Latest Albania News
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...
EU, US urge Albania's opposition to end violence and resume dialogue with government
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The European Union and the United States on Tuesday urged Albania's opposition to resume dialogue with the government, saying violence including the disruption of Parliament to protest the imprisonment of a fellow lawmaker doesn't help the country integrate into the...
Albania's opposition violently interrupt parliament session after lawmaker is sentenced to prison
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian opposition lawmakers violently disrupted a Parliament session Monday to protest the imprisonment of a fellow legislator for alleged slander. The conservative Democratic Party of Albania has long accused the ruling Socialist Party of usurping all the...
Serbia-Albania joint bid with political history set to win hosting of soccer's Under-21 Euros
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Serbia and Albania are set to co-host the men’s Under-21 European Championship in 2027 in a soccer project that aims to overcome political tensions. UEFA said Thursday only the Serbia-Albania bid met a deadline this week to file detailed tournament plans....
Premier says Albania will grant sovereignty to Bektashi Muslims in Tirana, similar to the Vatican
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Sunday his country would transform the Tirana-based Bektashi Muslims, an Islamic Sufi order, into a sovereign state to promote moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Speaking at the United Nations, Rama pointed...
Albania's former prime minister Sali Berisha is formally charged with corruption
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Wednesday said he was formally charged with corruption in connection with a property deal, describing the move as politically motivated. In October, prosecutors publicly put him under investigation for allegedly...
How the Balkans region grappled with the hottest summer in more than a century
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Jelena Popovic normally loves summer and all it brings along, including the hot weather. But this year it was just too much. “This summer was too hot, you couldn't walk in the city. It was only pleasant when you swim," said Popovic, a resident of...
An ethnic Greek politician and EU lawmaker is released on probation in Albania
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — A former ethnic Greek mayor of an Albanian town, whose imprisonment on vote-buying charges has strained Albanian-Greek ties, has been released on probation, his office and a lawyer said Monday. Fredis Beleris was freed after a court in Fier, 100 kilometers...
UNHCR to monitor implementation of Italy-Albania accord to ensure migrants' asylum rights respected
ROME (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency, which has expressed serious concerns about Italy’s deal to process some migrants’ asylum requests at holding centers in Albania, has agreed to monitor the first three months of the agreement. UNHCR recalled that it wasn't a party to the...
Albania's governing Socialist Party wins mayoral poll in a town with ethnic Greek minority
QEPARO, Albania (AP) — Preliminary results Monday showed Albania's governing Socialist Party candidate Vangjel Tavo won the mayoral election in the southwestern town of Himara after the previous mayor was removed in a case that has sparked tensions with Greece. Results at the...
