Albanian Language Media:

• “Western Balkans belongs in the EU”, Joint Declaration in Athens (media)

• Von der Leyen discusses with Kurti and Vucic about de-escalation in north (Koha)

• Kurti meets Croatian FM, discuss about dialogue mediated by EU (media)

• Szunyog: Elections in north ASAP, unconditional participation of Serbs (media)

• Maqedonci meets with Hovenier, talk about cooperation in KSF transition (media)

• Minister of Defense hosted KFOR commander (media)

• German MEP: EU measures not fair, shouldn't have been imposed (media)

• Rama responds to Vucevic: We will not allow anyone to pull us back (media)

• Osmani: We refuse Serbia’s interference in North Macedonia over Kosovo (media)

• Haradinaj: Serbia to stop threatening recognizing countries (Koha)

 

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic from Athens: Mitsotakis with Kurti, although Greece does not recognize Kosovo; We will not give up national interests (Tanjug)

• Vucevic: Serbia is a reliable partner to all its neighbors (Tanjug)

• KFOR airborne exercise in Mitrovica South area (N1)

• Davenport on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of Serbian journalists: Their sacrifice must not go unpunished (Kosovo Online)

• Albania PM warns of threats to North Macedonia, Montenegro (N1)

• Von der Leyen, Kurti differ on meeting in Athens (N1)

• Vucic with Kovacevski: Serbia and North Macedonia are truly friendly countries (Tanjug)

International Media:

• Missing Kosovo Serb Radio Team’s Families Mark 25 Years Since Abduction (Balkan Insight)

• EU reiterates support for membership aspirations of Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova (aa.com.tr)

Albanian Language Media

“Western Balkans belongs in the EU”, Joint Declaration in Athens (media)

11 leaders of the Balkans, including Greece, who met in an informal dinner hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, issued the following joint statement:

“We, President Aleksandar Vucic, President Maia Sandu, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Jakov Milatovic, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Kristo, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, in the presence of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, met in Athens today, twenty years after the historic EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki, and issued the following statement:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a pivotal moment for Europe, creating a new level of awareness of shared principles, unity and common future within the EU. This is a critical time for the security, peace and stability of our European continent. The laws and principles that contributed to a stable and predictable European security order for so long have been violated and we witness anew the manifestation of the disastrous effects of revisionism.

In the face of Russian aggression, we express our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, based on the values of democracy and rule of law.

In our discussions in Athens today, we expressed support and appreciation for the earnest efforts by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in setting out the principles for peace in line with the UN Charter, in his Peace Formula. We also welcomed the efforts of the UN General Assembly to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.

We agreed that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, such as attacks against civilians and the destruction of infrastructure and all those responsible must be held accountable.

Twenty years ago, the Thessaloniki Summit acknowledged that the Western Balkans belong to the European Union. We firmly believe that today this statement remains more relevant than ever. The escalating war of aggression against Ukraine revealed the urgent need for a strong, resilient and inclusive EU as a cornerstone of peace and prosperity among our peoples during these challenging times.

We stressed that the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, geographically adjacent to EU Member States, have a common European heritage, history and a future defined by shared opportunities and challenges. As a strategic investment in peace, security and stability in Europe, it is important for these regions to be embraced as full-fledged members of the European family.

Today in Athens, we discussed the way forward, in order to make this vision of Europe a reality. We underlined the importance of setting ourselves a target for the completion of the vision of an EU enriched with the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. We underlined the need for a re-energized and re-focused enlargement process that is tangible and credible, without shortcuts to the set conditions. We expressed our commitment to support Ukraine and Moldova to take the next steps in their accession process as soon as they have completed the necessary reforms.

We firmly believe that 20 years after the Thessaloniki Summit and in light of the new geopolitical reality, the time has come to adopt a bold and ambitious end goal that will serve as guide, inspiration and context.”

Von der Leyen discusses with Kurti and Vucic about de-escalation in north (Koha)

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met in Athens with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. "I discussed with Prime Minister Albin Kurti the need to reduce tensions in the north of Kosovo, re-engagement in the dialogue facilitated by the EU and implementation of agreements for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It is vital to lower the barriers in the region and bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU", Von der Leyen wrote on the "X" platform.

After the meeting with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, Von der Leyen wrote "I spoke with President Aleksandar Vucic about the need for constructive engagement to de-escalate the situation in the north of Kosovo and about Serbia's progress on the road to the EU. The closer integration between the EU and the Western Balkans is vital, particularly in the face of the Russian war against Ukraine".

Kurti meets Croatian FM, discuss about dialogue mediated by EU (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister began his visit to Athens with a meeting with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic. They talked about the excellent relations between Kosovo and Croatia and the potential for deepening and concretizing them further, a press release issued by Kurti's office notes.

"They also talked about the dialogue mediated by the European Union, where the prime minister emphasized the need for the full, quick and unconditional implementation of the Brussels Basic Agreement and its Annex agreed in Ohrid", it was said further.

Kurti reportedly informed the Croatian Prime Minister about the progress and achievements of Kosovo in the economic and democratic plan. He congratulated Plenkovic for recently becoming the 20th member of the Eurozone and the 27th member of the Schengen area, as he described this as a great achievement of Croatia and as a model to be followed.

Both shared their perspectives on geopolitical developments in the region and the challenges the region faces, remaining committed to close cooperation, in the service of common interests and in line with the European Union and NATO.

Szunyog: Elections in north ASAP, unconditional participation of Serbs (media)

The head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, met the Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, with whom he discussed the early elections in the north of Kosovo.

"We discussed the early elections in the north of Kosovo with Minister Elbert Krasniqi. I reiterated that early elections should be organized as soon as possible in four municipalities and in a completely comprehensive manner with the full and unconditional participation of Kosovo Serbs", Szunyog wrote on the "X" platform.

Maqedonci meets with Hovenier, talk about cooperation in KSF transitioning (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, in a meeting, where, among other things, they talked about the ten-year transition plan of the KSF.

"Minister Maqedonci also informed Ambassador Hovenier of his main objectives and the priority he will have in the development of the Kosovo Security Force, based on the Comprehensive Transition Plan, in accordance with NATO standards, in close cooperation with friends and our allies, alongside whom we are ready to offer our contribution in any important mission, thus moving from consumers of security to its guarantors", it was emphasized in the announcement of the Ministry of Defense.

Ambassador Hovenier, in a post on the "X" platform, once again expressed the support of the USA in the path of the 10-year transition of the KSF.

"Pleasure to meet new Minister of Defense Ejup Macedonci this afternoon. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation and partnership, especially in support of the KSF's 10-year transition to a multi-ethnic, professional, NATO-interoperable territorial defense force," Hovenier wrote.

Minister of Defense hosted KFOR commander (media)

Kosovo’s new Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, received in a meeting the KFOR commander, Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia. Discussing the security situation in Kosovo, both emphasized the continuation of cooperation between the two institutions, within the framework of their mandates, the Ministry of Defense announced.

According to the press release, Maqedonci has informed the KFOR commander about the current processes as well as about the goals for integration in the Euro-Atlantic organizations.

"Among other things, the meeting discussed the security situation in the country, where both interlocutors emphasized that the close cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the KSF with KFOR will continue further within their mandates, in the service of the security of all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo", announced the Ministry of Defense.

German MEP: EU measures not fair, should not have been imposed (media)

The German MEP, Reinhard Butikofer, has said that the measures that the EU has imposed on Kosovo are not reciprocal, they are not fair and should not have been imposed on Kosovo. Butikofer expects EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, now after the summer break, to meet with the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, which he says are unhappy with most of Borrell's positions. He has also confirmed that he is asking policy makers in Germany to take a more active role in the developments that Kosovo is going through.

"These measures against Kosovo are one-sided, and of course I do not fully agree with what the government of Kosovo has done in recent months, there are also some mistakes it has made, but if we look at the other side with what and how Vucic overcomes the situation, I have the impression that these measures are not reciprocal, they are not fair and it does not mean that they should be imposed on Kosovo", he told RTK.

Butikofer said that the government of Kosovo should dialogue and not focus on ranking the number of sanctions that one or the other country is facing, and that there are still voices in Brussels and the USA that think it is too early to remove the measures.

"The EU and the U.S. must concentrate on making a dynamic agenda, so that the solution is final, so they must focus on the solution and not just complain about one or the other side," he said.

“Borrell should come to the European Parliament in the Committee on Foreign Policy and hear our voice, and we would hear him, and discuss Borrell's positions, most of which we do not agree with, and I think that even though we as parliament formally do not have decision-making rights in the EU's foreign policy, it would be good for Borrell to come to the committee and talk", Butikofer said.

Rama responds to Vucevic: We will not allow anyone to pull us back (media)

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has reacted after the threats of the Serbian Minister of Defense for destabilization of the region. He reminded Milos Vucevic that Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro are NATO allies, adding that they will not allow anyone to drag them back to the past.

“Threats against the stability and integrity of North Macedonia and Montenegro are dangerous and unacceptable. Let's not forget that Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro are NATO allies fully dedicated to the security and territorial integrity of each other. We have achieved in the last decade in this region what no one could even imagine in endless decades before and we cannot and will not allow anyone to pull us back in the past we are leaving behind for good! Together! Greater Europe is our only future,” Rama wrote.

Osmani: We refuse Serbia’s interference in North Macedonia over Kosovo (media)

Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, said on Monday that they refuse “the interference and warnings” of Serbia against North Macedonia over the recognition of Kosovo. “North Macedonia refuses inappropriate interference and warnings by neighboring officials. We are engaged for stability and regional cooperation, including the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo,” Osmani wrote in a Facebook post. He also said the North Macedonia authorities expect an explanation from Serbia’s Minister of Defence, Milos Vujevic, who said that by recognising Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro made a mistake and interfered in Serbia’s internal affairs.

Haradinaj: Serbia should stop threatening recognising countries (Koha)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has said that Serbia is threatening the countries of the region that have recognized Kosovo and that it is warning those that will recognize it.

"Serbia is speaking with the language of the powerful and is threatening the countries of the region that have recognized Kosovo and is also warning other countries that will recognize Kosovo. This language belongs to the past and this language caused tragedies, and the peoples of the Balkans still suffer its wounds. The free countries, with their decisions based on their national interest, have recognized Kosovo", wrote Haradinaj on Facebook.

Haradinaj demanded that Serbia stop the threats. "Serbia must stop the language of the powerful, stop the threats and not forget that it has an agreement with Kosovo, the French-German plan supported by America, and return to the language of reason. Kosovo will not stop from its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. It would be wise for Serbia to move from the 'status quo' in which it is," he said.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic from Athens: Mitsotakis with Kurti, although Greece does not recognize Kosovo; We will not give up national interests (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in Athens yesterday ahead of an informal dinner for regional leaders, organized by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, that although Greece does not officially recognize Kosovo, Mitsotakis will meet with Albin Kurti.

"When European representatives speak in Serbia about non-transparency, they forget to ask us not to say who will be at the meeting. Some strange format in Athens, I don't understand how it was made, but that's a question for the hosts, we were invited  among the five countries from the WB, but how and in what way, because of their bilateral relations, some for some strange reasons did not receive an invitation, and Pristina was also invited, even though Greece does not officially recognize Kosovo," said Vucic.

He said that even Mitsotakis will have a bilateral meeting with Kurti, as he said, in the Athens offices. "The Croats were invited, I guess as great friends who know all of us in the Balkans, as well as the Romanians and Bulgarians, but interestingly the Hungarians were not. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also invited and due to his security, we could not say who would be present, and the President of Moldova Sandu," stated Vucic.

We will not give up our national interests, but it will be increasingly difficult

Vucic said that he will continue to fight for Serbia and its European future, and that he will not allow national and state interests to be abandoned, even though it will be increasingly difficult in the coming period. "Ours is to fight for Serbia and its future, but not to give up national and state interests, which will be increasingly difficult in the coming period," he said ahead of an informal dinner for regional leaders organized by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He also said that tonight will not be the easiest situation for Serbia. "It's not exactly the easiest situation for us, but when you go to the European Council and 27 of them gather, it's even more difficult," said Vucic.

He announced that today or the day after, he will address the citizens and speak openly about what is happening. "When someone asks why we are in such a position, I will say that it is because I want to lead an independent, responsible and independent policy, otherwise we would not have any problem if I wanted to be an errand boy and political dwarf like many others in Europe," Vucic said.

Vucic announced a meeting with Zelenskyy: We will talk privately about Kosovo and Russia

Vucic will meet privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Athens tomorrow. One of the topics of the conversation with the Ukrainian president will be Kosovo, reported KiM radio, citing N1.

"I want to inform the citizens that tomorrow morning, at the request of the Ukrainian president, I will have a bilateral meeting with him. I will talk with Zelenskyy about everything that has been happening around Kosovo lately, I believe that we will have an open and good conversation," he said.

He said that we must be on the European path because that is the best for our citizens, but that Serbia is the only country whose representatives were invited to Athens, and which did not impose sanctions on Russia.

"You saw that there were people from their parliament and the ruling party, that they recognize Kosovo as an independent state. That would be a big blow for us. I will try to talk to Mr. Zelenskyy," he added.

He said that there is no doubt that Russia will be the main topic of that meeting.

Vucevic: Serbia is a reliable partner to all its neighbors (Tanjug)

Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said that Serbia acts as a reliable partner to all its neighbors, as well as that it supports the territorial integrity of all member states of the United Nations, reported Tanjug. 

"Despite all the malicious and unfounded media reporting, Serbia behaves as a responsible, reliable and predictable partner to all our neighbors. Our support for the territorial integrity of all UN member states is unconditional. However, we cannot praise anyone's disrespect for their own territorial integrity," Vucevic wrote on social network X (Twitter), reacting to the tweet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani.

He added that recent events have confirmed that Serbia's warnings that Kosovo is not a "sui generis" case were correct.

KFOR airborne exercise in Mitrovica South area (N1)

KFOR said on Monday that traffic in part of Mitrovica South would be stopped periodically over the next few days because of an airborne exercise.

“The US contingent assigned to KFOR Regional Command East will conduct an airborne activity in an open field near Polac, in the South Mitrovica municipality in the next few days,” a press release said.

It said that US National Guard paratroopers and helicopters from the Bondsteel Task Force will be engaged in the static line jump exercise “to maintain specific capability referred to airborne units.”

“Due to safety concerns, traffic on the road adjacent to the training area is anticipated to be stopped periodically throughout the training event,” the press release said.

Davenport on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of Serbian journalists: Their sacrifice must not go unpunished (Kosovo Online)

The head of the OSCE Mission in Pristina, Michael Davenport, said yesterday, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of Radio Pristina journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic on the Velika Hoca-Zociste road, whose fate is still unknown, that impunity must not be allowed for attacks on, as he stated, brave media workers who were doing their job, reported Kosovo Online.

He wrote on the social network X (until recently Twitter) that he was honored to have had the opportunity to meet the family and friends of the missing journalists today.

''A privilege to meet family & friends of journalists Ranko Perenic & Djuro Slavuj, who went missing 25 years ago today. We must never forget their sacrifice while working on a dangerous professional assignment. Nor allow impunity for attacks on brave media workers doing their job,'' Devenport said in a post on X.

Albania PM warns of threats to North Macedonia, Montenegro (N1)

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama warned on Monday of unspecified threats to the stability of NATO members North Macedonia and Montenegro.

“Threats against the stability and integrity of North Macedonia and Montenegro are dangerous and unacceptable,” Rama wrote in a Twitter post.

“Let’s not forget that Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro are NATO allies fully dedicated to the security and territorial integrity of one another. We have achieved in the last decade in this region what no one could even imagine in endless decades before and we cannot and will not allow anyone to pull us back in the past we are leaving behind for good! Together! Greater Europe is our only future,” he added.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/msey9m78

Von der Leyen, Kurti differ on meeting in Athens (N1)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave differing accounts of their talks in Athens on Monday, reported N1.

Von der Leyen said in a Twitter post that they discussed the need to de-escalate tensions in the north of Kosovo while Kurti tweeted that they discussed bilateral relations, regional cooperation and the EU growth plan for the Western Balkans.

“I discussed with PM Albin Kurti the need to de-escalate tensions in the North of Kosovo, re-engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue and implement agreements on the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It’s vital to bring down barriers in the region and the Western Balkans closer to the EU,” Von der Leyen wrote.

According to Kurti they “discussed bilateral relations, regional cooperation, the EU growth plan for WB6 and the dialogue. On the latter, I emphasized the importance of full and unconditional implementation of the Basic Agreement.”

Vucic with Kovacevski: Serbia and North Macedonia are truly friendly countries (Tanjug)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said after the conversation with the PM of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, that Serbia and North Macedonia are truly friendly countries.

"If you ask me, brotherly," Vucic wrote yesterday on the Instagram account "buducnostsrbijeav", reported Tanjug.

He added that there are no misunderstandings between Belgrade and Skopje and there must not be.

"We don't ask for anything from our brothers, the only thing we offer is sincere friendship," said Vucic.

International Media

Missing Kosovo Serb Radio Team’s Families Mark 25 Years Since Abduction (Balkan Insight)

The families of Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic, who disappeared during a reporting trip for Radio Pristina, gathered on the 25th anniversary of their abduction to call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Relatives of Radio Pristina journalist Djuro Slavuj and driver Ranko Perenic gathered on Monday on the road between Velika Hoca/Hoca e Madhe and Zociste/Zocishte in western Kosovo where they were abducted in 1998 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their disappearance.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2s434fks

EU reiterates support for membership aspirations of Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova (aa.com.tr)

'Enlargement remains top priority for EU -- a strong tool to foster peace, security and prosperity on our continent,' says Charles Michel

The European Union on Monday reiterated its support for the membership aspirations of the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine and Moldova in the bloc.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/bdffw4vu