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Albanian PM Blesses ‘Newborn Kosovo Army’

Kosovo Parliament has on Thursday unanimously approved in principle a package of laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Following the approval of the three draft laws, the Republic of Kosovo is a step closer of establishing its Army. Original post Here

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Abolition of customs checks at Kosovo-Albania border soon

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, is paying an official visit to Republic of Albania, where he met President Ilir Meta, Speaker of Parliament, Gramoz Ruci, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati. Original post Here

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Veseli met German President, invites him to visit Kosovo

Kosovo’s Speaker of Parliament, Kadri Veseli, met on Wednesday in Berlin German President, Frank Walter Steinmeier, who reconfirmed that Germany continues supporting Kosovo. Original post Here

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Kosovo Parliament approves legislation on creation of Army

Kosovo Parliament approved on Thursday in principle a package of laws on transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into regular army. The final approval of the laws is expected by the end of November. Original post Here

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Germany supports visa liberalisation for Kosovo, says Speaker Veseli

Kosovo Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli who is visiting Germany met on Wednesday his counterpart, the President of Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble. Veseli said after the meeting that Germany supports visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Original post Here

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BuzzFeed’s profile on Wess Mitchell; 'Serbian President Vucic has long pushed for land swap' with Kosovo

US media BuzzFeed dedicated an article to the US policy towards Central and Eastern Europe. In this article is mentioned also the idea on correction of border between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the US approach towards such an initiative, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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Nikki Haley asked the UN Chief to develop an exit strategy on Kosovo’s UNMIK

The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has resigned on October 9. The day she offered her resignation she wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General, asking the UN Mission in Kosovo – UNMIK to withdraw from the Republic of Kosovo, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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EU Office in Kosovo, German Embassy appeal against increasing the maximal age of imported cars

The EU Office in Kosovo and German Embassy expressed their disappointment with the initiative to increase the maximal age of imported second hand cars to 15 years. On Tuesday the Assembly Committee on Economic Development approved legal amendments enabling import of to 15 years old triggering reaction of civil society …

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Kosovo’s PM urges Mitrovica mayor to refrain from giving statements on opening of the bridge

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj called on Mitrovica South Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, to refrain from giving statements on opening of the main bridge of Mitrovica dividing the city in ethnic lines. Bahtiri said on Tuesday that the revitalised bridge will reopen soon with a performance of a US singer. Original …

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Kosovo’s FM: Revocation of recognition by Lesotho fake news spread by Belgrade

Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry refuted Serb media reports that Lesotho has revoked the recognition of Kosovo calling the allegations as fake news spread by officials in Belgrade. Original post Here

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From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

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Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 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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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

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Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

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Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

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Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News
One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

News

From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

News

Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 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

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News

Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News

One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …