Council's decision on visas in December, says Kosovo EU Minister
Kosovo Minister of the European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, told media on Friday that the final decision of the European Council on lifting visas for Kosovo will not be taken before December. She warned authorities to be cautious in managing expectations noting that there are still procedures within the EU institutions …
KSF Commander: Kosovo Army within months
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) General Commander, Rrahman Rama, commenting the Government’s initiative on transformation of this force into army, said that he believes the creation of Kosovo Army will happen within months. Original post Here
US Ambassador welcomes filing of pension fraud indictment
The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, commenting on filing of the indictment against former members of the Government’s commission on verification of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans’ status, said he is “proud of Kosovo for taking this important step to fight corruption.” Original post Here
Ex-KLA commanders indicted of faking war veterans' lists
Special Prosecution of Kosovo has filed on Friday an indictment against 11 former members of the Government’s commission on verification of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans’ status. The indictment which was filed in August by ex-prosecutor Elez Blakaj, who resigned citing threats and intimidation for investigating alleged wrongdoings during …
European Parliament approves visa liberalisation talks with Kosovo
The European Parliament approved on Thursday, with 420 votes against 186, the opening of talks on visa liberalisation for citizens of Kosovo. The vote came after the European Commission in July confirmed that the country had fulfilled all the criteria. Kosovars are the only Balkan citizens to still need a …
Kosovo opposition boycotts plenary session of Parliament
The Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje have boycotted Thursday’s plenary session of Parliament asking holding of an extraordinary session proposed by the opposition to halt dialoguing of borders with Serbia. Original post Here
Kosovo gets a step closer to creation of its Army
Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Rrustem Berisha, has officially proposed today that country’s 2,500-strong civil protection force be transformed into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Great Britain considers land swap dangerous for the region
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, during a meeting with the leader of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti, said his country supports sovereignty of Kosovo and every change of border is dangerous not only for Kosovo, but the entire region. Original post Here
It’s worth discussing swap of Presheva Valley with the north of Kosovo, says President’s advisor
Blerim Shala, political advisor to Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, talking on final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia said that it is worth discussing with Serbia swapping of Presheva Valley inhabited mainly by Albanians with the north of Kosovo inhabited by Serbs. Original post Here
Kosovo opposition tells EU’s Mogherini they are against land swap idea
Opposition parties in Kosovo Parliament, LDK, Vetevendosje, PSD and Alaternativa, sent on Wednesday a letter to Federica Mogherini informing the EU foreign policy chief that they are against President Hashim Thaci’s idea on exchange of territories with Serbia. Also they say that current Government has lost its legitimacy to represent …
In the Diber region in Albania’s north-east, Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with a helping hand from their Muslim neighbours. 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, Albania (Tirana Times, September 14, 2025) — In a city where cranes rise daily and glass towers dominate the skyline, the most basic element of urban life — running water — is vanishing. For more than three months, the residence of the European Union ambassador in Tirana has received …
By Tirana Times Albania is facing a demographic collapse of historic proportions. What was once described as a temporary “wave of migration” in the 1990s has hardened into a permanent, structural crisis that now threatens the very future of the nation. The data is stark, the trend undeniable, and the …
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 11, 2025 ) – Albania’s government has unveiled what it calls a bold step in its fight against endemic corruption: the appointment of the country’s first artificial intelligence “minister.” The AI system, named Diella, meaning “sun” in Albanian, has been presented by Prime Minister Edi …
From attempts to neuter popular opposition to efforts to stifle the truth about mass protests, this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories explores the turbulent political landscape across the region. Original post Here
Rama announces new cabinet and calls fresh elections for the Tirana mayoralty – seven months after Mayor Erion Veliaj was arrested on charges of corruption and money-laundering. Original post Here
The new head of RTSH, Eni Vasili, admits to BIRN that the company is facing a dire financial situation – after several contributors revealed they had not been paid for months. Original post Here
Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here
The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here