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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 27, 2025

Albanian Language Media: 

  • Osmani discusses formation of presidential commission on transitional justice (media)

  • Osmani congratulates KRCT and Rushiti on Nobel Peace Prize nomination (media)

  • Osmani to attend Auschwitz memorial ceremony (media)

  • In his last week as envoy, Lajcak says he is focused on final reports (Reporteri)

  • No new date for meeting of commission on missing persons (RTK)

  • ECAP fines political parties for violations during the campaign (media)

  • CEC: Over 400 people will be engaged for voting in diplomatic missions (RTK)

  • DiA on campaign,: VV used the most inciting and hateful language (EO)

  • Serb parties in Kosovo report incidents, claim they are "political attacks" (media)

Serbian Language Media:

  • Molotov cocktails thrown at election commission vehicle in Ranilug, Kosovo (KoSSev, N1, Danas)

  • The SNP condemned the attack on the vehicle of a member of the MEC in Ranilug, and called on the SL to act according to the attack on them (KoSSev)

  • Serbian Democracy and the Party of Kosovo Serbs fined 3,500 euros each (KiM radio)

  • 15 minutes of silence: Students in North Mitrovica to honor Novi Sad tragedy victims (KoSSev, KIM radio)

  • Campaign and the CSM: Will positions remain the same after the elections? (Kosovo Online)

  • Djuric for Berliner Zeitung: Trump's new term an opportunity to revitalize Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue (Kosovo Online)

  • Grenell on Serbia protest: We do not support those who forcefully take over government buildings (VoA, N1)

  • Opposition politician reacts to Grenell’s X post on Serbia protests, calls it “shameful” (N1, Danas)

International Media:

  • New Luxury Hotel in Serbia Will Be a Trump-Kushner Joint Project (The New York Times) 

 

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani discusses formation of presidential commission on transitional justice (media) 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Friday with heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations in Kosovo that work in the area of justice, and discussed preparations for the establishment of the Presidential Commission on Transitional Justice. “The initiative for the establishment of this Commission stems from the Transitional Justice Strategy of the Republic of Kosovo. President Osmani expressed gratitude for the support and commitment of those present to this process and announced that in the coming weeks, meetings will continue with other representatives of organizations representing victims, civil society and the international community, to finalize the commencement of the engagement of this commission as soon as possible,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes. 

Osmani congratulates KRCT and Rushiti on Nobel Peace Prize nomination (media) 

The Office of the President of Kosovo congratulated the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims and its head Feride Rushiti for being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. “The KRCT has been continuously supported by the Office of the President of Kosovo and over the years has been among the main partners in organizing the International Forum on Women, Peace and Security and in advancing this agenda in Kosovo. This organization has not only contributed to the rehabilitation process of survivors of sexual violence during the recent war in Kosovo but has also played a key role in building policies that support the betterment of the well-being and status of this category within our society. KRCT, in addition to its contribution within Kosovo, is recognized as one of the organizations that assist survivors of sexual violence during war and conflict in various countries around the world, thus sharing Kosovo’s experience in building support mechanisms for survivors of sexual violence during war. Special gratitude also goes to the Swedish MP, Magnus Jacobsson, who submitted the proposal to the Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Committee. Additionaly, he was personally involved in events that included the topic of sexual violence during war and conflict, such as the International Forum on Women, Peace and Security,” the statement notes. 

Osmani to attend Auschwitz memorial ceremony (media) 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has traveled to Poland to participate, alongside world leaders, in the memorial ceremony of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz. During the ceremony, in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, the touching stories of two survivors of the Auschwitz camp will be shared with the participants, recalling one of the darkest chapters in human history. 

Auschwitz is a symbol of the Holocaust and the atrocities of World War II. In 2005, the United Nations declared January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to remember the victims and to encourage the world to commit to preventing the repetition of such horrors. 

In his last week as envoy, Lajcak says he is focused on final reports (Reporteri)

In his last week as EU Special Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak said that the coming days will focus on preparing final reports and handover procedures.

“This week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, I had the opportunity to engage with leaders, colleagues and friends on some of the most pressing issues of our time, including geopolitical stability and economic development. After a week of stimulating discussions, it is clear that dialogue is more crucial than ever in today’s world. I also met with leaders from the Balkans and participated in the traditional Diplomacy Dialogue on the region. In my intervention, I highlighted that the EU is serious about enlarging the Union, but it will not happen by default, and urged the region to stay the course. As I start my last week of my almost five years in my current role, the coming days will focus on final briefings and handover procedures," Lajcak wrote on Facebook.

No new date for meeting of commission on missing persons (RTK) 

The Commission on Missing Persons established by the European Union is failing to bring together representatives from Kosovo and Serbia face to face, to give an epilogue to this issue. The first meeting, which was called on the 15th of this month, was boycotted by the Serbian side. And the EU has not yet decided when it will try to convene this commission again. “We have no additional information about the next meeting since Lajcak has to organize such a thing. Based on the terms of reference, the meeting should be held every month. But, as it was seen last time, I doubt that without the intervention of the EU there can be a meeting at the moment”, the chairman of the Governmental Commission on Missing Persons, Andin Hoti, told RTK.

The Council of Families of the Missing has blamed Serbia for non-cooperation. “We know that we are negotiating with an inappropriate state. It is known that it has always been negligent in taking up the issue of the missing. This is a humanitarian issue, but Serbia has introduced it into a political process, which is extremely harmful. Something has been done to say that we are setting dates, but there have been no results,” said Ahmet Grajqevci, chairman of the Council of Families of the Missing. 

It remains unknown whether Lajcak will be able to bring both sides together by January 31, or whether the next meeting could be held under the mediation of the new envoy, Peter Sorensen. 

ECAP fines political parties for violations during the campaign (media) 

The Electoral Panel for Complaints and Submissions has continued with fines against political parties for violations during the election campaign. The ECAP has published on its official website the decisions taken on January 25. 

The Electoral Panel for Complaints and Submissions has fined the Coalition for Families again with €5,000 following a complaint filed by the non-governmental organization “CEL Kosova and Dylberizmi”. 

The ECAP has also fined the Vetevendosje Movement €4,000 due to a video posted on TikTok by its candidate Valon Ramadani. The complaint was filed by the PDK. 

The PDK has also been fined €6,000, in two different cases: €3,000 for a Facebook post by candidate Faruk Bojaxhi in which he used religious objects, and in the second case, €3,000 for placing banners on streets, public spaces and lampposts in Suhareka. 

The ECAP fined the LDK €4,000 for placing banners in public spaces in Suhareka. The Party of Kosovo Serbs was also fined €3,500 for placing banners and posters in public spaces in North Mitrovica. 

CEC: Over 400 people will be engaged for voting in diplomatic missions (RTK) 

The Central Election Commission plans 414 people to be directly engaged in the voting process that will take place in the diplomatic missions of Kosovo on February 8, one day before election day in Kosovo. 

CEC spokesperson, Valmir Elezi, announced that the total number of appointed members also includes 184 reserve members. “Polling Station Councils in a voting center in a diplomatic mission will consist of 5 members, 4 of whom represent parliamentary political entities that have passed the electoral threshold and 1 other is a representative from the diplomatic mission. So, in general, the number of members of the Polling Station Councils that will be engaged on voting day on February 8 is 230 members, of which 184 represent political entities and 46 others diplomatic missions”, Elezi emphasized for RTKlive. According to him, for the first time in the history of Kosovo, voting will be organized in diplomatic missions located in 19 different countries of the world, mainly in Europe, but also in the USA, Canada and distant Australia. 

DiA on campaign,: VV used the most inciting and hateful language (EO) 

Violeta Haxholli from Democracy in Action spoke in a press conference about the two weeks of the election campaign that took place for the February 9 elections, saying that the use of hate speech continues to be worrying. According to DiA, the Vetevendosje Movement leads with the use of hate speech and incitement in activities. "The use of inciting and hateful language by political entities continues, in total in these two weeks we have encountered it in 62 activities or in about 20% of the activities. In relation to the number of activities held, we have encountered the most cases in the activities organized by the Vetevendosje Movement, or in 25% of the activities organized by this party. Furthermore, in 20 percent of LDK, 18 percent of AAK, and 11 percent of PDK activities used inciting and hateful language," Haxholli said. 

Serb parties in Kosovo report incidents, claim they are "political attacks" (media) 

The Serbian List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo supported by Belgrade, announced that on January 25, unknown individuals threw a Molotov cocktail in front of the family home of its activist, Aleksandra Popovic, in Ranilug, a Serb-majority municipality in southeastern Kosovo.  This explosive device, according to the Serbian List, hit the family car of the Popovic family, "completely burning it." 

