Albanian Language Media:
 

• Kurti welcomes continuation of MCC program for Kosovo (media)
• Court suspended ERO decision, Fejzullahu says he will complain (Express)
• Women’s Chamber of Commerce welcomes Commercial Court’s decision (media)
• Haxhiu: Serious doubts over impartiality of Special Court (media)
• Behrami says special court “legitimizing ethnic cleansing, genocide” (media)
• Cakolli: August 7 protest is necessary (media)
• Hargreaves: Kosovo in serious crisis, parties must compromise (media)
• Court sentences Milos Pleskovic to 15 years in prison for war crimes (media)
• Indictment against Milos Antovic for attack on KFOR and police in north (Koha)
• Kosovo ministry writes to Serbian govt about arrest of a Kosovo Serb (Kallxo)
• Igor Popovic’s communications with heads of Serbian BIA (TV Dukagjini)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric spoke to Guterres: Popovic’s arrest an attempt of intimidation of Serbs and collapsing of dialogue (RTS, Blic, media)
• Hargreaves: Kosovo in a serious crisis, elections are chance for Serb integration (Radio Gorazdevac)
• Pleskovic sentenced to 15 years in prison (KiM radio)
• Pleskovic's lawyers: Verdict is image of judiciary in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Office for KiM: Verdict to Pleskovic message to displaced Serbs they must not return to Prizren (Kosovo Online)
• “How Serbs ended up in articles about death of an Albanian at Gazivode Lake” (Alternativna.com, Radio KIM)
• SNP rejects claims on electric cables in Gazivode Lake as absurd and politically motivated (KoSSev)
• Taxi drivers after meeting in Mitrovica North municipality – problem partially solved, they can continue working, no one knows how long (KoSSev)
• More protests held in Serbia (N1)

International:

• When it comes to healthcare, some in Kosovo still trust Serbia (Balkan Insight)
• Could Trump be the first U.S. president to visit Belgrade since 1980? (eualive.net)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti welcomes continuation of MCC program for Kosovo (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, welcomed the continuation of the Millennium Challenges Corporation (MCC) program for Kosovo. He said the continuation of the program by the administration of President Donald Trump is extremely important for Kosovo. “It makes us even more happy and proud that our Republic is one of the few countries for which MCC funding will continue. We are deeply and forever grateful for the continued support of the United States of America and commit every day to a strong, reliable partnership,” Kurti said.

Court suspended ERO decision, Fejzullahu says he will complain (Express)

The Commercial Court of Kosovo suspended on Wednesday the decision of the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) on the move of businesses with over 50 workers and an annual turnover of €10 million to the free energy market. Chair of the ERO Board, Ymer Fejzullahu, meanwhile said he will complain against the court’s decision. “The decision is not repealing. It is not executable immediately. It is a decision, and we have 15 days of time to complain against it,” he said.

Women’s Chamber of Commerce welcomes Commercial Court’s decision (media)

Kosovo Women’s Chamber of Commerce (G7) has welcomed the decision of the Commercial Court to annul the decision of the ERO to move businesses to the free energy market. The chamber said that the decision comes as a confirmation of what it and many other small and medium businesses have warned against that “the immediate imposition without preparations to move to the free market was hasty, unrightful and unsustainable for thousands of businesses that did not have the capacity to face an unsuitable and unsustainable market”. “This process imposed by the ERO not only risked shutting down thousands of women-led businesses, but it also deeply violated economic equality and the possibility for fair participation on the market. G7 highlights that market liberalization must be a carefully managed process, with transition policies, fair subsidies, technical support and clear information for all parties,” the statement notes.

The chamber also called on the ERO to review its decisions and include the business community in every step of energy policymaking. 

