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Haradinaj requires Serbia label its products as ‘Republic of Kosovo’

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, in a Facebook post confirmed that his Government took a decision that as of today to impose 100 percent customs tariffs on all goods entering from Serbia. Original post Here

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Kosovo Declares Economic War On Serbia After Imposing 100% Import Tariffs

The Government of Kosovo has decided to impose 100 percent tariffs to all Serbian goods in retaliation for their hostility towards the country, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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Kosovo court upholds acquittal of Imams accused of preaching extremism

Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of four Kosovo imams, and a politician, who were facing charges of preaching extremism, religious intolerance, and racial hatred. The Appellate Court has rejected the appeal of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo as ungrounded, thus affirming challenged judgment of …

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Kosovo a step closer to Euro 2020 after thrashing Azerbaijan

Kosovo secured a Euro 2020 playoff only two years after becoming full-fledged member of UEFA following a 4-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday in Pristina. Original post Here

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Kosovo's Thaci after failure in Interpol: Serbia’s boast means more space for terrorism

President Hashim Thaci reacting to Kosovo’s failed Interpol bid on Tuesday and Serbia’s campaign against Kosovo’s admission into this international police organisation, said that Belgrade’s boast means more space for terrorism, criminality, smuggling activities and illegal migration. Original post Here

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Serbia’s aggressive campaign to be blamed for Kosovo’s failure in Interpol, says FM Pacolli

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, talking after Kosovo’s bid to join Interpol failed on Tuesday during a vote at the body’s annual general assembly, said that Serbia’s campaign against Kosovo’s bid was aggressive, and this cannot be qualified as failure of Kosovo’s diplomacy. Original post Here

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UK disappointed that Kosovo’s Interpol membership application bid failed

The British Embassy in Pristina says the UK is disappointed that Kosovo’s Interpol membership application was unsuccessful in Dubai today. Original post Here

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US Embassy reacts after failed bid of Kosovo to join Interpol

After Kosovo failed on Tuesday to join Interpol, the US Embassy to Pristina in a press release has reacted stating that Serbia’s campaign has pressured countries to oppose Kosovo’s bid, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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Kosovo fails in Interpol membership bid

Kosovo has failed in its bid to join Interpol after two rounds of votes by the representatives of the international police organisation’s members in Dubai. The vote has been fiercely opposed by Serbia. Original post Here

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Vote on Kosovo's membership bid will go ahead after Interpol rejects Serbia’s proposal

Serbia suffers first defeat in the General Assembly of Interpol which is taking place in Dubai. Their request on removing from the agenda the vote on Kosovo’s membership bid has been rejected. Members of Interpol will vote on Tuesday on whether Kosovo will join this international police organisation. Original post …

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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 …