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Kosovo opposition insists on snap elections after ruling coalition loses majority

The opposition party of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) during a meeting on Tuesday said the country entered a deep institutional and political crisis and called on all parties to sit and set the date of snap elections as soon as possible. Original post Here

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Kosovo Parliament to hold urgent session after deportation of Turkish nationals

Kosovo Parliament presidency during a meeting on Wednesday is expected to decide on scheduling a plenary session when MPs will discuss the arrest and deportation of six Turkish nationals, suspected of their links with the Gulen movement. Original post Here

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U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade: Vucic admits Kosovo is one of the EU conditions

U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade, Kyle Scott, said that the Sofia Summit of the Six Western Balkan Countries with the EU and the new EU Strategy on Western Balkans are important for integration of the region into the EU. Original post Here

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Kosovo Interior Minister confirms leaving post after deportation of Turkish nationals

Ruling coalition partner – Alliance New Kosova (AKR) headed by Behgjet Pacolli – confirmed Tuesday that the minister of Internal Affairs, Flamur Sefaj, has answered to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj’s request and left the position. Haradinaj asked last week Sefaj to resign for his involvement in arresting and deportation of …

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Kosovo, Serbia energy dispute fixed

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity has fixed a glitch between Kosovo and Serbia that had slowed down clocks across Europe for months. Original post Here

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Kosovo Parliament Speaker says Erdogan’s statements are ‘concerning’

Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, says he is surprised with the statements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who criticised Kosovo Government actions, after deportation of the six Turkish nationals suspected of their links with the Gulen movement. Original post Here

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Turkey condemns ‘provocative reports’ targeting Turkish Embassy in Kosovo

The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected and condemned what is called “malicious media manipulations” in Kosovo, specifically news reports claiming that six Turkish men deported from the country were in the Turkish Embassy in Pristina. The reaction came a day after Turkish president Erdogan slammed Kosovo PM Haradinaj for sacking Interior …

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Erdogan slams Kosovo PM after sacking interior minister, intelligence chief, for arresting six Turks linked to Gulen

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj that he will be held accountable for sacking interior minister and intelligence chief over a joint operation by Turkish and Kosovar intelligence services, which resulted in the arrests and extradition of six Turkish nationals suspected of their links …

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Albanians clash with police opposing road toll

Thousands of Albania and Kosovo citizens clashed with the police on Saturday protesting against Albania’s toll road. Original post Here

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Kosovo President says extradited Turkish nationals suspected of ‘breaching national security’

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci addressing to media on Saturday said that the six arrested and extradited Turkish nationals suspected of their alleged links with Fetullah Gulen, were involved in “illegal activities” and were “threatening national security” of Kosovo. Original post Here

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Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

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Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. 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 …

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

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. 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