Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti meets with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani (media)
• Vetevendosje nominates Konjufca as candidate for Prime Minister (media)
• Konjufca: VV made its big compromise, now it's the opposition's turn (media)
• Abdixhiku: Theatrical performance of nominees without numbers (media)
• Haradinaj: Osmani has no mandate to nominate anyone without proof of majority (media)
• Kosovo to receive the EU Progress Report today (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic in Brussels today (Blic, Tanjug, RTS)
• EC: Recommendations remain in place, Cluster 3 technically ready for opening (Tanjug)
• Djuric: Vucic and Macron meeting expected in next ten days (Blic, TV Prva)
• Serbian PM thanks China for principled stance on Kosovo (RTS, media)
• COMKFOR met Latvian General, discussed current security situation in Kosovo (media, social media)
• Serbian police officer in Kosovo sentenced to one month in detention (RTS)
• CI "Justice and equality": ''Citizens denied social assistance due to political opinion'' (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio) 
• RTK trade union announced a strike (KiM radio)
• Why is the word “Metohija” unacceptable for Pristina? (Kosovo Online)
• Group of Serbs from Kosovo continue on foot to Novi Sad (media)

International:

• Serbia plans special legislation to help Trump son-in-law’s Belgrade project (Balkan Insight)
• Serbs and Bosnians join forces to fight lithium mining (DW)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti meets with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani (media)

Based on their sources, several media report that Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, has met with the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani. The meeting lasted until 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

This comes a day before the constitutional deadline expires to either appoint a new prime minister-designate for the formation of a government or not, a matter over which, in their previous meeting, Kurti had asked Osmani to wait before deciding whether to nominate someone new.

The media were not  yet able to find out whether Kurti informed Osmani about a new nominee or not. If he did not, this would mean Osmani could conclude that neither side holds a majority to form a new government, and consequently, the Assembly would have to be dissolved and new elections called.

Monday's media reports suggested that Vetevendosje might be preparing to nominate a new prime minister-designate at the party’s General Council. However, this has not been confirmed by this political party. Moreover, Enver Dugolli of Vetevendosje denied that there would be a new nominee for the post. “No, we don’t have any other name or option for a nominee. Our nominee was Kurti, and we haven’t called any meeting of the General Council, so there will be no other name for prime minister-designate,” he said on TeVe1.

Vetevendosje nominates Konjufca as candidate for Prime Minister (media)

The General Council of the Vetevendosje Movement has gathered at the party headquarters in Prisitna, just a few hours before the deadline to submit the name of the nominee for forming the government in the second attempt. 

Glauk Konjufca has been nominated as the candidate (mandatar) for forming the government by the Vetevendosje Movement, which convened its General Council today. Konjufca was proposed after Albin Kurti failed to secure the necessary votes in his previous attempt. In his proposal, Kurti stated that he himself would serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position that had been previously proposed for Konjufca. “I’m making this proposal because of the great trust I have in Konjufca, but also to avoid holding new elections. I’ll take Glauk’s position, and Glauk will take mine,” Kurti said.

Kurti emphasized that Kosovo should not go to elections without an approved state budget. According to him, without a ratified budget, elections could not be held. On Wednesday, November 5, the 10-day deadline expires within which President Vjosa Osmani must either nominate another candidate for prime minister or call early elections.

Konjufca: VV made its big compromise, now it's the opposition's turn (media)

Glauk Konjufca, nominated by the Vetevendosje Movement as the candidate for prime minister of Kosovo’s new government, said he accepts the nomination with humility and a sense of duty to serve the public interest. Speaking in front of the party’s General Council, Konjufca praised Albin Kurti, calling him “the best prime minister the country has ever had,” and expressed confidence that Kurti would return stronger in the future.

He explained that VV’s decision to nominate him instead of Kurti stems from a deep sense of responsibility toward Kosovo and the people. He outlined two main priorities for Kosovo at this stage: avoiding two rounds of elections within three months and ensuring the approval of the 2026 budget, which he said is essential for salaries, pensions, child benefits, and key social projects. He also stressed the urgent need for the Assembly to pass the EU Growth Plan, warning that political games could cost Kosovo hundreds of millions in potential benefits and leave public institutions like RTK and several municipalities without funding.

