Kosovo expects visa liberalisation by year’s end, says EU Minister
Kosovo Minister of the European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, who on Thursday attended the debate “association of the European Parliaments” in Strasbourg, asked the EU members to liberalise visas for Kosovo citizens by the end of this year, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
European Investors Council condemns Thaci’s attack against insurance company director
The European Investors Council (EIC) has reacted after the physical attack against the director of private insurance company “Illyria”, Gianni Sokolic. Original post Here
Kosovo man found guilty of war crimes against Albanians
The Basic Court in Pristina on Thursday found Skender Bislimi guilty of war crimes against Albanians civilians and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. Original post Here
Kosovo President’s brother involved in fight
Gani Thaci, the brother of Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci, has on Wednesday physically assaulted the director of the Kosovo Insurance Bureau (KIB), Blerim Pushkolli, as well as the director of the insurance company “Illyria”, Slovenian citizen Gianni Sokolic. Original post Here
Montenegro officially joins NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo
Montenegro has on Tuesday joined the KFOR mission in Kosovo as the 29th troop contributing nation, which is the longest peacekeeping mission in NATO history. Original post Here
Austrian President lobbying for Kosovo to get visa liberalisation by the end of year
Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen, was hosted on Tuesday by his Albanian Counterpart, Ilir Meta, Gazeta Express reports. During the meeting the two presidents discussed visa liberalisation for Kosovo. The Austrian President said that visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens should happen as soon as possible. Original post Here
State Dept official visits Kosovo amidst debate on border adjustment with Serbia
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj hosted in separate meetings the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Matthew Palmer. Haradinaj briefed the US State Department official on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army, whereas Thaci said after the meeting that he discussed with Palmer …
Army to be deployed throughout Kosovo territory, KSF Commander says
Future Army of Kosovo will be deployed throughout the territory of Kosovo, says Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Commander, General Lieutenant, Rrahman Rama. He said approval of laws in Parliament on Thursday on transition of the KSF into army is one of the most important milestones for the state of Kosovo. …
US Embassy comments Kosovo's initiative to transform Security Force into Army
US Embassy to Kosovo continues to support disciplined and transparent transition of the KSF into a professional, multi-ethnic, NATO interoperable army with limited mandate of territorial self-defence. This was confirmed to Gazeta Express by the US Embassy in Pristina commenting the laws that the Kosovo Parliament passed on Thursday, enabling …
Turkey calls for closure of Gulen schools in Kosovo
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Çavusoglu who is visiting Kosovo, asked the Government of Kosovo to close all schools of the “FETO” organisation, sponsored by religious leader Fetulah Gulen, an organisation which as Çavusoglu said is a terrorist organisation responsible for killing of over 200 people during a failed coup in …
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here
The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here
As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here
Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here
From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here
As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here
Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here
The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …