Top Story
Motives for Attack on Albanian Soldiers Unclear
Three days after the attack in Afghanistan, which killed a captain and gravely wounded a corporal, statements from the Albanian Ministry of Defence fail to clarify the motives.
Politics and Society
Albanian Army Officer Killed in Afghanistan
One Albanian soldier has been killed and another gravely wounded on Monday in southern Afghanistan after an attack by gunmen in Afghan police uniform, officials said.
Winter Holds North Albania in Icy Grip
Despite recent easing of the weather, 22 communes, mainly in the mountainous north, remain cut off by heavy snow.
Albania Plans Stiffer Penalties for Ballot Fraud
Parliament is discussing a series of amendments to the criminal code, which will increase penalties for those found guilty of electoral fraud.
Albania Arrests Three Over Murder Case
Police on Thursday arrested three people and issued a warrant for a fourth suspect over of the murder of a mother and her son in Patos in 1997.
Macedonia Gay Rights Record 'Worst in Balkans'
Macedonia least respects the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community, of all the countries in the Balkans, an international watchdog says.
Business
Albania’s Posts Growth of 2.6% in Third Quarter of 2011
Albania’s gross domestic product grew by 2.6 percent compared with the same period in 2010, according to Albania’s National Institute of Statistics, INSTAT.
Albania Oil Company Upgrades its Reserves
Banker Petroleum on Monday raised the estimate of its oil reserves to 172 million barrels, a 43 per cent increase from the last estimate in December, 2010.
Albania Probes Czech Power Giant For Fraud
CEZ Distribution, the local subsidiary of CEZ in Albania, is under investigation for fraud, accused of fraudulently billing customers and inflating losses.
Albania Pledges Cash For Electricity Imports
The Minister of Finance, Ridvan Bode, said the government will use contingency funds to help the state-own utility, KESH, fund imports of electricity.
Albania Power Company Seeks Emergency Funds
Albania’s state-owned power utility, KESH, faces financial crisis if the government does not stump up emergency funding immediately, Balkan Insight has learned.
Culture and Lifestyle
Privatizing Albanian Castles Worries Heritage Experts
Historians and archeologists oppose plans to let entrepreneurs turn ancient monuments into bars, cafés and motels.
Privatization of Albanian Monuments Opposed
A proposal to sell off some 40 castles and towers has encountered stiff opposition among archeologists and historians.
Postmodern theater, Albanians and Serbs
While the political relationship between Serbs and Albanians may be in rough waters, a recent theatre production shows that artistic cooperation between the two groups is flourishing.
Tirana Film Fest Faces Oblivion
With a dwindling budget Tirana’s International Film Festival closed its ninth edition facing a struggle for survival.
Filmmaker Vladimir Blazevski Says Punk’s Not Dead
Macedonian producer Darko Popov reflects on the acclaimed black comedy of Vladimir Blazevski, "Punk’s not Dead" and the struggle to produce and promote films in the Balkans.
Premium
Privatizing Albanian Castles Worries Heritage Experts
Historians and archeologists oppose plans to let entrepreneurs turn ancient monuments into bars, cafés and motels.
Foes Reunite after Albania Corruption Scandal
A Flourishing Albanian ‘Neighborhood’ Benefits the Balkans
Secret Waste Imports Alarm Albania’s Greens
Tough Prosecutor Shakes Albania’s Establishment
Ghost Companies Stalk Albania’s Energy Ambitions
Cover-Up of Protestor Deaths 'Blow to Albania’s Reputation'
Albania’s Small Parties Seek Say on Poll Reform
Press Review
Albania Press Review - February 22, 2012
NATO probe to shed light on motives behind attack on Albanian soldiers in Sothern Afghanistan, reports suggests that shooting of Albanian soldiers by Afghan policeman came after quarrel, Albania eyes construction of one billion euro pipeline.
Country Profile
Figure in Focus
Tanja Fajon: The Balkans’ Brussels Champion
A passionate advocate of freedom of movement, the former TV reporter has been instrumental in helping Albania and Bosnia win the right to visa-free travel to Europe.
Key Political Parties
Key Political Parties in Albania
After the January 21 riots and a prolonged power struggle that has hampered its EU aspirations and strained the country’s fragile institutions, Albania’s political parties head to the May 8 local elections, considered as key to the country’s democratic credentials.
