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Kosovo fulfilled visa liberalization criteria says, EU Commissioner Avramopoulos

EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, confirmed Wednesday that Kosovo has fulfilled all visa liberalization benchmarks. Original post Here

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NATO to review its level of engagement with KSF after Kosovo vote to have its army

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had a phone call today with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj related to Kosovo Army. Original post Here

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Speaker signs Laws on transition of KSF into Army of Kosovo

Kosovo’s Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli has signed today the laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army. On 14 December, the Parliament of Kosovo passed three laws with overwhelming numbers that it would form an army. Original post Here

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Kosovo Prime Minister expects visa liberalization soon

Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj expects the European Union will liberalize visas for Kosovo soon adding that the decision has nothing to do with Kosovo Government’s decision to impose tariffs on goods from Serbia countering Belgrade’s aggressive campaign against Kosovo statehood. Original post Here

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Kosovo Government approves its offer in dialogue with Serbia

The Government of Kosovo has approved on Tuesday a draft of the Comprehensive and Legally-Binding Agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia. Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, Avni Arifi, presenting the draft said the main objectives is that Kosovo and Serbia respect sovereignty and territorial integrity …

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EU seeks to bypass Kosovo Government wants President Thaci in dialogue with Serbia

The European Union sent a letter to Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reminding him that President Hashim Thaci will continue leading the high level dialogue with Serbia in Brussels. The letter was written after Kosovo Parliament approved a new negotiation team in dialogue with Belgrade. Original post Here

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Situation calm in the north after Kosovo Parliament vote on Army

The Kosovo Police Deputy Director of Mitrovica North station, Besim Hoti, told Gazeta Express the situation in northern part of Kosovo is calm and the police is acting based on an operational plan drafted earlier. Kosovo Serbs gathered in Mitrovica North to protest Pristina’s decision on transforming the Kosovo Security …

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EU regrets Kosovo’s move to form an army

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has expressed regret over Kosovo’s move to form a new army. The Parliament of Kosovo has passed on Friday legislation on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army. Original post Here

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Government congratulates citizens on Kosovo Army

The Government of Kosovo has congratulated citizens after the Parliament passed a package of laws enabling transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army stating that the army is the final step on consolidating country’s statehood ten years after declaration of independence. Original post Here

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Kosovo Army serving to peace, President Thaci

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci says newly established Kosovo Army will contribute to peace in the region and in peaceful operations all over the world. The Parliament of Kosovo voted on Friday a package of laws enabling transition of the Kosovo Security Force into an army. Original post Here

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Port-to-Port: How Albanians Conquered the European Cocaine Market

BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here

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Albania in 2026: Battles With Anti-Graft Prosecutors Risk Slowing EU Progress

Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here

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Heavy Rains Cause Evacuations and Discontent in Albania

Dramatic situation reported in several towns, while some locals complain of being abandoned. Original post Here

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Albania Under Water: A Return to a Hobbesian State of Nature

TIRANA TIMES, December 6, 2025 – Albania is once again under water. Torrential rains over the past days have triggered massive flooding across almost the entire country, exposing not only the fragility of urban infrastructure but, more fundamentally, the long-term failure of governance. From the northern plains to the southern …

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Europe Tightens the Fight Against Corruption, Albania at a Crossroad

By Zef Preçi, Executive Director of ACER As Albania presents itself as closer than ever to the European Union, a troubling contradiction has emerged in its domestic legal and political debate. While the EU is moving decisively toward tougher and more harmonized criminal rules against corruption, Albania is simultaneously discussing …

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Housing Boom Prices Out Albanians

Allegations of money laundering in construction and claims of informal power networks, including the case of Ergys Agasi, fuel concerns over a distorted housing market Tirana Times, TIRANA, 05 January 2026 – For many middle income families in Tirana, buying an apartment has shifted from a realistic life goal to …

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In Albania, Women Often Quit Local Councils to Make Way for Men

Democracy and the rights of women are being undermined in Albania by the practice of filling electoral candidate lists with women, only to have them resign en masse once the results are in and cede their seats to men. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 5, 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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Balkan States Give Divided Reactions to US Strike on Venezuela

Albania and Kosovo applauded the Trump administration’s military operation against Venezuela’s regime and the ousting of Nicolas Maduro, while other states in the region initially remained silent or called for calm and restraint. Original post Here

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Roaming Like at Home and the Western Balkans

By Genc Pollo Tirana, 02 January 2026 – Today’s decision by the European Union to grant “roaming like at home” to Ukraine and Moldova deserves praise. It is a practical citizen-centered step that immediately lowers costs improves connectivity and makes Europe tangible in everyday life. Yet the non inclusion of …

News

Port-to-Port: How Albanians Conquered the European Cocaine Market

BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here

News

Albania in 2026: Battles With Anti-Graft Prosecutors Risk Slowing EU Progress

Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here

News

Heavy Rains Cause Evacuations and Discontent in Albania

Dramatic situation reported in several towns, while some locals complain of being abandoned. Original post Here

News

Albania Under Water: A Return to a Hobbesian State of Nature

TIRANA TIMES, December 6, 2025 – Albania is once again under water. Torrential rains over the past days have triggered massive flooding across almost the entire country, exposing not only the fragility of urban infrastructure but, more fundamentally, the long-term failure of governance. From the northern plains to the southern …

News

Europe Tightens the Fight Against Corruption, Albania at a Crossroad

By Zef Preçi, Executive Director of ACER As Albania presents itself as closer than ever to the European Union, a troubling contradiction has emerged in its domestic legal and political debate. While the EU is moving decisively toward tougher and more harmonized criminal rules against corruption, Albania is simultaneously discussing …

News

Housing Boom Prices Out Albanians

Allegations of money laundering in construction and claims of informal power networks, including the case of Ergys Agasi, fuel concerns over a distorted housing market Tirana Times, TIRANA, 05 January 2026 – For many middle income families in Tirana, buying an apartment has shifted from a realistic life goal to …

News

In Albania, Women Often Quit Local Councils to Make Way for Men

Democracy and the rights of women are being undermined in Albania by the practice of filling electoral candidate lists with women, only to have them resign en masse once the results are in and cede their seats to men. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 5, 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

Balkan States Give Divided Reactions to US Strike on Venezuela

Albania and Kosovo applauded the Trump administration’s military operation against Venezuela’s regime and the ousting of Nicolas Maduro, while other states in the region initially remained silent or called for calm and restraint. Original post Here

News

Roaming Like at Home and the Western Balkans

By Genc Pollo Tirana, 02 January 2026 – Today’s decision by the European Union to grant “roaming like at home” to Ukraine and Moldova deserves praise. It is a practical citizen-centered step that immediately lowers costs improves connectivity and makes Europe tangible in everyday life. Yet the non inclusion of …