US Ambassador calls 'historic' vote on Kosovo Security Force transition
US Ambassador to Pristina, Philip Kosnett says Friday’s vote of Kosovo’s Parliament on KSF transition is a historic one for Kosovo. MPs are expected to vote tomorrow a package of laws enabling transition of lightly-armed KSF into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Kosovo NGO submits new war crime complaints against Serbs
The Civil Society Group, an NGO collecting evidence about war crimes committed by Serbs in Kosovo in 1998-99 war, has submitted on Wednesday new criminal complaints to the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo identifying 700 Serbian individuals suspected of committing these crimes. Original post Here
Pacolli asks Germany to push forward visa liberalization for Kosovo
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli met his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Strasburg and asked Germany’s support to push forward visa liberalization for Kosovo. Original post Here
UK supports Kosovo Army, says Ambassador O’Connell
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, says United Kingdom believes creation of Kosovo Armed Force is just and advised authorities in Pristina to consult with NATO allies. Kosovo Parliament is set to vote on Friday a package of laws enabling transition of the lightly armed KSF into full-fledged army. Original …
Kosovo's PM Haradinaj urges ex-KLA members not to avoid justice
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reacted on Wednesday after news that former senior commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have received invitations to be interviewed by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in charge for investigating and prosecuting alleged crimes of the KLA during and after the war in Kosovo 1998-200. …
The U.S. Government’s MCC selects Kosovo as eligible for a compact program
Kosovo became eligible for assistance from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) after their board of directors selected Kosovo for a compact program. MCC is currently implementing a $49 million grant as part of the Kosovo Threshold Program. Original post Here
German MEP slams Kosovo leaders: Corrupt leaders cannot fight corruption
German Member of the European Parliament, Markus Ferber, says corruption, impunity, and non-implementation of laws by Kosovo leaders, are hindering visa liberalization. Original post Here
Kosovo’s PM says EU’s Mogherini has ‘killed’ the dialogue
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reacted to statements of the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who stated Monday that she does not rule out exchange of borders between Kosovo and Serbia. Original post Here
Resignation of Serb mayors unconstitutional, says Kosovo PM Haradinaj
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says the resignation of the Serb mayors in four municipalities of northern Kosovo is unconstitutional. Original post Here
Kosovo to rescind tax after recognition form Serbia, says PM Haradinaj
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj reiterated on Tuesday that a 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, will be revoked only after Serbia recognizes Kosovo’s independence. Original post Here
Student-led protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes with police, drawing international attention and raising fresh questions about government accountability, corruption and the future of young people. The demonstrations began with demands for better university conditions, lower education costs and greater financial support for students. However, they soon expanded …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi condemned attacks on Parliament and public institutions during a violent protest in Tirana. He described the acts of vandalism and destruction as unacceptable. In a social media statement, Peleshi stressed that violence serves no cause and harms the public interest and society. He also rejected attempts …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro urged students to reject violence as protests entered their second day. She expressed deep concern over attacks on the Education Ministry and other public institutions. “Physical clashes and property destruction must never replace words, arguments and dialogue,” Kumbaro said. The minister defended students’ right to protest …
The US Embassy in Tirana issued a security alert on Tuesday, warning American citizens that violent protests could spread near government buildings. The embassy said a demonstration on Durrës Street, near Skanderbeg Square, turned violent after protesters threw stones. It warned that unrest could spread to nearby areas and government …
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Albania (KISH) condemned the removal of the Vatican flag during a protest in Tirana on Tuesday, calling the act unacceptable. In a public statement, the conference said protesters had targeted the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Tirana. Several demonstrators removed the Vatican flag …
The German Embassy has shared the position of the European Union Delegation to Albania regarding the ongoing student protests in Tirana. The German Embassy has expressed the same position as the EU Delegation, which voiced concern over escalating tensions between law enforcement officers and young protesters and called on all …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced during a government meeting that a proposal to establish a working group tasked with drafting, coordinating and harmonising a state strategy regarding appeal proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague had been approved. Kurti stated that the first-instance verdict against the four …
The British Embassy in Tirana has reacted following clashes on the second day of protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a statement published on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the embassy stressed that the right to protest does not justify the use of violence or damage to public and …
Former Defence Minister Piro Vengu has reacted following acts of violence reported for the second consecutive day during protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a social media post, Vengu stated that students have the right to protest and express their concerns, but stressed that violence and vandalism serve no …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has reacted to the incidents that occurred today during protests that have escalated significantly. In an official statement, Begaj called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further. Begaj stressed that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but violence must not …