Albanian Language Media: 

• LVV proposes local and extraordinary elections be held simultaneously (media)
• Krasniqi: I proposed two dates for local elections, October 12 and 19 (media)
• Self: President told me that main issue for Kosovo is NATO entry (Klan)
• PDK adopts political declaration: calls for institutional unblocking (Reporteri)
• Abdixhiku presents proposal for unity government to OSCE HoM (media)
• Former KLA leaders reject visit by Ombudsperson of Special Court (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• German Embassy in Pristina on the announcement of the eviction of Serbian families from Lesak (Danas, Kosovo Online, KiM radio) 
• One man fined €300 for “verbal attack" on two girls in North Mitrovica (KoSSev, KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• PIK: A police officer arrested for sexually harassing a minor (KoSSev)
• “Thor’s Hammer” in Baerbock’s hands: What can UN member states expect from her? (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: Jadar project to fully comply with environmental protection standards (Tanjug)
• Zakharova: We believe that Serbia is aware of ''the danger of arms deliveries falling into the hands of Kyiv regime'' (RTS, N1, KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media 

LVV proposes local and extraordinary elections be held simultaneously (media)

Deputy leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albulena Haxhiu, talked to the media following Wednesday’s meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who invited representatives of political parties to discuss setting a date for the local elections. According to Haxhiu, the meeting also discussed the possibility of holding extraordinary parliamentary elections alongside the local elections. “It was an idea to proceed with announcing both the extraordinary elections along with the local ones. Our position is in favor. For us, it's important that the Assembly is constituted, that a government is voted in, but today was already the 18th session since the vote for the Commission began,” she said.

Haxhiu stated that the proposal to hold both sets of elections at the same time was her own personal idea, but emphasized that Vetevendosje’s position remains focused on the constitution of institutions. “The idea was mine. I was very willing to discuss this as well. But there must be a constitution and dissolution of the Assembly, and for that, a political agreement is necessary,” Haxhiu said.

Krasniqi: I proposed two dates for local elections, October 12 and 19 (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, said on Wednesday that the dates that the PDK would prefer to hold local elections would be October 12 and 19.  “It seems that the President was boycotted only by Albin Kurti and Zlatan Elek, I am not claiming that they did it in agreement, but this absence left a really bad taste,” Krasniqi said.

"Regarding PDK, I informed the president that all dates are acceptable to us, but our preference would be as early as possible. The two dates I have proposed are October 12 and 19. I believe that the president has taken them into account. There are not many differences in the dates from either the major parliamentary parties or the minority ones, and I expect that in the coming days this date will be decreed, which would then allow us to set other deadlines for announcing the candidacies of the candidates for mayor in all municipalities," Krasniqi said.

“Regarding the general elections, we are in an institutional blockade and it is precisely because of the stubbornness and imposing and authoritarian mentality of the LVV and specifically of Haxhiu’s proposal for Speaker of the Assembly who, as I said at the beginning, neither has nor will have the votes to become Speaker of the Assembly,” he said.

For Krasniqi, it would be impossible for both elections to be held at the same time, as “we cannot interpret the constitution outside the deadlines".

Congressman Self: President has told me that main issue for Kosovo is NATO entry (Klan)

A hearing before the U.S. Congressional Subcommittee on Europe held on Wednesday in Washington discussed the challenges facing NATO. One of the main topics of the hearing was the security situation in Kosovo and the Western Balkans, as well as the prospects for Kosovo to join the North Atlantic Alliance. Republican Congressman Keith Self, at the opening of the hearing, spoke about the importance of Kosovo’s security and democratic progress, as well as the necessity to counter the malign influence of Russia and China in the region, the news website reports.

He also raised concerns about destabilizing activities emanating from Serbia and Republika Srpska, developments that are increasingly attracting the attention of U.S. and NATO officials.

Meanwhile, retired Admiral Mark Montgomery, during this hearing, assessed that Serbia and Republika Srpska undermine stability in the Balkans. “Serbia and Republika Srpska are dangerous actors that undermine stability in the Balkans,” he said.

Congressman Self even said that General Cavolli told him that “Bosnia and Herzegovina could collapse overnight.” He said that Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania surround three entities that are not part of NATO. “They are Bosnia, Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo wants to be in NATO. The President tells me that Kosovo’s membership in NATO is the most important issue for Kosovo,” emphasized Congressman Keith Self.

PDK adopts political declaration: calls for institutional unblocking (Reporteri)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), in Wednesday's meeting of the Steering Council, adopted a statement that reflects its official stance on the latest developments in Kosovo. “PDK reaffirms its mission as a state-forming and state-building force, always committed to the public interest and the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. PDK expresses deep concern over the current institutional deadlock, which has delayed the formation of new institutions for more than 100 days since the elections were held. The blockade by the winning coalition has caused political uncertainty and significant harm to the public interest,” was said at the meeting.

Abdixhiku presents proposal for unity government to OSCE HoM (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku met on Wednesday with the head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Gerard McGurk, and discussed political developments during which Abdixhiku presented his proposal for the establishment of a unity government. He thanked the OSCE for the support it has given Kosovo over the years especially in strengthening democratic institutions, protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law, and developing electoral processes. “They also discussed the possibilities of further cooperation between the LDK and the OSCE in Kosovo, focusing on advancing democracy, strengthening institutions, and promoting civic participation in public life. Abdixhiku emphasized the LDK’s readiness to contribute to deepening cooperation with the OSCE and international friends who support Kosovo’s democratic journey,” the LDK said in a press release.

