Albanian Language Media:

• Protests in Albania today, justice demanded for former KLA leaders (media)
• German ambassador optimistic on swift formation of new government (AP)
• Special forces from Kosovo, the U.S. and Croatia train together (media)
• Governor Ismaili meets IMF Managing Director Bo Li in Washington (media)
• AJK condemns threats against TeVe1 news team in Zvecan (media)
• Man suspected of stabbing wife and her daughter in Prizren (media)
• Serbian club puts Kosovo map with Serbian colors on their jerseys (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic congratulates Orban on hosting Trump-Putin peace meeting (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric meets with Belarusian FM: ''Grateful for respecting Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty'' (Tanjug)
• Serbian Ambassador to OSCE: Severe and continuous violations of human rights of Serbs in Kosovo (media, social media)
• Local elections in Kosovo: Return of Serbs to power in the north, but Pristina retains control (NIN)
• KSF in Mitrovica North – Albanian analysts: ''Unprofessional and frivolous'', political instrumentalization ahead of elections (KoSSev)
• Gecaj: It’s hard to believe KSF convoy entered North Mitrovica by mistake (Kosovo Online)
• Three cannabis plantations discovered near Podujevo, more than 500 plants destroyed (KoSSev)

International:

• “Reforms should be implemented without further delay” (EWB)
• Albanian Parliament rejects opposition's request for resolution on “Serbia's genocide” in Kosovo (en.vijesti.me)
• Report: West Africa is transshipment node for Balkan cocaine (eurasia.review.com)
• Border security officers sent to Balkans to disrupt people-smuggling networks (The Guardian)
• Students from Serbia among finalists (EWB)

Humanitarian: 

• Marina Abramović’s Balkan Erotic Epic is a grand and elemental experience (Financial Times)

Albanian Language Media

Protests in Albania today, justice demanded for former KLA leaders (media)

A protest will be held today in Tirana in support of the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), who are being tried in The Hague on war crimes charges. The Organisation of KLA War Veterans, which organized the protest, announced that more than 60 buses will depart from Kosovo to Tirana today. The organization also stated that during the period from October 17 at 9:00 a.m. to October 18 at 9:00 a.m., there will be no toll fees on the “Nation’s Highway”.  The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has also expressed his support for the protest. The demonstration, scheduled to take place at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, is set to begin at 5:00 p.m.

Similar protests against the Special Court and in support of Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi were previously held in August in Prishtina and in September outside the Special Court’s headquarters in the Netherlands.

Thaci, Veseli, Krasniqi, and Selimi have been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Court and have been held in detention since 2020.

German ambassador optimistic on swift formation of new government (AP)

Newly appointed German Ambassador to Kosovo, Ranier Rudolph, said on Thursday that he is optimistic that a new government will be formed very soon in Pristina with which Berlin can cooperate closely. In his address on the occasion of German Unity Day, Rudolph said that Germany remains a friend and strong partner of Kosovo. He reiterated Germany’s commitment to support Kosovo’s European ambitions and its integration in international organizations. “Germany is and will remain a friend and strong partner of Kosovo. We have been at your side way before the declaration of independence, and we will continue to do so. Our new government, which assumed its duty in May, confirmed that the Western Balkans is one of the main priorities of our foreign policy,” he said.

“Kosovo is part of Europe. We will support your European ambitions and international integration. The process of EU enlargement is a personal priority for Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Strengthening relations and regional cooperation is the first step toward European integration,” he said.

Special forces from Kosovo, the U.S. and Croatia train together (media)

Special forces personnel from Albania, Kosovo, the United States and Croatia conducted a joint exercise on Wednesday, amid strengthening interoperability and operational capabilities, as well as exchanging experiences among allied and partner forces. The Chief General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, extended his warmest congratulations to all members of the Special Forces on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of their establishment. “The Special Forces represent the highest professionalism, dedication, and dignity of the Armed Forces and are a source of national pride. Thank you for your valuable service and contribution in defending national security and the values of the Alliance,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Governor Ismaili meets IMF Managing Director Bo Li in Washington (media)

The Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK), Ahmet Ismaili, met with IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li in Washington to discuss recent economic developments and Kosovo’s financial stability. During the meeting, Governor Ismaili highlighted progress in the financial sector, structural reform, and the implementation of the CBK’s institutional mandate, expressing gratitude for IMF’s continued support.

