Albanian Language Media: 

• UN Security Council holds biannual session on Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: Serbia’s non-implementation of agreements, obstacle to stability in region (media)
• Haxhiu reacts to release of two Serbs: Disturbing, police actions rejected (media)
• Svecla reacts after release of two Serbs (media)
• Konjufca: Some non-Serb minority MPs have pompous demands (media)
• Abdixhiku rejects Kurti's invitation for a meeting (media)
• Kusari-Lila: Only with votes of non-majority communities, not possible to form government (Reporteri)
• UN Committee concerned over Serbia’s refusal to extradite suspects to Kosovo (KLAN)
• Krasniqi asks municipalities to declare April as a free month for community registration (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media: 

• UNSC session on UNMIK work held in New York, Belgrade warns Serbs are in jeopardy (RTS, media)

• Vucic to visit Paris on Wednesday at Macron's invitation (Tanjug)

• Drecun: Kurti again trying to deceive public by arresting Serbs (Tanjug, media)

• Ethnic Hungarian SVM staying with Vucic’s SNS (N1)

• Debate on Serbia and students protests at PACE (N1)

Albanian Language Media 

UN Security Council holds biannual session on Kosovo (media)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Caroline Ziadeh, at the biannual UN Security Council session on Kosovo, updated the Council on the latest developments in Kosovo. The update included the recent peaceful conduct of the elections, noting an increase in women’s representation in the Kosovo Assembly without relying on the 30 per cent gender quota foreseen by the Law on General Elections.  

“Once in place, it is imperative that concrete steps will be taken to prioritize the well-being of the people of Kosovo as well as the implementation of commitments made under the EU-facilitated Dialogue, and advance on the process of normalisation of relations,” she said.

Indicating the Belgrade and Pristina agreement on the Joint Commission on Missing Persons in December, the SRSG urged all to make full use of this Joint Commission, in tandem with the existing Working Group on Missing Persons “to proceed without further delay and help families obtain clarity on the fate of their loved ones.”

SRSG Ziadeh also briefed on her most recent visit to northern Kosovo, where civil society interlocutors and political and community leaders pointed to a continued trust deficit, particularly vis-à-vis the institutions. “They lamented the unilateral actions taken by the Pristina authorities, including the recent closure of Serbia-run Centers of Social Welfare and the adverse socio-economic impact. Nevertheless, they saw no alternative to the EU-facilitated Dialogue and the need for Kosovo Serbs to reclaim a sense of agency through a self-management system within the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities,” she said. “I also reiterate my call to refrain from unilateral actions and urge outstanding issues to be discussed constructively and in good faith within the EU- facilitated Dialogue,” she emphasized.   

SRSG Ziadeh welcomed the Kosovo government's recent decision to allow residents with documents from Serbia-run institutions to register their civil status with Kosovo authorities. Noting gaps in the decision's scope and implementation, she encouraged increased outreach to concerned communities, and an extension of the 30 April deadline.

Condemning the attack on the Iber-Lepenc water canal on 29 November, the SRSG reiterated her call for a comprehensive and transparent investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible.  

More than a year since the serious security incident in Banjske, SRSG Ziadeh reiterated the importance of ensuring accountability through fair and independent judicial proceedings. 

The SRSG expressed deep concern about by developments involving the destruction of religious symbols, most recently against the Serbian Orthodox Church, which are incompatible with the right to freedom of religion, posing a risk of heightening religious and interethnic tensions. 

Trust-building remains fundamental to fostering a stable and prosperous future for all communities in Kosovo, the SRSG told the Council, affirming UNMIK’s commitment to bridging divides. “At the core of our trust-building efforts are initiatives that uphold the rule of law, safeguard human rights, and actively promote the inclusion of women and youth in peace and security processes,” she added.

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, during her speech at the UN Security Council, said that Kosovo is a living democracy, while Serbia has not given up on destabilizing efforts. “Kosovo today is a living, young, resilient democracy, oriented towards the Euro-Atlantic path. But Serbia has not changed much, it continues to try to destabilize our democracy. And beyond that, it does this not only through rhetoric, but with concrete and violent actions that endanger regional peace,” she said.

Gervalla mentioned the Banjska attack as a target of a paramilitary group supported by the Serbian authorities themselves. “Milan Radojcic is publicly known for his connections with the political elite of Serbia, including the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Djuric, who is here, and President Vucic. There are public photographs of Mr. Djuric sitting in a cafe in Belgrade with Radojcic, which prove this kind of connection. This was an open act of aggression against a neighboring state, carried out by a group with military training, logistical equipment, all of which were provided by Serbia,” said Gervalla.

“I want to echo the words expressed in the Council of Europe during the Kosovo membership process. Dora Bakoyannis, rapporteur for Kosovo’s membership, had stated: ‘Kosovo is a functional democracy, which respects human and community rights.’ More than 82% of the members of the PACE Committee have requested Kosovo’s membership, and we are a democratic country and we are proud of this,” said Gervalla.

The U.S. representative to the UN Security Council, John Kelley, has called for the dissolution of the UNMIK mission, saying that its mandate has expired and it no longer has a role in the governance of Kosovo. He has called for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process, emphasizing that what is needed in the meantime is mutual recognition and normalization of relations. “Kosovo and Serbia must work to de-escalate tensions and refrain from escalating rhetoric between them and their region for a more prosperous future. The ultimate goal must be mutual recognition. Normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is essential for the Western Balkans. America and the global community are safer when countries resolve their conflicts peacefully and when a climate for international investment is created,” he said.

The United Kingdom, emphasized the fact that this country has been a long-term friend of Kosovo and that the reaffirmation of support has been made during the recent visit of the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom. He said that as a supporter of Kosovo's statehood, they welcome the recognition of Kosovo's independence by Kenya, while encouraging all states that have not done so to do so as soon as possible. "While the Secretary-General's report strongly emphasizes the fact that there is pressure on Serbs in Kosovo, it is Kosovo's successful efforts to recruit police officers from the Serbian community. We regret that judges and prosecutors from non-majority communities have not requested to return to Kosovo's institutions," said the British representative. He further said that they encourage Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in dialogue, to reach a normalizing and legally binding agreement.

Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Marko Djuric, spoke of “persecution of Serbs” in Kosovo. He said that “the consequences of the precedent set in 2008 with the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo are being observed.” He complained about “violations” during the February 9 elections, saying that a seat was taken from the Serbian List. He said that the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue needs “new energies”.

The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebeznya, said that he hopes that the Specialist Chambers “will exemplarily convict the leaders of the former Kosovo Liberation Army for crimes committed during the 1998-1999 war”.

Osmani: Serbia’s non-implementation of agreements, obstacle to stability in region (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, hosted on Tuesday a delegation of MPs from the National Assembly of France. Speaking about security challenges in the region, Osmani emphasized Serbia’s continued tendencies to destabilize Kosovo and the entire region. She emphasized that these “tendencies of Serbia are deliberate and coordinated, citing the aggression attack in Banjska, the attacks and injuries of KFOR soldiers by Serbian gangs, as well as the continuous terrorist attacks directed and supported by Belgrade.”

In the context of the dialogue with Serbia, Osmani highlighted Serbia's lack of will to implement the agreements reached, considering this as a serious obstacle to the progress of the dialogue and to sustainable stability in the region. Osmani further underlined the importance of Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe as a decisive step for the advancement of human rights for all citizens without distinction. 

Haxhiu reacts to release of two Serbs: Disturbing, police actions rejected (media)

Acting Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, has reacted regarding the release of two Serbs who were arrested on Sunday in Prizren, and who were said to be active officers of the Serbian security services. In a reaction on Facebook, said that the ease of releasing these persons is disturbing. “In the group of 12 Serbs arrested in Prizren, there were active members of the Serbian security services. Those arrested in Gjakova and Prizren also had strong ties to the organizers and participants of the attack in Banjska. In Prizren, 10 out of 12 were released that day because there was no request for detention, while two more have been released today. So, despite the abundant evidence to send them to detention and further investigation. It is truly worrying how easily these people were released and how the actions of the police and other security institutions that caught these two groups with facts and evidence were dismissed”, Haxhiu wrote.

The acting minister stated that in this case the force of law and justice had no weight. "The security institutions are wasting so much time and resources, and their employees are being put at risk, and in the end the arrested are being released?! I don't know what other force has released these people because it seems clear that the force of law and justice has had no weight here," Haxhiu wrote.

