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Kosovo President Thaci briefs Government on dialogue with Serbia

President Hashim Thaci is set to report today before Kosovo Government ministers after his latest round of the high level dialogue with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, hosted by the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, in Brussels. Original post Here

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Vidovdan celebration without incidents

Hundreds of Serbs peacefully marked Vidovdan in Gazimestan in Kosovo on Thursday under heightened security measures. The main highlight of the annual event which is observed by Serbs from Kosovo and Serbia is a religious ceremony held in Gazimestan near capital Pristina. Original post Here

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Kosovo establishes the committee to investigate deportation of Turkish nationals

The Parliament of Kosovo has on Thursday voted to set up the committee to investigate how six Turkish citizens were arrested and deported to Turkey. Original post Here

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Arifi on the dialogue with Serbia: No partition, or destabilisation of Kosovo

Kosovo chief negotiator in technical talks with Sebria, Avni Arifi, answering to Serbia’s offer on partition of Kosovo, assured that there will be no partition noting that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has no alternative. Original post Here

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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 …

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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

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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 …

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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

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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

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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

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Albanian Prosecution Accuses Former Ruling Party MP of Organised Crime Ties

Special prosecutors conclude investigation into Jurgis Cyrbja, accusing the former Socialist MP of sharing state information with organised crime group members in exchange for their support in elections. Original post Here

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Opposition: The Prime Minister Must Go!

In a meeting held yesterday with local officials, the leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, declared that the country is facing a series of serious problems that require deep and structural reforms. One of the first issues raised was that of drinking water. “Despite reported improvements, the situation calls for …

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Skyscrapers and Shadows: Albania’s Construction Boom Masking a Web of Crime and Corruption

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) July 15,2025 — Just 300 meters from the office of Albania’s Prime Minister, a 40-story tower rises over Tirana’s skyline. It’s one of dozens of new high-rises reshaping the capital. But behind the glass and steel façade lies a darker truth that experts say reflects Albania’s …

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From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

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Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

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Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albanian Prosecution Accuses Former Ruling Party MP of Organised Crime Ties

Special prosecutors conclude investigation into Jurgis Cyrbja, accusing the former Socialist MP of sharing state information with organised crime group members in exchange for their support in elections. Original post Here

News

Opposition: The Prime Minister Must Go!

In a meeting held yesterday with local officials, the leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, declared that the country is facing a series of serious problems that require deep and structural reforms. One of the first issues raised was that of drinking water. “Despite reported improvements, the situation calls for …

News

Skyscrapers and Shadows: Albania’s Construction Boom Masking a Web of Crime and Corruption

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) July 15,2025 — Just 300 meters from the office of Albania’s Prime Minister, a 40-story tower rises over Tirana’s skyline. It’s one of dozens of new high-rises reshaping the capital. But behind the glass and steel façade lies a darker truth that experts say reflects Albania’s …

News

From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

News

Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …