Albania

Albania imposes one-year TikTok ban

bne IntelliNews December 23, 2024

Decision follows killing of a 14-year-old student, but opposition claims it is pre-election move.

Athens conditions support for Albania’s EU accession on protection for Greek minority

bne IntelliNews December 19, 2024

Athens backs the EU integration of the Western Balkans but has tied its support for neighbouring Albania to specific commitments.

FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 18, 2024

wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.

EU Council says enlargement is a "geo-strategic investment in peace"

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje December 17, 2024

The enlargement process has been revitalised since the start of the war in Ukraine, but EU ministers say candidate countries must step up reform efforts.

Bureks vs. Big Macs

bne IntelliNews December 15, 2024


International fast-food chains are expanding in the Western Balkans, but can they rival local offerings on taste or price?

Albanian police use tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters

bne IntelliNews November 26, 2024

Protests are part of a broader campaign of civil disobedience against Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013.

EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 26, 2024

Industrial policy is back "with a vengeance” but can have a distorting effect, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews

Albania considers TikTok, Snapchat ban after fatal school stabbing

bne IntelliNews November 22, 2024

PM Edi Rama considers "drastic" measure after dispute that started on social media ended with stabbing.

Watchdog warns Western Balkan banks are conduits for money laundering

bne IntelliNews November 19, 2024

Criminal networks are exploiting banks and other financial institutions across the Western Balkans to move illicit money across borders, says a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

So you want to get on the right side of Donald Trump? Try gift-wrapping a hotel

bne bureaus November 15, 2024

Though he’s busy preparing for his second stint in the White House, his brand is still doing business the world over.

Albania partners with UAE's Masdar for gigawatt-scale green projects

Aidą Kadyrzhanova in Prague November 14, 2024

Agreement aims to help Albania become more energy independent and reduce reliance on coal-heavy electricity imports.

Elon Musk wants Italian judges who blocked migrant deal with Albania sacked

bne IntelliNews November 12, 2024

After supporting Trump’s re-election campaign, world’s richest man weighs in on debate over controversial deal to host migrants in Albania.

Italian businessman’s €100mn arbitration victory against Albania sparks international financial and legal dispute

bne IntelliNews November 7, 2024

New evidence casts doubt on the validity of Belgium court’s decision to award €100mn to Italian businessman in a long-running arbitration case with the Albanian government.

Congratulatory words for Trump mask fears of destabilisation in Western Balkans

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 6, 2024

Political leaders take to X to congratulate Trump, while speculation mounts about whether his second presidency will enable destabilisation of the situations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

EBRD, EU to secure €400mn for Western Balkans’ green transition

bne IntelliNews October 31, 2024

Programme to provide €120mn of targeted SME financing in the Western Balkans region in its initial phase, scaling up to €400mn over the next few years.

EU enlargement progresses amid geopolitical tensions

bne IntelliNews October 31, 2024

Several aspiring EU members make significant progress in 2024, but more reforms needed, says European Commission’s latest enlargement package.

Toxic waste containers rejected by Thailand now headed back to Albania

Aidą Kadyrzhanova in Prague October 23, 2024

102 containers carrying an estimated 2,100 tonnes of suspected hazardous waste will be returned to Durres, international watchdog group Basel Action Network announced.

Meloni defends migrant deal with Albania after court ruling

Aidą Kadyrzhanova in Prague October 22, 2024

Italian judges ordered the return of 12 migrants back to Italy shortly after they were sent to new migrant camps in Albania.

Albania's former president Ilir Meta arrested in corruption case

bne IntelliNews October 21, 2024

Meta is accused of engaging in illegal financial activities and failing to declare significant assets.

Western Balkan countries’ growth paths diverge

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow October 20, 2024

Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia are pulling ahead, while Bosnia and North Macedonia are being held back by lower external demand and domestic fiscal pressures, says new World Bank report.

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