Earlier, the Serbian People's Movement announced that on January 24, unknown individuals attempted to set fire to one of its billboards in Mogile, near Kllokot, also a Serb-majority municipality in the Gjilan region. This billboard was located opposite the family home of Divna Andrews, a candidate for deputy in the Kosovo Assembly from the Serbian People's Movement. 

The Kosovo Police in the Gjilan region confirmed that both incidents have been reported and that the cases are under investigation.

The Serbian List and the Serbian People's Movement claim that these incidents are "politically motivated attacks."

Serbian Language Media  

Molotov cocktails thrown at election commission vehicle in Ranilug, Kosovo (KoSSev, N1, Danas)

Two Molotov cocktails were thrown Saturday night at the vehicle of Aleksandra Popovic, a member of the municipal election commission in Ranilug, Kosovo.

According to KoSSev, the Serbian List, which confirmed the information, stated that the Molotov cocktails were thrown in front of the house of the Popovic family, and that they hit a car. 

They also claim this was “undoubtedly” a “politically motivated attack, in an attempt to intimidate the members of the election committees of the Serbian List”, with an aim of “distracting them from monitoring and controlling the election”, in order to “favor other parties – the favorites of Pristina”.

Although they said that the vehicle was completely burnt, the pictures they provided show that the damage is mainly on the front part of the car.

Kallxo media outlet reported that the on-duty prosecutor Agron Uka came to the scene and confirmed that two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the vehicle of the election commission member, but also that there is a possibility that the suspect suffered burns.

He added that the fog is hindering the investigation, but that the investigative team continues to search for the perpetrator.

The SNP condemned the attack on the MEC member’s vehicle in Ranilug, and called on the SL to act according to the attack on them (KoSSev)

The Serbian People's Movement (SNP) condemned the attack on the vehicle of Aleksandra Popovic, a member of the Municipal Election Commission (MEC) in Ranilug, who is in front of the Serbian List in this commission. In the statement, they emphasized that the incident was marked as politically motivated and that it represents an attempt to intimidate, at the same time called the Serbian List to determine themselves according to the incident that happened to their party late Friday night. .

"We strongly condemn the burning of Aleksandra Popovic's car in Ranilug and call on the authorities to shed light on all the circumstances under which this event took place," the SNP statement said.

The SNP also pointed out that the Serbian people face great pressures when it comes to freedom of expression, and that such incidents additionally obstruct the minimum democratic process needed for positive changes in society and on the political scene.

At the same time, the party called on the SL to clearly define itself according to the attack, which, we remind you, happened the day before this one, in front of the house of the party's deputy candidate in the neighboring village of Vrbovac/Klokot.

"Your MP and candidate for MP Milan Kostic made claims on social networks that we ourselves organized this attack. That is why we expect you to distance yourself from these nebulous claims or to confirm the words of your MP!", added the SNP.

Late Friday night, unknown persons tried to set fire to the billboard of the Serbian People's Movement in Mogila, near Klokot, which is located near the house of the party's candidate for the upcoming elections. The leaders of the SNP believe that this is an attempt at intimidation, but they say that it was unsuccessful.

Serbian Democracy and the Party of Kosovo Serbs fined 3,500 euros each (KiM radio)

The Self-Determination Movement filed as many as ten complaints against a total of three Serbian political entities - the Serbian List, Serbian Democracy and the Party of Kosovo Serbs.

Self-determination complained about improper placement of pre-election materials. The decisions were made on the basis of three appeals - for one, Serbian Democracy was ordered to pay 3,500 euros, as well as the Party of Kosovo Serbs, while one appeal against Serbian Democracy was rejected - the Electoral Panel for Appeals and Petitions data presented. 

Applications were submitted between January 23 and 24. Self-determination filed four appeals for the municipality of Leposavic. Two against the SL, for placing election materials in public spaces and for placing posters on or across a public street. One against Serbian Democracy - for placing election materials in public spaces.

And one against the Party of Kosovo Serbs for placing posters on public buildings or institutions. However, the PKS states that the posters are from 2017, and that they did not stick any posters at that location.

