Alice Taylor
Family of murdered journalist ask EU not to fund gas pipeline linked to suspect
The family of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galiza, as well as several EU lawmakers, has called on the EU not to fund a gas pipeline project between Malta and Sicily that will link to a power station part-owned by the man on trial for her killing.
Reporters without borders calls out EU over silence on Greek media law
Amid continuing silence from the European Commission, international media freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders has asked both the EU executive and the European Parliament to “firmly denounce” Greece’s new defamation law as “an attack on press freedom.”
Environmental organisations slam construction of new airport in protected area
Twenty Albanian nature organisations have condemned the start of works on a new airport in Vlora, in the south of the country, saying it is illegal and environmental assessments were unprofessional, reports Exit.al. Prime Minister Edi Rama inaugurated the Vlora...
The Brief, powered by Facebook — EU needs to show teeth to protect Greek media freedom
Say 'media freedom in the EU', and chances are you will think of Poland or Hungary and their rows with Brussels. But Greece has recently passed a draconian media law that should put the country on the Commission's radar. Except no one really talks about it.
Rural Balkan communities fight back, and win, against hydropower plants
As Europe embarks on a rocky transition to renewable energy, Albania, where hydropower produces almost 100% of electricity, is facing its own issues. Communities impacted by the building of hydroelectric dams are fighting back, and they are winning.
EU Parliament votes overwhelmingly to protect journalists from SLAPPs
The European Parliament overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution to protect journalists and critical voices from abusive lawsuits, otherwise known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), in a vote on Thursday (11 November).
UN Refugee chief slams EU leaders for management of refugee crisis
EU leaders cannot justify xenophobia, pushbacks, and violence amid the current refugee crisis. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told European Parliament on Wednesday (10 November).
Why Europe’s East does not trust the COVID-19 vaccine
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, an ever-growing divide between Western and Eastern Europe in terms of vaccination uptake becomes more apparent. But what's driving it?
Concerns over COVID-19 fatality and cases figures in Albania
A combination of recently published data and surveys has cast doubt over the Albanian government’s level of transparency in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Concerns relate to the possible under-reporting of COVID-19 deaths and positive cases since the start of the pandemic.
Despite calls, Albania remains reluctant to find its 6,000 missing communism victims
Nazmi Uruci's descendants have been searching for his remains for almost 80 years. Born in northern Albania in 1904, Nazmi was a customs official during the short reign of Albania's first and last reigning monarch, King Zog.
Pegasus Project wins Daphne Caruana Galizia journalism prize
The European Parliament’s journalism prize, named after assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was awarded on Thursday (14 October) to the Pegasus Project which revealed global surveillance of journalists, politicians, and activists.
Albania’s declining media freedom won’t impact EU accession
The European Commission has said it will not require Albania to withdraw plans for a controversial law that would bring all online media under state supervision in order to open EU accession negotiations.
EU media watchdogs and associations urge Greece to protect press freedom
Greece is urged to withdraw proposed amendments that would introduce fines and jail sentences for journalists found guilty of publishing “false news”.
EU hopeful Albania struggles with its own asylum seekers
Albania has a problem with asylum. Between 2010 and 2019, more than 193,000 Albanians applied for asylum in the European Union, a significant portion of the EU candidate country's population of 2.8 million.
Kosovo and Serbia diffuse tensions through EU brokered deal
After ten days of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia that prompted concerns of a renewed conflict in the region, a temporary agreement has been brokered to de-escalate the situation, Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, announced on Thursday (30 September).
Albanian prime minister criticises Serbia’s ‘theatrics’ in Kosovo
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama voiced support on Monday (27 September) for Kosovo’s decision to require Serbian vehicles entering its territory to display temporary Kosovo plates, a move that has sparked fresh tensions in the region and prompted international calls for a swift de-escalation.
Albania’s prime minister comes to Kosovo in the midst of escalation with Serbia
Kosovo’s political parties have rallied together as Serbian troops gather along the border, following an alleged attack on two Kosovo interior ministry offices on Saturday 25 September.