Kosovo philosopher Shkelzen Maliqi barred from entering Serbia
Shkelzen Maliqi, philosopher and art critic, was barred on Monday from entering Serbia when he was due to attend a discussion on cultural cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia. Maliqi says Serbia’s move is retaliation against Kosovo officials, although as he has no political role. Original post Here
Kosovo philosopher Shkelzen Maliqi barred from entering Serbia
Shkelzen Maliqi, philosopher and art critic, was barred on Monday from entering Serbia when he was due to attend a discussion on cultural cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia. Maliqi says Serbia’s move is retaliation against Kosovo officials, although as he has no political role. Original post Here
Kosovo wants the Association of Serb Municipalities without executive powers
Kosovo chief negotiator in technical talks with Serbia, Avni Arifi, met on Monday in Brussels senior EU officials who facilitate the dialogue with Serbia, headed by Thomas Busch. During the meeting Kosovo delegation presented the results of the dialogue and reiterated that the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities will be established …
Pacolli asks Israel to recognise Kosovo’s Independence
Kosovo Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, received Monday Israeli Ambassador, Alona Fisher Kamm when they discussed on bilateral relations between the two nations and enhancing further cooperation. Original post Here
European Commission to decide on visas for Kosovo on 28 June
The European Commission is expected to decide on 28 June whether Kosovo has fulfilled all the visa liberalisation benchmarks, and based on the EC report, the EU institutions will decide whether or not Kosovo deserves visa free regime in the EU Schengen area. This has been confirmed to Gazeta Express, …
Kosovo Parliament Speaker asks France’s support on visa liberalisation
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, has travelled to Paris, as part of his tour in the EU member countries lobbying to get support for the visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Veseli who last week visited Austria, is accompanied by a group of ruling and opposition MPs during his lobbying tour. Original …
No date on resumption of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, says Collaku
Bekim Collaku, chief of cabinet of the Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, said that he expects the final phase of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will start soon, but no date has been set yet. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Interpol membership bid included in the agenda
Kosovo’s bid for membership into International Criminal Police Organisation – Interpol has been included in their agenda. This has been confirmed by Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli. Original post Here
British Ambassador says return of Xhabir Zharku as a free man is shameful
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, says the return of former Kacanik mayor, Xhabir Zharku as a free man to Kosovo, is shameful. Zharku was sentenced to three years in prison for extortion and the illegal possession of weapon, but he escaped from Kosovo evading justice. Original post Here
Once most wanted fugitive returns in Kosovo to help ‘develop the country’
Former mayor of Kacanik, Xhabir Zharku, who was sentenced in 2011 to three years in prison for extortion and the illegal possession of weapon, has returned home last week as free man after six years on the run. Upon his return to his hometown after the statute of limitations has …
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here
The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here
As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here
Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here
From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here
As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here
Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here
The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …