Albanian Language Media: 

• Apostolic Nuncio in first official visit to Kosovo, meets with Osmani (media)
• Osmani and LVV to submit comments to the Constitutional Court (media)
• Court concerned over “immature statements” of senior state officials (media)
• EU Office calls on politicians to refrain from tendencies to interfere in judiciary (Koha)
• Barbano: Independence of judges must be respected by everyone, at all times (media)
• Kosovo gets “AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma” drones from the US (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Simic: “Illegal and illegitimate decisions of CEC to detriment of Serbian people and Serbian List” (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
• “Kurti once again rattling weapons and trying to ignite region” (media, social media)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s announcement of a military alliance is a direct threat to Serbia and Serbian people (media)
• UNS: Unacceptable targeting of NGO Aktiv by journalist Kushtrim Bekoli and TV Klan Kosova (Radio KIM)
• Swiss Embassy concerned by attempts to discredit important work of CSOs (social media)
• Seven years since Vucic’s visit to Gazivode: Promises, symbolism, and an absent return (KoSSev)
• Protest held in Belgrade: “A student ID is stronger than a baton” (N1)

Albanian Language Media

Apostolic Nuncio in first official visit to Kosovo, meets with Osmani (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, received the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Kosovo, Luigi Bianco, who is on his first official visit. Osmani congratulated Nuncio Bianco on his new role and expressed confidence that his visit will contribute to the further strengthening of relations between Kosovo and the Holy See.

She highlighted the opening of Kosovo’s Mission to the Vatican as a significant milestone and voiced hope that recognition of Kosovo’s independence by the Holy See would deepen bilateral ties.

During their meeting, Osmani recalled her visit to the Vatican and her memorable meeting with the late Pope Francis, describing it as a key moment in building mutual respect and friendly relations.

President Osmani reaffirmed Kosovo’s commitment to continued cooperation with the Holy See under the leadership of Pope Leo, particularly in promoting peace, interfaith dialogue, and the universal values of solidarity and humanism.

Osmani and LVV to submit comments to the Constitutional Court (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and the Vetevendosje Movement will submit comments to the Constitutional Court regarding the issue of the constituting of the Assembly. Osmani’s office stated that no one should have the right to block the institutions. Meanwhile, LVV emphasized that the Constitutional Court must not allow the Serbian List to have a veto power to block the constituting of the Assembly and subsequently the formation of the government.

The deadline to submit comments to the Constitutional Court is today, September 9, but this right will not be used by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). On the other hand, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) did not respond to whether they will submit comments regarding the constitution of the ninth legislature, following the complaint submitted by the Serbian List.

The Office of the Speaker of the Assembly, Dimal Basha, also remained silent on whether they would submit comments to the Constitutional Court.

Court concerned over “immature statements” of senior state officials (media)

The Constitutional Court of Kosovo expressed its concern on Monday over “the immature statements of senior state officials and elected political officials”. “The independence of the Constitutional Court is not a privilege of its judges but the foundation of the state of law. The independence and impartiality of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo are protected by the Constitution, and no institution, political party or individual can interfere in its work. Any attempt to exert pressure on the constitutional judges constitutes a violation of the basic principle of division of powers and undermines the people’s trust in the rule of law and democracy. The decisions of the Constitutional Court are based exclusively on the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, its judicial practice, and on international standards for the protection of basic human rights and freedoms. Consequently, any statement that attempts to relativize or prejudge the decisions of the Constitutional Court is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the democratic development of the country. The Court appeals to all parties to respect its independence, to refrain from statements that threaten the integrity of judges and their independent decision-making, and to contribute to strengthening the constitutional order. Only by respecting this basic principle can a fair, democratic and functional society for all citizens of Kosovo be guaranteed,” the statement notes.

EU Office calls on politicians to refrain from tendencies to interfere in judiciary (Koha)

The EU Office in Kosovo told the news website on Monday that politicians must refrain from tendencies to interfere in the judiciary. “The position of the European Union in Kosovo is that one of the basic principles of the rule of law is the independence of the judiciary and that the role of the Constitutional Court is to interpret and guide the full enforcement of the Constitution of Kosovo. It is in the responsibility of all, including political actors and institutions, to respect this, and to refrain from any form of interference in the work of the judiciary, including through personal attacks,” said Nikola Gaon, a spokesman for the EU Office. 

Barbano: Independence of judges must be respected by everyone, at all times (media)

Head of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) Giovanni Pietro Barbano said in a post on X on Monday that judicial independence is one of the cornerstones of the rule of law: independence of judges must be respected by everyone, at all times. “Undue interference through personal attacks directly targeting judges and prosecutors performing their duties is always unacceptable,” he argued.

Kosovo gets “AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma” drones from the US (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said on Monday that last week Kosovo received the “AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma” drones from the United States of America. He said that the payment for the system was made in 2021 through the program known as Foreign Military Sale. “Puma drones alongside other drones are a necessary capacity to further build the abilities of the Kosovo Security Force in the field of pilot-less air systems. Cooperation with the United States in the area of defense is growing constantly while contributing to the development of our army and achieving the shared interests of our two countries,” Maqedonci said in a Facebook post.

Caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti congratulated the Ministry of Defense on the purchase of drones. “More eyes in the sky for more security on the ground. Congratulations to the Ministry of Defense, congratulations to the Kosovo Security Force and appreciation for the United States of America,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

Simic: “Illegal and illegitimate decisions of CEC to detriment of Serbian people and Serbian List” (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)

Serbian List Vice President Igor Simic said in a press conference on Monday that “the Central Election Commission (CEC) has adopted illegal and illegitimate decisions detrimental to the Serbian people and the Serbian List”. According to him, these decisions concern the allocation of seats in polling station committees, as well as the number of registered voters in Serb-majority municipalities. Simic announced that, due to violations of laws and CEC rules, the Serbian List has filed a complaint with the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP).

During the press conference Simic presented specific examples related to the allocation of committee seats and the number of registered voters in Serb-majority municipalities. He displayed a table showing a drastic decline in the number of voters in the upcoming local elections, compared to previous Kosovo elections, in Serbian communities.

He pointed out that in Leposavic municipality the number of voters was reduced by 1,508 and in North Mitrovica by 1,264 persons. “The largest number of voters has been removed from the polling center at the ‘St. Sava’ Elementary School, where the majority of Serbs cast their ballots, which can directly influence the election of the mayor and municipal councilors”, he explained.

Simic underlined it was particularly striking that at the time when the international community was calling for steps to remove the mayors in northern municipalities, the number of voters was on the rise, whereas now that number has clearly been reduced.

Read the full news report at: https://shorturl.at/lhsgb

“Kurti once again rattling weapons and trying to ignite region” (media, social media)

Milos Vucevic, Regional Affairs Advisor to the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader said yesterday Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is once again “rattling weapons” and seeking to provoke conflict and set the Western Balkans region ablaze, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“The forging of military alliances directed against Serbia recalls what was done in the 1990s, and when viewed from a historical perspective, it is clear what is being prepared and that it is aimed against the Serbian people. Albin Kurti is the standard-bearer of such a genocidal policy against the Serbian people, and not only does he not conceal it - he boasts about it”, Vucevic wrote in a post on X social network, referring to Kurti’s announcement that a joint military unit would be created between Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the Albanian Armed Forces.

Vucevic stressed that “military alliance of the so-called Kosovo Security Force and the Armed Forces of Albania”, now announced by Kurti, represents nothing less than a new direct threat to Serbia and the Serbian people, and another step in Kurti’s project of creating a “Greater Albania”. “Once again, we have the silence of the international community, before whose eyes and ears Kurti announces a new warlike spectacle. Once again, we see the so-called Pristina authorities crudely trampling upon United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which stipulates that KFOR is the only authorized military presence in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija”, Vucevic said in his reaction. 

Petkovic: Kurti’s announcement of a military alliance is a direct threat to Serbia and Serbian people (media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic, said the military alliance of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the Albanian Armed Forces, whose formation was announced by caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, represents a direct threat to Serbia and the Serbian people. He stressed that “this is the backbone of the policy of the Pristina regime, which targets Belgrade with every move and constitutes another step towards the creation of “Greater Albania””, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Petkovic emphasized that these armed formations and Pristina’s “saber-rattling” are taking place before the eyes of the entire international community, which has not reacted to any of the military alliances that Pristina has already formed with Croatia and Albania, NATO members, with the aim of destabilizing the situation on the ground and turning the Western Balkans region into a new powder keg.

“Clearly, everything is allowed for (Albin) Kurti – even at a time of the greatest global challenges to preserve peace – for Pristina to threaten conflicts by creating alliances that do not lead to easing tensions, but rather to escalating the situation on the ground”, Petkovic said. He pointed out that, as is well known, under UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the only military formation in Kosovo is KFOR, adding “any such military alliance and militarization of the so-called KSF is a violation of this document and an attempt to create a new KLA, whose activities are prohibited”.

