Latest News from Albania
Bulgaria with 43 Registered Cases of COVID-19, Balkans Taking Tougher Measures
Two more cases of coronavirus have been registered in Bulgaria.
One is from Pleven, the other from Sofia. The total number of patients is 43, two of them have died.
This was stated by Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, Chief of the National Operations Headquarters and of the MMA.
Government expands coronavirus lockdown, intensifies “Stay home” campaign
A mini -cabinet meeting to discuss the coronavirus pandemic-management plan today with ministers at a two-metre distance from each other decided to expand restriction of movement such as a ban on organised beaches, to which many Greeks had repaired to break the enclosure of self-isolation.
Kosovo Confirms First Two Coronavirus Cases
Kosovo on Friday confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus, as the authorities test more people. The announcement was made at a joint press conference of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the Minister of Health, Arben Vitia. They said two of 15 suspected cases had tested positive for the virus. Both had arrived recently from Italy, by far the worst affected country in Europe.
Balkan Countries Close Border Crossings to Stop Coronavirus
Serbia, Albania and Romania have closed many of their border crossings in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, leaving some parts of the Balkans practically cut off for civil traffic.
All countries of the region have either banned entry or introduced special restrictive measures for passengers arriving from countries with mid to high to risk of coronavirus.
Tight-Lipped Balkan Governments Scramble to Defend Against COVID-19
"It's confidential," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told a press conference on Thursday when asked how many ventilators the country has.
"At this moment, this is treated practically as a state secret in all countries," Brnabic said, but assured reporters that "Serbia has enough ventilators."
Rama Takes his War on Media to Albanians’ Phones
Albanian mobile phone users have unexpectedly received a recorded message from the Prime Minister, advising them on how to protect themselves from the coronavirus - and the media.
"Wash your hands, don't move from your house for pleasure, open windows as much as you can, protect yourself from the media," the message from Edi Rama said.
In Greece, ‘Trained in Cruelty’
None of them knew what awaited them on the other side. Maybe they'd end up in jail on the Turkish side or fall prey to violent smugglers.
This was in 2006. Looking back, it seems like a happy era of order and predictability, as the world today seems to flirt with the abyss: economic insecurity, the epidemic of coronavirus and the biggest refugee crisis of the century.
ForMin Aurescu highlights need to ensure proper medical response to COVID-19 spreading in EU
Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu highlighted, at a meeting with ambassadors of EU member states in Bucharest, the need for the immediate actions to focus on ensuring a proper medical response to the COVID-19 spreading all over the EU.
Albania Announces New “War” Measures Against Coronavirus
Police and army officers manning a checkpoint in the port of Durres on 12 March 2020. Photo: LSA
Bulgaria Confirms First Death From Coronavirus
A 66-year-old woman with a history of heart disease died on Wednesday in Pirogov hospital in Sofia as a consequence of coronavirus - the first officially confirmed fatal victim of the illness in Bulgaria. Her 74-year-old husband is in the same hospital and also diagnosed with coronavirus, but is in a relatively stable condition.
Albania Confirms First Coronavirus-Related Death
Albania reported its first death from coronavirus on Wednesday, an elderly patient who was being treated for pneumonia for the last five days after returning home from Italy.
"The 73-old-patient, a confirmed case of COVID-19, passed away a few minutes ago as result of complications from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases," the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Hungary’s Green Fund for Western Balkans a ‘Win-Win’
See also:
Balkan Countries Fear EU Green Deal Could Leave Them Further Behind
Green Dreams Splutter in Central and Southeast Europe
The Western Balkans Green Centre will initially make available around 1.2 million euros to drive green investments in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Rumen Radev in Durres: Solidarity and Compassion in Hard Times are the Road to Achieving Sustainable Stability and Prosperity in the Balkans
Bulgaria's and Albania's common aim is to achieve security, stability and prosperity in the Balkans. To this end, we should show solidarity and compassion in hard times such as the time of the devastating earthquake in Durres.
Turkish ‘Gulenist’ Facing Deportation Seeks Asylum in Albania
Alleged Gulenist Selami Simsek was held in an Albanian police van without official insignia near the interior ministry on Monday evening. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN
Police seize 1.1 tons of cannabis in trailer from Albania
The police narcotics unit of Attica announced on Monday that it seized 1.1 tons of unprocessed cannabis stashed in a trailer and arrested two foreign nationals, a man and woman, who are members of an international drug distribution network.