Najduži govor u istoriji, zvuči poznato našoj javnosti, ali dogodilo se u Americi. Predsednik Donald Tramp je pred Kongresom govorio o stanju nacije.

(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 25 FEB - The Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini, met yesterday with the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu. The meeting took place in a cordial and constructive atmosphere and represented an important opportunity to reaffirm the ongoing commitment to strengthening cooperation between our two countries. During the meeting, the priorities of the Assembly were also discussed in depth and current developments in the political frame...

VUČIĆ je EU predstavniku Sorensenu izrazio zabrinutost zbog novih kosovskih zakona.

The European Commission has proposed initiating negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to extend EU roaming benefits to the Western Balkans.

A group of non-governmental organizations in Kosovo has urged parliamentary political parties to agree on the election of a new president by March 4th to avoid the dissolution of the Assembly and new elections.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated in an interview that Kosovo is committed to Western democratic values and seeks integration into the EU and NATO, discussing the geopolitical impact on the Western Balkans.

The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to abolish roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans.

An Albanian police officer from Tirana's Precinct No. 5, Aurel Kaziu, has been suspended from duty after being arrested by Kosovo Police at the Merdare border point with 1 million euros suspected to be from criminal activities.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he told EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen that a further escalation of the situation in Serbia should b

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, began her official visit to Kosovo at the 'Adem Jashari' Memorial Complex, emphasizing that Kosovo's freedom came at the cost of lives.

Approximately 1 million undeclared euros were discovered hidden in a van by Kosovo customs officials and border police at the Merdarë crossing point, with reports identifying an Albanian police officer from Tirana as the transporter.

Approximately one million euros of undeclared money was discovered and seized in a van at the Merdare crossing, at the entrance to Kosovo territory, according to Kosovo Customs.

Four individuals have been arrested in Kosovo on suspicion of committing fraud valued at over 1.5 million euros, with a court ordering their detention for one month after a 48-hour hold.

With only eight days left until the deadline for electing a president, Kosovo's major political parties have yet to present a candidate or announce their support for one.

Enver Hasani, former president of Kosovo's Constitutional Court, stated that Prime Minister Kurti committed to forming the Community of Serb Municipalities in Ohrid and is now seeking a loyal president to do so.

Official Belgrade has condemned the 13-year prison sentence handed down to Duško Arsić in Priština for war crimes, following a retrial.

Pristina court upholds initial 2024 sentence of 13 years' imprisonment for Serbian ex-policeman Dusko Arsic for committing war crimes in the village of Butovc.

Kosovo international footballer Valon Berisha witnessed a car accident in Austria that killed his relative, stopping immediately to help. His club, FC Zürich, expressed condolences.

Gljauk Konjufca, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, has been appointed as the new head of Kosovo's negotiating team for the dialogue with Belgrade and Pristina, meeting with EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen.

Artan Grubi, the former first Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, who had been on the run, was arrested today at the Blace border crossing with Kosovo, following an international warrant issued against him.

Artan Grubi, the former first deputy prime minister of North Macedonia, who had been on the run, was arrested today at the Blace border crossing with Kosovo.

Albin Kurti has begun meetings with leaders of political parties in Kosovo to discuss the election of a new president, with only 10 days remaining until the constitutional deadline.

Kosovo champions bolster their defense.Transfer: Malian Karim Dante joins KosovoMalian international Abdoul Karim Dante has signed with FC Drita in the Kosovo Superleague.Abdoul Karim Dante has commit...

Indonesia, Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Egypt have committed to sending troops and providing training for a police force as part of a proposed Gaza peacekeeping plan.

Kosovo's former President Thaci defends innocence ahead of Hague war crimes ruling  Daily Maverick

A former US soldier recounts Jesse Jackson's successful intervention in 1999 to secure the release of three American POWs during the Kosovo War.

Thousands of people in Kosovo marched to protest war crimes trials, coinciding with the 18th anniversary of the country's declaration of independence.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with Albanian Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali in Pristina, emphasizing the promotion of language and culture as a shared priority and the importance of continuing joint intergovernmental meetings in 2026.

EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Peter Sorensen visited both Kosovo and Serbia this week, after which both sides and he issued statements that can be seen every month.

