Germany urges Kosovo to revoke tariffs on Serbia
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday urged Kosovo to rescind, or at least suspend implementation of 100 percent tariffs that Pristina has introduced on Serbian goods, warning against any further escalation of tensions, Reuters is reporting. Original post Here
Hague Prosecution to interview four ex-KLA commanders
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, probing alleged crimes committed by former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during and after the war, has invited four ex-KLA senior figures to be interviewed in January 2019, defense lawyers confirmed. Original post Here
Bosnia asks Kosovo's suspension from CEFTA
Minister of Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia-Herzegovina Mirko Sarovic says his country will request exclusion of Kosovo from the CEFTA free trade agreement after authorities in Pristina imposed last month 100 percent tax on all goods entering from Bosnia and Serbia. Original post Here
Mogherini does not exclude change of borders, but not on ethnic lines
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, has not excluded the possibility of redrawing border between Kosovo and Serbia emphasizing that potential correction of border should never lead to ethnically ‘pure’ states. Original post Here
Kosovo considering full reciprocity with Serbia
Government of Kosovo is considering imposing full reciprocity measures with Serbia, after on 21 November imposed 100 percent tariffs in all its goods. Original post Here
Accountability and transparency key to fighting corruption, says Head of EU Office in Kosovo
Head of EU Office in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, in her speech at launching the Anti-Corruption Week said Kosovo has adopted several laws tackling corruption but this should be followed by their robust implementation. Original post Here
Kosovo Parliament votes on Friday to create national army
Kosovo Parliament is set to vote on Friday a package of laws enabling transition of the lightly armed Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into a fully-fledged army. Original post Here
Kosovo Government to dismiss corrupt officials, says US Ambassador Kosnett
US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, in his opening remarks at the launching of the Anti-Corruption Week urged Kosovo Government to dismiss corrupt officials. Original post Here
Kosovo Army unacceptable for Serbs
Kosovo Serb MP Slavko Simic, says plans to transform the KSF into Army of Kosovo are unacceptable for Serbs. Original post Here
Kosovo war crimes court to interview ex-KLA commander
A special court with international prosecutors and judges set up to try alleged war crimes by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is expected to interview ex-KLA commander Rrustem Mustafa a.k.a Remi in January 2019, his lawyer confirmed. 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 …