Latest News from Albania
EU fails to agree on talks with Albania, North Macedonia
European Union ministers failed on Tuesday to reach a consensus on whether to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia, amid stiff opposition to the move from France.
"It was not a moment of glory for Europe," Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn told reporters in Luxembourg after taking part in a meeting of European affairs ministers.
Kosovo ISIS Women and Children ‘Escape Syria Camps’
Bedri Elezi, director for security studies at the Kosovo Institute for International Studies, who has been helping to repatriate ethnic Albanian relatives of so-called Islamic State fighters from the Middle East conflict zone, told BIRN on Tuesday that around 25 women and children have escaped from the Al-Hawl and Ein Issa camps in northern Syria.
France holds firm against EU talks with Balkan hopefuls
France stuck to its hard line against European Union membership talks for North Macedonia and Albania on Tuesday, setting up a showdown between French President Emmanuel Macron and fellow EU leaders later this week in Brussels.
Rosen Plevneliev: Northern Macedonia MUST Be in the EU, Macron is Wrong
,,I support the accession of Northern Macedonia and Albania to the European Union.'' This was stated by President Rosen Plevneliev. He opposed the actions of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is trying to block the start of talks on membership of both countries in the Union.
Turkey beat Albania 1-0 in Euro 2020 quals
Turkish national football team beat Albania 1-0 in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers on Oct. 11 to top Group H.
Venice Commission Queries Albanian Move to Impeach President
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama speaking at his party headquarters on 30 June 2019. Photo: Gent Shkullaku/LSA
The Commission statement came after the final report of the Commission, expected to be published on Monday, was partially leaked to the Albanian media.
Intellectuals Condemn Bulgaria’s ‘Unacceptable’ Demands of North Macedonia
Historians, political science experts, clerics, journalists, sociologists, economists and other prominent intellectuals from Bulgaria and North Macedonia have expressed "disappointment and deep concern" about the document issued by the Bulgarian government listing its various demands of North Macedonia.
"Meetings on the Kosovo issue tough, but never to this extent" VIDEO
Speaking to the Prva TV, Vasiljevic said that Vucic and Special US Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue spoke alone for the first ten minutes, after which the head of Serbia's Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, joined the meeting.
Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia to Allow Passport-Free Travel by 2021
The leaders of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia agreed to allow passport-free travel for their citizens by 2021 and a speedier cross-border flow of goods to boost regional economic development. This was announced earlier today by Reuters News Agency.
This move is not related to the ongoing EU membership negotiations.
The Bulgarian Economy Is the Most Competitive in the Balkans
The Bulgarian economy is ranked 49th in the global competitiveness ranking according to the World Economic Forum (CIF) ranking. In 2019, Bulgaria climbs two positions in the prestigious ranking, comprising 141 countries worldwide. The country's score is 64.9 points.
Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia Sign ‘Mini-Schengen’ Declaration
Leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia have signed a so-called "mini-Schengen" deal, which, modelled on the passport-free zone of the EU, envisages free movement of people, goods, capital, and services between their three countries. Officials of the three countries said they expect all six countries of the Western Balkans to join the area soon.
National Assembly Adopts Declaration on EU Accession of Northern Macedonia and Albania
Parliament has adopted a statement supporting Northern Macedonia and Albania to open EU accession talks. Deputies approved the Cabinet's Framework Position, which sets out a number of conditions for both countries.
Parliament adopted the statement by 129 votes in favor, 4 against, one abstaining.
OFFICIAL: Bulgaria Supports Macedonia's EU Membership under Several Conditions
Bulgaria supports Northern Macedonia and Albania to launch EU membership talks. The official position came from the government meeting. However, the country has conditions.
Netherlands Welcomes EU Talks With North Macedonia, not Albania
Parliament in The Netherlands, one of the most sceptical countries on EU enlargement, on Tuesday supported opening accession talks with North Macedonia but sounded a much more critical tone on Albania.
Kurti does not give up "Greater Albania"
According to the first Central Election Commission's preliminary results, Kurti received the strongest support from the citizens of Kosovo and Metohija in the last snap elections.
"National unity of Albanians cannot happen within the European Union," Kurti said in an interview with KTV, the first since declaring an election victory.