New U.S. Ambassador arrives in Kosovo
Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip S. Kosnett, arrived on Friday morning in Pristina and is expected toi present his credentials to President Hashim Thaci on Monday. Original post Here
Mayor’s proposal for reunification of Mitrovica, backed by council
Mitrovica South Mayor Agim Bahtiri’s proposal for “unification” of the divided town of Mitrovica, has been supported with majority of votes by municipal council, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
European Commissioner Hahn visiting Kosovo on Monday
European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, is expected to visit Kosovo on 3 December when he will meet senior state officials of Kosovo. Original post Here
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
A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
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 …
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 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