UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 11, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Kosovo hand in hand with US, in line with Trump's vision (media)
Police Director : All resources to investigate death of 27-year-old (media)
45th attempt to constitute ninth legislature fails (media)
Gashi: A government must be formed, whatever it may be (Nacionale)
Kurti to attend ceremony of 30th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide (media)
Osmani: Voice of Srebrenica mothers, strongest call against injustice (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Milovic: Citizens do not want Kurti’s bridges, we expect KFOR to prevent the construction (RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
Residents of Mitrovica about the petition against the new bridges: We’ve been sold a long time ago, it’s all in vain (KoSSev)
How did the members of the Serbian List avoid a minute of silence for the victims of Srebrenica? (Danas, Kosovo Online)
Demokracia: Tender for Ibar Bridge construction awarded to company close to the government, suspicions of abuse ahead of elections (Kosovo Online, Demokracia)
Diocese of Raska-Prizren: Fires caused great damage, appeal for aid (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Rada Trajkovic on Vucic's message on the anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica (Danas)

International:

Kosovo’s annual inflation speeds up to 4.3% in June (intellinews.com)
In Srebrenica, genocide victims live on in names of newborns (BIRN)
Serbia: Media freedom continues to decline at alarming speed, EU must take action (ipi.media)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani: Kosovo hand in hand with US, in line with Trump's vision (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, during her visit to the U.S. met with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. She said that Kosovo stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States to build new chapters of strategic cooperation, as she wrote, in line with President Trump's strong vision. "More security. More development. More opportunities for our citizens and our businesses," Osmani wrote on Facebook.

A spokesperson for the State Department said: “Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu. They discussed potential areas of future economic cooperation and expressed confidence that economic prosperity and cooperation will help move the Western Balkans away from the divisions of the past and promote lasting peace and stability in the region”. \

Police Director : All resources to investigate death of 27-year-old (media)

Kosovo Police Director General Gazmend Hoxha said today that all resources need to be used to investigate the death of 27-year-old Agon Zejnullahu in Lipjan. “From the position of Police Director, we will not allow any surpassing of police competencies, therefore I strongly call on the Kosovo Police Inspectorate, our internal investigations, and other relevant institutions to use all necessary resources to investigate the circumstances of the death of our citizen,” Hoxha said at the graduation of the 62nd generation of Kosovo Police.

He also said that police investigators have been instructed to cooperate closely with the Kosovo Police Inspectorate to get a clear picture of what happened in Lipjan on the critical night. “I will undertake all legal actions based on the outcome and the results of a comprehensive investigation,” he said.

45th attempt to constitute ninth legislature fails (media)

The 45th attempt brought no change when it came to constituting the ninth legislature of the Kosovo Assembly. Only 49 MPs voted in favor of the Commission for Secret Voting—an insufficient number to unblock the process. The session was adjourned, and MPs will return to the plenary hall again after 48 hours, on Sunday, July 13, at 11:00 a.m.

Gashi: A government must be formed, whatever it may be (Nacionale)

MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Arben Gashi said today that Kosovo needs to have a government “whatever it may be” especially after Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani confirmed statements by US President Donald Trump that recently he stopped an escalation between Serbia and Kosovo. “I think the time has come to find a solution, whatever it may be, a government must be formed and this situation needs to be overcome because we are now seeing daily statements by President Trump and the confirmation by the Kosovo President that there was a threat for an attack by Serbia against Kosovo. It seems that this happened while Serbia was having internal problems and it tried to export the crisis to Kosovo,” he said.

Kurti to attend ceremony of 30th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, which will be held today at the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potocari. According to a statement released to the media, Kurti will lead the Kosovo delegation, which includes the caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, and the third caretaker Deputy Prime Minister, Emilija Rexhepi, who comes from the Bosniak community in Kosovo.

Osmani: Voice of Srebrenica mothers, strongest call against injustice (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, has remembered the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, saying that the voice of the mothers of the victims remains the strongest call against injustice. "After three decades, the voice of the Mothers of Srebrenica remains the strongest call against oblivion and injustice. Kosovo stands by them, because we know what pain and loss mean, but also the tireless commitment to justice", Osmani wrote on Facebook.

She has shared in a video post from the moment of the confessions of the mothers of Srebrenica, to whom the president awarded Presidential Medals during the International Forum for Women, Peace and Security.

Serbian Language Media

Milovic: Citizens do not want Kurti’s bridges on the Ibar, we expect KFOR to prevent the construction (RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

The Vice President of the Serbian List (SL), Dragisa Milovic, stated that he expects the KFOR commander to prevent the construction of two new bridges on the Ibar River, given that KFOR is responsible for the security situation in northern Kosovo.

Milovic told RTS this morning that nearly 4,000 signatures were collected in N. Mitrovica, clearly stating opposition to the construction of the bridges.

"We had the opportunity to speak with the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Miroslav Jenca, and conveyed that this is a political project of Kurti that has no foothold among the Serbian people, where Serbs have not been consulted. This is for the purpose of the political campaign that Kurti is leading and which will be intensified," Milovic said for RTS.

"We will have the opportunity to inform the embassies of the Quint countries in this area, the EU ambassadors to Kosovo and Metohija, the US embassy - the embassies of all countries present in Kosovo and Metohija, members of KFOR, EULEX, all international missions located in this area," Milovic emphasized.

The EU issued a statement saying that bridges cannot be built without the consent of both communities, that is, the Serbs.

Milovic said that it was obvious that Kurti was in a hurry, that all was done in a non-transparent manner, and that the political crisis in Pristina, the failure to form the assembly, was shifted to the north.

Mild statements from the international community

The international community, the EU, for now, only by mild statements told Kurti to refrain from building the two bridges and nothing more, Milovic said.

"We expect concrete results. Pressure on Pristina, and above all, we expect KFOR members - the KFOR commander to express their opinion, that is, to prevent the construction of the two bridges," he said explicitly, recalling that the main bridge on the Ibar is under the command of KFOR, that is, the security structures of the EULEX police due to the insecurity.

"So, it is passable for civilians, for pedestrians, but if someone assesses that the main bridge is unsafe, how will the construction of two bridges affect the safety of our citizens? We are against it and that is why I expect, because those two bridges will complicate the difficult political and security situation, KFOR to act preventively and prevent the construction of those two bridges because KFOR is most responsible for the stability, peace and security of all citizens living in these areas," Milovic underlined.

The idea of bridges has created tension

There are three bridges on the Ibar that are passable for vehicles and pedestrians. "That excuse about freedom of movement does not exist. This is a political project, an escalating move by Kurti, and we expect the EU and KFOR to prevent the construction of those two bridges," he repeated.

According to Milovic, the very idea of bridges has created tension, and as the local elections approach, it will grow.

Otherwise, the special prosecutor's office in Pristina has launched an investigation into the issue of the contract for the construction of new bridges over the Ibar River between the northern and southern parts of Mitrovica, due to suspicions of misuse of public funds.

Speaking about Serbian goods in Kosovo, Milovic cites the data that in the first six months of 2024, the import of Serbian goods to Kosovo amounted to around 50 million euros, and in the first six months of this year around 110 million euros.

"This shows how much Serbian goods were lacking for all consumers, primarily Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija, but also other communities," Milovic concluded.

Referring to the announcement by the German Embassy in Pristina that the scanners for goods control will be delivered only next year, Milovic pointed out that last year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he doubted the sincere intentions of the authorities in Pristina to allow the entry of Serbian goods.

"I hope that the international community will recognize this because this violates the CEFTA agreement and that the free flow of goods and capital will be enabled, as well as that other crossings will be opened, not just the Merdare crossing," Milovic added.

The lack of medicines and infusion solutions are a huge problem for Serbs in Kosovo, said Milovic and recalled of large crowds at the Merdare crossing where there are waits of several days, increasing the cost of transport.

Residents of Mitrovica about the petition against the new bridges: We’ve been sold a long time ago, it’s all in vain (KoSSev)

“The international community will not react, same as it has never done before... This will hardly bear fruit.” Residents of North Mitrovica signed a petition this week against the construction of two new bridges between the northern and southern sides of the city. Most of those who spoke to KoSSev, do not believe that the act itself will change anything. Skepticism is expressed not only towards the Kosovo authorities, but also towards the international community, to which the petition will be addressed.

Three days after Albin Kurti laid the foundation stone for two new bridges between North and South Mitrovica, and almost a month after the announcement of the Kosovo authorities’ plans to build these bridges, Serbian List started collecting signatures of citizens who oppose the initiative.

The signing started on Monday and lasted three days, i.e., a total of 11 hours. According to the confirmation from this party, a total of 3,628 signatures were collected.

