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EU should grant Kosovo visa-free travel, says President Thaci

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has welcomed the adoption of the European parliament Resolution on Kosovo for 2018. Original post Here

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Kosovo Army in two weeks, says Speaker of Parliament

Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli says Kosovo will establish its army by mid-December. The Parliament of Kosovo has approved in principle a package of laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo and MPs are expected to pass the legislation in December. Original post Here

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Germany calls on Kosovo to end trade war with Serbia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government called on Kosovo to end a trade war with Serbia, Bloomberg is reporting. Original post Here

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EP Rapporteur Soltes expects the EU to keep its promise and grant visa liberalisation to Kosovo

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted Kosovo progress report 2018 with an overwhelming majority, with 393 votes in favour, 139 votes against and 71 abstentions. In the report, MEPs welcome the legislation passed within the European Reform Agenda, but express concern at the lack of cross-party consensus and lingering political …

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Tariffs on Serbia’s goods until recognition of Kosovo, says PM Haradinaj

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said Thursday that Kosovo will not revoke its decision on imposing 100 percent tariffs for all goods entering from Serbia until Belgrade officially recognises Kosovo’s independence. He made the comments before businesspeople at the opening of the First Convention of Kosovo’s Domestic Producers. Original post Here

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European Parliament: Tariffs need to be revoked, support for visa liberalisation

Members of the European Parliament have discussed on Thursday resolutions on Western Balkan countries drafted by Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET). MEPs urged Kosovo to revoke tariffs on Serbia’s goods. Original post Here

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US Congressman Engel: I do not want to talk about border correction

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has continued his visits in Washington. At the meeting with Congressman Eliot Engel he presented his idea on border correction, but Engel refused to talk about this issue. Original post Here

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Mogherini speaks to President Thaci of Kosovo

Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief, spoke on the phone to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Wednesday to review the latest developments in the context of the EU facilitated Dialogue for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Original post Here

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Kosovo Serbs to meet Vucic in Belgrade

Head of Srpska List, Goran Rakic, said that political representatives of Serbs from Kosovo will meet today in Belgrade Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, to agree on further steps after authorities in Pristina imposed a 100 percent tariffs in all goods from Serbia. Original post Here

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Kosovo to define borders with Serbia, says President Thaci

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci says defining the borders between Kosovo and Serbia is a key step toward easing tensions. He made the comments during an interview with Voice of America. Original post Here

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Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

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Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

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Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

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After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

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“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News
Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

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Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

News

Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here