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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 28, 2025

Albanian Language Media: 

 

  • Sorensen officially confirmed as EU envoy for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
  • KFOR Commander meets UNDP representative, discuss security (RTK)
  • Osmani: Kosovo understands best importance of unity in fighting hatred (Koha)
  • Kurti’s message on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (media)
  • Democracy in Action condemns incident during VV rally in Skenderaj (media)
  • Kosovo launches a platform for cyberattack protection (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

 

  • Vucic: It is important to start dialogue, this situation suits no one (Tanjug, media)
  • Brnabic: Parliament to debate confidence in speaker and government (N1)
  • Prosecutor’s Office: Eight cases opened over violence during student protests (N1)
  • 24-hour student road-block protest began (N1)
  • Vucic supports Serbian List, calls on Serbs to take part in elections (KoSSev)
  • EU Council: Sorensen to enable continuation of dialogue, to have initial mandate of 13 months (Kosovo Online)
  • KFOR Commander met UNDP Resident Representative, discussed security situation Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)
  • M.D. sentenced to two years in prison, 9 thousand euros financial fine (KoSSev)

 

International Media:

 

  • Opposition’s plans for education ahead of Kosovo’s elections (PI)
  • Serbian students block highway in capital as protests roll on (Balkan Insight)

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

 

Sorensen officially confirmed as EU envoy for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)

 

Most news websites reported on Monday that Peter Sorensen has received the final approval from the European Union’s foreign ministers for the position of the bloc’s special representative for the normalization dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Previously, on January 24, EU ambassadors had confirmed Sorensen for this role. The Danish politician was selected by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to replace Miroslav Lajcak in this position. Sorensen will begin his mandate on February 1. The current envoy, Lajcak, will see his term end on January 31.

 

Before the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where Sorensen was confirmed, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon stated that the appointment of the Danish diplomat as envoy sends a message that the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue remains high on the EU’s agenda.

 

Sorensen has extensive diplomatic experience within EU structures. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor for Digital Diplomacy at the European External Action Service (EEAS). During his EU diplomatic career, Sorensen has held several positions in the Western Balkans. He served as the EU Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and head of the EU office in Sarajevo. He also led the EU delegation in Skopje.

 

Previously, Sorensen worked in Kosovo as an advisor within the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and as the EU Special Representative’s envoy in Serbia. In the Balkans, he also worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Croatia. His experience in the region is cited as one of the key reasons why Kaja Kallas decided to appoint him as Lajcak’s successor.

 

KFOR Commander meets UNDP representative, discuss security (RTK)

 

The Commander of the NATO-led mission, KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, met on Monday with the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Resident Representative in Kosovo, Mr. Nuno Queiros, at KFOR headquarters in Camp Film City, Pristina. “Major General Enrico Barduani highlighted KFOR’s steadfast commitment to support all efforts by the International Community for the benefit of lasting security across Kosovo and regional stability. The visit was part of the KFOR Commander’s regular exchanges with his main counterparts in Kosovo,” KFOR said in a Facebook post. 

 

Osmani: Kosovo understands best importance of fighting hatred (Koha)

 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani participated on Monday in the commemorative ceremony of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Poland. Osmani wrote in a Facebook post about how Albanians had opened their doors and hearts and had sheltered Jews. “Along with world leaders, I participated in the commemorative ceremony. In this terrible camp, over 1 million Polish men, women and children and those of other nations were interned, tortured and executed in the most inhumane way, just because they were Jews. Throughout this Golgotha, Albanians had opened their doors and hearts, and in faith had sheltered Jews in the darkest days of their history. Kosovo has gone through the horrors of war and genocide, committed by Serbia, so it understands best the importance of everyone's unity in the fight against hatred," Osmani said in a social media post.

 

Kurti’s message on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (media)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X on Monday that “this year's International Holocaust Remembrance Day falls on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on January 27, 1945. Today I join the approximately 1,000 remaining survivors, the families of the victims, and other world leaders in commemorating that bittersweet day — the day on which the camp's remaining 7,000 prisoners were liberated, and the horrific scale of the Nazis' crimes were laid bare. Eighty years later, we continue to mourn the 6 million Jews and millions of others who were murdered during the Holocaust. Let us never forget them, and in honor of their memory, let us strive together for a better and more just world, free of genocide, inhumanity, hatred, and discrimination”.

 

Democracy in Action condemns incident during VV rally in Skenderaj (media)

 

Democracy in Action, a network of non-governmental organizations that promote free and fair elections through monitoring the election process, in a statement on Monday condemned an incident during a rally of the Vetevendosje Movement and Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Skenderaj, when several people threw heavy tools and pyrotechnical devices. “Such acts are an assault on freedom of assembly and free expression, creating an atmosphere of tension and insecurity that completely contradicts the fundamental principles of democracy. We condemn any form of violence, provocation or interference in democratic processes, especially during such a sensitive period of the election campaign. We urge all parties to engage in a peaceful and dignified campaign, where respect and reasonable debate prevail. We reiterate the need for political entities to moderate in the language and tone they use, avoiding harsh discourse that risks escalating tensions and negatively impact citizens and supporters. We invite citizens, political representatives and especially their supporters to show maturity, respect and responsibility during this important period, contributing to creating a climate that promotes free and peaceful participation. Free and fair elections, a peaceful campaign and a fair race, are the foundations of a functional democracy. Any act of violence or pressure undermines these common values and should not have a place in our democratic society,” the network said in a Facebook post.

