Albania 2014

Yearbook 2014

Albania. According to police, a powerful explosion that damaged a power line post on New Year’s Eve constituted the first terrorist attack to hit Albania. Albania population in 2020 is estimated at 2,877,808. No people were injured and the electricity supply remained intact. The cause of the attack was believed to be the decision of the Socialist Government to raise fuel prices and introduce progressive taxation for large companies and high-income earners.

In February all hunting was banned for two years in an attempt to save endangered species such as bear and eagle. Albania has previously attracted many hunters from abroad as the hunt has been virtually unregulated.

An employee of the central bank admitted during the summer that he had stolen millions from the bank for a few years. A further 15 employees were later arrested, including manager Ardian Fullani, suspected of interference. Fullani was placed under house arrest and Parliament dismissed him from the post. It was seen as an important step in the fight against corruption in the country.

According to topb2bwebsites, Pope Francis visited Albania in September, where he praised, among other things, the peaceful coexistence between the country’s Muslims, Catholics, Orthodox Christians and others.

In September, the government stated that over 100 tonnes of cannabis were destroyed in the past six months to a value equivalent to about EUR 6.4 billion. The police had also destroyed countless fields and plants. Albania has long been seen as Europe’s leading cannabis producer.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Belgrade in November, becoming the first Albanian head of government in 68 years in Serbia. But the visit was overshadowed by Rama’s comments that Kosovo’s independence must be respected, prompting his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vučić to speak of “provocation”.