Kosovo, Albania with unified customs in January 2019
The Agreement on unification of customs between Kosovo and Albania is expected to be signed on 26 November, during a joint meeting of the two governments which is set to be held in Peja. The two countries will start implementation of a unified customs as of 1 January 2019, Kosovo …
Kosovo's Thaci meets Russian President Vladimir Putin
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci is struggling to find international allies supporting his idea on correction of border with Serbia, which is dubbed by Kosovo opposition as Russian-Serbian plan. The proposal on correction of border is being opposed by historic partners of Kosovo, and is strongly supported by Serbia and Russia. …
Dick Marty denies Serbian media declarations on Special Court
The office of the former Swiss senator, Dick Marty, has denied that Marty provided a declaration on Special Court, as Serbian media reported, Gazeta Express reports. Original post Here
Serbia’s Police Officer Arrested in Drug Trafficking Case
A Serbian police officer has been arrested in Kosovo’s town of Istog in relation to a drug trafficking case. Serbia’s police officer used a trailer with Serbian plates to transport narcotics from Albania towards Belgrade using Kosovo as a transit, according to TV show ‘Justice in Kosova’. Original post Here
Serbia fabricating lies to attack Kosovo, says Enver Hoxhaj
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj, said that Kosovo needs a more proactive foreign policy and internal unification. Original post Here
Hundreds of Serbs want to join Kosovo Security Force
Kosovo’s Parliament Committee on oversight of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) held on Friday at the Media Centre of Caglavica a public debate with members of non-Albanian communities related to the package of draft laws on on KSF’s transformation into Armed Force. Original post Here
Kosovo President has no legitimacy to discuss with Serbia, says opposition leader
Leader of opposition party of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti, has reacted following Thursday’s meeting of presidents Hashim Thaci of Kosovo and Aleksandar Vucic of Sebria in Brussels as part of the high level dialogue facilitated by the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini. Original post Here
Merkel confirms Germany’s support for Kosovo’s membership in Interpol
German Chancellor Angela Merkel responding to letter of Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said that her country supports Kosovo’s bid to join Interpol. Original post Here
Kosovo to reconsider dialogue with Serbia, if visas are not lifted
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and his deputy Enver Hoxhaj say that Kosovo will reconsider participation in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia if the EU Council in its Decemebr meeting does not include in its agenda the visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Original post Here
Kosovo, Serbia presidents meeting in Brussels ends without results
The meeting of presidents of Kosovo and Serbia under the EU facilitation held on Thursday evening in Brussels ended without results. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. 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 Times, January 26, 2026 – Albania’s attempted entry into the Peace Board has become a revealing episode, not because of the significance of the initiative itself, but because of the way Albania’s leadership chose to stage and communicate it domestically. The Peace Board represents a new and ambitious international …
Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania has joined the Peace Board, a newly established international mechanism initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at overseeing peace agreements and post-conflict stabilization efforts, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip. The Peace Board was formally launched during the World Economic …
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here