Haradinaj meets MEPs: I got green light on visas
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj met on Friday a seven-MEP strong delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, David McAllister, when he got confirmation and green loight on visa liberalisation. Original post Here
EU unjust with Kosovo, says Veseli after meeting MEPs
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, met on Friday a high-level delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to discuss the European agenda of Kosovo. Original post Here
Kosovo’s PM accuses President of damaging country’s interests
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said Friday the President Hashim Thaci is harming country’s interests by promoting the idea on redrawing borders during dialogue with Serbia. Original post Here
Kosovo's President rejects any idea of a land swap with Serbia
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci said Friday in the Albanian capital Tirana that a land swap with Serbia would never occur. Original post Here
US sends special envoy to Kosovo to revive dialogue with Serbia
US top foreign service official, David Hale, is set to visit Kosovo on 8-9 March when he will meet Kosovo state leaders, US Embassy to Pristina confirmed. Hale who is undersecretary of state for political affairs, the third-highest ranking position in the State Department, comes to Pristina at the time …
Serbia lobbying against Kosovo’s membership to Interpol
Days after Kosovo authorities announced renewal of bid to joint Interpol, Serbia’s Minister of Interior, Nebojsa Stefanovic, sent a letter to Interpol general secretary and president asking this organization reject Pristina’s bid. Original post Here
Redrawing borders is dangerous, says British Ambassador O’Connell
British Ambassador to Kosovo Ruairi O’Connell talking on the land swap idea, said redrawing borders in Balkans is dangerous. Original post Here
Hague Prosecutors summon another ex-KLA commander
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office based at the Hague has summoned former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Agim Kuci, for questioning as suspect for his role during 1998-1999 war in Kosovo. Original post Here
Tax undermines US-Kosovo partnership, Embassy
US Embassy to Pristina has issued a press release after the visit of the National Security Council (NSC) Deputy Senior Director for Europe John Erath and NSC Director for European Affairs Brad Berkley. The US Embassy reiterats their message to Kosovo leaders that the tariffs on Serbian and Bosnian products …
Kosovo’s Haradinaj insists on keeping tax despite facing consequences
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says internal disagreements over tax imposed on Serbian goods are damaging Kosovo. He said the tariffs on Serbian imports introduced by his Government in November last year will remain into force until he gets guarantees on a final agreement with Serbia. Haradinaj says he is ready …
Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …
The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …
Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …
An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has announced a new National Housing Fund to support not only vulnerable groups, but also professionals, young people and newly formed families. Speaking after a government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the programme will make 7,000 apartments available. Around 2,000 will be offered through interest-free loans …
The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, met with UNDP Resident Representative Randi Davis to discuss cooperation in green finance, financial and digital education, payment systems, and support for SMEs. The meeting focused on Albania’s latest economic and financial developments and the Bank’s ongoing initiatives. Davis praised the …
Albania is increasingly attracting visitors through its natural heritage, with protected areas becoming key destinations for tourists. Diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity and outdoor activities are drawing more visitors and adding a new dimension to the country’s tourism offer. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said more than 4.5 million visitors explored Albania’s …
General jurisdiction prosecutors from Tirana, Elbasan, Durrës, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Kukës, Korçë, Berat, Fier, Vlora, Dibër, Lezhë and Shkodër took part in a training session on prosecutorial ethics and professional dilemmas. The Dutch Embassy in Albania said the training was led by Dutch prosecutor Disa Jironet. It focused on complex cases, …