UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 1, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani travels to Denmark for European Political Community summit (media)
Kurti believes he will manage to form the new government (AP)
OSCE Mission on decision announced by Constitutional Court (media)
Kurti meets US Congresswoman Cammack (media)
KFOR explains reason for “no flight zone” in KEK operational zone (Kallxo)
Haradinaj supports protest in Tirana in support of former KLA leaders (media)
Kosovo to investigate shooting incidents at Montenegro border (RFE)
Kosovo remembers students protest against Serbian oppression in ’97 (media)
Qelaj: There was a tendency to accuse media of working against Kosovo (EO)
AJK condemns candidate for pressuring Kossev editorial board (media)
Serbian politician from Montenegro continues with provocative statements on Kosovo (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

OSCE: Decisions of the Constitutional Court must be fully respected (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)
Andric Rakic: The Constitutional Court’s decision does not mean the end of the political crisis (Kosovo Online, Danas)
Law on Foreigners: Not yet enforced, campaign ongoing; Ban on vehicles with Serbian plates to start November 1 (Aletrnativna, Zubin Potok Info)
Report on the implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo published (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Arsenijevic in a tent at Jarinje: I don't admit what I didn't do (Alternativna, KiM radio)
UNS and NUNS: Inadmissible behavior of Radoica Radomirovic towards journalist and editor of KoSSev (KoSSev, KiM radio)
Serbian Democracy: Two cases of ''vote buying exposed'' (Kosovo Online)
Djuric: Israel one of Serbia's greatest friends and key strategic partners (Tanjug, media)
EU ambassador: Serbia holds key to its future, but EU doors are wide open (Beta, N1, RTS, media)

International:

EBRD mulls 29 mln euro loan to Kosovo for power grid overhauls (SeeNews)
Kosovo targeted by news reports promoting false cures (PI)
Kosovo school smartphone ban flouted, prompting calls for reform (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani travels to Denmark for European Political Community summit (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will represent Kosovo at the leaders’ summit of the European Political Community (EPC) which will be held in Copenhagen, bringing together 45 European leaders, including those from EU institutions. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that before the summit, she will meet their excellencies, the King and Queen of Denmark, and at the summit will attend the two main sessions. Osmani will also attend the roundtable on the main security challenges faced by Europe, including increased hybrid threats and Russia’s unprecedented provocations against NATO member states. In this context, European leaders will discuss ways to use the political momentum to make necessary decisions, including strengthening defense readiness.

Kurti believes he will manage to form the new government (AP)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he believes he will manage to form the new government, after the ruling of the Constitutional Court. “I believe I will manage to form the new government … After the ruling of the Constitutional Court is announced, and this is expected to happen next week, I am ready and interested to meet with other parties and move forward to find a joint solution,” Kurti said during his visit to the US and in a meeting with the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, VATRA.

“We are here to function and to move forward … After the decision of the Constitutional Court, I believe that the deadline to form the government will begin. I will have 15 days to form the government, and if I don’t manage to form it within that timeline, then Madam President has the right to give the mandate for the formation of the government to another party in the second round,” he argued.

Kurti also said that it is in the discretion of President Osmani to decide what will happen next. “It is known that in the first round, the mandate is given to the winning party, in this case I as current Prime Minister and as leader of the Vetevendosje Movement. The second round remains more unclear,” he said.

The news website also notes that the Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that the constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly was not concluded, without the election of a deputy speaker from the Serb community. The Court also obliged the MPs to conclude the election of the deputy speaker from this community within 12 days.

