These are some of the main developments in Albania during this year, starting from the continuous political infighting, to the visa liberalization and the EU negative answer to Albania’s candidate status request, to the bus accidents and the flooding.
JANUARY
Hundreds evacuated from flooded areas
TIRANA – Hundreds of people are being evacuated from parts of northwestern Albania following widespread flooding. The army and police are assisting local authorities evacuate areas along the Drini River delta, where heavy rainfall has caused flooding.
2 Britons jailed for child abuse
TIRANA – A court sentenced two British men to long prison sentences after they were convicted of abusing children at an orphanage. Dino Christodoulou was sentenced to 20 years in prison and Robin Arnold to 15 years and six months.
Albania to issue euro300 million in bonds
TIRANA – Albania will issue euro300 million ($430 million) in Eurobonds to pay a loan it received to cover this year’s budget deficit. That was concluded only later this year after some failures due to the global economic crisis.
Constitutional Court annuls border agreement with Greece
TIRANA – Albania’s Constitutional Court says it has annulled an agreement with neighboring Greece marking out maritime borders and the continental shelf in the Ionian Sea. The agreement was found unconstitutional “due to procedural and substantial violations,” a court statement said.
FEBRUARY
law on secret police annulled
TIRANA – Constitutional Court has reversed a law banning former Communist secret police staff and informants from holding public office or serving in the judiciary. the court found the law, passed in 2008, was unconstitutional.
Albania to dispose of excess arms by 2014
TIRANA – Albania’s defense minister Arben Imami says the army will dispose of all excess arms and ammunition by 2014, with U.S. and NATO help.
President calls party talks to end political crisis
TIRANA – President Bamir Topi has summoned the government and main opposition parties to talks on alleged electoral fraud, in a bid to end a seven-month political crisis.
4 players suspended over match fixing claim
TIRANA – Officials at Albanian club Apolonia Fieri say they have suspended four players and called on prosecutors to investigate allegations of match fixing.
Albania sends back car stolen from AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso
TIRANA – Albanian authorities say they have sent back to Italy a car stolen from AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. The Range Rover jeep, stolen in 2006, was seized in the capital Tirana last year, in the hands of an Albanian man who had bought it from an Italian. He was not charged.
President convenes political parties in talks on vote-rigging claims
TIRANA – Albania’s president has started round-table talks with the government and the main opposition party to end a seven-month political crisis over alleged electoral fraud.
UN expert to probe Albanian blood feuds, vigilante killings
TIRANA – A United Nations expert, Philip Alston, a New York University law professor, is in Albania to investigate unlawful killings, including blood feuds, so-called honor killings, and vigilante murders in the Balkan country.
EU warns Albania prospects for joining bloc slim unless political crisis resolved
TIRANA – The European Union has warned Albania that it risks jeopardizing efforts to join the 27-nation bloc if it fails to resolve a political crisis that is preventing Parliament from functioning.
Council of Europe tries to mediate between warring Albanian parties
TIRANA – A Council of Europe delegation is meeting Albania’s top political groups in an effort to help resolve a political crisis over alleged electoral fraud in last June’s polls.
Council of Europe seeks end to Albania spat over disputed poll
TIRANA – A delegation from the Council of Europe is in Albania to urge political leaders to end a months long dispute over alleged vote fraud in general elections last June.
UN rights expert: Albania must help probe claims Serbs killed for their organs
TIRANA – A U.N. human rights expert, Philip Alston, has urged Albania to fully cooperate with a probe into claims Serb civilians were killed in the country for their organs during the 1999 war in Kosovo.
2 European nations accept Guantanamo detainees as part of US plan to one day close the prison
TIRANA – The United States has received help from Europe in its troubled drive to shut down Guantanamo Bay as Albania took in three more.
Political crisis eases as opposition ends parliament boycott
TIRANA – Albania’s main opposition Socialists say they are ending a six-month boycott of parliament over what they said was fraud in June’s general elections.
Opposition MPs sworn in after long boycott
TIRANA – Albania’s main opposition Socialist lawmakers have been sworn in to parliament, ending a six-month boycott over alleged fraud in June’s general elections.
