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Haradinaj’s party conditions dialogue with the visa liberalisation

Members of Parliament of the ruling Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) have submitted Thursday a draft-resolution asking the Government of Kosovo not to resume dialogue with Serbia, until the EU takes a final decision on removing visas for citizens of Kosovo. Original post Here

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Thaci and Vucic to meet on 18 July in Brussels

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, will meet next week, on 18 July, President Hashim Thaci of Kosovo and President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia in the context of the continuation of her facilitation of the EU-facilitated Dialogue. Original post Here

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Kosovo President Thaci draws red lines in talks with Serbia after all

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said on Thursday that Kosovo has “red Lines” when it comes to the final phase of the dialogue with Serbia. Thaci drew the “red lines” in talks with Serbia after criticism from opposition parties. Earlier this month Thaci, who leads the political dialogue with Serbia, said …

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Fajon expects EC report on visas for Kosovo be published before summer break

Tanja Fajon, the European Parliament rapporteur on visa liberalisation for Kosovo, said that she expects the European Commission report on whether Kosovo has fulfilled all the criteria on visa liberalisation, be published before summer break. Media have reported that the EC is delaying publication of the report due to be …

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Kosovo PM wants ‘political truce’ with Serbia

Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said at the end of the Western Balkans Summit in London that he expressed his concerns during his meetings in London over Serbia’s continuous pressure on Kosovo Serbs to leave the Kosovo Security Force. Original post Here

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Journalist who is investigating Ivanovic’s murder assaulted in Serbia

Serbian Journalist, Stefan Cvetkovic, who has investigated killing of the Kosovo Serb politican Oliver Ivanovic killed in January in Mitrovica North, was physically assaulted in front of a cafe in his home town of Bela Crkva on Monday evening. The Serbian police have arrested a man suspected of assaulting Cvetkovic, …

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Avramopoulos confirmed to Thaci that there will be no delays on visas

Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, said that he got confirmation from the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos, that Kosovars will expect soon a “good news” on visas. Original post Here

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Pacolli in London: Time for final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia

The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia facilitated by the European Union has brought positive results, but time has come to talk on reaching a final agreement, which is for the benefit of both countries, said Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli in his addressing attending the EU-Western Balkans Summit in London. …

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Kosovo President Thaci meets Russian PM Medvedev

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci met on Monday Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The meeting was held in Ankara, when many state leaders are gathered to attend the inauguration of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Original post Here

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Belgrade is blackmailing Kosovo Serb members of KSF, Çeku says

Around 40 members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) of Serbian community have left the force. This came after pressure exerted on them by Belgrade, says Agim Çeku, deputy minister of KSF. Original post Here

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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 …