O’Connell: High-level corruption Kosovo’s main challenge
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, says that high-level corruption remains one of the biggest challenges in Kosovo which is harming democracy and obstructing economic development. He also said that results of fighting high-level corruption are invisible, noting that sentences of high-profile cases are symbolic. Original post Here
PM Haradinaj calls an extraordinary session of Assembly to discuss Budget 2018
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, exercising his Constitutional right called for an extraordinary meeting of the Assembly where MPs are expected to discuss Draft Law on budget 2018. Original post Here
KLA veterans’ representative statement on political killings stirs condemnation in Kosovo
A statement of ex-Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) member, Nasim Haradinaj, who denied killing of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) officials after the war in Kosovo were politically motivated, received much condemnation from the LDK officials and family members of those killed after the war. Original post Here
Supreme Court President asks EULEX to end its mission
President of the Supreme Court of Kosovo, Enver Peci, says that the EU should close its rule of law mission in Kosovo – EULEX noting that Kosovo is capable of dealing with its own problems. Original post Here
Vucic asks Putin if Moscow could be mediator in Kosovo dialogue
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says Belgrade expects Russia to act as a mediator to resolve the Kosovo issue. Original post Here
Hoxhaj: Kosovo to apply for EU membership in 2018
Kosovo deputy prime minister, Enver Hoxhaj, is worried that the new draft strategy on EU enlargement offers no clarification on Kosovo’s EU accession. He also said that Kosovo would apply to join the EU in 2018, if Pristina fulfills all obligations deriving from the European Reform Agenda (ERA). Original post …
Kosovo Man Arrested On Terror Charges
The Kosovo Police say they have arrested a man in Mitrovica suspected of terrorism charges. Original post Here
Kosovo signs contract to build new power plant
Kosovo authorities have signed a contract with the US Company Contour Global to build a 500-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant, the first major project since the country declared independence in 2008. Original post Here
Putin: We accept any mutually acceptable solution for Belgrade, Pristina
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Moscow would support any mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo that Belgrade and Pristina might agree to. Original post Here
PM Haradinaj: Kosovo to ask for EU candidate status
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, during an interview with Gazeta Express said that Pristina intends to apply for the candidate status at the European Union. He also said that the EU cannot keep Kosovo isolated infinitely. Talking on visa liberalisation, Haradinaj expressed his convenience that Kosovo citizens will move freely …
By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …
Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …
by Agron Vrangalla Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – Moscow systematically uses information manipulation as an instrument of foreign policy. In North Macedonia, Russian propaganda relies on several recurring narratives that exploit domestic political tensions and social vulnerabilities. The impact of Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans is neither new …
Parliament now expected to lift immunity. Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Constitutional Court’s decision to leave in force the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Belinda Balluku has reopened a deep institutional conflict in Albania, sharpening tensions between the executive, the judiciary, and Parliament, while placing …
A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here