Kosovo’s PM Haradinaj presents new draft agreement with Serbia
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, presented on Thursday to Ambassadors of Quint what he calls the “first draft” of a potentially agreement with Serbia. Original post Here
KFOR conducting regular training in northern Kosovo
KFOR announced on Thursday that its troops are conducting a regular training activity in northern part of Kosovo after media reporting that KFOR armored vehicle were seen moving towards the north. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Thaci urges ex-KLA members to answer war crimes court summons
President Hashim Thaci commenting on summons the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) sent to ex-KLA members to appear before this international court dealing with alleged crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, urged former members of guerrilla army to respect the court and not avoid justice. Original post Here
US Ambassador calls 'historic' vote on Kosovo Security Force transition
US Ambassador to Pristina, Philip Kosnett says Friday’s vote of Kosovo’s Parliament on KSF transition is a historic one for Kosovo. MPs are expected to vote tomorrow a package of laws enabling transition of lightly-armed KSF into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Kosovo NGO submits new war crime complaints against Serbs
The Civil Society Group, an NGO collecting evidence about war crimes committed by Serbs in Kosovo in 1998-99 war, has submitted on Wednesday new criminal complaints to the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo identifying 700 Serbian individuals suspected of committing these crimes. Original post Here
Pacolli asks Germany to push forward visa liberalization for Kosovo
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli met his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Strasburg and asked Germany’s support to push forward visa liberalization for Kosovo. Original post Here
UK supports Kosovo Army, says Ambassador O’Connell
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, says United Kingdom believes creation of Kosovo Armed Force is just and advised authorities in Pristina to consult with NATO allies. Kosovo Parliament is set to vote on Friday a package of laws enabling transition of the lightly armed KSF into full-fledged army. Original …
Kosovo's PM Haradinaj urges ex-KLA members not to avoid justice
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reacted on Wednesday after news that former senior commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have received invitations to be interviewed by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in charge for investigating and prosecuting alleged crimes of the KLA during and after the war in Kosovo 1998-200. …
The U.S. Government’s MCC selects Kosovo as eligible for a compact program
Kosovo became eligible for assistance from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) after their board of directors selected Kosovo for a compact program. MCC is currently implementing a $49 million grant as part of the Kosovo Threshold Program. Original post Here
German MEP slams Kosovo leaders: Corrupt leaders cannot fight corruption
German Member of the European Parliament, Markus Ferber, says corruption, impunity, and non-implementation of laws by Kosovo leaders, are hindering visa liberalization. Original post Here
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here