Albanian Language Media: 

• International reactions after Constitutional Court ruling: Act accordingly (media)
• Haxhiu: Constitutional Court robbed MPs of their powers (media)
• Citaku: National security is not defended with press conferences (media)
• Bajrami: Osmani and VV had no issue with Constitutional Court when it brought down Hoti government (media)
• Haxhiu denies Serbian claims regarding Igor Popovic's case (media)
• Grenell signals Trump’s involvement in Kosovo issue: We’ll go step by step (media)
• VV presents mayoral candidates for three northern municipalities (media)
• 22 active fire zones remain, KFOR air intervention requested (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: I will read European leaders’ statement on the inviolability of borders to them every time (TV Pink, Kosovo Online)
• Socanica: The police used weapons, no injuries, unclear how the shooting happened; Serbian List: The hunt for young men in Socanica (Alternativna, Kontakt plus radio)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s police in the north is not maintaining law and order, but intimidating and carrying out terror (Kosovo Online)
• Serbia condemns Kosovo’s treatment of official Igor Popovic, Kosovo Justice Ministry rejects claims (N1, FoNet, KoSSev)
• Richard Grenell rejects idea of Serbia-Kosovo mutual recognition, says economy is key (N1, Kosovo Online)
• Public discontent and arrests mark jazz festival in North Mitrovica (KoSSev)
• Jovanovic met with Ziadeh: Serbian Government supports continued engagement of UNMIK (Kosovo Online)
• Serbia welcomes Joint Declaration of Armenia and Azerbaijan (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media

International reactions after Constitutional Court ruling: Act accordingly (media)

Kosovo’s Constitutional Court has issued a new decision regarding the ongoing institutional deadlock. It ruled that Members of Parliament must elect the Speaker of the Assembly through an open vote within 30 days, declaring all sessions held thus far invalid. The international representatives have reacted, urging political parties to respect the Court’s decision.

The European Union Office in Kosovo called on political parties to comply with the Constitutional Court’s decision. “The Constitutional Court has spoken and provided important clarifications. The EU urges all political parties represented in Kosovo’s Assembly to respect this decision and to find the compromise and necessary majority to quickly proceed with the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers. There is no more time to waste in a political deadlock.”

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina also reacted. It shared a statement from Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati, who called for the swift formation of Kosovo’s institutions. “Forming a government after elections is a fundamental democratic function, and this ongoing political blockage is resulting in missed opportunities for Kosovo. The Trump administration seeks strong allies with whom we can advance our priorities; a country without essential institutions and no clear path forward to create them is a partner we cannot always fully rely on. American companies seek stable governments and trustworthy partners when considering where to invest, and Kosovo’s inability to form institutions could cause businesses to look elsewhere,” Prattipati said.

The German Embassy in Kosovo also responded to the Constitutional Court’s ruling, emphasizing the need for responsible action and political cooperation to resolve the situation. “We appreciate that the Constitutional Court has issued a procedural decision. Now it is up to politicians to act in accordance with it so that the people of Kosovo can finally get the parliament they voted for six months ago,” the embassy said in a statement to RTK.

It also called for a feasible solution within the constitutional deadline and the building of a consensus to end the political blockade.

Haxhiu: Constitutional Court robbed MPs of their powers (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, has criticized the recent decision of the Constitutional Court, stating that it has overstepped its authority by stripping Members of Parliament of their constitutional competencies.

At a press conference on Sunday, Haxhiu claimed that the Court’s ruling—mandating an open vote for the election of the Speaker of the Assembly within 30 days and declaring previous sessions invalid—undermines the will and role of elected MPs. She accused the Court of interfering in the legislative process and acting beyond its constitutional boundaries.

According to Haxhiu, this decision not only weakens the parliament but also disrupts the balance of powers in a democratic system. She emphasized that such interpretations from the Court endanger democratic functioning and questioned the impartiality and intent behind the ruling.

During the press conference, Haxhiu has stated that Constitutional Court judge Radomir Laban is suspected by Kosovo's security authorities of being affiliated with Serbia’s Intelligence Agency (BIA). According to Haxhiu, Judge Laban poses a threat to the constitutional order of Kosovo and is allegedly connected to the main orchestrator of the terrorist attack in Banjska.

