Albanian Language Media: 

• U.S. Congressman: Grenell will have a voice in Kosovo-Serbia Issue (Express)
• International meeting to strengthen the Asset Recovery Office in Kosovo (RTK)
• Kosovo transitions from World Bank aid recipient to contributor (media)
• Basic Prosecution files indictment against Minister Damka (media)
• Vucic dismisses Serbia's ambassador to Zagreb following Albania-Croatia-Kosovo agreement (euronews.al)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: All West has done to us is now hitting them like boomerang, bombing was precedent (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric met Sorensen, says Pristina’s unilateral actions have put Serbs in Kosovo in difficult position (Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic met Sorensen, discussed difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)
• Serbian List met UNMIK Head, discussed upcoming UNSC session on Kosovo (media)
• Mali: All options - early elections or new government - on table (Tanjug, media)
• NGOs say ECHR asked Serbia to respond to allegations of “sonic weapon” use (N1)
• MoD: SAF was not on heightened readiness for March 15 protest (N1)

International Media:

• Kosovo's Turkish minority minister charged with assault, complicating Cabinet formation (AP)
• Complaint against Kallxo and two other media outlets on delayed imprisonment reporting dismissed (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo court orders detention for Gjakova Water Supply CEO for abuse of office and document forgery (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

U.S. Congressman: Grenell will have a voice in Kosovo-Serbia Issue (Express)

Mike Lawler, member of the Foreign Policy Committee in the U.S. Congress, has said that the U.S. does not interfere in who will form the new government of Kosovo. “When people speak in their elections, the objective is to respect and accept this, and to work together to overcome divisions. In every country, people have the right to choose the government they want, and the objective of the U.S. is not to decide who makes the government, our objective is to work with whoever the people choose, so this is our responsibility,” said Lawler, in an interview with the “Interaktiv Talks” show of journalist, Xhemajl Rexha.

According to Lawler, Kosovo is a major ally of the U.S., and he believes that it is in the national security interest of America to keep its troops in Kosovo. Speaking about the Trump administration’s approach to the EU facilitated Dialogue, Lawler said that “Ambassador Grenell will have a voice in this process, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are also there.”

Lawler said that the expected end to the war in Ukraine will allow for a focus on other parts of the world, including “ensuring peace between Kosovo and Serbia.”

See the interview here: https://tinyurl.com/2ry39rj6

International meeting to strengthen the Asset Recovery Office in Kosovo (RTK)

The Head of the Asset Recovery Office, Prosecutor Bahri Hyseni, hosted on Tuesday a joint meeting with representatives of the AIRE Center – Western Balkans Program and representatives of the British Embassy in Pristina.

According to the announcement, Prosecutor Hyseni informed the attendees about the role of the Asset Recovery Office and the steps that have been taken to make this office functional. He emphasized that “the Office’s goal is to draft the law on Asset Recovery, based on the recommendations of the EU Directive, which obliges every country to establish such offices.”

Also, representatives of the AIRE Center, engaged in strengthening the judicial systems of the region to address these challenges, offered training and study visits to officials of the Asset Recovery Office, with the aim of improving its efficiency. They also stressed the importance of using asset recovery as a tool to combat criminal and illegal financial activities.

According to the announcement, representatives of the British Embassy in Kosovo expressed their readiness for cooperation, offering support in drafting the concept document for the Law on the Asset Recovery Office and in concluding cooperation agreements with counterpart offices in the Western Balkan countries.

Kosovo transitions from World Bank aid recipient to contributor (media)

The World Bank's Vice President for Finance Development, Akihiko Nishio, praised Kosovo's recent decision to become a contributor to the institution, calling it a historic milestone and a testament to Kosovo’s resilience on the international stage. At a press conference alongside Acting Finance Minister Hekuran Murati, Nishio emphasized that Kosovo is now taking its place as a donor in IDA-21 (the International Development Association), thus completing a full cycle in its development journey.

"A moment of profound significance, not only for Kosovo and the World Bank but also for the global community. Today, Kosovo takes its place as a donor in IDA-21, as the Minister mentioned, thus completing a full circle in its development journey. And this is why I have come to Pristina—to celebrate this moment and share it with you, and to make it known to the world that Kosovo has taken this bold decision, which will help the poorest countries in the world. Despite having endured the wounds of war from 1998 to 1999 and emerging as one of Europe's most vulnerable economies, Kosovo's decision to contribute to IDA-21 embodies extraordinary resilience. It is a bold statement that nations that have overcome deep hardship can become champions of global solidarity... This transition from recipient to contributor is a rare and remarkable story, reflecting Kosovo's resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress... Your decision to contribute to IDA-21 strengthens our shared goals: ending poverty and building equitable societies. It challenges us all to reimagine what is possible when countries pursue their path with determination. Determination leads to growth when cultivated through partnership, and that can transcend borders and generations," Nishio said.