Former KLA leaders reject visit by Ombudsperson of Special Court (Nacionale)

Citing reliable sources, the news website reported on Wednesday that former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army - Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi – have refused a visit by the Ombudsperson of the Specialist Chambers in the Hague, saying that the Ombudsperson ignored their complains about inhumane treatment by the detention unit and a also a series of other violations. The defendants argued that the Ombudsperson violated the Constitution and laws of Kosovo, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights. The sources said that the violations were reported to the Ombudsperson of Kosovo. 

Serbian Language Media

German Embassy in Pristina on the announcement of the eviction of Serbian families from Lesak (Danas, Kosovo Online, KiM radio) 

The German Embassy in Pristina stated yesterday that it was monitoring the case of the attempted eviction of seventeen Serbian families in Lesak, Leposavic municipality, adding that they were in the process of collecting information from all partners and relevant actors.

As they said in their statement to Danas, they were informed by the Serbian List about the case of the eviction of Serbian families in Lesak, as well as the tenants of apartments for displaced persons in Leposavic.

"We are currently in the process of gathering additional information in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation. In close coordination with our partners and relevant actors, we will continue to monitor the development of events," said the German Embassy in Kosovo.

Danas recalled that 17 Serbian families in Lesak received a notice signed by the mayor of Leposavic, Lulzim Hetemi, ordering them to move out, remove the furniture and demolish the houses within thirty days. At the same time, in Leposavic, several households in apartments for refugees and displaced persons financed by the Commissariat for Refugees of Serbia are being asked to return the keys to the apartments they were given.

Speaking about the case of Serbian families in Lesak, the deputy commander of the Kosovo Police for the North region, Veton Elshani, said two days ago that police were ready to evict the residents of Braca Matovic Street, following the order of the municipality and the expiration of the deadline.

One man fined €300 for “verbal attack" on two girls in North Mitrovica (KoSSev, KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

A man was fined €300 for a “verbal attack”, as the Kosovo Police interpreted the case, involving catcalling two young women from a vehicle last night in North Mitrovica — from the Knez Lazar monument area to the Technical School intersection.

This was confirmed for KoSSev by the Deputy Commander of the North Region, Veton Elshani.

The incident was initially reported by Aleksandar Arsenijevic, leader of the Serbian Democracy party.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/4xrs6ayc

PIK: A police officer arrested for sexually harassing a minor (KoSSev)

An officer of the Kosovo Police was arrested yesterday on suspicion of having committed the crime of sexual harassment, announced the PIK .

It is about an official from the civil sector, without police powers. According to PIK, the officer was suspected of sexually harassing a minor near the school she attends during a two-week period.

By order of the duty prosecutor of the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Prizren, the suspect was detained for up to 48 hours. The PIK, in addition, issued a recommendation for his suspension.

“Thor’s Hammer” in Baerbock’s hands: What can UN member states expect from her? (Kosovo Online)

Annalena Baerbock has pledged to serve both large and small member states as President of the United Nations General Assembly and to keep her doors open to all. However, based on her political track record, commentators speaking to Kosovo Online express doubts about her neutrality, particularly on issues related to Russia. They suggest that any more radical resolutions placed on the General Assembly’s agenda with her support are unlikely to make it pass that stage, having little chance at the Security Council and gaining binding force.

The former German Foreign Minister will assume the gavel—often referred to metaphorically as “Thor’s hammer”—on 9 September for a one-year term as President of the UN General Assembly.

During her term, preparations will begin for the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, as António Guterres’ second mandate expires on 31 December 2026. The General Assembly will also elect new non-permanent members of the Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, a process in which former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already announced Germany’s candidacy.

While the role of the General Assembly President is primarily ceremonial and procedural, Baerbock could, with the support of a sufficient number of countries, bring certain issues onto the agenda.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/yrkuf49m

Brnabic: Jadar project to fully comply with environmental protection standards (Tanjug)

Commenting on the inclusion of the Jadar lithium mining project in Serbia in the list of the EU's strategic projects outside the territory of the bloc, Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday the move would also ensure maximum compliance with environmental conservation and protection standards.

"That is good news," she told reporters in Brussels.

"Those environmental protection standards will have to be emulated in the Jadar project fully and in detail, because it is now also the EU's strategic project. That also shows that what some people have been saying - that Serbia is a European mining colony - is not true," Brnabic said.

Zakharova: We believe that Serbia is aware of ''the danger of arms deliveries falling into the hands of Kyiv regime'' (RTS, N1, KoSSev)

''We are convinced that Serbia will take effective measures that will enable to identify and terminate suspicious foreign export contracts – and to prevent the delivery of sensitive military goods to inappropriate addresses,'' said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, reported RTS. 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Kremlin is aware of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's statement that it will launch an audit of military-technical cooperation with foreign partners in connection with the machinations with the end users of Serbian weapons.

"We are convinced that effective measures will be taken to identify and terminate suspicious foreign export contracts - and to prevent the delivery of sensitive military goods to inappropriate addresses," Zakharova said.

Moscow believes, she stressed, that ''Serbia is aware of the danger of such deliveries falling into the hands of Kyiv regime''.

"We hope that effective measures will be taken so that a shadow does not fall on the good relations between Russia and Serbia. And I would add - the sincere feelings of the Serbian people, who understand everything perfectly," Zakharova said.