UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 6, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Begaj: Region is faced with security challenges, coordination is needed (RTK)
Osmani participates in Brdo-Brijuni regional leaders Summit in Durres (media)
Vucic incites tensions, say analysts: "Propaganda to hide crisis in Serbia" (RTK)
200 families in need will benefit from energy-efficiency measures (media)
Kosovo media on Vucic’s promise for 400 new jobs in healthcare in Kosovo
Ziv: Relations with Kosovo institutions will continue to be excellent (media)
Hargreaves goes hiking in the Sharr Mountains (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian President arrived in Durres for Brdo-Brioni summit (RTS, media)
Serbian Democracy claims Pristina will arrest internally displaced persons wishing to vote on October 12 elections (Danas, social media)
Reaction of Stefan Veljkovic to President Vucic’s statement on new employment opportunities (social media)
Are Kosovo police guarding the newly installed “Mitrovica” sign – and why? (KoSSev)
Pristina football fan group sparks outrage with banner calling Leskovac ‘Albanian land’ (KoSSev)
RFE: "Diplomats with cacophony" - who speaks for Kosovo? (KoSSev, KiM radio)
Three new domestic violence cases in Kosovo (KoSSev)

International:

Brdo-Brijuni Summit in Durres: A message of unity and European perspective for the Western Balkans (IBNA)
Kosovo election to end Albanian parties’ rule in Serb-majority north (BIRN)
What was Prishtina like with Përparim Rama? (Kosovo 2.0)
The beautiful risk of trusting students in a changing world (PI)
Vucic: Serbia may hold early presidential, general elections in Dec ‘26 (SeeNews)

Albanian Language Media

Begaj: Region is faced with security challenges, coordination is needed (RTK)

Albanian President Bajram Begaj said today that the region of the Western Balkans is faced with security challenges that require increased and close cooperation and coordination between the countries. He made these remarks after the plenary session of the Summit of the Brdo Brijuni Process at a joint press conference with his counterparts from Slovenia and Croatia. “At the summit today, we emphasized that the Western Balkans has made important steps forward on regional cooperation, security and strengthening economic relations. Our region is, however, faced with security challenges that require close cooperation and coordination. The EU Growth Plan for our region is a special opportunity for economic development because it gives us access to EU financial instruments, trade facilities and joint development programs. We discussed avenues of regional cooperation with the aim of creating conditions where the youth can build their futures in their countries,” he said.

Begaj shares joint photo of leaders from Brdo Brijuni summit in Albania

Most news websites report that Albanian President Bajram Begaj shared a joint photo of leaders of the Western Balkans from the Brdo Brijuni summit in Durres, Albania. “Together at the Summit of the Brdo Brijuni Process, an important platform for regional cooperation to push forward the European integration of the Western Balkans,” Begaj wrote in a Facebook post.

Osmani participates in Brdo-Brijuni regional leaders Summit in Durres (media)

Most news websites report that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has travelled to Albania to participate in the regional leaders Summit in Durres, Albania, within the framework of the Brdo-Brijuni Initiative. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that the summit is organized by the presidents of Slovenia and Croatia, Natasa Pirc Musar and Zoran Milanovic, and will be chaired by the president of Albania, Bajram Begaj, as the host of the meeting in Durres. “With the theme: ‘Common interests, common commitment for a common future: Together towards the EU’, this year’s meeting will focus on the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries and on strengthening regional cooperation, with a focus on the Regional Growth Plan proposed by the European Union. The Brdo-Brijuni Initiative aims to promote regional cooperation and facilitate the efforts of the countries of the region on their path towards the European Union,” the press release notes.

Vucic incites tensions, say analysts: "Propaganda to hide crisis in Serbia" (RTK)

The news website reports that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani recently called on Europe to stop Serbia’s aggressive and destabilizing tactics against its neighbors to which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reacted by saying that everyone is preparing for war and that Kosovo was “trying to use this time before war” to convince most European countries and NATO member states to side with Pristina. Osmani then reacted, saying that Vucic has not chosen the path of reconciliation and that his statements are a dangerous echo, drawing parallels between Vucic and Slobodan Milosevic.

