Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: "State must not be blocked over one deputy speaker of assembly" (media)
• Kusari-Lila calls for new elections, says government still lacks majority (media)
• German Embassy urges respect for Constitutional Court’s independence (media)
• Journalists call for ethical reporting ahead of elections (media)
• Serbia arrests 77-year-old from Kosovo at Merdare border crossing (media)
• Western Balkans remain a clear priority for Germany’s foreign policy (media)
• Graffiti with Ratko Mladic’s name reappear in Bujanoc (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: Pristina does not want Serbs to regain control of institutions in northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
• British Embassy in Pristina reacted today on recent media report targeting non-governmental organization Aktiv (social media)
• Milicevic meets OSCE Deputy Head, discusses frequent targeting of NGO Aktiv (Radio KIM, social media)
• Hamza on new Ibar River bridge, high costs associated with it (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian MIA: “A member of former KLA was arrested at Merdare ABL for  murder of a Serb in 1999 in Podujevo” (Kosovo Online)
• Kurti calls for “third republic”, one reborn in spirit of Albanian revival (KoSSev)
• Kos responds to Vucic’s insults: When MEPs are called scum, that reveals a questionable understanding of democracy (N1, Nova S, Beta, KoSSev)
• EPP to discuss SNS, Weber says (N1)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani: "State must not be blocked over one deputy speaker of assembly" (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani told a press conference in Pristina today saying that she has sent her comments to the Constitutional Court over the election of a Deputy Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly from the Serb community. She argued that “there is an attempt to block the state over a deputy speaker [of the Assembly]” and that her comments to the court note that the effective functioning of institutions is crucial for safeguarding the constitutional order of Kosovo. 

“In conditions where the constitution of the Assembly is blocked over a single deputy speaker despite the fact that the [Assembly] Presidency has the quorum and has a Speaker and when the MPs have made their oaths, this disables the legitimate representation of the people in the highest representative institution and the exercising of sovereignty … It is our assessment that exercising this right, which is an attempt to block the Assembly of the Republic, violates the rights of all other MPs and all citizens of Kosovo. Consequently, there is an attempt to block the whole state over a deputy speaker [of the Assembly],” Osmani said.

Kusari-Lila calls for new elections, says government still lacks majority (media)

Vetevendosje MP Mimoza Kusari-Lila has declared that new parliamentary elections are the only way out of Kosovo’s ongoing political crisis, citing the institutional deadlock and the continued lack of a governing majority. In an interview with IndeksOnline, Kusari-Lila said the situation in the Assembly has exceeded the bounds of normal institutional function, leaving no room for a return to regular operations. “Even if the Constitutional Court issues a ruling, I believe that democratically and institutionally, new elections are the only solution,” she stated.

She criticized the opposition for avoiding responsibility by sending cases to the Constitutional Court instead of resolving matters through Assembly votes.

“It’s evident that the numbers for forming a government haven’t been secured. Cooperation will depend on the positions of the opposition, but the best option for citizens and the process’s credibility is to hold new elections.”

German Embassy urges respect for Constitutional Court’s independence (media)

The German Embassy in Kosovo has called on all political actors and institutions in Kosovo to respect the independence of the Constitutional Court, following recent tensions over a temporary measure imposed by the court. In a public statement, the embassy emphasized that judicial independence is a cornerstone of the rule of law, urging all parties to refrain from interference or personal attacks on the judiciary. “The German Embassy in Pristina stresses the importance of judicial independence as a cornerstone of the rule of law. We call on all political actors and institutions in Kosovo to respect the independence of the Constitutional Court and the entire judiciary, and to refrain from any interference, including personal attacks,” the statement reads.

Journalists call for ethical reporting ahead of elections (media)

At a workshop organized by the Press Council of Kosovo in cooperation with the OSCE Mission, journalists and media representatives called for ethical, impartial, and professional reporting during the upcoming election campaign.

