Why tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are flaring

Why tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are flaring

By Veton Surroi The first lesson of the events of these days in the four northern municipalities of Kosovo is that the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia is not over. Even after 24 years, since Serbia signed the capitulation with

Read Full Article
Op-Ed: The connection between justice reform and prosperity

Op-Ed: The connection between justice reform and prosperity

By Ambassador YURI KIM* U.S.-Albanian relations are at an all-time high. We are Allies in NATO and partners on the UN Security Council. Albania has emerged as a thriving – even if imperfect – democracy in the Western Balkans.  As we

Read Full Article
Op-ed: The Balkans are coming apart

Op-ed: The Balkans are coming apart

The US and EU are failing in the Balkans. They need to change direction, writes Daniel Serwer. Bosnia faces the risk of secession In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serb member of the state presidency, Milorad Dodik, is reiterating his intention to declare

Read Full Article
Q&A: Emigration is a regional issue and long-term effort is needed to address it, says Croatian Ambassador to Albania Zlatko Kramaric

Q&A: Emigration is a regional issue and long-term effort is needed to address it, says Croatian Ambassador to Albania Zlatko Kramaric

Tirana Times interviews the Ambassador of Croatia to Albania, Zlatko Kramaric, on Croatia’s decade in the EU, relations with Albania and Western Balkans integration prospects. Q: Albania and Croatia enjoy a very good bilateral relation with collaboration in many fields.

Read Full Article
Isolation is not a joke: Leaving the ICSID would be a bitter mistake

Isolation is not a joke: Leaving the ICSID would be a bitter mistake

TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL Albania’s troubles with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) seem to be expanding well beyond the infamous case of settling over the closure of Agon Channel and the hefty fine of 120 million euros

Read Full Article
Op/Ed: The Quad: Searching for purpose in yet another new regional constellation

Op/Ed: The Quad: Searching for purpose in yet another new regional constellation

By ALBA CELA Last week, the Foreign Affairs ministers of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo launched the “Western Balkans Quad – 100% alignment with EU Common Foreign Security Policy” as a platform to address CFSP in the sensitive geopolitical

Read Full Article
The Open Balkans wine tasting club

The Open Balkans wine tasting club

One way out of this awkward and unpleasant conundrum is for Open Balkans to retreat into a smaller, softer, cultural blend of cultural diplomacy with concerts, fairs and all the glittery shows its proponents are truly masters of.  TIRANA TIMES

Read Full Article
Q&A: Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán on the war in Ukraine, international cooperation and the economy

Q&A: Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán on the war in Ukraine, international cooperation and the economy

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke to the Kossuth Radio programme “Good Morning Hungary” on March 31, 2023.  Zsolt Törőcsik: Soon all the Western tanks promised to Ukraine will arrive in that war-torn country. Several countries have already offered fighter planes,

Read Full Article
Op/Ed: Balkan awakening – Strengthening ties between Israel and Albania

Op/Ed: Balkan awakening – Strengthening ties between Israel and Albania

By Ohad Shpak* The upcoming Israel-Albania Tech Conference to be held in March 2023 aims to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries, following recent developments in the bilateral relations. Muslim-majority Republic of Albania and the Jewish State of Israel have

Read Full Article
Op-Ed: Smoke and mirrors make confusion, not peace

Op-Ed: Smoke and mirrors make confusion, not peace

By Daniel Serwer According to EU High Representative Borrell, Saturday’s meeting between Serbian President Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti was a success. It resulted in an “Implementation Annex” to the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation of Relations. There

Read Full Article