Citaku: National security is not defended with press conferences (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Vlora Citaku has responded to caretaker Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu’s press conference, in which Haxhiu labeled Constitutional Court judge Radomir Laban as a threat to the constitutional order. She criticized Haxhiu for only raising concerns now, at a time when the Constitutional Court ruled against Vetevendosje’s position regarding the constitutive session of the Assembly, despite having been in power for years. “For clarity: the presiding officer of the session violated the Constitution, and this was unanimously confirmed by all Constitutional Court judges, including two whom you voted for,” Çitaku stated. “Any attempt to delegitimize the institution, in this case, the Constitutional Court, is nothing more and nothing less than a call for anarchy.”

“Where were you, honorable minister, four, three, two, or one year ago? You had absolute power. National security is not protected through press conferences but through concrete actions. Pitiful and dangerous at the same time,” Citaku concluded in her Facebook post.

Bajrami: Osmani and VV had no issue with Constitutional Court when it brought down Hoti government (media)

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP Hykmete Bajrami has strongly criticized caretaker Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, following Haxhiu's recent press conference in which she described Constitutional Court judge Radomir Laban as a threat to Kosovo’s constitutional order.

Bajrami reminded her that neither they nor President Vjosa Osmani had objected to the composition of the Constitutional Court in 2020 when it ruled to overturn the Hoti-led government. She accused VV of attempting to sell “fake patriotism” and slammed Haxhiu for attacking the judiciary without delivering any real reforms. “Albulena, the attacks you’re launching against the courts say more about you than about the courts. You’ve been leading the Ministry of Justice for nearly five years, and apart from these attacks, no one remembers a single reform or meaningful work you've done,” Bajrami wrote.

She also brought up the 2023 terrorist attack in Banjske, pointing out that the government had failed to provide any explanation for how Milan Radoicic escaped under full camera surveillance. According to her, the government missed its opportunity to designate Serbian List as a terrorist organization and now tries to cover that failure with nationalist rhetoric.

“Every time you dislike a decision from an institution, you try to tie it to Serbia and Radoicic. Don’t, because we know exactly who you are,” she added.

Bajrami concluded by accusing Vetevendosje and Osmani of wanting a Constitutional Court without quorum, warning that such political manipulation harms Kosovo more than anyone else.

Grenell signals Trump’s involvement in Kosovo issue: We’ll go step by step (media)

Donald Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, has hinted U.S. president's plans to re-engage with the Kosovo issue. Grenell stated during an interview with Klan Kosova that the Trump administration will take a gradual approach. “I think we’ll go step by step. Of course, we’re fully engaged in these issues, but as I said, we’re focusing on economic development around the world. That’s the priority,” Grenell said.

When asked whether there are plans to revisit controversial topics like border changes, he responded that “there’s no going back on anything.” “I think the plans have always been economic. There’s no going back. We’ve always focused on economic development as a driver for solving problems, and we’ll continue doing that,” he told said.

Asked whether the U.S. government would recognize a potential conviction of former president Hashim Thaci, Grenell said he still has faith in the justice system and believes individuals will assess the evidence without political bias. “I think both President Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti could do something, not to help Hashim Thaci personally, but to help Kosovo. This is about restoring Kosovo’s sovereignty by saying: ‘We will handle our own judicial matters.’”

“No one is saying that indictments should automatically be thrown out,” he added. “But our vision has always been that there shouldn’t be international judges presiding over these cases. Instead, Kosovo’s own judges should be empowered to demonstrate that the country has a functioning judicial system capable of delivering justice.”

Grenell also urged Kurti and Osmani to do more to protect Kosovo, warning that “today it’s Hashim Thaci, tomorrow it could be them.”

Haxhiu denies Serbian claims regarding Igor Popovic's case (media)

Caretaker Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, has reacted to statements by the Serbian Ministry of Justice regarding the case of Serbian official Igor Popovic, who was convicted by the court in Kosovo a few days ago. She emphasized that Serbia is not only continuing to misuse official visits to Kosovo by fueling hatred and division, but is also continuing its propaganda even after agreements with the institutions of Kosovo for a plea bargain, as in the case of Igor Popovic.

“The Serbian Ministry of Justice has come up with another false accusation, saying that its official Igor Popovic pleaded guilty under pressure. However, in the video below you can see that not only the accused Popovic, but also his lawyer himself emphasize that both the plea and the agreement were made with full will”, Haxhiu wrote on Facebook, while also publishing the video from the trial.

“Serbia is also judging the Republic of Kosovo by its own standards, but it must understand that the Republic of Kosovo is a democratic country, where justice reigns and human dignity is guaranteed and where powers are clearly separated”, she added.

Vetevendosje presents mayoral candidates for three northern municipalities (media)

Vetevendosje Movement has officially announced its mayoral candidates for three northern Kosovo municipalities ahead of the October 12 elections. Lulzim Hetemi, the current mayor, will run in Leposaviq; Vedat Mehmeti, the chair of the municipal assembly, is the candidate for Zubin Potok; and Fetah Peci will represent the party in Zvecan.

The party described the candidates as committed, honest, and aligned with its vision for development, justice, and equality. During a presentation event attended by party leader Albin Kurti and other senior officials, VV reaffirmed its full and unconditional support for the candidates. The party emphasized its goal of building functional institutions in the north, bringing meaningful investments, and ensuring governance that respects the law and serves all people.

22 active fire zones remain, KFOR air intervention requested (media)

The Emergency Management Agency has announced that there are 22 active fire zones in Kosovo, on Saturday evening, while it has announced that it has requested KFOR air intervention to help extinguish the fire. According to an announcement in the evening, there were 40 fire zones on Saturday, of which 25 have been localized. The agency has reiterated its appeal for the people to avoid actions that could cause fires and to immediately report any fire they see.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I will read European leaders’ statement on the inviolability of borders to them every time (TV Pink, Kosovo Online)

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated that he will read to European leaders their own statement—declaring that internationally recognized borders cannot be changed by force in relation to Ukraine—every time they offer to recognize Kosovo or sign something with Pristina.

“It’s such a beautiful statement that I will read it to them every time they offer me to recognize Kosovo or sign something with Pristina. I will read it to them every time,” Vucic told TV Pink.

He pointed out that in the statement, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, say that borders cannot be changed by force.

“It can be done when they want. According to them, 27 countries changed our borders because they wanted to. That’s not exactly in line with international law and principles,” Vucic said. 

He stressed that Serbia’s duty is to protect, strengthen, and build up the country, and to gradually but surely catch up economically with the most powerful European nations.

Regarding the situation in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vucic said that the Republic of Srpska is in a difficult position.

He announced that in the coming days he will speak with Milorad Dodik.

“I cannot make plans on behalf of RS; I can only say that we stand with Srpska and that I do not agree with the foreign actors who see Dodik as the sole culprit. Dodik was right about the property issue, and I have pointed that out, but they kept pushing him until they cornered him. We will fight to preserve peace and stability,” Vucic said.

Asked about the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, he said it is a very important meeting and wished them success.

“I wish them luck. We are all rooting for peace in Ukraine. I have no sarcastic comments on this matter. And yet, I could recall how the U.S. used to forbid us from talking to the Russians, while the Russians made sarcastic remarks about our contacts with the U.S. I wish them a good meeting, good results, and to make us all happy by bringing peace. That would mean a great deal for our economy and for all economies,” Vucic said.

Socanica: The police used weapons, no injuries, unclear how the shooting happened; Serbian List: The hunt for young men in Socanica (Alternativna, Kontakt plus radio)

Alternativna portal reported last night that the Kosovo police used weapons on Sunday after stopping two young men in the forest in a village in Socanica - confirmed by the Kosovo Police for the North region. From this region, they confirmed that it was the border police and that the incident happened around 3 pm.

"The police tried to stop two men. They managed to stop one, and the other ran away. They say he raised something at the police. The police used weapons, no one was injured," said the deputy commander of the KP for the northern region, Veton Elshani.

He specified that then the person who escaped appeared at the police station with a lawyer, stressing that the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo should be contacted for more details. The portal sent the questions to the Police Inspectorate before publishing the text.

According to unofficial information of Alternativna, given by some of the residents of Socanica, a group of young men, including minors, organized a picnic in the surrounding village. At one point, the two young men started to return to Socanica, to take additional things. On that way, the Kosovo police stopped them. According to the testimonies of the locals, they were wearing camouflage pants. During the stop, the police first asked one of them for a phone, and then another young man. He refused to give him his phone, but the police allegedly insisted on it. After the policeman once again demanded to give him the phone, the young man started to run away. According to the locals, the police reportedly fired several shots at him. The shooting took place during the day, and as the locals claim, the young man who escaped, accompanied by a lawyer, reported to the police station.

Serbian List: The hunt for young men in Socanica

"Serbian List expresses deep concern regarding today's incident in the village of Vuca near Leposavic, where members of the Kosovo Police, during the identification of Serbian young men, organized a real chase and hunt for them, using firearms without any legal basis," announced the SL. 

