• Trump sends a letter to Kosovo President Osmani on anniversary of declaration of independence (media)
• Osmani hosts Albanian PM Rama, focus on Kosovo-Albania coordination (media)
• Rama: President Osmani was threatened by Specialist Chambers prosecutors (media)
• Kurti meets Orav; “Kosovo a reliable partner of the European Union” (media)
• Haxhiu backs protest in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague (media)
• Maqedonci reacts to Mojsilovic: KSF empowerment is not a threat to anyone (media)
• AJK express concern over non-renewal of two journalists’ contracts at RTK (media)
• Police find weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment in Zubin Potok (Kossev)
• IMF cuts Kosovo's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.8% (SeeNews)
• When a home becomes a school: Recalling Kosovo’s ‘unique’ underground classes (BIRN)

Trump sends a letter to Kosovo President Osmani on anniversary of declaration of independence (media)

The leading story in most news websites today is US President Donald Trump’s letter to Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani congratulating her and the people of Kosovo on the anniversary of independence. 

Trump wrote: “On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my congratulations to you and the people of Kosovo as you celebrate your independence on February 17. The United States remains steadfast in its support for Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. As the relationship between our nations continues to grow, we look forward to expanding our partnership including through increased trade and investment that advances shared prosperity. The United States stands ready to work alongside Kosovo to advance peace and stability for mutual benefit. I want to thank you and all Kosovans for your continued support of the United States’ efforts to resolve global challenges in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere. I also welcome Kosovo as a founding member of the Board of Peace, which strives to make the world safer, stronger and more prosperous. This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on Kosovo’s progress while looking ahead to even stronger cooperation and partnership”.

Osmani hosts Albanian PM Rama, focus on Kosovo-Albania coordination (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met in Pristina today with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and discussed relations between Kosovo and Albania and regional developments. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that the meeting focused on close political and institutional coordination and mutual commitment to step up cooperation in foreign policy with the aim of advancing shared strategic interests.

Osmani and Rama also discussed “cooperation in the Board of Peace, highlighting the importance of joint engagement in global initiatives that promote dialogue, security and democratic values”. “Kosovo and Albania are honored by President Donald Trump’s invitation to the Board of Peace, as proof of the respect and partnership with strategic allies,” the press release notes.

The Albanian Prime Minister congratulated Osmani and the people of Kosovo on the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, “reaffirming the full and unwavering support of the Republic of Albania”.

Rama: President Osmani was threatened by Specialist Chambers prosecutors (media)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said during his stay in Pristina today that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was threatened by prosecutors of the Specialist Chambers after she had refused prosecutors from controlling the premises of the Office of the President of Kosovo as part of investigations against former KLA leaders. “It might be a state secret here in Kosovo, but it is no secret to me that the President of Kosovo too was threatened. And you may not know this because it was never said here, but I am saying it today. She was threatened because she did not allow the prosecutors to abuse the office of the President of Kosovo, who were claiming to look even there for evidence for crimes against humanity, and this would certainly have put Kosovo in the eyes of the world as a country where even in the office of the President evidence for crimes against humanity are found. The threat against the President lasted for two years. But in her honor and for the honor of Kosovo, she prevented this from happening,” Rama said.

Kurti meets Orav; “Kosovo a reliable partner of the European Union” (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that Kosovo must get the candidate status and the questionnaire from the European Commission as soon as possible. He made these remarks after meeting EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, and said that Kosovo is a reliable partner of the European Union. “I thanked Ambassador Orav, Head of the European Union mission in our country, for his congratulations on the constitution of the Assembly of the 10th legislature and the formation of the Government, as well as for the approval of the European Union Growth Plan, which has an overall value of €882.6 million for our Republic. Of this amount, around 30 per cent are grants, while over 70 per cent are loans,” Kurti said.

Kurti also said that the EU is a reliable partner for Kosovo. “I also reiterated the commitments of the Republic of Kosovo, stating that our state will be, as it has always been, a reliable and serious partner of the European Union. We consider that the European Union is an organisation of peace and security, to which we wish both to contribute and from which we wish to benefit. For this, it is necessary that we obtain candidate-country status as soon as possible and receive the questionnaire from the European Commission, which will help us accelerate the reform agenda, which will undoubtedly be a priority of our government,” Kurti said.

Orav congratulated Kurti on his third re-election. “EU Ambassador in Kosovo Aivo Orav congratulated today Prime Minister Albin Kurti on his 3rd re-election. They agreed to get back to work on reforms to advance Kosovo’s European path,” the EU Office in Kosovo said in a Facebook post.

Orav is quoted as saying in Gazeta Express: “we all know that the limits of the Constitution were tested last year and time was wasted, but I am confident that now we can move forward in the right direction … From the side of the EU it is important that we finally have a partner – a stable government – and we are ready to move forward. We are glad that the agreements related to the Growth Plan were quickly adopted in parliament and we hope we will be able to open a new chapter on the enlargement issue”.

