Albanian Language Media:

• 51st attempt to form the new Kosovo Assembly without any results (media)
• Hargreaves: Consequences of ongoing stalemate would be severe (media)
• Limaj: Not interested in partial solutions, but a majority government (media)
• Krasniqi: Kurti will never propose Limaj for Assembly Speaker (media)
• Abdixhiku: Kurti is not forming majority, this right should be taken away (media)
• VV MP: Optimistic we will have positive response from NISMA (RTK)
• Citaku: Govt should do more for release of ex-soldiers arrested by Serbia (media)
• Brahimaj to ex-KLA soldiers, police officers: Don’t travel through Serbia (media)
• KLA War Veterans: Person arrested in Serbia was not part of KLA (RTK)
• Osmani: "ICJ opinion reaffirmed irreversible reality of our Republic" (media)
• Maqedonci meets Turkish Defense Minister Guler (media)
• Basic court rules again on detention for five police officers in Lipjan (media)
• KFOR MSU conducts live fire training exercises (media)
• Journalists’ Association expresses concern over RTK’s financial situation (media)
• Klan Kosova files lawsuit against Kurti for slander and insult (Betimi per Drejtesi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I am not responding to Kurti's provocations in order to maintain stability (Tanjug, media)
• 26^th anniversary of murder of 14 Serbian harvesters in Staro Gracko (KoSSev, media)
• Office for KiM: 26 years since crime without punishment (Radio KIM, media)
• Memorial served to Staro Gracko victims: 26 years without justice (Radio KIM, Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic on eviction of Janicijevic family from apartment in Mitrovica North (media, social media)
• Petkovic to discuss with Quint representatives Popovic’s arrest and dialogue with Pristina (Tanjug, media)
• EU carefully monitors Igor Popovic’s case, only with dialogue to progress in normalization of relations (Kosovo Online)
• A new settlement is springing up in Caglavica, in a place where construction is not allowed? (Media Centar Caglavica, KoSSev, media)

Albanian Language Media 

51st attempt to form the new Kosovo Assembly without any results (media)

All news websites report that even the 51st attempt to constitute the new Kosovo Assembly has not given any results and unlike previous sessions today there was no voting process, after a dispute between chair session Avni Dehari and PDK MP Ganimete Musliu. Dehari wanted Musliu’s address to be interrupted quoting the regulation of the Assembly that there is no room for debate, while Musliu grabbed Dehari’s microphone and asked that her address should not be interrupted. Dehari then closed the session saying that there are no conditions to hold it. The next session is scheduled for Friday.

Most news websites note that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has asked the Constitutional Court to give an opinion about the legal consequences that may arise if the new assembly is not constituted within the 30-day deadline. The deadline expires in three days.

Hargreaves: Consequence of ongoing stalemate would be severe (media)

UK Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, said in a Facebook post today that he met on Tuesday with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. “We agreed that the consequences of an ongoing political stalemate would be severe for Kosovo and its people. I congratulated President Osmani on her efforts to resolve the stalemate in line with the Constitution of Kosovo and emphasised the responsibility of all political parties to put country above party interests to find a solution,” he said.

Limaj: Not interested in partial solutions, but a majority government (media)

NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj told reporters today that this party is not interested in contributing to a semi solution but wants to make sure there is a majority government. “The position of NISMA is that we don’t believe in partial solutions. We want a majority government which forms the Assembly and creates the government. NISMA will not contribute to partial solutions that would then lead to new elections. We don’t want a majority ‘with episodes’,” he said.

Limaj has met several times with Vetevendosje leader and caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, most recently last weekend, with Kurti saying that by the end of this week it will be known whether a coalition with Limaj will be reached.

Limaj meanwhile said that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani’s request to the Constitutional Court will help clarify the situation for the future. “It is in the interest of the parties to wait for the opinion of the court. If there is a provisional measure, a solution must be found,” he said.

Krasniqi: Kurti will never propose Limaj for Assembly Speaker (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi said today that Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti will never propose NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj for the post of Assembly Speaker. “Have you seen anywhere that he is a candidate? I don’t believe that he will ever be a candidate,” he told reporters. “I have told him [Limaj] personally. Albin Kurti will not propose him as a candidate, so I don’t believe there will be any reason to talk about this”.

Krasniqi also commented on a statement by a PDK MP who said that Limaj should be supported for the post of Assembly Speaker. “A PDK MP has said that he thinks it would be good to vote for him, but the PDK does not vote in a disorganized manner but in line with party positions,” Krasniqi argued.

Abdixhiku: Kurti is not forming majority, this right should be taken away (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku said today that since Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti is not forming the majority, this right should be taken away from the leading party. “In fact, the Constitutional Court is very clear: the responsibility to form the majority belongs to the first [party]. As the first [party] does not want to use this right, this right should be taken away from the first. This is a political opinion. We are giving our opinion, the right should be taken away,” he told reporters.

