Latest Edi Rama News
Albania's opposition blocks roads in a protest to demand a caretaker Cabinet
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian opposition activists blocked major roads for several hours Tuesday in a nationwide rally demanding that the government be replaced by a technocratic caretaker Cabinet before the 2025 parliamentary election. Lawmakers led hundreds of opposition...
EU stays on the sidelines over migrant deal between Italy and Albania
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — A top European Union official on Wednesday refused to be drawn on an opinion of an agreement between Italy and Albania to process some migrants in centers set up in the tiny Western Balkan country, saying only that it was being closely monitored. European...
A court says former Albanian president Meta must stay in custody during corruption investigation
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian court on Wednesday ruled that former President Ilir Meta should stay in custody while the left-wing Freedom Party leader faces allegations of corruption, money laundering and the hiding of personal income and property. Prosecutors have not yet...
European Commission chief assures Western Balkans of the bloc's enlargement progress
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a tour of the Western Balkan countries on Wednesday, assuring them that the enlargement of the trade bloc remained one of its priorities. The Western Balkans countrie s — Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo,...
Albania's left-wing former President Meta is arrested on corruption allegations
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian prosecutors on Monday arrested former President Ilir Meta on suspicion that the left-wing Freedom Party leader engaged in alleged corruption, money laundering and hiding of personal income and property. A lawyer for Meta, who was president from...
Albania says only Italy is allowed to operate migrant asylum centers in the country
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's prime minister on Tuesday said his government had turned down many requests from other European Union countries to take in thousands of asylum-seekers but made an exception for Italy. An Italian navy ship was expected to dock at the Albanian port...
Italy formally opens centers in Albania to process male migrants intercepted in international waters
SHENGJIN, Albania (AP) — Italy's government on Friday formally opened two centers in Albania where it plans to process male migrants who are intercepted in international waters. The opening was delayed for several months because crumbling soil at one center needed to be repaired. ...
Turkey’s Erdogan inaugurates a Turkish-funded mosque in Albania's capital
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Turkey’s president traveled Thursday to Albania’s capital to inaugurate a Turkish-funded mosque with 50-meter-high (160-foot-high) minarets as part of a trip to boost ties and discuss regional issues. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said that...
Albania's opposition protests and demands a caretaker Cabinet
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Opposition supporters in Albania protested again Monday, demanding that the government be replaced by a technocratic caretaker Cabinet before next year’s parliamentary election. The conservative opposition has long accused Prime Minister Edi Rama’s...
Albanian opposition MPs try to disrupt Parliament to protest a colleague's imprisonment
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian opposition lawmakers on Thursday protested in Parliament, burning effigies and clashing with bodyguards, after one of their colleagues was convicted of slander and imprisoned. The conservative Democrat lawmakers, who had called for a boycott of...