Security commentators in Pristina argue that Vucic’s approach clearly shows that Serbia continues to be the main factor of insecurity in the Balkans. Bedri Elezi, security commentator, said that Vucic was trying to victimize Serbs in the region and justify Serbia’s actions by alleging that their rights are being violated. “These statements are an open threat against security in the Balkans. Serbia has made military moves near Kosovo’s borders and has used means to violate our country’s airspace,” he said.

Arben Dashevci, a security analyst, said that Vucic’s statements are part of what he called “a special propaganda war”. “These statements are a continuation of a hybrid war that Serbia is waging in an attempt to hide its own domestic problems. Vucic was once minister of propaganda, and this is his modus operandi,” he argued.

Dashevci also claimed that Serbia is faced with tensions and protests and that Vucic is trying to shift the attention away from his country by creating tensions in the region. He added that close coordination between Kosovo’s institutions and western allies remains key to maintaining stability and security in the Balkans.

“This is why Kosovo needs to act carefully and in close coordination with the U.S., the European Union and NATO,” Elezi said.

200 families in need will benefit from energy-efficiency measures (media)

Several news websites cover a press release issued by the Ministry of Economy saying that two hundred families in need will benefit from home insulation and other energy efficiency measures by 2027, thanks to the project “Inclusive and Just Path to 2030: Green Energy Future”. The project is part of an agreement between the government of Kosovo and the government of Denmark for support in the energy sector and will be implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Fund (KEEF) and the Ministry of Economy (ME). “The beneficiaries have been identified from the Social Assistance list maintained by the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers (MFLT), based on criteria defined by experts from the relevant institutions. Priority was given to two categories of families: Families where the head of household is a single parent; Families with members who have disabilities. Within these categories, the following criteria were applied for the selection of families: Households with more pensioners, Households with more persons with disabilities, Single-parent households, Families belonging to non-majority communities, Larger households, Families with more members under the age of 18, Depending on the type of energy source used. The project aims to include up to 200 homes from the social assistance beneficiary list by 2027. This is an important step toward a more just, inclusive, and sustainable energy system for Kosovo,” the ministry said in a press release.

Kosovo media on Vucic’s promise for 400 new jobs in healthcare in Kosovo

Several news websites report on a statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic who said that Serbia “will open 400 new jobs in the structure of the healthcare in Kosovo”.

Indeksonline covers the statement under the headline “Vucic buying votes for the Serbian List in the local elections in Kosovo” and notes that the SL operates as a branch of the Serbian Progressive Party in Kosovo.

Gazeta Metro too reports that “Vucic is buying votes for the Serbian List in the local elections in Kosovo: 400 jobs in healthcare within 10 days”.

Under the headline “Vucic’s plan to interfere in the October 12 elections”, Ekonomia Online notes that “the Serbian state apparatus has never given up from manipulating the Serb citizens in Kosovo”.

In a separate article, Ekonomia Online quotes Pristina-based attorney Arber Jashari as saying that this is not the first time that Serbia uses such means to influence the political will of Serbs in Kosovo”. “Vucic continues to interfere in the political will of Kosovo Serbs … Vucic promised that in the next 10 days he will open 400 new jobs in the healthcare system in Kosovo which is a parallel system and outside the legal umbrella of the Republic of Kosovo. This is not the first time that the Serbian state uses such means to influence the political will of Serb citizens of Kosovo, in favor of a political party that Belgrade supports – the Serbian List. In the past too we have seen efforts to influence Serb voters through parallel social schemes or other forms of pressure and intimidation. It should be emphasized that the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Kosovo guarantee free and democratic elections. However, elections cannot be considered fully free and democratic, as long as the Serb community cannot vote freely and without impositions from political representatives,” he argued.

Ziv: Relations with Kosovo institutions will continue to be excellent (media)

Israeli Ambassador to Kosovo, Tamara Ziv, in an interview with Klan Kosova today, talked among other topics about relations with Kosovo’s institutions. “Relations with Kosovo’s institutions are very good, they have been good from the beginning, and they continue to be so now. Our focus has been more on Israel and the difficulties we have faced in the last two years, and Kosovo is going through some political issues since the last elections. But our relations with the institutions will continue to be excellent,” Ziv is quoted as saying.

