Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani pays homage to NATO soldiers' memorial plaque (Klan)
• Kurti commemorates intellectuals Bajram Kelmendi, Agim Hajrizi and Latif Berisha (media)
• MFA: 26 years since NATO intervention, deep gratitude to allies (media)
• Hipper: Path to EU for Kosovo and Serbia goes through dialogue (media)
• Finnish Intelligence Director in Kosovo discusses security with Barduani (media)
• Kosovo for the first time as donor country in International Development Agency (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: March 24, 1999 one of most tragic days in modern history of Serbia (Tanjug)
• 16 Minutes of Silence in Mitrovica North on NATO bombing anniversary, additional minute of silence observed near Monument to victims of NATO (KoSSev)
• 26 years later: Impact of NATO bombing on Serbia and Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Petkovic met UNMIK Head Ziadeh (Kosovo Online, media)
• Witness in Thaci’s trial: Serbian journalists in 1998 were detained at main KLA HQ (Radio kontakt plus, BETA, Danas)
• Government writes to US administration requesting delay of sanctions on NIS (N1)
• Vucic to meet with Sorensen on Tuesday (media)

International Media:

• 42-year-old woman killed in Vushtrri, suspect dead (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani pays homage to NATO soldiers' memorial plaque (Klan)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani paid homage to the NATO soldiers' memorial plaque, on the 26th anniversary of the Alliance's intervention. On this occasion, Osmani said that this historic act of courage and justice ended Serbia's genocidal regime and paved the way for Kosovo's freedom.

"Today, with honor and gratitude, we paid homage to the NATO soldiers' memorial plaque, on the anniversary of the Alliance's intervention on March 24, 1999. This historic act of courage and justice ended Serbia's genocidal regime and paved the way for Kosovo's freedom," Osmani said.

"NATO soldiers are heroes of our freedom – they stood by our people in the darkest days, as they continue to do today, and they will always remain a part of our history. Glory to their sacrifice! Eternal gratitude to the Alliance for our peace and freedom!"

Kurti commemorates intellectuals Bajram Kelmendi, Agim Hajrizi and Latif Berisha (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has commemorated the murder of three intellectuals Bajram Kelmendi, Agim Hajrizi and Latif Berisha, who were executed by Serbian forces on the night of March 24, 1999, the day NATO bombings against Serbia began. In a Facebook post, Kurti said that these three activists of the national cause and supporters of the liberation war were attacked by Serbian forces in their homes. “Serbian police forcibly entered the home of Bajram Kelmendi, a lawyer and activist in the Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms. They forcibly kidnapped him along with his sons, Kastriot and Kushtrim. All three were found murdered two days later,” he wrote.

Kurti also remembered trade unionist Agim Hajrizi, who was killed along with his mother Nazmije and his 11-year-old son, Ilir. “On the threshold of his home in northern Mitrovica, on the night of March 24, Serbian armed forces killed the intellectual Latif Berisha, chairman of the LDK in Mitrovica, university professor of the history of Albanian literature and leader of the reconciliation of blood feuds,” he wrote on Facebook.

MFA: 26 years since NATO intervention, deep gratitude to allies (media)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of NATO's intervention in Kosovo. “Today, the Republic of Kosova marks the 26th anniversary of NATO's intervention against the Slobodan Milosevic regime, a decisive action that stopped ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Albanian population of Kosova. On this occasion, we reaffirm our deep and eternal gratitude to the United States, NATO allies, and all those who stood on the right side of history, ensuring that the people of Kosova survived and built a free and democratic society. Despite the intervention that ultimately halted Slobodan Milosevic's war machine, Serbian forces carried out numerous massacres and crimes against Kosova Albanian civilians-men, women, and children. Entire families were wiped out, entire villages were burned, and more than 10,000 innocent Kosova Albanians were killed. Serbian forces displaced over one million people, forcing them to seek refuge in camps and exile, causing immeasurable suffering. The massacres in Recak, Meja, Izbica, Podujeva, Suhareka, and many other locations remain permanent scars in the collective memory of the people of Kosova. More than two decades later, Serbia has yet to express remorse, acknowledge the crimes organized by its state, or apologize for the atrocities committed by its forces. On the contrary, Serbia's leadership continues to shield war criminals, refusing to prosecute those responsible for some of the most heinous crimes in post-World War lI Europe, despite overwhelming evidence presented by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). 

