Albanian PM Rama Urges Serbia ‘Down To Earth' Policy Towards Kosovo
Governments of Kosovo and Albania during a joint meeting which is taking place in Peja have signed several agreements. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama considers today’s meeting as the most important for the two governments. He also referred to Kosovo Government’s decision to impose 100 percent customs fee in Serbia’s …
Kosovo-Albania agree to remove roaming fees, unify customs clearance procedures
Governments of Kosovo and Albania gathered today in Peja to discuss cooperation and signed several agreements aimed at removing existing barriers between the two countries. Original post Here
Kosovo’ will not remove tax until full normalization with Serbia, Arifi says
Chief of Staff of the Kosovo Prime Minister’s Office, Avni Arifi, said that the decision for imposing 100 percent tax on all Serbia’s goods will not be revoked until full normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Original post Here
EU Commissioner Hahn urges Kosovo, Serbia to work on de-escalation of situation
EU-Commissioner for European Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn following today’s development in Kosovo and Government’s decision to impose 100 percent tariffs on Serbia’s goods spoke over phone with president of Kosovo Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. Original post Here
No incidents during Kosovo Serb protest
Hundreds of Serbs protested on Friday in Mitrovica North and other localities inhabited by Serbs over Pristina decision to increase import taxes for goods from Serbia to 100 percent. The protest has ended without incidents. Original post Here
Kosovo Serb Party supports police operation in the north
The Kosovo Serb Party headed by ex-Kosovo Minister Aleksandar Jablanovic, has supported Friday’s operation of the Kosovo Police in Mitrovica North resulting with the arrest of four people suspected of killing Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
KFOR does not have to comment Serbia’s President statements, a spokesperson says
KFOR does not have to comment Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic’s statement and reiterated that this morning a Kosovo Police operation has been conducted in northern Kosovo, based on a warrant issued by Pristina’s prosecutor. Original post Here
Thaci-Vucic plan on partition of Kosovo in action
The Kosovo Police (KP) operation in northern part of Kosovo resulting in arrest of four Serbs suspected of their involvement in Oliver Ivanovic’s killing contains the signature of President of Kosovo. He wants to keep Serb-controlled northern part of the country under continuous tensions at any cost. Original post Here
KFOR: Police action in north to bring suspects to justice
KFOR spokesperson said on Friday they were informed about the Kosovo police Special ROSU unit operation in Mitrovica North, adding the reason was bringing to justice four people suspected of involvement in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder. Original post Here
Kosovo Serb Leader Milan Radoicic wanted by the police
Kosovo Serb politician, Milan Radoicic, who according to media is the real power holder in northern Kosovo, is in the list of wanted people. The Kosovo Police Special Units – ROSU, have searched on Friday morning the house of the deputy head of Srpska List, Milan Radoicic. 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 …
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. 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
On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …
BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here
Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here