The EU reminds Kosovo: Fighting organised crime, corruption is one of the outstanding criteria
Kosovo has not fulfilled one of the two remaining benchmarks concerning a track record of convictions in high-level organised crime and corruption cases. In addition Kosovo also needs to to ratify the Agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro in order to get visa free regime with the EU. Original post …
EULEX reacts to Kosovo leaders’ statement on closing of the EU Mission
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and head of the Supreme Court Enver Peci, stated that Kosovo is capable dealing with its own problems and asked the EU to close its rule of law mission in Kosovo – EULEX. But the EULEX officials told Express that the future of the mission will …
Thaci addressed lawmakers in key annual speech
President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, in his annual state-of-the-nation speech in Assembly of Kosovo said that 2017 was successful for Kosovo despite many challenges. Thaci pledged that Kosovo will establish its Army in 2018 and called on MPs to ratify the Agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro which is one …
Archive photo shows Thaci protesting against Milosevic’s regime
Kosovo well-known photographer, Hazir Reka, has published an archive photo depicting Kosovo President Hashim Thaci holding a banner while attending a rally organised during 90s against Slobodan Milosevic’s regime in Kosovo. Original post Here
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 …
TIRANA, August 10 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita thanked around 300 police officers, firefighters and Armed Forces personnel involved in the Kruja wildfire operation. Lamallari praised their work in evacuating residents and managing the fire, which strong winds intensified. He said special forces, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his gratitude and respect for Air Force pilots, firefighters, army special forces and police officers who protected residents during the wildfires in Kruja. In a social media post, Rama said the teams had overcome a difficult challenge. He said they had …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania will experience mostly clear and hot weather on Monday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clouds will appear occasionally around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas in the south. Southeastern areas may see brief periods of denser clouds. The sky will clear …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s Defence Ministry reported 8 wildfires across the counties of Tirana, Fier, Durrës and Lezha. Six remain active, while authorities have brought 2 under control or placed them under monitoring. A total of 227 personnel are working on the ground. Authorities have also requested 50 additional …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albin Kurti of the Self-Determination Movement (LVV) asked for more time for political talks on August 8. He did not nominate a candidate for parliament speaker. As a result, the constitutive session did not continue. Tensions rose after Time Kadriaj, an MP from the Alliance for …
TIRANA, August 10 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) has launched a national information and promotion campaign for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). AIDA is working with 10 municipalities and the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC) on the campaign. The initiative will provide businesses with information on financing opportunities, exports, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Farka Air Base today and met Air Force pilots involved in wildfire operations. The pilots have carried out aerial missions in several areas affected by fires in recent days. Nufi thanked the pilots for their work and commitment. He also …
TIRANA, August 10 – Gjirokastër continues to attract visitors from around the world with its history, architecture, landscape and cuisine. Tourists from the United States, France, Spain and Italy shared their impressions during visits to Gjirokastër Castle. An American tourist praised the castle’s rich history and age. She said the …
TIRANA, August 10 – Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko has called President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement on Kosova’s independence a diplomatic mistake. Goncharenko, who initiated a draft law on recognising Kosova in the Ukrainian parliament, reacted to Zelensky’s remarks in Belgrade. Zelensky said Ukraine had no plans to change its position on …
Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here