Bo Li praised Kosovo’s success in maintaining financial stability and effectively implementing IMF programs and recommendations, stressing the importance of close cooperation between the IMF and CBK.

Discussions also focused on addressing recommendations from the Financial Sector Stability Review (FSSR), particularly mechanisms to strengthen financial stability and improve the operational framework The meeting reaffirmed the mutual commitment of both institutions to deepen their partnership in support of Kosovo’s sustainable economic growth. The CBK delegation will continue bilateral meetings with IMF and World Bank officials during their visit to Washington.

AJK condemns threats against TeVe1 news team in Zvecan (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement that it strongly condemns the intimidation and threats directed at the TeVe1 television crew in the north of Kosovo on Thursday. “Journalist Venhar Isufi and cameraman Valmir Gashi reported that they were followed by a black Audi A4 vehicle, which stopped in front of the Zvecan municipal building. There, an individual approached them and made a threatening remark referencing a police officer, G.K., who was the subject of a television report aired the previous night. The individual reportedly said, "if they wanted a photo with the police official," in a tone perceived as menacing. AJK firmly denounces this behavior, particularly as it involves individuals linked to Kosovo’s security institutions. Such actions are unacceptable forms of intimidation that aim to obstruct journalists from doing their work freely and safely. The incident has been reported to the police, and AJK calls on law enforcement authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. Journalists must be able to carry out their duties without obstruction or fear, under all circumstances,” the statement notes.

Man suspected of stabbing wife and her daughter in Prizren (media)

Citing a statement by the Basic Prosecution in Prizren, most news websites report that a man is suspected of stabbing his wife and her daughter on Thursday night and that both victims have been hospitalized and are in bad condition. The assailant has been sent to 48-hour detention and is suspected of committing the criminal offences of “attempted murder” and “unauthorized possession of arms”. 

Serbian club puts Kosovo map with Serbian colors on their jerseys (Express)

The news website reports the Serbian basketball club from Lazarevac has included the Kosovo map with the colors of the Serbian flag in their jerseys for the season. Calling it a “scandalous gesture”, the news website also notes that Serbian teams both in basketball and football have continued making such “scandalous moves” even in the highest European competitions. 

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic congratulates Orban on hosting Trump-Putin peace meeting (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban by phone on Thursday evening, congratulating him on hosting an upcoming peace meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

"I wished him much success and expressed the confidence that the historic event will be hosted in a flawless manner," Vucic posted on his official Instagram account.

He added that the discussion with Orban had also addressed advancement of bilateral relations and that they had agreed to meet within a week.

Djuric meets with Belarusian FM: ''We appreciate Belarusian support for sovereignty and territorial integrity'' (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met with Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenkov in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement.

"Serbia remains open to constructive cooperation with Belarus through a more dynamic political dialogue and an exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest, and we appreciate Belarusian principled and consistent support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity in international fora", Djuric said in a post on X.

Serbian Ambassador to OSCE: Severe and continuous violations of human rights of Serbs in Kosovo (media, social media)

The Ambassador of Serbia to the OSCE, Zarko Obradovic in an address to OSCE Permanent Council pointed out serious and ongoing violations of the human rights of Serbs in Kosovo, which include intimidation, property confiscation, and institutional discrimination, Kosovo Online portal reported. He emphasized these issues raise serious concerns that must be addressed urgently.

He noted that Serbia values the work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, including its monitoring and regular reporting activities. He also underlined biannual reports that contribute to highlighting the human rights violations against the Serbian population and provide participating states with up-to-date information about the situation on the ground.

“We remain committed to peace, stability, and the rule of law throughout the region, rejecting unfounded accusations and unilateral narratives that disregard UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija”, Obradovic said in posts published on official X account of Serbia’s Mission to the OSCE.

Local elections in Kosovo: Return of Serbs to power in the north, but Pristina retains control (NIN)

The Serbian List celebrated a “convincing victory” on Sunday evening in local elections held in nine out of ten municipalities with a Serbian majority in Kosovo.

“Four municipalities in the north have been returned to the people,” said Zlatan Elek, president of the largest and most dominant Serbian party in Kosovo, in his first address following the conclusion of voting.

The authorities in these four northern municipalities will indeed soon be taken over by Serbs - specifically, the mayors and councilors of the Serbian List. However, it remains uncertain whether Serbs who followed the party’s call and left Kosovo’s institutions in November 2022 will now return to local posts.

“That depends on the central institutions and on whether the newly appointed officials received valid employment decisions. If their appointments are legally sound, the new local authorities cannot expel them from their positions in order to reinstate those who previously worked there. That would trigger numerous lawsuits they would likely lose, creating the potential for new conflicts and ongoing tension between central and local authorities,” Rada Trajkovic, a long-time politician and former member of Kosovo Assembly told NIN.

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic asserted that the situation from nearly three years ago - when Serbs in the north abandoned Kosovo’s institutions - will not return.

“The employees in the administration will not come back. They resigned, and they cannot simply return to their former jobs. If, for instance, the Serbian List wants to employ new staff, it will have to seek permission from the Ministry of Administration and Local Government in Pristina, which will likely not allow it. Therefore, the administrations in these municipalities will remain as they are now. Meanwhile, the central government in Pristina will use every means to control the behavior of local authorities—to review some decisions and amend others—essentially eroding the authority of local self-government. The local authorities in the four northern municipalities will not be free to act as they wish; they will have to negotiate with the central government, which in most cases will not even consult the municipalities before imposing its will,” Gogic told NIN.

The Serbian List’s victory in the northern municipalities, Gogic emphasized, will not lead to the return of Serbs to the police or the judiciary.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mp3drv8w

KSF in Mitrovica North – Albanian analysts: ''Unprofessional and frivolous'', political instrumentalization ahead of elections (KoSSev) 

Entry of a number of Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) Humvees and trucks to Mitrovica North the day before, explained by KSF, Kosovo police and KFOR as a “technical mistake” has not garnered significant comments of analysts in the Albanian media last night, KoSSev portal reports today.

However, the portal points to several security experts and legal professionals who criticized the entry of KSF to the north.  

Security expert Ismet Ibishi said this was about an “unprofessional and frivolous act” which undermines KSF credibility. He recalled KSF engagement this summer with permission of KFOR Commander to assist the search for an Albanian man who drowned at Gazivode lake. As Ibishi said "in every army, the march of the column must be led by military police or authorized officers, who determine the route, breaks and path of movement in advance".

Lawyer Xhevdet Smakiqi went one step further, assessing this was an “attempt to politically instrumentalize KSF, ahead of the second round of local elections in Mitrovica (South)”. “Mistakes and inattention have no place in the army. I see this as a part of instrumentalization, as it has been done already with the police….. And I see this as a tendency to buy votes in the second round for Faton Peci – when we are so strong that we send KSF to the north without asking anyone”, the portal quoted him as telling KTV.

Following local elections on Sunday, October 12, Self-determination won in three municipalities only, but not in Mitrovica South, where the second round of elections will take place on November 9. PDK candidate Arijan Tahiri scored a slightly higher number of votes than Peci in the first round.

Former KLA leader Hysen Berisha was also critical of the KSF arrival to Mitrovica North. He opined the incident “devalued Kosovo army to zero”, warning that misuse of KSF for political purposes would be “disastrous for Kosovo”. 

Gecaj: It’s hard to believe KSF convoy entered North Mitrovica by mistake (Kosovo Online)

Security expert Hysen Gecaj said it seems unbelievable to him that a convoy of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) entered North Mitrovica by mistake, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Pristina-based Ekonomia Online.

“I’m a bit surprised by everything we’re seeing in the media about this situation, because I myself was a member of the KSF for a long time, and even a soldier before that, and I know very well that when a military unit is given a task, it specifies in advance the route that the unit or group will take and what its concrete objectives are, and there is no room for error”, Gecaj said.

“It now seems somewhat unbelievable to me to say that such a mistake was made, because I know that KSF members are very well trained, and I don’t think, professionally speaking, that they would make such mistakes or oversights. Whether this could be due to inaccurate information in the public or some manipulation involving a KSF operation, those are other questions I can’t answer, since I wasn’t there. But I don’t think the information being shared publicly fully reflects what might have actually happened”, he said.