A Kosovo court has re-sentenced former intelligence chief Driton Gashi to over four years in prison for his involvement in the illegal deportation of six Turkish nationals in 2018, ruling he exceeded his authority.

Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, stated that a presidential candidate from the family of Adem Jashari, the first commander of the KLA, would automatically generate positive consensus in society.

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, met with top Kosovar leaders, including President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti, to discuss a long-term vision for cooperation between Albania and Kosovo.

Petar Petković, Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, met with EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen to highlight the potential severe consequences for over 10,000 Serbs in Kosovo if Pristina implements its law on foreigners.

Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Glauk Konjufca, stated that the ruling party did not want to unilaterally propose a name for the president, avoiding pressure on the opposition.

The Movement for the Defense of Kosovo and Metohija has called on the academic and general public in Serbia to speak out against the announced destruction of the University of Pristina, located in the northern, Serbian part of Kosovska Mitrovica.

Following a visit to Pristina, EU Special Envoy Peter Sorensen will meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade today to discuss the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, will conduct an official visit to Kosovo, meeting with President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and other state officials.

Peter Sorensen, the European Union's Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, is scheduled to meet with Petar Petković, Director of the Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija, in Belgrade.

Customs officers at the Slavonski Brod crossing prevented the smuggling of 39,100 cigarettes with Kosovo stamps found on a bus passenger.

Closing statements in the trial of Hashim Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders have reignited controversy over allegations that the Hague-based war crimes court is effectively prosecuting the guerrilla force’s armed struggle.

After 14 months on the run, former Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi was arrested at the Blace border crossing with Kosovo, suspected of abuse of official position and embezzlement.

Duško Arsić from Matičane near Pristina has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a war crime committed in 1999 in the village of Butovac, following a retrial at the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina.

The football community in Switzerland and Austria is shaken by the news of a severe car accident that killed a relative of Kosovo international and Zürich midfielder Valon Berisha.

The Kosovo government has allocated four million euros for Albanians in Bujanovac, Preševo, and Medveđa for 2026, according to Albanian politicians from the region.

A first-instance verdict is soon expected in the case of 'Specialized Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi et al.' before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, though it will not be final as defendants have appeal options.

Artan Grubi, who had been unreachable by law enforcement and had a 30-day detention order issued in absentia, was arrested at the Blace border crossing. He was reportedly in Kosovo with diplomatic plates and a businessman.

Drita, the reigning Kosovo champion, secured a crucial 2-0 away victory against Llapi, taking the lead in the Kosovo Superliga after losses by Balkan and Prishtina.

Beninese midfielder Salifu Ibrahim has reignited his career by joining Wolayta Dicha in Ethiopia after a brief spell in Kosovo.

In a rare occurrence, Catholics and Muslims in Kosovo are observing Ash Wednesday and Ramadan within the same week.

Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci is defending his innocence as he awaits a ruling from the Hague on war crimes charges.

Thousands of people in Kosovo have rallied against the war crimes trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders, as a special court in The Hague hears closing arguments.

Italy's Ambassador to Kosovo extended congratulations to Albulena Haxhiu on her election as President of the Assembly and to Albin Kurti.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has called on the international community to take seriously the endangered status of Serbs in Kosovo.

(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 25 FEB - The Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini, met today with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to congratulate him on his new mandate and reaffirm Italy's strong support for Kosovo. During the meeting, they discussed the government's priorities and current political developments, as well as ways to further strengthen cooperation in the economic, commercial, and cultural sectors, confirming their shared commitment to deepening the bil...

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani described the relationship between Kosovo and Albania as fraternal, strategic, natural, and irreplaceable.

Albanian Minister Elisa Spiropali met with the Speaker of the Kosovo Parliament, Albulena Haxhiu, to discuss deepening cooperation between the two countries and strengthening strategic objectives.

Singer Zejna Murkić's controversial song 'Jugoslavija' has advanced to the final of the Serbian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, sparking numerous reactions.

The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to integrate them into the European Union's roaming system.

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, stated in Pristina that Kosovo is a priority of Albania's foreign policy.