Haxhiu backs protest in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague (media)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu met today with representatives of the Liria ka Emer platform [Freedom has a Name] who organized the march which will be held tomorrow in downtown Pristina in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague. “I commend you on your civic engagement and mobilization. It will be a grand march because when it comes to the values of the liberation war, the KLA unites us all,” Haxhiu said.

Maqedonci reacts to Mojsilovic: KSF empowerment is not a threat to anyone (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, reacted to a recent statement made by the Serbian Army Chief of Staff General Milan Mojsilovic about the Kosovo Security Force (KSF). Maqedonci said in a Facebook post that Mojsilovic’s remarks trying to present the KSF as a threat to the Serb community in Kosovo are untrue, irresponsible and in opposition with the reality on the ground.

“The Kosovo Security Force is a professional force, built according to the highest democratic standards. It operates under full civilian control and in full compliance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Kosovo, and our international obligations. Its mandate is to protect the territorial sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Kosovo and to guarantee the security of our all citizens without any difference. The empowerment and modernization of the Kosovo Army does not have a threatening character against anyone. It is the legitimate right of every sovereign state and a necessity to guarantee long-term peace, stability and security in Kosovo and the region. Narratives that aim to frighten communities or justify destabilizing policies do not contribute to peace and stability. The responsibility for security requires maturity, respect for reality and a commitment to peace, and not statements that incite tensions. The Republic of Kosovo remains committed to close partnership with international partners and to building a safe environment for all its citizens,” Maqedonci said.

AJK express concern over non-renewal of two journalists’ contracts at RTK (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) said in a statement that it is deeply concerned regarding the decision of the management of the public broadcaster, Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), not to renew the employment contracts of two journalists, Hana Marteti and Edina Avdiu. “AJK considers that the termination of their engagement at RTK is directly connected to their professional work and their unwillingness to submit to pressure or compromise professional reporting standards. The failure to renew the contracts without a performance evaluation bears the hallmarks of a premeditated and retaliatory decision against the journalists, including the fact that management was aware of Ms. Avdiu’s pregnancy. This represents a harmful practice that undermines public trust in RTK. AGK expresses full solidarity with colleagues Marteti and Avdiu and will provide them with legal assistance to challenge this decision,” the statement notes.

The Network of Women Journalists of Kosova too issued a reaction expressing deep concern over the RTK’s decision. “The non-renewal of contracts without a clear and transparent process, without any professional or disciplinary remarks during three years of work, and without annual professional assessments, contains elements of a punitive and potentially vindictive practice against journalists. Such an approach creates a climate of insecurity and fear for women in the media, who not only face continuous professional pressure, but also structural barriers and gender stereotypes,” the statement notes. The network also expressed full solidarity with the two journalists and called for immediate transparency by the RTK management about the rationale behind the decision.

Police find weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment in Zubin Potok (Kossev)

Kosovo Police said on Sunday that it had found weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment in an uninhabited house in Zubin Potok. “During the search of an uninhabited house, police units found and seized: an AK-47 firearm with 30 rounds of ammunition, a tactical vest, tactical pants, a gas mask, gloves and 10 bullets of 10 mm caliber,” the police report notes.

IMF cuts Kosovo's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3.8% (SeeNews)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it expects Kosovo's economy to grow by 3.8% this year, lowering the projection it made in October by 0.2 percentage points, as a recent political impasse resolves but internal and external risks remain relevant.

A year-long political deadlock blocking government formation slowed down economic growth in 2025: the economy grew 3.5% in the third quarter of 2025, after a 4.75% a year earlier, the IMF said in a staff concluding statement for the 2026 Article IV Consultation Mission on Friday.

Parliament approval of a new government proposed by snap election winner Levizja Vetevendosje (Self Determination Movement) last week is expected to boost growth to about 4% in the medium term, supported by structural reforms as part of the EU Growth Plan and unlocked access to external financing.

"Fiscal policy recalibration in 2026 is needed to reduce the fiscal impulse and address macroeconomic imbalances. Over the medium term, fiscal policy should be anchored in a rules-based framework, balancing macroeconomic stability and development objectives while building fiscal buffers," the IMF staff said. "Moderating public wage growth would not only support prudent fiscal policies but also limit spillovers to rapidly rising private wages—outpacing productivity growth—helping safeguard competitiveness."

When a home becomes a school: Recalling Kosovo’s ‘unique’ underground classes (BIRN)

Fadil Aliu was 16 years old when his father, Mehmet, began putting the finishing touches to their new three-storey Pristina home.

It was late 1991, and Serbia was tightening its grip on Kosovo. Then a call went out.

Kosovo Albanian teachers were searching for premises that could be used as ad hoc schools, having refused to teach from a Serbian-language curriculum imposed by Belgrade after Slobodan Milosevic abolished Kosovo’s autonomy in 1989.

Mehmet had promised Fadil his own room. Instead, for the next seven years, the house served as a secondary school, more than 1,200 children passing through its doors between early 1992 and mid-1999, including Fadil.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/szgu2