The event, titled "Combating Fake News and Disinformation: Ethics in Media During Election Campaigns,"emphasized the responsibility of journalists to avoid distorting facts and to provide accurate and complete information to the public.

Executive Director of the Press Council, Imer Mushkolaj, warned against disinformation and hate speech during campaigns, stressing the need for the media to uphold ethical standards.

Representing the OSCE Mission, Pascale Roussy reaffirmed the organization’s support for free and professional media, noting that journalists play a key role in preventing the spread of fake news and misinformation.

The Chair of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Xhemajl Rexha, highlighted concerns over threats to journalists in previous elections and called on political parties to ensure equal media access. He urged media outlets to remain independent and citizens to base their decisions on accurate information.

Additional calls for unbiased and professional reporting were made by Brikenda Rexhepi, Chair of the Press Council, and Besnik Berisha, Chair of the Independent Media Commission.

The workshop concluded with the presentation of a new guideline for ethical election reporting, which urges the media to treat all political entities fairly and to offer comprehensive coverage of the electoral process.

Serbia arrests 77-year-old from Kosovo at Merdare border crossing (media)

Serbian authorities have arrested an individual from Kosovo, H.H. (born in 1948), at the Merdare border crossing, on allegations of war crimes against civilians. According to Serbia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, H.H. is suspected of having participated in the killing of Serbian civilians in Podujeva during June 1999, allegedly acting in collaboration with other armed individuals during the post-war period in Kosovo. The suspect has been placed in 48-hour custody and is expected to be referred to the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade with formal charges.

Western Balkans remain a clear priority for Germany’s foreign policy (media)

The German Embassy in Pristina said in a Facebook post today that the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, remain a clear priority in Germany’s foreign policy - this was emphasized at the opening of this year’s Ambassadors Conference.

“This week Germany’s Heads of Missions convene in Berlin for the 23rd. annual Ambassadors Conference. The conference was opened with speeches by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Over the coming days Ambassador Jörn Rohde and his colleagues come together to shape the direction of Germany’s foreign policy and foster strong cooperation with our partners worldwide,” the post notes.

Graffiti with Ratko Mladic’s name reappear in Bujanoc (media)

In the center of Bujanoc, graffiti bearing the name of war criminal Ratko Mladic and the nationalist Serbian symbol of the four “С”s have reappeared, raising concern among the local Albanian community.

Ragmi Mustafi, a politician from the Presheva Valley, reacted on Facebook, stating that this is no longer an isolated act of vandalism but a recurring pattern of provocation, hate incitement, and glorification of genocide in public spaces where Albanians form the majority. “This is not ordinary vandalism. This is a political and ideological message. It spreads fear, symbols of domination, and narratives that deny coexistence,” Mustafi wrote.

He urged institutions not to remain silent, calling on the police, local authorities, and the Coordination Body to respond. According to him, ongoing silence in the face of these actions amounts to complicity, not neutrality.

Similar graffiti had appeared previously, including on Saturday, raising further concerns about the lack of official reaction. Mustafi called for urgent international and civic response, stating that institutional reaction has already been delayed for too long.

Serbian Language Media 

Djuric: Pristina does not want Serbs to regain control of institutions in northern Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Tuesday “Pristina’s PM Albin Kurti did not want the Serbs to regain control of institutions in the north of Kosovo and Metohija in upcoming local elections in the province and maintain control of Serb-majority institutions south of the Ibar River, or be a part of the government as they were entitled to under the constitution of the so-called Kosovo”, Tanjug news agency reported. 

Commenting on decisions of Kosovo Central Electoral Commission regarding the number of voters and electoral board members - which are aimed against the Serbs and Serbian List - Djuric told Prva TV that, for two and a half years now, Kurti had been "doing everything in an attempt to marginalize the Serbs in the worst apartheid-like manner".

"We have seen that not only politically, but also when it comes to security. We also see that today, through the fact there are dozens of political prisoners incarcerated in Kosovo and Metohija. There are many other examples as well", Djuric added.

