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Kosovo’s opposition leader says tax on Serbia’s goods should not be rescinded

Leader of the Vetevendosje party in opposition, Albin Kurti, said the tax imposed in all Serbian imports should not be revoked. Regardless calls of the US and EU to rescind the tax, Kurti says the Government should not revoke its decision. Original post Here

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Hague prosecutors interviewed another ex-KLA member in Pristina

Prosecutors of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office dealing with alleged crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), have interviewed for the second day in a row ex-KLA commander, Nazif Mehmeti, for his role during the war in Kosovo. Original post Here

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Serbia’s FM with Milosevic’s mentality towards Kosovo, according to Pacolli’s advisor

Jetlir Zyberaj, advisor to Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, called as “lack of creativity” Serbia’s media performance presenting countries which allegedly withdrawn decision to recognise Kosovo. Original post Here

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No documents proving Kosovo, Serbia presidents agreed on redrawing borders, says Ahmeti

Head of Social Democratic Party of Kosovo, PSD, Shpend Ahmeti, who co-heads state delegation in dialogue with Serbia, said he believes the President Hashim Thaci has handed over to the state delegation all documents of what he has discussed so far with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic. Original post Here

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Tax on Serbian good as long as needed, says Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, told media in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) the tax imposed for imported goods from Serbia and BiH is about foreign policy these two countries have towards Kosovo and has nothing to do with the economy. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s President backs unification of Mitrovica

Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci has supported Tuesday the initiative of Mitrovica South mayor, Agim Bahtiri, on unification of this town divided into ethnic lines between Albanians living in the south and Serbs in the north. Original post Here

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ContourGlobal gets support to build new coal power plant in Kosovo

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said Tuesday the U.S. power company ContourGlobal will proceed with plans to build a 500 megawatt (MW) coal-fired plant in Kosovo. In October 2018 the World Bank confirmed that they will not support a coal power plant in Kosovo because it would use coal rather …

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Kosovo’s Haradinaj resists US request on suspending tax

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said on Tuesday after meeting US Ambassador Philip Kosnett that the 100 percent tax on Serbian goods will not be suspended until Serbia recognizes Kosovo. US Ambassador is urging Kosovo authorities to suspend the tax. Original post Here

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Trepca miners temporarily trapped underground

Around 100 miners were trapped inside a mine in the Kosovo’s town of Mitrovica after an alleged elevator malfunction. But authorities announced that an alternative solution has been found and miners have been rescued and are in good health. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Thaci extends mandate of KSF’s Commander-in-chief

President Hashim Thaci, has extended the mandate of the army’s commander in chief for additional five years. Original post Here

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Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

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Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

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Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

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Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

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Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

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Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’

Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here

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How a Balkan Wind Farm Aids US National Security

Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …

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Albanian Law Only Partially Decriminalising Defamation Disappoints Media Groups

New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News

Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

News

Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

News

Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’

Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here

News

How a Balkan Wind Farm Aids US National Security

Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …

News

Albanian Law Only Partially Decriminalising Defamation Disappoints Media Groups

New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here