Read the rest of the communique here: https://tinyurl.com/4rcx2z7n

Hipper: Path to EU for Kosovo and Serbia goes through dialogue (media)

European Union spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said that the EU is committed to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. At a press conference on Monday, Hipper said that their path towards the EU must go through dialogue. “We are continuing our engagement. The EU envoy for dialogue, Peter Sorensen, is making his first visit to Belgrade. He will be in Belgrade from today until Wednesday. When it comes to dialogue, we are committed to seeing that the path to the EU for both sides goes through facilitated dialogue. This is where we are at this stage,” Hipper said.

Asked about cooperation between the EU and the U.S. on the Western Balkans issue and on the dialogue, Hipper said that “the EU cooperates with all partners, including the U.S.”. She added that she is in contact with the new U.S. administration, but did not want to go into details.

Finnish Intelligence Director in Kosovo discusses security with Barduani (media)

The Director of Finnish Defense Intelligence, Pekaa Turunen, visited Kosovo on Monday, where he and KFOR Commander, General Enrico Barduani, discussed the current situation in the region. KFOR announced on Facebook that Turunen spoke about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, saying that he supports it “mediated by the European Union”.

“During the meeting, Major General Barduani shared his views on the current security situation in the entire region and underlined KFOR’s efforts to ensure a safe environment for all people living in Kosovo, as well as in support of the European Union-mediated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade,” the announcement said.

KFOR reiterated its call to work closely with EULEX and the Kosovo Police to provide security and freedom of movement “at all times and in an impartial manner.”

Kosovo for the first time as donor country in International Development Agency (media)

Kosovo has participated for the first time as a donor country in the International Development Agency, in the last meeting for the replenishment of the IDA fund. This was announced by the acting Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, considering this as an important step. “Kosovo for the first time has participated as a donor country in the last meeting for the replenishment of the IDA fund, thus marking an important step towards the consolidation of statehood and the international image of the Republic of Kosovo,” he said.

Serbian Language Media  

Djuric: March 24, 1999 one of most tragic days in modern history of Serbia (Tanjug)

March 24, 1999 is one of the most tragic days in the modern history of Serbia, Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said on Monday, noting that Serbia remained steadfast in its commitment to peace, justice and remembrance, Tanjug news agency reported.

"As we mourn those we lost, we remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, justice and remembrance. Serbia will never forget the victims, and we will continue to honour their memory, advocating a world in which dialogue prevails over force and where such tragedies will never happen again", said Djuric, who led an official wreath-laying commemorative ceremony at the We Were Just Children memorial in the Tasmajdan Park in central Belgrade.

"Today, we remember the beginning of the NATO aggression on Serbia and Montenegro - the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - a military intervention carried out without UN Security Council approval, which lasted for 78 days and caused enormous human suffering and material devastation across our country", Djuric noted in a post on X. "Thousands of lives were lost, including 89 innocent children. Families were torn apart, houses destroyed, and entire communities changed forever. The consequences of that aggression are still leaving deep emotional and social scars. May this day serve as a reminder of the importance of truth, responsibility and lasting peace", Djuric added.

16 Minutes of Silence in Mitrovica North on NATO bombing anniversary, additional minute of silence observed near Monument to victims of NATO (KoSSev)

A 16 Minutes of Silence vigil was organized last night in Mitrovica North near the Tzar Lazar Monument in this city. A commemorative gathering also marked the 26^th anniversary of NATO bombing of the-then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In addition to paying tribute to 16 victims of Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse tragedy, those present also observed one more minute of silence near the Monument White Angel, dedicated to the victims of NATO bombing, near the main Ibar River bridge, KoSSev portal reported.

A group of students from Pristina University with a provisional seat in Mitrovica North, organized the vigil joined by local people and some university professors. Unlike the previous gatherings that started at 11.52 at the moment of Novi Sad tragedy, the gathering last night commenced at 19.00. The organizing students said the reason for it is that the bombing started in the evening hours on March 24, 1999, at around 19.00. They also said they wanted to offer the possibility to other people to join, as they could not be able to do so on previous occasions because of work obligations.

Students and citizens carried banners saying “Reach Democracy, Depleted Uranium”, “We Were Only Children”, “Corruption Kills”, “Honor is Priceless”, and the names of those who died at Novi Sad railway station tragedy. Candles were also lit in honour of all the victims.  

26 years later: Impact of NATO bombing on Serbia and Kosovo (KoSSev)

Yesterday marked exactly 26 years since NATO began its bombing campaign against what was then the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This may be one of the few facts on which both Serbs and Albanians can agree - along with the shared grief over their respective losses. For one side, it was an act of aggression against a sovereign European country, carried out without UN Security Council approval. For the other, it was a humanitarian intervention, KoSSev portal reported.

