EU Office in Kosovo, German Embassy appeal against increasing the maximal age of imported cars
The EU Office in Kosovo and German Embassy expressed their disappointment with the initiative to increase the maximal age of imported second hand cars to 15 years. On Tuesday the Assembly Committee on Economic Development approved legal amendments enabling import of to 15 years old triggering reaction of civil society …
Kosovo’s PM urges Mitrovica mayor to refrain from giving statements on opening of the bridge
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj called on Mitrovica South Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, to refrain from giving statements on opening of the main bridge of Mitrovica dividing the city in ethnic lines. Bahtiri said on Tuesday that the revitalised bridge will reopen soon with a performance of a US singer. Original …
Kosovo’s FM: Revocation of recognition by Lesotho fake news spread by Belgrade
Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry refuted Serb media reports that Lesotho has revoked the recognition of Kosovo calling the allegations as fake news spread by officials in Belgrade. Original post Here
Mitrovica Mayor announces massive concert to open the bridge diving the city in ethnic lines
Mayor of the Mitrovica South Agim Bahtiri says the main bridge which symbolically and physically separates Albanians in the south and Serbs in the north will open soon. He promises the opening ceremony of the reconstructed bridge with the European Union money will be done with a concert of world’s …
Kosovo’s Thaci on correction of Border: I withdraw if better solution is proposed
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in an interview with T7 said his proposal on “correction of border” between Kosovo and Serbia is “constitutional, legal and indisputable.” The proposal is being strongly opposed by the opposition parties. Original post Here
Ekrem Mustafa is officially minister of Internal Affairs
Ekrem Mustafa has been appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, a day after former minister Bejtush Gashi was dismissed at the proposal of his party, the AKR. Original post Here
Kosovo opposition wants election first, dialogue with Serbia later
Chief of parliamentary group of the opposition party, LDK, Avdullah Hoti, in a Facebook post said they want early election first and continue the dialogue with Serbia later. Hoti says it is impossible to work on normalisation of relations with Serbia and have abnormal institutional relations within Kosovo. Original post …
Kosovo junior coalition party replaces Minister of Interior
Behgjet Pacolli’s party Alliance New Kosova (AKR), the junior party in the ruling coalition, in unexpected move on Monday has decided to replace minister of Integral Affairs, Bejtush Gashi, only five months after his appointment. The AKR proposed Ekrem Mustafa as new minister of Interior who has to be confirmed …
Specialist Prosecution Office asks Basic Courts in Kosovo transfer of war crime files
The Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office set up to prosecute alleged war crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during 1998-2000 has asked basic courts to hand over some of the war crime files dealt by Kosovo judiciary, T7 has learned. Original post Here
Kosovo Army to be created this year, says Speaker of Parliament
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, after meeting chiefs of parliamentary groups on Monday morning said the Army of Kosovo will be created this year. The Parliament’s Presidency proceeded this morning to plenary session a package of laws enabling transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Procedures …
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here