• What more must Kosovo do to have the EU measures lifted? (RFE)
• Chamber of Commerce writes to Kallas, calling for removal of measures (Klan)
• Kosovo begins accepting deportees from US (AFP)
• Maqedonci: Attack on Iber Lepenci aimed to affect 70% of territory (VOX Kosova)
• Osmani travels to Holy See, will be hosted in audience by Pope Leo XIV (Express)
• Gucati says they expect around 20,000 protesters in Skopje (Front Online)
• Pristina Mayor supports KLA War Veterans’ protest in Skopje (Albanian Post)
• Ministry about protest: Security measures in line with the law (Kosovo Online)
• “Protest in Skopje in support of KLA leaders doesn’t pose a threat” (Kosovo Online)
• First Kosovan joins Iowa National Guard (Klan Kosova)

What more must Kosovo do to have the EU measures lifted? (RFE)

The news website reports that despite a peaceful transition of power in Kosovo in the four northern Serb-majority municipalities on December 5, European Union member states do not appear to be in the same line to lift the penalty measures against Kosovo. For some time, Kosovo’s leaders, starting with the president, consider the continuation of the measures completely unfair.

When the European Union imposed the penalty measures against Kosovo in the summer of 2023, as a result of tensions in the Serb-majority north, the measures were described as temporary and the conditions for lifting them were clear.

Officials in Kosovo insist that the EU’s demands for the removal of measures which damaged Kosovo to the tune of millions have been met: the situation in the north has deescalated, the presence of police near municipal facilities in the north has been reduced, Serbs have taken part in this year’s elections, and there has been a peaceful transition of power in Serb-majority municipalities. However, in the last couple of days some media in Kosovo have reported based on sources within the EU that countries such as France and Italy, supported by Spain, Hungary and Slovakia, are not willing to have the sanctions lifted.

Rikard Jozwiak, editor for Europe at Radio Free Europe in Prague, says it is true that the issue of not removing all measures against Kosovo was discussed in Brussels this week, and that France and Italy are supportive of the idea of only 50 percent of the measures being lifted. He argued that Paris insists on this position as it wants the EU to open chapters for membership with Belgrade, and it is angry because others are blocking the process. “There is also a general argument that Brussels cannot give this 'gift' to [Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin] Kurti before the December 28 elections. Whether or not this is a valid argument has been questioned by others, as the main opposition party [the Democratic Party of Kosovo] sent a letter to [EU chief Ursula] Von der Leyen recently demanding the complete and immediate lifting of the measures. So no one, except for a small number of EU states, see this as a gift to Kurti,” Jozwiak says.

A spokeswoman for the European Union told the news website that the European bloc aims to continue lifting the measures, a process that partially started in May this year. According to her, Brussels is ready to work with Kosovo’s authorities, as soon as they are elected, and the bloc expects Kosovo to return to the path of necessary EU-related reforms.

Meanwhile, the caretaker government of Kosovo argues that the early parliamentary elections have nothing to do with the measures. “Any further delay [in lifting the measures] only deepens the absurdity of the measures and undermines the credibility of the European Union. Our position is that the measures should be lifted immediately and completely,” Klisman Kadiu, media advisor to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, said in a written statement to the news website.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani too said in a meeting this week with the European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo Riho Terras, that the continuation of the penalty measures remains “inexplicable, unfair and unreasonable”. Terras too said that the measures should be lifted immediately.

Chamber of Commerce writes to Kallas, calling for removal of measures (Klan)

President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Lulzim Rafuna, said today that he sent a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to express profound concern regarding the restrictive measures that continue to be applied against Kosovo. These measures, in both their substance and impact, stand in direct contradiction to the European Union’s strategic objectives for the Western Balkans.

Rafuna said that the measures impede the access of Kosovo institutions and businesses to EU instruments for economic development, and that they have suspended over €600 million in projects in environmental protection, energy, digitalization and local infrastructure.

“In practice these measures discipline and penalize precisely those actors who have consistently demonstrated the strongest commitment to European values and regional cooperation. This reality not only undermines the credibility of the EU’s strategic vision in the Western Balkans but risks weakening the pro-European consensus among private-sector stakeholders who have long aligned their operations and expectations with the EU reform agenda”.

“We respectfully urge your leadership in initiating a swift and conclusive process within the European institutions to lift the imposed measures on Kosovo. Aligning the EU’s actions with its declared strategic objectives is essential for restoring trust, enabling equal access to regional instruments, and ensuring that Kosovo’s private sector can contribute meaningfully to our shared European future”. 

Kosovo begins accepting deportees from US (AFP)

Kosovo has begun accepting migrants the United States wants to deport, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced as he confronts troubles at home and with President Donald Trump's administration. The United States has traditionally been an important ally for one of the world's newest states, but Washington has in recent months objected to Kurti's "divisive" treatment of Kosovo's Serb minority.

Kurti announced late Thursday that the first one or two people from those the United States wants to expel had arrived.

Kosovo agreed in June to take up to 50 people from among those rounded up by US authorities before they are sent to their home countries.

The Balkan nation is among a growing list of third countries agreeing to take in individuals the United States wants to deport under its aggressive campaign against undocumented migration.

"We are accepting those whom the United States does not want on its territory," Kurti said in a television interview.

