• Kosovo forms new Assembly and Government (media)
• Kosovo MPs elect new government ending year-long deadlock (Prishtina Insight)
• Kallas congratulates Kurti; “a new momentum to advance EU-Kosovo relations and the dialogue” (media)
• Mucunski congratulates Kosovo on formation of new government (media)
• Hamza calls for resolution about the trial in the Hague (Telegrafi)
• Osmani backs march in support of former KLA leaders (media)
• EU special representative for dialogue’s mandate extended for two years (Kossev)
• Kosovo included on “EU safe countries list” under new asylum rules (European Western Balkans)
• Osmani: Kosovo stands firmly with Canada in this time of sorrow (media)
• Kosovo, Albania and Croatia to hold joint training this year (RFE)
• Serbia: Albania, Croatia and Kosovo meeting, gross violation of 1244 (Kosovo Online)
• Teacher in Serbia fined for covering graffiti calling for Serbian army return to Kosovo (media)

Kosovo forms new Assembly and Government (media)

The leading story in all media is the constitution of the new Assembly of Kosovo on Wednesday and the formation of the new government. 66 MPs voted in favor of the government proposed by Prime Minister designate Albin Kurti, 49 MPs voted against and no MPs abstained.

The ministers of the new government led by Kurti are:

First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister - Glauk Konjufca

Second Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister - Donika Gervalla

Finance Minister - Hekuran Murati

Minister for Family - Andin Hoti

Minister of Defense - Ejup Maqedonci

Interior Minister - Xhelal Svecla

Public Administration and Digitalization Minister - Lulzon Jaxhiu

Health Minister - Arben Vitia

Education Minister - Hajrulla Ceku

Culture Minister - Saranda Bogujevci

Sports Minister - Blerim Gashani

Environment and Spatial Planning Minister - Fitore Pacolli

Infrastructure Minister - Dimal Basha

Local Government Minister - Elbert Krasniqi

Agriculture Minister - Armend Muja

Trade Minister - Mimoza Kusari-Lila

Economy Minister - Artane Rizvanolli

Returns and Communities Minister - Nenad Rasic

Regional Development Minister - Rasim Demiri

At the start of his address before presenting the new government, Prime Minister designate Albin Kurti mentioned the trial against the former KLA leaders in the Hague, saying that the prosecution’s request for 45-year sentences is an attempt that goes “against the truth and denies the historical and political context of Kosovo’s liberation war”. “The position of the government that I lead is clear: crimes against humanity in Kosovo were committed against the Albanian civilian population, and they were committed by Yugoslavia’s regime under Milosevic’s Serbia. This has been internationally recognized and documented. Any attempt to equalize the KLA leaders with a genocidal regime is untenable,” Kurti said.

Kosovo MPs elect new government ending year-long deadlock (Prishtina Insight)

Albin Kurti secured his third term as Prime Minister, winning the backing of a majority of Kosovo’s Members of Parliament, and ending the 2025 deadlock.

Vetëvendosje’s leader Albin Kurti was voted Prime Minister of Kosovo on Wednesday evening in a short parliamentary session. 66 MPs in the 120 seat Parliament supported Kurti and his cabinet, 49 were against, while one abstained.

 “In the next four years we’ll strengthen alliances [with the West], invest one billion in defence, resume the EU intermediated dialogue with Serbia, and further investment in social welfare, education, and infrastructure,” Kurti told MPs while presenting his new cabinet.

The new government of Kosovo has 19 Ministers and 3 Deputy Prime Ministers, with some newcomers and many returning names from previous cabinets.

Kurti’s election puts an end to a year-long political deadlock which marred Kosovo institutions after the February 2025 general elections proved inconclusive.

In the December 28 snap elections last year, the ruling Vetëvendosje came well in the lead with 51.1 per cent of the vote, which means he can likely form a government without coalition agreements. Vetëvendosje will have 57 MPs in the 120-seat chamber.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, led by Bedri Hamza, followed with 20.2 per cent. The Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, won 13.2 per cent of the votes and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, won 5.5 per cent.

Addressing MPs before the vote, Kurti outlined the key priorities of the incoming cabinet and its commitments while stressing that in recent years Kosovo “has made economic progress, strengthened businesses, and improved social welfare, including wage increases and higher child benefits.”

Read more at: https://shorter.me/AaolV

Kallas congratulates Kurti; “a new momentum to advance EU-Kosovo relations and the dialogue” (media)

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that after more than a year of political deadlock, the formation of Kosovo’s new government is encouraging news. “Congratulations Albin Kurti! What matters now that it moves swiftly on reforms. This is the fastest way to unlock EU support worth hundreds of millions of euros and have progress on its EU path. This is a new momentum to advance on EU-Kosovo relations and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. I am ready to host a high-level meeting soon,” Kallas said in a post on X.

Mucunski congratulates Kosovo on formation of new government (media)

North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timco Mucunski, congratulated Kosovo on the formation of the new government and Glauk Konjufca on his appointment as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. “As neighbours, we look forward to working closely together in the interest of regional stability, good-neighbourly relations, and our shared European aspirations,” Mucunski said in a post on X. 

Hamza calls for resolution about the trial in the Hague (Telegrafi)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Bedri Hamza said on Wednesday that the new Assembly needs to adopt a resolution about the trial against the former KLA leaders in the Hague. “This new legislative is starting its work at a crucial moment for Kosovo. Defending the truth, justice and statehood in the Hague is not a party matter but rather a state and national obligation,” he said in a Facebook post.

“At the first working session we will present a resolution drafted by independent experts, which calls for a fair and impartial ruling and in line with Kosovo’s laws and constitution and which embodies the highest international standards,” he said. “We expect the support of all those that believe in justice, dignity and the state”.

Osmani backs march in support of former KLA leaders (media)

All news websites reported on Wednesday that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani hosted representatives of the platform Liria ka Emer [Freedom has a Name] and the march which will be held in Pristina on February 17 in support of former KLA leaders who are standing trial in the Hague.

Osmani said she supports any civic initiative that calls for justice, adding that Kosovo’s independence was the will of the people and the result of a century-long sacrifice. She also said that the Kosovo Liberation Army led a fair and clean war for freedom, and that “genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes were committed against the people of Kosovo by Serbia”.

EU special representative for dialogue’s mandate extended for two years (Kossev)

The mandate of the EU special representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Peter Sorensen, has been extended for another two years. Sorensen was first appointed to the post in January last year.

Kosovo included on “EU safe countries list” under new asylum rules (European Western Balkans)

The European Parliament adopted today amendments to EU asylum procedure rules aimed at speeding up the processing of asylum applications.

MEPs backed the creating of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin and also voted in favor of an agreement on a regulation governing the application of the “safe third country” concept.

According to the Parliament, the new-EU level list of safe countries of origin will allow for accelerated processing of asylum applications from nationals of Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco and Tunisia.

Under new rules, the burden of proof will lie with the applicant to demonstrate that the safe country provision should not apply in their specific case, due to a well-founded fear of persecution or a risk of serious harm if returned to their country of origin.

EU candidate countries will also be considered safe countries of origin, unless relevant circumstances indicate otherwise. Such circumstances include indiscriminate violence in the context of an armed conflict, an EU-wide asylum recognition rate for their nationals exceeding 20%, or the imposition of economic sanctions linked to actions affecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

Rapporteur Alessandro Ciriani said that the list of safe countries of origin marks a political turning point in EU migration management.

“With this legislation, a period of ambiguity comes to an end and a clear direction is set: common rules, faster and more efficient procedures, protection of the right to asylum for those entitled to it, and a firm approach to preventing abuse. The EU is preparing clear and enforceable rules based on shared responsibility,” Ciriani said.

The European Commission will monitor the situation in countries on the list and in candidate countries, and will react if circumstances change. The European Commission may temporarily designate a country as unsafe or propose its permanent removal from the list.

Osmani: Kosovo stands firmly with Canada in this time of sorrow (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Wednesday that Kosovo stands firmly with Canada after a shooting at a British Columbia high school which resulted in 10 deaths and 25 others injured. “Today, our hearts turn to Tumbler Ridge, Canada. No parent, no child, no community should ever endure such tragedy. We mourn with the people of Canada and extend our deepest condolences to the families facing this unimaginable loss. We are also thinking of those who were injured. Kosovo stands firmly with Canada in this time of sorrow,” Osmani said.

Kosovo, Albania and Croatia to hold joint training this year (RFE)

Kosovo, Albania and Croatia will hold their first joint training this year which will be in line with NATO’s strategic concept “and Euro-Atlantic objectives”, said Albania’s Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, after a trilateral meeting between the defense chiefs of Kosovo, Albania and Croatia. The Kosovo Security Force said that the meeting, which was held in Albania, focused on furthering cooperation through joint trainings and exercises. The statement also notes that the meeting discussed security challenges, increased military cooperation and compatibility and advancing defense capacities in line with Euro-Atlantic standards.

Serbia: Albania, Croatia and Kosovo meeting, gross violation of 1244 (Kosovo Online)

The Serbian Ministry of Defense strongly condemned the trilateral meeting of representatives of Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo, which, as stated, aims to deepen military cooperation and coordination, including concrete security-related plans and activities. It claimed that such actions represent an open disregard for and a gross violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Military-Technical Agreement from Kumanovo. The ministry said that KFOR is the only legitimate armed formation in Kosovo with a clearly defined mandate.

The ministry also argued that attempts to further institutionalize and strengthen the Kosovo Security Force through regional military arrangements constitute a direct blow to the international legal order and a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. “Such moves have the potential to produce long-term security consequences and destabilize the situation in the Western Balkans,” it said.

Teacher in Serbia fined for covering graffiti calling for Serbian army return to Kosovo (media)

Several news websites report that an opposition activist and teacher in the city of Serbia in Nis was fined by the police on Wednesday after he had covered a graffiti calling for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo. The graffiti was painted on the yard of an elementary school where he works.

Gazeta Express notes that the graffiti had appeared all over Serbia, while civil society activists had removed them saying that it calls for intolerance and incites conflicts.