“Citizens said NO to Kurti’s bridges of division” the well-known position of the Serbian List about the idea of building new bridges was repeated.

The petition will go into the hands of the international community, not those who build bridges.

KoSSev asked the people of Mitrovica, including those gathered around the stand in front of the headquarters of the Serbian List, whether they believe that the petition can have a concrete effect, that is, lead to the suspension of the construction of bridges.

Some expressed hope, some don’t know, but the majority who spoke to KoSSev do not believe it will come to that, even though they responded to the invitation to sign. In addition, there is little faith among citizens that the international community will contribute to making it bear fruit.

“The will of the citizens is not something that the Kosovo authorities are interested in”

“As far as the Kosovo authorities are concerned, it is difficult. We have had the experience several times that it did not influence them, that the will of the people is not something which they are interested in. These are not invasive means, we are fighting as a people, and we should persevere,” a younger North Mitrovica resident told KoSSev.

“What for do we need five bridges over a small river in this small town?”

Citizens do not trust the international community either

This fellow resident does not even believe that those in whose hands the petition goes will help – “Aren’t they working together?” “It is one assembly, one hydra that acts together. For 30 years, it has united against the Serbian people”.

When asked if he believed that the security of the north would be undermined by the construction of bridges, this fellow resident merely replied: “The security of the North has already been compromised.”

Even his fellow resident does not believe that the international community will get involved after the petition in an essential way: “It will not, same as it never has.”

An elderly fellow resident whom KoSSev asked the same questions, followed up on this narrative. He signed the petition out of solidarity with his people, but he does not know if it will be successful.

And will the international community help?

“I don’t believe it; I just doubt it. I have absolutely no confidence in them. They haven’t done anything so far, and (Pristina) is doing whatever it wants.” “They didn’t really prove themselves properly, I believe half and half,” one of the interlocutors noted.

“We are a country that has been sold a long time ago”

Her fellow resident also does not believe in the success of the petition and the role of the international community in its effect, although she gave her signature.

“No. We as a people need to do this, and whether it will bear fruit is difficult. I don’t believe that the international community will do anything, there is no way that anything will happen from this,” she said. When asked why she signed it then, she said:

“We are a country that was sold a long time ago, everything we do is in vain. We’re just trying, that’s all.”

However, there were those who were more optimistic. The interlocutor of KoSSev believes that “God’s will” is on the side of the people, which protects them. “We are fighting and today we are here in Mitrovica, and it should stay that way. The fact that they want to destroy us, does not mean that we should agree to it,” said this resident of Mitrovica.

How did the members of the Serbian List avoid a minute of silence for the victims of Srebrenica? (Danas, Kosovo Online)

Deputies of the Serbian List entered the parliamentary hall today, for the 45th continuation of the constituent session, after the others present in the plenum held a minute of silence for the victims of Srebrenica, reported Danas, citing Kosovo Online.

Those present in the hall started today's part of the session, at the invitation of chairman Avni Dehari, on the occasion of July 11, with a minute of silence for the victims of crimes in Srebrenica.

The Serbian list came to the hall after that minute of silence ended.

Demokracia: Tender for Ibar Bridge construction awarded to company close to the government, suspicions of abuse ahead of elections (Kosovo Online, Demokracia)

Following the initiation of an investigation by the Kosovo Special Prosecution regarding the tender for the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River, the portal Demokracia reports that the procedure was conducted under an expedited, non-public process, with all competing companies eliminated using almost identical reasoning. Although this is a multimillion-euro project, the authorities reportedly failed to provide evidence of urgency, while the favored company is allegedly linked to the government—further deepening suspicions of tender rigging and misuse of public funds ahead of local elections.

The Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure eliminated all companies participating in the tender for bridge construction in Mitrovica, using nearly identical justifications for each, with minimal variations—suggesting a potentially deliberate setup.

The procedure was conducted via a negotiated process without prior publication—a method permitted only in exceptional cases of urgency. However, in this instance, there is no evidence to justify the urgent need for bridge construction.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/34ptkkw2

Diocese of Raska-Prizren: Fires caused great damage, appeal for aid (KiM radio, KoSSev)

The Diocese expresses its deepest sympathy to the families affected by the fires in central Serbia, Kosovo, and the entire Balkans, reported KiM radio.

The Diocese reminds that dozens of homes, estates and other property were destroyed in the fires.

