UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 12, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

NATO reaffirms its commitment to Western Balkans stability (media)
U.S. Mission: Since 99, NATO has led a peace support operation (media)
Orav: EU-facilitated Dialogue remains only path to lasting stability (media)
Dragone: Unwavering dedication of all KFOR personnel (media)
NATO DSG: Commitment to Balkans remains strong (Reporteri)
Govt adopts initiative for cooperation agreement with U.S. in defense (KSP)
Maqedonci says U.S. will support Kosovo to build air defense capacities (Express)
U.S. Army General for Europe and Africa visits KSF (Sinjali)
Kurti: Kosovo and Ireland have potential to build a strong bridge (media)
Kosovo and Slovenia with agreement on exchange of classified information (Klan)
Krasniqi: I will be part of government only with Kurti as PM (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucevic: They are planning 72-hour blockade of Belgrade on Saturday, ‘attacks on Assembly, Constitutional Court, RTS’ (Tanjug)
Students in blockade officially addressed citizens of Serbia: Saturday is not a final meeting (nova.rs)
EU calls for de-escalation of tensions ahead of March 15 protest in Belgrade (NMagazin, RFE, media)
Djuric: Donald Trump Jr. visit is significant resource for Serbia amid complex geopolitical relations (Kosovo Online)
15 Minutes of Silence vigil today and tomorrow in Mitrovica North (Radio kontakt plus)
Djindjic assassination anniversary marked (N1)

International Media:

NATO SG urges leadership and dialogue for lasting peace in the Balkans (PI)
Book of family photos tells ‘personal’ story of 1990s Kosovo (BIRN)
Kosovo’s post-election calculations: Will Albin Kurti return as PM? (EWB)
Being a Trump fan isn’t enough to get US support (bne.eu)
Emboldened by Trump, Serbia’s leader cracks down on activist groups (NY Times)
Arrest warrant issued for Bosnian Serb leader Dodik (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

NATO reaffirms its commitment to Western Balkans stability (media)

NATO said in a press release that on 10 and 11 March 2025, Secretary General, Mark Rutte, visited Sarajevo and Pristina. In Sarajevo, he met high-level officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Chair and members of the Presidency, the Chair of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence, and the Acting Minister of Security, as well as with the Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Commander of the EUFOR mission. The Secretary General also engaged with students at the University of Sarajevo. During his visit, Mr. Rutte highlighted that “NATO remains firmly committed to the stability of this region and to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.” He added that “the Dayton Peace Agreement is the cornerstone of peace in this country and must be respected; and we support the Office of the High Representative; any actions that undermine Dayton, the constitutional order, or national institutions are unacceptable; inflammatory rhetoric and actions are dangerous; they pose a direct threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina stability and security.” The NATO Secretary General also underscored the need for political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina “to do their share” and “take responsibility” for the progress and stability of their country. He made it clear that “this is not 1992” and that NATO and its international partners are present and engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and “will not allow a security vacuum to emerge.” Finally, he emphasised that the Alliance stands committed to its cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina. “We already have a solid partnership, and we are prepared to build on NATO’s long-standing support to a unified BiH Armed Forces and to defence and security reforms, through our Headquarters in Sarajevo, our newly established Political Cell, and our Defence Capacity Building Package,” he said.

In Pristina, the Secretary General led a visit of the North Atlantic Council and troop contributing partners to the NATO-led KFOR mission and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team. Together with the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms Radmila Shekerinska, and the Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, they met with the leadership and personnel of KFOR and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT). They also had an exchange of views with the Heads of Mission of the European Union, the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission of UNMIK, and the Acting Head of Mission of the OSCE. Furthermore, the Secretary General met with representatives of the Institutions in Kosovo, for bilateral discussions.