UNS: Unacceptable targeting of NGO Aktiv by journalist Kushtrim Bekoli and TV Klan Kosova (Radio KIM)

The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and its branch in Kosovo (DNKiM) condemned the acts of journalist Kushtrim Bekolli who during the broadcast “Ora Shtate” on Klan Kosova TV, as the statement said, presented without any evidence a series of unverified information and serious accusations against civil society organization Aktiv from Mitrovica North, thus violating the basic postulates of journalistic ethics, stigmatizing the employees of this organization and endangering their safety, Radio KIM reported. Bekolli in a show, aired on September 4 on Klan Kosova TV, openly accused NGO Aktiv of “attacking police and state of Kosovo” as well as for “espionage”.

"During the show, journalist Kushtrim Bekolli made a series of unfounded accusations against our organization, which he described as ‘exclusive information'. Bekolli referred to the research paper Ethnization of Kosovo Police: Erosion of Ahtisaari’s Basis of a Civic and Multi-Ethnic Institution, which was jointly published by five civil society organizations", Aktiv said in a statement published in reaction to Klan Kosova allegations.

NGO Aktiv Executive Director Miodrag Milicevic told UNS he is very concerned, and that both he personally and members of his civil society organization, given unfavorable political circumstances under which Serbs currently live in Kosovo, fear that such accusations could easily jeopardize their safety.

At no time, he underlined, did Klan Kosova or journalist Bekolli reach out to NGO Aktiv to seek clarification, comment or explanation, prior to airing such serious allegations. “Portraying NGO Aktiv as ‘spies’ and ‘enemy’ stigmatizes our organization and puts our employees and partners in direct personal danger, exposing them to intimidation and possible violence”, Aktiv warned.

UNS and its branch in Kosovo (DNKiM) call upon all international organizations and responsible bodies to react urgently and condemn the acts of journalist Kushtrim Bekolli who in a show aired on Klan Kosova “voiced serious accusations against NGO Aktiv, thus endangering safety of those working in this organisation and violated postulates of journalistic profession”. 

Swiss Embassy concerned by attempts to discredit important work of CSOs (social media)

The Swiss Embassy in Pristina in a post on Facebook said “it is concerned by recent attempts to discredit the important work of civil society organizations. Efforts to delegitimize civil society organizations erode public trust, shrink civic space and weaken the foundation of democracy itself”.

“The media, together with civil society, play an essential role in advancing transparency, improving public accountability and empowering citizens. Adherence to journalistic ethics and factual reporting is essential in this regard”, the statement added.

It also said that Switzerland will continue supporting CSOs working to promote dialogue, human rights and reconciliation.

Seven years since Vucic’s visit to Gazivode: Promises, symbolism, and an absent return (KoSSev)

“Here we are at this facility financed by the Republic of Serbia, which invested 1.4 million euros. I hope the young people of Zubin Potok will know how to use it, and from what I see, it will also serve the Hydrometeorological Institute, the Red Cross…”, were the first words President Aleksandar Vucic addressed to the cameras at Gazivode, exactly seven years ago, the KoSSev portal wrote on Monday.

Vucic made these remarks answering a question from a then–TV Prva journalist who asked him: “Do you know how much the people here rejoice at your arrival?” Vucic was greeted that day by athletes from the Kickboxing Club Mitrovica, whose coach, Milun Milunovic, would five years later end up in a Kosovo prison on “terrorism charges”, where he remains to this day, the portal further wrote.

The 2018 visit came in the year marked by the assassination of Oliver Ivanovic. Vucic arrived in northern Kosovo accompanied by Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar, then-Director of the Security Information Agency (BIA) Bratislav Gasic, and the head of Kosovo and Metohija Office, Marko Đuric.

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/ryv5q

Protest held in Belgrade: “A student ID is stronger than a baton” (N1)

A protest called by student protesters under the banner “A Student ID is Stronger than a Baton” took place in Belgrade on Monday, N1 reported.

According to the protest plan that students shared on Instagram, local community assemblies, healthcare and medical workers as well as members of the general public gathered alongside students at 2 pm in front of the Serbian Government building in downtown Belgrade. From there, the column marched to the Palace of Justice, then to the headquarters of the Unit for Protection of Designated Persons and Facilities (JZO), and finally to the last planned stop - the Internal Control Sector of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In front of the Serbian Government headquarters, student protesters said authorities were the “instigators of excessive force” and were “falsely claiming that security comes above all else”. The protest continued with a march to the Palace of Justice, where red paint was spilled on the steps in front of the entrance to the building. Outside the headquarters of the Unit for the Protection of Designated Persons and Facilities (JZO), student Nikolina Sindjelic said “they had been beaten by commanders of specialized units, fully geared-up special forces with masks covering their faces - faceless, nameless people”. The protest column at the end reached the Ministry of Internal Affairs building, home to the Internal Control Sector, where demonstrators sent more messages. The protest ended at around 18.00, N1 added.