Albania introduces Durres-Kukes road toll fees
Albanian authorities have introduced today the toll fees on the National Road between Durres and Kukes, which also links Albania to Kosovo. Original post Here
Region to benefit from Kosovo Army, says deputy minister
Kosovo Government approved last week a decision to transform the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), a lightly armed civilian force, into Army of Kosovo. The Government is expected to amend current law on KSF in order to give additional competencies to this force. The move is seen with scepticism by internationals …
Kosovo’s PM thanks MEPs on their vote on visas
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, met on Monday a delegation of the European Parliament, headed by Tonino Picula. During the meeting they discussed recommendations deriving from the Stabilisation-Association Agreement (SAA), namely fulfilling of obligations from thew first phase of the European Reform Agenda (ERA) and preperations for implementation of the …
Avni Arifi to be appointed new Kosovo Ambassador to United Arab Emirates
Avni Arifi, chief of cabinet to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and head of Kosovo’s delegation in technical dialogue with Serbia, is expected to be appointed as new Kosovo Ambassador to United Arab Emirates. Original post Here
Council's decision on visas in December, says Kosovo EU Minister
Kosovo Minister of the European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, told media on Friday that the final decision of the European Council on lifting visas for Kosovo will not be taken before December. She warned authorities to be cautious in managing expectations noting that there are still procedures within the EU institutions …
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
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
On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …
BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here
Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here
Dramatic situation reported in several towns, while some locals complain of being abandoned. Original post Here
TIRANA TIMES, December 6, 2025 – Albania is once again under water. Torrential rains over the past days have triggered massive flooding across almost the entire country, exposing not only the fragility of urban infrastructure but, more fundamentally, the long-term failure of governance. From the northern plains to the southern …