Kosovo's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Glauk Konjufca, thanked Albania for its continuous support during a conference with Albanian Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali, emphasizing that coordination between the two states will strengthen Kosovo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Kosovo's potential accession to a regional military alliance would further escalate tensions and endanger the security of the Serbian people, during a conversation with EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen.

An analyst suggests that current Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani is far from securing a second term, having failed to present herself as a symbol of political unity across opposition and minority communities.

Kosovo's former intelligence agency chief, Driton Gashi, has had his four-year and eight-month prison sentence upheld following a retrial for his role in the controversial 2018 deportation of 'Gulenists' to Turkey.

Specijalni predstavnik Evropske unije za dijalog Beograda i Prištine Peter Sorensen razgovaraće sutra u Beogradu sa direktorom Kancelarije Vlade Srbije za Kosovo i Metohiju Petrom Petković, najavila j

Police in North Macedonia arrested a Turkish man for transporting six migrants, three from Egypt and three from Syria, in a Skoda vehicle with Kosovo license plates.

Enver Hasani, former President of Kosovo's Constitutional Court, stated that the recent elections in Kosovo were neither fair nor just, and commented on Kurti's acceptance of political autonomy for Serbs in Ohrid in 2023.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that Vetëvendosje currently has no specific candidate for president, following meetings with Lumir Abdixhiku and Hamza, and that the party aims to avoid early elections.

Slovakian player Tomas Suslov expects an aggressive and strong-minded opponent in Kosovo for their World Cup Play-Off semi-final match.

Prishtina e Re earned three vital points in their fight for survival in the Albi Mall Superliga of Kosovo, defeating Drenica 2-0 away, with Lorik Dobra scoring both goals.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca informed the EU Special Representative that his ministry will be responsible for leading the dialogue with Belgrade.

A first-instance verdict is soon expected in the trial of Hashim Thaçi and other Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) members before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, though it will not be final as appeals are available.

Legal expert Dragutin Nenezić analyzes media reports suggesting the United States is preparing to withdraw from Kosovo.

Kosovo, having recently emerged from an institutional crisis with a new government, may face further complications within a month due to ongoing political tensions between figures like Osmani and Haradinaj.

A Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veteran protested against the ongoing war crimes trial of four KLA leaders in The Hague, stating that life in Kosovo is hard but they are free.

