UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 10, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
- Osmani: Kosovo committed to deepening strategic cooperation with US (media)
- Osmani may ask for clarification from court if Assembly not constituted (media)
- 30-day detention for five policemen over Agon Zejnullahu’s death (media)
- Kurti: We have put economic growth at service of democratic progress (media)
- Kosovo removed from the List of Countries in Conflict (media)
- Haradinaj: Court’s ruling in line with Kurti’s approach (Klan Kosova)
- Serbia extends detention of former Kosovo policeman for another 30 days (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
- Kosovo allocates €580,000 for cultural projects in Presevo, continuing support to Albanians in Southern Serbia (KoSSev)
- New appeals to the Constitutional Court: Tit-for-tat or a way out of Kosovo’s political crisis? (Kosovo online)
- Kosovo removed from World Bank’s Fragile Areas List (KoSSev)
- Trump again about sealing the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia, now in front of African leaders (Kosovo Online)
Albanian Language Media
Osmani: Kosovo committed to deepening strategic cooperation with US (media)
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani during a meeting at the State Department in Washington D.C., has reiterated the commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between Kosovo and the United States of America. The meeting was held with the Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Brendan Hanrahan.
Osmani announced that Kosovo is ready to advance cooperation with the U.S. in key areas such as defense, economy and strategic investments of mutual interest. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in values, in vision and in action,” she emphasized, underlining the importance of continuing close cooperation between Kosovo and the U.S.
Osmani may ask for clarification from court if Assembly not constituted (media)
President Vjosa Osmani is considering the legal possibilities of addressing the Constitutional Court with a request regarding the impasse that has been created for several months. "The President is considering legal options to address the Court with a request for clarification of the Judgment in case no. KO 124/25*, in order to clarify the legal consequences in the event that the Assembly is not constituted within the deadline set by the Court (i.e. within 30 days)," Osmani's advisor, Bekim Kupina, has stated.
30-day detention for five policemen over Agon Zejnullahu’s death (media)
All news websites reported on Wednesday afternoon that a judge has ordered 30-day detention for five police officers suspected of having caused the death of 27-year-old Agon Zejnullahu during his arrest in Lipjan. The hearing session was held at the branch of the Basic Court of Pristina in Lipjan where the arrested officers were brought under heavy security measures and accompanied by officers of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate. The court said that the measure against the officers was set as a result of grounded doubts that they committed “murder in negligence”.
Kurti: We have put economic growth at service of democratic progress (media)
Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that Kosovo's economic growth is being used as a tool to advance democratic progress, improve social welfare and strengthen institutional stability. He thanked the World Bank for its continued support, emphasizing that this growth is now recognized and appreciated by this international institution. "We have put economic growth in Kosovo at the service of democratic progress, social welfare and institutional stability. This has now been recognized with appreciation by the World Bank, which we thank for its support," Kurti wrote on Facebook.
Kosovo removed from the List of Countries in Conflict (media)
The Central Bank of Kosovo has welcomed the World Bank's decision to officially remove Kosovo from the list of countries in situations of fragility and conflict (FCS/FCV). "This decision, confirmed through an official letter and published on the official website of the World Bank, represents a key moment in Kosovo's journey towards strengthening institutional sustainability and macroeconomic stability. The removal from this list is the result of close coordination between the CBK and the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, as well as Kosovo's intensive engagement in international forums, including the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC in April 2025," the CBK statement said.
The CBK Governor and the Kosovo delegation held meetings with senior World Bank and IMF officials, arguing for a more accurate assessment of Kosovo's institutional maturity. "The main benefits of this decision include improved international perception of institutional and economic stability, increased investor confidence, more favorable opportunities for development financing and private capital, and confirmation of the positive trend of Kosovo's governance and economic fundamentals," the CBK further emphasized.