Basic Prosecution files indictment against Minister Damka (media)

The Basic Prosecution in Prizren has filed an indictment against the Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka, and another person on suspicion of the criminal offenses of “assault” and “threat”. According to the indictment, on February 9 in Prizren, the defendant Damka had used physical force against A.M. and M.J. after a previous dispute, regarding the publication of some information and news on social networks, about the KDTP party and the defendant Damka. The incident occurred while the injured parties were standing in the neighborhood park with several other members of their party, YTHP. According to the indictment, Damka pushed the victim and threatened and attacked her. Damka is also accused of verbally threatening the injured parties A.M. and M.J. that he would take their lives.

Vucic dismisses Serbia's ambassador to Zagreb following Albania-Croatia-Kosovo agreement (euronews.al)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has dismissed Serbia's ambassador to Zagreb, Jelena Milic, according to a decision published this Tuesday in Serbia's Official Gazette. The official document confirms that Milic has been relieved of her duties, with the decision coming into immediate effect. No specific reason has been provided for the dismissal.

The development comes at a time of escalating tensions between Serbia and Croatia, following a defense cooperation agreement signed on March 18 in Tirana between Albania, Kosovo and Croatia.

President Vucic sharply criticized the agreement, calling it a new arms race in the region. "We got the message. We will do everything to protect our country," he announced.

On the other hand, Croatia responded by emphasizing that it has the right to cooperate in the defense sector with any country it chooses.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: All West has done to us is now hitting them like boomerang, bombing was precedent (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday the 1999 NATO bombing of the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had been a precedent and a violation of international law. In an interview for the Swiss weekly Weltwoche, Vucic said the precedent meant that big powers could violate international law when they wanted to.

That is now hitting the West like a boomerang, Vucic said, citing the Ukraine conflict as an example.

"Whatever they did against us they now see, with Ukraine, that even the Russians are using the same narrative they (the West) used against us. That is a smart decision by the Russian top leadership. I would do the same if I was them. It is not good for us, but it is good for them. And what kind of answer can you give them - that the bombing of Serbia was legal? It was not, and they know it, and they just want to avoid any talk about that and make sure it is not heard. And when they need to say one sentence, they say 'well, we averted a big humanitarian disaster in Kosovo' - exactly the same sentence the Russians used in Donetsk and Lugansk. And I now ask my friends in the West: Tell me what you were doing in 1999", Vucic said.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/S7r8b

Djuric met Sorensen, says Pristina’s unilateral actions have put Serbs in Kosovo in difficult position (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met yesterday with the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, emphasizing that the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities and the implementation of other obligations from the Brussels Agreement are key for the normalization of relations.

During the meeting, Djuric said there has been no progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue for years, adding the first prerequisite for reviving the process is rebuilding trust among all parties involved, reads the statement published by Serbian MFA.

Djuric also said that “unilateral actions of (Albin) Kurti's regime in recent years have placed the Serbian people in Kosovo in an extremely difficult position, further straining already fragile relations between the Albanian and non-Albanian populations. With this in mind, Belgrade will continue to support Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, advocating for the respect of their fundamental rights, some of which are guaranteed by regulations enacted by Pristina itself".

Emphasizing that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue has a broader political context, Djuric pointed out that a stronger EU role is needed in the coming period to resume the dialogue and find compromise solutions.

Petkovic met Sorensen, discussed difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic met yesterday with the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Petkovic informed Sorensen about the difficult situation facing the Serbian people in Kosovo, as well as the challenges in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which he attributed to the destructive actions of the Pristina authorities and their rejection of any idea of compromise, reads the statement from the Office for KiM.

"At this moment, the most important issue for Belgrade is the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, a key element of the dialogue so far. Belgrade will continue to clearly demand from both Pristina and Brussels this obligation be fulfilled in accordance with the agreements signed by the dialogue participants in 2013 and 2015", Petkovic emphasized.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/zRN4S

Serbian List met UNMIK Head, discussed upcoming UNSC session on Kosovo (media)

Serbian List vice presidents, Dragisa Milovic and Igor Simic met with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh and discussed with her upcoming UNSC session at which UNMIK’s report on the situation in Kosovo will be presented.

During the meeting Serbian List representatives pointed out “obvious continuation of institutional violence against the Serbs, even against minors and children of Serbian and Bosniak ethnicities, who were recently beaten up and unjustly deprived of freedom by members of Kosovo police”, reads the statement of Serbian List posted on Facebook.

They also spoke of the one MP seat in Kosovo Assembly “that was taken away from the Serbian people and gifted to Nenad Rasic by the regime in Pristina, respectively to (Albin) Kurti’s Self-determination”. 