The SL demanded the most urgent and independent investigation that would include international representatives and lead to the punishment of those responsible.

"Today, the police in Vuca behaved worse than if it were a state of war, seriously endangering the lives and safety of citizens," read the announcement of the SL. 

This party added that that this was not the first case of the use of firearms against Serbs and that "this kind of behavior represents a flagrant violation of human rights and professional standards, while the Albin Kurti regime directly encourages unprofessional and violent actions of police structures with its statements and policies."

The Serbian List added that it was in contact with the families of the young men, and that it will provide them with full legal assistance and support.

They called on the international community to react, "protect the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija and prevent such incidents from happening again".

Petkovic: Kurti’s police in the north is not maintaining law and order, but intimidating and carrying out terror (Kosovo Online)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, strongly condemned the Kosovo Police act, where fire was opened from automatic weapons at young men in the village of Vuca near Leposavic. 

“I strongly condemn this extreme act of violence, involving gunfire from automatic weapons, which Kurti’s police today near Leposavic resorted to while checking the IDs of young Serbs returning from an outing. This violence once again, in the most flagrant way, confirms that the forces Pristina deployed in the north of Kosovo and Metohija are not there to maintain law and order, but to oppress, intimidate, and carry out terror,” Petkovic emphasized.

He noted that the shooting from automatic weapons at an unarmed young Serb, by sheer luck, ended without tragic consequences, but that it is tragic that this act of brutality—unimaginable anywhere in peacetime—occurred in the presence of a KFOR patrol, and that the perpetrator in a police uniform was not immediately disarmed and arrested.

“This shameful act is part of systematic violence and intimidation indiscriminately directed against the entire Serbian community in the north of Kosovo, with the goal—there is no doubt about it—of provoking panic and forcing Serbs to leave Kosovo. The international community, its missions, and representatives on the ground must finally take their heads out of the sand and stop tolerating or silently approving violence against the Serbian people, because the consequences could be incalculable,” Petkovic stressed.

He added that the policy of Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region, and, although everyone is undoubtedly aware of this, there are still no concrete steps by the international community to effectively sanction his actions against peace.

Serbia condemns Kosovo’s treatment of official Igor Popovic, Kosovo Justice Ministry rejects claims (N1, FoNet, KoSSev)

The Serbian Ministry of Justice has strongly condemned the treatment of Igor Popovic, an official from Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, calling the ongoing judicial abuses in Kosovo a serious and organised violation of international law and a direct attack on the basic human rights and freedoms of the Serbian people.

In an official statement, Serbia declared it will use all legal and political means to protect Popovic and expose what it calls a grave injustice to the international community. The ministry criticised the guilty plea agreement Popovic signed in Kosovo, arguing it was coerced and serves as a tool for further stigmatising Serbs and increasing political control rather than upholding the rule of law.

Serbia asserts the agreement has no legal effect under Serbian or international law, as neither recognises the legitimacy of Kosovo’s institutions that concluded the deal. It also claims the agreement is invalid because it was signed under duress and violates fundamental rights guaranteed by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the UN Human Rights Charter.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mf7y4he

Richard Grenell rejects idea of Serbia-Kosovo mutual recognition, says economy is key (N1, Kosovo Online)

Richard Grenell, the US Special Envoy for Special Missions under President Donald Trump’s administration, stated that Washington will approach the Kosovo issue step by step, emphasising economic development as the priority over mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia.

In an interview with Klan Kosova, Grenell dismissed the idea of mutual recognition as “ridiculous,” saying young people in Kosovo want jobs rather than political agreements. He said the focus should be on economic growth, which he believes is the key to resolving long-standing disputes.

“I think we will take it step by step. We are fully engaged on these issues, but as I said, the focus is on economic development worldwide,” Grenell said. Asked if old topics like border corrections would be revisited, he answered, “There is no going back to anything. The plans have always been economic.”

Grenell highlighted that Kosovo’s people are “outstanding partners” to the United States but criticised the current Kosovan government led by Kurti for being too political and not prioritising investment and economic growth. “We need a government that wants to invest, not just do politics,” he stated.

Reflecting on his work toward the “final agreement” between Kosovo and Serbia, Grenell envisioned an economic development so strong it would surpass politics and eventually allow NATO troop withdrawal from Kosovo. However, he noted NATO presence remains necessary for security due to ongoing hostilities.

On the Special Court and former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s case, Grenell expressed belief in the judicial system and urged people to view the indictment carefully, hoping judges will dismiss politically motivated charges. He called on Prime Minister Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani to protect Kosovo’s sovereignty by strengthening local judicial authority and shielding Kosovo’s leaders from political persecution.

Grenell warned that political persecution is a severe threat and appealed to Kosovo’s leaders to act, saying, “One day it is Thaçi, the next day it could be them”.

He reiterated that economic development and job creation, not political dialogues about mutual recognition, should be the primary focus to secure Kosovo’s future stability and prosperity.

Public discontent and arrests mark jazz festival in North Mitrovica (KoSSev)

The first-ever edition of the “Mitrovica International Jazz Days” to be held in North Mitrovica ended early amid strong public discontent and two arrests.

Throughout the afternoon, dozens of local Serbs gathered in nearby cafés and along the promenade whistled at performers, seeing the event as a political provocation. The jeering intensified when North Mitrovica Mayor Erden Atiq appeared in front of the stage, joined by a small group of attendees. Shouts of “Atiq, go away,” “Atiq, Serb,” and various insults were heard, but the mayor did not respond.

The festival, normally held in South Mitrovica, featured live performances on a stage set up along the northern promenade under heavy police security, including special units and plainclothes officers.

The event ended with the arrest of two young men of Serbian ethnicity. Kosovo Police Deputy Commander for the North region, Veton Elshani, told KoSSev that one of them – D.M., born in 1992 – was released after being fined for verbal assault, while the other – B.D., born in 2001 – remains in custody for up to 48 hours on suspicion of making threats. According to Elshani, there is allegedly a recording of the threat.

Representatives of the Serbian List party and officials from several local institutions were also spotted at the scene.

For years, North Mitrovica has hosted its own jazz festival, continuing the pre-war tradition of the city of Kosovska Mitrovica. That event has brought together acclaimed names from both the domestic and international jazz scene.

KoSSev reported that the festival from South Mitrovica, as part of which a stage was set up and in North Mitrovica, will no longer be held on the promenade, although the performances were planned for Saturday and Sunday. After the first day of the festival was marked by protests from the local population who see it as a political provocation, with incidents and arrests, the organizers say: "The goal of music is to bring people together." On Saturday, according to KoSSev, the gardens were full of cafes in the upper part of the promenade, where loud music is heard and where local Serbs gather. DJ performances are announced, while the police warn bar owners to respect the prescribed time for music.

Serb B.D. (2001), who was detained two days ago in North Mitrovica due to alleged threats, was released from 48-hour detention on Sunday, Kosovo Police of the North region told KoSSev. The case against him will continue in the regular procedure.

Jovanovic met with Ziadeh: Serbian Government supports continued engagement of UNMIK (Kosovo Online)

The State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Nevena Jovanovic, received Caroline Ziadeh, Head of UNMIK on Friday, in a farewell visit, thanking her for her personal commitment and efforts in ensuring the Mission’s functioning under complex circumstances.

According to the official statement, Ziadeh informed those present about the current situation on the ground and UNMIK’s activities aimed at preserving peace and stability.

She expressed her gratitude for the support of the Government of Serbia during her mandate and voiced hope that the successful and close cooperation with the Mission will continue in the future.

Jovanovic thanked her counterpart for her personal engagement and the efforts invested in the Mission’s operation under challenging conditions, wishing her success in her upcoming assignment.

She reaffirmed Serbia’s ongoing readiness to cooperate, emphasizing the Serbian Government’s firm support for the continued engagement of UNMIK within its current mandate, both in terms of scope and budget.

Jovanovic reiterated Serbia’s strong commitment to the continuation of regular UN Security Council sessions on UNMIK, maintaining the existing frequency and in an open format.

Serbia welcomes Joint Declaration of Armenia and Azerbaijan (Kosovo Online)

Serbia welcomes the Joint Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed in Washington under the auspices of the United States of America, and commends the constructive engagement of both parties, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The Ministry further highlighted the very important role of the U.S. President Donald Trump in facilitating this achievement.

“The Joint Declaration represents an important step toward establishing lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the South Caucasus. The Republic of Serbia will continue to advocate for the promotion of peaceful dialogue, regional connectivity, and the enhancement of cooperation among all countries, based on mutual respect and full adherence to international law and order,” the statement reads.