Haxhiu: Serious doubts over impartiality of Special Court (media)

Kosovo’s acting Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, expressed concern today over reports that the Specialist Chambers in the Hague have accepted as material evidence documents submitted by Serbia’s state institutions. “This is utterly unacceptable. These institutions [referring to Serbia’s security structures] are structures of a regime that was responsible for systematic violence, war crimes, forced disappearances, genocide, ethnic cleansing and brutal repression against the people of Kosovo. Accepting material produced by this regime as credible sources constitutes a serious deformation of justice and an open insult against the victims of war and the sacrifice for freedom … Using documents produced by institutions of the Serbian regime is wrong and unacceptable. There can be no trust in documents produced by a criminal state apparatus, aimed not at establishing justice, but manipulating the truth, blaming the victims and pardoning the criminals. Slobodan Milosevic and his associates were tried by the International Hague Tribunal for war crimes. A court acting in the name of the Republic of Kosovo and accepting documents produced by their regime gets stripped of its constitutional legitimacy and becomes an instrument in the old logic of denying the truth, equalizing the parties and relativizing crimes. This is not only unjust but also politically unacceptable,” Haxhiu wrote in a Facebook post.

Behrami says special court “legitimizing ethnic cleansing, genocide” (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Artan Behrami, in a Facebook post, reacts to news that the Specialist Chambers in the Hague have accepted documents provided by Serbian security services in the trial against former KLA leaders. Behrami argues that “the Special Court, by accepting evidence from the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs, has legitimized all crimes of this criminal organization against Albanian civilians in Kosovo! From an institution of justice, the Special Court has turned into an institution of legitimizing the Serbian ethnic cleansing and genocide in Kosovo! This is why civic protests must not stop!”

Cakolli: August 7 protest is necessary (media)

Eugen Cakolli from the Kosovo Law Institute reacted on Wednesday to news that the Specialist Chambers in the Hague accepted documents submitted by Serbian security services. “No one can be tried ‘in the name of the people of Kosovo’, when the evidence accepted in the court process comes from exactly the apparatus that planned and carried out the ethnic cleansing against the very same people. Moreover, on the court stands are those that led the liberation of Kosovo by removing Serbia from this land once and forever. This is why the August 7 protest is necessary. Not against justice, but against injustices. Above all to protect our collective dignity and by not remaining silent in the face of efforts to rewrite history,” Cakolli wrote in a Facebook post.

Hargreaves: Kosovo in serious crisis, parties must compromise (media)

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, told Radio Gorazdevac that Kosovo is undergoing a serious political crisis, which is affecting its ability to make important decisions for its future. “This is a crisis, and not just a political one. I believe that this is a very serious moment for Kosovo,” Hargreaves said, emphasizing the urgent need to form a functional government capable of making key decisions for Kosovo’s future.  “Kosovo urgently needs a properly formed government and parliament, capable of making important decisions regarding Kosovo’s position in the world and the funds currently awaiting approval in parliament. These funds cannot be used at the moment, and Kosovo risks losing them,” he added.

Referring to the role of the Constitutional Court in resolving the political deadlock, Hargreaves expressed cautious optimism but also stressed the need for political will to overcome the impasse. "I think we are still in the phase of hoping that the Constitutional Court will resolve this issue. But ultimately, this must be resolved politically, through compromise between political parties. That is the core of the problem. The Constitution and the law can provide a framework, but it is up to the parties to agree on how to proceed," he said.

Regarding the local elections scheduled for October 12, Hargreaves said they represent an opportunity for all communities, especially the Serb community, to be politically active and represented once again.

Court sentences Milos Pleskovic to 15 years in prison for war crimes (media)

All news websites report that the Basic Court in Pristina has sentenced Milos Pleskovic to 15 years in prison for war crimes against civilians in the municipality of Prizren in 1998-1999. Pleskovic was found guilty of taking part in the killing of three Albanian civilians and the wounding of three other Albanians in Prizren on September 1, 1998.

