KSF Commander: Kosovo Army within months
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) General Commander, Rrahman Rama, commenting the Government’s initiative on transformation of this force into army, said that he believes the creation of Kosovo Army will happen within months. Original post Here
US Ambassador welcomes filing of pension fraud indictment
The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, commenting on filing of the indictment against former members of the Government’s commission on verification of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans’ status, said he is “proud of Kosovo for taking this important step to fight corruption.” Original post Here
Ex-KLA commanders indicted of faking war veterans' lists
Special Prosecution of Kosovo has filed on Friday an indictment against 11 former members of the Government’s commission on verification of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans’ status. The indictment which was filed in August by ex-prosecutor Elez Blakaj, who resigned citing threats and intimidation for investigating alleged wrongdoings during …
European Parliament approves visa liberalisation talks with Kosovo
The European Parliament approved on Thursday, with 420 votes against 186, the opening of talks on visa liberalisation for citizens of Kosovo. The vote came after the European Commission in July confirmed that the country had fulfilled all the criteria. Kosovars are the only Balkan citizens to still need a …
Kosovo opposition boycotts plenary session of Parliament
The Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje have boycotted Thursday’s plenary session of Parliament asking holding of an extraordinary session proposed by the opposition to halt dialoguing of borders with Serbia. Original post Here
Kosovo gets a step closer to creation of its Army
Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Rrustem Berisha, has officially proposed today that country’s 2,500-strong civil protection force be transformed into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Great Britain considers land swap dangerous for the region
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, during a meeting with the leader of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti, said his country supports sovereignty of Kosovo and every change of border is dangerous not only for Kosovo, but the entire region. Original post Here
It’s worth discussing swap of Presheva Valley with the north of Kosovo, says President’s advisor
Blerim Shala, political advisor to Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, talking on final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia said that it is worth discussing with Serbia swapping of Presheva Valley inhabited mainly by Albanians with the north of Kosovo inhabited by Serbs. Original post Here
Kosovo opposition tells EU’s Mogherini they are against land swap idea
Opposition parties in Kosovo Parliament, LDK, Vetevendosje, PSD and Alaternativa, sent on Wednesday a letter to Federica Mogherini informing the EU foreign policy chief that they are against President Hashim Thaci’s idea on exchange of territories with Serbia. Also they say that current Government has lost its legitimacy to represent …
European Parliament to vote on visas for Kosovo tomorrow
European Parliament is expected to vote Thursday on the European Commission’s recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo, announced European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Original post Here
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …
By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …
New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here
The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here
By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …
BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here
As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here