VV MP: Optimistic we will have positive response from NISMA (RTK)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Arbereshe Kryeziu-Hyseni, said today that this party is optimistic that they will get a positive response from NISMA for an agreement. “We are waiting for a response from this political party and we are optimistic that we will get a positive response at least by the end of this week because we are nearing the 26th when the deadline given by the ruling of the Constitutional Court expires, and we hope that this [the response] will come before the end of the deadline,” she said.

Citaku: Govt should do more for release of ex-soldiers arrested by Serbia (media)

Senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and MP, Vlora Citaku, said that the Kosovo government should be more for the release of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army who are being arrested by Serbia. She said that the arrests have turned into a repeated and concerning phenomenon. “There are other [former] soldiers who are being kept in Serbian prisons. The outgoing government needs to be more active. Our diplomatic missions need to engage more in using international mechanisms for their release,” she added.

Citaku also criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that instead of dealing with “small domestic fights” it should focus more on the dignified treatment of former KLA members who are arrested by Serbia. “Those people are not without a country,” she said.

Brahimaj to ex-KLA soldiers and police officers: Don’t travel through Serbia (media)

MP from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Lahi Brahimaj called on former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army and current members of Kosovo’s police and security structures not to travel through Serbia. “This is Serbia’s tactic. Whenever Vucic is faced with unrest, arrests are made … No soldier of the KLA or members of police and security forces should travel through Serbia,” he said.

KLA War Veterans: Person arrested in Serbia was not part of KLA (RTK)

Deputy leader of the KLA War Veterans, Gazmend Syla, told RTK today that the person recently arrested in Serbia is not in the list of war veterans and is not known by any former soldier of the zone where he is alleged to have been during the war. “He is not in any of the lists, and he is also not known by any former soldier in the zone where they claim he has been in the war,” he said.

Osmani: "ICJ opinion reaffirmed irreversible reality of our Republic" (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X on Tuesday that “fifteen years ago today, the International Court of Justice issued a clear and consequential opinion: Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law. This historic opinion reaffirmed the irreversible reality that our Republic is here to stay—forever proud, democratic, sovereign and independent. To this day, it remains a call for those countries that have yet to recognize this reality and join other democracies in doing so. For those of us who had the privilege to serve on the legal team that represented our country in this historic case, it remains one of the greatest honors of our lives”.

Maqedonci meets Turkish Defense Minister Guler (media)

Most news websites report that Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, met with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, and they discussed new opportunities for cooperation “with the aim of increasing the new capacities of the Kosovo army”. “What was most special about this meeting were discussions about the strategic role that Kosovo will have in the region once the ammunition factory is operationalized. This project will visibly increase the abilities of the Kosovo Security Force; it will enable logistical self-sustainability and will contribute to the overall stability of the region. By strengthening its defense structures, Kosovo will be in a better position to contribute to regional stability and to help promote peace and stability. I highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two countries, stressing that our relations are crucial for stability and security in the region, and we agreed to continue cooperation as a key and strategic element for security in the region,” Maqedonci said.

Basic court rules again on detention for five police officers in Lipjan (media)

Most news websites report that the Basic Court in Pristina, the branch in Lipjan, has decided again that five police officers suspected of “murder in negligence” during the arrest of a 27-year-old in Lipjan, must remain in detention. The appeals court had earlier cancelled the detention order and ordered the house arrest measure. 

KFOR MSU conducts live fire training exercises (media)

Several news websites cover a Facebook post by KFOR which notes that their Multinational Specialized Unit conducted live fire training exercises in Pristina as part of ongoing readiness efforts to maintain their high operational capability. “Regular training is essential to ensure that KFOR troops remain prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any security challenges. Such exercises help sustain readiness and strengthen coordination among multinational forces, which is key to fulfilling KFOR’s mandate of contributing to a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo,” the post notes.

Journalists’ Association expresses concern over RTK’s financial situation (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement today that it is deeply concerned about recent developments involving Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK. “The warning that RTK may run out of funding within days and be unable to pay its employees for the month of July is alarming. AJK recognizes the important role that the Public Broadcaster plays in Kosovo’s media landscape. In the absence of a functional Assembly, it calls on the Government of Kosovo to take the necessary steps to ensure continued funding for RTK. Journalists, cameramen, and other RTK staff must be able to perform their work without interference from political or financial pressures,” a press release issued by the Association notes.

Klan Kosova files lawsuit against Kurti for slander and insult (Betimi per Drejtesi)

The news website reported on Tuesday that Klan Kosova has filed a lawsuit against caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti for slander and insult saying that in his public speeches Kurti referred to them as “Klan Serbia” and made other defamatory remarks. The lawsuit also notes that Kurti’s remarks harmed Klan Kosova’s reputation and could have a negative impact on its relationship with viewers and business partners.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I am not responding to Kurti's provocations in order to maintain stability (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti "and many others" were trying to expel Serbs from their ancestral places in Kosovo, but that he deliberately remained "silent in the face of their provocations" to help maintain peace and stability, Tanjug news agency reported.

"We will be steering away from conflict, but we will always be with the people in Kosovo and Metohija, and Kosovo and Metohija will always be a part of Serbia," Vucic said in Pozega, western Serbia.

He noted that Serbia should not be underestimated. "I deliberately remain silent and I am not responding to their provocations. And you should not think it is a symbol of weakness. It is not; it is a symbol of strength. I just want us to maintain peace and stability", Vucic said.

26^th anniversary of murder of 14 Serbian harvesters in Staro Gracko (KoSSev, media)

On this date, 26 years ago, following the arrival of international military forces KFOR and civil administration in Kosovo, 14 Serbian harvesters in Staro Gracko village, near Lipljan were murdered. 

From a close range, on wheat fields they went to sow in Staro Gracko, following persons were killed: Milovan Jovanovic (1969), Jovica Zivic (1970), Radovan Zivic (1967), Andrija Odalovic (1967), Slobodan Janicijevic (1965), Mile Janicijevic (1957), Novica Janicijevic (1981), Momcilo Janicijevic (1946), Stanimir Dekic (1955), Bozidar Dekic (1947), Sasa Cvejic (1973), Ljubisa Cvejic (1939), Nikola Stojanovic (1936) and Miodrag Tepsic (1951), KoSSev portal said.

British KFOR units launched an investigation immediately after the crime, and the case was later handed over to UNMIK.

The case remains unsolved, although one of the suspects, Muzlam Bitiqi, from Veliki Alas near Lipljan was arrested in 2007. Two months after he was released from detention due to lack of evidence. In May 2017 citing “lack of evidence” Kosovo Special Prosecution suspended the investigation against 7 suspects.

The crime in Staro Gracko falls under the timeframe mandate of the Specialist Court for War Crimes in Kosovo in the Hague.

KoSSev portal recalled that former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was the first Albanian official who paid tribute to the murdered Serb harvesters. Three days prior to marking the 17th anniversary of this crime, he laid flowers to the monument dedicated to them. Families of the Serbs, who were killed in 1999, however refused to receive Thaci, saying that he – by laying the flowers laughed to the face of families of those who perished and to all those dealing with investigations of the crimes committed against Serbs. Thaci was criticized by the-then opposition accusing him that with this act he admitted that “Albanians were terrorists”. 

Office for KiM: 26 years since crime without punishment (Radio KIM, media)

Today marks 26 years since the murder of 14 Serbian harvesters in the village of Staro Gracko, near Lipljan. In a statement released on the anniversary Office for Kosovo and Metohija said “harvesters, youngest of whom Novica Janicijevic was only 17 years old, were brutally executed with shots from close range, and although it is clear that the perpetrators of this horrible crime were members of the-then still un-disbanded KLA, none of the killers were brought to justice”, Radio KIM reports.

The Office recalled the crime took place following the arrival of international military and civilian forces in Kosovo, and happened under their mandate to protect people, thus, as it was said, demonstrating their unreadiness to protect the Serbs, find and prosecute the perpetrators.

The Office for KiM also reminded the investigation into this crime was closed over alleged lack of evidence, adding that “interest of international community in prosecuting this and similar unpunished crimes in Kosovo and Metohija may become obsolete, but our demands to find the truth about sufferings of our innocent compatriots will never become obsolete (…)”.

The Office for KIM also said they will not give up on the search for the truth, no matter how much the ideology that led to the murder of Serbian harvesters is still alive in Pristina today, the statement said. "We will fight so hard for the truth to be heard and for the victims to find justice and their families peace, because it must not be allowed for followers of terrorists and criminals to manipulate the facts today", the statement conlcuded. 

Memorial served to Staro Gracko victims: 26 years without justice (Radio KIM, Tanjug, media)

26^th anniversary of the murder of 14 Serbian harvesters in Staro Gracko village, near Lipljan, crime without justice served yet, was marked with a memorial ceremony, candles lighting and wreaths laying. The memorial ceremony was served by Saint Archangels Monastery Abbot Father Mihajlo, Radio KIM reported.

Staro Gracko resident Zoran Cirkovic said 180 Serbs left the village, after the murder of 14 harvesters. He said members of the families and people living in this village still wait for justice for this crime. "They stopped the investigation, the Kosovo law enforcement bodies and the international community, after that there was no more opening of the case, we as families and as a village are asking for the case to be re-opened", Cirkovic said.

Strpce mayor and Serbian List official Dalibor Jevtic who attended the ceremony called upon the international community to re-open the case again and punish the perpetrators. He said today’s gathering sends a clear message that Serbs will not leave Kosovo. He appealed to international community representatives to react to the detention of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director Igor Popovic so he could be swiftly released. 

Kosovo Special Prosecution suspended the investigation into the murders of 14 Serbian harvesters in May 2017 citing lack of evidence. Seven Albanians, members of the former KLA, were under the investigation. The crime against Serbian harvesters took place dozens of days upon arrival of international military forces. Staro Gracko was under control of British KFOR troops, Radio KIM added. 

Petkovic on eviction of Janicijevic family from apartment in Mitrovica North (media, social media)

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today in a post on X social platform that eviction of the Janicijevic family from an apartment in Mitrovica North “was continuation of Albin Kurti’s terror against Serbs”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“Continuation of Kurti’s terror against Serbs! So-called KP is moving out Serb family Janicijevic, single mother of two, from the flat in the north KM, which they regularly bought but seized by an Albanian! They’re wrong if they think that Serbs will lose the roof over their heads!”, Petkovic said in a post.

The portal recalled that today as per order of Kosovo Comparison and Property Verification Agency, Kosovo police evicted the Janicijevic family from an apartment in King Petar Street in Mitrovica North they regularly bought from Trepca company, as many Serbs from the north did decades ago.

Janicijevic is not the only family with this problem, one more family was evicted yesterday, while other Serbs some time ago received an instruction from the Agency to vacate apartments they received from public companies they have worked for or are still working for and which they also  bought from these companies. 

Petkovic to discuss with Quint representatives Popovic’s arrest and dialogue with Pristina (Tanjug, media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today he, together with Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, in a meeting with Quint representatives will point out to the arrest of his assistant, Igor Popovic over verbal delict, underlining there will be no dialogue while Popovic is imprisoned, Tanjug news agency reported.

He told Serbian public broadcaster RTS that not only him, but entire Serbian state apparatus, on a daily basis are in contact with all representatives of the international community, in particular since the moment of Popovic’s arrest, and that in each of these meetings and phone conversations, Serbian officials insist Popovic be released immediately.

As Petkovic said he told the EU Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina talks, Peter Sorensen directly, there is no continuation of dialogue as long as Popovic has not been released. “If you are arresting the assistant of the chief negotiator in the dialogue, this is then an attack on the dialogue. This is not about interrupting dialogue, this is about that there will be no dialogue until Popovic returns to Belgrade (…)”, Petkovic said.

Asked if he expects support from Quint states, he replied they will probably tell him that they took note of arrest, carefully monitor the case and hope for respect of all procedures…”Our response is very clear, and it will be even clearer after this meeting today, because, as President Aleksandar Vucic said, this brings serious consequences. Kurti’s behaviour brings serious consequences, therefore the Serbian state will do its job and you will see our acts in the upcoming period”, Petkovic added.

EU carefully monitors Igor Popovic’s case, only with dialogue to progress in normalization of relations (Kosovo Online)

The EU carefully monitors the case of Igor Popovic and took note of the Basic Court in Pristina verdict, EU spokesperson said in a written reply to Kosovo Online portal.

As he further noted “the EU expects that rule of law and related proceedings are fully adhered to”.

"Any measure of depriving one of freedom must be justified and proportionate. Only through dialogue can progress be achieved in the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Statements and actions that do not contribute to this goal should be avoided", the EU spokesperson concluded.

A new settlement is springing up in Caglavica, in a place where construction is not allowed? (Media Centar Caglavica, KoSSev, media)

In the village of Caglavica, part that belongs to Gracanica municipality, over the last days, works are ongoing on two land parcels, in an area that was not designated for construction. The location in question is in close proximity to the place called “Krusevac” nor far from Caglavica-Ajvalija road, Media Centar Caglavica reports today.

Excavators and trucks can be seen on the spot for the last 20 days, carrying out earthly works, which according to the current practice is prelude to construction of residential and other objects.

According to unofficial findings of the Media Centre it is about preparatory work to construct more than 30 houses at these parcels. 

Gracanica Municipality confirmed to Media Centre these two land parcels are not part of the applicable development plan, therefore no construction is allowed on them. At the same time, the investor, respectively the owner of these parcels, did not file any request to the Municipal Urbanism Department to obtain information on the possibility of construction at these parcels. Gracanica Municipal Inspection Department also reacted, saying that in line with applicable laws, measures were undertaken against an investor who carries out works on these parcels. It also said inspectors will continue further procedure in case works continue.

Illegal construction in the territory of Gracanica municipality, in particular in Caglavica area for years, represents a serious problem, both for the local community and respective authorities. Over the previous period, numerous objects have been constructed on several locations in this village without necessary permits and outside of valid urban plans. Such activities were often met with reactions from municipal inspections, however, in vain.