 

Kosovo launches a platform for cyberattack protection (media)

 

Kosovo’s Agency for Information and Privacy has launched a platform for identifying personal data breaches. On International Data Protection Day, it was stated that this platform ensures that institutions are better prepared to secure personal data, prevent data leaks, and protect against potential cyberattacks. The agency’s commissioner, Krenare Sogojeva, said the project represents an additional step in implementing the law and strengthening mechanisms for enhanced oversight. The launch of this platform was supported by the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo. Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Ralan Hill, noted that this project will help Kosovo's institutions build resilience in cybersecurity. Hill said that the platform detects data breaches and gathers information on cyber threats, enabling agencies to quickly identify violations or data leaks. “The United States has supported this project through the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, with the goal of helping Kosovo's institutions build cybersecurity resilience,” he said.

 

Serbian Language Media  

 

Vucic: It is important to start dialogue, this situation suits no one (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday evening that, due to the situation in the wake of the November 1 overhang collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, which left 15 people dead, it was very important to start dialogue because the current situation in society suited no one. In a public address from the Palace of Serbia, Vucic said the invitation to dialogue was no sign of weakness, Tanjug news agency reported.

"This situation in society suits no one and brings nothing to anyone in Serbia... ...We have been in some kind of interregnum, some kind of vacuum in which we are not talking to each other. Some talk about some demands, while others say the demands have been met, and they (the first group) say they have not", Vucic said. He added prosecutors had indicted 13 people responsible for the Novi Sad tragedy.

"In the three months (since the tragedy), we kept hearing various accusations against state authorities, in the three months we kept hearing calls to topple the state, in the three months we heard many, many irresponsible statements not only by the opposition but also by us from the authorities, and an atmosphere that suits no one has been created in Serbia", Vucic said.

Speaking about the demands of student protesters, Vucic said all documentation related to construction works at the Novi Sad railway station had been submitted for publication on the government website. "We have literally submitted everything we have", he said. According to Vucic the prosecutors had launched criminal proceedings against 37 people for attacks on university students and professors during protests and that all 13 students and professors against whom proceedings had also been launched would be pardoned on Wednesday at the latest.

Government must be reshuffled as urgently as possible

"These difficult political times have shown who is ready to fight and who is not, who is ready to work and who is not, and who hides in a hole and who does not. Accordingly, I expect over 50 per cent of current ministers to be replaced in a very, very urgent reshuffle", Vucic said.

"The work must be continued, and the country must function", he said. "The country must function and there is no task that is more important for a government than organising life and progress of the standard of living, and it needs to deal with that", Vucic added.

Brnabic: Parliament to debate confidence in speaker and government (N1)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said Monday that a debate on confidence in the Serbian Government, previously requested by the opposition, will be included in Wednesday’s parliamentary session.

In a public address from the Palace of Serbia, Brnabic said the discussion will also address MPs’ confidence in her leadership of Parliament. She added that a draft law on housing loan subsidies for young people will be included on the agenda. The Speaker criticized opposition MPs who have announced plans to block Parliament’s work, saying that this is the one thing she will not allow.

Prosecutor’s Office: Eight cases opened over violence during student protests (N1)

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade said that it has initiated eight criminal proceedings for crimes committed during student blockades and protests, and that all five suspects in the incident outside the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) have been questioned, N1 reported.

FDU students were physically assaulted on November 22 outside their faculty during a silent protest to commemorate the victims of the November 1 concrete canopy collapse at the recently renovated Novi Sad train station, which claimed 15 lives. The incident led to a blockade of the faculty by its students and triggered the ongoing student protests.

The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office said that one of the eight criminal proceedings initiated has already been concluded with a final judgment based on a plea agreement. In connection with the incident outside the FDU on November 22, 2024, the Prosecutor’s Office is pursuing legal action against five suspects, all of whom have been questioned.

24-hour student road-block protest began (N1)

Belgrade University students started their 24-hour roadblock protest at a major traffic junction in the Serbian capital on Monday morning, N1 reported.

Students from across the city converged on the Autokomanda junction which connects several parts of the city but did not block the highway through Belgrade, staying on a bridge and intersecting roads leading from the centre of the city to suburban areas. The Autokomanda junction includes a roundabout which lies near the Red Star and Partizan stadiums.

Belgrade’s 2 universities – Belgrade University and Belgrade Arts University – do not have a campus and their schools and other institutions are located in sites across the city. Columns of students at university schools in the centre of the city converged on Slavija Circle and then marched together towards Autokomanda while others marched to the protest venue from the Vozdovac neighbourhood and from as far away as the Zemun and New Belgrade areas which lie across the river.

Unlike earlier protests, there was a visible presence of traffic police patrols redirecting traffic. Several private cars were parked across the street leading from Slavija to Autokomanda, reportedly to prevent a repeat of earlier incidents when drivers tried to ram through the crowd, injuring protesters. University School of Agriculture students were accompanied by farmers in tractors.