Self-determination submitted as many as six applications for the municipality of North Mitrovica. Three applications were filed against Serbian Democracy, for placing posters on public buildings or institutions and placing posters on private properties without the owner's permission. Three reports were filed against the Party of Kosovo Serbs, for placing posters on public buildings or institutions.

The Electoral Panel for Appeals and Petitions has so far accepted one appeal of Self-Determination and thus ordered that Serbian Democracy pay a fine of 3,500 euros for placing posters on public buildings or institutions in Kralja Petra Street, North Mitrovica. The same is the case in this municipality with the Party of Kosovo Serbs. They were also ordered to pay 3,500 euros. One complaint against Serbian Democracy was rejected.

Serbian Democracy stated that Self-Determination submitted incomplete complaints and that despite this, they were punished.

"Although Kurti's Self-Determination submitted incomplete complaints, without addresses, the EPAP still fined us 3,500 euros. In the response to the complaint, we asked for complete information, i.e. to provide us with clear addresses so that we can submit the consent of the owners and representatives of the tenants for all facilities. However, the EPAP decided to punish us without further involvement in the case, based on incomplete information," Serbian Democracy announced.

This party previously stated that they consider the complaints to be completely unfounded and aimed at hindering their campaign, and that they filed a complaint against Self-Determination.

Moreover, they claimed that a "large number" of citizens had informed them that, allegedly, plainclothes policemen had taken mass photographs of their posters.

"The police do not work for the parties, they have no duty to inform Self-Determination, or anyone else," said the deputy commander of the KP for the North region, Veton Elshani told KoSSev.

He stated that the officers "take photos of everything and anything” and added that "the police do not deal with the posters themselves", but that this is the job of other authorities - the Central Election Commission.

15 minutes of silence: Students in North Mitrovica to honor Novi Sad tragedy victims (KoSSev, KIM radio)

For the second time in North Mitrovica, and the first time under student organization, a silent gathering titled “15 Minutes of Silence for 15 Victims” will take place tomorrow in front of the Faculty of Philosophy. The event, beginning at 11:52 a.m. and lasting 15 minutes, honors the victims of the tragic collapse of the newly renovated train station canopy in Novi Sad.

The gathering is organized by students of the University of Pristina with a temporary seat in North Mitrovica. This marks the first time students from this university have taken charge of organizing such an event. According to the organizers, they wanted to avoid individual public statements but emphasized their solidarity with peers in central Serbia, who have been protesting for two months over one of the most significant tragedies in the country.

The event was officially reported to the Kosovo Police yestrday, and an invitation has been extended to other people to join in paying tribute to the innocent victims and standing in solidarity with the students.

On Friday, a similar silent tribute for the 15 victims was held at the same location in North Mitrovica. That gathering primarily drew older attendees, with only a handful of students present.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yw589vcs(link is external)

Campaign and the CSM: Will positions remain the same after the elections? (Kosovo Online)

Although some opposition parties during the election campaign express views that the European draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities should be submitted to the Constitutional Court for assessment, it remains to be seen whether these parties, if part of the Kosovo government after February 9, would take such a step, as well as all other necessary steps to allow the CSM to be formed. Analysts believe that it will not be easy for any Albanian party to establish the CSM, nor will there be a real political will to do so.

If he wins the elections on February 9, the president of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo and former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj assures that he will send the draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities to the Constitutional Court for assessment in the first week.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo sends mixed signals regarding the CSM. While MP Dzhavit Haliti believes the draft statute should be sent to the Constitutional Court, the leader of that party, Memli Krasniqi, says that the document is unacceptable because it contradicts the Constitution of Kosovo.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mpnsye7d(link is external)

Djuric for Berliner Zeitung: Trump's new term an opportunity to revitalize Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric stated in an interview with Berliner Zeitung that the new term of U.S. President Donald Trump represents a new opportunity to revive the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, though he does not believe this issue will be a main priority for the American administration in the first few months.

"President Trump's first term led to the revival of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, introducing new ideas focused on promoting economic development and better connectivity. Thus, we see President Trump's second term as a new opportunity to reinvigorate the dialogue process. Realistically, we do not expect this issue to be a main priority in the first few months after the new U.S. administration takes office," Djuric emphasized in the interview.

He stressed that Serbia is ready, when the time comes, to present the dire situation in Kosovo, which is deteriorating daily and includes constant discrimination and harassment of Serbs, as well as violations of their fundamental human rights.

Belgrade remains committed to finding a compromise—a peaceful negotiating solution that will leave both sides equally satisfied and dissatisfied.

Asked about the upcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo, Djuric remarked that they are being held under political circumstances in which Albin Kurti's regime, over the past two and a half years, has done almost everything theoretically possible to undermine the collective political, economic, and social rights of the Serbian community.

"Kurti's regime has deprived the Serbs in Kosovo of their economic livelihood by blocking transfers of money and remittances from central Serbia for hospitals, schools, and basic social services. There have also been dozens of unlawful arrests condemned by both the EU and the USA. Kurti has publicly stated that he does not want to implement the Brussels Agreement, which stipulates the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, despite it being signed by the EU, Belgrade, and Pristina. The list of things Kurti's regime has done to deprive the Serbian community of the basis for life and basic political rights is so long that a special edition of your paper would be needed just to write about it," he explained.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4ay8n39v(link is external)

Grenell on Serbia protest: We do not support those who forcefully take over government buildings (VoA, N1)

Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, shared in a post on X a video from the student protests in Serbia, commenting that it is important to let different voices be heard, but that there is no support for "those who undermine the rule of law or who forcefully take over government buildings."

“It is always important to raise your voice and to be heard. But everyone must condemn violence and stick to peaceful demonstrations. The democratic process must be respected. We do not support those who undermine the rule of law or who forcefully take over government buildings. If you don’t like a law or a leader then work to change it – but don’t resort to violence,” he wrote.

This is the first reaction from the new US administration under president Trump about the protests in Serbia that have been going on for weeks, due to the death of 15 people after the collapse of a part of the roof at the railway station in Novi Sad. The students, who have been blocking the faculties for weeks, are asking for five demands to be met – not one of which include the change of government, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

Opposition politician reacts to Grenell’s X post on Serbia protests, calls it “shameful” (N1, Danas)

Borko Stefanovic, deputy leader of Serbia's opposition Freedom and Justice Party (SSP) commented on the latest statement by US President's envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, on protests in Serbia, calling it shameful and saying that the violence in Serbia is only carried out by the Vucic regime.

Stefanovic reacted to Grenell’s post on X network, in which he stated that the US does not support those who forcefully take over the government buildings.

“You know that only Vucic’s regime carries out violence. You also know that no one forcefully take over the government buildings that house the institutions that Vucic stole from the people a long time ago. You also know that the whole of Serbia rose up against Vucic’s regime, steeped in corruption that kills. That’s why your statement is even more shameful. It is not an American tradition to support the violence and general theft of outgoing dictators. Especially not those for whom the spokeswoman of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says are being toppled in streets by America and the ‘evil West’,” Stefanovic posted on his own X account.

He also told Grenell that “perhaps he is writing all this knowing that when we remove this arrogant, corrupt and dictatorial regime, he will be left without his private deals with people in power”.

“I promise you that you will, and quickly, because changes are coming,” underlined Stefanovic.
 

International Media

New Luxury Hotel in Serbia Will Be a Trump-Kushner Joint Project (The New York Times)

The plan illustrates the continued ambitions of the Trump family to forge new international deals even as President Trump has returned to the White House.

More than a decade after Donald J. Trump first floated the idea of developing a Trump hotel on a government-owned site in Serbia, his family is now close to securing that dream in a complicated deal that also involves a real estate magnate from Abu Dhabi and Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law.

The plan illustrates the continued ambitions of Mr. Trump’s family to forge new international deals, even as he has returned to the White House. It also reflects a diminished focus, compared with that of his first term, on avoiding the appearance of a conflict of interest associated with the overseas projects.

A Trump-branded luxury hotel is slated to rise on the site of the former Yugoslav Ministry of Defense in Belgrade, which was bombed by NATO in 1999 and has been largely vacant since. It is an idea that Mr. Trump initially proposed in 2013, and that Mr. Kushner started to pursue after he left his job as a White House aide during Mr. Trump’s first term.

Mr. Kushner has formed a partnership with Mohamed Alabbar, the developer of the Burj Khalifa hotel in Dubai, the world’s tallest structure. They plan to build the new hotel on the Belgrade site with a lease on the property from the government of Serbia, which will share in the profits, according to a draft of the agreement.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/24nkbh7w(link is external)