Gazeta Express reports that the mother and sister of two of the victims told the media after the court session that Pleskovic should have received a longer sentence. “Milos killed my two sons, they were in their 20s … the 15-year sentence is very short, and he should have received a longer sentence,” she said. The sister of the two victims said Pleskovic knew her brothers because he lived in the same neighborhood. “He massacred my brothers. He should have received a longer sentence … He caught my brothers in the forest, he killed and massacred them,” she said. The news website also notes that relatives of the victims called for a life imprisonment for Pleskovic.

An attorney for the families of the victims is quoted as saying in Koha that evidence shows that Pleskovic was a member of the notorious Red Berets and that he should have received a maximal sentence. He also said that the 15-year-sentence is an insult to all families of war victims.

Indictment against Milos Antovic for attack on KFOR and police in north (Koha)

The news website reports that the Special Prosecution of Kosovo filed on Wednesday an indictment against Milos Antovic for his involvement in the violent attack in May 2023 in Zvecan against KFOR troops and members of the Kosovo Police. The indictment charges Antovic with four criminal offences: assault on an official person, participation in a crowd committing a criminal offence – hooliganism, unauthorised purchase, possession, distribution and sale of narcotics, and unauthorised possession of weapons. The prosecution notes that Antovic, together with other defendants, used metal rods, Molotov cocktails, improvised explosive devices and firearms to assault the security forces, disregarding KFOR orders to disperse peacefully. As a consequence, at least thirty KFOR soldiers and several Kosovo Police officers were injured, while substantial material damage was caused, including to police and journalists’ vehicles covering the protest.

The indictment specifies that on 29 May the accused, from 06:00 until evening, remained within the perimeter of the Zvecan municipal building and assaulted and threatened “several members of the Kosovo Police and peacekeepers of the KFOR mission using heavy tools, various metal rods, Molotov cocktails, improvised explosive devices and firearms”. “As a result of these actions, which M.A. allegedly carried out in coordination with many other defendants, at least thirty KFOR personnel were injured, serious bodily injuries were inflicted on some Kosovo Police officers, and major material damage was done to official and journalists’ vehicles present that day,” the Special Prosecution said. 

The news website recalls that on 29 May 2023, 93 members of KFOR sustained injuries, some of them serious, after clashes with Serb protesters in Zvecan.

Kosovo ministry writes to Serbian government about arrest of a Kosovo Serb (Kallxo)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the news website on Wednesday that Kosovo’s Liaison Office in Belgrade sent an official request to the Serbian Government to confirm the arrest of Sasa Djordjevic, a Kosovo Serb from the municipality of Strpce. Media in Serbia had reported that Djordjevic was arrested by the Serbian intelligence service on charges of cooperating with the Albanian intelligence service through the Kosovo intelligence service. Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it informed the EU delegation in Serbia about its request to Serbian authorities. Kosovo’s Liaison Office in Belgrade also notified the US and British embassies in Belgrade and is preparing formal notes for all Quint diplomatic missions in Serbia.

Igor Popovic’s communications with heads of Serbian BIA (TV Dukagjini)

The news website reported on Wednesday that Igor Popovic, senior Serbian official and deputy head of the Serbian government’s office for Kosovo, is suspected of influencing the concealment of individuals wanted for war crimes in Kosovo through encrypted communications and cooperation with senior leaders of the Serbian Intelligence Agency (BIA). Popovic maintained direct contact with Bojan Dimic and Petar Petkovic, while using sensitive information for political purposes and blackmail.

A conversation that took place in 2023 between Popovic and Bojan Dimic, a director at the Serbian BIA, reveals the movement of Cedomir Aksic was being monitored. The latter was sentenced by a Kosovo court to 15 years in prison for the massacre in Recak. The conversation reveals careful plans to ensure Aksic remained in hiding, in close coordination between Popovic and Dimic.

In May 2025, Popovic communicated with Petar Petkovic about the criminal activities of an individual named Kompirovic, who had served a sentence in Serbia for heroin trafficking and murder. According to messages the news website secured, the information had been provided by Dimic and was used for blackmail and control over Serbs in the north of Kosovo.

