Croatia, Montenegro support Kosovo Army
Kosovo Parliament on 14 December is set to vote on transition of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army of Kosovo. The move is being supported by the US and is opposed by some other NATO member countries. Original post Here
Creation of Army positive step for Kosovo, says US Ambassador
US Ambassador to Pristina, Philip Kosnett, says the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) evolution into Kosovo Armed Force is a positive step and is natural for Kosovo as a sovereign, independent country to have a self-defense capability. Original post Here
US is not pushing Kosovo-Serbia border adjustment, says Ambassador Kosnett
Newly appointed US Ambassador to Kosovo, Phlip Kosnett, says his government is not pushing for a shift to the border or an exchange of territory between Kosovo and Serbia. Original post Here
Stoltenberg, Haradinaj speak by phone about plans on Kosovo Army
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Thursday Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj to brief them on the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on the Western Balkans when it was discussed also on the plan to move ahed with creation of Kosovo …
Serbia’s state-controlled media spreading panic, says Kosovo DPM Hoxhaj
Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, in a Tweet said that Serbia again today continues its aggressive propaganda against Kosovo through its controlled media to create panic. Original post Here
Serbia’s spreading fake news, tells air operators Pristina International Airport is closed
Driton Hyseni, manager flight scheduling manager at the International Airport of Pristina, has published a message of the Civil Aviation Directorate of Serbia misinforming air operators that Pristina Airport is closed for civil air traffic. Original post Here
Stoltenberg: Kosovo Army initiative goes against advice of NATO allies
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the initiative of Kosovo to create its Army is ill-timed and goes against the advice of many NATO Allies. He said intentions of Kosovo authorities to move ahead with transformation of the KSF into an army may have serious repercussions for Kosovo’s future Euro-Atlantic …
Kosovo’s PM answers warlike statements of Serbia
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has answered threats coming from Serbia after Kosovo is moving forward plans to create its army. Asked on warlike threats coming from Serbian officials, Haradinaj says a new war is unlikely. Original post Here
Soltes: EU to keep promises and grant Kosovo visa liberalization
Member of the European Parliament and standing rapporteur for Kosovo, Igor Soltes, says Kosovo has met all required criteria for it to have granted a visa free regime for Schengen. He calls on the EU to keep its promises and liberalize visas for Kosovars. Soltes made the call after the …
Kosovo’s PM writes a letter to EU members about tax on Serbian goods
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj wrote a letter to all EU member states explaining the decision of his Government to impose 100 percent tax on all goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gazeta Express reports. Haradinaj in his letter explains that Republic of Kosovo has fully respected all CEFTA agreements …
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 …