UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 23, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti warns of ‘rising threat of authoritarianism’ outside and inside Europe (media)
Kurti attends royal reception hosted by King Charles in London (media)
Kurti meets Starmer, security and defense among key topics discussed (media)
Merz to Kosovo and Serbia: Intensify normalization dialogue, you have my support (media)
German Embassy: A secure Balkans means a secure Europe (media)
Bislimi, Sorensen discuss full implementation of Brussels agreement (media)
British Armed Forces to support KFOR at least another three years (media)
Begaj and Ulutas: KFOR is key to regional peace (media)
Haziri: LDK has not changed its position on governing with VV (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Macut: Serbia should be spared political conditions related to Kosovo (KiM radio, Beta)
Djuric: The New U.S. Administration shows strong understanding and sympathy toward Serbia (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTS)
Serbian List met Sorensen (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)
Inscriptions "KLA" on the pillars in Dobrotin (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Srdjan Lazovic pleaded not guilty again of war crimes; his defense claims it is an identity change (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
The court in Pristina convicted two Serbs for participating in the riots in 2021 (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, KoSSev)
European Parliament adopts harshest ever resolution on Serbia (N1, KiM radio, KoSSev, media)

International Media:

Starmer calls Western Balkans Europe’s ‘crucible’ as he kicks off summit (Irish News)
UK sanctions Balkan people-smuggling gangs ahead of London summit (Reuters)
Serbia buries general convicted of Kosovo war crimes with honours (BIRN)
A flowing landfill: Once pristine, Kosovo river turned into pollution exporter (PI)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti warns of ‘rising threat of authoritarianism’ outside and inside Europe (media)

Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in his address at the first session of the Berlin Process Summit in London, warned of the rising threat of authoritarianism both outside and inside Europe and that it is a challenge that Europe knows all too well.

“We meet at a time when Europe is so prosperous but has also never been so attacked. The rising threat of authoritarianism both outside and inside our continent is a challenge Europe knows all too well. As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War and 75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights, we are reminded that peace, freedom, and human dignity are never guaranteed – they must be continually defended and renewed by every generation. Therefore, we need a strong sense of unity, resilient enough to withstand both external pressures and internal doubts. Such unity must be extended to the southeast of our continent. The Western Balkans lies geographically within the borders of the EU and NATO, yet all countries remain outside of the EU and half remain outside NATO treaties. This is neither wise nor sustainable. In order to contain Russian or Chinese influence in Europe we should not leave any vacuum whatsoever. When the European Commission shut down enlargement in 2014, Berlin stepped up, coining Western Balkans Six through the Berlin Process to keep our region close to the EU. Today, when we have war in Europe out of Russian aggression in Ukraine, London could help very much by supporting the Western Balkan countries that want to join NATO to do so, thus closing this dangerous security gap. We have shared goals and shared values and have no alternative to EU and NATO membership, and these should be seen as strong points”.

Kurti said in the last five years Kosovo has made the fastest progress in democratic, economic, and security indicators. “We have had an average of 6%, and never below 4% in economic growth. Three months ago, the World Bank and IMF removed Kosova from their Fragile and Conflict-Affected lists, recognizing our strengthened resilience, stability, and good governance. Yet our progress remains shadowed by the continuous threats and aggression from our northern neighbor. The Banjska terrorist attack cannot be ignored. Milan Radoicic has admitted responsibility, yet justice has not been served. Our hostile northern neighbor must not be allowed to act with impunity since this emboldens new incursions and sends a dangerous signal that attacks on Kosova’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity will go unpunished,” he said.

Kurti said that on growth, Kosova supports the Common Regional Market and the Green Agenda as frameworks for responsible growth. “But more funding is needed to close the convergence gap in core infrastructure projects, including the green transition, and also to reduce inequality with more solidarity”.

Kurti said that since the last summit of the Berlin Process “we signed a new trade agreement with EFTA members, in January this year at WEF in Davos, including goods and services, thus expanding our markets. On our first direct chairing of CEFTA we restored its functionality by selecting a new director, who had been blocked for more than two years”.

In closing, he said that in terms of migration, Kosovo has pledged to the UK “to tackle the drivers of instability: strengthening border security, fighting organized crime, combating illicit finance, and helping to manage migration flow. We have been seriously engaged in combating small arms and light weapons which are exploited by non-state actors but also used as tactics of destabilization by malign state actors alike. Kosova is not a source of migration but merely a transit point in relatively very low numbers”.

