Albania
Western Balkans countries sink on latest Corruption Perceptions Index
Poor performance on latest index from Transparency International comes after years of warnings of the risks of democratic backsliding in the region should states fail to progress towards EU accession.
Albania’s 2019 foreign trade gap widens 5.7% y/y
Albania has historically run a substantial trade deficit caused by its narrow production and export base, and has partly funded this with remittances from Albanians living abroad.
Western Balkans has potential for up to €20bn wind energy investment says new report
Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) study reveals huge untapped renewable energy potential in the region, which currently relies heavily on coal power.
Enlargement commissioner brings hope to North Macedonia about EU perspective
Oliver Varhelyi pledged to work for the start of negotiations in spring, alongside the adoption of an economic plan to support the region.
EU must deliver on enlargement promises says European Commission president
EU officials to start working on changes to the enlargement methodology soon in attempt to persuade French President Emmanuel Macron to approve start of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.
Albania’s GDP increases 3.8% in 3Q19
Albania’s GDP increased by 3.81% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2019, with the mining sector leading the growth
OUTLOOK 2020 Albania
Albania enters the new decade still reeling from the deadly earthquake that struck in November 2019. On the political front 2020 is also a year of uncertainty as Tirana waits for the EU’s decision on the start of accession negotiations.
MITTELEUROPA: Following the French hit on Western Balkans, all eyes on Croatia and Germany in 2020
Just as brusquely as the French president recently discredited Nato (where France's real influence may not be so great), he has done the same with the Western Balkans and the EU enlargement process. And in the EU, France's position is decisive.