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Final Meeting of the Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board

EULEX Head of Mission Alexandra Papadopoulou hosted the final meeting of the Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board (JRCB) at the EULEX premises today. She also presented the Compact Progress Report, covering the JRCB activities from July 2017 to June 2018 and tracking the progress made by Kosovo rule of …

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Haradinaj requires Serbia label its products as ‘Republic of Kosovo’

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, in a Facebook post confirmed that his Government took a decision that as of today to impose 100 percent customs tariffs on all goods entering from Serbia. Original post Here

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Kosovo Declares Economic War On Serbia After Imposing 100% Import Tariffs

The Government of Kosovo has decided to impose 100 percent tariffs to all Serbian goods in retaliation for their hostility towards the country, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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Kosovo court upholds acquittal of Imams accused of preaching extremism

Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of four Kosovo imams, and a politician, who were facing charges of preaching extremism, religious intolerance, and racial hatred. The Appellate Court has rejected the appeal of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo as ungrounded, thus affirming challenged judgment of …

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Kosovo a step closer to Euro 2020 after thrashing Azerbaijan

Kosovo secured a Euro 2020 playoff only two years after becoming full-fledged member of UEFA following a 4-0 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday in Pristina. Original post Here

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Kosovo's Thaci after failure in Interpol: Serbia’s boast means more space for terrorism

President Hashim Thaci reacting to Kosovo’s failed Interpol bid on Tuesday and Serbia’s campaign against Kosovo’s admission into this international police organisation, said that Belgrade’s boast means more space for terrorism, criminality, smuggling activities and illegal migration. Original post Here

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Serbia’s aggressive campaign to be blamed for Kosovo’s failure in Interpol, says FM Pacolli

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, talking after Kosovo’s bid to join Interpol failed on Tuesday during a vote at the body’s annual general assembly, said that Serbia’s campaign against Kosovo’s bid was aggressive, and this cannot be qualified as failure of Kosovo’s diplomacy. Original post Here

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UK disappointed that Kosovo’s Interpol membership application bid failed

The British Embassy in Pristina says the UK is disappointed that Kosovo’s Interpol membership application was unsuccessful in Dubai today. Original post Here

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US Embassy reacts after failed bid of Kosovo to join Interpol

After Kosovo failed on Tuesday to join Interpol, the US Embassy to Pristina in a press release has reacted stating that Serbia’s campaign has pressured countries to oppose Kosovo’s bid, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here

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Kosovo fails in Interpol membership bid

Kosovo has failed in its bid to join Interpol after two rounds of votes by the representatives of the international police organisation’s members in Dubai. The vote has been fiercely opposed by Serbia. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

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Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

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Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

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Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

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Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here

News
Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …

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Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International

As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

News

Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

News

Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

News

Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

News

Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

News

Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here

News

Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …

News

Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International

As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here