OSCE Mission on decision announced by Constitutional Court (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said on Tuesday that it took note of the decision announced by the Constitutional Court for the Assembly's constitutive session to proceed, as well as the order for the Deputy Speaker from the Kosovo Serb community to be elected. “The Mission reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the work of the Constitutional Court and its vital role in upholding the rule of law, promoting democratic governance, and protecting fundamental rights. Independent and resilient judicial institutions are the cornerstone of a democratic society. The Constitutional Court serves as the final guarantor of constitutional order and a safeguard against violations of individual freedoms and democratic principles. Its decisions must be respected and implemented fully, without undue influence or interference. The Mission also notes with concern recent public statements and initiatives that, directly or indirectly, aim to challenge or discredit the authority of the Constitutional Court. Attempts to politicize the work of the Court and the wider judicial system undermine public trust in Kosovo’s institutions. They erode confidence in the rule of law, and could call into question Kosovo’s democratic development. The OSCE Mission underscores that the independence of the judiciary is a democratic necessity. Political representatives and institutions bear a responsibility to respect the Court’s authority, reinforcing public trust in Kosovo’s constitutional framework and the justice system as a whole. As it has done for over 26 years, the OSCE Mission will continue to support efforts to strengthen judicial independence, transparency, and accountability, working with Kosovo’s institutions, civil society, and international partners to ensure the rule of law remains the bedrock of democracy and open to all communities in Kosovo. The Mission calls on all political actors to support the constitution of the Assembly in accordance with the legal framework and the decisions of the Constitutional Court. We stand ready to work closely with the Assembly and its MPs once it has been fully constituted. We stand ready to work closely with the Assembly and its MPs once it has been fully constituted.,” the mission said in a Facebook post.

Kurti meets US Congresswoman Cammack (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that he met with US Congresswoman Kat Kammack. “Kosova and the U.S. share a storied and strong defense partnership, and we discussed ways to further our collaboration. I also highlighted to Congresswoman the progress made in strengthening the rule of law during our mandate, and we explored opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure investment. We are grateful for Congresswoman Cammack’s acknowledgment of the strong democracy we’ve built and the alignment with our Western allies,” Kurti said.

KFOR explains reason for “no flight zone” in KEK operational zone (Kallxo)

The Kosovo Power Corporation (KEK) said on September 19 that NATO’s peacekeeping mission – KFOR – declared the operational zone of KEK as a no-flight zone, as a measure to protect Kosovo’s critical energy infrastructure.

KFOR told the news website today that the measure was taken after the explosion in October 2024 on the Iber Lepenci water canal which is key for supplying several cities and the Kosovo Power Corporation with water. “After the explosion at the Iber Lepenc canal, KFOR has taken steps to assist in protecting the critical infrastructure, in close cooperation with the security institutions in Kosovo … Flight limitations apply to all general air traffic in the lower airspace, but there are exceptions in cases of emergency,” the mission said.

Haradinaj supports protest in Tirana in support of former KLA leaders (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj showed support for the protest which will be held in Tirana, Albania, on October 17, in support of the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army who are being tried in the Hague. Haradinaj shared the official poster of the protest on social media, saying “We always stand for the right of our fight for freedom”.

Kosovo to investigate shooting incidents at Montenegro border (RFE)

A spokesperson for the Kosovo caretaker government, Perparim Kryeziu, told the news website on Tuesday that authorities have launched preliminary investigations to identify possible authors related to shooting incidents at the border with Montenegro, for which Montenegrin authorities sent a verbal note to the Kosovo embassy in Podgorica. Montenegrin authorities said they believe the shots came from the Kosovo side near a ski resort. There were two separate incidents, one in July last year, and the other one in late August this year.

Kryeziu said that Kosovo was notified through diplomatic channels from Montenegro about the incidents and that the Kosovo border police immediately started patrolling the said area but found no material evidence confirming the site or circumstances of the incident. “Following the instruction of the Basic Prosecution in Peja, preliminary investigations have started to identify possible authors and relying on information from local sources,” Kryeziu said.

The news website also reported that Kosovo Police General Director Gazmend Hoxha hosted a meeting on Tuesday with Montenegro’s ambassador to Pristina, Bernard Cobaj, to discuss security and furthering police and cross-border cooperation between Kosovo and Montenegro.

Kosovo remembers students protest against Serbian oppression in ’97 (media)

Most news websites report that Kosovo remembers today the peaceful protest organized by the Independent Union of Students of Pristina University against Serbia’s oppression, violence and segregation against Albanians in Kosovo, on October 1, 1997.

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a Facebook post that thousands of people from all over Kosovo joined university students and professors calling for their return to university premises and against the violation of human rights. He recalled that Serbian police and members of the secret service intervened violently against the peaceful protesters, by beating and arresting many of them. “Through cameras of dozens of international media, footage from the protest on October 1, 1997, made Kosovo a top headline in world media … The peaceful resistance of the people of Kosovo, centered around the organizations of the students movement of Pristina University, showed Serbia’s criminal regime in Yugoslavia and to the democratic world in the West, that the Kosovo Albanians were determined in their resistance and to implement their political will for freedom and state-building”.