"We especially draw attention to the suffering of our believers in the municipality of Zubin Potok and in the returnee village of Osojane in Metohija, where fires broke out a few days ago that destroyed four family houses to the ground, burned wheat ready for harvest and threatened the entire community, which is already living in extremely difficult conditions. The villagers, together with the nuns from the Gorioc monastery, risked their own lives to save the surrounding houses from destruction," the Diocese said in the announcement, adding that their selfless example awakened a sense of unity, responsibility and hope in many.

"We praise the courage of all the volunteers, locals and nuns who, with their solidarity, compassion and fearless action, showed what it means to live as one body in Christ, where the suffering of one is borne by all with solidarity," the Diocese said in a statement.

Read full statement of the Diocese at: https://tinyurl.com/3645sj9m

Rada Trajkovic on Vucic's message on the anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica (Danas)

Rada Trajkovic, a politician from Kosovo, reacted to the message that Aleksandar Vucic, the President of Serbia, published on the occasion of the anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, reported Danas.

Trajkovic asked on the X social network why Vucic wrote his statement in English.

"Why such an important statement in English? You said this to the international community a long time ago. Maybe it is better to say this in Serbian so that the perpetrators of the crimes you protect from Srebrenica to Banjska can hear well? Or is it the point to 'wash off’ yourself with the statement and protect your armchair, and collective guilt to people," wrote Trajkovic.

Danas recalls that today is marked the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, and Vucic wrote in English on X that we cannot change the past, but we must change the future.

Vucic wrote today in a X post on English:

“Today marks thirty years since the terrible crime in Srebrenica was committed. We cannot change the past, but we must change the future. Once again, on behalf of the citizens of Serbia, I express my condolences to the families of the Bosniak victims, confident that a similar crime will never happen again.”

International

Kosovo’s annual inflation speeds up to 4.3% in June (intellinews.com)

Kosovo’s harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) inflation accelerated to an annual 4.3% in June from 3.6% in the previous month (chart), statistics office’s data showed on July 10.

In June, notable year-on-year increases were recorded in coffee, tea and cocoa (18.2%), electricity (17.8%), fruit (14.8%), package holidays (13.3%), and meat (12.8%). Other significant rises included personal transport services (10.4%), oils and fats (9.7%), and hotel services (7.7%).

In contrast, prices fell in a few categories, including fuels and lubricants (-5.3%), solid fuels such as firewood and pellets (-4.5%), and flight tickets (-3.2%), with a combined dampening effect of 0.5 percentage points on overall inflation.

On a monthly basis, Kosovo posted inflation of 0.7% in June, after prices moved up 0.3% in May.

Month-on-month inflation was mainly due to higher prices for organised holidays (10.4%), electricity (5.4%), fruit (5.1%), and coffee, tea and cocoa (2.3%). Other notable increases were seen in fuel, alcoholic beverages, meat, hotel services, and bread and cereals, contributing a combined 0.9 percentage points to the HICP.

The only significant decline was in vegetable prices, which fell by 5.6%, lowering the index by 0.2 percentage points.

Compared to the reference year of 2015, the HICP prices in Kosovo were up by 35.2%

In 2024, HICP inflation was 1.6%.

In Srebrenica, genocide victims live on in names of newborns (BIRN)

In naming their children after the loved ones they lost in the 1995 genocide, the people of Srebrenica are keeping alive the memory of the victims and making sure their stories are told.

This post is also available in this language: Shqip

Muhamed Avdic’s son was given the name ‘Azam’, but Avdic at first couldn’t bring himself to use it.

“When he was a baby, when I kissed him and cradled him… I affectionately called him ‘good bey’, or ‘sugarplum’,” said Avdic. “It took me time to get used to calling him Azam.”

Azam was the name of Avdic’s father, who was 41 when he was killed alongside some 8,000 other Bosniak men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces in the former United Nations safe haven of Srebrenica in July 1995, a crime classified as genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY, in The Hague.

Eleven years old, Avdic’s son is now the same age as Avdic was when he last saw his father, whose remains have never been found.

It is not just a name that Avdic’s son has inherited, but the same round face and riotous hair, and the same love of music.

Avdic’s father was a teacher and violinist, his talent captured on videos that Avdic watches today.

“People sometimes say that he has the same facial look and eye colour,” Avdic said of his son. “And not only that. He has also inherited the musical gene; he plays guitar and has a feel for music.”