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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 …

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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. …

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

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Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

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Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

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We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

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Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News
Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

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Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News
Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News
Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

News

As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

News

Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

News

Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

News

We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News

Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here