Exit - Explaining Albania

Some 100 Albanian families are set to be displaced from their homes in Rruga Ura in Tirana as the apartment blocks will be demolished by the decision of the Municipal Council as a result of damage from the 26 November 2019 earthquake.

Eight Apartment Blocks to be Demolished in Tirana, Citizens Dispute Municipal Decision - Exit - Explaining Albania Some 100 Albanian families are set to be displaced from their homes in Rruga Ura in Tirana as the apartment blocks will be demolished by the decision of the Municipal Council as a result of damage from the 26 November 2019 earthquake. A total of eight buildings will be brought down with a demolition...

In a speech at the Brussels Summit on Wednesday, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Russian influence in the region is real, noting that Serbia is yet to align with bloc-wide sanctions against Russia.

Rama: Russian Influence Very Real Danger for Western Balkans - Exit - Explaining Albania In a speech at the Brussels Summit on Wednesday, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Russian influence in the region is real, noting that Serbia is yet to align with bloc-wide sanctions against Russia. Serbia has resisted calls to enforce sanctions against Moscow, much to the chagrin of the E...

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla, said that “organised groups, with some masked individuals” attacked the election officials and the policemen “with grenades and shots in the air.”

Tense Situation in North Kosovo Following Explosions, Attacks - Exit - Explaining Albania Following explosions and attacks amid preparations for elections to replace ethnic Serb representatives in institutions in the north of Kosovo, the head of EULEX, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark expressed concern over the situation. Kosovo police said that masked individuals damaged the offices of municipal el...

In an exclusive interview, she said positive progress is being made with the five member states that currently do not recognise her country’s independence.

Interview: Osmani Says Progress Made in Lobbying Non-Recognisers of Kosovo - Exit - Explaining Albania At the EU-Western Balkan Summit in Tirana, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani confirmed plans to apply for EU membership before the end of the year, and in an exclusive interview with Exit, she said positive progress is being made with the five member states that currently do not recognise her countr...

A document claiming that the aggressor suffers from mental health problems looks suspicious.

Suspicions on the Identity of Berisha's Aggressor—Opposition Claims He is a Police Agent - Exit - Explaining Albania A medical document issued to Gert Shehu, the 31 year old who punched the leader of the opposition Sali Berisha during anti-government protest on Tuesday, is raising suspicions about his identity The unusual health document, titled “medical certificate” and addressed “to whomever may need it”...

A person, believed to a be a socialist militant, punched Berisha, in the face as he was walking with other protesters.

Albania’s Opposition Leader Attacked During Anti-Government Protest - Exit - Explaining Albania A man physically attacked Sali Berisha, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, during Tuesdays’s protest against the socialist government, in Tirana. The aggressor, reported to be a socialist militant, was able to walk through protesters to come closer to Berisha and lunged at him without ...

Thousands of people protested in Tirana against the government of Edi Rama.

Anti-Government Protests Occur Parallel to EU-Western Balkan Summit - Exit - Explaining Albania The EU-Western Balkans Summit took place in Tirana on Tuesday (6 December), parallel with a large, thousands-strong opposition-led protest which erupted into scuffles, with protestors hoping to draw the attention of the EU to their allegations of government corruption and crime. As EU and regional l...

The existing institutional make-up of the EU could cope with a new wave of enlargement without the need for EU reform, a senior French diplomat who wished to remain anonymous

Enlargement “Could Work” Without EU Reform, says Senior French Diplomat - Exit - Explaining Albania The existing institutional make-up of the EU could cope with a new wave of enlargement without the need for EU reform, a senior French diplomat who wished to remain anonymous told EURACTIV. But any treaty change would need to go through a ratification process – a very risky move as the EU struggle...

"I think they have the rights to try, and they should make use of their freedom, and it’s absolutely in their hands,”

Edi Rama Interview: I Cannot tell Young People Not to Leave. - Exit - Explaining Albania Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said he could not tell his country’s young people not to leave for a life abroad, but what is important is tackling exploitation and people trafficking and ensuring that some of those that leave come back. Rama gave an exclusive interview with EURACTIV journalist A...

Rama spoke on the eve of the summit about enlargement, regional tensions, and the need to push ahead with reforms to ensure the authenticity of the enlargement process.

Rama: EU Accession not an ‘Exam you can Cheat on’, More Work Needed - Exit - Explaining Albania The EU accession process of the Western Balkans is not an exam you can cheat on, and its importance has increased because of the geopolitical situation facing the region and the bloc, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview on Monday (5 December). On Tuesday, Albania...

The joint summit with the Western Balkan six – Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – is the first being held outside the EU, with Tirana being among the most vocal proponents of EU membership.

In Tirana, EU to Reassure Western Balkans Amid Enlargement Disillusionment - Exit - Explaining Albania EU leaders will meet with their Western Balkans counterpart in Albania’s capital Tirana on Tuesday (6 December) to reassure the region of a future in the bloc amid fears of rising Russian and Chinese influence, but they will have to walk a fine line between maintaining a united front on enlargemen...

Albania has reported tourism arrivals higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, surpassing many of the world leaders in tourism, according to data from the UNWTO published recently.

Albania Sees Tourism at Above Pre-Pandemic Levels - Exit - Explaining Albania Albania has reported tourism arrivals higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, surpassing many of the world leaders in tourism, according to data from the UNWTO published recently. Over the last few years, Albania has increased in popularity as a tourist destination, with visitors lured by low pric...