Mali: All options - early elections or new government - on table (Tanjug, media)

Serbian caretaker First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali told Tanjug on Tuesday all options - early parliamentary polls or electing a new government - were on the table and that getting a new government as soon as possible was important for Serbia.

Noting that President Aleksandar Vucic had announced the first consultations for later this week, Mali said: "We will see how things are going". "In my opinion, it is very important that we have a government as soon as possible, that our Serbia has a strong, stable government. Simply, you need to navigate through all these global problems, geopolitical challenges, as well as regional challenges, with a calm head. And for that we also need a stable government so that it has continuity and the credibility to respond to all those challenges", Mali said.

He also said the establishment of a Movement for the People and the State, announced by Vucic, was important as the organisation would bring together all those who cared about Serbia and wanted stable economic growth and progress.

NGOs say ECHR asked Serbia to respond to allegations of “sonic weapon” use (N1)

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Monday evening requested Serbia to respond to questions regarding allegations of the use of sonic weapons during the protest in Belgrade on March 15, 2025, reads a statement from civil society organizations, N1 reported.

“The Court has set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for Serbia to clarify whether prohibited means were used against demonstrators, the legal basis for the alleged deployment of such devices, and the safeguards in place to prevent arbitrary use of force. Serbia’s response must be submitted by the prescribed deadline of Monday, March 31, 2025”, the NGOs said.

On behalf of 47 citizens of Serbia and in light of the events that disrupted a 15-minute commemoration for the victims of the tragedy at Novi Sad railway station, several civil society organizations – the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, CRTA, FemPlatz, Civic Initiatives, the A11 Initiative for Economic and Social Rights, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM) – have lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/V3O18

MoD: SAF was not on heightened readiness for March 15 protest (N1)

On March 15, the day of the protest in Belgrade, the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) and its units were not in an increased state of combat readiness or on high alert, said the Serbian Ministry of Defence, N1 reported.

At the request of the Ministry of the Interior and in accordance with the Law on the Serbian Armed Forces, a certain number of military police personnel provided assistance to the Ministry of the Interior in guarding public administration buildings, as well as the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces buildings, said the press release.

“The Serbian Armed Forces are the armed forces of all citizens, they are ideologically neutral, disinterested and non-partisan and carry out their missions and tasks in accordance with the Constitution, law and the principles of international law”, the Ministry also said.

It added that certain opposition politicians have been making “malicious claims” about the Serbian Armed Forces’ activities conducted in the period before and during the protests held in Belgrade on March 15, 2025. “This is fake news and an attempt to cause a public disturbance in order to score minor political points. The Serbian Armed Forces strongly condemn spreading fake news as one sees fit and dismiss the information that our armed forces were preparing to break up the protest or that they used some coercive means, much less a prohibited one that they do not possess”, the Ministry said.

 International Media 

Kosovo's Turkish minority minister charged with assault, complicating Cabinet formation (AP)

A Cabinet minister from Kosovo's Turkish minority was charged Tuesday with physical assault, in what could become another setback to the ruling party's efforts to form a governing coalition following last month's election.

The Prizren prosecutor's office, located 86 kilometers (53 miles) west of the capital, Pristina, has accused Fikrim Damka, minister of regional development, of attacking two individuals from a rival Turkish minority party on election day.

The alleged assault stemmed from "the publication of some information and news on social media platforms" critical of Damka and his party, according to the prosecutor's office.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yc3dfz4t

Complaint against Kallxo and two other media outlets on delayed imprisonment reporting dismissed (Prishtina Insight)

The Information and Privacy Agency dismissed a lawyer’s complaint alleging that media reports on the delayed imprisonment of his client unlawfully disclosed sensitive health data. The ruling favored KALLXO.com and other media outlets, citing public interest and judicial transparency.

The Information and Privacy Agency, AIP, dismissed as unfounded the complaint filed by lawyer Besnik Berisha on behalf of Shaban Gogaj, who was convicted of negligent murder.

The complaint, directed against KALLXO.com and other media outlets, concerned reports on the postponement of Gogaj’s prison sentence execution.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/w63A6

Kosovo court orders detention for Gjakova Water Supply CEO for abuse of office and document forgery (Prishtina iNsight)

At the request of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, the Basic Court of Prishtina has imposed a 30-day detention on the CEO of the Regional Water Company ‘KRU Gjakova’ for abuse of office and document forgery following KALLXO.com’s investigation.

The Basic Court in Prishtina ordered a 30-day detention for KRU Gjakova CEO Hasan Krasniqi for the misuse of his official duties and falsifying documents on Thursday.

Krasniqi was arrested two days ago based on suspicions raised following an October 2024 KALLXO.com investigation that shed light on how the water supply company purchased a non-customs cleared boat from a company established just a month before winning the tender.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/Lrtb9