EP Rapporteur Soltes expects the EU to keep its promise and grant visa liberalisation to Kosovo
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted Kosovo progress report 2018 with an overwhelming majority, with 393 votes in favour, 139 votes against and 71 abstentions. In the report, MEPs welcome the legislation passed within the European Reform Agenda, but express concern at the lack of cross-party consensus and lingering political …
Tariffs on Serbia’s goods until recognition of Kosovo, says PM Haradinaj
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said Thursday that Kosovo will not revoke its decision on imposing 100 percent tariffs for all goods entering from Serbia until Belgrade officially recognises Kosovo’s independence. He made the comments before businesspeople at the opening of the First Convention of Kosovo’s Domestic Producers. Original post Here
European Parliament: Tariffs need to be revoked, support for visa liberalisation
Members of the European Parliament have discussed on Thursday resolutions on Western Balkan countries drafted by Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET). MEPs urged Kosovo to revoke tariffs on Serbia’s goods. Original post Here
US Congressman Engel: I do not want to talk about border correction
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has continued his visits in Washington. At the meeting with Congressman Eliot Engel he presented his idea on border correction, but Engel refused to talk about this issue. Original post Here
Mogherini speaks to President Thaci of Kosovo
Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief, spoke on the phone to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Wednesday to review the latest developments in the context of the EU facilitated Dialogue for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Original post Here
Kosovo Serbs to meet Vucic in Belgrade
Head of Srpska List, Goran Rakic, said that political representatives of Serbs from Kosovo will meet today in Belgrade Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, to agree on further steps after authorities in Pristina imposed a 100 percent tariffs in all goods from Serbia. Original post Here
Kosovo to define borders with Serbia, says President Thaci
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci says defining the borders between Kosovo and Serbia is a key step toward easing tensions. He made the comments during an interview with Voice of America. Original post Here
Kosovo Serbs pledge to never pay import tariffs
Hundreds of Kosovo Serbs protested in Mitrovica North again on Wednesday asking the Government of Kosovo to rescind 100 percent tariffs on imports from Serbia. They stated that protests will continue until the decision is revoked. Original post Here
Kosovo Specialist Chambers launches new website
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers launches its new website today. While the web address remains the same (www.scp-ks.org), the new website features a fresh structure and content, with accessible and intuitive links to the most important information, including links to the court records and the ability to stream future hearings. Original …
Serb mayors in Kosovo south not intending to resign
Mayors of six Serb-run municipalities in southern part of the Iber River, have supported the decision of the four mayors in northern part of the country, who on Tuesday offered their resignation in protest over Government’s decision to impose 100 percent tariffs in all Serbia’s goods. 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
The United States has once again issued an unusually clear and public warning about the threat posed by Albanian organized crime groups and their links to Latin American drug cartels, framing the issue not only as a criminal challenge but as a direct risk to Albania’s national security and economic …
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. 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 …