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Luxemburg meeting, Council waiting for the EC assessment on visas for Kosovo

EU General and Foreign Affairs Councils on June adopted on Tuesday in Luxembourg conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkan countries. This document will be reviewed after two days by the EU chief during a meeting of the Council of the European Union. In Kosovo’s …

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EU gives green light to start membership talks with Albania and Macedonia

The European Union will start accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania, pending progress on reforms before the first talks can begin in 2019. Original post Here

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EU gives green light to start membership talks with Albania and Macedonia

The European Union will start accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania, pending progress on reforms before the first talks can begin in 2019. Original post Here

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“Ivanovic’s killers are not Albanians, still operating in the north of Kosovo”

Five months after the murder of the Citizens’ alliance SDP leader Oliver Ivanovic in Mitrovica North Kosovo authorities have not solved the case. Special Prosecutor dealing with this case, Syle Hoxha, told Gazeta Express that the investigations are ongoing but he is almost certain that the perpetrators of this crime …

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“Ivanovic’s killers are not Albanians, still operating in the north of Kosovo”

Five months after the murder of the Citizens’ alliance SDP leader Oliver Ivanovic in Mitrovica North Kosovo authorities have not solved the case. Special Prosecutor dealing with this case, Syle Hoxha, told Gazeta Express that the investigations are ongoing but he is almost certain that the perpetrators of this crime …

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Thaci speak by phone with Stoltenberg: Kosovo Army in coordination with allies

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci spoke today by phone on Tuesday with the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army. Original post Here

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Thaci speak by phone with Stoltenberg: Kosovo Army in coordination with allies

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci spoke today by phone on Tuesday with the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army. Original post Here

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Kosovo president Thaci: Eagle gesture is not a symbol that killed people

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday defended two Swiss footballers of Kosovo Albanian heritage who celebrated World Cup goals against Serbia with a two-headed eagle gesture reflecting their ethnic roots. Original post Here

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Kosovo president Thaci: Eagle gesture is not a symbol that killed people

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday defended two Swiss footballers of Kosovo Albanian heritage who celebrated World Cup goals against Serbia with a two-headed eagle gesture reflecting their ethnic roots. Original post Here

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US Ambassador: Politics have no place in the Constitution

US Ambassador to Pristina, Greg Delawie, has criticised Kosovo institutions, for as he said, delays in election of the three Constitutional Court judges. Original post Here

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Fostering a thirst for knowledge: the key to building the world of tomorrow

H.E Alvaro Renedo Zalba, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Albania It is a true pleasure to speak to you today on this rainy November morning. The dim light of today’s overcast Tirana sky seems just right for inspiring fruitful academic exchanges and soulful musings. First and foremost, I …

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Saudi Arabia at the center of global foreign policy hosting USA-Russia talks

Saudi Arabia has consolidated its rising position in the global affairs arena, emerging as a focal point for the ongoing talks between USA the Russia for a variety of issues including recalibrating their bilateral relations and ultimately reaching an agreement about stopping the war in Ukraine. Representatives from the US …

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Albania will not shelter Palestinians from Gaza

The Albanian PM denies claims, provides no value statements over the proposal despite EU wide condemnation  Feb 16,2025 – At the Munich Security Conference, Albanian PM Edi Rama denied any claims that Albania will shelter Palestinians from Gaza. When asked about the controversial proposal of American President Donald Trump to …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 17, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Mayor’s Arrest Deals Albania’s Ruling Party a Pre-Election Blow

Erion Veliaj’s arrest for alleged corruption, alongside his wife, has enraged the ruling Socialist Party – and could undermine its chances in the May elections. BIRN looks at the charges and their political impact. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Accused of Undermining Special Prosecution’s Independence

After Edi Rama criticised the Special Prosecution over the arrest for alleged corruption of his political ally, Tirana’s mayor, the country’s top judicial body delivered a stinging rebuke. Original post Here

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Erion Veliaj, Rising Star in Albania, Felled by Corruption Charges

The mayor of Tirana was once tipped to be Albania’s next prime minister. Now he’s behind bars after being arrested on graft charges, possibly facing a very different future. Original post Here

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Public Perceptions of Corruption in Balkans Continue to Worsen: Report

Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index makes grim reading for most Balkan countries, with Kosovo and Albania as rare exceptions to a worsening trend. Original post Here

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Tirana Mayor Arrested on Corruption and Money-Laundering Charges

The mayor of Albania’s capital, Erion Veliaj, a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering. Original post Here

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Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges

TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested Monday afternoon by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).  Judicial police officers entered Veliaj’s office at around 2 p.m. and escorted him to a detention facility. An arrest warrant has also …

News

Fostering a thirst for knowledge: the key to building the world of tomorrow

H.E Alvaro Renedo Zalba, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Albania It is a true pleasure to speak to you today on this rainy November morning. The dim light of today’s overcast Tirana sky seems just right for inspiring fruitful academic exchanges and soulful musings. First and foremost, I …

News

Saudi Arabia at the center of global foreign policy hosting USA-Russia talks

Saudi Arabia has consolidated its rising position in the global affairs arena, emerging as a focal point for the ongoing talks between USA the Russia for a variety of issues including recalibrating their bilateral relations and ultimately reaching an agreement about stopping the war in Ukraine. Representatives from the US …

News

Albania will not shelter Palestinians from Gaza

The Albanian PM denies claims, provides no value statements over the proposal despite EU wide condemnation  Feb 16,2025 – At the Munich Security Conference, Albanian PM Edi Rama denied any claims that Albania will shelter Palestinians from Gaza. When asked about the controversial proposal of American President Donald Trump to …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 17, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Mayor’s Arrest Deals Albania’s Ruling Party a Pre-Election Blow

Erion Veliaj’s arrest for alleged corruption, alongside his wife, has enraged the ruling Socialist Party – and could undermine its chances in the May elections. BIRN looks at the charges and their political impact. Original post Here

News

Albanian PM Accused of Undermining Special Prosecution’s Independence

After Edi Rama criticised the Special Prosecution over the arrest for alleged corruption of his political ally, Tirana’s mayor, the country’s top judicial body delivered a stinging rebuke. Original post Here

News

Erion Veliaj, Rising Star in Albania, Felled by Corruption Charges

The mayor of Tirana was once tipped to be Albania’s next prime minister. Now he’s behind bars after being arrested on graft charges, possibly facing a very different future. Original post Here

News

Public Perceptions of Corruption in Balkans Continue to Worsen: Report

Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index makes grim reading for most Balkan countries, with Kosovo and Albania as rare exceptions to a worsening trend. Original post Here

News

Tirana Mayor Arrested on Corruption and Money-Laundering Charges

The mayor of Albania’s capital, Erion Veliaj, a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering. Original post Here

News

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges

TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested Monday afternoon by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).  Judicial police officers entered Veliaj’s office at around 2 p.m. and escorted him to a detention facility. An arrest warrant has also …