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Kosovo honors George HW Bush, day of mourning declared

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has ordered that all state buildings flags be flown at half-staff on Wednesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning following the death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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EU surprised and disappointed with Kosovo’s tax on Serbia’s goods, says Hahn

The European Union was surprised and disappointed with the decision of Kosovo’s Government to impose customs tariffs for all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, said in Pristina the EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn. Original post Here

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Tax to be removed after Serbia, Bosnia recognize Kosovo, says PM Haradinaj

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia will not be removed until these two countries recognize Kosovo’s independence. He also said that the EU is not guaranteeing that visa liberalization for Kosovo will happen this year. Original post Here

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Kosovo forced to impose tax on Serbia’s goods, PM Haradinaj tells EU’s Hahn

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told European Union Commissioner Johannes Hahn that Kosovo was left no choice but to impose 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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New US ambassador to Kosovo presents credentials to Thaci

Philipp Kosnett, the new United States of America Ambassador to Pristina, presented his credentials to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday. Original post Here

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Kosovo Army becomes official on 14 December, says Speaker of Parliament

Speaker Kadri Veseli says on 14 December Members of Parliament will vote a package of laws enabling transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here

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Stoltenberg comments Kosovo-Serbia border adjustment

NATO strongly supports the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue on normalization of relations, and when it comes to “a possible borders’ adjustment,” it hopes the two sides would reach a mutually acceptable solution, says Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General. Original post Here

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Warrant issued for Radoicic, suspected of killing Ivanovic, says Kosovo Police Director

The Kosovo Police have issued an arrest warrant for the vice-president of Srpska List, Milan Radoicic, who is suspected of being involved in killing of his political opponent – the Kosovo Serb leader Oliver Ivanovic in January 2018 in Mitrovica North. Original post Here

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Hahn after meeting Vucic urges Kosovo to urgently revoke tax on Serbia’s goods

EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, after meeting Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade commented the Kosovo Government’s decision to impose 100 percent tax on all Serbia’s goods. Original post Here

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Hahn with a clear message on tariffs, says EU Representative to Kosovo

EU Representative to Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, says the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn’s message during his visit to Kosovo today will be very clear – revoke the tariffs on Serbia’s goods. Original post Here

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Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

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 …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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

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Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

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

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Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

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Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

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Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

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Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

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Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’

Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here

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How a Balkan Wind Farm Aids US National Security

Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …

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Albanian Law Only Partially Decriminalising Defamation Disappoints Media Groups

New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

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 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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

News

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

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

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News

Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

News

Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

News

Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’

Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here

News

How a Balkan Wind Farm Aids US National Security

Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …

News

Albanian Law Only Partially Decriminalising Defamation Disappoints Media Groups

New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here