European Commission to decide on visas for Kosovo on 28 June
The European Commission is expected to decide on 28 June whether Kosovo has fulfilled all the visa liberalisation benchmarks, and based on the EC report, the EU institutions will decide whether or not Kosovo deserves visa free regime in the EU Schengen area. This has been confirmed to Gazeta Express, …
Kosovo Parliament Speaker asks France’s support on visa liberalisation
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, has travelled to Paris, as part of his tour in the EU member countries lobbying to get support for the visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Veseli who last week visited Austria, is accompanied by a group of ruling and opposition MPs during his lobbying tour. Original …
No date on resumption of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, says Collaku
Bekim Collaku, chief of cabinet of the Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, said that he expects the final phase of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will start soon, but no date has been set yet. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Interpol membership bid included in the agenda
Kosovo’s bid for membership into International Criminal Police Organisation – Interpol has been included in their agenda. This has been confirmed by Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli. Original post Here
British Ambassador says return of Xhabir Zharku as a free man is shameful
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, says the return of former Kacanik mayor, Xhabir Zharku as a free man to Kosovo, is shameful. Zharku was sentenced to three years in prison for extortion and the illegal possession of weapon, but he escaped from Kosovo evading justice. Original post Here
Once most wanted fugitive returns in Kosovo to help ‘develop the country’
Former mayor of Kacanik, Xhabir Zharku, who was sentenced in 2011 to three years in prison for extortion and the illegal possession of weapon, has returned home last week as free man after six years on the run. Upon his return to his hometown after the statute of limitations has …
Kosovo Parliament Speaker Veseli meets EP Rapporteur on Visas, Tanja Fajon
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, met on Wednesday in Strasbourg, Tanja Fajon, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Kosovo on the process of visa liberalization. Original post Here
Kosovo man charged over attempt to join ISIS in Syria
The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo has indicted a Kosovo Albanian man on terrorism charges, who allegedly wanted to join ISIS in Syria but was caught in Turkey and sent back to Kosovo. Original post Here
Albania asks China to recognise Kosovo as independent country
The Socialist Party of Albania asked the representatives of the Communist Party of People’s Republic of China to recognise Kosovo and support its membership into international organisations. Original post Here
Kosovo welcomes solving of name dispute between Greece and Macedonia
Kosovo leaders have welcomed reaching of a deal on the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece. Athens and Skopje say they have reached a deal to resolve their 27-year dispute over the former Yugoslav republic’s name. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …
Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …
TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …
TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …
TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …
TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …