Albania

Albania’s new President, Bujar Nishani, is to start his first state visit on Wednesday in neighouring Kosovo.In his three-day visit to Kosovo, President Nishani is expected to hold meetings with Pristina’s political leaders, including President Atifete Jahjaga, the speaker of parliament Jakup Krasniqi and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Bowing to pressure from environmentalists seeking a total ban, Albania on Thursday reduced the range of wastes that can be imported for recycling.The decision to cut waste imports was “a result of wide consultation with civil society groups”, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said, adding that banning all imports of waste …

DUI official says party will walk if law on armed forces leaves out members of former Albanian guerilla fighters from 2001 conflict.Macedonia’s ruling coalition has been shaken after the government’s smaller coalition partner announced that it may leave, if a key piece of legislation is adopted.

Albania’s leader has compared Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to Hitler, once again showing that the Jewish state has a firm ally in Sali Berisha.Reacting to Ahmadinejad’s recent declaration, branding Israel as a tumour in the Middle East that should be eradicated, Sali Berisha on Sunday described the Iranian’s president’s stance …

A worldwide survey by the Pew Research Center finds Muslims in the Balkans are markedly less rigorous in their religious practices than their counterparts elsewhere.According to the survey less than half of the Muslims surveyed in the Balkans see religion as central to their lives – and only 15 per …

The Socialist Opposition criticised the government on Monday for a lack of security during tourist season following a string of crimes over the last two weeks that has shocked the country.“The country is under the terror of criminals and street gangs because [Prime Minister] Sali Berisha has nominated party militants …

Albania’s opposition parties have accused the newly elected president Bujar Nishani of bowing to Prime Minister Sali Berisha with the nomination of the new head of the State Security Agency.In a Twitter post, the opposition leader Edi Rama said that the nomination would have a negative effect on Albania’s political …

Prime Minister Sali Berisha asked his cabinet on Wednesday to send medical staff to Turkey and Jordan in order to help refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war.“We should help these refugees and send our doctors, nurses, surgeons or even a field hospital as an offer of our solidarity,” Berisha said.

Tirana’s District Court issued a not guilty verdict on Thursday to Armando Kasaj, former head of IT in the Prime Minister’s office, who was accused of wiping the server containing footage of the January 21, 2011 riots.Based on scientific evidence produced in cooperation with US Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, …

Although all parties agree on the need to change the constitution to lift the immunity of high state officials, they remain divided on when the vote should taker place.Albania’s Council of Legislation, a parliamentary body tasked with drafting amending the constitution, on Tuesday approved a draft reform agreed by both …