UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 12, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Rutte on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: Parties to make right compromises (Koha)
Osmani: Kosovo in NATO, not only strategic orientation but necessity for peace (media)
Rutte: NATO’s presence is concrete demonstration to lasting security (media)
Osmani meets NAC: Kosovo will continue to contribute to long-term peace (media)
Kurti: Pleasure to welcome NATO SG Rutte back to Pristina (media)
Rohde: Great to see Osmani meeting with Allied Ambassadors to NATO (media)
Kica-Xhelili: We have deep gap with VV, we are not an “opposition bloc” party (media)

Serbian Language Media:

NATO SG: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue requires compromises (N1, media)
KoSSev interview with NATO SG Rutte
Vucic: Cordial talks with Donald Trump Jr. (media, social media)
Djuric meets EU, Quint ambassadors, talks about new attempts of institutional pressure against Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
ProGlas on crisis resolution: Government of social trust should prepare fair elections (N1)
Two leaders, two narratives and one name – Arsenijevic (Alternativna.com)
22-hour blockade of RTS concluded (media)

Albanian Language Media

Rutte on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: Parties to make right compromises (Koha)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Pristina on Tuesday that Kosovo and Serbia are going to have make the right compromises in the EU-facilitated dialogue and that both pares need to focus on long-term benefits. He said he understands this requires difficult decisions but that the parties need to look at the broader picture. “NATO will continue to fully support the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina facilitated by the European Union. It is the only way to solve outstanding issues and to offer a stable future and to protect all the communities. In order to push forward this dialogue, both parties must show flexibility, make the right compromises and focus on long-term benefits. Normalization brings greater stability, more investment opportunities and long-term security for the whole region and to the benefit of all. This is the message that I will keep repeating,” he said at a joint press conference with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.

Rutte pledged that NATO remains committed to peace and stability in Kosovo and the region. “Our troops are working around the clock for a safe and secure environment in line with the mandate of KFOR. A safer region means greater security for the entire NATO zone … We are ready to respond to any security development. And in this respect we expect to see even greater cooperation between Kosovo’s institutions and KFOR. NATO will continue to play its role and mandate for the security of all. We do this in close coordination with the Kosovo Police, EULEX and our respective roles,” he said.

Rutte said that NATO is in close contact with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “I am going to be very direct … Only together can we have peace in the region. There needs to be a political solution that requires leadership from all politicians. We need to work together,” he argued.

Rutte also said that NATO’s mandate is to ensure that the Kosovo Security Force is effective in its humanitarian role. “Our mandate is to ensure that the KSF is effective in its humanitarian role here in Kosovo. This is precisely NATO’s mandate, to help the KSF to become a humanitarian force when there are natural or human disasters. This is the mandate. We work on this every day,” he said.

Osmani said that the role of KSF has advanced. “Decisions in NATO are made with unanimity and there are four member states that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence and this makes every decision-making in terms of relations between NATO and the KSF a very complex issue. However, this does not mean that the KSF does not have the full mandate, as foreseen in the Constitution of Kosovo and laws adopted in the Republic of Kosovo, as a force that defends the sovereignty and territorial integrity for all the citizens of our country. Besides this, we have found more ways to advance the role of the KSF and its contribution to peace and security in other countries of the world, through bilateral cooperation agreements that we have with individual countries. As you know, in cooperation with the U.S., the KSF serves in peacekeeping missions in different world countries. It also serves in different roles together with the United Kingdom. And now we are in the process of negotiating other bilateral agreements through which the KSF will continue to contribute with a full mandate foreseen in the Constitution of Kosovo. Years ago, there was also an exchange of letters at the time between the Prime Minister of Kosovo and then NATO Secretary General about increasing the operational level of cooperation between NATO and the KSF and we will work together to see what is the best way for this to function in practice, while not forgetting that Kosovo’s soldiers have been trained by NATO member states and by NATO itself,” she said.

Osmani: Kosovo in NATO, not only strategic orientation but necessity for peace (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Pristina that “Kosovo in NATO is not only a strategic orientation but also a necessity for peace”. She said that in her meeting with Rutte, “our partnership with the strongest security Alliance in the world was reaffirmed”. “As a country that has crossed the NATO objective for defense investments of 2 percent of the GDP and is building a modern security force, in line with the standards of the Alliance, our goal is clear: membership in NATO as an unwavering contributor to regional and global security,” Osmani said in a Facebook post.

