Kosovo Army vote, Parliament to decide on Monday
On Monday, chiefs of parliamentary groups will convene to schedule a plenary session when MPs among other points of the agenda are expected to vote the package of laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Resignation of Serb mayors not final, says Kosovo PM Haradinaj
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the resignation of four mayors in the Serb-run municipalities in the north is open for consideration adding that his Government is revieweing their request. Original post Here
EU should grant Kosovo visa-free travel, says President Thaci
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has welcomed the adoption of the European parliament Resolution on Kosovo for 2018. Original post Here
Kosovo Army in two weeks, says Speaker of Parliament
Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli says Kosovo will establish its army by mid-December. The Parliament of Kosovo has approved in principle a package of laws on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo and MPs are expected to pass the legislation in December. Original post Here
Germany calls on Kosovo to end trade war with Serbia
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government called on Kosovo to end a trade war with Serbia, Bloomberg is reporting. Original post Here
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
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, …
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
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 …
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
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 26, 2026 – Albania’s attempted entry into the Peace Board has become a revealing episode, not because of the significance of the initiative itself, but because of the way Albania’s leadership chose to stage and communicate it domestically. The Peace Board represents a new and ambitious international …
Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania has joined the Peace Board, a newly established international mechanism initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at overseeing peace agreements and post-conflict stabilization efforts, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip. The Peace Board was formally launched during the World Economic …
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here