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Germany supports visa liberalisation for Kosovo, says Speaker Veseli

Kosovo Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli who is visiting Germany met on Wednesday his counterpart, the President of Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble. Veseli said after the meeting that Germany supports visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Original post Here

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BuzzFeed’s profile on Wess Mitchell; 'Serbian President Vucic has long pushed for land swap' with Kosovo

US media BuzzFeed dedicated an article to the US policy towards Central and Eastern Europe. In this article is mentioned also the idea on correction of border between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the US approach towards such an initiative, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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Nikki Haley asked the UN Chief to develop an exit strategy on Kosovo’s UNMIK

The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has resigned on October 9. The day she offered her resignation she wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General, asking the UN Mission in Kosovo – UNMIK to withdraw from the Republic of Kosovo, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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EU Office in Kosovo, German Embassy appeal against increasing the maximal age of imported cars

The EU Office in Kosovo and German Embassy expressed their disappointment with the initiative to increase the maximal age of imported second hand cars to 15 years. On Tuesday the Assembly Committee on Economic Development approved legal amendments enabling import of to 15 years old triggering reaction of civil society …

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Kosovo’s PM urges Mitrovica mayor to refrain from giving statements on opening of the bridge

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj called on Mitrovica South Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, to refrain from giving statements on opening of the main bridge of Mitrovica dividing the city in ethnic lines. Bahtiri said on Tuesday that the revitalised bridge will reopen soon with a performance of a US singer. Original …

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Kosovo’s FM: Revocation of recognition by Lesotho fake news spread by Belgrade

Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry refuted Serb media reports that Lesotho has revoked the recognition of Kosovo calling the allegations as fake news spread by officials in Belgrade. Original post Here

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Mitrovica Mayor announces massive concert to open the bridge diving the city in ethnic lines

Mayor of the Mitrovica South Agim Bahtiri says the main bridge which symbolically and physically separates Albanians in the south and Serbs in the north will open soon. He promises the opening ceremony of the reconstructed bridge with the European Union money will be done with a concert of world’s …

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Kosovo’s Thaci on correction of Border: I withdraw if better solution is proposed

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in an interview with T7 said his proposal on “correction of border” between Kosovo and Serbia is “constitutional, legal and indisputable.” The proposal is being strongly opposed by the opposition parties. Original post Here

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Ekrem Mustafa is officially minister of Internal Affairs

Ekrem Mustafa has been appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, a day after former minister Bejtush Gashi was dismissed at the proposal of his party, the AKR. Original post Here

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Kosovo opposition wants election first, dialogue with Serbia later

Chief of parliamentary group of the opposition party, LDK, Avdullah Hoti, in a Facebook post said they want early election first and continue the dialogue with Serbia later. Hoti says it is impossible to work on normalisation of relations with Serbia and have abnormal institutional relations within Kosovo. Original post …

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Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

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

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Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

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

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After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

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“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

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 …

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Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

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

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Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

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

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Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

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

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Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

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

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With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

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

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Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

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 …

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

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

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

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

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

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 …

News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

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

News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

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

News

Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

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

News

Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

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

News

With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

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

News

Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

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 …