http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Fri, 24 May 2013 13:45:03 +0200 Fri, 24 May 2013 13:45:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/veteran-insider-provides-grim-account-of-eulex-efforts-in-kosovo-a-865650.html#ref=rss Since 2008, the EU has had thousands of soldiers, judges and prosecutors in Kosovo to help it become a Western-style constitutional democracy. But a German police officer with years of experience there says it is still dominated by corruption, clan loyalties and drugs -- with officials just waiting for the high-minded reformers to leave. Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:31:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/veteran-insider-provides-grim-account-of-eulex-efforts-in-kosovo-a-865650.html Since 2008, the EU has had thousands of soldiers, judges and prosecutors in Kosovo to help it become a Western-style constitutional democracy. But a German police officer with years of experience there says it is still dominated by corruption, clan loyalties and drugs -- with officials just waiting for the high-minded reformers to leave.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/peacekeeping-in-kosovo-the-situation-is-still-tense-a-781613.html#ref=rss Major General Erhard Bühler leads NATO's peacekeeping Kosovo Force (KFOR). In an interview with SPIEGEL, the German armed forces commander discusses the critical situation in northern Kosovo, the EU's responsibility in the region and when he thinks the time will be to finally begin pulling troops out. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:08:26 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/peacekeeping-in-kosovo-the-situation-is-still-tense-a-781613.html Major General Erhard Bühler leads NATO's peacekeeping Kosovo Force (KFOR). In an interview with SPIEGEL, the German armed forces commander discusses the critical situation in northern Kosovo, the EU's responsibility in the region and when he thinks the time will be to finally begin pulling troops out. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tito-we-miss-you-young-kosovars-lose-patience-with-foreign-helpers-a-779236.html#ref=rss Plagued by manipulated elections, mismanagement and corruption, the new Balkan republic of Kosovo has seen little progress since it declared independence in 2008. Frustrated young people accuse the many UN and EU officials in the country of stifling development, and consider their prime minister to be a puppet of the Americans. Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:24:01 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tito-we-miss-you-young-kosovars-lose-patience-with-foreign-helpers-a-779236.html Plagued by manipulated elections, mismanagement and corruption, the new Balkan republic of Kosovo has seen little progress since it declared independence in 2008. Frustrated young people accuse the many UN and EU officials in the country of stifling development, and consider their prime minister to be a puppet of the Americans.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/kosovar-interior-minister-kosovo-s-territorial-integrity-is-inviolable-a-777676.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Kosovar Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi discusses the tense situation along the republic's northern border, which grew deadly last week during clashes with ethnic Serbs. He also calls on countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo as a state to reconsider their position. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/kosovar-interior-minister-kosovo-s-territorial-integrity-is-inviolable-a-777676.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Kosovar Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi discusses the tense situation along the republic's northern border, which grew deadly last week during clashes with ethnic Serbs. He also calls on countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo as a state to reconsider their position. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-no-simple-solutions-in-the-balkans-a-777355.html#ref=rss This week's violence in border areas between Kosovo and Serbia has cast a shadow over Serbia's prospects for accession talks to join the European Union. German editorialists argue the events show that both Belgrade and Pristina have a long way to go before true peace can be established in the region. Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-no-simple-solutions-in-the-balkans-a-777355.html This week's violence in border areas between Kosovo and Serbia has cast a shadow over Serbia's prospects for accession talks to join the European Union. German editorialists argue the events show that both Belgrade and Pristina have a long way to go before true peace can be established in the region. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-s-achilles-heel-historical-eu-error-to-blame-for-kosovo-strife-a-777305.html#ref=rss The battlefields of the Balkans war are still littered with mines, and the conflict between the Serbs and the Kosovars could explode again at any moment. An historical error by the European Union is at least partly to blame. Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-s-achilles-heel-historical-eu-error-to-blame-for-kosovo-strife-a-777305.html The battlefields of the Balkans war are still littered with mines, and the conflict between the Serbs and the Kosovars could explode again at any moment. An historical error by the European Union is at least partly to blame. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/border-dispute-with-kosovo-serbian-attackers-shoot-at-nato-soldiers-a-777117.html#ref=rss NATO reinforcements have been sent to Kosovo's northern border with Serbia after a group of angry Serbs attacked and set fire to a border post there. They also reportedly opened fire on NATO troops nearby. The incident highlights growing tensions between ethnic Serbs and Kosovar Albanians. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/border-dispute-with-kosovo-serbian-attackers-shoot-at-nato-soldiers-a-777117.html NATO reinforcements have been sent to Kosovo's northern border with Serbia after a group of angry Serbs attacked and set fire to a border post there. They also reportedly opened fire on NATO troops nearby. The incident highlights growing tensions between ethnic Serbs and Kosovar Albanians.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/villagers-defend-kosovar-refugee-a-roma-teen-s-fight-to-stay-in-germany-a-727542.html#ref=rss Elvis Berishaj was just 6 years old when he and his family fled Kosovo. The Roma teenager has lived in a German village ever since and is a shining example of integration. Yet once he turned 18, he faced deportation. His only chance of getting a residency permit was to go back to Kosovo. Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:52:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/villagers-defend-kosovar-refugee-a-roma-teen-s-fight-to-stay-in-germany-a-727542.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-belgrade-must-rethink-its-destructive-kosovo-policy-a-708126.html#ref=rss Thursday's ruling by the International Court of Justice offered surprising clarity: Kosovo did not break international law when it declared indepedence in 2008. German commentators acknowledge that this is a blow for Serbia, but many see an opportunity for Belgrade to reassess its stance towards Pristina. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:59:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-belgrade-must-rethink-its-destructive-kosovo-policy-a-708126.html Thursday's ruling by the International Court of Justice offered surprising clarity: Kosovo did not break international law when it declared indepedence in 2008. German commentators acknowledge that this is a blow for Serbia, but many see an opportunity for Belgrade to reassess its stance towards Pristina.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/serbian-foreign-minister-vuk-jeremic-kosovo-is-our-jerusalem-a-697725.html#ref=rss On Wednesday, the EU-West Balkan Summit is scheduled to take place in Sarajevo. Serbian Foreign Minster Vuk Jeremic explains in a SPIEGEL interview why his country doesn't want to be forced to choose between its declared goal of EU membership and territorial rights in Kosovo. Mon, 31 May 2010 16:25:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/serbian-foreign-minister-vuk-jeremic-kosovo-is-our-jerusalem-a-697725.html On Wednesday, the EU-West Balkan Summit is scheduled to take place in Sarajevo. Serbian Foreign Minster Vuk Jeremic explains in a SPIEGEL interview why his country doesn't want to be forced to choose between its declared goal of EU membership and territorial rights in Kosovo.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sex-and-secrets-trial-of-gay-spy-threatens-to-embarrass-german-intelligence-a-661750.html#ref=rss An explosive trial about to start in Munich involves a spy accused of betraying state secrets to his gay lover. It promises to expose the shadowy world of Germany's foreign intelligence and may end up damaging the service. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:40:37 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/sex-and-secrets-trial-of-gay-spy-threatens-to-embarrass-german-intelligence-a-661750.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-german-soldier-returns-to-kosovo-so-much-hate-and-rage-a-615471.html#ref=rss Ten years ago, NATO began air strikes against the Republic of Yugoslavia, and a few weeks later ground troops marched into Kosovo. Kai K. was one of the German soldiers sent to the region. He recently returned to Kosovo -- and wonders if the operation was worth it. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:01:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-german-soldier-returns-to-kosovo-so-much-hate-and-rage-a-615471.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/balkan-birthday-kosovo-seeks-calm-as-it-celebrates-first-year-a-608197.html#ref=rss Kosovo on Tuesday celebrated the first anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia. The country is struggling economically and security remains shaky. But Belgrade has recently sought to lower tensions in the region. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:45:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/balkan-birthday-kosovo-seeks-calm-as-it-celebrates-first-year-a-608197.html Kosovo on Tuesday celebrated the first anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia. The country is struggling economically and security remains shaky. But Belgrade has recently sought to lower tensions in the region.