Edi Rama

Albanian Parliament approves controversial deal to hold migrants for Italy

Albania’s Parliament has approved a deal for the country to hold thousands of asylum seekers for Italy despite protests from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups.

Opposition supporters in Albania protest alleged corruption in Cabinet

Albania’s Constitutional Court says migration deal with Italy can go ahead if approved

The leaders of Italy, the UK and Albania meet in Rome to hold talks on migration

Albania’s prime minister calls for more NATO troops in neighboring Kosovo following ethnic violence

Thousands of Albania’s opposition supporters hold an anti-government protest against corruption

Thousands of supporters of Albania’s opposition held an anti-government protest in Tirana on Tuesday accusing the Cabinet of corruption. The protest, which ended peacefully, also marked 33 years since the toppling of the main statue of the country’s late communist dictator, Enver Hoxha. (Feb. 20)

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Albania’s opposition disrupts a budget vote with flares and piled-up chairs in Parliament

Albanian opposition lawmakers have disrupted the Parliament’s session again to protest what they say is increasingly authoritarian rule by the governing Socialists.

Albania proposes a draft law on a contentious deal with Italy to jointly process asylum applications

The Albanian government has put forth a draft law on a contentious deal with Italy to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving in Italy by sea.

Albanian leader makes conciliatory comments after not being invited by Greece to regional meeting

Albania’s prime minister has responded to not being invited by Greece to a dinner for top officials from nine Balkan nations and the European Union by saying that in “such turbulent times” Europe’s unity is “larger than what divides us.”

Albanian Parliament legalizes medical cannabis despite harsh opposition

The Albanian Parliament has legalized cannabis for medical purposes in a country once known as a European crossroads for marijuana trafficking.

Albanian opposition holds new rally to seek PM’s resignation

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters protested anew in the capital Tirana Friday, calling for the prime minister’s resignation for alleged corruption and mishandling of the small Balkan nation’s economy.

Albanian leader denies corruption over indicted FBI agent

Albania’s prime minister has denied that he bribed or gave preferential treatment to a former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official who has been indicted in the U.S.

Albanian opposition leads anti-government protest

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Thousands of supporters of Albania’s political opposition took part in an anti-government protest Saturday, calling for the prime minister’s resignation for alleged corruption and mishandling of the small Balkan nation’s economy.

Albania’s army buys 3 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAVs

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania has purchased three Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, the model that is becoming increasingly popular after its use by the Ukrainian forces against Russian invaders, the government press office said Wednesday.

Enlargement back on EU’s agenda at Western Balkans summit

The war in Ukraine has put the European Union’s expansion at the top of the agenda as officials from the Western Balkans and EU leaders prepare to meet Tuesday.

Host Albania has high hopes for EU-Western Balkans summit

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister said Monday that a European Union summit in his country’s capital this week demonstrates the EU’s heightened geostrategic interests in the Western Balkans region during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Albania: Wrong for Britain to blame Tirana on migrants

Albania’s prime minister says Britain is carrying out a “calculated attack” on his country by blaming it for the increased number of immigrants crossing the English Channel illegally.

N Macedonia, Albania boost ties amid common push to join EU

The prime ministers of North Macedonia and Albania have agreed to boost energy and infrastructure cooperation, as both Balkan neighbors work to realize their ambitions of moving toward European Union membership.

Anti-government protest held in Albania over rising costs

Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters have protested the country’s cost of living crisis, which they blame on the center-left government.

In Israel, Albanian PM to meet cyber chief after Iran hack

Albania’s prime minister has arrived in Israel for an official visit that will include a meeting with Israeli cyber defense officials, the Israeli Foreign Ministry says.

Albania denies police system was attacked by Iranian hackers

Albanian authorities have denied that the country’s police system was hacked after local media reported that data on people being investigated for crimes was released from an Iranian hacking group.

NATO’s team in Albania to help on Iran-alleged cyberattack

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — NATO sent a senior-level delegation to Albania on Wednesday to help the tiny Western Balkan country cope with the consequences of recent cyberattack that the government blamed on Iran.

Albania cuts diplomatic ties with Iran over July cyberattack

Albania’s prime minister says the government has cut diplomatic ties with Iran and expelled the country’s embassy staff.

3 Balkan countries to work on averting food, energy shortage

Anticipating a tough winter in light of the war in Ukraine, three Balkan states have agreed to help each other with potential food or energy shortages.

Spain fully backs Western Balkan integration into EU

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said the Western Balkans are an integral part of the European Union, repeating his country’s full support of the region’s integration into the 27-member bloc.

Albania’s ex-president takes over his old political party

Albania’s former President Ilir Meta has taken over the leadership of his old political party pledging to fight government corruption through referendums.

Albania resumes public online services, probes cyberattack

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Albanian government said Thursday that most public websites were working again while an investigation to find the source of a cyberattack that disrupted them continues.

EU starts membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union started membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on Tuesday, a long-delayed step in the Balkan nations’ paths toward EU membership that gained momentum amid the war in Ukraine.

Kosovo official says ex-leaders’ trial is taking too long

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — A senior Kosovo official on Friday criticized the length of the international trial process for detained former independence fighters charged with war crimes during and after the 1998-1999 war in the Balkan country.

Weary waiting for EU, Balkan trio boost regional integration

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Frustrated by their countries’ sluggish progress toward joining the European Union, three Western Balkan leaders moved Wednesday to further boost regional economic and labor integration.

Albania offers ex-Soviet built naval base to NATO

The office of Albania’s prime minister says the country has offered to NATO a naval base in an effort to highlight the tiny country’s value in the alliance “in these difficult times.”

Tirana gets ready for Europa Conference League final

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Tens of thousands of soccer fans are expected to visit the Albanian capital of Tirana for the Europa Conference League final between Dutch club Feyenoord and Italian team Roma on Wednesday.

Albanian parliament fails to elect a president in 1st vote

The Albanian Parliament has failed to elect the country’s next president after no candidates were nominated for the first round of voting.

Albanian PM meets Kosovo ex-leader held on war crime charges

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister on Tuesday visited Kosovo’s ex-president Hashim Thaci in a prison in The Netherlands, where he is being held pending trial for alleged war crimes.

Albania may go it alone in bid to launch EU membership talks

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister said Thursday that his nation may go it alone in its efforts to launch European Union membership talks, turning its back on a stalled joint bid with North Macedonia.

Leader of Albania’s main opposition Democratic party resigns

The leader of Albania’s main opposition party has resigned from the post following divisive infighting.