January
Europe, U.S. concerned by Albania’s lack of preparations for local polls
TIRANA – Europe and the United States expressed concern that Albania had failed to prepare on time for local elections, now likely to be postponed by a month until February. Planning for the poll, originally scheduled for Jan. 20, has been marred by disagreements between the two main political groupings over voter lists and other issues.
In a joint statement, representatives of the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the U.S. said they were “deeply concerned by the lack of progress in preparations for the Albanian local government elections.” The poll is considered a major test of Albania’s ability to organize free and fair elections. Voting in the Balkan country has consistently fallen short of international standards during the post-communist period. Talks between the coalition and Socialist-led opposition have produced an agreement to postpone the vote until Feb. 18, but it has yet to be formally approved.
NATO tells Albania elections are key test for membership hopes
BRUSSELS – NATO urged Albanian politicians to resolve a crisis threatening local elections, warning that holding a free and fair vote was crucial to the country’s hopes of joining the alliance next year. “NATO certainly sees the electoral process in the larger sense as a critical test for membership of the alliance,” said spokesman James Appathurai.
Brussels tells Albania local polls essential for closer ties with the bloc
TIRANA – The European Union told Albania that the holding of free and fair elections was an essential requirement for closer relations with the bloc. The EU welcomed last weekend’s consensual deal among Albanian political parties that put an end to a dispute over electoral reforms for more than a year. “The EU stresses that all Albanian political forces must now implement the agreement by working together constructively and in good faith and by proceeding with the electoral preparations without further delay,” according to a statement.
February
Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria sign deal for new Balkan oil pipeline
SKOPJE – Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria signed an agreement to build a trans-Balkan pipeline carrying Caspian oil from Bulgaria to a western Albanian port. The US-registered Albanian Macedonian Bulgarian Oil Corporation will operate the 895-kilometer (556-mile) pipeline which will carry Caspian oil from the Bulgarian port of Burgas through Macedonia to Vlora in Albania.
March
World Bank gives $60 million loan to help Albanian road project, land reform
TIRANA – The World Bank approved two loans totaling $60 million (euro45.7 million) to Albania to complete a road and help with a land reform project.
Plan International to keep aid operations going in Albania
TIRANA – Endemic poverty in Albania has prompted an international aid group to continue funding projects beyond its original mandate and to create a local NGO to carry on its work. Plan International, a Britain-based children’s aid agency, will continue funding projects after completing an initial, 10-year commitment in which it invested up to US$10 million (euro7.6 million) in the tiny Balkan country.
Albanian premier reshuffles cabinet to boost reforms
TIRANA – Albania’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha reshuffled his cabinet to give a boost to reforms needed for the country to integrate into international institutions.
Berisha moved five ministers from his cabinet _ Gazmend Oketa replaces Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Rusmajli, who moves to the Justice Ministry post instead of Aldo Bumci; Bujar Nishani takes over from Sokol Olldashi, who resigned from the Interior Ministry to run in Feb. 18 local polls; Majlinda Bregu replaces Arenca Trashani at the European Integration Ministry and also takes the new post of government spokeswoman; Ylli Pango replaces Bujar Leskaj at the Culture Ministry; and Nard Ndoka is health minister instead of Maksim Cikuli.
April
Albania appeals for euro230 million commercial loan to build new road to Kosova
TIRANA – Albania appealed for a commercial loan to help fund construction of a road segment that would shorten the route to neighboring Kosova. Albania needs an additional euro200-230 million (US$272-US$312 million) over the next two years for the project, which when finished will reduce travel times to Kosova from six hours to two, the finance ministry said in a statement. A U.S.-Turkish joint venture signed a euro418 million contract with Albania in October to build a 60-kilometer road segment, including a 6-kilometer tunnel, by June 2009. The road segment would be part of a 170-kilometer highway to Kosova, a U.N.-run province in Serbia that is more than 90 percent ethnic Albanian.
Albanian foreign minister resigns, blames ‘tiredness’
TIRANA – Albanian Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj resigned from the post saying he was tired after an intensive period of work in the last 20 months. He has held the job since the centre-right coalition Democratic Party government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha took office in September 2005.
