Albania
Macron urges Sofia and Skopje to solve their dispute amid tensions in Europe
Pressure on Sofia to lift its veto and allow North Macedonia to start EU accession talks has increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine raised fears of destabilisation in the Western Balkans.
Albania’s notorious ‘Tik Tok judge’ sacked
A media storm erupted in Albania when videos on Tik Tok showed Enkelejda Kapedani posing in designer clothes in her office and driving a BMW.
Borrell says EU should step up engagement in Western Balkans to counter Russia threat
EU high commissioner warns decision of most candidate countries to align to the EU sanction policy exposes them to threats from Russia.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Public debt starts to decline in the Western Balkans
Across the region, the average publicly guaranteed debt to GDP ratio fell from 60.8% of GDP in 2020 to 56.5% in 2021, a World Bank report shows.
Western Balkan countries face new economic challenges with growth set to slow to 3.1% this year
The war in Ukraine sends shockwaves across the region and the World Bank warns of "daunting" downside risks to the current outlook.
Where the 11 Southeast European states stand on the Ukraine war
Southeast Europe is split over the issues of sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, with some states firmly in the western camp, some staying neutral and others internally torn.
Albanians campaign on social media to keep bus bridge created in freak accident
Tirana residents have been arguing on social media to keep a bus that crashed off the road over a river in the Albanian capital, coming to rest as an impromptu bridge.
Emerging Europe growth to fall to an average of 3% this year, says wiiw
Russian GDP forecast to fall by 9-15% this year, while Ukraine's economy could collapse by 38-45%.
Albania’s former president pushes rival politician off parliament podium
Sali Berisha has been trying for months to regain control of the Democratic Party, the main opposition force in Albania, which is currently headed by interim leader Enkelejd Alibeaj.
Albania experienced steepest population decline in two decades in 2021
Deaths outnumbered births in 2021, while emigration revived as international travel restrictions were lifted.
Serbia’s new Chinese anti-aircraft system fuels fears of Balkan arms race
Weaponry arrived at a time of concern over the stability of the Western Balkans following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
US sanctions high-profile Western Balkan politicians
North Macedonia's former PM Nikola Gruevski among seven current and former officials blacklisted over activities that "threaten the stability of the region".
Albanian inflation shoots up to 5.7% in March as Ukraine war pushes prices up
The war caused a sudden acceleration in inflation, especially for prices of energy and fuel, both of which Albania imports.
EBRD slashes 2022 growth forecasts but only nations embroiled in war to enter recession
Ukraine's economy forecast to contract by 20% and projections worsen across emerging Europe — except for Eurasian oil and gas producers Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
Bulgarian PM offers hope of a breakthrough for North Macedonia’s stalled EU accession
Kiril Petkov says North Macedonia “has a place in the European family”, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warns further enlargement delays lay Western Balkans open to influence from third parties.
Albania to hold monthly car-free days as fuel crisis bites
The move was motivated by both environmental concerns and – more urgently – the need to reduce fuel consumption at a time when prices have risen sharply, sparking a series of protests.
COMMENT: Roma civil society can learn from both mistakes and local successes to make inclusion work
There is deep disappointment over the rate of progress of various Roma inclusion policies of the European Union during the last few decades.
Diplomats say Albania needs a strong opposition as Democratic Party leader steps down
Albania’s main opposition leader Lulzim Basha has been under pressure to quit over the Democrats’ poor performance in recent elections.
Balkan flashpoints after Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Since the invasion of Ukraine, there have been warnings of Russian efforts to destabilise the Western Balkans.