Hargreaves goes hiking in the Sharr Mountains (media)

Several news websites report that British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, went hiking in the Sharr Mountains. “When my cousins and I arranged to go hiking this weekend we weren’t expecting to be in deep snow! But it made the Sharr Mountains even more beautiful than usual. And thanks to Sasa Ilic - Paja and Labi Noti we discovered the beautiful cave church near Verbeshtice, a stunning Kosovo natural asset which I hope will always be conserved for local communities and visitors alike,” Hargreaves wrote in the post.

Serbian Language Media

Serbian President arrived in Durres for Brdo-Brioni summit (RTS, media)

RTS reported that President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic arrived today in Durres, where he will participate in the Brdo-Brioni summit. The host is Albanian President Bajram Begaj. The meeting will focus on strengthening regional stability and good neighborly relations.

At the meeting in Durres, the heads of state participating in the Brdo-Brioni process will discuss strengthening the European perspective of the entire region and accelerating the process of accession to the European Union, strengthening regional stability and good neighborly relations, as well as the economic and social transformation of the countries of Southeast Europe.

Special attention will be paid to retaining young people by providing better opportunities for life and work, as well as strengthening cooperation in the field of employment, the organizers announced.

The Joint Declaration of the Brdo-Brioni Process is expected to be adopted, which would confirm the commitment to support European integration and inclusive cooperation with the aim of a peaceful, strong, stable, prosperous and united EU, and confirm the continuation of the promotion of good-neighborly cooperation. The summit in Durres is being organized by the Presidents of Slovenia and Croatia, Natasa Pirc Musar and Zoran Milanovic, and hosted by the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj.

The meeting in Albania, as confirmed, will be attended by, in addition to Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, the Presidents of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, N. Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, Kosovo Vjosa Osmani and the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljka Cvijanovic, Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic.

Regional Initiative

The Brdo-Brioni Process is a regional initiative launched by the Presidents of Slovenia and Croatia with the aim of strengthening cooperation and dialogue between the countries of the Western Balkans, as well as supporting their rapprochement with the European Union. The founders of the initiative are the former Presidents of Slovenia and Croatia, Borut Pahor and Ivo Josipovic.

The name of the initiative comes from the places where the first meeting was held – Brdo near Kranj (Slovenia) and Brioni (Croatia).

The summit is considered complementary to the Berlin Process and other international initiatives aimed at the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, and also provides a platform for open discussions on disputes and challenges within the region. Meetings within the Brdo-Brioni Initiative have been held annually since 2013, with the last one taking place last year in Tivat, Montenegro.

Vucic: Serbia committed to efforts to keep EU enlargement a priority

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is attending a Brdo-Brijuni Process summit in Durres, said on Monday Serbia remained committed to efforts to keep EU enlargement a priority, and added that he was convinced enlargement of the bloc should be clearly on the agenda for the Western Balkans.

"Even though numerous challenges are ahead of us, Serbia remains committed to EU enlargement, staying one of the priorities, rather than a minor topic. I expect the Brdo-Brijuni Process to make clear conclusions because only sincerity and consistency in the approach of all sides bring lasting sustainability to the process and the trust of countries in the region," Vucic posted on Instagram.

He noted that he was convinced EU enlargement must remain clearly on the agenda for the Western Balkans and that open EU membership prospects represented a strong driver of reforms, inflows of new investments and economic growth.

Serbian Democracy claims Pristina will arrest internally displaced persons wishing to vote on October 12 elections (Danas, social media)

“We inform the public that we have received information that Kosovo police as per instruction of Albin Kurti, will unfoundedly arrest internally displaced persons who plan to use their right and cast the ballot on elections taking place on Sunday”, Serbian Democracy said in a statement.

One of the alleged reasons for arrest is mentioned as an “attack on the constitutional order of Kosovo”, the party added.

“We urge our citizens to be cautious, and from EULEX and the international community we demand to follow the situation in case of the arrest of internally displaced persons on October 12”, the statement concluded.

Reaction of Stefan Veljkovic to President Vucic’s statement on new employment opportunities (social media)

Serbian Democracy vice president, Stefan Veljkovic took it on Facebook to react to the latest statements of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic regarding potential employment in Serbian institutions in Kosovo:

“I welcome the opening of new jobs for our people. I expect that the employment (selection) commission will do its job honestly and impartially - we all know that it will not! According to information from the “Clinical Hospital Centre of KM”, many employees from the previous round (before the February elections) do not come to work at all, although there is a real need for their physical engagement in treating the patients.

There is another catch: Your job is useless if you have nowhere to take your children in the city. Your job is useless if you are beaten by the police every once in a while. Your job is useless if you do not have basic security. Your job is useless if you have to go to Jarinje for every piece of paper. Your job is useless if you are arrested under trumped-up charges. Your job is useless if... (fill in as desired). Dear citizens, do not trust proven liars and manipulators!”, Veljkovic wrote in a post.

Are Kosovo police guarding the newly installed “Mitrovica” sign – and why? (KoSSev)

A week after municipal authorities led by the ruling Self-Determination party replaced the well-known Cyrillic sign “Ja volim K. Mitrovicu” with a new Latin-lettered version reading simply “Mitrovica,” a police patrol car has remained stationed near the new installation, KoSSev portal reported.

The new sign, featuring a green instead of red heart and accompanied by the municipal coat of arms, was put up just ahead of the upcoming local elections.

Since then, a Kosovo police vehicle has been visibly present in the area - often discreetly parked across the street from the sign, and at times positioned even closer to it. Deputy police commander for the region North Veton Elshani did not directly confirm that the police are guarding the sign, but stated that officers are “always in a state of alertness and attention.”

He did not provide a clear answer as to whether, or why, the sign is under police protection.

Pristina football fan group sparks outrage with banner calling Leskovac ‘Albanian land’ (KoSSev)

A banner displayed by the Pristina fan group Plisat during Saturday’s derby between Pristina and Balkani football clubs has drawn strong reactions in Serbia, reported KoSSev, citing Pristina-based outlet Koha.

The group portrayed the southern Serbian city of Leskovac as Albanian territory, a move widely seen as a provocation just days before the Albania–Serbia football match scheduled to take place there.

The banner read: “In our Leskovac, on Albanian land, make us proud in honor of history.”

Serbian media quickly reacted, describing the message as a “provocation from Pristina.” The daily Alo ran the headline: “Scandalous provocation from Pristina - Leskovac called Albanian territory.” Other outlets also published photos of the banner, echoing similar criticism, Koha writes.

Plisat, a fan group known for its nationalist slogans and support for the Albanian national team, has previously displayed symbols and messages promoting the “Greater Albania” idea.

The match between Serbia and Albania is set to take place on October 11 in Leskovac as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

RFE: "Diplomats with cacophony" - who speaks for Kosovo? (KoSSev, KiM radio)

RFE wrote yesterday that for ''any country, foreign policy is a key map of influence and security''. For Kosovo, this card is played under difficult conditions: sanctions from the EU, uncertainty in relations with the USA and unresolved challenges in the dialogue with Serbia. As if that was not enough, the situation was further complicated by the obvious lack of coordination between institutions and the lack of clarity in defining attitudes towards international partners.

Former diplomat Albert Prenkaj said Kosovo does not have a foreign policy based on a clear strategy and consolidated alliances. According to him, Kosovo lacks convergence, cooperation and synergy with the USA and the EU. "Kosovo is experiencing asphyxiation, isolation and has lost its relevance on the international stage. There is a complete lack of coordination, cacophony in foreign policy, which has also led to sanctions", Prenkaj told RFE, reported KoSSev.

For more than two years, Kosovo has been under EU sanctions due to Government decisions that were perceived as unilateral and to the detriment of the Albanian community. Recently, the USA also suspended the launch of the Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo - which was designed to strengthen bilateral relations - which further increased Kosovo's insecurity and international isolation.

The outgoing PM Albin Kurti acknowledged the existence of certain differences with the USA but emphasized that Kosovo did not damage relations with them. President Vjosa Osmani, on the other hand, expressed her regret for the suspension of the Strategic Dialogue and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with the USA.