According to Gecaj, all of this could also have happened due to some irresponsibility on the part of KSF officials. “It is hard to believe that KSF non-commissioned officers would make such mistakes, they could only do so if they were ordered to. In such cases, a ‘mistake’ could occur, so to speak, because they usually carry out detailed preparations on time, and it is difficult for such errors to happen. Or it could be part of a game, the purpose of which we don’t yet know, initiated by someone from the higher authorities, or simply the irresponsibility of someone in charge within the KSF”, Gecaj concluded.

Three cannabis plantations discovered near Podujevo, more than 500 plants destroyed (KoSSev)

Kosovo police discovered three cannabis plantations in the village of Zitije, in Podujevo municipality containing a total of 525 plants, KoSSev portal reported. As per instruction of the prosecutor, upon taking the samples, all plants and materials used for its cultivation have been destroyed on the spot. Police also said the case is currently under investigation. 

International

“Reforms should be implemented without further delay” (EWB)

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrapped up her three-day visit to the Western Balkans Six on Wednesday in Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia. In Belgrade, she stressed that Serbia should “get concrete” about joining the EU, whereas in Pristina she urged the authorities to “continue building strong institutions”.

Finally, in Skopje Von der Leyen reiterated the message that the constitutional change had to be made in order for the country to progress on the EU path.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/sxfcnak7

Albanian Parliament rejects opposition's request for resolution on “Serbia's genocide” in Kosovo (en.vijesti.me)

Tirana is preparing for a massive pan-Albanian protest scheduled for today in solidarity with former leaders of the "Kosovo Liberation Army" (KLA) who are on trial in The Hague.

The Albanian Parliament has rejected a request by the Democratic Party (DP) to adopt a resolution condemning, as stated, "Serbia's genocide against Albanians in Kosovo."

The vote on this proposal was not announced in detail, but the proposal was defeated, according to Kossev's Koha report.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/55t5t2ya

Report: West Africa is transshipment node for Balkan cocaine (eurasia.review.com)

The French Navy on September 22 seized nearly 10 tons of cocaine worth $610 million from an unflagged fishing vessel in the Gulf of Guinea. About three weeks earlier, the French Navy nabbed nearly six tons of cocaine worth almost $375 million in the same area.

These seizures highlight West Africa’s position as a transshipment node for cocaine shipments from Latin America. Since 2019, Western Balkan criminal groups have used West Africa as a key logistical, storage and redistribution hub for cocaine shipments bound for Europe and other areas.

According to the 2023 Global Organized Crime Index, cocaine trafficking was the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in West Africa between 2021 and 2023.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr2s3buw

Border security officers sent to Balkans to disrupt people-smuggling networks (The Guardian) 

British team sent to develop new ways of working with Frontex, the EU’s border agency

British border security officers have been deployed to the Balkans for the first time in an effort to disrupt the networks smuggling migrants into the UK.

Officers have been sent to develop new ways of working with Frontex, the EU’s border agency, to track down and arrest people-smugglers operating along key routes into western Europe.

As part of the initiative, UK officers are training border guards across the western Balkans to use 

British-made drones and biometric tracking systems to track migrants.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4avdtvpk

Students from Serbia among finalists (EWB)

BRUSSELS – Serbian students have been shortlisted among the three finalists for the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Parliament’s highest distinction in the field of human rights.

The decision was made on Thursday morning by Members of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Development Committees.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yfhukr6m

Humanitarian/Development

Marina Abramović’s Balkan Erotic Epic is a grand and elemental experience (Financial Times)

The artist’s immersive show at Manchester’s Aviva Studios unfolds with scenes that are alternately majestic and crass.

Marina Abramović needs a new adjective. “Epic”, the one she has chosen to crown her new performance work, Balkan Erotic Epic, at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, feels too tame alongside this grand and elemental four-hour durational show. The 78-year-old Serbian artist has selected a series of 13 rituals about sex and the body from Balkan tradition, folklore or her own imagination. She sets out to counterpoint nudity’s pornographic associations, invoking instead responses of shame, confrontation and spirituality.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/bd46nh7p