Albania
Albanian prosecutors file criminal charges against opposition leader Basha
Opposition says case concerning $675,000 of funding for the Democratic Party ahead of the 2017 general election is intended to distract from the political crisis in Albania.
Western Balkans buck downward global trend in FDI
EU accession candidates Serbia and North Macedonia see largest increase in FDI inflows in Western Balkans — but investments in the region are vulnerable to political instability, says new report from wiiw.
Albania, North Macedonia see hoped for EU accession talks slipping away
The prime ministers of Albania and North Macedonia are engaged in last ditch attempts to secure the go ahead for the start of accession negotiations at the European Council meeting later this month.
Albania’s ruling Socialists to start proceedings to dismiss president
President Ilir Meta announced he is cancelling June 30 local elections, triggering a constitutional crisis.
Albania’s PPI down 0.2% y/y in 1Q19
The PPI in the key manufacturing sector was down by 0.7% y/y during the quarter, with the steepest drops in prices for manufacture of food products, manufacture of non-metallic mineral products (0.5%) and metallurgy.
Albanian president cancels local elections as protests rage in Tirana
After months of increasingly violent protests, Ilir Meta warns of “unpredictable escalation of conflict” and says conditions don’t exist for “true, democratic, representative” elections — but Prime Minister Edi Rama says the vote will go ahead.
Deadly air pollution cuts life expectancy in Western Balkans
Average citizen loses 1.3 years as a result of air pollution, finds UN Environment study, but governments are still pressing ahead with plans to build new coal-fired power stations.
Netherlands asks EU to suspend visa free travel for Albanian citizens over organised crime concerns
Albanian citizens have been able to travel free to EU countries since December 2010, but Dutch MPs voted to suspend this citing the growing number of crimes committed by the Albanian mafia.
Southeast Europe’s banking sector gets new investor geography
Hungary’s OTP in, Greek banks out, and a new crop of privatisations coming up in Serbia and Slovenia.
EC recommends unconditional launch of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia
European Commission says the two Western Balkan countries have delivered on reforms and urges EU governments to allow talks to begin.
Albania hikes electricity imports as hydropower production plunges
Albania relies mostly on hydropower production and favourable weather conditions are essential. When electricity imports outweigh exports, this has serious negative consequences for the economy as a whole.
Shell expects substantial oil reserves at Shpiragu-4 well in Albania
Potential flow of several thousand barrels of oil per day, says Shell Upstream Albania, after carrying out drilling tests near Berat.
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Kosovo considers extending 100% tariffs to Albanian products
Punitive tariffs already imposed on imports from Bosnia and Serbia could be extended to Kosovo’s closest ally Albania if it fails to remove barriers on Kosovan flour, beer and potatoes.
Albania’s 4-mоnth trade gap widens 9.3% y/y
Albania has historically run a substantial trade deficit caused by its narrow production and export base, and has partly funded this with remittances from Albanians living abroad.