Albania

The European Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee adopted a pair of resolutions on Albania and Kosovo and their integration processes Wednesday (June 23rd). The one on Albania was adopted almost

Serbia is close to removing its visa regime with Albania, Deputy Foreign Minister Zdravko Ponos said on Wednesday (June 23rd) during a visit to Shkodra. Ponos met with representatives of the Serbian and Montenegrin minority in northern Albania. “One of the issues discussed with my colleagues was visas. Albania has …

Albania’s Minister of Interior Lulzim Basha declared on Monday that Albania’s Presidency of the Regional Initative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees would be dedicated to creating a Balkan Schengen system.

European Parliament (EP) officials are acknowledging that mediation aimed at resolving the political stalemate in Albania has failed. After a month of efforts, leaders of left and right wing parties in the EP, Joseph Daul and

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama have been invited for fresh consultations with members of the European Parliament as part of efforts to overcome the political stalemate that has plagued the country for almost a year.

EU foreign ministers have expressed their concern over the political situation in Albania, where the ruling and opposition parties have not yet found a solution to the political crisis that began almost one year ago. “It is high time to find a solution to the current crisis on a basis …

Romanian President Traian Basescu urged Albanian authorities on Tuesday (June 8th) to recognise Aromanians as a national minority in Albania. “The Aromanians have proven to be trustworthy Albanian citizens and have

Membership to NATO means more defence spending, local media reported on Monday (June 7th). To meet the criteria to join the Alliance, the government had to double defence spending, from about 9m euros in 2005 to about 19m euros in 2009. The money reportedly was used to modernise the military …

An unofficial deadline set in a meeting in Strasbourg for Albanian political leaders to resolve the country’s political crisis expired on Thursday with no solution in sight. After meeting with EU representatives in Strasbourg two weeks ago, Albania’s main political parties have failed to reach an agreement to overcome the …

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Wednesday (June 2nd) he would like to see a solution to the political crisis in Albania before the European Parliament (EP) discusses lifting the visa regime. “I would not like to answer on behalf of other institutions, however the EP respects EC decisions,” …