EU gives an additional 17.2 million Euro for rail project
As major modernisation of Kosovo’s railway infrastructure progresses, a grant agreement was signed in Pristina today for a further €17.2 million of co-financing from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). Original post Here
Kosovo’s PM Haradinaj says President Thaci not opposing tax on Serbia’s goods
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the President Hashim Thaci is not opposing the tariffs on all Serbia’s goods. The Government two weeks ago has imposed 100 percent tax on all imported goods from Serbia countering Belgrade’s aggressive campaign against Kosovo’s statehood. Original post Here
MEPs ask European Council to liberalise visas for Kosovo
Twenty-two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) penned an open letter to the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and Austrian Presidency of the Council asking liberalization of visas for Kosovo without further delay, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
Kosovo deserves visa liberalization, says MEP Fajon
Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Rapporteur on visas for Kosovo, has confirmed that Austria which is presiding the EU will not include in the agenda of the EU Council the voting on visa liberalization for Kosovo calling the decision as “frustrating.” Original post Here
Kosovo honors George HW Bush, day of mourning declared
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has ordered that all state buildings flags be flown at half-staff on Wednesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning following the death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
EU surprised and disappointed with Kosovo’s tax on Serbia’s goods, says Hahn
The European Union was surprised and disappointed with the decision of Kosovo’s Government to impose customs tariffs for all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, said in Pristina the EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn. Original post Here
Tax to be removed after Serbia, Bosnia recognize Kosovo, says PM Haradinaj
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia will not be removed until these two countries recognize Kosovo’s independence. He also said that the EU is not guaranteeing that visa liberalization for Kosovo will happen this year. Original post Here
Kosovo forced to impose tax on Serbia’s goods, PM Haradinaj tells EU’s Hahn
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told European Union Commissioner Johannes Hahn that Kosovo was left no choice but to impose 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
New US ambassador to Kosovo presents credentials to Thaci
Philipp Kosnett, the new United States of America Ambassador to Pristina, presented his credentials to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on Monday. Original post Here
Kosovo Army becomes official on 14 December, says Speaker of Parliament
Speaker Kadri Veseli says on 14 December Members of Parliament will vote a package of laws enabling transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
Brussels has already gone cold on a scheme to allow some aspirant countries like Albania and Serbia second-tier membership – but that doesn’t mean that other creative approaches to European enlargement are off the table. Original post Here