• Prattipati meets Damka (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti meets Italian Ambassador Antonini (media)
• EU Ambassador Orav meets Minister Saranda Bogujevci (media)
• Civil society calls for political consensus on the election of the President (Klan Kosova)
• The European Commission proposes the removal of roaming charges for Kosovo as well (Koha)
• Spiropali: The EU should grant Kosovo candidate status without delay (media)
• CEC postpones decision on allocation of funds for political parties (Nacionale)
• KLA war veterans’ organisations launch widespread petition in support of former KLA leaders (Klan Kosova)
• Sorensen meets Vucic and Petkovic in Belgrade (Kossev)

Prattipati meets Damka (media)

Online media quote a post of the US Embassy in Kosovo, writing that Chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati met Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Issues and Cooperation Fikrim Damka, highlighting the importance of ensuring all communities in Kosovo prosper and discussed efforts to strengthen inter-community support and cooperation.

Prime Minister Kurti meets Italian Ambassador Antonini (media)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with Italian Ambassador Maurizio Antonini, who reaffirmed Italy’s support for Kosovo and its readiness to continue close bilateral cooperation, media report. The discussion focused on current political developments and opportunities to expand cooperation in business, culture and the justice sector, with both sides expressing commitment to strengthening institutional ties for the benefit of their citizens.

EU Ambassador Orav meets Minister Saranda Bogujevci (media)

EU Ambassador Aivo Orav met with Minister of Culture and Tourism Saranda Bogujevci to discuss EU support for Kosovo’s cultural sector, including cooperation through the Creative Europe programme and the restart of the Implementation Monitoring Council’s activities, with a focus on the protection of religious heritage.

Civil society calls for political consensus on the election of the President (Klan Kosova)

Ten major civil society organisations have urged Kosovo’s political parties to reach a consensus on electing the President, warning that failure to do so could lead to new early elections and further institutional instability, Klan Kosova reports. They stress that a consensual President is essential for democratic functionality, economic development and public trust, and call on parties to prioritise citizens’ interests and engage in constructive dialogue to ensure the full functioning of state institutions.

The European Commission proposes the removal of roaming charges for Kosovo as well (Koha)

Koha’s based correspondent Augustin Palokaj, reports today that the The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with the Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, to eliminate roaming charges between the region and the EU. Once the agreements are concluded, citizens will be able to use their mobile phones in EU countries at domestic rates under the “roam like at home” system. The initiative is part of the EU’s Growth Plan and the gradual integration of the Western Balkans into the EU single market, and it is expected to benefit citizens, cross-border workers, businesses and tourism. While some telecom operators have already expressed readiness to lower tariffs, others may oppose the measure because roaming fees currently generate revenue for them.

Spiropali: The EU should grant Kosovo candidate status without delay (media)

Albania’s Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali, during a meeting with President Vjosa Osmani, reaffirmed Albania’s strong support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration and called on the European Union to grant Kosovo EU candidate status without delay following the lifting of restrictive measures. She stressed that Albania will continue its active diplomatic efforts to strengthen Kosovo’s international recognition and support its membership in international organizations as well as its path toward the EU and NATO.

CEC postpones decision on allocation of funds for political parties (Nacionale)

The Central Election Commission has postponed the decision on distributing around 5 million euros in public funding for political parties represented in the Kosovo Assembly, citing technical reasons, with the approval expected to be made through an online procedure, Nacionale reports. The allocation will be based on parliamentary strength, with Vetëvendosje set to receive the largest share. The issue has previously sparked strong internal debates, particularly over the inclusion of Srpska Lista as a beneficiary and the timing of such funding during the election campaign period.

KLA war veterans’ organisations launch widespread petition in support of former KLA leaders (Klan Kosova)

KLA veterans’, war invalids’ and martyrs’ families’ associations have launched a Kosovo wide petition calling for the trial of former KLA leaders in The Hague to be based solely on evidence presented in court and free from political influence, Klan Kosova reports. The initiative is framed as a public show of support for the KLA, its former leadership and the values of the liberation war, with an appeal to citizens in Kosovo and the diaspora to sign and promote the petition.

Sorensen meets Vucic and Petkovic in Belgrade (Kossev)

EU Special Envoy Peter Sørensen met Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade to discuss the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, with Vučić calling for stronger EU engagement and stressing the situation of Kosovo Serbs as a key concern, Kossev reports. He warned that the planned implementation of Kosovo’s laws on foreigners and vehicles from 15 March would, in Serbia’s view, threaten the rights and survival of Serbs, and urged the international community to react. Vučić again demanded the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities and criticised regional security developments, while emphasizing that all sides should avoid moves that could escalate tensions and instead focus on fulfilling previously agreed obligations through EU-mediated dialogue.

EU Special Envoy Peter Sørensen met also with Serbia’s chief negotiator Petar Petković, who called for the urgent start of discussions on the draft statute of the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (ZSO), describing it as a key obligation from the First Brussels Agreement and essential for protecting the rights of Kosovo Serbs. He also warned that the planned implementation of Kosovo’s laws on foreigners and vehicles would, according to Belgrade, negatively affect around 10,000 Serbs by threatening their work, freedom of movement, family life, health care and education, and could undermine Serbian-run institutions in Kosovo. Petković said Belgrade remains ready to seek solutions through dialogue, while accusing Pristina of unilateral actions that increase tensions. Sørensen’s response was not reported.