Earlier, President Aleksandar Vucic called the police to prevent any incidents during what he said was an illegal gathering.

Vucic supports Serbian List, calls on Serbs to take part in elections (KoSSev)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called on Serbs in Kosovo to take part in elections in as many numbers as possible, KoSSev portal reported. At the same time, he extended full support to the Serbian List.

“I want to say that we all together extend support to the Serbian List in elections in Kosovo and Metohija, we are proud of it and I am kindly asking the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, as much as it is possible, to take part in elections in large numbers”, Vucic said in a closure of address made last night at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, together with Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic and Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. 

EU Council: Sorensen to enable continuation of dialogue, to have initial mandate of 13 months (Kosovo Online)

The tasks of the new EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Peter Sorensen, will be to facilitate the continuation of the dialogue process, specifically the implementation of the Agreement on the Path to Normalization and its Annex on Implementation, adopted in February and March 2023, reads EU Council statement, Kosovo Online portal reported.

The European Union Council, which on Monday appointed the new EU representative for the dialogue, announced that Sorensen will assume his duties on February 1, 2025, with an initial mandate of 13 months.

"The Council today appointed Mr. Peter Sorensen as the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. The tasks of the new EU Special Representative will be to enable a dialogue that will contribute to a comprehensive normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo*, especially the implementation of the Agreement on the Path to Normalization and its Annex on Implementation, adopted in February and March 2023. Mr. Sorensen will assume his duties on February 1, 2025, with an initial mandate of 13 months", the statement reads.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/odSrC(link is external)

The full EU Council’s statement is available at: https://shorturl.at/lE99c(link is external) 

KFOR Commander met UNDP Resident Representative, discussed security situation Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)

“Commander of the NATO-led #KFOR mission, Major General Enrico Barduani, met with the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Resident Representative in Kosovo, Mr. Nuno Queirós at KFOR Headquarters, in Camp Film City in Pristina”, KFOR said in a statement published on Facebook on Monday, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“Major General Enrico Barduani highlighted KFOR’s steadfast commitment to support all efforts by the International Community for the benefit of lasting security across Kosovo and regional stability. The visit was part of the KFOR Commander’s regular exchanges with his main counterparts in Kosovo.

KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Mission on Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) in their respective roles as security responders”, the statement added. 

M.D. sentenced to two years in prison, 9 thousand euros financial fine (KoSSev)

Following the plea bargains, Serb M.D. from Babin Most, Obilic municipality, had been sentenced to two years in prison and financial fine in the amount of 9 thousand euros over his participation in riots in front of Zvecan municipal building in 2023, KoSSev portal reported.

For the criminal act of “assaulting official persons”, M.D. was sentenced to two years in prison, while for the second act “participation in a group committing criminal acts and hooliganism”, he was sentenced to 6 months in prison, which was commuted to a financial fine in the amount of 9 thousand euros, as consented by the defendant. The time M.D. spent in detention will be included against this balance.

M.D. was arrested on November 15, 2024 in Mitrovica North.  

 

International Media

 

Opposition’s plans for education ahead of Kosovo’s elections (PI)

 

Ahead of the February 9 elections, Kosovo opposition parties have unveiled ambitious plans for the education system such as implementing full-day schooling, curriculum reform, increasing teacher salaries, and modernizing education infrastructure.

 

Ahead of Kosovo’s February 9 parliamentary elections, opposition parties have unveiled their plans to address issues in the education system. The parties detailed their platforms at BIRN and Internews Kosova’s TV Programme ‘Debat Përnime,’ which includes plans to reform the curriculum, increase salaries, and modernise the country’s education system.

 

Kosovo ruling party Vetëvendosje Movement did not participate in the BIRN and Internews Kosovo- moderated debates on plans for reforms in the education system despite twenty non-governmental organisations strongly condemning the party’s decision to boycott these debates ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections.  

 

The Kosovo based civil society organisations argued that the move undermines the public interest and the fair and accurate dissemination of information to voters.

 

The debates that  Vetëvendosje is boycotting, the organisations argued, are run by civil society organisations, including two internationally recognized and award-winning organizations, Balkan Network for Investigative Journalism, BIRN, and Internews Kosova. 

 

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/t0VXt(link is external)

Serbian students block highway in capital as protests roll on (Balkan Insight)

Protesters continued upping the pressure on Serbia's government on Monday by blocking the busiest highway interchange in Belgrade following a weekend of rallies all over the country. Students in Belgrade supported by professors, teachers and members of the public on Monday started a 24-hour-long blockade of one of the busiest highway interchanges in Serbia’s capital, the Autokomanda.

After dozens of violent incidents at previous protests and blockades, when protesters were rammed by cars, including two incidents in which two students were seriously injured, Monday’s blockade was supported by farmers on tractors as well as by bikers, who provided security for the protesters.

The protesters are demanding accountability from President Aleksandar Vucic’s government for a fatal disaster at Novi Sad railway station in November, which left 15 people dead.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/djGXS(link is external)