• EU: Incoming govt to implement all dialogue agreements without delay or precondition (Kallxo)
• Kosovo leaders, politicians remember 45 killed in Recak in January 1999 (media)
• Kusari-Lila: Dialogue and agreement, crucial for President election (RTK)
• Elshani: Police inspectorate investigating alleged beating of young man (Kossev)
• Kosovo Serb groups call for delay of foreigners and vehicle laws (Kossev)
• Reaction to Zvecan mayor not confirming contracts of Albanian officials (Telegrafi)
• World Bank keeps Kosovo’s 2026 GDP growth projection at 3.8% (SeeNews)
• Kosovo extends application deadline in EU-backed 100 MW solar project (SeeNews)

EU: Incoming govt to implement all dialogue agreements without delay or precondition (Kallxo)

The European Union Office in Kosovo, in a statement to the news website today, said that the incoming government should focus on the full and unconditional implementation of all agreements reached in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. It said that normalization of relations and the implementation of all agreements remain the only way for both parties to advance in their respective European paths.

“The EU expects the dialogue to continue and for all obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path toward Normalization, as well as all previous agreements in the Dialogue, to be implemented without further delay or preconditions,” the EU office said when asked what the main requests from the incoming government are.

The EU also expects the new government to double its efforts for necessary reforms related to the EU, starting with the ratification of agreements linked to the Growth Plan. It also called for reforms in other areas that would improve the lives of people all over Kosovo, such as progress in economic development, the fight against corruption, education, healthcare and environmental protection.

Kosovo leaders, politicians remember 45 killed in Recak in January 1999 (media)

One of the leading media stories today is the commemoration of the massacre in Recak in January 1999, when 45 Albanian civilians were killed by Serbian forces. Kosovo’s leaders have called for justice to be served as the perpetrators of the killings are yet to face justice. “Recak and its wounds still speak, because the pain still lingers even 27 years later … Justice has not been served for the crimes committed here, and for the crimes committed in other parts of Kosovo. Serbia maintains the same policies and mindset because denying the crimes that happened in Recak is a double crime,” Osmani said during her visit to Recak today. Caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that Kosovo’s authorities would not stop until justice is served. “We are here to express our pain for this open wound, which has not seen justice yet, but at the same time to reaffirm our commitment that we will always engage to bring the criminals to court and to convict them for the atrocities committed 27 years ago,” he said.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said in a Facebook post that “today marks 27 years from the Recak/Racak massacre. We remember and honour the 45 lives lost, and extend our heartfelt condolences to their families. A reminder of the collective duty to uphold human rights, ensuring accountability and justice for all. Never forget”.

Most news websites note that the Special Prosecution of Kosovo in late December last year filed an indictment against 21 people for the massacre in Recak.

Kusari-Lila: Dialogue and agreement, crucial for President election (RTK)

Leader of Alternativa, a partner in the coalition with Vetevendosje Movement, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, in an interview with RTK, said that with regards to the election of the Kosovo President all efforts need to be made to avoid new elections and to maintain stability. “We can no longer afford such a process or expose the people to new elections,” she said.

Kusari-Lila said that the election of the President will require dialogue, communication and ultimately agreement between the political parties. She said these elements are crucial to keep Kosovo on safe tracks and to ensure functioning institutions.

Elshani: Police inspectorate investigating alleged beating of young man (Kossev)

Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, told Kossev that the location where an incident occurred on Tuesday evening at the Bistrica point is covered by cameras and that there is an investigation into the allegations of a Kosovo Serb that his 19-year-old son was assaulted by a police officer at the checkpoint. Elshani meanwhile said he could disclose further details at this point and that the case is being handled by the Kosovo Police Inspectorate. He said that the actions of police officers at the Bistrica checkpoint are being monitored with particular attention and that immediate measures will be taken if any wrongdoing by police officers is confirmed. “I cannot give many details because the investigation is already underway, but the area is covered by numerous cameras, and the prosecution area – I cannot say at this point,” he said. 

