Germany urges Kosovo to revoke tariffs on Serbia
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday urged Kosovo to rescind, or at least suspend implementation of 100 percent tariffs that Pristina has introduced on Serbian goods, warning against any further escalation of tensions, Reuters is reporting. Original post Here
Hague Prosecution to interview four ex-KLA commanders
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, probing alleged crimes committed by former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during and after the war, has invited four ex-KLA senior figures to be interviewed in January 2019, defense lawyers confirmed. Original post Here
Bosnia asks Kosovo's suspension from CEFTA
Minister of Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia-Herzegovina Mirko Sarovic says his country will request exclusion of Kosovo from the CEFTA free trade agreement after authorities in Pristina imposed last month 100 percent tax on all goods entering from Bosnia and Serbia. Original post Here
Mogherini does not exclude change of borders, but not on ethnic lines
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, has not excluded the possibility of redrawing border between Kosovo and Serbia emphasizing that potential correction of border should never lead to ethnically ‘pure’ states. Original post Here
Kosovo considering full reciprocity with Serbia
Government of Kosovo is considering imposing full reciprocity measures with Serbia, after on 21 November imposed 100 percent tariffs in all its goods. Original post Here
Accountability and transparency key to fighting corruption, says Head of EU Office in Kosovo
Head of EU Office in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, in her speech at launching the Anti-Corruption Week said Kosovo has adopted several laws tackling corruption but this should be followed by their robust implementation. Original post Here
Kosovo Parliament votes on Friday to create national army
Kosovo Parliament is set to vote on Friday a package of laws enabling transition of the lightly armed Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into a fully-fledged army. Original post Here
Kosovo Government to dismiss corrupt officials, says US Ambassador Kosnett
US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, in his opening remarks at the launching of the Anti-Corruption Week urged Kosovo Government to dismiss corrupt officials. Original post Here
Kosovo Army unacceptable for Serbs
Kosovo Serb MP Slavko Simic, says plans to transform the KSF into Army of Kosovo are unacceptable for Serbs. Original post Here
Kosovo war crimes court to interview ex-KLA commander
A special court with international prosecutors and judges set up to try alleged war crimes by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is expected to interview ex-KLA commander Rrustem Mustafa a.k.a Remi in January 2019, his lawyer confirmed. 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
On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …
BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here
Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here