Kosovo-Serbia dialogue main focus of Mogherini’s meeting with Western Balkan leaders
EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, hosted on Wednesday in Brussels an informal gathering of the Western Balkans leaders when they discussed the support for the Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia and Kosovo-Serbia EU-facilitated dialogue facilitated by Mogherini. Original post Here
Kosovo fulfilled visa liberalization criteria says, EU Commissioner Avramopoulos
EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, confirmed Wednesday that Kosovo has fulfilled all visa liberalization benchmarks. Original post Here
NATO to review its level of engagement with KSF after Kosovo vote to have its army
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had a phone call today with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj related to Kosovo Army. Original post Here
Speaker signs Laws on transition of KSF into Army of Kosovo
Kosovo’s Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli has signed today the laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army. On 14 December, the Parliament of Kosovo passed three laws with overwhelming numbers that it would form an army. Original post Here
Kosovo Prime Minister expects visa liberalization soon
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj expects the European Union will liberalize visas for Kosovo soon adding that the decision has nothing to do with Kosovo Government’s decision to impose tariffs on goods from Serbia countering Belgrade’s aggressive campaign against Kosovo statehood. Original post Here
Kosovo Government approves its offer in dialogue with Serbia
The Government of Kosovo has approved on Tuesday a draft of the Comprehensive and Legally-Binding Agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia. Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, Avni Arifi, presenting the draft said the main objectives is that Kosovo and Serbia respect sovereignty and territorial integrity …
EU seeks to bypass Kosovo Government wants President Thaci in dialogue with Serbia
The European Union sent a letter to Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reminding him that President Hashim Thaci will continue leading the high level dialogue with Serbia in Brussels. The letter was written after Kosovo Parliament approved a new negotiation team in dialogue with Belgrade. Original post Here
Situation calm in the north after Kosovo Parliament vote on Army
The Kosovo Police Deputy Director of Mitrovica North station, Besim Hoti, told Gazeta Express the situation in northern part of Kosovo is calm and the police is acting based on an operational plan drafted earlier. Kosovo Serbs gathered in Mitrovica North to protest Pristina’s decision on transforming the Kosovo Security …
EU regrets Kosovo’s move to form an army
The European Union’s foreign policy chief has expressed regret over Kosovo’s move to form a new army. The Parliament of Kosovo has passed on Friday legislation on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army. Original post Here
Government congratulates citizens on Kosovo Army
The Government of Kosovo has congratulated citizens after the Parliament passed a package of laws enabling transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army stating that the army is the final step on consolidating country’s statehood ten years after declaration of independence. Original post Here
A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here