ECB Quietly Prepares Global Liquidity Backstop As Euro Debt Wave Builds Submitted by Thomas Kolbe Starting in the third quarter of 2026, new rules will apply to the so-called euro repo facility. Central banks worldwide will be able to post up to €50 billion in euro-denominated collateral, such as government bonds, with the ECB in order to obtain euro liquidity from the central bank in cases of acute need. The goal is to guarantee the permanent availability of euro liquidity, replacing the previously time-limited repo lines. Central banks typically resort to this monetary policy instrument during phases of acute liquidity stress — most recently during the COVID lockdowns. The repo facility counts among the central banks’ immediate crisis tools. The so-called EUREP (Eurosystem Repo Facility for Central Banks) was launched on June 25, 2020, as a short-term liquidity solution for associated central banks: the Central Bank of Kosovo drew €100 million, Montenegro €250 million in short-term liquidity assistance. Repo auctions generally involve the exchange and short-term pledging of European government bonds for maturities of one to five days, which commercial banks deposit at the central bank in return for liquidity. The collateral is returned after a short period, and the so-called bank reserves are withdrawn again once the liquidity problem has been resolved and the interbank market is functioning properly. The ECB’s announcement that it will now offer this instrument globally — and over periods of several weeks or even months — raises eyebrows. It suggests that the monetary guardians of the Eurosystem may be anticipating a liquidity crisis in the not-too-distant future. Euro as a Reserve Currency The drastic expansion of sovereign debt within the eurozone system may explain why concerns are deepening at the ECB tower. If the two pillars, Germany and France, are each calculating net new borrowing of five percent this year alone — thereby placing a steadily growing volume of bonds on the markets — this generates palpable upward pressure on interest rates. At the same time, investors are asking how strongly the creditworthiness of individual euro states ultimately depends on Germany’s ability to service the mounting debt — a pressure that is manifesting itself in markets. Interest rates have already been rising for more than three years, particularly at the long end of the bond market. This suggests that confidence among large investors, who traditionally provide the bulk of liquidity in this market, is gradually eroding. Meanwhile, the euro is under pressure internationally: euro-denominated reserves currently account for less than 20 percent of global bank reserves and show a slight downward trend. Similar developments can be observed in the settlement of international transactions, where the euro holds roughly a 24 percent share. The dominant global actor remains the U.S. dollar, both as a reserve currency with a 59 percent share and in the settlement of international transactions at 47 percent. Against this backdrop, it becomes clear that Europe’s monetary authorities are facing an increasingly challenging combination of rising debt, growing interest rates, and a global environment that does not accord the euro the status of the U.S. dollar — factors that pose serious questions for the Eurosystem’s stability and liquidity. A severe blow to the euro’s international role was the European Union decision to permanently implement the Russia embargo and halt trade in Russian oil and gas. Russia had been among the few major energy market players willing to allow euro denomination and thus held substantial reserves. That era is over. However, rumors are circulating that the United States, in the event of a peace settlement in Ukraine, could restore Russia’s access to the SWIFT system. Would the EU then follow suit? A return to the status quo ante might require a different political regime in Brussels and Berlin. Growing Debt Volume A fiscal policy U-turn within the EU is also under discussion. Should member states agree on a “two-speed Europe” and implement joint financing of new debt via so-called Eurobonds, this would place the European bond market on an entirely new footing in terms of both volume and structure. European taxpayers — above all the still relatively less indebted Germans at the federal level — would then stand behind the credit guarantees. In Frankfurt, such a revolutionary step is expected to deliver a massive boost in global demand for euro-denominated bonds. One unknown in the geopolitical power struggle remains the Federal Reserve. On several occasions last year, the ECB warned of a possible shortage of U.S. dollars within the European banking system. The United States holds a powerful lever here: it can drive up the political price of bridging potential illiquidity through rapid swap lines — short-term loans within the dollar system to European banks and the ECB. Oversupply of Euro Bonds The Eurosystem thus faces immense absorption problems. If global demand for EU debt — that is, euro bonds — cannot be generated, interest rates will continue to rise. In light of the massive issuance wave of new euro sovereign bonds, the ECB would be forced to take this debt onto its own balance sheet to keep debt servicing in member states under control. The expansion of the repo facility into a permanent liquidity backstop therefore appears plausible. Global central banks would have an incentive to accumulate a growing share of euro bonds. Moreover, the volume would be available to gain direct access to the Eurosystem without assembling a portfolio of bonds from individual states. Germany’s relatively low debt level had in fact recently been a problem, as insufficient tranches of German federal bonds were available for larger capital allocations. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his finance minister are currently eliminating this issue with their present debt policy. The ECB’s measures thus fit into a broader fiscal policy development that could culminate in a structural expansion of joint debt. By institutionally safeguarding international demand for euro bonds, the central bank is creating the infrastructural preconditions for a potential new debt regime within the European Union — while simultaneously shifting the boundary between monetary stabilization and fiscal support of state budgets. The European repo facility, once conceived as a rescue umbrella for liquidity problems, is gradually evolving into a classic, expanding debt pool. With eurozone government debt likely to rise from the current 92 percent of GDP to around 100 percent over the next two years, pressure on the ECB to devise mechanisms for distributing this flood of debt across global bond markets will intensify. Whether this succeeds appears highly doubtful given the euro economy’s chronic economic weakness. * * *  About the author: Thomas Kolbe, a German graduate economist, has worked for over 25 years as a journalist and media producer for clients from various industries and business associations. As a publicist, he focuses on economic processes and observes geopolitical events from the perspective of the capital markets. His publications follow a philosophy that focuses on the individual and their right to self-determination. Tyler Durden Fri, 02/20/2026 - 08:30

Kosovo's former President Hashim Thaci is defending his innocence ahead of a Hague war crimes ruling, maintaining his stance against the charges.

A US soldier recalls Jesse Jackson's successful efforts in 1999 to free him and two other POWs captured during the Kosovo War.

KF Drita host NK Celje this Thursday at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri of the Europa Conference League.In their last match, KF Drita prevailed 1-0 against KF Drenica (Liga Kosovo 2025/26). Last time out, N...