May
Albanian foreign minister rejects ‘greater Albania’ idea for Western Balkans
WASHINGTON – Albania’s newly installed foreign minister, Lulzim Basha, rejected the idea that Albanians in the western Balkans see continuing political changes in the region as a prelude to establishment of a “greater Albania.” The only aspiration of Albanians in Kosova, Macedonia and Albania itself is eventual membership in the European Union and NATO, Basha said, speaking at a forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Rice urges Albanian to proceed with reforms
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha that it was important for his government to continue political and economic reforms and to meet the requirements needed for NATO membership.
June
Bush says Kosova needs to be independent ‘sooner rather than later’
TIRANA, Albania (AP) _ U.S. President George W. Bush received a hero’s welcome as the first American president to visit Albania and said before flying to Bulgaria that there cannot be endless dialogue about achieving independence for neighboring Kosova. “At some point in time _ sooner rather than later _ you’ve got to say `Enough is enough. Kosova is independent’ and that’s the position we’ve taken,” Bush said during a news conference with the prime minister of this impoverished Balkan country, Sali Berisha. In response to Albania’s push for NATO membership, Bush said additional political and military reforms were needed before that could be considered _ something the country’s leaders said they understood. Berisha said 90 percent of his country’s people support NATO membership for Albania. Bush commended Berisha on Albania’s progress on reforming its defense forces and meeting performance-based standards required for membership. “I look forward to welcoming you sometime into NATO,” he said. Bush said he was proud to be the first sitting American president to visit. “I love to come to countries that are working hard to establish the institutions necessary for a democracy to survive,” he said.
July
Albania is first to destroy all its chemical weapons, watchdog says
THE HAGUE – Albania became the first country to destroy its entire arsenal of chemical weapons, the U.N. watchdog organization said. The Albanians have eliminated 16,678 kilograms (36,768 pounds) of mustard gas and other chemical agents banned under an international treaty signed by 182 nations, said the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Albanian parliament elects Bamir Topi as new president
TIRANA – Parliament elected Bamir Topi, deputy leader of the governing Democratic Party, as Albania’s new president, after some opposition lawmakers broke their coalition’s boycott and took part in the vote. Topi, 50, a biologist by profession, replaces President Alfred Moisiu, elected five years ago with a rare consensus between the two ever-bickering political groupings and whose term expires Tuesday.
Albania shortens work day by three hours, due to power crisis
TIRANA – Albania reduced the government’s working hours from eight a day to five, due to the power crisis made worse recently by a heat wave throughout southeastern Europe.
August
FBI agents sent to help Albania fight organized crime
TIRANA – A team of FBI agents has been stationed in Albania to help the tiny Balkan country fight organized crime, making it the 61st country “where FBI agents are now assigned and working hand in hand with state and local law enforcement,” according to FBI Deputy Assistant Director Roberts.
September
Albanian senior officials arrested on corruption charges
TIRANA – A junior minister, six other senior officials of the Transport Ministry and two owners of private companies have been arrested on accusations of corruption and abuse of office. Deputy Minister Nikolin Jaka and the others were arrested late Monday for illegally favoring private companies in tender projects. The offenses carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison.
NATO hopeful Albania hosts Alliance exercise with partners
TIRANA – NATO and European partner nations have launched three-week military exercises in Albania, the largest ever held in the former communist country.
October
Albania’s foreign minister could face prosecution; parliament asked to lift immunity
TIRANA – Albania’s chief prosecutor asked lawmakers to strip the foreign minister’s immunity, bringing him a step closer to possible prosecution on allegations of corruption and abuse of power. The minister, Lulzim Basha, stands accused of improperly favoring a U.S.-Turkish joint venture in the awarding of a highway construction contract while he was serving as transport minister.
EU gives euro200 million to reform Albania’s economy, judiciary, fight poverty
TIRANA – The European Commission will give Albania euro200 million (US$284.5 million) in a three-year program to help the country reform its economy and judiciary, promote social development and fight poverty. The program, which will run until 2009, was announced by the commission’s office in Tirana and the Albanian Ministry of European Integration.
NATO cautious on Albania’s membership hopes
BRUSSELS – NATO warned Albania that it must push through more reforms of its justice and political system to win early membership in the Western military alliance. “The invitation tickets are not punched yet; further reform is necessary,” NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said after a meeting with Albanian’s president Bamir Topi. “A lot of work will still have to be done and no guarantees can be given.”
November
High air pollution levels causing hundreds of deaths in Albania, WHO study says
TIRANA – Air pollution in Albania has increased to such an extent that it contributes to hundreds of deaths a year, according to a study by the World Health Organization. Tirana has become by far the most polluted capital city in Europe _ and one of the most polluted in the world, said Vasil Miho of the WHO office in Tirana.
Albania’s parliament votes to oust top prosecutor
TIRANA – Parliament voted to oust Albania’s top prosecutor for allegedly violating the country’s constitution and failing to fight organized crime. Lawmakers voted 77-37 to dismiss Prosecutor-General Theodhori Sollaku _ a decision that must be ratified by President Bamir Topi in order to take effect.
Senior Albanian officials, businessman arrested on corruption charges
TIRANA – Two senior Albanian officials and the owner of a construction company have been arrested on accusations of corruption and abuse of office. The two officials _ Spartak Gjini, 52, and Llambi Tarka, 51 _ were arrested for allegedly granting a tender illegally to the Siret construction company by forcing other interested companies to withdraw from the competition for reconstruction of the ministry’s building. The owner of Siret, 39-year-old Fiqiri Pali, was also arrested.
Albania’s 2 cell phone operators fined for unfair pricing
TIRANA – Albania’s two cellular telephone operators, Albanian Mobile Communication and Vodafone Albania, were fined a total of 3.76 million Euros ($5.52 million) for overcharging consumers. The companies had set prices far above the European Union and regional average during 2004-05.
Albanian justice minister resigns over prison corruption charge
TIRANA – Albania’s Justice Minister Ilir Rusmajli announced his resignation following allegations of corruption in the country’s prison service. Rusmajli denied any impropriety but said he was leaving the post to facilitate a judicial investigation into the allegations. Rusmajli, 42, had been in the post since April.
Albania approves new hydroelectric plant, grid connection with Italy
TIRANA – Albania’s government approved a new hydroelectric plant project and an undersea grid connection with Italy, in deals worth 1.3 billion Euros ($1.9 billion) and aimed at addressing acute power shortages in this tiny Balkan country.
Albanian prime minister nominates new justice minister
TIRANA – Prime Minister Sali Berisha nominated his legal adviser Enkeleid Alibeaj, 34, to replace the Albania’s justice minister, after he resigned amid allegations of corruption.
Albania’s parliament votes in new prosecutor to replace fired predecessor
TIRANA – Albania’s parliament approved a replacement for the country’s top prosecutor, who was fired by the president for what officials said was failing to fight crime and corruption. Ina Rama, 35, was approved with a parliamentary vote of 83-33 after being nominated by President Bamir Topi to replace Theodhori Sollaku as prosecutor general. Topi fired Sollaku, 45, on the recommendation of a parliamentary investigative committee’s report earlier this month, which accused the former prosecutor of inadequately fulfilling the duties of his post, including failing to take on organized crime.
December
Albania’s president says an independent Kosova would contribute to peace in region
ATHENS – Albania’s president said that an independent Kosova would contribute to peace and stability in the Balkans and Europe. During a visit to neighboring Greece, President Bamir Topi said he had discussed Balkan issues, including the status of Kosova, with President Karolos Papoulias. Topi said afterward that granting Kosova independence “would be a valuable contribution toward the final peace in the region.” Relations between Greece and Albania have been strained periodically since the 1990 fall of communism in the tiny Balkan country because of perceptions of racism and xenophobia in Greece, and over the status and treatment of hundreds of thousands of Albanian immigrants. Up to 1 million Albanians live in Greece, many of them without proper immigration status, while Greece is the biggest single investor in Albania.
Italy’s premier urges Kosova Albanians not to declare independence unilaterally
TIRANA – Italy’s premier urged ethnic Albanians in Kosova to delay plans for a unilateral declaration of independence, saying EU nations have made progress on reaching a common stance on the province. Romano Prodi was on a visit to Albania.
Albania to donate excess army ammunition to Iraq and Afghanistan
TIRANA – Albania wants to donate its surplus ammunition to Iraq and Afghanistan to help those countries build up their armed forces, Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu said. Mediu said he would ask “Washington and other NATO member countries to consider” Albania’s offer.
