Mitrovica Mayor announces massive concert to open the bridge diving the city in ethnic lines
Mayor of the Mitrovica South Agim Bahtiri says the main bridge which symbolically and physically separates Albanians in the south and Serbs in the north will open soon. He promises the opening ceremony of the reconstructed bridge with the European Union money will be done with a concert of world’s …
Kosovo’s Thaci on correction of Border: I withdraw if better solution is proposed
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in an interview with T7 said his proposal on “correction of border” between Kosovo and Serbia is “constitutional, legal and indisputable.” The proposal is being strongly opposed by the opposition parties. Original post Here
Ekrem Mustafa is officially minister of Internal Affairs
Ekrem Mustafa has been appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, a day after former minister Bejtush Gashi was dismissed at the proposal of his party, the AKR. Original post Here
Kosovo opposition wants election first, dialogue with Serbia later
Chief of parliamentary group of the opposition party, LDK, Avdullah Hoti, in a Facebook post said they want early election first and continue the dialogue with Serbia later. Hoti says it is impossible to work on normalisation of relations with Serbia and have abnormal institutional relations within Kosovo. Original post …
Kosovo junior coalition party replaces Minister of Interior
Behgjet Pacolli’s party Alliance New Kosova (AKR), the junior party in the ruling coalition, in unexpected move on Monday has decided to replace minister of Integral Affairs, Bejtush Gashi, only five months after his appointment. The AKR proposed Ekrem Mustafa as new minister of Interior who has to be confirmed …
Specialist Prosecution Office asks Basic Courts in Kosovo transfer of war crime files
The Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office set up to prosecute alleged war crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during 1998-2000 has asked basic courts to hand over some of the war crime files dealt by Kosovo judiciary, T7 has learned. Original post Here
Kosovo Army to be created this year, says Speaker of Parliament
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, after meeting chiefs of parliamentary groups on Monday morning said the Army of Kosovo will be created this year. The Parliament’s Presidency proceeded this morning to plenary session a package of laws enabling transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Procedures …
Parliament’s Presidency to decide today on Kosovo Army
Today, the Parliament’s Presidency is expected to proceed to plenary session a package of laws enabling transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Army of Kosovo. Procedures for final adoption of this legislation package are expected to be concluded by the end of November. Original post Here
Kosovo ready for Malta game tonight
Kosovo national team will play tonight against Malta at the “Fadil Vokkrri” stadium in Pristina. Coach Bernard Challandes and captain Samir Ujkani appearing in a press conference on Wednesdaystated that Kosovo can beat Malta this evening. Original post Here
Kosovo Government pledges to build new coal power plant without World Bank support
A day after the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim confirmed that they would not support a planned 500-megawatt (MW) power plant in Kosovo because it would use coal rather than cheaper renewable fuels, the Government of Kosovo is firm to continue implementation of this project. 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 …