"If I’m not mistaken, one or two of them are here," he added without giving further detail.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/whcr3

Maqedonci: Attack on Iber Lepenci aimed to affect 70% of territory (VOX Kosova)

Kosovo caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, in an interview with the news website, said that the attack against the Iber Lepenci had aimed to cause general threat to water, energy and other vital systems and affect 70 percent of Kosovo’s territory. “I believe that it was not an isolated case. It is known that this happened after two other cases in the same month, and these were attacks with bombs. The objective of the attack was to create a general threat to the infrastructure, the water supply and the energy, for the whole population of Kosovo. Around 70 percent of the country’s territory was to be affected by the attack,” he said.

Maqedonci said that from the indictment by the Special Prosecution of Kosovo about the attack it is known that the group behind it had continuous ties with the group led by Milan Radoicic. “Jovan Vicentijevic [one of the indicted people for the attack] has admitted that among other things he was trained and prepared together with that group two years earlier in a military base in Serbia, and he also gave other information about his ties with Radoicic and other groups linked with him. I believe that there was a very big threat from this terrorist attack. I can also conclude that regardless of the attack in Banjska, Radoicic continues to be sheltered and supported by Serbia’s security structures,” he argued.

Osmani travels to Holy See, will be hosted in audience by Pope Leo XIV (Express)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has travelled to the Holy See where she will hold a series of meetings. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that she and First Gentleman Prindon Sadriu will be hosted in an audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace. Osmani is also scheduled to meet with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

At the seat of Kosovo’s special mission to the Holy See, Osmani will organize an end-of-year reception with representatives of the Holy See, diplomatic representatives and other personalities. During her stay she will hold a series of activities aimed at furthering Kosovo’s relations with the Holy See.

Gucati says they expect around 20,000 protesters in Skopje (Front Online)

Leader of the Organization of KLA War Veterans, Hysni Gucati, said that they expect around 20,000 people to take part in the protest in Skopje on Saturday in support of former KLA leaders who are standing trial in the Hague. “There is great interest by the people of Kosovo, and especially by the citizens of North Macedonia. We expect a large number of people, around 20,000 from both states, although the biggest interest is from Kosovo,” he said.

Gucati also said they received support from all political parties in Kosovo and North Macedonia. “Municipality mayors from both sides, especially from Kosovo, will also attend. I call on the political parties to support the protest and to call for justice for the liberators,” he said.

Pristina Mayor supports KLA War Veterans’ protest in Skopje (Albanian Post)

Mayor of Pristina, Perparim Rama, has expressed support for the KLA War Veterans’ protest in Skopje, North Macedonia, in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague. “I express my support for Albanians in Skopje and all territories to protest peacefully tomorrow in support of the KLA as an unalienable national value,” he said. He said that this is a call for unity, respect and protection of values that unite Albanians as a people. “As Mayor of the capital of the Republic of Kosovo, I will always stand on the side of my fellow people. Our force as a people lies in unity, respect and appreciation”.

Ministry about protest: Security measures in line with the law (Kosovo Online)

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia, on the occasion of the rally in Skopje, in support of former KLA leaders in The Hague, announced that all security measures will be implemented in accordance with the law, in order to ensure the safe and undisturbed holding of the public rally. Regarding the statement by Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski that the government will ensure that everything goes smoothly, and that a "crisis headquarters" has been formed that will monitor all activities 24 hours before and after the protest , the local Ministry of the Interior explains that the formation of an operational headquarters is part of the standard procedure for all major gatherings. The organizer of the rally in Skopje is the Organization of KLA Veterans, whose president, Hysni Gucati, said earlier today that everything is ready for a rally in support of their former leaders, which, he said, will be peaceful and will not provoke. 

“Protest in Skopje in support of KLA leaders doesn’t pose a threat” (Kosovo Online)

Professor at the Faculty of Law in Tetovo Bashkim Selmani believes that the protest in Skopje in support of former KLA leaders does not represent a threat, but rather shows that democracy is functioning.

Speaking to Kosovo Online, Selmani stresses that, as a professor and a person who believes in democratic values, he considers public participation, including peaceful protests, a fundamental tool through which citizens express their views and concerns.

“That is why I personally support the protest, because I see it as a healthy democratic process in which citizens seek attention for issues that are important to them. The protest is being held in Skopje for a logical reason. This is the political and institutional center, the place where the most important decisions are made. When citizens want their voice to be heard, it is natural for them to protest precisely in front of the institutions that have the power to decide, and I believe Skopje is such a city. As a professor, I believe that protests are not a threat, but an indicator that democracy is functioning. They create space for dialogue, reflection, critical thinking, values that every democratic state should care for,” Selmani says.

First Kosovan joins Iowa National Guard (Klan Kosova)

Marking a historic moment in the Iowa National Guard’s partnership with Kosovo, Airman Drini Gashi, a Kosovo citizen, raised his right hand and joined the Iowa National Guard at the 132d Air Wing base, November 20.

Drini is the first person from Kosovo, the Iowa National Guard’s state partner under the State Partnership Program (SPP), to join the Iowa National Guard. He was sworn in by retired Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, former Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, who advocated for Iowa to be a part of the program. The Iowa National Guard and Kosovo have been SPP partners since 2011.

“Drini’s enlistment marks another milestone in the relationship that strengthens the bond between Iowa and Kosovo,” said Orr. “We serve together, work together, and fight together.”

Drini’s motivation to serve traces back to 2012, when he moved from Kosovo to Washington, D.C. His father, retired Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Brig. Gen. Xhavit Gashi, served as the KSF attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo. During that time, Xhavit Gashi met Orr and the two developed a lifelong friendship in the early years of the Iowa National Guard–Kosovo partnership.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/0u961