UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 4, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
- Kurti asks Kallas for full investigation on massacre in Mitrovica in 2000 (media)
- Kallas: Full normalization, only way for Kosovo and Serbia to join EU (media)
- Grenell: Kurti’s rhetoric about being close to the U.S. is absolutely false (media)
- 18-member delegation of PACE to observe parliamentary elections (media)
- ECAP fines Vetevendosje with €35,000 after several complaints by PDK (media)
- Jablanovic: Serbian List will lose in the February 9 elections (media)
- Police finds a rocket launcher while patrolling in Zubin Potok area (media)
Serbian Language Media:
- Djuric: EU membership in Serbia’s interest, dialogue with Pristina slowed down due to unilateral actions of other side (Kosovo Online)
- Grenell: Kurti’s claims that he is close to US are absolutely false (Kosovo Online, media, social media)
- Young man from Zvecan placed under house arrest over alleged threats to high Kosovo official (KoSSev, media)
- Hearing in case of Kostic and Milovic postponed as witnesses did not show up (Radio KIM)
- 18-member PACE delegation to arrive in Kosovo ahead of elections (KoSSev)
- Prosecutors launch investigation into corruption at train station (N1)
- Djuric congratulates new Belgian FM on taking office (Tanjug, social media)
International Media:
- Opposition parties highlight importance of essential medicinal products list (PI)
- Marco Rubio taking over as acting head of USAID amid agency turmoil (The Hill)
- USAID headquarters in Washington are blocked after Musk says Trump agrees to close the aid agency (AP)
Albanian Language Media
Kurti asks Kallas for full investigation on Mitrovica massacre in 2000 (media)
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a Facebook post on Monday that on the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of the night between 3 and 4 February 2000 in the north of Mitrovica, we commemorate the victims of that night of horror. “In that coordinated attack by Serbian armed groups, 10 Albanian citizens were killed, including children, women and the elderly, and 25 others were injured. 1.664 Albanian families, about 12,000 citizens of Mitrovica, were violently expelled from their homes. After a quarter of a century, some of the expatriates are returning to their homes. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is committed to ensuring that all those who wish return safely and to their reconstructed homes. But many have not yet returned, while the perpetrators of these serious crimes have not yet faced justice. With the letter addressed to the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Mrs. Kaja Kallas, we demand a full and comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for these crimes. Justice for victims and their families is a moral obligation and a necessary step towards lasting peace in the Republic of Kosovo and our region,” Kurti wrote.
Kallas: Full normalization, only way for Kosovo and Serbia to join EU (media)
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said in a post on X that she warmly welcomes Peter Sorensen as the EU special representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. “There is important work ahead of us. Full normalisation of relations is only way for Kosovo and Serbia to join the EU. Thank you for your efforts Miroslv Lajcak! Work done serves as basis to reengagement,” Kallas said.
Grenell: Kurti’s rhetoric about being close to the U.S. is absolutely false (media)
Most news websites in Kosovo covered on Monday a post on X by U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, slamming Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Grenell wrote in the post: “I have many friends in Kosovo and Albania…and many friends in Serbia and throughout the region. The Trump Administration has worked and will continue to work towards peace for everyone in the Balkans. But we need trustworthy partners. The Kurti Government was not trustworthy during Trump’s first term, nor during Biden’s term. Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized Kurti consistently for taking unilateral actions that destabilize the region. So has the EU and NATO. The international community is united against Kurti. U.S. companies are expanding in Albania and Serbia but not expanding into Kosovo because of Kurti. Kurti has also been against every U.S. idea offered by Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden, and Trump. The rhetoric used by Kurti now, claiming that he is close to the U.S. and better than all other Kosovo governments, is absolutely false. Don’t be fooled”.
18-member delegation of PACE to observe parliamentary elections (media)
Several news websites reported on Monday that a 18-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), headed by Petra Bayr (Austria, SOC), will travel to Kosovo from 7 to 10 February to observe the elections to the Assembly of Kosovo on 9 February. “The delegation is due to meet leaders and representatives of the main political parties, the Chairperson and members of the Central Election Commission, the Chief Observer of the EU Election observation mission and its Core Team, the Independent Media Commission, as well as representatives of the media and civil society, before observing the ballot on 9 February. A representative of the Venice Commission – the Council of Europe's group of independent legal experts – will provide legal advice during the Assembly’s election observation mission,” the statement notes.
ECAP fines Vetevendosje with €35,000 after several complaints by PDK (media)
Most news websites reported on Monday that Kosovo’s Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has fined the Vetevendosje Movement with €35,000 after several complaints filed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). The latter had claimed that during a rally held in Skenderaj on January 27, Vetevendosje supporters had raised three fingers, “a gesture which in the last year has taken a nationalistic tone because it was used by Serbian paramilitary forces in the Balkans wars”. The complaints also referred to the hate speech used in the Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s addresses, insults against the PDK supporters in Skenderaj and attacks against Sami Lushtaku.
Jablanovic: Serbian List will lose in the February 9 elections (media)
Aleksandar Jablanovic, leader of the Party of Kosovo Serbs, said on Monday that the Serbian List will lose the February 9 elections in Serb-inhabited municipalities in Kosovo. “The Serbian List has the force and capacity to win only when it fully controls the election councils. This is why they are not satisfied now, and they are scared … Now they cannot control the councils and will therefore lose the February 9 elections. They will win five or six seats the most. But what are they going to do with those five or six seats? Nothing,” he said.
According to Jablanovic Serbs in the north of Kosovo are not satisfied with the role of the Serbian List so far.
Police finds a rocket launcher while patrolling in Zubin Potok area (media)
The Kosovo Police found a rocket launcher during a patrol in the area of Zubin Potok in the northern part of Kosovo. Kosovo Police Deputy Commander for the north, Veton Elshani, confirmed that the rocket launcher was found during an operation related to smuggling. He also said that no arrests have been made so far and that the weapon was found “very close to the border with Serbia”.
Serbian Language Media
Djuric: EU membership in Serbia’s interest, dialogue with Pristina slowed down due to unilateral actions of other side (Kosovo Online)
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric began his two-day visit to the Netherlands by participating in a roundtable discussion at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague with main topics including Serbia’s EU membership and European security. Djuric reiterated that full EU membership remains Serbia’s key strategic priority, and noted that Belgrade-Pristina dialogue has slowed down over the recent years due to Pristina’s unilateral actions, Kosovo Online portal reported.
“In recent years, Serbia was focused on strengthening its economic development, building infrastructure, and enhancing relations with foreign partners, primarily with the EU. For this reason, the Government has made full EU membership its key strategic priority”, MFA statement quoted Djuric as saying.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/lLRdZ
Grenell: Kurti’s claims that he is close to US are absolutely false (Kosovo Online, media, social media)
US President Donald Trump’s Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell in a post on X social platform said Trump’s administration needs trustworthy partners in the Balkans, pointing out that Albin Kurti-led government was not trustworthy either during the Trump’s first mandate nor during the mandate of Joe Biden, Kosovo Online portal reported.
“I have many friends in Kosovo and Albania…and many friends in Serbia and throughout the region. The Trump Administration has worked and will continue to work towards peace for everyone in the Balkans. But we need trustworthy partners.
The Kurti Government was not trustworthy during Trump’s first term, nor during Biden’s term. Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized Kurti consistently for taking unilateral actions that destabilize the region. So has the EU and NATO. The international community is united against Kurti. U.S. companies are expanding in Albania and Serbia but not expanding into Kosovo because of Kurti. Kurti has also been against every U.S. idea offered by Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden, and Trump. The rhetoric used by Kurti now, claiming that he is close to the U.S. and better than all other Kosovo governments, is absolutely false. Don’t be fooled”, Grenell wrote in a post on X.
Young man from Zvecan placed under house arrest over alleged threats to high Kosovo official (KoSSev, media)
Young Serb man, M.R., from Zvecan accused of allegedly committing a criminal act of “threat” against a high Kosovo official, has been placed under house arrest for the duration of one month. This information has been confirmed to the KoSSev portal by the defence lawyer of the young man, Jelena Krivokapic.
A 20-year old man from Zvecan was arrested on January 10, after he allegedly threatened Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on social media. As Kosovo police said back then he was sharing posts on social media “threatening with violence”, allegedly on behalf of “Northern Bridge” a high Kosovo official. Following his interrogation, a house search was carried out and police found a hunting gun there. As the father of the young man explained to the KoSSev portal he was the owner of the hunting gun, and not his son. One day after his arrest, M.R. was sent to one-month detention, with his lawyer announcing appeal. Yesterday, after almost a month since arrest, the detention measure was commuted to house arrest.
Hearing in case of Kostic and Milovic postponed as witnesses did not show up (Radio KIM)
The hearing in the case of Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic, accused of allegedly committing war crimes against civilian population in Vucitrn has been postponed as the four witnesses did not show up, Radio KIM reported.
Lawyer of Zoran Kostic, Predrag Miljkovic said it was not about one witness not showing up only, but four of them. These are affected parties who made serious accusations against defendants, he added. Miljkovic also said he hopes the witnesses had good reasons for not showing up, recalling that his client and another person suspected in this case had been in detention too long already.
“They made at least two statements each for the prosecution over the previous year and a half. Some of them had made statements in the period from 2000 to 2001 as it was said in the case files. I am very much interested to hear their testimonies now, and what they will say as they have voiced quite serious accusations in their statements to the prosecution”, Miljkovic said.
Dragan Milovic and Zoran Kostic were arrested on September 20, 2023. Indictment against them was raised in May last year. Ilija Elezovic was also among defendants in this case. He suffered from terminal illness and there were attempts to release him from prison, pending trial. He was released after one-month detention and died in February 2024.