Rutte: NATO’s presence is concrete demonstration to lasting security (media)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a post on X that NATO’s presence in Kosovo is a demonstration to lasting security in Kosovo and regional stability. “Great NAC visit to KFOR and NALT today, together with troop contributing partners. NATO’s presence is a concrete demonstration of our steadfast commitment to lasting security across Kosovo and to regional stability. I also met President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti to discuss the security situation in Kosovo and the region,” Rutte wrote.

Osmani meets NAC: Kosovo will continue to contribute to long-term peace (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that she had “an extremely important meeting at a crucial moment with the North Atlantic Council (North Atlantic Council - NAC)”. “We had a comprehensive discussion about developments in Kosovo and the region and I reaffirmed Kosovo's dedication to Euro-Atlantic values and cooperation with NATO. NATO forces play an important role for security not only in Kosovo, but in our entire region, therefore as a serious and credible partner, Kosovo will continue to contribute to long-term peace and stability,” Osmani said.

Kurti: Pleasure to welcome NATO SG Rutte back to Pristina (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that it was “a pleasure to welcome NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte back to Prishtina, his visit in his current role leading the Alliance. We appreciate the ongoing cooperation and reaffirmed our commitment to regional and European security. I also highlighted Kosova’s significant democratic progress. However, like many European countries, we have been targeted by election interference, in our case, by Serbia with Russian assistance, a widespread tool which poses a critical threat to democracy in the current age”.

Rohde: Great to see Osmani meeting with Allied Ambassadors to NATO (media)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said in a post on Bluesky that it was “great to see Kosovo President Osmani meeting with Allied Ambassadors to NATO and representatives of other KFOR troop-contributing nations. This important meeting underscores our steadfast commitment and shared dedication to ensuring peace and security in Kosovo and the surrounding region”.

Kica-Xhelili: We have deep gap with VV, we are not an “opposition bloc” party (media)

Doarsa Kica-Xhelili, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said that LDK has a deep gap with VV, but it is not in a bloc with the opposition either. She stressed that LDK will not enter a government that is not led by Lumir Abdixhiku. “We were crystal clear during the campaign! There are three things that we have constantly repeated: We have a deep gap with VV; LDK will not enter a government that is not led by LDK (Lumir Abdixhiku). We are not an “opposition bloc” party. We are LDK. As such, we are not a group with others. We do not form an unstable government just for the sake of power. On these premises, we were voted in! Our voter gave us confidence in these positions! Our voter, both before and after the elections – finds LDK unchanging in its promises.”

“If this country wants us in opposition today, as a third party, we will be there! By putting the LDK before personal interests, we are putting Kosovo before everything else. For us, the weakening of LDK means the weakening of Kosovo itself. Therefore, we do not repeat the mistakes! Today, we remain loyal to our electorate, to our positions. Today, I do not expect the opponents of LDK to agree with us. In fact, their disagreement confirms that we are on the right path to representing our voters. Today, we are 65 thousand more than in 2021! One day, we will rise again as one,” she said.

Serbian Language Media

NATO SG: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue requires compromises (N1, media)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that Pristina and Belgrade need to make the “necessary compromises” in the European Union (EU)-facilitated dialogue, and that both sides should focus on long-term gains, N1 reported. “NATO will continue to fully support normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, led by the European Union. This is the only way to solve pending issues and secure a stable future, ensuring that the rights of all communities are respected and safeguarded. To move this dialogue forward, both sides must show flexibility, make the necessary compromises and focus on the long-term gains”, Rutte told a joint press conference with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. He added he fully understands that “this requires difficult decisions, but we must look at the big picture”.

“Normalization brings greater stability, more investment opportunity, and also lasting security across the whole region for the benefit of all”, said Rutte, noting this is a message he will keep repeating. He also said NATO’s commitment to lasting security across Kosovo and to regional stability remains steadfast. “Our KFOR troops work relentlessly to ensure a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo in line with KFOR’s long-standing UN mandate. A secure Western Balkans region means more security across the whole Euro-Atlantic area”, NATO Secretary General underlined. He added KFOR is fully postured to respond to any relevant security developments.

“In that regard, we look forward to continued cooperation between Pristina and KFOR in line with decades of lasting commitments. This is important for us. NATO will continue to play its part within our mandate for security for all. We do this in close cooperation with the Kosovo police, and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in our respective roles as security responders”, said Rutte. He emphasized that all sides should choose diplomacy over violence.

Rutte said he is in very close contact with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “Only collectively can we bring this region to a lasting peace. It has to be a political solution to this that requires the leadership of all politicians. We have to work together”, he concluded.

