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World News

Macedonian census shows Western Balkans is depopulating fast

With EU membership hopes all but quashed, the countries of the European region are undergoing a serious population crisis, as the young and educated leave in droves.

Albania

Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia hold talks at Open Balkan Summit

Leaders from Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia met in Tirana to discuss and agree on furthering their Open Balkan initiative to promote political and economic ties.

Culture news

Evacuated Afghan artists paint mural to say 'Thank you, Albania!'

Albania has sheltered some 2,400 Afghan evacuees in hotels or tourist resorts. Some 150 of them have already left for other countries.

Albania

Albania's ex-top prosecutor arrested in Italy on corruption charges

Adriatik Llalla was found guilty of hiding money involved in illegally owned properties.

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Albania

Former Albania minister charged over deadly 2008 munitions explosion

Fatmir Mediu has been charged with abuse of power over the blast at a munitions disposal factory in 2008 that killed 26 people.

Albania

Albania cracks down on migrant arrivals via new Balkan route to the EU

Police data show Albania has seen a rise in arrests for illegal entry this year, as numbers of migrants trying to reach Albania have skyrocketed.

Albania

Albanian court reopens case against ex-minister over fatal blast

Fatmir Mediu has denied any wrongdoing related to the 2008 deadly explosion at a munitions factory in Gerdec, which killed 26 people.

Albania

Women dominate top table in Albania’s new government

Twelve of the 17 cabinet members are women, the most in Albania's history, according to PM Edi Rama.

Albania

Brussels must not invent new conditions for EU membership, says Merkel

The comments came as Merkel was in the Western Balkans meeting heads of government from Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo.

World News

Western Balkans cautious amid surge of COVID-19 infections

In southwestern Serbia, some school classes will be held online due to the high numbers of new coronavirus cases.

My Europe Series

As EU membership stalls, Balkan nations create their own mini-Schengen

From 2023 no one will stop you from Belgrade to Tirana, said Serbia's president, talking about plans for a "mini-Schengen" zone in the Balkans.

No Comment

Albania: first arrivals of afghan refugees

The first group of refugees fleeing the Taliban after their takeover of Kabul have arrived in Albania in the early morning of Friday.

Albania

Albania repatriates 19 family members of dead ISIS fighters from Syria

A few hundred Albanians joined the Islamic State militant group in Iraq and Syria and most were killed. Since then, their families have been stuck in camps.

My Europe Series

Could North Macedonia be the graveyard of the EU's ideals?

"If my mother tongue, the Macedonian language, is the reason we can’t move closer to the EU, then the EU is not really what we thought it was – a community of values."

Albania

Ex-Albanian police officer jailed for killing that sparked protests

A former Albanian police officer was given a 10-year sentence for fatally shooting a man during a COVID-19 curfew patrol in December.

Focus

5 routes that offer a look at Western Balkan history and culture

In partnership with Regional Cooperation Council

Travel back in time to the Bronze Age, the Byzantine period and more on the Crossroads of Civilisations routes in the Western Balkans.

Albania

Three Albanian police officers arrested in major drug-trafficking bust

Thirty-eight Albanian nationals including a prosecutor, a government department head and three senior police officers have been arrested for drug trafficking, corruption, abuse of post and money laundering.

Series

The cosmic egg hat: Is this Albanian hat about to catch on?

Eva zu Beck learns how to make a qeleshe - a traditional hat in Albania.

Albania

Albanian MPs have just voted to impeach their president

Albanian MPs have voted to impeach President Ilir Meta for allegedly violating the constitution ahead of Albania's April election.

Series

Tirana's best food and other traditions you have to try

In this episode of Rerouted: The Balkans, Eva zu Beck experiences Tirana's buzzing foodie culture.