“NATO has supported peace and stability in the Western Balkans region for thirty years; our commitment remains strong today, spearheaded by KFOR, which is our longest and currently largest mission. Under the excellent leadership of Major General Enrico Barduani, our KFOR troops work relentlessly to ensure a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo, in line with KFOR’s long-standing UN mandate; and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team continues to support the security organisations in Kosovo, through capacity-building, education and training coordination; a secure Western Balkans region means more security across the whole Euro-Atlantic area,” Secretary General Rutte said. “NATO will continue to play its part, in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, in our respective roles as security responders,” he added. “The solution leading to long-lasting peace is political; NATO will continue to fully support the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, led by the European Union; this is the only way to solve pending issues, and secure a stable future, ensuring that the rights of all communities are respected and safeguarded; to move the Dialogue forward, both sides must show flexibility, make the necessary compromises, and focus on the long-term gains,” he pointed out.

U.S. Mission: Since 99, NATO has led a peace support operation (media)

The United States Mission to NATO said in a post on X that “US NATO’s Chargé d’Affaires Scott Oudkirk, NATO SG Mark Rutte, and the North Atlantic Council visited KFOR to review vital peacekeeping efforts. Since 1999, NATO has led a peace support operation in Kosovo to ensure safety and security”.

Orav: EU-facilitated Dialogue remains only path to lasting stability (media)

EU Head of Office in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, said on Tuesday that the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia remains the only path to lasting stability. “Met with NATO Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General yesterday during their visit to Kosovo and reaffirmed the EU’s support for KFOR. In the face of geopolitical challenges, staying on the EU path is crucial. The EU-facilitated Dialogue remains the only path to lasting stability,” he wrote in a post on X.

Dragone: Unwavering dedication of all KFOR personnel (media)

Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, said in a post on X that the visit with the NAC to Kosovo, they praised “the unwavering dedication of all NATO's KFOR personnel, who continue to safeguard peace & stability in Kosovo since 1999. Under the current leadership of MG Enrico Barduani, KFOR ensures a secure environment, fostering a multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo. Special recognition to the NATO Liaison and Advisory Team, now led by Brigadier General Christian Nawrat, for their pivotal role in advising and supporting the Kosovo Security Force, enhancing regional stability. We are proud of you! Keep up the outstanding work!”

NATO DSG: Commitment to Balkans remains strong (Reporteri)

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska wrote about the meeting with the staff of the KFOR mission in Kosovo, stressing the Alliance’s support of peace and stability in the region for more than 30 years. “It was a pleasure to meet the staff of our KFOR mission. NATO has supported peace and stability in the region for 30 years. And our commitment remains strong. A secure Western Balkans region means more security to the entire Euro-Atlantic area,” Sekerinska wrote.

Government adopts initiative for cooperation agreement with U.S. in defense (KSP)

The Kosovo government adopted today an initiative for a framework cooperation agreement with the United States of America in the area of defense. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the agreement is aimed at furthering cooperation with the U.S. in defense and continuous building of military capacities.

Maqedonci says U.S. will support Kosovo to build air defense capacities (Express)

The Kosovo government adopted today an initiative for a framework cooperation agreement in the area of defense with the United States of America. Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said that the U.S. will support Kosovo in building military strategic capacities. He mentioned the third phase of transition – the final phase of transition for the Kosovo Security Force which starts this year and is expected to end in 2028. “The United States will support Kosovo in building strategic military capacities, including air defense, air capacities, and other areas for which we are working in the third phase of transition. The U.S. will send a team to make the assessment, and they will also support the Ministry of Defense in procuring strategic weapons systems such as air defense and air support,” he said.

U.S. Army General for Europe and Africa visits KSF (Sinjali)

U.S. Army for Europe and Africa General, Christopher Donahue, visited the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) today where he met with KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, who briefed him on the achievements of the KSF, the current situation in Kosovo and plans for the future. They discussed global and regional security challenges. Jashari was praised for his leadership in the different processes and challenges that Kosovo, and especially the Kosovo Security Force, have gone through. “This meeting confirms once again the strong partnership between the Republic of Kosovo and the United States of America in the field of defense and security,” the Kosovo Security Force said in a Facebook post.

Kurti: Kosovo and Ireland have potential to build a strong bridge (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Tuesday that Kosovo and Ireland have the potential to build a strong bridge in the field of diaspora engagement by exchanging experiences and best practices for strengthening communities abroad. In his address at a ceremony celebrating Ireland’s National Day, Kurti said that “in collaboration with some Irish experts, we have been able to build some effective platforms and programs to share the diaspora matters within our institutions and with other countries through Ulpiana Forum and Diaspora Diplomacy School. In the future, we have an interest in replicating the model of The Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) in Dublin as a way to document and promote the history of Albanian migration. Additionally, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in higher education cooperation between Kosova and Ireland, materialized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Dublin City University (DCU), covering research and academic collaboration. The memorandum is expected to open new opportunities for joint research projects, cooperation in teaching and studies, scholarships for students from Kosova, as well as the development of online programs, conferences, seminars, and joint workshops”.

Kosovo and Slovenia with agreement on exchange of classified information (Klan)

The government of Kosovo approved today the initiative for the conclusion of a general security agreement between Kosovo and Slovenia for the exchange and mutual protection of classified information. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that this agreement is an important step with an impact in several aspects.

“In accordance with the strategic priorities of the Republic of Kosovo, strengthening international cooperation and meeting security standards at the European level and beyond, the Agency for the Protection of Classified Information, within the framework of its legal mandate, has established relations with counterpart authorities with special emphasis on the member states of the European Union and NATO. Considering this, AMIK has taken the necessary actions to establish contacts with the NSA (National Security Authority) of the state of Slovenia, which as a result achieves the harmonization of the will and readiness of both parties to further advance the achievement of the general security agreement. The achievement of the agreement on security in the field of defense, classified information between Kosovo and Slovenia is an important step with an impact in several aspects: strengthening bilateral cooperation, securing classified information, improving institutional capacities and supporting Euro-Atlantic integration”, Kurti said.

Krasniqi: I will be part of the government only with Kurti as PM (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Administration of the Local Government Elbert Krasniqi, has said that he will be part of the future governing cabinet “only if Albin Kurti is the Prime Minister.” He told the media that during his mandate, he has had an excellent partnership and cooperation with Kurti. He further added that the approach of conditioning among the political parties is not “the right one for cooperation.” “The approach of conditioning is not the one that I prefer in politics. I believe that all communities benefited. I strongly believe that all my colleagues are already convinced that the politics of conditioning does not function, and partnership is developed based on mutual trust,” he said.

Krasniqi is the leader of the New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo (IRDK) and gained 4.600 votes in the parliamentary elections of 9 February.

Serbian Language Media

Vucevic: They are planning 72-hour blockade of Belgrade on Saturday, ‘attacks on Assembly, Constitutional Court, RTS’ (Tanjug)

Serbian caretaker prime minister Milos Vucevic said today participants of the March 15 protest plan to “block life” in Belgrade for 72 hours, and that they will “first attack Assembly of Serbia, Constitutional Court, RTS and then expand blockades across the city”, Tanjug news agency reported.

“They will start from different locations on March 15 to gather in front of the National Assembly. This is a highly risky moment because of students who want to continue studying, those gathering legally at Pionirski Park, in a reported gathering”, Vucevic told K1 TV broadcast.

As he said he saw from the documents, available to the public, that students participants in the blockades assisted by those dealing with such things have prepared, that they plan “further diversification across Belgrade and to block the life in Belgrade, as they announced for 72 hours”.

“It was shown to me. And I am afraid that in this process, the attacks are being prepared, what the president of the state said, against the National Assembly, Constitutional Court and RTS, for the beginning”, Vucevic claims.

He also said by visiting municipalities and cities, he saw no stronger reactions than when he said that teaching staff will not receive their salaries because they did not work. “This causes an eruption of delight among people. People can not endure that a professor kicks out his students from school, that teacher says she will not teach pupils, first graders”, he said, adding that “people can not endure it any longer, and that this is such a blow to the society”. He opined teachers and professors could extend support to students and their demands, but that they have to hold lessons and run the teaching process.

He also said he expects the parliament to acknowledge his resignation at the beginning of next week. He added that responsibility is needed not only on the side of the state, but also those going to the gatherings, and that the state will not allow anyone endangering the security of other people and its destruction.

Students in blockade officially addressed citizens of Serbia: Saturday is not a final meeting (nova.rs)

Students in the blockade published a message on their social networks to the citizens of Serbia before the big protest on Saturday, March 15. They pointed out that it is not a "final meeting" because, as they state, they are not making final steps - but tectonic changes, reported Nova S.

"In response to the large student protest, we are saying that on March 15, we will write history together - all of Serbia will take to the Belgrade streets to show that they do not agree to injustice. Knowing that, let no one think that this is the end, Serbia has woken up and we will not allow it to fall asleep again," the announcement states.

Students add that they are aware of the narrative promoting the upcoming protest as a "final rally".

"It is not that. We are not making final steps - we are making tectonic changes. If our demands are not met, we will remain on the streets, in blockades, in the fight - until justice is served. We invite all students, workers and citizens to be part of the force that is changing Serbia on March 15. We are coming in record numbers, but we are not stopping here. To justice! We'll see you on the streets!"Students in Blockade state in their statement.

EU calls for de-escalation of tensions ahead of March 15 protest in Belgrade (NMagazin, RFE, media)

On the occasion of a large gathering in Belgrade announced for March 15, for which the president of the country predicts "great violence" and announces arrests, the European Union (EU) says that fundamental values "are at the core of our common European project and should be respected."

"It also refers to the freedom of assembly as a fundamental right," the EU press office said in a response to Radio Free Europe.

It also adds that citizen participation plays a vital role in the development of a healthy and democratic society, including promoting transparency and accountability.

Namely, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced on several occasions in the past few days that "the opposition is organizing great violence on March 15" and that "all those who participate in it will be arrested."

"The EU consistently calls for de-escalation of tensions, by establishing the conditions for an inclusive dialogue that includes all interested parties, including political actors, institutions and members of civil society, in order to address the reforms necessary for Serbia's future in the EU," said Brussels.

EU officials confirm that they are closely monitoring the current internal political situation in Serbia and the large-scale mobilization of students and other groups.

Asked to comment on President Vucic's statement that the West is behind the "colored revolution", as he calls the mobilization of students and citizens in Serbia, EU officials remind that "disinformation and political rhetoric, including against the EU and its member states, have no place on the path to EU integration".

The students of Serbia called for "the most massive gathering ever" in the Serbian capital on March 15. Students from various parts of Serbia have already made their way to Belgrade on foot and will travel tens of kilometers to attend the gathering in Belgrade.

For four months, students have been organizing rallies in several major cities in Serbia, demanding responsibility for the death of 15 people in Novi Sad, after the fall of the canopy at the railway station on November 1, 2024.

Through blockades and protests, students are demanding the publication of all documentation on the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station, in order to determine responsibility for the accident, the prosecution of the attackers of the participants in the previous protests, as well as the suspension of proceedings against those arrested at the demonstrations.

The authorities claim to have fulfilled all student demands, while a group of experts formed by the Senate of the University of Belgrade denied this in the report.

Djuric: Donald Trump Jr. visit is significant resource for Serbia amid complex geopolitical relations (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said today the visit of Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US President, to Serbia represents momentum for a strong start in relations with the new US administration. Speaking on the morning program of TV Prva, Djuric also addressed the Bosnia and Herzegovina Prosecutor’s Office's warrant for the arrest of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, calling it a step toward further escalation in the region, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Djuric pointed out that direct and positive contact with the new US administration is a crucial resource for Serbia in complex geopolitical relations.

“That is why I am pleased that Donald Trump’s son, who is highly politically active, has come to our country. I believe this provides great momentum for an excellent start to relations with the new administration. Over the years, we have invested significant efforts as a state to strengthen our role in Washington, but this personal connection, which President Vucic has been building with the Trump family for years... Let’s not forget that he was one of the first world leaders to speak with Trump when he became the US president. That is extremely important for us, and I believe there are those in the region who are watching it closely”, Djuric said.