Svecla reacts after release of two Serbs (media)

Acting Minister of Internal Affairs (MUP), Xhelal Svecla, has reacted after the release of two Serbs who were arrested on Sunday in Prizren, who were said to be active officers of the Serbian security services. Reposting the statement of Acting Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, Svecla wrote "I do not know which other force has released these people because it is clear that the force of law and justice had no weight here," Svecla said.

Konjufca: Some non-Serb minority MPs have pompous demands (media)

The acting Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, has stated that they will not allow the government to be placed in an inappropriate position by the demands of non-majority communities. "I think that non-majority communities will be part of the government. Some of them have had different demands, but I think that we should distinguish between demands, needs and conditionings. Kosovo does not accept conditions. All those that are expressed as demands by representatives of different communities that in our assessment go beyond the reasonable framework of what is the legal and constitutional context for us will be impossible, not to say unacceptable. Therefore, what we aim for is that by respecting their interests and rights that they have but always with an effort to offer a program that advances their achievements, we will sit down and talk with them, but not on the basis of any principle that for the benefits of the moment or with pompous demands to place the government in an inappropriate position as I see some demands from these representatives of communities", he said.

Abdixhiku rejects Kurti's invitation for a meeting (media)

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, has rejected the invitation of the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, for a consultation meeting about the formation of new institutions after the February 9 elections. "In politics, as in life, words have weight. They are a mirror of character, values ​​and goals. They are a reflection of moments that, when repeated, become convictions - often insurmountable. For us, in the Democratic League of Kosovo, words are responsibility. They are a commitment. They are a trust. Therefore, everyone - especially those in power - must be responsible for the words they say and for the beliefs they instill," Abdixhiku wrote in a Facebook post.

He said that the LDK remains faithful to the decisions, convictions and words spoken before the campaign, during the campaign and after the campaign, to everyone - equally.

“Because words have weight! LDK expects and supports the constitution of the Assembly on April 15. There is and will be no obstacle. Therefore, let us constitute the Assembly of the Republic. LDK recognizes the legitimate, democratic and constitutional right of the first party to receive the mandate for governance. And in case of its failure, it recognizes the right of everyone to build a majority. Our positions are clear”, Abdixhiku added.

He said that this clear answer should also be for others who recently, as he said, by taking on the weight that is not theirs, have attempted to tell LDK what to do.

Kusari-Lila: Only with votes of non-majority communities, not possible to form government (Reporteri)

The leader of the ‘Alternativa’ party, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, said that unlike in the past, this time the support of non-majority communities alone is not sufficient for the formation of the new Government. According to her, in the past, cooperation with non-majority communities has been formal and natural, but now the numbers are not enough. Kusari-Lila also spoke about the refusal of the leader of the LDK, Lumir Abdixhiku, to be part of the government, saying that political decisions should not be guided by personal feelings. According to Kusari-Lila, every political entity is responsible to the structures and the electorate, but today's actions should focus on the future.

UN Committee concerned over Serbia’s refusal to extradite suspects to Kosovo (KLAN)

The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) published on Tuesday its findings on Serbia, Belgium, the Central African Republic, Gambia and Malta, after examining the five states parties during its last session. The findings contain the Committee’s main concerns and recommendations on the implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as positive aspects.

The Committee recommended to Serbia to “criminalize enforced disappearance as a stand-alone offense, revise penalties and statutes of limitations to reflect its gravity, and expand definitions of victims to ensure full inclusion and reparation for all affected individuals”.

The Committee was also concerned “about Serbia’s refusal to extradite citizens wanted by Kosovo judicial authorities and the classification of key military and police archives, hindering investigations”.

“The Committee recommended that the State party prioritize bilateral and multilateral efforts to reactivate cooperation frameworks, to ensure public access to archives, to resume dialogue with Kosovo to implement the Declaration on Missing Persons signed between Kosovo and Serbia in 2023”, the report said, among other things.

The Committee, according to the report, reiterated concerns raised in 2023 by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition regarding “the stagnation in the willingness to prosecute Serbian officials for crimes against Kosovo Albanians, with no such indictments in the last five years”.