MARCH
Austrian Verbund power utility starts building new hydropower station
TIRANA – Austria’s Verbund power utility says it has started building a euro200 million (US$271 million) hydropower station in Albania. The 57 MWh plant in Ashta, 87 miles (140 kilometers) north of the capital, Tirana, is to be completed in 2012, Verbund manager Christian Kern said Wednesday.
Albania beats Northern Ireland 1-0 in friendly
TIRANA – Ervin Skela scored from a free kick to hand Albania a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in an international friendly on Wednesday.
Albania gets EBRD euro50 million loan to rehabilitate rural roads
TIRANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development says it has signed a euro50 million (US$68 million) loan with Albania to rehabilitate dilapidated roads in rural areas.
EU: Political deadlock hurting Albania’s hopes of joining bloc
TIRANA – EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele warns Albania the country’s political crisis could hurt its EU membership bid.
Albania raises cash in NATO donations to destroy ammunition stockpiles
TIRANA – Albania’s Defense Ministry says it has been promised US$10 million (euro7.4 million) from the United States as part of donations from NATO countries to destroy its massive Communist-era ammunition stockpiles by 2013.
APRIL
Opposition Socialists call for daily protests
TIRANA – Opposition Socialist Party has called for daily anti-government protests over alleged vote rigging in last year’s election and “bad governing” by Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party.
Italy gives Albania euro51 million in aid
TIRANA – Italy has pledged euro51 million (US$69 million) in aid to Albania to help the country’s efforts to integrate in the European Union.
Turkish-Chinese consortium invests US$25 million in chrome industry
TIRANA – A Turkish-Chinese consortium says it has signed a US$25 million (euro18.78 million) agreement with Albania to mine and process chrome. The 35-year deal will allow Turkey’s Kurum Energy, Resources and Metallurgy Sh.a. and China’s Sichuan Jiannanchun International Group Ltd. to explore two chrome mines and renovate enrichment plants.
Opposition to hold protest rally
TIRANA – Albania’s Socialist opposition has planned an overnight protest demanding a vote recount from June elections following allegations of polls rigging.
MAY
Opposition Socialists in hunger strike
TIRANA – Twenty-two opposition Socialist lawmakers and 180 supporters have gone on a hunger strike in Albania to press the government allows a partial recount of an election they claim involved vote-rigging. Thousands supporters hold a protest a day earlier pressing for a ballot recount.
Teenager kills student at high school, then commits suicide
TIRANA – Authorities say a teenager has shot and killed a student at an Albanian high school, then committed suicide. 19-year-old Endrit Llambaj stormed into a classroom in the southern town of Elbasan with a handgun and ordered all the students out except 20-year-old Gerta Baja.
Socialists block highways in protest
TIRANA – Supporters of Albania’s Socialist Party have blocked main roads in nine cities to press a demand for an election recount in areas they claim the vote was rigged by Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party.
Bank of Albania buys Dajti Hotel
TIRANA – The landmark Dajti Hotel in Tirana, the country’s oldest, was sold to Albania’s central bank for euro30 million ($38 million).
Thousands head to capital for protest
TIRANA – Thousands of opposition Socialist supporters head to the capital in support of hunger strikers demanding a recount of June’s parliamentary elections, which they claim were rigged.
Former minister sued over scrapped rail deal with General Electric
TIRANA – Albania’s transport ministry sued a former minister Spartak Poci for abuse of power in a since-canceled rail deal with U.S. giant General Electric.
Opposition ends hunger strike pending EU-sponsored compromise talks
TIRANA – Albanian opposition lawmakers and supporters have ended what they said was a 19-day water-only hunger strike after political leaders agreed to EU-sponsored talks to end a political crisis.
EU sends mediators to try and resolve political crisis
TIRANA – The European Union and the European Parliament have sent a delegation of mediators to try and resolve Albania’s political crisis.
JUNE
Muslim community sues journalist who called for ban on Islam
TIRANA – The main group representing Albania’s majority Muslims has sued a journalist, Kastriot Myftaraj, who suggested that the government should ban their faith.
EIB approves euro50 million loan for Albania
TIRANA – The European Investment Bank says it has signed a euro50 million (US$61.2 million) loan with Albania for improvements and repairs to secondary and rural roads.