18-member PACE delegation to arrive in Kosovo ahead of elections (KoSSev)
An 18-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) headed by Petra Bayr from Austria, will stay in Kosovo from February 7 to February 10 in order to observe parliamentary elections on February 9, KoSSev portal reported.
The observers deployed in nine teams will be independent and impartial and will work with local election officials, candidates, political parties, representatives of the civil society and the media, PACE said in a statement.
Prosecutors launch investigation into corruption at train station (N1)
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad announced that the Special Department for Combating Corruption has initiated an investigation into corruption related to the reconstruction of the canopy at the Novi Sad train station, N1 reported.
The statement further noted that the case is currently in the pre-investigation phase, and that releasing additional information could hinder or jeopardize the progress of the investigation. “The public will be promptly informed about any procedural decisions”, the Office said.
Additionally, it was noted that criminal proceedings have been initiated against thirteen individuals in connection with the collapse of the canopy, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people and serious injuries of two more persons.
Djuric congratulates new Belgian FM on taking office (Tanjug, social media)
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric on Monday congratulated new Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on taking office, Tanjug news agency reported.
"Sincere congratulations to Maxime Prevot on taking the helm of the Belgian MFA! Wishing you great success in your new position, and hoping to further intensify Serbia-Belgium political dialogue and continue the strong cooperation between our Ministries", Djuric wrote in a post on X.
International Media
Opposition parties highlight importance of essential medicinal products list (PI)
Kosovo opposition parties have pledged to make substantial reforms in the healthcare system if they win the February 9 parliamentary elections, with emphasis on the expansion of the list of essential medicinal products, also considering adding hormone therapy for the LGBTI+ community.
Healthcare is one of the most poorly governed sectors in Kosovo. Ahead of the February 9 parliamentary elections, opposition parties are promising ambitious healthcare reforms as they seek to expand their support. Some of the promised changes include public health insurance, salary increases for healthcare workers, digitalisation of healthcare systems, and the expediting of surgeries waitlist.
Opposition parties also did not rule out the possibility of including hormone therapy in the list of essential medicinal products, a request made by the LGBTQ+ community.
Kosovo lacks a digital health management system, hospitals are outdated, cleanliness standards are inadequate, and renovation efforts have largely been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, medical students face long waits for employment opportunities, despite a shortage of doctors.
The ruling party, Vetëvendosje Movement, did not participate in the BIRN and Internews Kosova-moderated debates on plans for reforms in the healthcare system despite twenty non-governmental organisations strongly condemning the party’s decision to boycott these debates ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/DD34Y
Marco Rubio taking over as acting head of USAID amid agency turmoil (The Hill)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is being put in charge of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as the Trump administration mulls the future of the agency.
Rubio told reporters traveling with him in El Salvador that he had been made acting director of USAID, which has for decades administered humanitarian and development assistance around the world.
“There are a lot of functions of USAID that are going to continue, that are going to be part of American foreign policy, but it has to be aligned with American foreign policy,” Rubio said.
It’s unclear whether the move will face legal challenges. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said late last week that any effort to dissolve USAID would be “illegal and against our national interests.”
President Trump dismissed the suggestion on Monday that it would require an act of Congress to do away with USAID.
“I don’t think so. Not when it comes to fraud. If there’s fraud. Those people are lunatics. And, if it comes to fraud you wouldn’t have an act of Congress, and I’m not sure you would anyway,” Trump said.
Trump told reporters Sunday that USAID had been run “by radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out, and then we’ll make a decision.” The president previously signed an executive order freezing foreign assistance.
USAID’s website was taken offline in recent days, and hundreds of contractors have been laid off amid uncertainty about the agency’s future.
Elon Musk, a top Trump ally who has been tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, has for days been railing against USAID on social media; on Monday, he called the agency “a radical-left political psy op.”
Democrats and former diplomats have been warning against dismantling USAID. Those officials have pointed to the lifesaving assistance the agency helps provide around the world, and how that aid boosts America’s position on the global stage.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/PK23A
USAID headquarters in Washington are blocked after Musk says Trump agrees to close the aid agency (AP)
Staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters, and yellow police tape and officers blocked the agency’s lobby on Monday, after billionaire Elon Musk announced President Donald Trump had agreed with him to shut the agency.
USAID staffers also said more than 600 additional employees had reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight. Those still in the system received emails saying that “at the direction of Agency leadership” the headquarters building “will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, Feb. 3.” The agency’s website vanished Saturday without explanation.
The fast-moving developments come after thousands of USAID employees already have been laid off and programs shut down in the two weeks since President Donald Trump took office and show the extraordinary power of Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, in the Trump administration. Musk announced closing of the agency early Monday, as Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, was out of the country on a trip to Central America.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/pYddB