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Resignation of Serb mayors not final, says Kosovo PM Haradinaj

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the resignation of four mayors in the Serb-run municipalities in the north is open for consideration adding that his Government is revieweing their request. Original post Here

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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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Balluku Charges Test PM Rama’s Power

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …

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Albanian Political Giants’ Electoral Reform Deal is a Sham, Rivals Suspect

Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here

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Western Balkans Remains Key Smuggling Corridor in Europe: Report

The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 10, 2025

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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Ambassador Tsao: lets focus cooperation on technology and AI

Tirana Times sat with the Head of the Taipei Representative office in Italy, Ambassador Vincent Tsao on his recent visit to Albania to talk about cooperation and exchange in technology, development, education and more… Your Excellency, Taiwan is known globally for its advanced technology and innovation sectors. What specific areas …

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Albania’s Gender Equality Law: Now Let’s See It Implemented

Online disinformation from opponents of the new gender equality law shouldn’t obscure the real issue: this vital legislation has been adopted by parliament, but now we need it to work in practice, not just on paper. Original post Here

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Albania Gender-Equality Law Draws Praise and Condemnation

Women’s rights groups hailed adoption of the new equality law as a historic move – while the opposition Democratic Party and ‘pro-family’ groups called it an attack on traditional values. Original post Here

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Leaked Albanian Investigation Implicates Deputy PM in Tender-Rigging

A leaked file, apparently from an anti-corruption prosecutors’ probe, suggests deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku played an active role in predetermining the winner of a major construction tender. Original post Here

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Rama: Albania Has No Fear of Russia

Tirana Times | November 5, 2025 Berlin/Tirana – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has downplayed growing Western fears of a possible Russian expansion of aggression in Europe, declaring that Moscow would “not attack Albania or any other European country” and that NATO remains fully capable of deterring any threat. In …

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Albania Boosts Defense Spending to Align with NATO Goals

By Tirana Times November 5, 2025 Albania’s draft budget for 2026 marks a significant milestone in the country’s defense modernization and strategic alignment with NATO objectives. The government has announced a €100 million increase in defense funding, raising total expenditures to €589 million  or approximately 2.1% of GDP  surpassing the …

News

Balluku Charges Test PM Rama’s Power

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …

News

Albanian Political Giants’ Electoral Reform Deal is a Sham, Rivals Suspect

Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here

News

Western Balkans Remains Key Smuggling Corridor in Europe: Report

The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 10, 2025

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

Ambassador Tsao: lets focus cooperation on technology and AI

Tirana Times sat with the Head of the Taipei Representative office in Italy, Ambassador Vincent Tsao on his recent visit to Albania to talk about cooperation and exchange in technology, development, education and more… Your Excellency, Taiwan is known globally for its advanced technology and innovation sectors. What specific areas …

News

Albania’s Gender Equality Law: Now Let’s See It Implemented

Online disinformation from opponents of the new gender equality law shouldn’t obscure the real issue: this vital legislation has been adopted by parliament, but now we need it to work in practice, not just on paper. Original post Here

News

Albania Gender-Equality Law Draws Praise and Condemnation

Women’s rights groups hailed adoption of the new equality law as a historic move – while the opposition Democratic Party and ‘pro-family’ groups called it an attack on traditional values. Original post Here

News

Leaked Albanian Investigation Implicates Deputy PM in Tender-Rigging

A leaked file, apparently from an anti-corruption prosecutors’ probe, suggests deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku played an active role in predetermining the winner of a major construction tender. Original post Here

News

Rama: Albania Has No Fear of Russia

Tirana Times | November 5, 2025 Berlin/Tirana – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has downplayed growing Western fears of a possible Russian expansion of aggression in Europe, declaring that Moscow would “not attack Albania or any other European country” and that NATO remains fully capable of deterring any threat. In …

News

Albania Boosts Defense Spending to Align with NATO Goals

By Tirana Times November 5, 2025 Albania’s draft budget for 2026 marks a significant milestone in the country’s defense modernization and strategic alignment with NATO objectives. The government has announced a €100 million increase in defense funding, raising total expenditures to €589 million  or approximately 2.1% of GDP  surpassing the …