Kosovo President’s brother involved in fight
Gani Thaci, the brother of Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci, has on Wednesday physically assaulted the director of the Kosovo Insurance Bureau (KIB), Blerim Pushkolli, as well as the director of the insurance company “Illyria”, Slovenian citizen Gianni Sokolic. Original post Here
Montenegro officially joins NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo
Montenegro has on Tuesday joined the KFOR mission in Kosovo as the 29th troop contributing nation, which is the longest peacekeeping mission in NATO history. Original post Here
Austrian President lobbying for Kosovo to get visa liberalisation by the end of year
Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen, was hosted on Tuesday by his Albanian Counterpart, Ilir Meta, Gazeta Express reports. During the meeting the two presidents discussed visa liberalisation for Kosovo. The Austrian President said that visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens should happen as soon as possible. Original post Here
State Dept official visits Kosovo amidst debate on border adjustment with Serbia
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj hosted in separate meetings the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Matthew Palmer. Haradinaj briefed the US State Department official on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army, whereas Thaci said after the meeting that he discussed with Palmer …
Army to be deployed throughout Kosovo territory, KSF Commander says
Future Army of Kosovo will be deployed throughout the territory of Kosovo, says Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Commander, General Lieutenant, Rrahman Rama. He said approval of laws in Parliament on Thursday on transition of the KSF into army is one of the most important milestones for the state of Kosovo. …
US Embassy comments Kosovo's initiative to transform Security Force into Army
US Embassy to Kosovo continues to support disciplined and transparent transition of the KSF into a professional, multi-ethnic, NATO interoperable army with limited mandate of territorial self-defence. This was confirmed to Gazeta Express by the US Embassy in Pristina commenting the laws that the Kosovo Parliament passed on Thursday, enabling …
Turkey calls for closure of Gulen schools in Kosovo
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Çavusoglu who is visiting Kosovo, asked the Government of Kosovo to close all schools of the “FETO” organisation, sponsored by religious leader Fetulah Gulen, an organisation which as Çavusoglu said is a terrorist organisation responsible for killing of over 200 people during a failed coup in …
Kosovo PM vows 'uncompromising fight' against terrorism
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, hosted Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the US State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism. Haradinaj in a Facebook post said that joint with Sales they discussed current political developments in Kosovo. Original post Here
UN Secretary General looking into UNMIK exit strategy initiative proposed by the US
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres is looking into the US initiative on an exit strategy for UNMIK, Belgrade based news agency Beta reported citing its sources within the UN headquarters on Friday. Original post Here
Kosovo in continuous contact with NATO over army, PM Haradinaj says
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said Kosovo is in continuous contact with NATO and expressed his optimism that the country will join NATO. He made the comments a day after the Parliament of Kosovo passed in principle a package of laws on transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into …
A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here