Kurti went on to say that since 1991, Serbia’s regime in Kosovo had excluded students and professors from the Pristina University campus, as it had done with high school students and teachers. “Until the outbreak of war in Kosovo, around 3,000 private houses and buildings were adapted to improvised settings for the educational system, in extraordinary circumstances … The student protests which turned into popular demonstrations preceded and joined the righteous fight of the Kosovo Liberation Army from late 1997 until the liberation of Kosovo in June 1999”.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said today that in 1997, Kosovo’s students stood up not only for their rights, but for the dignity of an entire people. “They had the strength of voice, the courage of heart and the faith that the future could not be built on fear, injustice and terror. On the streets of Pristina, in closed auditoriums, in squares full of calls and banners, a golden chapter of our resistance was written. The student protests of 1997 were the messenger of freedom, from which every step turned into an act of heroism and every call for justice became a chant for freedom and independence … The students of ’97 taught us that freedom is not granted, but won, and the future is not waited for but built,” Osmani said.

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said in a Facebook post that “the history of Albanians is a history of endless quests for freedom. On October 1, 1997, the student youth and university professors demonstrated determination to rise against injustice and to announce the great change, the fight for freedom and independence”.

Qelaj: There was a tendency to accuse media of working against Kosovo (EO)

Kosovo Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj expressed concern today over attacks against the media and concerns raised by civil society about the freedom of expression and media freedom. During a conference on the 25th anniversary of the Ombudsperson Institution, Qelaj said that in the last couple of years there have been tendencies to verbally attack the media and accuse them of working against Kosovo’s interests.

“When talking about the situation with human rights in Kosovo, I can say that there have been concerns that we and civil society have raised about freedom of expression and the freedom of the media. In the last couple of years, there has been a tendency for verbal attacks but also in other forms: harsh language, smearing tendencies, targeting, and accusations of working against the country’s interests. Some media have expressed their concerns to us and we have reacted in cases when we concluded that there were such tendencies,” he said.

Qelaj also mentioned the case of workers of the Radio Television of Kosovo. “The lack of political readiness to find a solution for the sustainable funding of the RTK resulted in a situation where in late July, the RTK – the only public broadcaster – was on the verge of collapse due to lack of funds for salaries. We were concerned about this, and we reacted publicly to the tendency to impose censorship at the institution. We contacted the management and unions, and we worked to make sure that this would not happen,” he said.

AJK condemns candidate for pressuring Kossev editorial board (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement today that it “condemns the behavior of Radoica Radomirovic, a candidate for the Municipal Assembly of Leposavic, toward the editorial team of the “Kossev” portal based in North Mitrovica, Kosovo. Radomirovic, a former Deputy Minister in the Government of Kosovo who is currently running on the ‘Novo Lice – Narodna Prava’ electoral list, reportedly exerted pressure on a Kossev journalist following questions posed at a press conference. He demanded explanations for the journalist’s questions and even suggested what questions should be asked. After the editorial team expressed their dissatisfaction, Radomirovic sent a message to Kossev’s editor-in-chief, Tatjana Lazarević, accusing the portal of being ‘a branch of the criminal organization SL (Serbian List)’. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo strongly condemns Radomirovic’s conduct, which constitutes direct intimidation of professional journalism. The AJK calls on Radomirovic to apologize and urges all politicians to act responsibly toward the media and journalists, especially during this sensitive election campaign period,” the statement notes.

Serbian politician from Montenegro continues with provocative statements on Kosovo (Telegrafi)

The news website reports that “Serbian pro-Russian politician from Montenegro, Vladislav Dajkovic, has continued to make provocative statements against Kosovo”. During his address at the Parliament of Serbia, he said that “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia and the soul of Montenegro”. The news website recalls that Dajkovic, who is president of the party “Free Montenegro”, had entered Kosovo in 2021 and joined several Serb protesters in blocking the main roads leading to the Jarinje and Bernjak crossings. Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti had posted on social media about Dajkovic’s action at the time.

Serbian Language Media

OSCE: Decisions of the Constitutional Court must be fully respected (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)

The OSCE mission in Kosovo announced yesterday and said that political representatives and institutions have a responsibility to respect the authority of the Constitutional Court, thereby strengthening public trust in the constitutional framework and judicial system.

Regarding the latest decision regarding the constitution of the Assembly of Kosovo, the Mission emphasizes that court decisions must be applied without undue influence or interference.

“The OSCE Mission in Kosovo takes note of the decision announced today by the Constitutional Court for the Assembly's constitutive session to proceed, as well as the order for the Deputy Speaker from the Kosovo Serb community to be elected.

The Mission reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the work of the Constitutional Court and its vital role in upholding the rule of law, promoting democratic governance, and protecting fundamental rights.

Independent and resilient judicial institutions are the cornerstone of a democratic society.

The Constitutional Court serves as the final guarantor of constitutional order and a safeguard against violations of individual freedoms and democratic principles.

Its decisions must be respected and implemented fully, without undue influence or interference.

The Mission also notes with concern recent public statements and initiatives that, directly or indirectly, aim to challenge or discredit the authority of the Constitutional Court.

Attempts to politicize the work of the Court and the wider judicial system undermine public trust in Kosovo’s institutions.

They erode confidence in the rule of law, and could call into question Kosovo’s democratic development.

The OSCE Mission underscores that the independence of the judiciary is a democratic necessity.

Political representatives and institutions bear a responsibility to respect the Court’s authority, reinforcing public trust in Kosovo’s constitutional framework and the justice system as a whole.

As it has done for over 26 years, the OSCE Mission will continue to support efforts to strengthen judicial independence, transparency, and accountability, working with Kosovo’s institutions, civil society, and international partners to ensure the rule of law remains the bedrock of democracy and open to all communities in Kosovo.

The Mission calls on all political actors to support the constitution of the Assembly in accordance with the legal framework and the decisions of the Constitutional Court.

We stand ready to work closely with the Assembly and its MPs once it has been fully constituted,” read the mission announcement on FB.

Andric Rakic: The Constitutional Court’s decision does not mean the end of the political crisis (Kosovo Online, Danas)

Milica Andric Rakic, the NGO NSI Program Manager, told Kosovo Online portal that the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the constitution of the Kosovo Assembly is final and legally binding, but that in itself does not mean the political crisis will be resolved.

“The decision is final, so there is little room to alter what the Constitutional Court has said. But, of course, that does not mean the political crisis will be solved, because it did not arise from unclear procedures, but from someone abusing the procedures, pretending they were unclear, in order to use the Court to prolong the constitution of the Assembly,” said Andric Rakic.

She emphasized that if there is again no political will to resolve the institutional crisis and establish the Assembly, new attempts at blocking are possible. However, she noted that any such move would now be clearly recognized as unserious and irresponsible.

“They might perhaps come up with some new, creative ways to block the Assembly, but whoever does so will truly appear unprofessional – I would even say childish – because from this point on, it is more than clear that only someone with very malicious intent could continue blocking the constitution of the Assembly, or its constitution merely to trigger new elections,” she said.

Discussing the decision itself, Andric Rakic pointed out that the Constitutional Court determined the Kosovo Assembly is not constituted unless a deputy speaker from the Serbian community is elected, thereby protecting the rights of that community.

“For now, that is all we know. We have not seen the full reasoning of the decision, where there may be additional details regarding the election of the deputy speaker from the Serbian community and that procedure. Those clarifications could be important for other community rights as well,” she explained.

She also referred to the part of the Constitutional Court’s statement concerning compliance with the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, which could affect the legitimacy of the election of Emilija Redžepi, who, she noted, was elected contrary to the rules—individually rather than as part of a package with the Serbian candidate.

“That potentially means that the election of Emilija Redžepi, who was chosen individually instead of together with the Serbian candidate as required by the Rules of Procedure, may be challenged. But we cannot say for sure until we see the full decision and the Court’s reasoning,” Andric Rakic said.

Commenting on Self-Determination’s position, which announced it would not support the election of a deputy speaker from Serbian List, she remarked that such an election could still take place if there is will among other political blocs.

