Albania

The UN mission in Kosovo is no longer needed, a delegation from the European Parliament said on Monday. Doris Pack, head of the European Parliament’s delegation for the West Balkans, made the comments after a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. The European mission in Kosovo, EULEX, declared itself …

Kosovo’s exports have almost halved in February 2009 compared to the same period last year. Figures from Kosovo’s statistical institution reveal a drop of 45 per cent in exports and a worsening trade balance. The country’s exports during February 2009 were worth €7.7 million, down from €14.1 million 12 months …

PRISTINA, Kosovo – Italy will neither withdraw its troops from KFOR nor reduce its staff in the mission, local media quoted Italian government officials as saying on Monday (April 6th). Italy will not make any move in that direction without a decision by NATO, Italian Deputy Defence Minister Giuseppe Cossiga …

TIRANA, Albania – Opposition party leaders said on Sunday (April 5th) the country’s accession into NATO is an achievement for all Albanians, who did what it took to merit membership.

SKOPJE, Macedonia – Xhevat Ademi, deputy leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), criticised on Saturday (April 4th) Macedonia’s “lack of willingness” to reach an agreement with Greece in the long-standing name dispute.

The low turnout of ethnic Albanians in Sunday’s presidential election was because they felt neglected by the two presidential frontrunners, who are ethnic Macedonians, according to local analysts. The poll barely succeeded with a turnout of 42 per cent, only slightly above the required 40 per cent threshold. This was …

Kosovo is optimistic that it will win its case at the International Court of Justice, where the country’s declaration of independence is to be adjudicated following the official request made by Serbia in October, 2008. Kosovo’s government declares that it has made all necessary preparations to submit its arguments in …

“As never before, Kosovo’s European perspective is very close and ensured”, declared Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci after his visit from Brussels. “The European Union greets the progress attained in Kosovo since the declaration of independence”, declared Thaci. During the meeting with Senior UN Official, Javier Solana, it was noted …

Macedonia’s lack of willingness to reach a deal with Greece over its name will not only keep it away from NATO and the EU, but also increase its isolation and poverty, ethnic Albanian leaders said. European Union and NATO member Greece imposed a veto on Macedonia’s NATO entry a year …

STRASBOURG, France – Albania and Croatia officially became members of NATO at the Alliance’s summit in Strasbourg on Saturday (April 4th), after US President Barack Obama handed leaders of the two countries copies of the Washington Agreement that established the organisation. It was signed exactly 60 years ago, on April …