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U.S. reaffirms commitment to work with KSF after change of mandate

The United States Embassy in Kosovo reaffirmed its support for the gradual transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to a force with a territorial defense mandate, as is Kosovo’s sovereign right. According to the US Embassy today’s vote in the Kosovo Parliament is the first step in developing this …

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Kosovo Parliament Votes Creation of Army

The Kosovo Parliament on Friday passed legislation enabling transition of an existing 4,000-member Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into a full-fledged Kosovo Army. This is one of the most important decisions for Kosovo’s statehood since the country declared its Independence in 2008. Original post Here

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A country’s security depends on the quality of its security relationships, says U.S. Ambassador

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett in a Tweet on Friday said a country’s security depends on the quality of its security relationships and peaceful relations with its neighbors. Original post Here

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Kosovo Parliament To Vote Establishment Of National Army Today

Kosovo’s parliament is set to pass legislation Friday that would turn an existing 4,000-strong Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an expanded, lightly armed army. This is considered as the most important step of Kosovo’s statehood since the country declared Independence in 2008. Original post Here

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Kosovo Police find explosive near Gazimestan

The Kosovo Police find 15 kilograms of explosives in the village of Mazgit, near the Gazimstan locality, which is located along Pristina-Mitrovica motorway. Original post Here

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KFOR alarmed after reports of Serbian mercenaries in northern Kosovo, according to online media

Potential presence of Serbian mercenaries in northern part of Kosovo inhabited mainly by Serbs has alarmed KFOR leaders in Kosovo. Kosovo institutions informed NATO-led peacekeeping force – KFOR that various Serb radical groups are planning destabilization of northern part of Kosovo, following the vote of Parliament to create the Army …

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One more ex-KLA member summoned by Specialist Prosecutor’s Office

Sabahajdin Cena, former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) of Pashtrik Area, has been summoned by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) for an interview on 14 January 2019. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s PM Haradinaj presents new draft agreement with Serbia

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, presented on Thursday to Ambassadors of Quint what he calls the “first draft” of a potentially agreement with Serbia. Original post Here

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KFOR conducting regular training in northern Kosovo

KFOR announced on Thursday that its troops are conducting a regular training activity in northern part of Kosovo after media reporting that KFOR armored vehicle were seen moving towards the north. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Thaci urges ex-KLA members to answer war crimes court summons

President Hashim Thaci commenting on summons the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) sent to ex-KLA members to appear before this international court dealing with alleged crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, urged former members of guerrilla army to respect the court and not avoid justice. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

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NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

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Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

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The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …