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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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US Ambassador calls 'historic' vote on Kosovo Security Force transition

US Ambassador to Pristina, Philip Kosnett says Friday’s vote of Kosovo’s Parliament on KSF transition is a historic one for Kosovo. MPs are expected to vote tomorrow a package of laws enabling transition of lightly-armed KSF into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here

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Kosovo NGO submits new war crime complaints against Serbs

The Civil Society Group, an NGO collecting evidence about war crimes committed by Serbs in Kosovo in 1998-99 war, has submitted on Wednesday new criminal complaints to the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo identifying 700 Serbian individuals suspected of committing these crimes. Original post Here

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Pacolli asks Germany to push forward visa liberalization for Kosovo

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli met his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Strasburg and asked Germany’s support to push forward visa liberalization for Kosovo. Original post Here

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UK supports Kosovo Army, says Ambassador O’Connell

British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, says United Kingdom believes creation of Kosovo Armed Force is just and advised authorities in Pristina to consult with NATO allies. Kosovo Parliament is set to vote on Friday a package of laws enabling transition of the lightly armed KSF into full-fledged army. Original …

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Kosovo's PM Haradinaj urges ex-KLA members not to avoid justice

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reacted on Wednesday after news that former senior commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have received invitations to be interviewed by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in charge for investigating and prosecuting alleged crimes of the KLA during and after the war in Kosovo 1998-200. …

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The U.S. Government’s MCC selects Kosovo as eligible for a compact program

Kosovo became eligible for assistance from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) after their board of directors selected Kosovo for a compact program. MCC is currently implementing a $49 million grant as part of the Kosovo Threshold Program. Original post Here

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German MEP slams Kosovo leaders: Corrupt leaders cannot fight corruption

German Member of the European Parliament, Markus Ferber, says corruption, impunity, and non-implementation of laws by Kosovo leaders, are hindering visa liberalization. Original post Here

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Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility

Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …

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Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times).  Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …

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Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

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Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

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Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

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Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

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Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News

Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility

Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …

News

Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times).  Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …

News

Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

News

Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

News

Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

News

Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News

Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here