Through regional networking, Western Balkans businesses are preparing for the European Union market
By DEJAN AZESKI SKOPJE, March 31, 2023 – Improving infrastructure, solving barriers that exist to speed up the flow of goods and services, establishing a joint airline that will connect the region, solving the issue of certification bodies and documents are just some of the topics discussed by business representatives in …
Golden Touch: Eight Decades on, King’s ‘Theft’ Still Divides Albania
King Zog’s reign brought progress and modernity to a backward Albania before his flight in 1939 – but controversies over the gold he allegedly took with him persist. Original post Here
Albania Violated Suspended Prosecutor’s Rights, Court Rules
The suspension of an Albanian prosecutor – later fired under a vetting process supposed to rid the justice system of graft – was not “in accordance with the law,” the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. Original post Here
UK Asylum Approach to Albanians Ignores Lived Experience, and Facts
The rhetoric, and now the laws, applied to irregular Albanian arrivals in the UK is discriminatory; it also ignores their lived experience in Albania and the UK’s own data. Original post Here
Albania’s Belba Winery featured at VinItaly’s Open Balkan stand
TIRANA, March 3, 2023 – When it comes to good wine, it’s all about the basic ingredient. “We’ve focused on growing the right grapes,” says Bardhi Belba, who learned about wine while living in Italy for many years before returning to his native Albania to start his own family winery …
IMO Slates Albania Judges’ Council’s Plans to Reinstate Fired Prosecutor
European Commission-appointed Monitoring Operation says plan by Albania’s High Council of Prosecutors to return to office a fired former prosecutor would undermine the entire vetting process. Original post Here
Albania Urged to Save Iconic 1920s Bridge From Collapse
Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute on Monday released a report urging Albania to save the iconic but damaged ‘Zogu Bridge’, considered ‘a masterpiece of civil engineering from the early 20th century in the Balkans’. Original post Here
Albania’s economy grew by 4.8% in Q4, beating expectations
TIRANA, April 1, 2023 – Albania, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.84 percent compared to the previous year, the Institute of Statistics said in its publishing of data on economic activity during the last quarter of last year. This increase goes beyond the forecasts of the Albanian authorities …
Q&A: Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán on the war in Ukraine, international cooperation and the economy
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke to the Kossuth Radio programme “Good Morning Hungary” on March 31, 2023. Zsolt Törőcsik: Soon all the Western tanks promised to Ukraine will arrive in that war-torn country. Several countries have already offered fighter planes, and the British have sent munitions containing depleted uranium – …
Strengthening democratic institutions a U.S. priority, says nominee for U.S. ambassador to Albania, David J. Kostelancik
TIRANA, April 2, 2023 – Strengthening democratic institutions in Albania is a U.S. priority, says David J. Kostelancik, a career diplomat appointed by President Biden to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Albania. He made the comments in his remarks in front of the Committee on Foreign Relations in …
TIRANA, April 22 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the country has never been closer to the European Union during remarks at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece. He made the comments during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas, editor-in-chief of Kathimerini. Rama addressed Albania’s position in a shifting geopolitical …
TIRANA, April 22 – Albania’s Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi was at construction of the Tirana 3 electricity substation near Petrela. He described the project as central to the capital’s energy security. The substation will create a ring connection with other grid facilities in Tirana. Karakaçi said rapid …
Edi Rama said in Athens that he aims to reach agreement with Greece within the year. He works with Kyriakos Mitsotakis to resolve all issues. During a talk with Alexis Papahelas of Kathimerini at the Delphi Economic Forum, Rama said the Beleri case created difficulties. However, he stressed that both …
Edi Rama said he informed Donald Trump about what he called “fantasy report” accusations against former KLA leaders. He spoke during a conversation with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama said he raised concerns about the detention of Hashim Thaçi and other former KLA leaders in The Hague. …
Edi Rama said property issues affecting the Greek minority are the same as those affecting Albanians. He spoke during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama said the government treats these cases as a nationwide problem. However, he stressed that authorities give special attention to areas …
Edi Rama said Albania achieved judicial independence and called it a lifetime achievement. He spoke during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama said Albanians continue to emigrate. However, he noted that many are also returning. Therefore, he said the gap is narrowing. He added that …
Edi Rama said Albania has never been closer to the European Union. He spoke during a conversation with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum during his visit to Greece. Rama said the Western Balkans are not forgotten. Instead, he said the region is in its best moment for EU …
Ferit Hoxha held a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum. They continued a constructive dialogue on Albanian–Greek relations. Hoxha said the meeting followed earlier talks between the two Prime Ministers in Athens. He said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen …
Taulant Balla met EU rapporteur Andreas Schieder in Brussels to discuss Albania’s EU integration process and progress on reforms. Balla said the EU report on Albania, which will be voted on in AFET on 5 May, recognizes the country’s achievements. He described the report as an important roadmap that evaluates …
Edi Rama said Albania has a strong tradition of hospitality during a discussion with Alexis Papahelas at the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama explained that Albania has historically protected people in danger. He mentioned that during World War II, Albania sheltered Jews and did not hand them over to the Nazis. …