Albania

Albania

Ex-Albanian police officer jailed for killing that sparked protests

A former Albanian police officer was given a 10-year sentence for fatally shooting a man during a COVID-19 curfew patrol in December.

14/07/2021

Focus

5 routes that offer a look at Western Balkan history and culture

In partnership with Regional Cooperation Council

Travel back in time to the Bronze Age, the Byzantine period and more on the Crossroads of Civilisations routes in the Western Balkans.

08/07/2021

Albania

Three Albanian police officers arrested in major drug-trafficking bust

Thirty-eight Albanian nationals including a prosecutor, a government department head and three senior police officers have been arrested for drug trafficking, corruption, abuse of post and money laundering.

02/07/2021

Albania

Albanian MPs have just voted to impeach their president

Albanian MPs have voted to impeach President Ilir Meta for allegedly violating the constitution ahead of Albania's April election.

09/06/2021

Cult

The trails in the Western Balkans worth the trek

In partnership with Regional Cooperation Council

The Illyricum Trail combines wine tasting with visiting ancients sites. The Balkan Monumental Trail celebrates abstract and modernist monuments from the second half of the 20th century. Where can these unique cultural routes be found? The Western Balkans.

31/05/2021

Albania

Campaigners continue to fight to keep Europe's last wild river truly wild

The Vjosa is Europe's last wild river. It's home to over 1000 species and full of unique natural diversity. A project to build hydropower dams in this largely untouched river has got locals and campaigners fighting for it to become a protected zone.

31/05/2021

Albania

US sanctions Albanian ex-PM Sali Berisha over corruption

The State Department barred former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha from entering US territory over accusations of "significant corruption."

19/05/2021

Albania

Albanian President says impeachment investigation is "illegal"

Albanian MPs have begun an impeachment process against President Ilir Meta, who they accuse of violating the constitution during last month's election.

18/05/2021

Albania

Albanian man tries to set himself on fire at Eid prayers in Tirana

The holy day marking the end of Ramadan began in muted fashion on Thursday against the backdrop of COVID-19 and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

13/05/2021

World

“Europe is a religion and nobody can betray this religion in Albania,” said Albania's Prime Minister

Global Conversation interviews Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama ahead of the State of the Union conference in Florence and discusses the country's ongoing efforts to join the European Union.

10/05/2021

Albania

New bid to put Albania's ex-defence minister on trial over 2008 blast

26 people were killed when a munitions disposal factory exploded near the capital Tirana in 2008.

07/05/2021

Albania

Albanian government seeks to impeach President Ilir Meta

Lawmakers from Albania's government have accused the country's President of violating the constitution during last month's election.

04/05/2021

Adventures

The Via Dinarica Mega Trail - The Western Balkans' answer to the Alps

In partnership with Regional Cooperation Council

The Via Dinarica Mega Trail crosses eight countries and offers activities for all kinds of adventurers: hiking, ski touring, kayaking, white water sports and winter sports. It is also home to amazing views and centuries of cultural heritage.

29/04/2021

Albania

Edi Rama claims ‘beautiful victory' in Albanian election

Albania’s prime minister Edi Rama claimed “the most beautiful victory” in parliamentary elections, which would make him the country’s first prime minister to win three terms.

27/04/2021

Albania

Albanian elections seen as key milestone on road to EU membership

Albanians go to the polls on Sunday in an election that is seen as a key milestone on its roadmap to European Union membership

24/04/2021

Europe

Albania's EU dream is on hold. Its leaders may like it that way

It hasn't escaped attention in the Western Balkans that it is Muslim-majority states such as Albania and Kosovo that have struggled to find a welcome in Brussels.

23/04/2021

Albania

Deadly shooting in Albania amid turbulent pre-election atmosphere

Violence has again marred the already turbulent pre-electoral atmosphere in Albania after a shooting outside the capital left one person dead and four injured on Wednesday.

21/04/2021

Albania

North Macedonia's woes could hamper Albania's EU bid, says PM Edi Rama

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told Euronews that "internal problems" within the EU could delay his country's accession to the bloc.

21/04/2021

Albania

Five people injured in knife attack at a mosque in Tirana

Police have not disclosed any motive for the attack and are investigating.

19/04/2021

Europe

How EU enlargement apathy could push Kosovo and Albania to join forces

If Albania and Kosovo both find the doors of Europe slammed shut, they may both conclude that a federation is the next best option.

15/04/2021

Albania

Kosovo unveils memorial wall for wartime refugees

The former Bllaca refugee camp, near the North Macedonian border, once hosted 440,000 people fleeing Serb repression.

11/04/2021

Albania

Albania sends troops and police to end air traffic control strike

Air traffic controllers were striking over pay, causing more than a dozen flights at Albania's one international airport to be cancelled.

07/04/2021

Albania

Albania's election season begins amid violence, recriminations

The Socialist and Democratic parties chose to begin their month-long election campaign in the same city.

25/03/2021

Europe

Plans to build an airport in Albania threatens migrating bird flyways

The mayor of Vlora in Albania sees his region as the "future queen of the Mediterranean" and he's happy for infrastructural development to increase tourism. But plans to build an airport in an environmentally protected area are leaving bird experts horrified.

12/03/2021

Albania

Albania sees Kurti comment on unity with Kosovo as a distant vision

"One thing is clear - Albania and Kosovo must be brought closer on all levels and must cooperate as two countries that share one common goal,” said Minister of State for Relations with Parliament, Elisa Spiropali.

19/02/2021

Albania

Albania expels Russian diplomat for violating pandemic measures

Albanian Foreign Ministry says the diplomat had "continued to violate measures to protect against the pandemic".

22/01/2021