Kurti attends royal reception hosted by King Charles in London (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, participated in a royal reception hosted by King Charles III in London, held on the occasion of the Berlin Process Summit. The reception took place at St James’s Palace. In addition to Kurti and other Western Balkan leaders, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also in attendance. According to a government statement, Kurti had the opportunity to speak with King Charles III, PM Starmer, and other attending leaders. “He emphasized the close relationship and special friendship between the Republic of Kosovo and the United Kingdom, one built on shared values of democracy, freedom, and equality,” the statement read.

Kurti meets Starmer, security and defense among key topics discussed (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, following the conclusion of the discussion sessions at the Berlin Process Summit. They discussed security, economic growth, and migration, with Kurti emphasizing the importance of Britain’s role in strengthening regional cooperation, security, and peace.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, they also discussed ways to deepen cooperation and support in areas of mutual interest, including energy, security and defense, infrastructure, and education. “Prime Minister Kurti highlighted cooperation in the field of defense, noting that Kosovo continues to invest in this sector. He thanked the United Kingdom for the announcement that the British Armed Forces will continue supporting the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, for at least three more years. He also expressed gratitude for the UK’s call during the latest UN session urging member states to recognize Kosovo and for demanding that Serbia hand over the terrorist Milan Radoicic, who remains free after the Banjska terrorist attack, posing a continued security threat,” the statement reads.

Merz to Kosovo and Serbia: Intensify normalization dialogue, you have my support (media)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Kosovo and Serbia to intensify their dialogue toward the normalization of relations. In doing so, he pledged his personal support for the process. “It’s time for both countries to fully implement the commitments they’ve made,” Merz said at the Berlin Process Summit in London, noting that he is aware of the lack of progress in the process during this year.

“I would like the Federal Government to be more involved in this process. I’ve said this personally as well,” he added, stating that talks between all sides will continue. Merz expressed satisfaction that all parties had adopted a joint declaration on reconciliation and good neighborly relations ahead of the summit, a commitment that, he emphasized, must now be put into action daily.

German Embassy: A secure Balkans means a secure Europe (media)

The German Embassy said in a Facebook post ahead of the Berlin Process Leaders Summit in London, that “initiated by Germany in 2014, the Berlin Process has a clear goal: to support the EU membership aspirations of the six Western Balkan states while fostering cooperation among them. It delivers visible improvements to people's lives with immediate impact, such as the abolition of roaming charges or mobility agreements enabling cross-border travel and mutual recognition of professional and academic qualifications”.

“The Berlin Process promotes reforms essential for EU accession, not as an end in itself, but as a means to strengthen the rule of law, democracy, and anti-corruption efforts, directly benefiting society. A strong EU is vital: stability and cooperation in the Western Balkans are indispensable for security and prosperity in Europe. Our focus is currently on London, where the government leaders of the Western Balkans meet today for the final Berlin Process Summit event this year. Close cooperation in these areas not only strengthens each country in the region but also serves the shared interests of the EU and the United Kingdom. A secure Western Balkans means a secure Europe,” the post notes.

Bislimi, Sorensen discuss full implementation of Brussels agreement (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi met on Wednesday in Pristina with the EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Peter Sorensen. A press release issued by Bislimi’s office notes that they discussed the way forward for the full implementation of the Basic Agreement and the Ohrid implementation annex. “Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi said the issue of forcibly disappeared persons must be treated with urgency and with the merited attention, in order for the Joint Commission to start its work, as there has been an agreement since December last year. The problem of blocking the allocation of funds for farmers in Presevo Valley must also be urgently addressed, as it has been blocked by Serbia and it refused to address this topic in the last meeting in Brussels last month. He also talked about the damages that Serbia is causing to Kosovo every year by blocking the interconnection lines and that this is increasing the energy transmission cost not only in Kosovo but in the region as well. Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi also highlighted the importance and necessity of fully removing the EU measures against Kosovo,” the statement notes.

