Kosovo Update

🇽🇰🇺🇸 President Osmani: US backs Kosovo’s full UN membership, ties to deepen.

🇦🇱 Ex-PM Sali Berisha on trial for corruption over land deal. He denies charges, calls it political persecution.

🇦🇱⚽️ At least one Albanian team will reach a European group stage! Drita 🇽🇰 vs Shkëndija 🇲🇰 clash in UEL Q3 guarantees a Conference League spot.

🇦🇱🇨🇭 Albanian (23) escaped handcuffed during prison transfer in Baden, Switzerland.

🌍 Western Balkans – July 20 • 🇽🇰 Kosovo: 50th vote fails, no ruling • 🇦🇱 Albania: EU sees progress • 🇷🇸 Serbia: Media law backlash • 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Reforms & protests • 🇲🇰 N. Macedonia: Talks stalled • 🇧🇦 Bosnia: Reform deadlock

🇦🇱 Albania – July 20 • 🇪🇺 EU: reforms on track, corruption remains • 🗳️ Opposition hits gov’t over delays • ⚡ Energy imports rise, hydro drops • 🏖️ Tourism booms on southern coast

🇽🇰 Kosovo – July 20 • 🗳️ 50th speaker vote failed again • ⚖️ No court ruling on MP mandates • 🪧 Calm streets, no talks • 🕰️ Stalemate continues, pressure on Kurti

Albania is getting closer to joining the EU – but it has to do more 🇦🇱🤝🇪🇺 MEPs welcome progress such as Albania fully aligning with the EU’s foreign and security policy. However, protecting the rule of law, fundamental rights and combatting corruption demand improvements.

🇫🇷🇽🇰 In 2010, France told the International Court of Justice: Kosovo’s independence did not violate international law. Serbia’s legal challenge was “artificial” and risked regional stability. Paris urged the ICJ to dismiss the case or confirm legality.

🇽🇰 Ramush Haradinaj slams Albin Kurti as a “fraud,” accusing him of intentionally worsening Kosovo’s situation by blocking the new parliament. He claims Kurti aims to hide corruption and avoid justice.

🗳️🇽🇰 PDK’s Artan Behrami after 49th failed vote: “PDK, LDK & AAK built the Republic - VV is holding the state hostage.”

🇷🇸 Igor Popovic, Serbian official, arrested in 🇽🇰 Kosovo Rahovec after calling the UÇK a terrorist group. Veterans call it a provocation & propaganda. Kosovo authorities plan to expel him and ban re-entry.

🇦🇱 Do you think it's double standards when Albanian-Swiss are celebrated for success but criticized for showing pride in their roots?

🇦🇱🇽🇰 Albanian KFOR troops trained in Peja on air medical evacuation (HELI MEDEVAC), showcasing readiness & teamwork with NATO allies.

🇦🇱 Albania sees tourism boom: 4.76M foreign visitors in H1 2025 (+5%) - led by travelers from 🇽🇰Kosovo & 🇮🇹 Italy. UN ranks Albania #1 in Europe for tourist growth (+136% vs. 2019). Nearly 12M visited in 2024, bringing €3.8B to the economy.

🇭🇺🇽🇰 Hungary sends new H145M helicopter to KFOR, enhancing NATO air support. With over 400 troops, it's now the 5th-largest contributor to Balkan peace efforts.

🌍 Western Balkans – July 19 • 🇽🇰 Kosovo: 49th speaker vote fails • 🇦🇱 Albania: Power imports rise in heat • 🇷🇸 Serbia: Criticism over China drills • 🇲🇪 Montenegro: EU talks stalled • 🇲🇰 N. Macedonia: Reforms delayed • 🇧🇦 Bosnia: Tensions over police powers

🇦🇱 Albania – July 19 • ⚡ Hydropower output drops amid heatwave • 📉 30% of electricity now imported • 🇪🇺 EU urges reforms in judiciary & media • 🌡️ 34°C, hot with clear skies

🇽🇰 Kosovo – July 19 • 🗳️ 49th speaker vote failed again • ⚖️ Court ruling still pending • 🪧 No protests, political deadlock continues • 🌡️ 30°C, hot & mostly sunny

👀

💰 Top 5 Most Corrupt Countries in Europe (CPI 2024): 1.🇷🇺 Russia – 26 2.🇦🇿 Azerbaijan – 23 3.🇺🇦 Ukraine – 36 4.🇧🇦 Bosnia – 35 5.🇦🇱 Albania – 37 (Source: Transparency International)