Haradinaj: Court’s ruling in line with Kurti’s approach (Klan Kosova)
Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said in an interview with Rubikon on Wednesday that he was disappointed with the ruling of the Constitutional Court about the constitution of the new Kosovo Assembly. According to him, the ruling was in line with the approach of Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti and that the 30-day deadline to form the new legislative does not solve the current deadlock. “I am very disappointed with the Constitutional Court and I will tell you two reasons why: the Constitutional Court doesn’t have daily cases as it only handles them when submitted by a party. It is not like ordinary courts that have a thousand cases and must wait their turn. The Constitutional Court is not only the guardian of the Constitution, but also of the constitutional order, and it has the right to interpret the Constitution. It is responsible for institutional and national security. Its decisions influence every element of our lives … First, I was surprised that it took them 60 days to respond to a matter that is very urgent for Kosovo because it is not like they had ten other cases and were too busy. They could have reviewed the case in two weeks, and this would have given us six more weeks for Kosovo. Second, they do not live on another planet, they live in Kosovo, and they see what the country is going through. The Constitutional Court judges know exactly what’s happening here,” Haradinaj argued.
Serbia extends detention of former Kosovo police officer for another 30 days (Klan)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the High Court of Subotica has decided to extend the detention measure for another 30 days against former police officer Arbnor Spahiu, who was detained on allegations of involvement in the Banjska case.
The MFA says that through the Liaison Office in Belgrade, intensive efforts are continuing for the fair treatment and institutional addressing of the case of the arrest of former police officer Arbnor Spahiu by the Serbian authorities. "Mr. Spahiu was arrested on June 7, 2025 and the initial measure of detention was imposed on him on June 9. The High Prosecutor's Office of Subotica has initiated criminal proceedings with allegations of Mr. Spahiu's involvement in the Banjska case, however, according to the defense attorney, so far no credible evidence or testimony has been presented that would weigh on his legal position. The attorney has announced that he has submitted to the court all relevant documents issued by the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, including documentation proving that Mr. Spahiu had left the Kosovo Police years before the Banjska incident".
Serbian Language Media
Kosovo allocates €580,000 for cultural projects in Presevo, continuing support to Albanians in Southern Serbia (KoSSev)
The Government of Kosovo, currently operating in a caretaker capacity, approved yesterday the allocation of €580,000 to co-finance the construction of a music school and museum in Presevo, a municipality in southern Serbia.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that this move was a part of a broader policy of support for Albanians who make up the majority population in three municipalities in Serbia—Presevo, Bujanovac, and Medvedja.
“At our previous meeting, we allocated over €626,000 to support education and institutional lobbying efforts there. Today, we are continuing that support with a €580,000 investment. This support will continue,” Kurti stated during the government session.
Acting Minister of Culture Hajrulla Ceku also addressed the session, describing the decision as a “significant investment in the cultural life of Albanians in the Presevo Valley.”
Kosovo’s government has consistently allocated funds for Albanians in southern Serbia through a variety of programs. These range from grants and scholarships to institutional backing and a dedicated annual budget line. These allocations have steadily increased over the years, especially since Albin Kurti came to power four years ago. Last year, Kosovo earmarked €3 million for these municipalities. For 2025, the regular budget line for Presevo, Bujanovac, and Medvedja stands at €4 million.
In addition to these regular allocations, the government in Pristina also provides extraordinary funding to support the Albanian communities in Serbia.
New appeals to the Constitutional Court: Tit-for-tat or a way out of Kosovo’s political crisis? (Kosovo online)
Instead of resolving the situation, the Constitutional Court’s recent decision has further entangled the political crisis that has gripped Kosovo since the February elections—at least according to the opposition. They are now offering a path forward. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (DPK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (DSK) have submitted new appeals to the Constitutional Court, and, according to reports, President Vjosa Osmani may follow suit. Is this simply political tit-for-tat or a possible way out of the months-long stalemate? Analysts warn that the Constitutional Court must serve as a body that resolves crises—not one that brings about a full institutional paralysis, wrote Kosovo Online.
The institutional crisis in Kosovo began on April 19, when Members of Parliament confirmed their mandates on the second attempt.
The Self-Determination Movement (LVV) nominated Albulena Haxhiu, the outgoing Minister of Justice, as Speaker of Parliament, but after more than 40 attempts, they have still failed to secure the necessary 61 votes.
Prime Minister Kurti’s party sought to resolve the impasse on May 1 by calling for a secret ballot—but again failed to secure a majority.
To break the deadlock, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) was the first to request clarification from the Constitutional Court on May 16. The Court responded on June 26, stating that MPs are obligated to complete the constitution of the Assembly within 30 days. Still, no progress has been made.
