Kosovo Speaker of Parliament, MPs touring EU lobbying for visa liberalization
Speaker of Kosovo Parliament, Kadri Veseli, accompanied by a group of Kosovo MPs are expected to visit France and Austria, lobbying for visa liberalization for Kosovo. Original post Here
EU members want to involve in final phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue
The EU member countries have asked involvement in the final phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue which is being facilitated by the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini. Original post Here
Kosovo contributing to regional and global stability – PM Haradinaj
In the Global Security Conference, with special emphasis on the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and radicalism, which is being held in Tirana, Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said that Kosovo plays constructive role in regional cooperation, in order to create peace and stability. Original post Here
EULEX remains in Kosovo only with advisory role
Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, has submitted on Monday to the EU authorities the exchange of letters with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, which concludes current mandate of EULEX. Original post Here
Kosovo Parliament postpones debate on dialogue with Serbia
The Parliament of Kosovo has decided to postpone a debate on dialogue with Serbia. MPs were expected to debate and vote today a Government’s platform on the final phase of the dialogue with Serbia which gives President Hashim Thaci a leading role in the dialogue. Original post Here
Serbian President has turned down a US proposal on Kosovo
Media in Belgrade are reporting that Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, has refused a U.S. proposal on Kosovo. Original post Here
LDK against giving Thaci leading role in dialogue with Serbia
The opposition party of the Democratic League of Kosovo – LDK, will not support the Government’s platform on dialogue with Serbia, which gives President Hashim Thaci leading role in dialogue with Serbia. Original post Here
Opposition against giving Thaci a leading role in dialogue with Serbia
The biggest opposition party – the Democratic League of Kosovo has decided not to support Hashim Thaci as chief negotiator in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. A source told Gazeta Express that the LDK has decided not to support the Government’s proposal for giving the President the leading role …
Kosovo Parliament to discuss President’s role in dialogue with Serbia
The Parliament of Kosovo is expected to review on Monday the draft-platform of the Government on finalization of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, on normalization of relations. The Government in its strategy has proposed giving President Thaci a leading role in dialogue with Serbia. Original post Here
Reconciliation with Serbia only after recognizing Kosovo – PM Haradinaj
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said that Kosovo will accept reconciliation with Serbia in exchange to recognition. According to him, this does not mean that Kosovo will forget crimes that Serbia has committed the war at the end of 90s. Original post Here
By Genc Pollo The European Union’s stance on democracy in the Balkans is increasingly difficult to defend. The recent visit of EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos to Albania is a glaring example of Brussels’ selective engagement, where stability appears to take precedence over genuine democratic governance. Despite mounting evidence of …
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania Venesday March 12th—A special appeals court in Albania has upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, rejecting his request for a more lenient security measure. The ruling, reaffirmed on Monday by Judge Engert Pëllumbi, has sparked significant controversy, with Veliaj’s legal team and …
The Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church has elected Metropolitan Joan Pelushi of Korça as the new Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania. The 69-year-old cleric succeeds Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, marking a historic transition for the Church after more than three decades of leadership under the Greek- born …
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times ) The Albanian government has nearly doubled the projected cost of its “Smart City” initiative, now expected to cost $118.5 million—up from the initially planned $60 million—raising concerns over transparency, lack of competition, and the protection of personal data. The government announced the …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Appeals court dismisses plea to release the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, who is in detention as charges of corruption and money laundering are investigated. Original post Here
Albania’s communist-era military bunkers – now a tourist attraction but also a reource for experimental artists – are dotted everywhere, from beaches to mountain tops. Original post Here
By Lutfi Dervishi Sweden remains a steadfast supporter of Albania’s European Union accession, citing the importance of enlargement in the wake of geopolitical shifts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Minister for European Union Affairs and Nordic Cooperation Jessica Rosencrantz, who vizited today (March 10th) Albania,highlighted Sweden’s commitment to a merit-based …
By Valentina Leskaj Ollga, the woman with deep black eyes, who appears so elegant in an old photograph wearing a hat, often comes to my mind whenever we discuss the Women’s Movement. Her portrait, as she spoke to me in that simple but beautiful house on Rruga e Kavajës, …
This article was produced as part of the Thematic Networks of PULSE, a European initiative that supports transnational journalistic collaborations The woodlands of Albania are a verdant expanse that once covered nearly half of the country’s rugged and mountainous terrain. In these past 25 years, however, they have been …