In another conversation, Popovic mentions Ranko Vlahovic, who is on Kosovo’s wanted list for war crimes. The messages reveal efforts to gather data on his whereabouts, as well as the locations of other suspects, such as Sladan Trajkovic, in coordination with Serbian intelligence structures.

The news website notes that all these communications reveal a close network of cooperation between Serbian officials and heads of BIA, where information about the criminal past of suspects was used for political purposes and as means to obstruct justice.

Serbian Language Media 

Djuric spoke to Guterres: Popovic’s arrest an attempt of intimidation of Serbs and collapsing of dialogue (RTS, Blic, media)

RTS reported today that Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric spoke by phone with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and on that occasion expressed Serbia's deep concern over the arrest of Igor Popovic, a member of Belgrade's negotiating team, as well as the mistreatment and detention of other Serbs in Kosovo. 

The Serbian Foreign Minister pointed out that such actions represent a dangerous attempt to intimidate the Serbian community and collapse the dialogue.

In the phone conversation, Djuric emphasized that ''Serbia expects a clear and principled engagement of international actors, especially the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), whose presence remains of key importance for protecting the rights and security of our people on the ground'', the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

The minister also emphasized that Serbia would continue to be a reliable supporter of the work of the UN and part of the solution for preserving peace and stability, in accordance with the UN Charter, which remains the cornerstone of international law and the guarantor of equality among states.

Minister Djuric, on that occasion, said that respecting this framework is the only way to preserve stability in our region and in the world.

Hargreaves: Kosovo in a serious crisis, elections are chance for Serb integration (Radio Gorazdevac) 

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Pristina, Jonathan Hargreaves, told Radio Gorazdevac yesterday that Kosovo is going through a serious political crisis that makes it difficult to make key decisions. Nevertheless, local elections are an opportunity for greater political involvement of all communities, especially Serbian. He also spoke about the importance of the rule of law, the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the role of the international community in supporting Kosovo.

Ambassador Hargreaves clearly indicated the depth of the current situation, emphasizing the seriousness of the crisis that Kosovo is currently witnessing.

"This is a crisis, and not only a political one. I believe that this is a very serious moment for Kosovo," said Ambassador Hargreaves.

He then emphasized the urgent need for the formation of a functional government, which will be able to make key decisions for the future of Kosovo.

"Kosovo urgently needs a properly formed government and parliament, capable of making important decisions about Kosovo's place in the world and about the funds that are currently sitting in the parliament, waiting to be approved. Those funds cannot be used now, and Kosovo risks losing them," Ambassador Hargreaves added.

Addressing the role of the Constitutional Court in solving the political blockade, the ambassador expressed moderate optimism but also pointed to the fact that political will is needed. 

"I think we are still at the stage of hoping that the Constitutional Court will resolve this issue. But in the end, this must be resolved politically — by compromise between political parties. That is the root of the problem. The Constitution and the law can provide a framework, but it is up to the parties to agree on how to proceed," Ambassador Hargreaves said.

About the local elections scheduled for October 12, Hargreaves said that they represent a chance for all communities, especially the Serbian one, to be politically active and represented again.

"It is an opportunity for all communities in Kosovo — including non-majority communities, and especially the Serbian community — to express their will and be represented by parties that really want to stand up for the citizens," emphasized Ambassador Hargreaves.

He particularly emphasized the importance of voting and political participation.

"It is very important that people participate in those elections and that the parties that can represent them are allowed to participate. Without voting, the voice of the Serbian community in Kosovo will not be heard," Ambassador Hargreaves added.

Speaking about the role of the Serbian List and the importance of political pluralism in the Serbian community in Kosovo, Ambassador Hargreaves emphasized that the Serbian List is a legitimate part of the Kosovo political system but also emphasized the importance of elections and democratic competition.