“Regardless of whether they vote for the Serbian representative or not, they can, in principle, respect the decision and acknowledge that the Assembly is not constituted. As for the pragmatic aspect, even if Self-Determination does not vote, there are still enough MPs in the other bloc to elect the Serbian representative. We will see what their stance will be from a principled perspective,” she stressed.

She concluded that a final assessment of the situation requires waiting for the publication of the complete Constitutional Court decision, which could bring further clarifications, including possible mechanisms for overcoming the political deadlock.

“We need to see the full decision of the Constitutional Court—whether 61 votes are really necessary, or whether it might propose another modality if all voting methods are exhausted. Otherwise, the Court may state that if a deputy speaker is not elected, the Assembly is automatically dissolved. The Assembly cannot be considered constituted until all deputy speakers are elected, including the deputy speaker representing the Serbian community. We simply do not know yet; these are all matters we still need to learn,” Andric Rakic concluded.

Law on Foreigners: Not yet enforced, campaign ongoing; Ban on vehicles with Serbian plates to start November 1 (Aletrnativna, Zubin Potok Info)

According to the Alternativna portal, although previously announced, the implementation of the Law on Foreigners on October 1, did not start. Implementation will begin when the Kosovo Police receive an order for such a thing - it was confirmed by the Kosovo Police for this portal.

"No, we are not starting from today. We are waiting for the order. I was interested in starting from October 1, but we only remained with the campaign" - Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the North Region, Veton Elshani, told Alternativna.

However, Elshani confirmed that from November 1st, the implementation of the decision on banning the driving of vehicles with Serbian license plates in Kosovo with authorization will begin.

Report on the implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo published (Radio Mitrovica sever)

NGO Aktiv presented a new report that analyzes the implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo - a law that guarantees the equal status of the official use of the Serbian and Albanian languages, reported Radio Mitrovica sever.

The report was created in cooperation with NGO Aktiv, Radio Kim, New Social Initiatives (NSI), Radio Gorazdevac, Center for Advocacy of Democratic Culture (ACDC) and Media Center Caglavica, with the support of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina. Its goal is to comprehensively map and analyze institutional practices in the implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages and, in addition to documenting the current situation, offer a basis for systemic changes in the direction of more consistent and effective application of language equality.

Key findings and weaknesses in the application of the law

The analysis shows that many institutions still do not ensure consistent and high-quality use of both official languages, either through the absence of translations in official documents, non-functional websites, or limited monitoring capacities. A special problem represents the unavailability of important documents in the Serbian language, including employment contests, public invitations, decisions, regulations and administrative instructions. Even when formally available, translations are often incomplete, superficial or imprecise.

The report also warns of the increasingly widespread practice of using automated translations in official communication. As stated, such translations are often illegible, grammatically incorrect and terminologically wrong, which seriously violates the right of citizens to equal access to information. This places non-majority communities in a position of informational and administrative exclusion, which leads to a feeling of invisibility and insecurity, but also to a violation of trust in public institutions.

Examples of good practice and recommendations

Nevertheless, the report also recognizes examples of good practice, emphasizing that consistent application of the law is possible when there is political will, institutional responsibility and awareness of the importance of respecting language rights. That is why the goal of the report is not only to point out omissions, but also to open space for dialogue and advocacy of policies that would lead to a more inclusive and responsible institutional framework.

The wider significance of linguistic equality

The publication of the report comes at a time when in Kosovo the need to strengthen the rule of law and equal access to institutions for all communities is increasingly highlighted. In this context, the full implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages is not only a legal obligation, but one of the key conditions for respecting human and non-majority rights guaranteed by domestic legislation and international mechanisms.

The report on the implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo available at: https://tinyurl.com/vf2w6pae

Arsenijevic in a tent at Jarinje: I don't admit what I didn't do (Alternativna, KiM radio)

The leader of Serbian democracy and candidate for the mayor of North Mitrovica municipality, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, has a new address - in the immediate vicinity of the Jarinje crossing, from the direction of central Serbia, where, as he said, he will spend the next few days in a tent, reported Alternativna portal.

"My new address due to political expulsion is in Jarinje, in a small tent where I will be staying for the next period. Given that I am politically expelled, I have no other option but to support my colleagues from here, to support my people and to make changes together," said Arsenijevic.

