New U.S. Ambassador arrives in Kosovo
Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip S. Kosnett, arrived on Friday morning in Pristina and is expected toi present his credentials to President Hashim Thaci on Monday. Original post Here
Mayor’s proposal for reunification of Mitrovica, backed by council
Mitrovica South Mayor Agim Bahtiri’s proposal for “unification” of the divided town of Mitrovica, has been supported with majority of votes by municipal council, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
European Commissioner Hahn visiting Kosovo on Monday
European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, is expected to visit Kosovo on 3 December when he will meet senior state officials of Kosovo. Original post Here
Kosovo Army vote, Parliament to decide on Monday
On Monday, chiefs of parliamentary groups will convene to schedule a plenary session when MPs among other points of the agenda are expected to vote the package of laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
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
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
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
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
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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
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
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
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 …
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 …
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
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
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