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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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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

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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

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BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital

Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? 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

News

BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital

Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here