NATO representatives justified the airstrikes, stating they were meant to prevent crimes committed by Milošević’s regime, a message they reiterated strongly last year at this time. In Pristina, there is gratitude; among Serbs, the predominant sentiments are bitterness and anger.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/PmBSy

Petkovic met UNMIK Head Ziadeh (Kosovo Online, media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic, met yesterday with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, to discuss the political and security situation in Kosovo ahead of the upcoming regular session of the UN Security Council, where UNMIK’s six-month report will be presented, Kosovo Online portal reported.

During the meeting Petkovic emphasized that the period covered by the latest UNMIK report has been marked by “numerous unilateral, unlawful, and violent actions by Pristina, which have continuously demonstrated the political and human rights deprivation of the Serbian people in Kosovo”.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/54ldJ

Witness in Thaci’s trial: Serbian journalists in 1998 were detained at main KLA HQ (Radio kontakt plus, BETA, Danas)

The witness N.M., (full name included in media reports) told the trial for the war crimes in the Hague Specialist Court that Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) has held as captive two Serbian journalists kidnapped in autumn 1998 at the main headquarters near Lipljan, Radio kontakt plus reported.

In a continuation of the trial to KLA former leader Hashim Thaci and co-defendants for the war crimes committed in Kosovo and Albania during 1998 and 1999, N.M., said from mid November 1998 he was the chief “of operational directorate” at the KLA main headquarters, which was located at the time in the village of Divljane, in Lipljan municipality. In the “white house” that served as main headquarters, two journalists were kept, previously kidnapped by 121 brigade commander Shaban Dragaj under the pretext that they were in Kosovo without “KLA accreditations”. According to the indictment these were Tanjug news agency journalists Nebojsa Radosevic and Vladimir Dobricic. They were kidnaped on October 18, 1998, on the road to the village of Magura, near Lipljan and released on November 28, of the same year.

In his testimony to the same trial in October 2023, Nebojsa Radosevic said KLA members interrogated and mistreated him during the detention, without trial and verdict, which lasted 40 days. He explained that one KLA member “put the rifle in his mouth”, that “he was threatened with the knife”, and “was beaten up” together with Dobricic. Radosevic also said that in a prison in Klecka, he heard “screams of two Serbian police officers”. According to the indictment, Radosevic and Dobricic were interrogated by Hashim Thaci and Fatmir Limaj, who then “falsely claimed” that journalists were in a trial. 

Government writes to US administration requesting delay of sanctions on NIS (N1)

The Serbian Government sent a letter to the US administration supporting the request from the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) for a further delay of sanctions imposed on NIS by the US over Russia’s stake in the company, N1 reported.

Washington has already delayed the introduction of sanctions on NIS for a month, but this extension is set to expire at midnight on Friday, March 28, which translates to 6 am on Saturday, March 29, due to the time difference, the Serbian public broadcaster RTS reported.

Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic chaired a session of the working group for monitoring the actions of the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, where the decision was taken to support the NIS request for another delay of the sanctions.

Vucic to meet with Sorensen on Tuesday (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will meet with the EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Peter Sorensen in Belgrade on Tuesday, Tanjug news agency reported.

The meeting in the Presidency of Serbia building is scheduled for 9 am, the presidential press office announced in a statement.

 International Media 

42-year-old woman killed in Vushtrri, suspect dead (Prishtina Insight)

A 58-year-old man killed a 42-year-old woman in the village of Stanovc, in the municipality of Vushtrri/Vucitrn. A 42-year-old woman is suspected to have been killed on Monday by a 58 year old man who committed suicide afterward in the village of Stanovc in Vushtrri/Vucitrn.

According to initial reports from the Kosovo Police, the suspect, identified by initials  A.M., shot the woman, N.H., before committing suicide. At the scene of the incident, law enforcement officers seized a handgun, which was taken as evidence. The prosecutor ordered that the bodies of both individuals be transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsies.

The police investigation is currently focused on the crimes of “Aggravated Murder,” and “Suicide.”  Valon Preteni, the spokesperson for the Mitrovica Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed to KALLXO.com that “the full relationship between the victims has not yet been determined.”

“What we do know is that the incident occurred near a tunnel in Vushtrri.  We are still working to understand the circumstances that led to this tragic event,” Preteni stated. At this stage, authorities are interviewing witnesses to gather more details about the situation.