British Armed Forces to support KFOR at least another three years (media)

Most news websites reported on Wednesday that the British Armed Forces will continue to support a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo for at least another three years. The UK has been a key contributor to the UN-mandated NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) since it first entered Kosovo in 1999 as a peacekeeping force to bring peace and stability following the conflict of the 1990s. The commitment centres around a reserve force of hundreds of British soldiers who could be deployed out to Kosovo to assist the mission at short notice, if required. The last major UK deployment to support the mission took place in 2023 after a violent attack against police in northern Kosovo.

The announcement comes as the British Prime Minister hosts the Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit in London today to discuss closer collaboration to tackle the shared challenge of irregular migration.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The UK’s commitment to peace and security in the Western Balkans is unwavering. By extending our support to NATO’s Kosovo Force, we are demonstrating our role as a leading NATO ally and standing by our values of stability and democracy.

“Working closely with our partners in the Western Balkans is vital, not only for regional stability, but to ensure security here at home.

“Kosovo is an important bilateral partner, with the UK having been the first country to recognise its independence in 2008.”

The international NATO peacekeeping mission, supported by more than 30 nations, was established after NATO’s 78-day air campaign in 1999 against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, aimed at preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo. It comes as the UK Ministry of Defence prepares to launch a new course targeted to Western Balkans nations that will commence early next year, designed to help build understanding among defence and security organisations on issues around protecting civilian lives, including promoting the role of women in defence.

Training of this kind is widely viewed as one of the most effective methods contributing towards conflict prevention and would encourage the development of a network of peers in the region who could be consulted in future. The UK will invite Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to participate.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said: “Our troops have carried out hundreds of missions over the decades in support of KFOR and this extension to our commitment will keep Kosovo and the Western Balkans safer.

“Peacekeeping is a critical component of our commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad, and I would like to thank the hundreds of British troops who remain ready to step up to keep the UK and Europe safe.”

UK forces have worked to enhance KFOR’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability, significantly increasing the mission commanders’ situational awareness – ensuring the operation can provide a safe and secure environment for the entire population. The support is financed through the government’s Integrated Security Fund, which is shared by multiple departments in tackling national security challenges faced by the UK and partners.

KFOR acts as one of the main security providers in Kosovo, with troops contributed by more than 30 nations including Italy, Turkey, Poland and the US, as well as the UK.

Begaj and Ulutas: KFOR is key to regional peace (media)

Albanian President Bajram Begaj met Wednesday with KFOR Commander, Major General Ozkan Ulutas, in a meeting focused on the importance of NATO’s KFOR mission in ensuring peace and stability in the region and on strengthening cooperation with Kosovo.

President Begaj expressed gratitude for Tukiye’s taking command of KFOR for the second time and highly praised the contribution of Turkish troops to the mission. “KFOR is crucial for peace and stability not only in Kosovo but throughout the region,” he said. Begaj also reaffirmed that deepening regional cooperation is essential for shared security.

A special focus of the discussion was Albania’s continued support for strengthening Kosovo’s capacities, particularly encouraging more cooperation between KFOR and Kosovo’s institutions, especially the development and modernization of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) in line with NATO standards. Both sides praised KFOR’s role in maintaining calm and freedom of movement, especially in northern Kosovo.

President Begaj concluded by reaffirming Albania’s unwavering support for the KFOR mission, calling it a vital guarantee of Euro-Atlantic security in the Western Balkans.

Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, also met with KFOR Commander, Major General Ozkan Ulutas. According to a media statement, the meeting focused on KFOR’s key role in maintaining security in Kosovo and promoting regional stability. “I congratulated Major General Ulutas on assuming command of the mission for the second time, reaffirming Albania’s unwavering commitment and that of our Armed Forces to fulfilling our obligations within NATO,” said Kingji.

Haziri: LDK has not changed its position on governing with VV (Klan)

The Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lutfi Haziri, has stated that his party has not changed its political stance regarding co-governing with the Vetevendosje Movement (VV). “LDK has not changed its political stance. Before February 9, it stated its political position, that we are entering the race to win, and if we don’t win, we stay in opposition. Even after February 9, it confirmed this stance in response to two invitations from the leader of the first party, from Vetevendosje, following the February 9 results, who offered LDK institutional cooperation in co-governance,” Haziri said.

He added that LDK has demonstrated institutional correctness in parliamentary processes, including votes for the deputy speakers and the Assembly presidency, but has not had the strength to unblock the political crisis.

