EU welcomes announcement on start drafting Statute of the Association of Serb municipalities in Kosovo
The EU Office in Kosovo announced that Angelina Eichhorst, Director for Western Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey, and Deputy Managing Director in the European External Action Service (EEAS), was on a two-days visit in Pristina to address recent developments and urgent next steps. According to a press release Eichhorst …
Haradinaj says Brussels ‘slow and weak’ in Kosovo-Serbia negotiations
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has been harsh on Brussels over their role as facilitators of the dialogue with Serbia. He says that if the European Union has no capacity to help Kosovo, then they should seek help. Original post Here
Kosovo-Serbia legally binding agreement means mutual recognition, says President Thaci
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said that based on the terminology used in the EU Strategy on Western Balkans which was published in February, reaching of a legally-binding agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is a matter of urgency. Original post Here
Kosovo intelligence chief offered his resignation after 6 Turks are secretly deported
Director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Driton Gashi, has offered his resignation, said minister of Justice, Abelard Tahiri, during an interview with the TV program Pressing aired in T7. Original post Here
Kosovo denies claims that Burundi has revoked recognition
Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted following recent media reports that the Republic of Burundi has revoked recognition of Kosovo’s independence. In a press release the Foreign Ministry confirmed that they have received no official letter from Burundi authorities on de-recognition. Original post Here
Kosovo recommence work on establishment of Serbian Municipal Association
Kosovo officials have renewed efforts to implement the agreement reached with Serbia on setting up the Association of Serb-majority municipalities. Original post Here
Russian Foreign Ministry says EULEX gave ‘tacit approval’ for Djuric’s arrest
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo – EULEX, of giving tacit approval for arresting the director of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric. Original post Here
Kosovo MPs to debate deportation of six Turkish nationals
The Parliament of Kosovo will convene today at 14:00 to discuss the arrest and deportation of the six Turkish men suspected of their alleged links with Fetullah Gulen movement. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Xhavit Haliti, confirmed the news today. Original post Here
Kosovo has fulfilled visa liberalisation benchmarks, says President Thaci
President Hashim Thaci said Kosovo made concrete steps on strengthening of the rule of law and achieved progress in fighting corruption. This is the last benchmark for Kosovo to get visa liberalisation with the EU. Original post Here
EU comments arrest of Turkish men: Arbitrary arrest, exile against EU principles
The European Union has reacted after last week Kosovo arrested and deported six Turkish men wanted by Turkish authorities of their alleged links with Fetullah Gulen’s movement. In an answer to Gazeta Express, the EU called the arrest of the Turkish men as arbitrary and in violation with the EU …
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. 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
Tirana Times, January 26, 2026 – Albania’s attempted entry into the Peace Board has become a revealing episode, not because of the significance of the initiative itself, but because of the way Albania’s leadership chose to stage and communicate it domestically. The Peace Board represents a new and ambitious international …
Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania has joined the Peace Board, a newly established international mechanism initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at overseeing peace agreements and post-conflict stabilization efforts, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip. The Peace Board was formally launched during the World Economic …
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …