Albania

TIRANA, Albania The United States and the EU on Friday (June 19th) once again called on Albania to hold free and fair elections to boost its chances for closer ties with the West, media reported. In a statement, the US Embassy in Tirana said next week’s elections will test the …

Albania’s President Bamir Topi has invited the presidents of neighboring Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro to visit his country next week. Topi is to host Macedonian President Georgi Ivanov, Kosovo’s Fatmir Sejdiu and Montenegro’s Filip Vujanovic in the town of Vlora. They are expected to discuss regional issues, according to Macedonia’s …

Albania has made huge progress despite missing targets to qualify EU visa-free status by the end of the year, according to the country’s foreign minister. “The commission has recognized that Albania is progressing at full speed toward the government’s major goal, lifting visa restrictions within 12 months,” said foreign minister …

TIRANA, Albania Greek authorities are allowing Albanian immigrants to visit their country for the June 28th general elections. The Greek Interior Ministry said on Wednesday (June 10th) that all Albanian immigrants can go home twice this year and come back to Greece legally, between late June and late September.

TIRANA, Albania The OSCE on Tuesday (June 9th) urged political parties in Albania to boost mutual trust to enable free and fair elections later this month, in line with international standards.

Albania is heading a series of NATO led naval exercises in the Adriatic Sea, a first for the newly promoted member of the alliance. The war games which include thousands of marines and officers from Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Italy and Montenegro, aim to strengthen cooperation between naval forces in …

WASHINGTON, United States The US Helsinki Committee said on Thursday (June 4th) that Albania’s general elections later this month presents an opportunity for the country to organise its first vote in line with international standards.

TIRANA, Albania About 60 tonnes of crude oil was dumped into a channel that connects the coast of Vlora with the Ionian Sea, causing significant environmental damage, police said Wednesday (June 3rd). Three people were arrested, including the head of the Arkand Junior company. Investigators say the material was intentionally …

USAID, says that the process of distributing new identity documents to voters ahead of June 28 elections is problematic. About 760,000 of Albania’s three million citizens do not have passports, and will be allowed to cast ballots in the upcoming elections only upon obtaining a new identity card. 

TIRANA, Albania Albania has started implementing a visa regime for foreign visitors, media reported on Tuesday (June 2nd). Under the new regulations, the visitors will have to follow procedures similar to those Albanians must follow when travelling abroad. In order to obtain a visa, foreigners will have to book a …