Krasniqi asks municipalities to declare April as a free month for community registration (Telegrafi)

The acting Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, has requested from Kosovo municipalities to declare April as a free month for community registration in Kosovo. Krasniqi wrote in a post on the social network Facebook that in this way municipalities create facilities and complete the necessary information for the subsequent registration of communities. “With the aim of inclusiveness, representation and equal access to municipal services and resources, similar to last year, today I have made a decision for free registration for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. I have asked the Municipalities to declare April as a free month for the registration of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, creating facilities and complete the necessary information for the subsequent registration of communities,” Krasniqi wrote.

Serbian Language Media  

UNSC session on UNMIK work held in New York, Belgrade warns Serbs are in jeopardy (RTS, media)

Ambassadors of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member states deliberated last night in New York on the report of the work on UNMIK and the situation in Kosovo, Serbian public broadcaster RTS reported. The UNSC session is also leading news in the majority of the Serbian media. RTS wrote that, as was the case before, the Security Council remains divided over the future of UNMIK. While France, China, Russia and Serbia supported continuation of its mandate, Washington, London and Pristina requested an end to the Mission’s mandate.

Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRGS) and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh said in her address that appointment of new EU Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Peter Sorensen is a positive signal and a step that could help both sides in the pursuit for solutions. She condemned the attack that took place on November 29 on Ibar-Lepenac water canal, in Zubin Potok, adding she expects impartial and comprehensive investigation. She said the same for the events in Banjska, while the recent attack on Kosovo Post Office she termed as unacceptable.

SRSG Ziadeh requested the Kosovo Police Inspectorate to publish results of investigations into allegations of excessive use of force by Kosovo police in the north of Kosovo, including the ones against minors. She also said she is concerned over the consequences closure of Serbia-run institutions have on economic and social rights of people in Kosovo, in particular vulnerable groups. She also condemned destruction of religious symbols, adding it is incompatible with values that the UN strives for.

Read full SRSG Ziadeh address to the Security Council at: https://shorturl.at/FH8kq

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric during his address warned of the consequences set by the precedent made in 2008, when Kosovo unilaterally declared independence. He warned of unilateral acts and ethnically motivated incidents carried by the “current ruling regime, headed by Albin Kurti”, adding that such acts have direct consequences on the people. He pointed out that the situation in Kosovo is deteriorating, and Serbs are paying the price. He said “the Albin Kurti regime must be stopped in self-declared mission that Serbs must suffer and pay”. He added international principles must be honoured equally and consistently, as well as that the dialogue is the only sustainable way ahead. He also said Serbia strongly supports the continuous presence and full engagement of UNMIK.

“Salaries, pensions, social aid to thousands of Serbian families have been abolished. Basic means for survival of many of our compatriots….It was not only a political provocation – it was a deliberate attempt to erase a collective identity of the Serbs in those areas”, Djuric said.

He noted there is no political willingness in Pristina to establish a Community of Serbian Municipalities, while Kurti’s politics is narrowed down “to ethno-nationalistic strategy prepared with the aim to instil fear, intimidate and exclude”. He also said that at recent elections one MP seat was taken away from the Serbian List and that Pristina authorities “launched a wide campaign to persecute reputable Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija over their participation in protests at the end of 2022”. Djuric said that during the reporting period 63 ethnically motivated incidents took place in Kosovo, and in 25 incidents members of Kosovo police were directly involved. Djuric said that since Albin Kurti came to power, 20 percent of Serbs have left Kosovo.

Read full Djuric’s address at: https://shorturl.at/Q7LBe

Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya harshly condemned “chauvinist behaviour of Pristina against Serbs in Kosovo, appropriation of their properties and illegal trials”. “The aim of this is expulsion”, he said, noting a series of violations of the basic human rights, including preventing Belgrade officials from visiting Kosovo. He also harshly condemned the insignificant progress in the process of the return of displaced persons, adding that Pristina authorities, without presenting results of the investigations into incidents in northern Kosovo, automatically assign blame to the Serbs. He said he does not see the point in delivering drones, combat helicopters and other military equipment to Pristina authorities, arguing that this runs deeply contrary to the UNSC Resolution 1244 from June 1999. Responding to the address of Kosovo FM Donika Gervalla, he said next time Russia will reconsider “participation of civilians in a session”, as they, as he said, “violate democratic rules and rules of decent behaviour”. He also requested Gervalla to publish results of the investigation into the attack on a Russian diplomat in 2019.

China Ambassador, Geng Shuang said Pristina had closed a number of Serbian institutions, endangering the lives of Kosovo Serbs, claiming at the same time it advocates of easing tensions. UNMIK plays an important role in promoting inter-ethnic reconciliation and all sides must support UNMIK in fulfilling its mandate. That is the stance of China, he said. He added China remains committed to the provisions of UNSC Resolution 1244 which envisages a mutually acceptable solution.

French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont called upon Belgrade and Pristina to respect previously made agreements, expressing regret over unilateral acts of Pristina authorities which made the lives of Kosovo Serbs difficult. He welcomed the role of UNMIK in establishing mutual trust among communities, adding that France supports continuation of the UNMIK’s mandate.

Acting US Alternate Representative to the UN John Kelley called for gradual abolishment of UNMIK, adding Washington is committed to rooting out unnecessary costs in international organizations. He asked future sessions be held once a year and behind closed doors to avoid “unproductive performances”. “The final goal of both sides must be mutual recognition”, he concluded.

Greek Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris said both sides must remain committed to the dialogue under the EU’s mediation and demonstrate the highest restraint in order to avoid deterioration of the situation on the ground.

Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Zbogar called Belgrade and Pristina leaders to fulfil agreements reached so far and engage in negotiations that would guarantee European future. He warned particular attention should be paid on minority communities, in particular Serbs, and requested comprehensive investigations into incidents in Banjska and Ibar Lepenac. 

Vucic to visit Paris on Wednesday at Macron's invitation (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be visiting Paris on Wednesday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, the press office of the president of Serbia announced.

The two presidents will speak during a working lunch hosted by Macron, an official statement said. Two days ago, Vucic said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet with Macron in the coming days.

Drecun: Kurti again trying to deceive public by arresting Serbs (Tanjug, media)

The Chairman of the Serbian Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Security Milovan Drecun said on Tuesday an April 6 arrest of 16 Serbs who had been visiting Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Kosovo was “another attempt by Pristina's PM Albin Kurti to deceive the public and convince the international community Pristina was being targeted by aggressive plans by Belgrade", Tanjug news agency reported.

Serbs usually get arrested in Kosovo when they try to reclaim their property that has been usurped and taken away from them, and then they get accused of alleged war crimes to legalise the seizure of property, Drecun said.

"This is another attempt of a publicity spin, to convince the international community that Pristina is being targeted by some kind of aggressive plans by Belgrade. It is an ongoing narrative that many are not buying into anymore. They (Pristina) make up conspiracies, but they, and especially Kurti, need that because of the local public", Drecun said.

He noted that the Serbian Orthodox Church had been targeted by Pristina for a long time now for two reasons: to take away as much of its property as possible, and to turn it into Albanian cultural heritage and get the faithful to stop visiting Serbian holy sites.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/xUEG3

Ethnic Hungarian SVM staying with Vucic’s SNS (N1)

Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) leader Balint Pasztor said on Tuesday that his party will remain in coalition with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), N1 reported.

According to him, the largest national minority party in Serbia will continue to serve the interests of the state, primarily the interests of the ethnic Hungarian community in Vojvodina. He told Subotica-based Hungarian radio that the SVM is firm in its decision to continue taking part in the government at the level of ministry state secretary.

Pasztor said that the SVM would not be joining President Aleksandar Vucic’s Movement for the People and State because it wants to remain independent. He spoke out against “the loud minority who have been preventing school and university classes for 5 months and have been limiting freedom of movement for the majority of the public”.

Debate on Serbia and students protests at PACE (N1)

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held a debate Tuesday on Serbia, student protests and their demands, N1 reported.

George Papandreou from Greece said that the train station tragedy sparked a democratic awakening in Serbia.

“A peaceful, Gandhian-like youth movement, fighting corruption with humor, song, and solidarity. Students, teachers, artists, grandparents. A living movement of renewal. Town halls are filling, universities are speaking out. Meals are cooked to nourish the souls of protesters. They do not wave the flag of Europe, perhaps out of disappointment, but make no mistake, they carry Europe’s deepest values. Democracy, justice, human dignity, freedom of press. They demand a government that respects the rule of law,” said Papandreou.

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