European Parliament approves visa liberalisation talks with Kosovo
The European Parliament approved on Thursday, with 420 votes against 186, the opening of talks on visa liberalisation for citizens of Kosovo. The vote came after the European Commission in July confirmed that the country had fulfilled all the criteria. Kosovars are the only Balkan citizens to still need a …
Kosovo opposition boycotts plenary session of Parliament
The Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje have boycotted Thursday’s plenary session of Parliament asking holding of an extraordinary session proposed by the opposition to halt dialoguing of borders with Serbia. Original post Here
Kosovo gets a step closer to creation of its Army
Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Rrustem Berisha, has officially proposed today that country’s 2,500-strong civil protection force be transformed into Army of Kosovo. Original post Here
Great Britain considers land swap dangerous for the region
British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, during a meeting with the leader of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti, said his country supports sovereignty of Kosovo and every change of border is dangerous not only for Kosovo, but the entire region. Original post Here
It’s worth discussing swap of Presheva Valley with the north of Kosovo, says President’s advisor
Blerim Shala, political advisor to Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, talking on final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia said that it is worth discussing with Serbia swapping of Presheva Valley inhabited mainly by Albanians with the north of Kosovo inhabited by Serbs. Original post Here
Kosovo opposition tells EU’s Mogherini they are against land swap idea
Opposition parties in Kosovo Parliament, LDK, Vetevendosje, PSD and Alaternativa, sent on Wednesday a letter to Federica Mogherini informing the EU foreign policy chief that they are against President Hashim Thaci’s idea on exchange of territories with Serbia. Also they say that current Government has lost its legitimacy to represent …
European Parliament to vote on visas for Kosovo tomorrow
European Parliament is expected to vote Thursday on the European Commission’s recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo, announced European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Original post Here
Thaci says agreement with Vucic does not affect Macedonia
President Hashim Thaci is continuing his tour to neighbouring states to promote the idea of him and Aleksandar Vucic to change the borders of Kosovo. Today he visited Skopje, trying to convince the Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev that his idea would not affect the territories of Macedonia, Albania and …
Kosovo’s President, Prime Minister urgent visit to Tirana
Sources confirmed to Gazeta Express that President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj have travelled to Tirana late on Tuesday for an urgent meeting with Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama. The surprise visit comes amidst the debate on land swap with Serbia, a proposal which is being supported by …
Kosovo's pride at stadium debut
A dream becomes reality for Kosovo’s football community on Monday, when the national team plays the first official international match at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Prishtina – built with the help of UEFA’s HatTrick assistance programme. 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 …