Kosovo Serb groups call for delay of foreigners and vehicle laws (Kossev)

Several Kosovo Serb civic initiatives and a political movement have addressed an open letter to the Kosovo government, the European Union and international organizations, calling for the immediate postponement of the implementation of the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Vehicles, announced to take effect after midnight on January 16, unless the Ministry in Pristina issues different instructions.

The open letter was sent by the civic initiatives “Sever za sve” (North for All) and “Koreni” (Roots), together with the Serbian National Movement, on behalf of Kosovo Serbs. The signatories warn that the planned implementation of the laws would place thousands of people in what they describe as a “legally unacceptable and serious life situation.”

The two laws directly affect Kosovo Serbs who live, work and study in Kosovo but hold personal documents issued by authorities in central Serbia, as well as those who drive vehicles registered in Serbian cities or use cars based on authorizations.

Repeated delays, enforcement expected after midnight

Kosovo authorities first announced preparations to enforce the two existing laws in mid-September last year. Their implementation was initially scheduled for November 1, then postponed to January 15, and subsequently delayed again. According to the latest announcement, enforcement is now expected to begin after midnight on January 16, unless new instructions are issued by the relevant ministry.

The announcement has drawn criticism from Serbian civil society organizations in Kosovo and raised concerns among international actors. UNMIK and several UN representatives voiced their worries during a recent UN Security Council session.

Police: Warnings in initial phase

Speaking to KoSSev on Wednesday evening, Veton Elshani, Deputy Regional Commander for the North, said that police would initially issue warnings only and would not stop every vehicle.

Drivers in emergency situations will be allowed to pass, while vehicle owners transferring their cars across crossings to leave them in Serbia will not be penalized, Elshani said. In cases where penalties are imposed, they would constitute minor offenses and would not result in vehicle confiscation.

Regarding the Law on Foreigners, Elshani explained that police will focus on registering individuals who live and work in Kosovo without Kosovo-issued documents, as well as recording visitors.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/3H2IE

Reaction to Zvecan mayor not confirming contracts of Albanian officials (Telegrafi)

Former mayor of Zvecan municipality, Ilir Peci, reacted to a decision by the current mayor, Dragisa Milovic, not to confirm the contracts of two Albanian municipal officials. He argued in a Facebook post that the decision to terminate their contracts was ungrounded and in opposition with the legislation in force. “According to the legislation in force, after the end of a six-month trial period, if within 24 hours from the date of this period a decision is not made for termination, the work contract is automatically extended. In this case, this legal timeline has been overcome, therefore, the decision has no legal effect,” he said. “This action is not only a legal violation but an institutional injustice that damages the functioning of the municipal administration and the principle of equality. I call for this decision to be urgently reviewed and for laws, procedures and rights of municipal officials to be respected”.

World Bank keeps Kosovo’s 2026 GDP growth projection at 3.8% (SeeNews)

The World Bank said it expects Kosovo’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to expand by 3.8% this year, as much as estimated for 2025, before growth accelerates to 3.9% in 2027. In its Global Economic Prospects report on Tuesday, the World Bank kept unchanged its forecast for Kosovo's economic growth in 2025, 2026 and 2027, which it made in October.The World Bank projects that the Western Balkans economies will grow by 3.1% in 2026, after posting an estimated 2.7% growth in 2025. Kosovo's economy expanded by 4.57% in 2024, Kosovo's statistics office, ASK, has said. 

Kosovo extends application deadline in EU-backed 100 MW solar project (SeeNews)

Kosovo's energy corporation, KEK, said on Wednesday it has extended the deadline for submitting applications in a prequalification procedure for the design, supply and installation of a 100 MW solar photovoltaic plant near Pristina to February 6.

The deadline was extended to give companies more time to submit stronger applications, and to attract additional participants, KEK said in a LinkedIn post.

KEK first launched the procedure in December, setting the original deadline on January 22.