"The Serbian List is a legitimate party in the political system of Kosovo. They are in parliament and are part of the political process. It is not for me to say how well they represent all Kosovo Serbs — the community should decide on that in the elections," said Ambassador Hargreaves. "It's very important that people have choices — that's healthy for democracy," he added.

Ambassador Hargreaves on the rule of law and the protection of the rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo

Responding to a journalist's question about the latest violations of rights, Ambassador Hargreaves explained how important it is that justice is not only implemented, but also visible and impartial.

"It is crucial that justice is not only carried out, but also seen to be carried out, and on the basis of the law. We must establish the facts clearly and impartially. Many Kosovo Serbs feel pressure from all sides. We, as Great Britain and as friends of Kosovo, want to help Kosovo Serbs to live good lives here, feel like part of this country, work, raise children and look to the future," added Ambassador.

Speaking about legal security and arrests in Kosovo and Serbia, the arrest of Serbian Government official Igor Popovic in Velika Hoca, the ambassador emphasized the need to respect legal procedures and avoid politicization.

"I cannot comment on the legality of specific cases. But what is important is that the correct legal procedures are respected, both in Kosovo and in Serbia. People must trust those processes and not politicize legal issues," said Ambassador Hargreaves.

When asked by a journalist about the latest incident in the monastery of Bogorodice Hvostanska near Istok, the ambassador said that he was not yet familiar with the details but expressed Great Britain's determination to protect the rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

"I am not yet familiar with that particular case, but I will follow it up. From the very beginning of the state of Kosovo, the special status of the Serbian Orthodox Church has been recognized — and this is something that Great Britain has strongly supported," said Ambassador Hargreaves.

He also pointed out positive examples of cooperation that should be followed.

"There have been positive examples of cooperation recently, such as infrastructure projects and local cooperation — including here in Pec, where the municipality and the Patriarchate have a good relationship. We were pleased when the Kosovo government implemented the decision of the Constitutional Court of Decani. These are good examples and should become the rule, not the exception," the Ambassador added.

At the end of the conversation, Ambassador Hargreaves said that Great Britain is a strong supporter of the multi-ethnic sovereignty of Kosovo.

"Our support is based on the multi-ethnic character of Kosovo. As close friends of Kosovo, we will continue to follow, support and help to make that original vision a reality for everyone who lives here. It is my privilege to be part of that journey and to do my best to support it," said Ambassador Hargreaves.

Pleskovic sentenced to 15 years in prison (KiM radio)

Milos Pleskovic from Prizren, who was charged by the prosecution with an alleged war crime committed against civilians in the Prizren settlement "Hoca Mahala" in September 1998, was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

"The defendant Milos Pleskovic is declared guilty because on September 1, 1998, as a member of the police force, he participated in the murder of three Albanian civilians. He is sentenced to 15 years in prison and to pay court costs, as well as one hundred euros to the Fund for War Victims," said judge Rahman Beqiri.

Pleskovic has been in custody since September 30, 2023.

He was arrested in Ugljare, where he lived as a displaced person from Prizren until his arrest, reported KiM radio.

Pleskovic's lawyers: Verdict is image of judiciary in Kosovo (KoSSev)

In connection with the verdict by which Milos Pleskovic was sentenced to 15 years in prison, the defense announces an appeal, reported KoSSev.

Lawyer Jovana Filipovic assessed that the verdict is "a picture of Kosovo's judiciary."

"It is enough to bring an indictment against someone, no matter what it is, and to pass a guilty verdict," Filipovic told KoSSev.

"The court accepted the position of the prosecution that a boy was a sergeant in the army from the age of 19, and who did not even serve in the regular army. It accepted that the report for a war crime was submitted by an anonymous witness and only later the victim himself gave a statement, and what's worse, a verdict was passed that someone committed three murders without anyone seeing it or even a single piece of evidence or any connected the accused with the victims."

According to Filipovic, the verdict is an example of a selective approach in the application of the law.

This verdict is a clear example that everything we learned at university is not valid and that justice is distributed selectively. All that we thought was not possible by law, in practice we see the opposite.