At the end of last month, both leaders, along with Kosovo's acting head of diplomacy, Donika Gervalla, were in the US while the UN General Assembly was in session, but all three had separate agendas. From the meetings, Osmani published photos with US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Gervalla participated in the foreign ministers' forum and had separate meetings with her counterparts from Albania and Andorra, while Kurti shared photos from meetings with congressmen, students and the Albanian-American community.

According to Donika Emini of the Advisory Group for the Balkans in Europe, conflicts in foreign policy are not new. She recalled the case of former President Hashim Thaci and former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who clashed over the idea of changing the borders of Kosovo and Serbia in 2018. Such uncoordinated approaches portray Kosovo as ''an unstable and frivolous state'' in the eyes of the international community.

RFE contacted the Office of the President, the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to find out the priorities of foreign policies and the method of coordination but did not receive a response.

According to Prenkaj, the friction between leaders was not just differences in opinions, but a "struggle for ego dominance" that makes it difficult to build a shared vision. Emini also sees this as a harmful race for protagonism. Prenkaj is convinced that Kosovo's path to return to the international stage goes through the fulfillment of the obligations assumed in the dialogue on the normalization of relations with Serbia. According to him, Kosovo should show its readiness to implement the agreements reached. Prenkaj emphasizes that foreign policy should represent the interests of all citizens of Kosovo - including the Serbian community. Any conflicting approach to this community would only deepen Kosovo's isolation, he added.

The lack of strategy was also noticed in Washington. Since last year, Kosovo has not had any active lobbying contracted activities in the USA. On the official page of the "Foreign Agents Registration Act", the US Department of Justice, there is not a single active contract, unlike Serbia, which has six active lobbying contracts - which is an obvious advantage in diplomatic competition.

Both experts agree that Kosovo needs a foreign policy that overcomes internal rivalries and puts Kosovo interests above personal egos.

Three new domestic violence cases in Kosovo (KoSSev)

Three new cases of domestic violence were registered in Kosovo in one day, namely in Obilic, Pec and Djakovica, KoSSev portal reported citing Kosovo police report. In Obilic a woman reported being assaulted by a man. She underwent medical treatment, while the man remains at large. In Pec, two men from Kosovo exerted violence against another man, insulted, threatened and attempted to physically assault him. They were arrested, and following the hearing, released in regular procedure. In Djakovica, a woman reported being assaulted by a man. She underwent medical treatment, and the man was detained.

Opinion

The return of a Milosevic-kind Serbia 25 years later (Koha)

Opinion piece by Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj.

25 years ago, it was believed that the most dramatic change happened in Serbia, in the region of the Western Balkans and the whole European continent. After mass protests, the citizens of Serbia managed to bring down Slobodan Milosevic’s regime. The Serbs did this because Milosevic had brought international isolation, sanctions, mass unemployment and strangling of freedom of speech. For the people of neighboring countries of Serbia, Milosevic was the one that started the devastating wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo and his forces had committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The year 2000 in Europe was the year when the new ideal for the unification of Europe was being realized with great speed. Countries from the former eastern bloc were negotiating membership in NATO and the European Union. The Iron Curtain had fallen. Democracy and the freedom of the media had spread even to countries which for half a century were under a communist dictatorship. The only region not to be included in this process was the Western Balkans. The region was still facing the consequences of war and the physical, social and economic destruction it had left behind. This is why Milosevic’s fall was seen as a major turning point in all of Europe.

Several weeks after the fall of Milosevic, in Zagreb, Croatia a joint summit of EU countries and countries of the Western Balkans was held for the first time. The “Zagreb Summit” opened the way to the integration of countries from the region in the EU, and it was an opportunity to celebrate the fall of Milosevic in Serbia as the last episode of the tragedy of the Balkans, which Milosevic himself had started with his speech in Fushe Kosove in 1989, and then continued it with the aggression in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, and ended on October 5, 2000, after the protests in Belgrade.

Although in the autumn of 2000 there were many unresolved issues, the status of Kosovo, the fate of the union of Serbia and Montenegro, internal problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the fate of many missing persons from the war, it was believed that the region could catch up with other countries and join the EU.

No one believed that 25 years later, only one country from the region, Croatia, would become a member of the EU, and let alone that the former closest associates of Milosevic would return to power in Serbia.

