Albanian Language Media:

• EU hopes for progress in Serb integration after Kosovo elections (RFE)
• Kurti: 2024 is the year of our passport (media)
• Kurti and Osmani welcome launch of Starlink services in Kosovo (media)
• Albin Kurti called again for testimony by Special Prosecution (media)
• PM Rama: Kosovo should freeze dialogue with Serbia indefinitely (euronews.al)
• Rohde thanks Kosovo for support after attack in Germany (media)
• Government allocates 100 euro allowances for pensioners and children (media)
• Rasic: SL threatening and removing from work Serbs who support us (media)
• Graffiti with divisive content in North Mitrovica, case under investigation (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on the Jarinje-Mitrovica road reconstruction: We will pay everything; the Americans to solve the political problems (KoSSev)
• Ninic: Serbia gave something, surrendered something, but got nothing in return (KiM radio)
• Party in the wigwam, from the south Mitrovica say: First holiday square in the North since '99 (KoSSev)
• Kosovo Police Director responds to criticism over security lapses and ethnic issues (KoSSev)
• Milicevic: We face a turbulent election campaign, evident decline in support for Self-Determination (Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic: The EU should not remain silent on Rama's statements (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

International Media: 

• Thousands stream into Belgrade square to protest against populist Serbian president (abc.go.com)
• Tens of thousands of Serbs protest against President Aleksandar Vucic (euronews.com)
• Student blockades roil Serbia as teaching unions back young protesters (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media 

EU hopes for progress in Serb integration after Kosovo elections (RFE)

The parliamentary elections in Kosovo, which will be held on February 9, 2025, are seen by European Union diplomats dealing with the region as an opportunity to normalize the situation in the north and to restore the trust of Serbs from that part of Kosovo in the Kosovo authorities. According to Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) sources, the EU has always been concerned about the problems in this part of Kosovo, from security to the fact that among Serbs in the north, even in the past, there have been no proper conditions to vote completely freely and have the opportunity for pluralistic elections, as in other parts of Kosovo.

In past election cycles, internal EU reports have often mentioned that in the north there has been intimidation and pressure against candidates who did not enjoy the support of Belgrade and the Serbian List. Likewise, there has been no open and equal campaign, while the Serbian-language media have also been under pressure.

The EU was particularly concerned about the situation with the representation of Serbs after their organized resignation from Kosovo institutions in November 2022 and the boycott of local elections in April 2023.

RFE interlocutors said that Serbia – despite claims that the boycott was the choice of the Serbs of northern Kosovo themselves – played the main role in the resignation of Serbs from Kosovo institutions at that time. And this boycott continues today. Since 2022, the European Union has consistently stated in its reports on Kosovo and Serbia that the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from the institutions “represents a violation by Serbia of its obligations under the dialogue and represents a serious setback in respecting the April 2013 Agreement.”

“Although we have clearly and consistently expressed our dissatisfaction with the unilateral steps taken by the Kosovo authorities, we have also not hesitated to reprimand Serbia for the major blow that has been dealt to the normalization of the situation and the dialogue process as a whole by the withdrawal of Serbs from the institutions in the north,” an EU diplomat told RFE.

EU diplomats hope that the beginning of next year will bring a more positive atmosphere in northern Kosovo and a more constructive attitude, both by Kosovo and Serbia, in the dialogue process. Diplomats also link this to the lack of progress by Serbia, but also by Kosovo, in the EU integration process.

Kurti: 2024 is the year of our passport (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has praised the great improvements that the Kosovo passport has made in 2024. According to him, the Kosovo passport ranks higher than ever before in international indexes and is among the 10 passports that have made the greatest improvement over the last decade. "With it, today we can travel to 38 countries around the world more than last year," Kurti wrote, stressing that Kosovo people can now move freely and without discrimination, without the need to wait for visas at embassies for short-term trips.