KoSSev portal reported that while Rutte was talking about compromises required from both sides, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani in her part of the address voiced series of accusations against Belgrade, terming it as a “threat to stability” and bragged about reinforcement of Kosovo Security Forces and the role of NATO in it. She also claimed that Kosovo achieved a NATO standard of allocating two percent of the budget for defence. She added that Kosovo would soon start producing ammunition and drones.

NATO Secretary General Rutte’s full remarks are available at: https://shorturl.at/Q4DzZ

KoSSev interview with NATO SG Rutte

In an interview with KoSSev portal, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, situation in Kosovo, Ukraine and NATO’s commitment to the region.

Q: What is your key impression about Kosovo? And what was your key message primarily to Mr. Kurti?

A: Well, I must say, my overall impression is cautiously optimistic, in the sense that we see there are tensions in the region. Particularly, of course, what is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the moment. There are continuing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. But at the same time, I think there is a huge opportunity with the new leadership in the EU, the re-established leadership in the EU, and in NATO now. With a new Secretary General and new Deputy Secretary General, but also many people here in the region, including in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, really wanting to bring this region to good neighbourly relations and to really tap into the potential of the Western Balkans, instead of continuing with all the troubles we have had in the past.

Q: Today, speaking of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, you mentioned that both sides need to make certain compromises. Do you have something particular in mind?

A: The problem is that I might have something on my mind, but it doesn’t work if I speak about it openly. But what I really want to stress is, first of all, when it comes to KFOR, as NATO is completely committed to KFOR, I see this as an anchor - not only in Kosovo, but in the entire region. But also, we try to be even-handed. So, when I’m giving messages to the presidency, with the three-member presidency in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or today here in Pristina, or when I was on the phone last week with Aleksandar Vučić, the Serbian president, who will visit me this month in Brussels, I try to be even-handed. I know that my colleagues in the EU will try to be even-handed because we have only one interest, and that is to make sure that when tensions rise, we deal with them and that we can tap into the potential.

Full interview and video of it are available at: https://shorturl.at/1D3MT

Vucic: Cordial talks with Donald Trump Jr. (media, social media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic discussed with Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US President, bilateral relations between Serbia and the United States, as well as current issues shaping the global political and economic landscape, Vucic said in a post on his official Instagram account, N1 reported.

“I emphasized the importance of the economic and political ties between Serbia and the US, highlighting the importance of strategic cooperation between our two countries and joint projects in the coming years. This meeting symbolizes our commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and joint work in addressing the global challenges”, Vucic said in a post. He added his talks with Donald Trump Jr. were cordial.

Trump Jr. visited Belgrade in September 2024 during the US presidential election campaign, at which time he hosted a dinner for Serbian businessmen. Belgrade-based Nova.rs TV reported at the time the meeting focused on Trump’s investments worldwide, particularly in real estate, hotels, and digital media, as well as the business climate in Serbia and the US. The Trump-Kushner family plans to build a hotel in Serbia under the Trump brand at the site of the former General Staff buildings in downtown Belgrade. Donald Trump Jr. is an entrepreneur and executive vice president at The Trump Organization.

Djuric meets EU, Quint ambassadors, talks about new attempts of institutional pressure against Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met yesterday with diplomatic representatives of the EU and Quint states, warning during the meeting of institutional persecution attempts targeting Serbs in Kosovo, over their participation in peaceful protest against Pristina authorities, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“We are currently witnessing attempts in Kosovo and Metohija to intimidate the Serbian people and place them in a subordinate position. The judiciary under Albin Kurti is using so-called secret indictments to spread fear among the Serbian community, likely dissatisfied with how Serbs stood united, in solidarity, and with determination in the elections. We are also seeing citizens being summoned to police and prosecutorial institutions simply for participating in protests against Kurti’s authoritarian rule in 2023”, Djuric said in a separate statement.

As the statement from Serbian MFA said the interlocutors also discussed crucial domestic and regional topics, while Djuric emphasised the importance of preserving social stability and legitimately elected democratic institutions in Serbia. Djuric also said Serbia remains committed to peace and stability, both in the region and within its own borders.

ProGlas on crisis resolution: Government of social trust should prepare fair elections (N1)

The solution to the obvious political crisis in Serbia is not street violence, but rather free and fair elections that would be organized by a “government of social trust,” said the participants of a ProGlas initiative roundtable held Tuesday in Belgrade, N1 reported.

This would be a “mixed cabinet of expert and political character,” read the conclusions of the roundtable attended by constitutional law and political science experts.

The primary objectives identified include fulfilling student demands and ensuring the basic conditions needed for free and fair elections, based on which, as it was said, legitimate governing bodies would be formed.