Court of Appeals confirms acquittal of Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister of war crimes
The Court of Appeal has confirmed on Wednesday the acquittal of Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Fatmir Limaj, charged of failing to prevent the killings of two Albanians in 1998, when he was a commander in the Kosovo Liberation Army. Original post Here
German Ambassador says Berlin supports Kosovo’s membership in Interpol
German Ambassador to Serbia, Thomas Schieb, says Berlin will support Kosovo’s membership in Interpol, because believes that it would contribute to fighting crime. Original post Here
According to Kremlin, Putin drew attention to Kosovo’s President over Serbia
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a brief conversation with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in Paris, Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Minister calls on EU to keep its word on visa liberalisation
Kosovo’s Minister of the European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, called as ‘irrational’ dilemmas of some of the EU members related to visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. She said that such dilemmas seriously harm EU’s credibility. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Parliament Speaker to ask Finland's support on visas, Interpol membership
Speaker of Kosovo Parliament, Kadri Veseli, has travelled on Tuesday to Finland as part of his lobbying tour in the EU member countries to get support on visa liberalisation and country’s membership in Interpol. Veseli in Finland is expected to meet highest state officials. Original post Here
Serbia should support Kosovo’s Interpol membership, says opposition leader
Isa Mustafa, leader of the biggest opposition party in Kosovo, LDK, says it would be good for Serbia to support Kosovo’s membership in Interpol. Original post Here
Kosovo Parliament urgent session postponed
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Xhavit Haliti, has decided to call off Tuesday’s extraordinary session of Parliament due to procedural issues. Original post Here
UN Security Council to discuss Kosovo report tomorrow
The UN Security Council will convene on Wednesday in New York to discuss regular report on Kosovo by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres despite request of some of the permanent countries the quarterly report on Kosovo be removed from regular agenda. Original post Here
EP Rapporteur: Apartheid with visas in Kosovo should not be allowed
Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for Kosovo, Igor Solted, said that “apartheid with visas for Kosovo should not be allowed.” Original post Here
Kosovo’s PM admits he was invited to become part of Serbia’s partition plot
Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, says President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic is luring politicians in Pristina to consider giving Serbia northern part of Kosovo populated mainly by Serbs, in exchange of recognition of country’s independence. Original post Here
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 …
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