Weapons and charges

He repeated that the weapon found in the facility where he kept the horses was not his property, and that the facility was open and unattended all the time. As he added, the property was not in his name, and he left Kosovo three days before the weapons were found.

According to Arsenijevic, he was "a thorn in the eye of the Kosovo authorities", and that his absence facilitates their, as he called them, "dishonorable actions". He also expressed doubts about the fair course of the court process, with a request from the prosecutor's office to either file an indictment or stop the investigation.

"It was asked from my representative that I admit what I didn't do, and I think they even got angry because I didn't want to," said Arsenijevic, stating that he has evidence of his innocence and accusing the international community of being passive.

"The final straw"

According to Arsenijevic, the reason for, as he said, planting weapons, was the formation of the so-called neighborhood watches. "The final straw for them," he said.

He denied allegations by Kosovo media that he owns real estate in Serbia, saying that until he arrived in Jarinje, he was staying in the apartment of a close relative of his fiancee.

"I don't have any of that, all I have is in Kosovo. I invested everything there and I thought I would reach my old age there and be buried there," he said.

Announcement of return and criticism of political opponents

Arsenijevic announced that he will return to Kosovo if he is elected mayor of North Mitrovica.

"We achieved good things, as opposition without positions, we were a very good corrective factor," he said, adding that his eventual victory would represent "a small victory for the people."

On the other hand, he accused Serbian List and Nenad Rasic's party of buying votes.

UNS and NUNS: Inadmissible behavior of Radoica Radomirovic towards journalist and editor of KoSSev (KoSSev, KiM radio)

The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) with its branch in Kosovo (DNKiM) sent a note of protest today due to, as they stated, the inappropriate behavior of the candidate for councilor and the holder of the "New Face - People's justice" list for Leposavic, Radoica Radomirovic, towards Biljana Vlaskovic, journalist of KoSSev portal, and editor Tatjana Lazarevic. The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) also announced.

UNS: Everyone has the right to express dissatisfaction over the work of the media, but not with insults

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) with its branch in Kosovo (DNKiM) expressed a note of protest today due to, as they say, the behavior of Radoica Radomirovic.

They point out that, according to them, "everyone has the right to express their dissatisfaction with the work of the media", however:

"Not by insults, pressure, attacks or endangering the safety of journalists and media workers in any way".

NUNS asks Radomirovic to apologize

At the same time, the action of Radoica Radomirovic was also condemned today by the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS).

They asked Radomirovic to issue an apology to the editorial desk of the KoSSev portal and, as they state, to "refrain from any insults, labeling and pressure on journalists in the future."

"Also, we call on all competent authorities to take the threats addressed to journalists seriously and process them, so that journalists can freely and professionally perform their work, in the interest of citizens and the public."

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) also called on Radomirovic to apologize, along with the condemnation.

Serbian Democracy: Two cases of ''vote buying exposed'' (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Democracy announced today that ''it had exposed two cases of vote buying in the six days'' time, reported Kosovo Online portal.

"Vote buying under the direction of Rasic's party is done through GIZ grants awarded to the Ministry of Communities and Return, which is headed by Nenad Rasic, and the Serbian List through the allocation of aid packages through the Association of Pensioners in Leposavic," it was stated in the SD party's announcement.

Serbian Democracy points out that both cases are allegedly documented with video material and that the competent institutions are expected to react and, as they say, prevent the alteration of the citizens' electoral will.

"The illegal behavior of Rasic's party and the Serbian List can seriously disrupt the election process and lead to unrealistic election results," warned the Serbian Democracy announcement.

Djuric: Israel one of Serbia's greatest friends and key strategic partners (Tanjug, media)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar in Belgrade on Tuesday, noting that Serbia saw Israel as one of its greatest friends and key strategic partners.

Addressing a press conference in the building of the MFA, Djuric said good relations between Serbs and Jews were based on decades of good cooperation, as well as on centuries of joint suffering, values and unwavering faith in the future.

He said his meeting with Sa'ar had addressed bilateral, economic as well as political cooperation.

"Today, we agreed to launch a strategic dialogue between our two countries and to advance economic cooperation further through interagency cooperation and a future joint economic committee," Djuric said.