"I am sure that a guilty verdict in relation to this evidence is not possible either legally or logically."

Filipovic said that the defense will appeal the verdict.

"Unfortunately, this verdict continues the negative practice of Kosovo courts, which impose long-term prison sentences on persons without any solid material evidence. As you yourself witnessed in the courtroom during the pronouncement and explanation of this verdict, there was no material evidence during this criminal proceeding, but this verdict was solely based on the statement of one witness whom the court gave trust," lawyer Veljko Radic, Milos Pleskovic's defense attorney told reporters.

He pointed out that, if one goes into the course of the investigation itself and the entire criminal procedure, the conclusion is that the statement of the witness trusted by the court is contradictory in itself, and besides, it is not in agreement with the statements of the other witnesses

"I regret that such a verdict was passed. However, the legal battle is not over, the defense will certainly appeal against this verdict, and I sincerely hope that justice, reason and professionalism will prevail at the second-instance proceedings and that this verdict will be overturned," concluded Radic.

Office for KiM: Verdict to Pleskovic message to displaced Serbs they must not return to Prizren (Kosovo Online)

Reacting to the verdict of Pristina Basic Court sentencing Milos Pleskovic, internally displaced person from Prizren, who lived with his mother in Ugljare village, near Kosovo Polje, until his arrest, Office for Kosovo and Metohija said “this was a message to all those expelled from Prizren they must not dare return to their homes and should not even think of it, otherwise they will be arrested and sentenced for the most serious crimes without any evidence”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“(Albin) Kurti’s political courts continue passing draconian, illegal and political verdicts to detriment of Serbs, which are not based on evidence, credible witnesses, law or justice, but exclusively on the ethnic key aiming at retaliation against Serbian people”, Office for KiM said in a statement.

The Office also said at the time of the crime, Pleskovic was only 19 years old, and was visiting Prizren after the events he is accused of without problems, however, the alleged witnesses recognized him as the alleged perpetrator only 24 years after.

“His family, same as thousands of Serbs, were forcibly expelled from their homes in Prizren in 1999, when this city was completely ethnically cleansed of Serbs and today’s verdict is a message to all of them they must not dare return to their homes, should not even think of it, as they will be arrested and sentenced for most serious crimes without any concrete evidence”, the statement added.

The Office also urged all international missions in Kosovo, in line with their mandates, to ensure respect for the basic rights of Serbs and prevent their physical and institutional persecution. 

“How Serbs ended up in articles about death of an Albanian at Gazivode Lake” (Alternativna.com, Radio KIM)

An accident at Gazivode Lake, Zubin Potok municipality, in which an Albanian man from diaspora has drowned, has become the topic of numerous discussions and reports in the media over the last couple of days. It also came to the point that Serbs, making up the majority population in Zubin Potok municipality where the tragedy occurred, were linked with the reports on the tragedy.

“Guard is warning - Serbs are throwing electric cables in Gazivode, you may die the moment you enter water” – this is the headline on Klan Kosova website reporting on the statements of the chair of Kosovo Fishermen Association.

This media report said that Miliam Vitia, from Kosovo Fishermen Association, expressed concern for security at Gazivode lake, noting that swimming is forbidden at any lake in Kosovo. “If someone had asked me, I would not let a single person swim there. It is above 40 degrees outside, and when you enter the cold water the body may experience cramps, and you can drown in a few seconds time”, Vitia told Klan Kosova.

Klan Kosova further said the most concerning was Vitia’s warning related to other dangers “that could be fatal”. “Two weeks ago, we launched an action to remove motorboats used by Serbs there – around 70 boats. There I found electric cables coming from the Serbian cottage houses. At the moment, some of them switch on the generator, if you are in water, the electricity may kill you”, Klan Kosova reports on Vitia’s statement.

This manipulative article, as Alternativna.com further said, bringing Serbs in connection with the death of a young Albanian man, was re-run by some Albanian language portals such as Periskopi and Lajmi.

