Dialogue with Serbia is meaningless if it does not lead to mutual recognition, Thaci says
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci addressed media on Thursday upon his return from Brussels after meeting last Sunday his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic. Thaci said the only topic discussed in the first meeting of the final phase of the dialogue, hosted by the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, was on …
Serbian Defence Minister will be arrest if he enters Kosovo
Serbian Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin, has been banned from entering Kosovo to attend the annual celebration of St. Vitus Day in Gazimestan. Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not approved his visit and warned that he might be arrested if enters Kosovo illegally. Original post Here
President Thaci in Paris: The EU should do more to support Western Balkans
President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, delivering a lecture at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Paris said that the EU should do more to support the European perspective of Western Balkans. Thaci in his addressing spoke on the integration into the European Union and solving of bilateral disputes between …
Two gold medals for Kosovo in Spain
Kosovo Judokas won two women’s gold medals at Mediterranean Games in Tarragona of Spain. Original post Here
EULEX will undergo substantial changes, says Alexandra Papadopoulou
The head of EULEX, Alexandra Papadopoulou, said that the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo is making substantial changes with the new mandate. Original post Here
Kosovo bans entry of Serbian Defence Minister
Kosovo has banned Serbia’s Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin from entering the country, who announced attendance in the annual event of St. Vitus Day, celebrated by Serbs as Vidovdan every 28 June. Original post Here
European Commission Report on visas for Kosovo to be announced within days, Arifi says
Avni, Arifi, chief of staff of the Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the decision of the European Commission on whether Kosovo has fulfilled the criteria on visa liberalisation will be announced in the coming days. Arifi believes the EC will open the way for visa-free regime. Original post Here
Liberia to open Embassy in Pristina, reaffirming recognition of Kosovo
Kosovo Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, met on Wednesday the President of Liberia, George Weah. Pacolli’s visit to Monrovia came after Serbian authorities alleged that this African country has revoked Kosovo’s recognition. Pacolli’s visit and Weah’s promise to open embassy in Kosovo have finally ended the debate on Kosovo’s recognition. Original …
Kosovo Army according to NATO criteria, a credible ally for security
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, met on Wednesday leaders of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT), headed by its director, Ralf Hoffman. Original post Here
Luxemburg meeting, Council waiting for the EC assessment on visas for Kosovo
EU General and Foreign Affairs Councils adopted on Tuesday in Luxembourg conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkan countries. This document will be reviewed after two days by the EU chief during a meeting of the Council of the European Union. In Kosovo’s part it …
Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here
Saudi Ambassador Faisal Ghazi Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025, The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …
ELBASAN, Albania, July 5,— For days, thick plumes of toxic smoke have risen from the burning landfill on the outskirts of Elbasan, one of Albania’s largest industrial cities. The stench of melting plastic, rotting waste, and scorched earth now hangs over entire neighborhoods. But this is not an isolated accident. …
As Serbia grapples with one of its most volatile moments in recent political history, the warning signs of regime decay are hard to ignore. The recent student-led protests, marred by repression, nationalist hijacking, and social unrest, are more than a youth revolt—they are a reckoning. Sonja Biserko, the longtime chair …
Opposition parties and media unions condemn new strategy adopted by parliament, claiming the government wants to use it to exert more control over the media. Original post Here
As BIRN celebrates two decades of work, there never seems to be a dull moment in the region, as our selection of Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
By Tirana Times Staff FIER/TIRANA, July 2, 2025 — In a stunning development that has shaken Albania’s oil sector, police arrested the current CEO of Bankers Petroleum, Chinese national Hongping Xiao, and the company’s former director, Leonidha Çobo, during a surprise raid on the company’s headquarters in Fier on Tuesday. …
CEO Arrested, €4 Billion in Oil Sales Revealed, and Zero Profit Tax Paid to the Albanian State FIER/TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) — Albania’s largest oil producer, Bankers Petroleum, is at the center of a sweeping scandal that prosecutors say involves one of the most egregious cases of tax fraud and …
While Turning UK Migration Debate into Personal Stagecraft TIRANA TIMES — July 2, 2025 — A fiery public exchange between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and British right-wing populist Nigel Farage has brought the issue of Albanian migration into the political spotlight once again — but this time with a …
The participants of the Growth Plan Summit, 1 July 2025, Skopje; Photo: European Commission By Tirana Times SKOPJE, July 2, 2025 — The European Union’s renewed enthusiasm for enlargement took center stage at this week’s Growth Plan Summit in Skopje, where EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos joined the leaders …