date for the start of European Union accession talks, addressing domestic frustration with the slow pace of progress in joining the bloc.
Zoran Zaev said Thursday that several options, including early elections, were possible if North Macedonia fails to get a firm date this summer.
Gangster’s Leaked Revelations Deepen Albania Govt’s Woes
The Avdyli brothers shown in an archive photo collage.
The prosecution said it had opened an investigation into a breach of state secrets. The government has not yet commented on the case.
Juncker Said that Some EU Countries Still Do Not Agree with the Negotiation Talks with Skopje
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced that some EU countries still oppose the possibility of starting negotiations on the accession of northern Macedonia to the Community. He made this statement at a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.