Sa'ar said Serbia was an important friend and a strategic pillar for Israel in the Western Balkans.

"Further strengthening the friendship between our nations is an important goal for me. That is why I am here today. This friendship is rooted in common history. The Jewish community of Serbia is an ancient one. Most of it was brutally wiped out in the Holocaust. Both the Jews and the Serbs were victims of the evil Nazi regime," Sa'ar said.

After the meeting, the ministers signed MoUs on bilateral consultations and diplomatic training, as well as a 2025-2028 programme of cooperation in education, science, culture, youth and sports. Also, Djuric signed the Survivors' Declaration.

EU ambassador: Serbia holds key to its future, but EU doors are wide open (Beta, N1, RTS, media)

In an interview with the Serbian state TV (RTS), the EU Ambassador to Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, said that Serbia and its citizens are the ones to shape their own future, but the doors to European Union (EU) membership are wide open.

He voiced concerns about increasing polarization within Serbian society, calling for reduced tensions to create space for compromise. He said his goal is to support Serbia’s progress toward EU integration, a challenging but achievable task, while also getting to know the country and its people.

The ambassador underscored the EU’s firm commitment to Serbia’s European path, viewing the Western Balkans’ future as part of the EU. However, he said that Serbia must deepen its commitment to democratic principles and speed up reforms outlined in the Serbian government’s own agenda.

He added that these efforts should be paired with clear communication to counter anti-EU narratives and disinformation.

Von Beckerath noted that recent Eurobarometer data shows stronger support for Serbia’s EU membership within the EU than in Serbia itself. He said he believes Serbia’s EU aspirations can grow, but that this requires national authorities to provide accurate information on the European integration process and address disinformation.

On the technical front, he said, the European Commission confirmed in 2021 that conditions for opening Cluster 3 were met. The next step hinges on EU member states’ agreement, based on Serbia’s advancements in rule of law, judicial reforms, alignment with EU foreign and security policies, and progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the ambassador explained.

The ambassador highlighted the need to involve civil society in reforms and foster a supportive environment for civil society. Pressures or intimidation against civil society are unacceptable in the EU, and freedom of the media and expression remain critical priorities, he emphasized.

He concluded that Serbia should pursue these reforms not merely to meet EU expectations, but because they benefit its citizens and are essential for a democratic society. The government, alongside civil society and the opposition, should champion these changes for Serbia’s own good.

International

EBRD mulls 29 mln euro loan to Kosovo for power grid overhauls (SeeNews)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is considering a 29 million euro loan ($34 million) to Kosovo's power grid and market operator KOSTT to fund upgrades of selected substations, transformers and electricity transmission lines.

Financing is channeled through the KOSTT Transmission Grid Strengthening Project, which aims to make the national high-voltage grid more reliable, support the expansion of renewable energy, and help KOSTT move toward digital systems, EBRD said in a project notice on Monday.

Additional to this financing, the Danish Cooperation Fund will also provide a 5 million euro investment grant.

Kosovo targeted by news reports promoting false cures (PI)

Over 170 fake health news stories have targeted Kosovo citizens this year, promoting false cures and using AI and doctored images to sell unverified treatments.

From January to August this year, there were more than 170 health related fake news stories targeting Kosovo citizens with promises of cure-all treatments for various illnesses, including chronic conditions—often without naming a specific product.

Websites like Healthylive.mk, healthy.com, and XAlphaBoost, all based in North Macedonia, are among the primary sources of such disinformation. They mainly promote “joint pain cures” and similar health claims. These fake news items are specifically targeted at the Kosovan market through paid advertisements.

Of the 170+ fake reports, 50 originated from North Macedonian websites, with Ukraine identified as another key source. Additional websites created to mislead citizens were also found to be operating from the US and the UK.

A wider scam involving fake public transport pages

A 2025 report by Maldita.es (A Spanish fact-checking non-profit organisation) exposed a global scam involving 1,075 fake Facebook pages across 60 countries, imitating local public transport services. These pages offered travel cards at extremely low prices, redirecting users to phishing websites to steal credit card data.

According to Meta, over half the page administrators were located in Vietnam, while many domains were hosted on two Russian IP addresses.