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fury-in-belgrade-kosovo-launches-new-army-a-602635.html#ref=rss Kosovo unveiled its new army on Wednesday, which will operate under the supervision of NATO forces. Many of the new commanders are veterans of the insurgency against Serbia, and Belgrade says it will use all the diplomatic tools available to oppose the new force. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:27:47 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fury-in-belgrade-kosovo-launches-new-army-a-602635.html Kosovo unveiled its new army on Wednesday, which will operate under the supervision of NATO forces. Many of the new commanders are veterans of the insurgency against Serbia, and Belgrade says it will use all the diplomatic tools available to oppose the new force.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/covert-cock-up-germany-s-failed-spy-mission-in-kosovo-a-593713.html#ref=rss The ineptitude of three agents in Germany's foreign intelligence agency has endangered one of the organization’s most important operations: building up its secret network of informants in Kosovo. It has also strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:49:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/covert-cock-up-germany-s-failed-spy-mission-in-kosovo-a-593713.html The ineptitude of three agents in Germany's foreign intelligence agency has endangered one of the organization’s most important operations: building up its secret network of informants in Kosovo. It has also strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/kosovo-spy-scandal-german-agents-may-come-home-a-592837.html#ref=rss Kosovo appears to have backed down in a standoff between its criminal-justice system and the German government. Three German intelligence agents accused by Pristina of being behind a small explosion in the Kosovo capital may return to Germany. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:26:04 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/kosovo-spy-scandal-german-agents-may-come-home-a-592837.html Kosovo appears to have backed down in a standoff between its criminal-justice system and the German government. Three German intelligence agents accused by Pristina of being behind a small explosion in the Kosovo capital may return to Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-spy-scandal-kosovo-claims-to-have-video-of-terrorism-a-592585.html#ref=rss Three alleged German spies detained over the weekend in Kosovo are suspected of "terrorism" in connection with a minor blast outside an EU building in Pristina. Now Kosovo authorities say they have video evidence, but Germany says it's a frame-up job. Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:52:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-spy-scandal-kosovo-claims-to-have-video-of-terrorism-a-592585.html Three alleged German spies detained over the weekend in Kosovo are suspected of "terrorism" in connection with a minor blast outside an EU building in Pristina. Now Kosovo authorities say they have video evidence, but Germany says it's a frame-up job. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-a-pyrrhic-victory-for-belgrade-a-583379.html#ref=rss This week, the UN approved Serbia's bid for an independent legal review of Kosovo's declaration of independence at The Hague. German papers are divided over whether the legally non-binding advisory opinion will help or harm the Serbian government. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:29:32 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-a-pyrrhic-victory-for-belgrade-a-583379.html This week, the UN approved Serbia's bid for an independent legal review of Kosovo's declaration of independence at The Hague. German papers are divided over whether the legally non-binding advisory opinion will help or harm the Serbian government.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/taking-its-kosovo-challenge-to-the-hague-serbia-only-wants-legal-advice-a-582373.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic discusses his country's application for the United Nations to review the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. A decision is expected this week on whether the International Court in The Hague will consider the issue. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:23:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/taking-its-kosovo-challenge-to-the-hague-serbia-only-wants-legal-advice-a-582373.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic discusses his country's application for the United Nations to review the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. A decision is expected this week on whether the International Court in The Hague will consider the issue.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/serbia-wary-un-begins-transfer-of-kosovo-authority-to-eu-a-573024.html#ref=rss The agreement may be technical in nature, but Serbia views Monday's accord between the UN and the EU in Kosovo as being illegal. The EU mission has little legal backing, but it is insinuating itself into the newly independent country. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:44:40 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/serbia-wary-un-begins-transfer-of-kosovo-authority-to-eu-a-573024.html The agreement may be technical in nature, but Serbia views Monday's accord between the UN and the EU in Kosovo as being illegal. The EU mission has little legal backing, but it is insinuating itself into the newly independent country.]]>