Serbian Language Media

Macut: Serbia should be spared political conditions related to Kosovo (KiM radio, Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut said today in London that Serbia needs to get out of the "vicious circle of unacceptable political conditions" related to the status of Kosovo.

"We need to get out of that vicious circle of constant political conditioning, which is absolutely unacceptable for us. We are constantly conditioned by certain steps towards the temporary authorities in Pristina," said Macut.

He stated that these conditions "should not be a stumbling block" for Serbia.

Macut is in London for the summit of the heads of government of the Western Balkan six and other European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security Kaja Kallas, as part of the Berlin Process.

He added that he discussed with the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Keir Starmer, who is hosting the summit, the liberalization of the visa regime for citizens of Serbia, specifically for those who want to improve academically and professionally in that country, without stating specific conclusions.

Djuric: The New U.S. Administration shows strong understanding and sympathy toward Serbia (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTS)

Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, stated yesterday, following his meeting with the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, that the new U.S. administration demonstrates a great deal of sympathy and understanding for Serbia.

“We are speaking about one of the most influential and important figures in American foreign policy—until recently an adviser to President Donald Trump, and now a cabinet-level official, by virtue of serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN. This meeting was an excellent opportunity for us to present Serbia’s position on a number of key issues—from Kosovo and Metohija, including the situation of Serbs in the province and the fate of our monasteries and churches, to the plight of ordinary people who, over the past two years, have endured the ongoing persecution by Kurti’s regime,” Djuric emphasized.

He noted that the two also discussed the energy situation in the region, adding that he used the opportunity to seek additional understanding for Serbia’s position and to highlight the strategic importance of a friendly and partner country such as Serbia—where President Trump enjoys unprecedented popularity as one of the most respected world leaders—which makes our nations politically close and calls for cooperation even on sensitive issues.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/37uxfabt

Serbian List met Sorensen (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)

The Serbian List delegation, led by party president Zlatan Elek, met yesterday in Pristina with the European Union's special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Peter Sorensen.

As reported by Serbian List, the meeting discussed the current political and security situation in Kosovo, as well as the recently held elections.

The SL representatives expressed deep concern over the continued violation of the fundamental rights of the Serbian people, the increasingly frequent arbitrary arrests, as well as the daily pressures that Serbs are exposed to in all parts of Kosovo.

The SL emphasized that such phenomena are unacceptable and represent a serious obstacle to the establishment of trust and the normalization of relations and called on the representatives of the international community to demonstrate their commitment to the protection of human rights and freedoms of the Serbian people in Kosovo through concrete actions.

The SL expressed the expectation that after the publication of the final election results, the normal work of the municipalities, especially in the north, will be enabled, without obstructions from Pristina, reported Radio Mitrovica sever, citing the SL party statement.

Inscriptions "KLA" on the pillars in Dobrotin (KiM radio, KoSSev)

On the electric poles leading to the village of Slovinje, in Dobrotin village, graffities with the inscription "KLA" was written, according to the statement of the Kosovo Alliance.

According to their claims, it is particularly disturbing that such inscriptions are located near the local elementary school, which is attended by children from that village every day.

"We ask the question: Is this a message to our children and all our residents that we do not belong here."

The Kosovo Alliance expresses concern over, as they stated, the lack of reaction from the competent authorities, who have so far not taken any measures or publicly condemned the writing of what they describe as "offensive and disturbing graffiti".

"We consider such behavior unacceptable and worrisome," added the statement.

The Kosovo Alliance particularly criticizes the leadership of the Municipality of Gracanica, accusing them of lack of interest and inability to protect citizens.

"The way in which they ignore such incidents sends a clear message - that they are incapable of protecting their citizens," it was pointed out.

In the end, they said: "Don't you think that the work is finished - you are just starting it! We will carefully monitor your every step, every decision and every euro spent. If you have been spending citizens' money as you wanted, now think carefully about how you are doing it."

Srdjan Lazovic pleaded not guilty again of war crimes; his defense claims it is an identity change (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

Srdjan Lazovic from Leposavic, accused by the Kosovo Special Prosecutor's Office, repeated before the Basic Court that he is not guilty of the crimes of which he is accused. His defense claimed that it was an identity change, reported KiM radio. Lazovic is accused of events during the war conflicts in Kosovo in the village of Malisevo.

