Hahn: Serbia to join EU only after normalising relations with Kosovo
The EU commissioner in charge of the bloc’s membership negotiations, Johannes Hahn, during an interview with the Vienna-based daily Kurir said that new members can join the European Union by 2025. Original post Here
KFOR takes control over Air Traffic Tower of Kosovo’s International Airport
NATO peacekeeping troops – KFOR, is now in control of the Air Traffic Tower of Kosovo’s International Airport ‘Adem Jashari,” local media report. The move came following reports last year revealing breach of security protocols by Airport officials. Original post Here
Financial Times: EU to accept six states, including Kosovo
The European Union will “hold out the prospect of membership” to six Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, writes the Financial Times. Original post Here
Vetevendosje’s faction to form new caucus in Parliament
A faction of Vetevendosje MPs are expected to register a new caucus in Kosovo Parliament. Ten Vetevendosje MPs have already sent a request to the Parliament’s administration asking registration of the new parliamentary group. The move came after internal factions within the biggest opposition party. Original post Here
Ambassador Delawie comments on Pristina's pollution crisis
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, posted a tweet yesterday commenting on Pristina’s air pollution situation. The conditions have become unbearable for some, leading to a temporary ban being put into effect that restricts cars from driving in the center from 6:00 to 22:00. Original post Here
Thaci: Specialist Chambers will not be revoked
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said on Thursday that the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office will not be abolished. He made this comment when answering to journalists’ questions on the initiative of Kosovo MPs to abrogate the law on war crimes set to try alleged crimes of the …
Naser Kelmendi sentenced to six years imprisonment for selling drugs, cleared of murder charges
The alleged Balkan drug baron, Naser Kelmendi, has been sentenced to six years in prison for selling and trafficking narcotics but was cleared of murder charges. The verdict on Kelmendi’s case was given on Thursday. Original post Here
Serb Gendarmerie arrests two Kosovars
Two Kosovo Albanians have been arrested by Serbian gendarmerie at the village Llaushe of Podujeva near the border with Serbia, the Kosovo Police have confirmed. Original post Here
President Thaci commends EULEX but says it is time for Kosovo to take the lead
President Hashim Thaci addressed the media ahead of the tenth anniversary of Independence and mentioned Kosovo’s achievements during the first decade as an independent country. He said that Kosovo maintained cooperation with all mechanisms present in Kosovo. Original post Here
German Foreign Minister visits Kosovo on 7 February
German Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, will visit Kosovo on 7 February. During his official visit to Pristina he will meet Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and other senior state officials, chief of cabinet of the Kosovo Prime Minister, Avni Arifi, confirmed on Thursday. Original post Here
Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 – The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …
From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here
The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here
Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here
An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here
The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here
V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. 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