“We Should Not Celebrate,” Vučić: Ruling on Former KLA Leaders Could Change
During a press conference in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić commented on the decision to sentence the former KLA leaders to a combined 81 years in prison, urging Serbs not to consider the process over and not to celebrate. He continued to insist that the judgment did not include what …
Serwer: Americans and Europeans Should Be Ashamed; They Have Criminalized a Liberation Movement They Supported
American professor and Balkan affairs expert Daniel Serwer has reacted following the guilty verdict issued by the Specialist Chambers against four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. In an opinion piece published on his website, “Peacefare.net,” Serwer said that Americans and Europeans should be ashamed for criminalizing a liberation …
Amnesty International: Convictions of Thaçi and Others Show Senior Officials Are Not Above the Law
Human rights organization Amnesty International said that the war crimes convictions of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and three other former senior officials of the Kosovo Liberation Army give hope to victims who have waited for justice “for more than two decades.” Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for …
Kosovo’s Hague Verdict: Heavy Sentences, Troubling Questions and a Test for International Justice
The convictions of Hashim Thaçi and three other former KLA leaders have shaken Kosovo. But beyond the sentences, the verdict has intensified scrutiny of how the Specialist Chambers were created, how the trial was conducted and whether an institution established under strong Western pressure can command the legitimacy international justice …
Kosovo Slams ‘Unjust’ Conviction of Hashim Thaci; Serbian Minister Applauds
Top politicians in Kosovo said the Hague judgment finding ex-President Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army ex-leaders guilty of war crimes was unjust – but a Serbian minister said it proved the KLA was ‘criminal’. Original post Here
US: We Respect Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders
The United States said it respects the verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. Washington also called on all sides to respect the court’s decision. “We respect today’s verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told …
Rama: Larger Administrative Units Could Improve Access to EU Funds
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Korçë today to attend a public consultation meeting on the new Administrative-Territorial Reform. Rama said larger administrative units could improve access to another category of European Union funds. He also said the reform could bring more investment to local communities. “What we are doing today …
Kurti: Verdict Is an Unacceptable Injustice, It Must Not Be Confused with the Will of the People
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the convictions and sentences against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi an “unacceptable injustice.” “The convictions and heavy sentences against four former KLA leaders represent an unacceptable injustice. They also represent a serious and harmful punishment,” Kurti said. Kurti also challenged …
Ahmeti Calls Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders Unjust
Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) in North Macedonia and one of the co-founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), called the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi “unjust and deeply disappointing.” Ahmeti called for restraint and unity. He also urged …
Rama on Hague Verdict Against Former KLA Leaders: Shame
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted today to the Hague court’s verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi for war crimes. In a social media post, Rama described the verdict as “madness.” He also published a photo of a map of …
Lack of up-to-date legislation and weak monitoring mechanisms mean AI-generated fakes and manipulated content are finding their way into Albanian political campaigning – and need to be tackled before 2027’s local elections. Original post Here
With Russia interfering to exacerbate divisions and the United States rejecting liberal transformation for economic transactionalism, the European Union should develop a targeted and realistic approach to accession for Western Balkan countries. Original post Here
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Kosovo and Serbia to move forward with the normalization process after holding separate talks with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in New York. Meeting the two leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Kallas …
Firefighters are bringing a blaze near the Apollonia Archaeological Park under control with support from aerial operations. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja visited the site to monitor the situation and firefighting efforts. Gonxhja said protecting Apollonia Archaeological Park remains a priority as an important cultural heritage site. He …
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj has officially decreed the dismissal of Vlora Hyseni as Director of the State Intelligence Service. The decree cites Article 93 of the Constitution and Law No. 8391 “On the State Intelligence Service”. Prime Minister Edi Rama proposed the dismissal. The decision follows measures that …
Minister of State for Public Administration and Anticorruption Adea Pirdeni attended a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels today. The meeting discussed Albania’s progress in the rule of law. In a video message, Pirdeni said the meeting recognized Albania’s progress in the rule of law. She highlighted the …
The Military Meteorological Service said Thursday will bring stable atmospheric conditions across the country. The forecast calls for mostly clear skies across the entire territory. Winds will mainly blow from the northeast and northwest at an average speed of 7 m/s. In mountainous areas, valleys and along the coast, winds …
Tirana is preparing to host the seventh edition of Colourday Festival Albania on Sept. 26. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event. He said several well-known artists will perform at the festival. Meanwhile, the event will feature interactive spaces where visitors can join the celebrations. Organisers will …
Saudi Arabia marked its National Day in Tirana at a reception hosted by Ambassador Turki bin Ibrahim Al-Madi, with President Bajram Begaj as guest of honour. Members of the Assembly of Albania, government officials, diplomats, academics, artists, religious community leaders and media representatives attended. Al-Madi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s economic and …
German MEP Terry Reintke said the European Parliament supports Albania’s progress towards European Union membership while stressing the importance of environmental, democratic and rule-of-law standards. She said the integration process should continue alongside respect for these standards. Reintke also called for a moratorium on development plans in protected areas and …