At yesterday's hearing, the prosecutor again read the indictment, according to which Lazovic, together with unidentified members of the Serbian forces, committed war crimes in the village of Panorce in the municipality of Malisevo during 1998 and 1999. He stated that during the further proceedings, he will prove Lazovic's responsibility for these acts, that is, that he "participated in the illegal arrest, imprisonment, deportation and mistreatment of civilians".

In the opening remarks, the defense of Srdjan Lazovic stated that the defendant did not commit the crime of which he is accused. They added that international expertise established that there was a change of identity, that is, that Srdjan Lazovic was never in the place stated in the indictment. Two witnesses of Albanian nationality - R.B. and Z.G. were questioned during proceedings yesterday.

"Through the cross-examination of the first witness (R.B), the defense undoubtedly proved that this witness's false claims about the defendant's identification were in question, since all his answers today contradicted the answers given to the prosecution and the police. The second witness did not identify Srdjan Lazovic as the perpetrator of the crimes," said the lawyer of the accused in this trial, Predrag Miljkovic.

Lazovic was arrested at the end of June last year in Leposavic and has been in custody since then. At the beginning of December, at the first hearing, Lazovic pleaded not guilty to the crimes he is accused of.

The court in Pristina convicted two Serbs for participating in the riots in 2021 (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, KoSSev)

The basic court in Pristina sentenced Nenad Miljkovic and Aleksandar Lazic to six months in prison each, with the sentence changed to a fine of four thousand euros each, for their participation in the riots that took place in 2021 in North Mitrovica and Zvecan, reported KiM radio yesterday.

Miljkovic and Lazic pleaded guilty in court to alleged hooliganism and assault on officials. They are part of a group of six Serbs whose trial began in Pristina yesterday. In addition to them, Srecko Sofronijevic, Ilija and Milan Vicentijevic, as well as Marko Rakic, were also accused of participating in protests and clashes with the police in North Mitrovica and Zvecan.

The defense attorneys pointed out that there were no consequences in the events for which they are charged and expressed surprise that the case was not classified as a misdemeanor proceeding.

"I don't know why this is being raised to the level of criminal proceedings, I think it's an overreaction of the prosecutor. I will remind you that in those events one of the accused was wounded with a firearm. Instead of the proceedings being conducted against the people who caused it, he is now on the dock," said the defense attorney of Srecko Sofronijevic, lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic.

The defense announced an appeal against the indictment and objections to the evidence.

European Parliament adopts harshest ever resolution on Serbia (N1, KiM radio, KoSSev, media)

The European Parliament adopted Wednesday a resolution on Serbia highlighting polarization and increased repression in the country, one year after the canopy collapse at Novi Sad Railway Station. 457 MEPs voted in favor, with 103 against.

Among other things, the resolution says that the Serbian Government negotiated with the owners of the United Media, within which N1 operates, in order to “weaken” this media outlet and warns that, if confirmed, this would represent a serious blow to the already endangered media pluralism in Serbia. It calls on Serbia to align with EU policy in combating foreign interference and disinformation campaigns.

The text emphasizes that a year after the Novi Sad tragedy, the investigation remains incomplete, and calls for “full and transparent legal proceedings following the investigation by the authorities in order to bring those responsible to justice, in accordance with the rule of law.”

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ypxfn33t

International Media

Starmer calls Western Balkans Europe’s ‘crucible’ as he kicks off summit (Irish News)

Sir Keir Starmer described the Western Balkans as Europe’s “crucible” as he opened talks with leaders in London that will largely focus on how to tackle the challenge of migration.

The Prime Minister is hosting leaders from the Western Balkan nations of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo as the UK seeks to agree further measures to bring down the number of migrants arriving illegally.

The UK is in ongoing talks with some of the countries to host so-called return hubs where the UK could send failed asylum seekers before they are deported.

Ahead of the summit, Kosovo has reportedly expressed a willingness to host such migrant hubs, while Albania’s prime minister repeated his rejection of them and Montenegro’s appeared to suggest his country was not planning to host but could be swayed by investment in its rail infrastructure.

Sir Keir Starmer said at the top of the meeting of leaders: “The region has been described as the crossroads of Europe, but so often it has also been Europe’s crucible – the place where the security of our continent is put to the test.”