This is not the first time that media in Albanian language present accusations connecting Serbs with tragic events. The most known case is the reporting of Kosovo public service broadcaster RTK on the drowning of Albanian children in the village of Cabra, in Zubin Potok in 2004. After direct accusation that Serbs were responsible for the tragedy, several days of violence against Serbs, their properties and Serbian Orthodox Church facilities followed, writes Alternativna.com portal.

In the summer of 2021, when suspicions arose that water in Decane municipality was poisoned, claims appeared in some Kosovo media linking the case to the Serbs. After the Kosovo Institute for Public Health, following analyses of water, said water in Decani was not poisoned, IndeksOnline portal published the article under the headline: “Non-secure well and 'two suspicious Serbs’ who visited Decane before the poisoning”.

During the votes’ counting in 2019, some Kosovo Central Election Commission officials reported allergic reactions. In spite of the fact that there was no official information about this case, some media reported that the problems were experienced among those who counted votes from displaced people mailed from central Serbia to Pristina. In none of the cases mentioned has there ever been any evidence confirming these allegations, the Alternativna.com underlined.

The portal recalled that a young Albanian man, who lives abroad, died in Zubin Potok after jumping from the bridge into Gazivode Lake, at the Međeđi Potok (Bears Stream) location, and his body was found during yesterday's search operation of KSF and KFOR.

The Self-determination Movement, in the middle of the search operation, announced that KSF members were present in the north of Kosovo “for the first time as an army”, which in turn caused a number of reactions, accusing this party for “abusing death for political propaganda”. Media and some politicians recalled that KSF was in the north on several occasions before as well but “without pompous announcements and noise”. As the portal said, even the German Embassy in Pristina reacted, expressing concern over attempts to politicize KSF engagement. 

SNP rejects claims on electric cables in Gazivode Lake as absurd and politically motivated (KoSSev)

Serbian Peoples’ Movement (SNP) has assessed the claims of placing electric cables in Gazivode lake “as yet another in a series of absurd lies and an attempt of politicization of any topic concerning the Serbs in the north of Kosovo”, KoSSev portal reported today.

The SNP remarks came as reaction to the statement of Kosovo Fishermen Association Miliam Vitia, as reported by Pristina-based media. After the body of a young Albanian man, who drowned in Gazivode lake, was found, Vitia warned of security risks for those swimming in the lake, adding it could be “fatal” and if he were to decide he would not allow anyone swimming at that place.

He also presented serious accusations related to electric cables, claiming they come from the Serbian houses at the shore and end up in the water. He also said, “at the moment some of them turn on the generator, if you are in the water then you can be killed by electricity”.

SNP: Absurdity

In a statement issued last night, SNP dismissed Vitia’s allegations, terming them as absurd and an attempt to politicize any topics concerning Serbs in the north of Kosovo.

“Instead of dealing with real problems people face on a daily basis, unfounded accusations are being promoted, aiming to cause fear and incite division”, SNP said.

They think it is particularly concerning that, as they said, some officials from Pristina use the recent tragedy “in order to assign blame to Serbs on any occasion and incite inter-ethnic hatred”, instead of working on calming the situation down and for security of all people.

The SNP also pointed out that by banning the use of motorboats the everyday lives of people on both sides of the lake have been additionally hampered, although many are dependent on this type of movement and livelihood it supports.

SNP called on international organizations to urgently launch an independent investigation into these unfounded claims in order to put an end to the spread of disinformation and misuse of tragedy for political purposes.

“Citizens need more trust and security, and not new waves of hatred”, the SNP concluded. 

Taxi drivers after meeting in Mitrovica North municipality – problem partially solved, they can continue working, no one knows how long (KoSSev)

Representatives of the Taxi Associations from Mitrovica North had a meeting with the municipal official yesterday, where instead of mayor Erden Atiq who promised to meet them during the municipal assembly session the day before, they were received by chief of his cabinet, Visar Syla, KoSSev portal reported.

