EU gives an additional 17.2 million Euro for rail project
As major modernisation of Kosovo’s railway infrastructure progresses, a grant agreement was signed in Pristina today for a further €17.2 million of co-financing from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). Original post Here
Kosovo’s PM Haradinaj says President Thaci not opposing tax on Serbia’s goods
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the President Hashim Thaci is not opposing the tariffs on all Serbia’s goods. The Government two weeks ago has imposed 100 percent tax on all imported goods from Serbia countering Belgrade’s aggressive campaign against Kosovo’s statehood. Original post Here
MEPs ask European Council to liberalise visas for Kosovo
Twenty-two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) penned an open letter to the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and Austrian Presidency of the Council asking liberalization of visas for Kosovo without further delay, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
Kosovo deserves visa liberalization, says MEP Fajon
Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Rapporteur on visas for Kosovo, has confirmed that Austria which is presiding the EU will not include in the agenda of the EU Council the voting on visa liberalization for Kosovo calling the decision as “frustrating.” Original post Here
Kosovo honors George HW Bush, day of mourning declared
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has ordered that all state buildings flags be flown at half-staff on Wednesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning following the death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
EU surprised and disappointed with Kosovo’s tax on Serbia’s goods, says Hahn
The European Union was surprised and disappointed with the decision of Kosovo’s Government to impose customs tariffs for all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, said in Pristina the EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn. Original post Here
Tax to be removed after Serbia, Bosnia recognize Kosovo, says PM Haradinaj
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia will not be removed until these two countries recognize Kosovo’s independence. He also said that the EU is not guaranteeing that visa liberalization for Kosovo will happen this year. Original post Here
Kosovo forced to impose tax on Serbia’s goods, PM Haradinaj tells EU’s Hahn
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told European Union Commissioner Johannes Hahn that Kosovo was left no choice but to impose 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
New US ambassador to Kosovo presents credentials to Thaci
Philipp Kosnett, the new United States of America Ambassador to Pristina, presented his credentials to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday. Original post Here
Kosovo Army becomes official on 14 December, says Speaker of Parliament
Speaker Kadri Veseli says on 14 December Members of Parliament will vote a package of laws enabling transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
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
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
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
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
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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
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 …