Albania

Albanian government, opposition agree on parliamentary commission

After months of wrangling, the government and the opposition have agreed to establish a parliamentary commission to investigate the disputed 2009 general elections. The ruling Democratic Party’s Astrit Patozi and the opposition Socialist Party’s (SP) Gramoz Ruci met on Wednesday (July 14th) and agreed that the SP will lead the …

Read More »

European Parliament to debate on Albania

The European Parliament will hold a debate on Albania on Wednesday, with MEPs and the EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton expected to participate. The Parliament is also expected to vote on a resolution on Albania drafted by Greek left-wing MEP Nikolaos Chountis. Speaking for Deutsche Welle radio Chountis said …

Read More »

Albanian Socialists threaten new boycott

Members of parliament from the main opposition Socialist Party (SP) decided on Wednesday (June 30th) to “reconsider” their position and resume their boycott, in a bid to resolve the longstanding political stalemate. Group head Gramoz Ruci announced that SP members will not participate in the discussion of draft laws and …

Read More »

Albania’s Meta calls for electoral reform

Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) leader Ilir Meta on Tuesday (June 29th) urged political leaders to start strengthening electoral legislation, to ensure small parties get more representation. “Discussions need to be wide and all inclusive,” he said. Meta’s SMI only managed to win a handful of seats in parliament in …

Read More »

Serbia to abolish visa regime with Albania

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 …

Read More »