Although they were promised to receive answers to all their questions, only part of the problem related to their licensing issue was resolved – they can continue working unobstructed, but nobody knows for how long.

Meeting with chief of cabinet, instead of mayor Atiq  

As announced earlier, taxi drivers went to the municipal building yesterday as per invitation and proposal of mayor Erden Atiq. However, Atiq was not one receiving them, although in a municipal assembly session the day before he promised attending taxi drivers to answer all their questions and meet with them. Instead, the chief of his cabinet, Visar Syla, received them.

After the chief of cabinet presented requirements, same as the one inspectors told them they need to meet in order to obtain licenses, including vehicles not being older than 10 years, to be of the same color, along with number of other requirements, deputy mayor of Mitrovica North, Katarina Adjancic who also attended the meeting pointed out those requirements do not match requirements stipulated by Mitrovica North municipal regulation on taxi drivers licensing.

Although they expected receiving concrete answers related to the requirements for licensing they did not fulfill, so their initial requests for licenses were rejected, and what they should do in order to continue working, many topics remained unclarified.

Slavisa Radivojevic, one of the taxi representatives, said they were told in a meeting they can continue working unobstructed, and if some changes to the regulation, that is in their favour, occur they will be informed. 

More protests held in Serbia (N1)

On Wednesday evening, protests were held in several Serbian cities in a show of solidarity with students in Novi Pazar, who were removed from the Public University of Novi Pazar (DUNP) building by masked men in hoodies during a student-led blockade on Monday night, N1 reported. On Tuesday, demonstrators gathered outside the university building. Clashes broke out between citizens and police stationed at the DUNP entrance, but students managed to re-enter the building.

In Novi Pazar, a peaceful protest was held on Wednesday evening, with demonstrators demanding the release of thirteen people, including one student, arrested after Tuesday’s clashes with police. The crowd marched past the police station, the courthouse, and the home of DUNP Rector Zana Dolicanin, protesting against police conduct. In Kraljevo, residents gathered in the main city square following a call from the local community assembly, students, and people from nearby areas. In Kragujevac, citizens gathered in front of the City Market, which has been under renovation for six years, to sarcastically “celebrate its opening” after yet another missed completion deadline on July 30. A protest also took place in the town of Kula, where residents expressed frustration with the current situation in Serbia.  

International

When it comes to healthcare, some in Kosovo still trust Serbia (Balkan Insight)

Officially, Serbia and Kosovo do not cooperate in the field of healthcare, but some patients from Kosovo – Albanian and Serb – still seek out treatment in Belgrade, despite the challenges.

Not long ago, M.N. lost a son, eight months old. He and his family tried everything to save him, even crossing Kosovo’s northern border to seek treatment in Serbia.

“We first took him to the hospital because he wasn’t drinking enough,” M.N. recalled. “His condition quickly deteriorated, but there was no explanation. After three weeks, we decided to send him to Belgrade.”

They hired a private ambulance, because those of the public health system cannot enter Serbia.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/5ct3b6kc

Could Trump be the first U.S. president to visit Belgrade since 1980? (eualive.net)

Scenarios of US-Serbia rapprochement through economy and energy cooperation explored amid a possible Trump visit

In a period marked by global volatility and shifting geopolitical alliances, Serbia is actively seeking to recalibrate its relationship with the United States, viewing the current U.S. administration under Donald Trump as an opportunity to re-engage on more favorable terms.

The recent credential ceremony of Serbia’s new ambassador to Washington, Dragan Šutanovac, at the White House has renewed speculation over a potential strengthening of U.S.-Serbia ties. The focus is expected to include economic cooperation, energy diversification, and a broader alignment of conservative values.

EUalive’s partner IBNA explores scenarios for US-Serbia rapprochement through economic and energy cooperation amid a possible Trump visit.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/dny36v6