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It’s official: Avramopoulos confirms Kosovo fulfils all visa liberalisation benchmarks

The EU Commissioner on Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos says Kosovo has met all visa liberalisation benchmarks. He made the statements during a joint press conference with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in Brussels. Original post Here

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Commissioner Avramopoulos confirms: Kosovo has fulfilled visa liberalization benchamrks

Dimitris Avramopoulos, European Commissioner on Home Affairs and Statehood, in an op.ed sent to the Kosovo daily Koha Ditore, which will be published on Thursday, has stated that Kosovo marked progress and fulfilled all visa liberalization benchmarks. Original post Here

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Kosovo leaders united on dialogue with Serbia, says PM Haradinaj after meeting Mogherini

Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, who is visiting Brussels as part of Kosovo high level delegation, said that they confirmed to the EU’s High Representative, Federica Mogherini, that Kosovo institutions are united when it comes to the dialogue with Serbia. Original post Here

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Mogherini: Thaci and Vucic agreed to reconvene in a few weeks' time

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, hosted a meeting of the High Level Dialogue with President Hashim Thaci of Kosovo and President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia. Original post Here

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Kosovo expects today ‘great news’ on visas, says Veseli

Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, said after meeting the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini in Brussels, that Kosovo citizens today will hear “a very good news” related to visa liberalization with the EU Schengen area. Original post Here

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Kosovo President had ‘short but difficult’ meeting with Serbian counterpart

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci addressing media after meeting his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels said today’s round of dialogue was short but the most difficult one since he started negotiations with Vucic six years ago. Original post Here

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Kosovo leaders in Brussels without platform on dialogue with Serbia

Kosovo institutional leaders headed by President Hashim Thaci have travelled in Brussels today to meet with Serbian delegation in the frame of the final phase of dialogue with Serbia. The leaders are in Brussels without a clear platform on talks with Belgrade and without reaching an internal consensus on who …

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Opposition disputes legitimacy of Kosovo negotiators in dialogue with Serbia

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) says Kosovo negotiation team, headed by President Hashim Thaci have no authority and legitimacy to represent Kosovo in dialogue with Serbia. Original post Here

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US gave 10 million Dollars to KSF for fighting terrorism, organised crime

US Secretaries, of Defence and Foreign Policy agreed to allocate 10 million Dollars for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) for fighting in anti-terrorism operation and fighting international organised crime. Original post Here

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Kosovo Security Force gets US Humvees as the force is preparing for transition

The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) signed Tuesday a contract with AM General on purchasing 24 multifunctional military vehicles, whereas 27 Humvees will be donated by the US authorities. The Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said that transformation of the KSF into army will be done in full coordination with the support …

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Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

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Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

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After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

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“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

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Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

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Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

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Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

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With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

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Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

News

Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

News

With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

News

Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …