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Serbian President confirms receiving a Western plan for Kosovo

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed in Sofia on Wednesday that he received a plan the West prepared as a proposal to solve the Kosovo issue. Original post Here

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Kosovo President Thaci arrives in Sofia

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, has arrived today to Sofia when he joined other leaders of the EU and Western Balkans who are gathered in Bulgarian capital to attend the EU-WB summit set to be held on 17-18 May. Original post Here

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President’s Advisor: QUINT meeting in Washington about final phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

Blerim Shala, political advisor to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, has confirmed that a meeting of the QUINT representatives (U.S., UK, Germany, France, and Italy) held in Washington last week was held to discuss final phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and coordination on Kosovo’s membership into international organisations. Original post Here

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Spanish PM will not attend EU-Balkans summit over Kosovo

Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has decided not participate in the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, due to his country’s position on Kosovo. Spain is one of the five EU member countries which have not recognised Kosovo’s independence. Original post Here

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Haradinaj urges Kosovo Serbs to support creation of Army

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj after meeting foreign ambassadors accredited in Pristina said that time has come for transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Armed Force of Kosovo. He said that establishment of the Kosovo Army is well accepted by Kosovo Serbs, and urged Srpska List to vote …

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Hoxhaj after meeting Hahn: Kosovo expects positive recommendation on visas from the EC

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, is visiting Brussels when he met the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn. Original post Here

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Fajon: European Commission to deliver its assessment on visa as soon as possible

Tanja Fajon, rapporteur for visa liberalisation in the European Parliament, said that she will encourage the European Commission to deliver its assessment on the progress Kosovo has made in fulfilling visa liberalisation benchmarks. Original post Here

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Kosovo set for Government reshuffle after pressure from US, EU: online media

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj is expected to announce a government reshuffle after the U.S. and the EU criticized his cabinet for a high number of ministries and deputy ministers. Original post Here

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Kosovo Serb Pleads Not Guilty to War Crimes

Darko Tasic, a Kosovo Serb who was arrested last year and charged with war crimes against Albanian civilians in 1999, pleaded not guilty at the first hearing on Monday in Basic Court of Prizren. Original post Here

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Kosovo asks Austria to supports visa liberalization

Kosovo Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, met in Vienna the Secretary-General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Michael Linhart. Original post Here

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Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

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Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

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

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Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

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

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After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

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“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

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 …

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Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

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

News
Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

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

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Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

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

News
Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

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

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

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

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

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

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

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 …

News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

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

News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

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

News

Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

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

News

Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

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