British Embassy in Pristina reacted today on recent media report targeting non-governmental organization Aktiv (social media)

The Embassy reacted with a post on social media, reposting the EU Office in Pristina reaction from a few days ago. 

“The British Embassy shares these concerns about recent misleading and divisive media reports targeting NGOs in Kosovo. Both the media and civil society play an essential role in democratic societies, including to advocate for citizens and hold authorities to account. But the media also has a responsibility to report factually and responsibly, in line with journalistic standards and ethics. We will continue to work with both media and civil society organizations and support their role in strengthening Kosovo’s democracy”.

Milicevic meets OSCE Deputy Head, discusses frequent targeting of NGO Aktiv (Radio KIM, social media)

Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Connie Taylor met today with non-governmental organization Aktiv Executive Director, Miodrag Milicevic in relation to the media reports in which this civil society organization is accused of “espionage”, Radio KIM reported.  

As Aktiv said in their public reaction denouncing reporting of Klan Kosova broadcast “Ora Shtate”, the journalist Kushtirm Bekolli presented a serious of unfounded and slandering allegations against the Aktiv, presenting publicly available information as “exclusive” and accusing Aktiv for “espionage” and “endangering constitutional order of Kosovo”.

In the reaction, Aktiv also underlined that it is about “irresponsible and ill-intended reporting which cannot be treated as ordinary errors, but that it rather represents a part of a wider smear campaign aiming to delegitimize the Serbian non-governmental organizations in Kosovo and silence critical voices”.

Executive Director of Aktiv, Miodrag Milicevic today met Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Connie Taylor to discuss the recent media reporting targeting him and his organization.

“Civil society is essential for democratic oversight, and its work should be assessed on its merits through fair and constructive debate. I am concerned that recent portrayals have gone beyond such debate, leaving Ngo Aktiv feeling directly targeted and creating a climate of pressure that risks discouraging their work. The media best serves the public interest when guided by accuracy, professionalism and ethical standards. By contrast, coverage that relies on sensationalism, insinuations, or unverified associations risks undermining the valuable role of NGOs and eroding public trust. The OSCE Mission will continue to support civil society in promoting accountability and democratic resilience, especially when it comes to issues that affect non-majority communities. We also encourage responsible journalism and media literacy, fostering open debate that is grounded in facts and respect for democratic principles”, Taylor said following the meeting as published in a statement on OSCE Facebook account.

Earlier, Milicevic announced filing a criminal lawsuit against Klan Kosova and journalist Kushtrim Bekolli over their reporting on Aktiv, Radio KIM recalled. 

Hamza on new Ibar River bridge, high costs associated with it (Kosovo Online)

Mitrovica South mayor Bedri Hamza expressed concern that the newly reconstructed bridge over the Ibar River could cause floods in the future and commented on the price of its reconstruction which is, as he said, ten times higher compared to similar projects, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Klan Kosova.

“Interesting topic”, he said in reference to cost differences.

“I have two dilemmas related to that bridge. First, we built a bridge at the beginning of the lake, which is wider and longer, done in a regular public procurement procedure and it cost 212.000 euros. And now we have a bridge of similar proportions which cost almost ten times more – that is a strange topic. Second, I am not an expert on bridges, but I have my dilemmas following consultations with experts from this field – there is a possibility that in the future this bridge may become the cause of floods in Mitrovica. I hope that will never happen, but if floods of such proportions occur, I am afraid this could be a problem. I hope that those constructing the bridge calculated everything well, but my dilemmas still exist”, Hamza is quoted as saying.

He also criticized what he called political marketing of some officials who come to Mitrovica for the sake of personal promotion. “I understand people who do certain things and use them for PR and political marketing, I do understand them. Many Assembly MPs come to visit Mitrovica and take selfies”, Hamza said.

“I live in Mitrovica. I worked in the north, I go to the north, move around. I was going there when it was much harder, when it was much harder to start reconstructing the houses in the north. However, I think our job is to do our work, to make good things, things that ease the lives of Mitrovica residents, without distinction”, Hamza said. 

Serbian MIA: “A member of former KLA was arrested at Merdare ABL for murder of a Serb in 1999 in Podujevo” (Kosovo Online)

Members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia arrested H.H. at Merdare ABL, “due to the existence of grounds for suspicion that he committed the criminal act of a war crime,” reported Kosovo Online citing the announcement of the MIA. 

According to the Ministry of Interior's announcement, it is suspected that H.H. in June 1999, in Podujevo, in co-perpetration with several members of the KLA, took the life of a civilian of Serbian nationality with a firearm.

The suspect was detained for up to 48 hours, after which he will be brought to the Public Prosecutor's Office for war crimes along with a criminal report.

Kurti calls for “third republic”, one reborn in spirit of Albanian revival (KoSSev)

Kosovo needs a “third republic,” but not one declared in the Assembly with 120 MPs. Instead, it should be a “renewed, reborn republic that breathes according to the ideals of the Albanian national revivalists”, outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Sunday at a meeting of Self-Determination (LVV) General Council in Pristina, KoSSev portal reported on Monday.

The session opened with the Albanian national anthem, underscoring the symbolic tone of Kurti’s address, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the so-called Kacanik Constitution.

“From the Kacanik Constitution to independence”

The Kacanik Constitution was adopted on September 7, 1990, by the then-unrecognized Assembly of Kosovo, declaring Kosovo - at that time an autonomous province of Serbia within Yugoslavia - a “sovereign Republic of Kosovo”. Only Albania recognized it, while Serbian authorities dismissed it as illegal and separatist.

Kurti acknowledged this limited recognition, arguing that the “first republic,” one of “resistance, peaceful and armed,” culminated in what he called “the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, NATO’s legitimate intervention, and Kosovo’s liberation from Serbia in June 1999”.

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/KSqUM

Kos responds to Vucic’s insults: When MEPs are called scum, that reveals a questionable understanding of democracy (N1, Nova S, Beta, KoSSev)

European Commissioner Marta Kos sharply reacted to the insults leveled by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic against members of the European Parliament who attended Friday’s protest in Novi Sad. She said that such attacks reveal “a questionable understanding of democracy,” and made it clear that Serbia’s international reputation is further undermined by these actions.

“In Belgrade we have a problem,” Kos said following her meeting with Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna.

“When members of the European Parliament are called scum, it reveals a questionable understanding of democracy. President Vucic’s and (Serbian Parliament) Speaker Brnabic’s statements against the EU will also not improve Serbia’s reputation in Europe,” Kos warned.

The Commissioner reminded the government in Belgrade of the commitments it made to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and to her personally.

Her advice to the Serbian Government is clear – focus on the promised reforms. This means a judiciary that is independent and able to fight corruption effectively, media that can work freely and independently and electoral law that guarantees that only the will of the Serbian people decides the majorities in parliament, said Kos.

The commissioner also underlined that “people have the right to protest” and that “the severe violence on the streets of Serbia, acts of vandalism, must stop,” and expressed expectation for the police to act appropriately and respect fundamental rights.

Vucic had called the members of the European Parliament who attended the protest in Novi Sad “scum,” claiming they were “the worst scum gathered there.”

He accused them of “brutally interfering in Serbia’s internal affairs” and threatened that all who, as he put it, “try to destroy Serbia from outside,” would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

EPP to discuss SNS, Weber says (N1)

European People’s Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber told reporters on Tuesday that the future of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) will be discussed within that political group in the European Parliament soon.

Weber, leader of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, said that the situation and developments in Serbia are being carefully followed, adding that the EPP is not turning a blind eye to events in the country. He said that the leaders of the EPP member parties started monitoring President Aleksandar Vucic and the SNS has started and will be discussed in the next few days but added that opinions are divided over the issue in the EPP.

Vucic’s SNS has been an associated EPP member since 2016.