In response, on July 3, the DPK filed a request for the Court to review the constitutionality of decisions made during the last three sessions of the Assembly.
The next day, the DSK also filed a request, seeking a ruling on the constitutionality of all sessions held since the Court’s June decision.
Meanwhile, the verbal sparring between the ruling LVV and the three main Albanian opposition parties—DSK, DPK, and AAK—has continued.
Eugen Cakolli of the Kosovo Democratic Institute warns that the continued political bickering and failure to constitute the Assembly is leading Kosovo into an "unknown constitutional-political zone," as any action taken after the 30-day deadline would be unconstitutional.
Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/mfdcwtc7
Kosovo removed from World Bank’s Fragile Areas List (KoSSev)
Kosovo is no longer on the World Bank’s list of “Fragile and conflict-affected states” (FCS), Finance Minister Hekuran Murati announced on Wednesday, hailing it as a major achievement for Kosovan institutions and economy.
“This change marks a significant step forward and confirms Kosovo’s accomplishments as a state, demonstrating institutional stability and economic resilience,” Murati said in a statement.
He emphasized that the decision will positively impact Kosovo’s international image and strengthen investor confidence.
“It is also a testament to the outstanding cooperation with the World Bank and the excellent coordination between domestic institutions—namely the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Kosovo,” he added, thanking all those who contributed to what he called an important milestone.
Outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti also welcomed the development, stating that Kosovo’s economic growth has been “put in the service of democratic progress, social well-being, and institutional stability.”
“This is now recognized by the World Bank as well, to whom we express our gratitude for their support,” Kurti said.
A shift from past assessments
The removal comes after more than 15 years of Kosovo being listed among areas with fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS). A 2021 World Bank report titled “Risk and Resilience Assessment” noted that, despite certain improvements in stability and development, Kosovo still faced critical challenges.
The report, built on the findings of the 2017 Risk and Resilience Assessment, identified three key obstacles: Kosovo’s contested status linked to fragile ethnic relations and geopolitical uncertainty; political and economic disenfranchisement, particularly among youth; and the institutional weakness in the rule of law.
At the same time, it acknowledged signs of societal resilience, including the stabilizing role of the international community, the growing democratic engagement of women and youth, and a growing domestic private sector contributing to economic integration.
The report served as a foundation for the World Bank’s four-year “Country Partnership Framework” with Kosovo and was prepared under the Bank’s “fragility, conflict, and violence” (FCV) approach. It was authored by a World Bank team led by analyst Agon Maliqi, with input from UNDP representatives in Pristina.
Trump again about sealing the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia now in front of African leaders (Kosovo Online)
In just a few weeks, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly mentioned Kosovo and Serbia as an example of preventing conflict by threatening to end trade cooperation. He did it again yesterday, at a lunch for African leaders, where he spoke as host about the success of his approach to conflict resolution through trade.
Speaking about the successful agreement between the Congo and Rwanda, whose leaders, he says, will soon sign an agreement that will stop the war that has lasted for three decades, and which has claimed more than seven million lives, Trump cited Kosovo and Serbia as successes of his policy, reported Kosovo Online.
He pointed out that the US will also help establish peace in Sudan, Libya and other African countries.
"There are many conflicts on your continent," Trump said, noting that his administration is determined to strengthen partnerships with Africa.
He emphasized the transition from aid to trade.
"Until recently, we talked about aid, and trade is the basis of my policy with which I managed to solve several conflicts, such as between Pakistan and India, Kosovo and Serbia. I told them that if they want to go to war, they will not be able to trade with the USA," explained Trump.
He stated that this policy proved to be successful.
He called on African countries to invest more in defense and to buy American military equipment, which he claims is the best in the world.
He pointed out that African countries should continue to fight against terrorism, because it is a big problem on that continent. He also mentioned migration, adding that it is necessary to devote to it as well.
He also stated that his administration shut down USAID due to numerous frauds.
The day before, during dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump spoke about Kosovo and Serbia, stating that the US "has done a good job with India and Pakistan, as well as with Serbia and Kosovo, Rwanda and Congo."
With this, the American president only continued the series of references to Kosovo and Serbia in his addresses and speeches, which experts of the situation, as they recently pointed out in the analysis of Kosovo Online, interpret as a possibility for Trump to once again devote himself to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.