US-Albanian archaeologists believe they have found WWII Italian ship sunk by British sub
TIRANA – Underwater archaeologists believe they have found the wreck of an Italian merchant ship torpedoed by the British during World War II off Albania’s southern coast.
European media group condemns court fine on Albanian private television station
TIRANA – The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization condemned a court decision fining Top Channel TV station euro400,000 (US$491,000) for a video of an ex-minister allegedly sexually harassing a woman looking for a job.
Opposition to boycott all votes in parliament
TIRANA – Albania’s main opposition Socialists say they will start a new parliamentary boycott to protest alleged fraud in last year’s general elections.
JULY
World Bank grants Albania US$425 million in loans through 2014
TIRANA – The World Bank says it has approved loans worth US$425 million (euro331 million) to Albania to help economic growth from 2011 through 2014.
12 dead, 16 injured after bus falls off cliff in Albania
TIRANA – Authorities say 12 people have died and 16 others have been injured, many seriously, after a bus fell off a cliff some 140 kilometers (87 miles) north of the capital, Tirana.
AUGUST
Hamdi Salihi scores winner for Albania in 1-0 win over Uzbekistan
DURRES – Hamdi Salihi scored in the first half to hand Albania a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in an international friendly.
Police arrest angry man outside US embassy over alleged petrol threat
TIRANA – Albanian police say they have arrested a man outside the U.S. embassy in Tirana for allegedly threatening to set fire to a bottle of petrol, in an apparent visa protest.
Albania commemorates Mother Teresa on centenary of her birth
VAU I DEJES – Hundreds of Catholic Albanians have held a Mass in the north of the country to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Nobel Peace laureate Mother Teresa.
SEPTEMBER
US donates 3 coast guard boats to Albania
TIRANA – The United States has given it three coast guard patrol boats to help in its fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal trafficking.
Albania intensifies pro-Kosovo lobbying ahead of UN assembly
TIRANA – Albania’s president Bamir Topi is urging all U.N. General Assembly members to back Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia.
Muzaka scores late equalizer in Albania’s 1-1 draw at Romania
PIATRA NEAMT, Romania – Albania midfielder Gjerji Muzaka has scored a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Romania in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship.
Salihi scores as Albania beats Luxembourg 1-0 in Euro 2012 qualifying
TIRANA – Hamdi Salihi scored a first-half goal as Albania beat Luxembourg 1-0 in a qualifier for the 2012 European Championship.
Prime minister agrees to replace Economy Minister
TIRANA – Albania’s prime minister Sali Berisha has agreed to replace Economy Minister Dritan Prifti, who has been accused by the opposition of corruption.
Former Albanian govt aide to be extradited to US
TIRANA – An Albanian court has decided to extradite a former government aide, Almir Rrapo, to the U.S., where he is charged with murder, kidnapping and racketeering for crimes in New York.
Kuze suffers stroke
TIRANA – Albania’s national football team coach Josip Kuze has had a stroke and his condition is listed as stable.
October
Albania deeply saddened at death of UK’s Norman Wisdom
TIRANA – Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has sent his condolences to the family of late British slapstick comedian Normal Wisdom, who was one of the few western actors shown on television during the decades of Albania’s Communist isolation.
US foundation pledges US$140 million for Albanian investment
TIRANA – A U.S.-backed investment corporation Albanian-American Enterprise Fund says it has raised US$140 million (euro101 million) to fund projects in tourism and education.
Albania draws 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Euro 2012 Group D qualifier
TIRANA – Klodian Duro scored at extra time of the first half to give Albania a draw in a Euro 2012 Group D qualifier with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Southeast Europe concerned over small arms spread, mull natural disaster cooperation
TIRANA – Defense Ministers from southeast Europe meeting in Albania have expressed concern about the proliferation of small arms from former Communist military arsenals and Balkan wars.
Belarus beats 10-man Albania 2-0 in Euro 2012 qualifying match
MINSK, Belarus – Vitali Rodionov scored early in the first half and substitute Sergei Krivets added another goal midway through the second to give Belarus a 2-0 win over Albania on Tuesday in a European Championship qualifier.
