Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: We will have date for convening of constitutive session very soon (RTK)
• Osmani calls for immediate lifting of EU punitive measures (media)
• Osmani participates at certification of KSF recruits’ ceremony (media)
• British Embassy congratulates Kosovo on its recognition by Kenya (media)
• Svecla participating in Brdo Process meeting in Slovenia (RTK)
• Gashani participated in the World Border Security Congress in Madrid (RTK)
• Hamza: Ready to take responsibility for forming government, I have no red lines (Koha)
• Abdixhiku: This pressure is only making us stronger (RTK)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: All student demands met; sound cannon wasn’t used (N1)
• Petkovic: Rohde has been acting as an Albanian lobbyist for a long time (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic responds to Hargreaves: I know how much you care about international law (TV Most, Tanjug, social media)
• Konrad: It is important for Germany that Ohrid Agreement is finally implemented (Kosovo Online, NIN)
• NATO Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska on Monday with Sorensen (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani: We will have date for convening of constitutive session very soon (RTK)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, spoke today about the convening of the constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo. "An official letter has arrived from the CEC to the Presidency of Kosovo, announcing the results of the certified elections and the way in which the seats in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo are distributed," she said today in a statement to journalists after the end of the certification ceremony of the KSF soldiers in Ferizaj.

According to her, there is now a 30-day constitutional deadline, a legal deadline that is foreseen for the convening of the constitutive session. "At the moment, my legal team is analyzing how much preparation this session may need so that when called, the constitution of the Assembly of Kosovo is successful," Osmani said. According to her, everything will be done within the constitutional timeframe. "I can't give a date at the moment because I want to be precise, but we will have the date very soon," she said.

Osmani calls for immediate lifting of EU punitive measures (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, received today the credentials of the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Kosovo, Hristo Kraevski. She congratulated Ambassador Kraevski on his new assignment and expressed deep gratitude for Bulgaria's continued support for Kosovo, “especially in strengthening the sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo”. Osmani thanked Bulgaria for its unwavering support for Kosovo's integration processes in the European Union and international organizations and encouraged the continuation of Bulgarian advocacy for strengthening Kosovo's position in the international arena.

She further stressed the need for ‘the immediate lifting of unfair EU measures, which are harming the citizens of Kosovo without distinction.’ In this context, President Osmani praised Bulgaria's commitment to regional and global security as well as the commitment of her counterpart, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, to continuously support Kosovo in this regard.

Osmani and Kurti participate at certification of KSF recruits’ ceremony (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, participated today at the certification ceremony of the Kosovo Security Force recruits, generation 01/2025. Osmani said that the KSF is a testament to sacrifice. She said that Kosovo is free thanks to the sacrifice of the martyrs. “All of you who took the oath today are rightful descendants of the Kosovo Liberation Army who sacrificed everything for the homeland in the most difficult moments of our history, so wear this uniform with the greatest pride”, she told the 344 new recruits. “The army is not just an armed force, our army is a permanent oath for our homeland, it is a commitment to security and a guarantee of peace”, she added.

“With the professionalism and preparation of our military and professional sons and daughters, we are proving that Kosovo has a strong and worthy army to be part of international defense and security structures in the service of global peace, security and stability,” she said.

Kurti said that “the graduation of the recruits today at the end of March comes as a chapter after the glory of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the intervention of the North Atlantic Alliance, comes as a continuation of the mandate to protect the homeland and contribute to peace”. “The uniform you wear today is a testament to the blood of the martyrs who were sacrificed and an inspiration to build the future. You are the strongest guarantee that the people of our Republic will live in peace, territorial integrity will be inviolable and sovereignty inviolable”, said Kurti.

British Embassy congratulates Kosovo on its recognition by Kenya (media)

The Embassy of the United Kingdom to Kosovo has congratulated Kosovo on the recognition of independence by the Kenyan state. “Congratulations to Kosovo on Kenya’s decision to recognise Kosovo’s independence! This continues Kosovo’s momentum towards strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperation around the world,” the Embassy’s congratulatory message reads.

The African country recognised Kosovo’s statehood on March 26, a recognition that came after years of stalling the process.

Svecla participating in Brdo Process meeting in Slovenia (RTK)

The acting Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Svecla, is participating in the 13th informal meeting of ministers of internal affairs within the framework of the Brdo Process. Svecla is participating in this meeting at the invitation of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Bostjan Poklukar. “The participants will have the opportunity to discuss the topics to be discussed with the Commissioner for Enlargement, Ms. Marta Kos, and the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Mr. Magnus Brunner,” reads a statement from the Embassy of Kosovo in Slovenia.

Gashani participated in the World Border Security Congress in Madrid (RTK)

Acting Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, and National Coordinator for Integrated Border Management, Blerim Gashani, together with a high-ranking delegation from Kosovo Police and Kosovo Customs, participated in the World Border Security Congress, which was held in Madrid, Spain.  According to the announcement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, within the framework of this congress, the latest trends in border management were presented, with a focus on the efforts that are being made to facilitate crossings and strengthen security during these controls, as well as coordination between EU countries, regarding the prevention of smuggling. “On the sidelines of this congress, the Kosovo delegation held meetings and communications with senior representatives of the EU and countries from other continents on borders, and important contacts were made to strengthen cooperation and intensify communication with other countries,” the announcement states.

It is further emphasized that at this congress, the Kosovo delegation presented the model for the Passenger Information Unit. This unit operates within the National Border Management Center and assists in the global fight against terrorism and other crimes that endanger societies and countries around the world.

Hamza: Ready to take responsibility for forming government, I have no red lines (Koha)

Bedri Hamza, candidate of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for Prime Minister, has said that he is ready to take responsibility for forming the government if the first party fails to form it. He stressed that he has no red lines with any of the other political parties and that he is ready to talk to them.

“In case the first party fails… I am ready to take responsibility for forming the government. Yesterday I resigned from my position as an MP and the reason is that I am the mayor of Mitrovica. This does not stop me from working and I have the full support of PDK for talks with other parties to form the government if the turn comes to us... I was also against red lines during the election campaign.... we are in talks, no barrier with any political party exists. I am ready to talk with everyone," he said at a press conference.

Abdixhiku: This pressure is only making us stronger (RTK)

Lumir Abdixhiku, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), has reiterated on a Facebook post that his party remains steadfast in its stances, despite criticism and political pressure. He stressed that LDK is acting according to the will of the voters.  “To these all-sided attacks, from politicians, public-party opinionates and everyone who somehow takes the right to tell us what decision and stance we as LDK should have taken, to all of them together, I say you are tiring yourself in vain,” he wrote.

According to him, LDK is speaking with "realistic eyes", despite the anti-campaigns that, according to him, aim to weaken the party. "LDK is speaking correctly - it is speaking the same, it is speaking as its voters have directed it. Above all, LDK is speaking with realistic eyes in the country. We do not like this reality, but it does not change no matter how much is invested in the anti-campaign against us!" He stated that LDK will not be influenced by political pressures and that that time has passed.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: All student demands met; sound cannon wasn’t used (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reiterated that all student demands have been met and emphasized that no sound cannon was used at the March 15 protest in Belgrade, N1 reported.

“No sound cannon was used, we never had a vortex”, Vucic said, adding that both European and Russian services have been invited to investigate the allegations, reported the Serbian public broadcaster RTS.

The President urged teachers and professors to return to schools. “We want to help, but we want you to work, we cannot reward laziness”, said Vucic.

Consultations on new government starting Monday

Vucic announced that consultations on the make-up of the new Serbian Government will begin on Monday.

“We’ll see what those who have the majority say – whether they want to form a government or to go for elections. It’s their decision”, Vucic told RTS.

“We need to see how the leadership of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) will behave if they wish to enter a coalition. They may not want to”, he said.

When asked for a comment on an opposition proposal for a transitional government of national trust, Vucic said he would grant the mandate as soon as they inform him that they have a majority, specifically 126 MPs supporting it.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/UdgRV

Petkovic: Rohde has been acting as an Albanian lobbyist for a long time (Tanjug, media)

''The German representative in Pristina, Jorn Rode, has been acting like an Albanian lobbyist or a minister in the so-called government of Albin Kurti for a long time, and not a representative of an EU country that should at least have a balanced approach in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, especially when it comes to respecting agreed agreements,'' said the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, reported Tanjug. 

"How is it possible that Rohde has never said that Kurti and Pristina are violating the Brussels Agreement by refusing to form the Community of Serbian Municipalities for 12 years, and last tonight he is baselessly attacking Belgrade for criticizing Kenya due to the recognition of the illegal secession of Kosovo, which is contrary to international law and Resolution 1244. Does that right not exist for Rohde?" Petkovic asked in a statement, reacting to Rohde's statement regarding Kenya's recognition of the independence of Kosovo.

"Did Rohde lobby for Kenya since he found himself personally insulted and affected by Belgrade's reaction?" asked Petkovic.

Petkovic responds to Hargreaves: I know how much you care about international law (TV Most, Tanjug, social media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic in reaction to the UK Ambassador in Pristina Jonathan Hargreaves congratulatory remarks to Kosovo over Kenya’s recognition, said he knows how much Hargreaves “cares about international law”, adding he expects him to “congratulate Belgrade as well once new de-recognitions of Kosovo take place”.

“I suppose that you will also congratulate Belgrade when new retraction of recognitions of so-called Kosovo take place. I know how much you care about international law”, Petkovic wrote in a post on X. 

Kosovo Online later in a day reported that Ambassador Hargreaves removed his post from X. The new post on X says that the UK Embassy in Pristina congratulates Kosovo on Kenya’s recognition. 

Konrad: It is important for Germany that Ohrid Agreement is finally implemented (Kosovo Online, NIN)

The German ambassador in Belgrade, Anke Konrad, said that it is important for Berlin that the Ohrid Agreement is finally implemented.

In an interview for NIN, when asked if she sees the possibility of Serbia becoming a member of the EU without recognizing the independence of Kosovo, she answered that there is "a total EU accession process with 35 chapters, and chapter 35 includes what was agreed in Ohrid in the spring of 2023", reported Kosovo Online. 

"For Serbia, it has become part of the accession process, and it clearly says: normalization of relations. It was agreed that a separate agreement will be concluded for the final solution, and we are working based on that. In Ohrid, it was agreed that a separate agreement will be concluded for the final solution. And that is what we have and what we are working with. And for us, it is important that the Ohrid Agreement is finally implemented. We must finally make progress on that issue, among other things, when it comes to the formation of the Community of Municipalities with a Serbian majority. That is what we have, on what an agreement was reached, and I believe that we should work on that basis," said the ambassador.

When asked if the Ohrid Agreement means that Serbia is on the way to recognizing the independence of Kosovo, Konrad answered.

"Look at what was agreed in Ohrid. Normalization of relations".

Explaining the concept of normalization, the ambassador drew a parallel with the process between West and East Germany from 1972.

"That was the first step. The border between reunified Germany and Poland was only recognized much later. We had relations that allowed us to be next to each other as neighbors. In the end, it was also the basis for the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic to become members of the United Nations. It was a normalization of relations, not a full recognition," Konrad concluded.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska on Monday with Sorensen (Kosovo Online)

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska will meet on Monday with the EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other regional issues of the Western Balkans, Peter Sorensen, Kosovo Online reported, citing NATO's announcement. 

Sorensen recently visited Pristina and Belgrade.