Today the main media in Serbia are dominated by the rhetoric from the Milosevic period, inciting speech against the Kosovo Albanians, Croatia and the West.

The West is being accused of organizing “a colored revolution” to bring down the regime and to install “a puppet government that would act according to the dictate of foreign bosses”.

Preferred guests in the media are convicted war criminals like Vojislav Seselj, Veselin Sljivancanin and others. As in the time of Milosevic there is a lynching campaign against “domestic and foreign enemies” and in the meantime every responsibility that Serbia had in crimes committed during the war are denied.

Today the vast majority of media in Serbia remember October 5, 2000, as a negative, rather than as a positive event. They call it “the darkest day in the history of Serbia”.

For example, B92 news website, which in 2000 was one of the reliable and active media in support of the democratic transformation of Serbia and the fall of Milosevic's regime, today writes that the events on October 5, 2000, were “a perverse game of the West” and that “President Milosevic and many Serbian heroes were mercilessly handed over to the political court against Serbs in the Hague”.

Instead of a big celebration in Serbia to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of Milosevic’s dictatorship, today this day is either kept silent or marked discretely by a minority or mentioned by the regime and the dominating media in a negative context. Today, in Serbia, those that were part of Milosevic’s regime are in power. The EU, which 25 years ago believed that “Serbia has left the dark past behind and has turned to a bright European future”, now supports the regime in Serbia and sees it as “a reliable partner”.

The EU keeps silent when present-day Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic calls Milosevic “a great leader”, when the main partner in the ruling coalition – the Socialist Party of Serbia – says that “Milosevic was the first victim of the colored revolution”, when Ivica Dacic threatens those in Serbia who talk about mass graves in Serbia with the corpses of Albanians and Croats. Parties, which promote convicted war criminals and take pride in connections with Russia’s intelligence services, are members of the main groups of European parties. Today even the EU does not have a leader with ideals and a vision that it had in 2000. Democratic values have been reduced in the EU too, while authoritarian regimes have become acceptable partners even for the European Union.

There is no more enthusiasm towards the EU in Serbia. In Serbia only 38 percent of people have a positive opinion about the EU. People in Serbia have way more trust in Russia and China than in the European Union. Only 38 percent believe in the EU, while 59 percent believe in Russia and 57 percent in China. The belief in Russia is way bigger than the support for Vucic’s regime which means that many of those protesting against Vucic today no longer have a pro-European orientation. This kind of Serbia today is far from a European Serbia and more of a Milosevic-kind Serbia which was believed to have ended almost a quarter of a century ago.

International

Brdo-Brijuni Summit in Durres: A message of unity and European perspective for the Western Balkans (IBNA)

The annual Brdo-Brijuni Initiative Summit is taking place today in Durrës, with the participation of the leaders of the Western Balkan countries and hosted by the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj. The discussions focus on the European perspective of the entire region, the strengthening of regional stability, and the economic convergence with the European Union.

This year’s summit is held under the motto “Common Interests, Common Commitment for a Common Future: Together Towards the European Union” and is co-organized by the President of Slovenia, Natasa Pirc Musar, and the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic — the two permanent co-chairs of the Initiative, launched in 2013 with the aim of strengthening dialogue, regional cooperation, and the European trajectory of the Western Balkan countries.

The central topic of the discussions is the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, amounting to €6 billion for the period 2024–2027, which aims at the gradual integration of the region’s countries into the EU single market. The plan is regarded as the most ambitious financial instrument of the Union to bridge the economic and social gap between EU member states and candidate partners.

According to current estimates, Serbia is expected to receive more than €1.5 billion, followed by Albania with €920 million, Bosnia and Herzegovina with €900 million, North Macedonia with €750 million, Kosovo with approximately €880 million, and Montenegro with €380 million.

In addition to the host, President Bajram Begaj, the summit in Durres is attended by the Presidents Aleksandar Vucic (Serbia), Jakov Milatovic (Montenegro), Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova (North Macedonia), and Vjosa Osmani (Kosovo), as well as the members of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Zeljka Cvijanovic, Denis Becirovic, and Zeljko Komsic.