Reflecting on the current political crisis, Konjufca said that while Vetevendosje would prefer new elections, state responsibility requires forming a functional government, at least until the next presidential term. He described the party’s move to present a government not led by Albin Kurti as a major compromise, “the biggest one possible”, and said that now it is the opposition’s turn to make concessions.

Konjufca warned that holding yet another election cycle this year would be unsustainable, noting that Kosovo has already had parliamentary elections in February and local ones in October, with runoffs still to come in November. If early elections were held again in December, Kosovo could face five rounds of voting within a year, something he called “unbearable for the Republic and for our people.”

Abdixhiku: Theatrical performance of nominees without numbers (media)

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, has reacted to the nomination of Glauk Konjufca as Vetevendosje’s second nominee for forming the government.  “This theatrical performance of nominees without numbers, without a majority, and without democratic legitimacy, must come to an end. The Republic is not a plaything for small electoral calculations. The Republic is greater than each of us,” Abdixhiku stated.

He called on political parties to accept political reality and tell people the truth, that there is currently no parliamentary majority to form a government. “Look the citizens in the eye and tell them there is no majority. Every Albanian party has given its political verdict, already deposited with the Presidency. Today, mathematically and by declared political will, a majority is impossible,” he emphasized.

The LDK leader also criticized delays in the political process, saying that further procrastination only deepens the crisis in Kosovo. “Haven’t eight months of delay in the poorest country on the continent been enough? To add even more delays? Holding on to power at all costs, even without legitimacy, cannot be considered a new political value,” Abdixhiku added.

Finally, he expressed confidence that the President will respect the will of the Albanian majority, emphasizing that the political verdict of the parties has already been made clear to the Presidency. “I want to believe that the President will state the simplest and most logical thing today: unfortunately, this Assembly does not have a parliamentary majority, and no party meeting can change that political fact,” Abdixhiku concluded.

Haradinaj: Osmani has no mandate to nominate anyone without proof of majority (media)

The leader of the alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj reacted after Vetevendosje nominated MP Glauk Konjufca as the candidate for prime minister. Haradinaj stated that the constitutional deadline for voting the government expires tomorrow, emphasizing that President Vjosa Osmani does not have the authority to nominate anyone to form a government without proof that the candidate hold necessary parliamentary majority.  He argued that “the required majority can only be proven through officially submitted signatures of MPs,” adding that in any other case, the president would be committing “a serious constitutional violation.”

Haradinaj described Vetëvendosje’s second nomination as “an attempt to continue capturing state institutions in violation of all constitutional and political norms.” He concluded by calling for this “farce” to end immediately and for Kosovo to move toward extraordinary elections.

Kosovo to receive the EU Progress Report today (media)

Kosovo will today receive the 2025 Progress Report prepared by the European Commission. According to the media announcement, the document will be handed over to the caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti by the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Avio Orav. The handover ceremony is scheduled to take place at 5:45 p.m. after which Kurti and Orav are expected to hold a joint press conference to present details about the report’s assessments and findings.

The draft report published on Monday stated that Kosovo’s progress on the European Union agenda has been hindered by divisive domestic politics and the political deadlock following the parliamentary elections of February 9.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic in Brussels today (Blic, Tanjug, RTS)

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, will be on a one-day working visit to Brussels today, where he will participate in the EU Enlargement Summit organized by Euronews.

During the visit, President Vucic will meet with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and attend a dinner organized by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, in honor of the heads of state and government participating in the Summit.

It is planned that during his stay in Brussels, President Vucic will also meet with the EU's Special Representative for Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Peter Sorensen.

Danas daily recalled that the annual report of the European Commission on Serbia's progress in European integration will be published today. According to unofficial information, that report will be very critical and will be a harsher response to the work of the authorities in Belgrade, reported Danas.

EC: Recommendations remain in place, Cluster 3 technically ready for opening (Tanjug)

European Commission recommendations remain in place - Serbia has met the criteria for opening Cluster 3 (Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth) in its accession talks and the cluster is technically ready for opening, says a draft 2025 EC report on the EU accession policy, seen by Tanjug.

The document, due to be presented to the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos on Tuesday, says Serbia has made certain progress in the economic criteria, the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services, movement of capital, financial services, energy, the environment, fisheries, taxes, digital transformation and trans-European networks.

It also notes that Serbia has begun to implement a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans in all four pillars of successive integration with the EU - a single market, regional economic integration, fundamental reforms and increased financial support.

Djuric: Vucic and Macron meeting expected in next ten days (Blic, TV Prva)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, said today it is expected that in the next ten days there will be another meeting between the presidents of Serbia and France, Aleksandar Vucic and Emmanuel Macron.

- It is very important for Serbia to have friends and allies in one of the key countries of the European Union - Djuric told TV Prva.

Referring to yesterday's meeting with the new ambassador of France to Serbia, Florence Ferrari, he said that in the previous 15 years, the old friendship between Serbia and France was revived and that it has now been returned to the old paths of glory, which, he says, is evidenced by the dynamics of the meeting between Vucic and Macron.

Serbian PM thanks China for principled stance on Kosovo (RTS, media)

On the first day of his official visit to China, Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut met his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang. Previously he had also met the mayor of Shanghai, a city considered to be a trade and financial centre of China. The mayor Gong Zheng welcomed PM Macut and his upcoming presence at the 8th International Import Fair in Shanghai.

Visit to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University was also on the agenda of the Serbian Prime Minister. This University holds the reputation of one of the most prestigious universities in China. It is renowned for engineering, applied sciences, economy and medical research as well as for establishing academic ranking of the world universities known as Shanghai List. This University also has students’ exchange programmes with universities in Serbia.

Macut held the lecture to Chinese students at this University and spoke about Serbia-China relations. Emphasising steely, long-term partnership between Serbia and China, Macut also said a new era of economic relations, cooperation in culture and education was underway. He underlined relations between two countries are based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“China supports Serbia on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija in a manner that protects the territorial integrity of our state. China has a friend in us, and we support the “One-China Policy””, the Serbian Prime Minister said. During the lecture he criticized Pristina for refusing to implement obligations it undertook as part of Brussels agreements in particular to establish the Community of Serbian Municipalities. He also warned that the Serbian community in Kosovo is exposed to constant pressure and security threats, adding that Serbia wishes to ensure their wellbeing and continue dialogue with Pristina under the EU’s auspices. 

COMKFOR met Latvian General, discussed current security situation in Kosovo (media, social media)

“Commander of the NATO-led KFOR mission, Major General Özkan Ulutaş, welcomed the Deputy Chief of Defence and Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters of the Latvian National Armed Forces, Major General Georgs Kerlins, at KFOR Headquarters in Camp Film City, Pristina”, KFOR said in a statement published on Facebook, TV Most reported.

“During the visit, the two Generals exchanged views on the current security situation in Kosovo and the wider region. Major General Ulutaş praised Latvia’s contribution to KFOR and regional stability, expressing his gratitude to General Kerlins for the professionalism and commitment consistently demonstrated by the Latvian contingent”, the statement added. 

Serbian police officer in Kosovo sentenced to one month in detention (RTS)

The pre-trial judge in the court in South Mitrovica ordered a one-month detention for a man N. U., who is alleged to be a Serbian police officer, arrested at the Jarinje ABL, reported RTS. 

N. U. was arrested on suspicion of allegedly transporting ammunition and cash, Albanian-language media reported, citing a court statement following the detention order.

"The measure was imposed on defendant N. U. due to reasonable suspicion that he committed the criminal offense of 'import, export, supply, transport, production, exchange of weapons or explosives'", the Basic Court announced.

RTS recalled that Kosovo police announced on November 2 that the suspect, a member of the Serbian police, "was arrested at the Jarinje crossing, because 51 pieces of ammunition, 9,900 euros and 26,000 Serbian dinars were found and seized in the vehicle with Belgrade license plates that he was driving, during a search of his luggage".

CI "Justice and equality": ''Citizens denied social assistance due to political opinion'' (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio) 

The Civic Initiative "Justice and Equality" announced that it had received more disturbing information about irregularities in the payment of social assistance to the residents of Strpce, claiming that these were politically motivated decisions, reported KiM radio.

According to this CI, allegedly one citizen was given a retroactive decision denying him the right to social assistance on the grounds that he owns property, even though, as they claim, he proved the opposite. CI "Justice and equality" stated that the reason for such a decision was ''his public support for this initiative''.

The second case refers to a father of three children, whose family lives without employment, and who, as stated, had his social assistance reduced by half due to the fact that he was on the election list for councilors in front of the ''Freedom, Justice and Survival'' party. 

A third citizen, who lives with his mother but does not use her pension, also, according to the CI ''Justice and Equality'', was left without assistance, although he has never publicly engaged in politics.

"In all these cases, we provided legal assistance and informed the public through our page Voice of the Parish People (Glas naroda Zupe). This behavior is unacceptable and represents a direct violation of the rights of citizens," said the CI "Justice and Equality". They announced that, if the competent authorities do not correct the irregularities and return the denied funds, they will be forced to organize a protest warning.

"We remind the authorities - the State of Serbia is the state of all its citizens, and not AV's private matter, or Petkovic's, or any camarilla that is currently in power. The Constitution and laws are above you," the statement said. CI "Justice and Equality'' assessed that the cancellation of social benefits due to political opinion was a gross violation of human rights and the laws of the Republic of Serbia.

RTK trade union announced a strike (KiM radio)

The union of workers of Radio and Television of Kosovo (RTK) announced a protest on Thursday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m., due to the lack of salaries, reported Kim radio. 

In a statement, the union said that for the second time in three months, employees of the public broadcaster have gone without wages. Employees face economic uncertainty, and the normal functioning of this institution has been threatened.

"RTK is currently facing many projects of great importance, which are directly related to its public mission, but also to the general interest. The financial crisis threatens the implementation of these projects and harms the role of RTK as an independent and inclusive public media," the statement said. The union called on all colleagues to join the protest to protect their dignity and basic right to payments, emphasizing that the protest was not political and announced further steps.

"If the situation does not change after this protest, the Union of Radio and Television Workers of Kosovo will demand a boycott of all events of public importance, as a form of pressure for an urgent solution to the salary crisis and the sustainable functioning of RTK guarantees", concluded the statement. KiM radio recalled that the Trade Union of RTK asked the Kosovo Assembly at the end of October for an urgent allocation of the budget and provision of salaries to employees.

Why is the word “Metohija” unacceptable for Pristina? (Kosovo Online)

The use of the word Metohija has for years provoked disapproval among Albanian politicians in Kosovo. It is considered unacceptable in official documents, on road signs, in the names of political parties, and in public discussions. Interviewees told Kosovo Online, the term - which denotes church land - should not offend anyone. The main reason it has become “non grata” in Pristina, they explain, is that the name Metohija points unmistakably to the Serbian identity of the territory it describes.

Geographically, Metohija covers the area from Pec to Prizren, between the Prokletije and Sar Mountains in the south.

“There is no ‘Kosovo and Metohija,’ that does not exist”, said Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, Kosovo acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the latest session of the United Nations Security Council dedicated to the situation in Kosovo.

On October 21, Gervalla-Schwarz stated that “Kosovo and Metohija” is an expression of Serbia’s hegemonic ambitions over Kosovo and represents the old language of Slobodan Milosevic and those who still follow him.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/25vab5ha

Group of Serbs from Kosovo continue on foot to Novi Sad (media)

A group of Serbs from Kosovo, joined by some people from Raska, Kraljevo, Gornji Milanovac and other cities in central Serbia continue walking on foot to Novi Sad, planning to attend a rally against blockades there, TV Most reported. The group now consisting of around 160 persons also wanted to convey the message of support to President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian state. 

International

Serbia plans special legislation to help Trump son-in-law’s Belgrade project (Balkan Insight)

MPs are debating a law to speed up ’revitalisation’ of the bomb-damaged former army HQ in Belgrade - an investment project involving Jared Kushner's company.

The Serbian parliament on Tuesday began a debate that could lead to the adoption of a so-called lex specialis, a special law on revitalizing the former Yugoslav Army General Headquarters in Belgrade destroyed by the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.

The law aims to declare the revitalisation project – which is already linked to the investment firm of Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law – a “project of importance for the Republic of Serbia”.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/b9jpb9at

Serbs and Bosnians join forces to fight lithium mining (DW)

Serbia's Jadar Valley and Bosnia's Mount Majevica have become the frontline of defense in the fight against lithium mining. What started out as resistance in Serbia has now morphed into a transnational movement.

Less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) separate Serbia's Jadar Valley and Bosnia's Mount Majevica — two regions divided by a border but bound together by lithium deposits and fears of industrial plunder.

In both countries — Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina — foreign mining giants have set their sights on the region's deposits of lithium, a lucrative chemical element crucial for renewable energy systems.

And in both countries, they are being opposed by unusually dogged, globally networked civic movements.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3tchxw7y