Inside Albania Podcast with Alice Taylor

Austrian politician, former MEP, grandson of the last Austro-Hungarian emperor and head of the house of Habsburg-Lorraine, Karl von Habsburg talks EU, Trump, rule of law, Albanian heritage and problems with Serbia.

This week I spoke to Hans Wolf from the Council of Europe's Committee to Prevent Torture about conditions in Albanian prisons. I also had Ben Andoni and Arben Kola in the studio to discuss the reasons why Albanians are among the unhappiest in Europe. Is it politics, perception, pollution or something else?

This week, I spoke to two foriegn business owners living in Albania about the current political situation, the census, migration, the cost of living and corruption.

This week, with Lorenzo Picolli, Milena Harito and Dr Andi Hoxhaj discussing the new Italy -Albania migrant deal and with Geldis Gjepali on the good, the bad, and the ugly of Albania's recent European Commission enlargement report.

With Jonila Godole, were women really emancipated during the communist dictatorship? How have things changed since then and what needs to be done to achieve more equality? Follow the discussion here.

This week I interviewed those taking part in the Tirana Marathon to raise money for Albanian children with disabilities, I spoke to Swedish Ambassador to Albania Niklas Strom, and Manuel Sarrazin, the German representative for the Western Balkans.

This week, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama talks about enlargement, EU promises, his future in politics and relations with Kosovo and Serbia.

MEP Viola Von Cramon explains how the EU has prepared sanctions against Serbia, I speak to the director of Albania's Oscars entry and discussions ensure over the introduction of an AI newsreader and what it means for journalism.

In this week's Inside Albania: I interviewed Kosova's Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwartz on the recent terrorist attack, how it is time Kosova joins NATO, the failures of the EU and West in believing the warnings, and Serbia's real motives. I also spoke with Flora Ferati the researcher who brought to light the 'administrative ethnic cleansing' of more than 6000 ethnic Albanians from the south of Serbia. She said the EU stance that it is too late to be included in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is an excuse. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj explains what happened at the pre-Berlin Summit Economy Minister's meeting in Tirana last week, and the EIB unveil their big investment plans for Albania.

In this week's show we analyse the draft igaming law with expert Ron Mendelson, discuss criticism of bias against EU envoy Miroslav Lajçak with MEP Thomas Waitz, and delve into Albanian regional policy with Odeta Barbullushi.

In the first episode of season 2, I delve into the administrative ethnic cleansing of Albanians in southern Serbia, the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, state Vs private education in Albania, the upcoming census and oil in Shpirag.

For the Inside Albania season finale, I went to Durrës to meet the Western Balkan Youth Orchestra which brings together musicians from 15 countries to play music and tour the region promoting culture and cross border solidarity.

Albanians make up the largest foreign population in UK prisons while in Albania, we have the highest ratio of prisoners to population size in the region. I asked John Alite, former mafia mobster, what makes young Albanians consider a life of crime and why are so many looking to flee the country?

I headed to the Vjosa Narta Lagoon near Vlorë to talk to an activist from PPNEA who are challenging the Albanian government over a new airport they say will endanger precious wildlife. I also interviewed CEO of Patagonia, Ryan Gellert about the success of the campaign for the Vjosa River National Park and how Albania is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Divisions in society, artistic license and what plagues Albania today with author of Free, Lea Ypi.

In this episode, I discuss with Agriculture Minister Frida Krifca the challenges facing Albanian agriculture on its EU path, also the push to legalise medical cannabis, the arrest warrant for former deputy Prime Minister and alcohol addiction with Dr Sonila Bitri.

This week the reality of human trafficking from Albania is explained by Sister Imelda Poole from Mary Ward Loreto, along with Patricia Burr from ECPAT who's organisation is suing the British government over children who went missing, including 176 Albanians, from UK asylum hotels. Benedict Spence also discussed the failings of the British government in managing the migrant crisis. Also, on the agenda is US expats in Albania talking about Bill Clinton's visit and their experiences in Albania.

An interview with world-famous, Albanian photographer Fadil Berisha.

Today I interviewed Rep.Ritchie Torres, congressman of the Bronx on his support for Kosovo, British MP Alicia Kearns on the EU's failure to play fair with Serbia, Mustafa Llani on Albania's first Blockchain property sale, and UCL law lecturer Andi Hoxhaj on the MEK and Albanian relations with Iran.

As the debate over Albanian asylum in the UK rages on, Alice Taylor spoke to Conservative MP Tim Loughton and asylum expert Daniel Sohege on the public rhetoric, whether Albanians have grounds for asylum, and what happened to the Albanian children missing from UK asylum hotels: spoiler, the UK government does not know.

As Albanian interest in going to the UK shows no sign of abating, I am joined by two Brits-Richard Russell and Carolyn Perry who have made Albania home and are applying for Albanian citizenship. I also tackle recent developments between Kosovo and Serbia with the intervention of the Albanian prime minister, the freefall of the Euro, the arrest of Vangjush Dako and release of Saimir Tahiri, and am joined by Valbona Sulçe to talk about how banning sexism from TV can help tackle the issue of domestic violence in society.

This week, former Kosovar foreign minister Meliza Haradinaj, Kosovo Serb activist Miodrag Milicevic, and Kosovo Albanian journalist Xhemajl Rexha talk about what the local communities actually want, if coexistence is possible, and whether the US would be better talking the lead in the ongoing dialogue.

In this week's show, I discuss the return of Albanian prisoners from the UK, the EU response to the arrest of Fredi Beleri, and sustainable business in Albania.

This week with special guests we look at the diaspora vote and also whether foreign residents should be able to vote in Albanian elections, along with other hot topics.