Albanian Language Media: 

• MPs to continue the constitutive assembly session today (media)
• Osmani meets Austrian President, discuss strengthening relations (media)
• Elshani: Police presence at new bridge is preventive measure, not alarm (media)
• Police find leaflets in Zvecan calling for display of Serbian flags (Kallxo)
• AJK condemns removal of six RTK journalists from screen (media)
• EU delivers €7.5 million to boost Kosovo’s energy resilience (media)
• Krasniqi displays message “yes to pluralism, no to terrorism” at CEC (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Djuric with Kamp: Deterioration of human rights and freedoms of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)
• Serbian List after municipal decision to rename streets in Mitrovica North: Decisions are changeable so are people (KoSSev, media)
• CI North for All: Decision to rename streets unlawful, only nine out of 19 councilors voted for it (Radio KIM)
• Veljkovic on murals removal, double standards applied (Alternativna, N1, social media)
• Corner stone for new health ambulance laid in Novi Badovac, near Gracanica (Radio KIM)
• Vucic, Petkovic to meet Sorensen in Belgrade on Tuesday (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: Offer to students remains open (N1)
• ANEM warns of media campaign against N1, Nova, lawyer Ninic (N1)

Albanian Language Media

MPs to continue the constitutive assembly session today (media)

Most news websites report that members of the Kosovo Assembly will meet again today for the constitutive session of the new legislative but that no breakthrough is expected. So far no candidate proposed by the Vetevendosje Movement for the post of Assembly Speaker has managed to get enough votes.

Osmani meets Austrian President, discuss strengthening relations (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Monday that she met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and First Lady Doris Schmidauer in Alpbach. “Friendly discussions on strengthening relations with Austria, one of Kosovo’s strongest allies,” Osmani wrote in a post on X. 

Elshani: Police presence at new bridge is preventive measure, not alarm (media)

Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, said on Monday that the presence of police officers near the new bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica is a preventive measure. “Until September 1, when the bridge is expected to be opened, we will be there … These are only preventive measures, it is not about anything else. But in the north of the country, we are used to things which for some people seem extraordinary, but for us they are ordinary – to throw a bomb or an explosive at us. So, this is why we take preventive measures so that they don’t catch us by surprise,” he said in an interview with TV Dukagjini.

Elshani also said that there is specific indication for any threat but that police always take preventive measures.

Police find leaflets in Zvecan calling for display of Serbian flags buildings (Kallxo)

Kosovo Police found on Monday at the entrances of several buildings in Zvecan leaflets calling on Serb residents to display the flag of Serbia in their houses and buildings. Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, confirmed the information and said that “there are no elements to initiate a case”.

AJK condemns removal of six RTK journalists from screen (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement on Monday that it received with concern the announcement from six RTK journalists regarding their removal from the screen and the programs they hosted on the Public Broadcaster. “Blerta Foniqi Kabashi, Meneta Zekaj Nushi, Arton Mulliqi, Edona Musa-Mustafa, Jehona Zhitia, and Valon Bajrami reported that RTK management, without prior notice, informed them last Friday that they were excluded from moderating the 17:00 and 23:00 news magazines. AJK strongly condemns this arbitrary decision by RTK management, which represents an unprecedented level of censorship at the Public Broadcaster. AJK views this action as a punishment of the six journalists for performing their professional duties independently, raising concerns about delayed salaries, and maintaining editorial integrity free from political influence. This is further evidence of the concerns AJK has long raised: that the current management has positioned itself in full service of the Kurti government and the ruling political party, Vetëvendosje. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo calls on management to review and revoke this decision, allowing journalists and editors to carry out their work in the public interest without ongoing political interference. AJK will support the six journalist colleagues in every step they take to challenge this unacceptable, politically influenced decision,” the AJK statement notes.

EU delivers €7.5 million to boost Kosovo’s energy resilience (media)

The European Union Office in Kosovo said on Monday that on 19 August, the EU disbursed an additional €7.5 million under the Energy Support Package (IPA 2023), reinforcing its commitment to Kosovo’s clean energy and green transition. “With EU support of €75 million so far: 200,000+ households received help with energy bills, 3,600+ homes renovated for energy efficiency, 28 apartment buildings of vulnerable families under renovation, 40,000+ households & 154 businesses supported with solar & energy efficient equipment. The EU stands with Kosovo and by the side of its people on the path to sustainable energy, decarbonisation, and energy security,” the EU Office said in a Facebook post.

Krasniqi displays message “yes to pluralism, no to terrorism” at CEC (media)

Most news websites reported on Monday that the member of the Central Election Commission from the Vetevendosje Movement, Alban Krasniqi, Alban Krasniqi, presented a message “yes to pluralism, no to terrorism” at the CEC meeting. His message was addressed to the Serbian List. The CEC had refused to certify the Serbian List for the October 12 local elections, but the Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel decided to order the CEC to certify the Serb political party.

Serbian Language Media

Djuric with Kamp: Deterioration of human rights and freedoms of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Christophe Kamp, to discuss key issues concerning cooperation with this international organization, with particular focus on the current situation and position of the Serbian people in Kosovo.

On this occasion, Minister Djuric emphasized that Serbia highly values its cooperation with the OSCE, particularly in the field of protecting the rights and freedoms of national minorities. He expressed the expectation that the OSCE, together with other relevant international actors, will in the coming period succeed in exerting influence on the current authorities in Pristina to respect the agreements reached in the Brussels Agreement and related documents, stressing that in the recent period there has been a significant deterioration of human rights and freedoms, particularly of the Serbs in Kosovo.

As noted in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, the head of Serbian diplomacy provided the High Commissioner with a detailed briefing on numerous measures and actions undertaken by the authorities in Pristina which have sought, and continue to seek, to make life more difficult for Serbs in Kosovo and to pressure them into leaving - illustrating this with data on arbitrary arrests and physical attacks on representatives of Serbian parties and their properties. 

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Serbian List after municipal decision to rename streets in Mitrovica North: Decisions are changeable so are people (KoSSev, media)

Serbian List reacted yesterday to Mitrovica North municipal assembly's decision to rename as many as 87 streets in this city, KoSSev portal reported. A municipal commission to rename the streets in Mitrovica North was established at the end of May and a decision on renaming was adopted in an extraordinary session on Monday. The chair of the commission was Self-determination municipal councilor Aida Ferati Doli.

“Decisions are changeable, same as people who are sitting on the councilors’ chairs, however, only disgrace and inciting discord among communities will remain after them”, Serbian List Presidency member Milan Radojevic said in reaction.

The Serbian List also said people were not informed about the session, nor did they have a chance to take part in public debates. “No one from the Serbian community took part in the work of the commission, so citizens learned about its work and decisions from Albanian media”.

“After local elections citizens of Mitrovica North will send the local administration to the past and make it clear what they think about their decisions made exclusively to the detriment of the Serbian people. After the local elections, the new municipal assembly composition will reflect the real will of people and will work in the interest of all communities who live for decades in Mitrovica North, while detrimental decisions such as this one will go to the past along with them (current municipal authorities)", the statement added. 

CI North for All: Decision to rename streets unlawful, only nine out of 19 councilors voted for it (Radio KIM)

Civic Initiative (CI) North for All, headed by Marko Jaksic condemned the decision of Mitrovica North municipal assembly to rename the streets in this city, adding it was a gross abuse of power “by current illegitimate authorities”, Radio KIM reported. The CI North for All also said this is the latest in a series of provocations against the majority Serbian community, aiming to further complicate the position of the future muniicpal authorities and erode further inter-ethnic relations.

"We note the fact that, according to media reports, only nine councilors voted for the controversial decision, although it is foreseen that the current parliamentary convocation will have a total of nineteen of them. Therefore, for any decision to be valid, a majority of at least ten votes is required. This means that renaming of streets is illegal and legally void", CI North for All said in a statement.

They also said following the local elections in October they will commit themselves to annulling “illegal decision on renaming the streets in Mitrovica North”, but also to naming Sutjeska Street after late Oliver Ivanovic in line with petition of residents, as well as to naming the streets reflecting specificity of Mitrovica North municipality with respect to all its residents.

They also condemned the decision to remove murals in the north, adding they are concerned with the silence from the international community, noting that “lack of their reactions only encourages such behavior and deepens the crisis”. 

Veljkovic on murals removal, double standards applied (Alternativna, N1, social media)

Alternativna.com reported on Monday that over the previous night and day as per request of local municipal authorities in northern Kosovo numerous murals and graffiti were removed across Mitrovica North and Zvecan. Murals were also painted over in Leposavic. 

Speaking to Belgrade-based N1 TV Serbian Democracy Vice President Stefan Veljkovic said that municipal authorities “have made a mess of the city – did not arrange it”.  “By painting over (the murals) they are sending a clear message that we have no place here. The law is implemented selectively, they are taking down Serbian flags and painting over murals, while the flag of "Greater Albania” flies in Bosniak Mahala and graffiti “Kosovo is Albania” are inscribed there”, Veljkovic said.

Veljkovic also said that such acts of local authorities only additionally antagonize people. “The only thing they did is that they additionally antagonized people against themselves and their authorities, as they know the political end is nearing soon. This is very painful for all of us”, Veljkovic said. 

Corner stone for new health ambulance laid in Novi Badovac, near Gracanica (Radio KIM)

Residents of Novi Badovac, near Gracanica will receive a new health ambulance by the end of the year, constructed by Gracanica municipality. The cornerstone was laid by Gracanica mayor, Ljiljana Subaric, Radio KIM reported. Subaric’s deputy Igor Aritonovic announced construction two weeks ago. He said back then the decision to construct the health ambulance was made as per request of Novi Badovac residents. 

Radio KIM said it received no invitation to cover the event, adding the municipal authorities continued the practice of selective invitations to the media to cover their activities. 

Vucic, Petkovic to meet Sorensen in Belgrade on Tuesday (Radio KIM)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic will meet on Tuesday with EU Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina talks, Peter Sorensen, Radio KIM reported.

The meeting with Vucic is scheduled to start at 10.00 a.m. in the General Secretariat Presidency building in Belgrade, while Petkovic will meet Sorensen at 12.00 in the Palace of Serbia.

Radio KIM recalled that the first meeting of Vucic and Sorensen was held in March this year in Belgrade, after Sorensen visited Pristina. Back then an importance of continuous engagement and progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was emphasized. Also, Vucic spoke with Sorensen in Prague in June. 

Vucic: Offer to students remains open (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Euronews Global that his offer of a debate with protesting students would remain open until they accept it, N1 reported.

“My offer will remain in place until they accept it because they will have to talk to someone one day”, he said. Vucic added this was not his first invitation to talk but a 5th or 6^th one. “I even offered an open TV debate. They can choose the topic and studio. I was prepared to talk in public because I believe a dialogue has no alternative”, he said. Vucic repeated his denial of police excessive force at the protests in August.

He said he made offers of early elections on at least 3 occasions but that he has a lot of state business to do. “We can’t have elections and elections all the time”, he said. Vucic also rejected amendments to the Constitution which would allow him to run for president again after his second term in office expires in May 2027.

ANEM warns of media campaign against N1, Nova, lawyer Ninic (N1)

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) warned on Monday that a media campaign is underway targeting an outspoken critic of the Serbian authorities as well as the N1 and Nova TV stations.

A press release said that a video posted on the X network targeted lawyer Ivan Ninić and targeting broadcasters Nova S and N1 in what ANEM sees as an inadmissible call for a lynching.

“In the video published on the social network X, the lawyer Ivan Ninic was targeted through text and image, along with lies and brutal Satanization. In the last ten months, Ninic is known for his legal and advocacy support for students and activists, who are daily exposed to pressure and arrests by the authorities, as well as for his public statements regarding the violation of human rights and the abuse of institutions”, the press release said.

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