2 detained after border firefight with Albanian hunters
SKOPJE, Macedonia – Macedonian police say a border patrol has been involved in an exchange of fire with a group of Albanian hunters who apparently strayed into the country.
Moscow might include Albania in South Stream gas pipeline project
TIRANA – Russia’s deputy foreign minister Vladimir Titov says Moscow might include Albania in the South Stream gas pipeline, which will carry Russian gas to southeastern Europe.
NOVEMBER
Court rules to extradite ex-government aide to US
TIRANA – An Albanian court has ruled to extradite a former government aide Almir Rrapo to the United States where he is to stand trial for murder, kidnapping and racketeering.
Police seize shipment of cocaine
TIRANA – Albanian police say they have seized 8 kilograms of cocaine, the biggest amount ever confiscated in the tiny Balkan country, and arrested 2 suspected traffickers.
Premier says EU need not fear visa-free travel from his country
TIRANA – Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha says the European Union has no need to fear a huge influx of his countrymen even if it approves visa-free entry for Albanians next week, as he hopes.
EU abolishes visa requirements for citizens of Albania, Bosnia
BRUSSELS – European Union nations have unanimously decided to end visa requirements for citizens of Bosnia and Albania.
9 dead in bus accident
TIRANA – Police say a bus has fallen off a cliff in southern Albania, killing six people and injuring at least 20.
Police blame driver over bus crash
TIRANA – Police say a driver error caused a fatal bus crash that killed nine people and left 41 injured in southern Albania.
Commission says ‘No’ to Albania’s EU member candidate
BRUSSELS – The European Commission says Albania still needs further political and fiscal reforms to advance its membership application.
4 children die from fumes
TIRANA – Police say four children have died in their beds, apparently poisoned by fumes caused by a small fire, after their mother left them alone to sing at a nightclub.
EU warns Albania, Bosnia over new visa rules
TIRANA – The European Union’s commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstroem says plans to drop visa requirements for Albania and Bosnia, starting Dec. 15, would be reconsidered if the new system is abused.
Albania draws 0-0 with Macedonia in a friendly
KORCA – Albania was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Macedonia on Wednesday in friendly.
Albania extradites murder, kidnap suspect to US
TIRANA – Authorities hand over a former government aide, Almir Rrapo, to stand trial in the United States on murder, kidnapping and racketeering charges.
DECEMBER
Albania declares flood emergency
TIRANA – Hundreds of people are being evacuated from northwestern Albania as their homes are threatened by widespread flooding. The government declared a state of emergency in northwestern districts following days of torrential rain. Heavy snow and subzero temperatures swept across Europe.
Albania donates weapons, bullets to Afghan police
TIRANA – Albania’s government says it is donating surplus automatic rifles and ammunition to the Afghanistan police force.
World Bank bars dealings with two companies
WASHINGTON – The World Bank has declared a Oregon-based Kwaplah International Trading Company and any organization it directly or indirectly controls, and Elkri, which is based in Albania ineligible for participating in any bank-financed projects for 12 years, saying it engaged in corrupt and fraudulent practices in seven countries.
Floods force evacuations
TIRANA – NATO countries rushed to aid flood-stricken Albanians with helicopters, food and clothing. some 12,000 people were evacuated from flooded areas in northwest Albania.
Report: KLA behind deadly human kidney trade
PARIS – Civilians detained by the Kosovo Liberation Army were allegedly shot to death in northern Albania so their kidneys could be extracted and sold on the black market after the war in Kosovo ended in 1999, according to the report by Council of Europe investigator Dick Marty.
Kosovo’s government branded the report as “baseless” and described it as an attempt “to tarnish the image of the Kosovo Liberation Army.” In a statement, the government also accused Marty of bias and “fabrications.”
Albania marks lifting of EU visa requirement
TIRANA – Albania celebrated the visa liberalization with concert shows and other activities. Road signs were erected showing the distance in kilometers to most major European cities.
Albania slams report on organ traffic
TIRANA – Albanian President Bamir Topi has backed the prime minister of neighboring Kosovo in his denial that he headed a gang that sold the kidneys of murdered detainees. The Foreign Ministry also issued a statement denouncing the report as baseless.