He also mentioned the importance of visa liberalization and the recognition of the Kosovo passport by countries that have not yet recognized its independence. "With these advances, we are bringing Kosovo closer to Europe and beyond," Kurti wrote on Facebook.

Kurti and Osmani welcome launch of Starlink services in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has welcomed the news of the launch of quality internet services in Kosovo, by Elon Musk's Starlink company. Kurti wrote in a Facebook post that this is an important step in advancing digital infrastructure.

"After issuing the authorization from the Regulatory Authority for Electronic and Postal Communications, Starlink has started satellite internet access services in Kosovo as well. This is an important step in advancing digital infrastructure in the country and offers numerous opportunities for internet access in every location and corner of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo," Kurti wrote. He further stated that Starlink has proven extremely important in enabling critical communication during natural disasters or other cases of national emergencies.

“Welcome to Kosovo” was the comment of the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani on the Starlink news.

Albin Kurti called again for testimony by Special Prosecution (media)

The Special Prosecutor's Office has again invited Prime Minister Albin Kurti as a witness. The news was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Government, Peparim Kryeziu. This is the second invitation that the Prosecution has forwarded to Kurti's address. "The prime minister's office has responded to this invitation by reiterating the prime minister's willingness to welcome the prosecutors to his office for an interview. For this we have proposed three meeting times. One for today, and two other schedules for next week", said Kryeziu.

He said that they expect positive answers "since according to practice this would not be the first time that a prime minister is interviewed inside his office, and we welcome them to the prime minister". At the beginning of this week, Kurti did not appear at the Special Prosecutor's Office to be interviewed as a witness, on the grounds that he is abroad.

PM Rama: Kosovo should freeze dialogue with Serbia indefinitely (euronews.al)

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama said in the speech held in the joint session between the two Assemblies, that Kosovo should freeze the bilateral dialogue with Serbia without a deadline. According to him, Kosovo should now break away from the way it has dialogued with Serbia so far, and aim for the dialogue through the European Union. He said that Kosovo must give the European Union proof of its belonging to the European Union, and to do this, according to him, it must fulfill the conditions for the normalization of relations with Serbia.

"Let me share here with you today my opinion, now more consolidated on this journey, where I have seen and learned a lot from the relationships with friends, with our allies and with our non-sympathizers, that at this crucial stage in its journey of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Kosovo should immediately freeze the bilateral dialogue with Serbia and the normalization of relations with the northern neighbor, it should aim for it through the bilateral dialogue with the European Union.

By severing the umbilical cord of nationalist reciprocity with Serbia and tying the umbilical cord of European reciprocity with the European Union. In other words, Kosovo can give the European family and the North Atlantic Alliance in a very short time the indisputable proof of its will and belonging to the united Europe and NATO by fulfilling all the conditions for normalization of relations with Serbia, not for the sake of Serbia, but for the sake of the martyrs and their children and for the sake of our national unity in the family of European nations with a common capital in Brussels", said Rama.

Rohde thanks Kosovo for support after attack in Germany (media)

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has thanked all Kosovars for the messages of solidarity in the last two days, after the event that took place on Friday in Magdeburg, Germany, where a car drove at speed into a Christmas market and crashed into a crowd. “I want to thank all Kosovars for the messages of solidarity in the last two days. Deep pain for the events in Magdeburg, but also gratitude for the important moments yesterday at our concert in Gjakova, reminding us of what really matters: Love and peace, not hatred and violence,” said Rohde.

Government allocates 100 euro allowances for pensioners and children (media)

The Kosovo government has decided to allocate a one-time 100 euro allowance for pensioners and all children up to 16 years of age. The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, in a press conference together with the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said that these allowances are being allocated after good economic performance.

However, the opposition political parties saw this as allocation of Kosovo funds for Kurti’s election campaign. 

Rasic: SL threatening and removing from work Serbs who support us (media)

Kosovo’s Minister for Communities and Returns, Nenad Rasic, said in an interview with TV Dukagjini that Kosovo Serbs who support his party are being threatened by the Serbian List with expulsion from work, their cars are being demolished and are even receiving threatening letters. He said the spouse of his deputy who worked in the public sector in the north of Kosovo was fired from work. “Another case happened two nights ago when an official in Ranillug had parked her car and upon returning she found her car in a ditch and a message ‘you are making a mistake, you are in the wrong place and next time you will be in the car too,” he said.

Rasic said that his son who studies in Serbia gets stopped for at least four hours when he crosses into Serbia from Kosovo. 

Graffiti with divisive content in North Mitrovica, case under investigation (RTK)

An incident was reported on "Nemanjina" street in North Mitrovica, where graffiti with divisive symbols were observed on the walls of a museum. According to a complaint from a Kosovar citizen, four "S" symbols in the Cyrillic alphabet were found written in black on the outer wall of the museum and inside the building. The authorities immediately notified the prosecutor, while the case is being investigated as incitement to division and intolerance.

The police have launched investigations to identify the perpetrators of this action.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic on the Jarinje-Mitrovica road reconstruction: We will pay everything; the Americans to solve the political problems (KoSSev)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, again announced the reconstruction of the Jarinje-Mitrovica road, but also emphasized that such a thing requires the help of the Americans, that is, solving political problems, reported KoSSev.

Yesterday Vucic took a bus ride with his closest associates, ministers, and the American ambassador, along the new section of the Krusevac-Trstenik-Vrnjacka Banja highway. He spoke to the media about the construction of this and other sections, boasting about the government's successes and the fact that ''no one in Europe'' builds more highways than Serbia. He also announced new projects.

He again touched on the long-promised reconstruction of the Jarinje-Mitrovica road section. However, he underlined that the help of the USA was necessary for this.

"Our idea is to talk with the Americans there and help us so that we can also go towards Jarinje, and later to the Kosovska Mitrovica. Let them solve these political problems, and we will pay and do everything for our people in Kosovo and Metohija," said Vucic. 

Recently he also announced the reconstruction of the road from Jarinje to the northern part of Mitrovica, stating that for the realization of the project it was necessary to talk with the Americans, but also that the authorities in Pristina "do not interfere".

Vucic was announcing the reconstruction of the road and in the past. He said in March 2021 that the works would start in a month at the latest, which did not happen, recalled KoSSev.

Ninic: Serbia gave something, surrendered something, but got nothing in return (KiM radio)

With the set of agreements, Kosovo received the prerogatives of statehood, lawyer Ivan Ninic said, and pointed out that Serbia gave and handed over something but received nothing in return, reported KiM radio.

Ninic, in a series of interviews with Kosinus and in a statement to FoNet agency, reminded that it was a matter of a series of agreements that were concluded after the Brussels Agreement of 2013, noting that some are transparent and some are not, reported KiM. 

According to his belief, "the last word will be given by the great powers within the framework of some dialogue behind closed doors and we will only be told what the decisions of the great powers are, and that it will be implemented by the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina".

For Ninic, the dilemma of the European Union (EU) or Kosovo does not exist, because he believes that it was ''artificial from the beginning".

He predicted that "Serbia and Kosovo will experience integration at some point, if we are ready for admission to the EU."

On the formation of the A/CSM, Ninic asked the question, what is it, a hunting association, a folklore association, or a cultural and artistic society? According to his assessment, "it is a colorful lie and some minimum that the government in Belgrade would present as a victory, and the government in Pristina as a defeat."

Asked about the possible membership of Kosovo in the UN, Ninic replied that it was not currently a topic, and that Kosovo does not meet the requirements for admission to the UN.

An international conference was not an option for the solution of the Kosovo issue, because no one was offering it, opined Ninic. He believed, among other things, that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was not conducted but simulated.

Party in the wigwam, from the south Mitrovica say: First holiday square in the North since '99 (KoSSev)

KoSSev reported that near the main bridge in the northern part of Mitrovica, near the end of the promenade, four wooden wigwams have been set up, where New Year's trinkets, such as coffee and juice, will be sold for the next month. On Saturday, the organizer officially opened this installation, bringing, as announced, a DJ.

Apart from the music blaring in the immediate vicinity of the apartments, about 30 people gathered around the glittering wigwams. Lights and telephones with which several of them enthusiastically took photos of this scene. There were at least twenty members of the KP in the immediate vicinity, described KoSSev, adding that the part of the promenade was decorated with New Year's decorations, concentrated in the circle where there are bars opened this summer, which were promoted by the Kosovo authorities, central and local.

Pages on social networks from South Mitrovica that promote the policy of the Kosovo government, primarily in the North, have the message: "Holiday square opened in the North 25 years after the war."

Asim Azemi, introduced himself to KoSSev as a resident of North Mitrovica and the organizer. He claimed he had set up the kiosks for four businesses that will offer services for the whole month, for the New Year, "like everywhere else in the world." Azemi also invited businesses from the North to:

"They take the kiosk for rent. Feel free to come, contact me, I am the organizer here," he said.

The question that arises at the end: What happened to the ornate decorations with which the Provisional Authority of the now taken over municipal building of Kosovska Mitrovica decorated this very promenade for years?

The flag of Serbia, which these authorities have been putting up for years along with Serbian List, is known where it is: The last bits of worn flags hang from the wires above the promenade, and over them are the decorations of the new authorities.

Kosovo Police Director responds to criticism over security lapses and ethnic issues (KoSSev)

During a conference in North Mitrovica on friday, Kosovo Police Chief Gazmend Hoxha rejected demands for his resignation while addressing sharp criticism over recent security breaches, ethnic representation in the police force, and the deployment of special units in northern Kosovo. The meeting was attended by KFOR, EULEX representatives, and local officials.

Arsenijevic calls for KP Director’s resignation; Hoxha: “I take pride in my work”

Aleksandar Arsenijevic, leader of the Serbian Democracy party, issued a scathing critique of Kosovo’s security apparatus. 

Referring to the recent incident at the Ibar-Lepenac canal, Arsenijevic challenged Kosovo Police Director Gazmend Hoxha to explain the breach: “How is it possible for someone to bring 20 kilograms of explosives into a region controlled by Pristina, where not even a needle can fall unnoticed?” 

He further demanded Hoxha’s resignation, accusing him of negligence and Kosovo police of fostering an environment of ethnonationalism within this institution.

Hoxha refused to step down, asserting his dedication to his role and dismissing the calls for his resignation:

“I take pride in my work. I will resign only if I lose the trust of my superiors and the citizens of Kosovo.”

He argued that similar incidents occur in countries across the globe, such as the US and Serbia, emphasizing that the challenges faced by Kosovo are not unique.

Ethnic Composition of Police Units

Arsenijevic’s criticism extended to the ethnic makeup of police forces in Northern Kosovo. He highlighted the lack of Serbian officers in special police units stationed in the region:

“When will special units with Serbian members be stationed in the North? Are you working on training such units to replace the monoethnic ones in seven police bases?”

He also pointed out that the annual report presented at the conference was only in Albanian, excluding the region’s Serbian-speaking population.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/6p37f6ve

Measures Will Be Taken Against Deviant Police Behavior, Task Force Investigating NGO Reports

“Don’t think we’re trying to justify the behavior of our officers; we want to regulate this better. We aim to minimize the misuse of uniforms and symbols, as it causes significant damage to the Kosovo Police,” said Hoxha.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/5xv6mvnk

Milicevic: We face a turbulent election campaign, evident decline in support for Self-Determination (Kosovo Online)

Miodrag Milicevic, Executive Director of the NGO "Aktiv," anticipates a turbulent election campaign in Kosovo, marked by sharp tones, due to the declining popularity of Self-Determination, which gives other parties, like the Democratic League of Kosovo, a chance to shine. At the same time, he observes a level of pluralism among the Serbian parties participating in the February elections that has "always been missing in the Serbian community."

"It is clear that we are facing a quite turbulent period in terms of the campaign. However, it is also clear that the campaign will actually be focused towards their own voters and the electorate, generally both Albanian and Serbian parties," Milicevic told Kosovo Online. This way, he says, it will be possible to send key messages, but he also warns to expect very sharp tones that could at times provoke a nationalist charge.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3fv8jup6

Mijacic: The EU should not remain silent on Rama's statements (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

The Coordinator of the Working Group of the National Convention on the EU for Chapter 35, Dragisa Mijacic, stated that the EU must respond to statements made by Edi Rama in the Kosovo Parliament, where he had suggested that Pristina should freeze the dialogue with Serbia and pressure the Specialist Chambers to release KLA leaders.

"Just days after being rewarded by the European Council with the prompt opening of Cluster 6, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave a speech in the Kosovo Parliament, advising them to freeze dialogue with the Republic of Serbia and to pressure the Specialist Chambers to free KLA leaders who are on trial for war crimes," Mijacic wrote on the social network 'X.'

He added that the EU should not remain silent on Rama's statements.

"The European Parliament Rapporteurs for Kosovo, Riho Terras, and Albania, Andreas Schieder, should not remain silent on Edi Rama’s speech, which opposes not only multi-ethnicity and reconciliation in Kosovo but also EU values. A reaction from the US Embassy in Kosovo is both expected and necessary," Mijacic concluded.

International Media

Thousands stream into Belgrade square to protest against populist Serbian president (abc.go.com)

Tens of thousands streamed into a central square in Serbia's capital on Sunday for a big rally against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students.

The rally at Belgrade's Slavija Square, one of the largest in recent years, was called by students and farmer unions. It was part of a wider movement demanding accountability over the Nov. 1 collapse of a canopy at a railway station in the country's north that killed 15 people.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ycyct886

Tens of thousands of Serbs protest against President Aleksandar Vucic (euronews.com)

Students and farmer unions organised the rally against President Aleksandar Vucic at a central square in Serbia's capital Belgrade on Sunday.

His tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students and the rally at Belgrade's Slavija Square was one of the largest in recent years. It was part of a wider movement demanding accountability over the Nov. 1 collapse of a canopy at a railway station in the country's north that killed 15 people.

Smaller rallies were also held in the cities of Nis and Kragujevac. The rally in Belgrade started with a 15-minute silence for the victims, and later chants of “You have blood on your hands!” were heard.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/47w42pyx

Student blockades roil Serbia as teaching unions back young protesters (BIRN)

As Serbian students continued blockading faculty buildings in protests initially sparked by last month's Novi Sad railway station disaster, school pupils as well as teachers, education unions and media associations backed them.

At 11.52 a.m. on Friday, the time when an outdoor canopy at the rail station in Novi Sad collapsed seven weeks ago and killed 15 people, college students and high-school pupils blocked streets and intersections – the latest in a series of protests that have continued since the disaster.

Protesters are demanding official accountability for the infrastructure collapse, which came after a high-profile renovation of the station, and the release of people arrested at protests held after that.

Teachers from four education unions went on strike in support of the students on Friday. Unions said they had suspended work as “a sign of solidarity and support to students in the fight for a better and fairer society”. They plan to partially strike for the last working week before the winter break, taking short classes of only 30 minutes.

The Union of Belgrade Gymnasiums Employees, which represents workers at various secondary schools, announced that only one gymnasium in the capital was not blockaded on Friday, while teachers were on strike at all the other 20. 

At the Philological Gymnasium, 60 teachers suspended classes. About the same number of teachers suspended classes at the First Belgrade Gymnasium. Teaching at all other city gymnasiums was completely suspended.

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