Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani confirms, Kenya has recognized Kosovo (media)
• Kurti thanks Pacolli and Osmani for Kenya's recognition (media)
• Gervalla after recognition by Kenya: Important step for international position (media)
• Osmani stresses urgency of removing punitive measures against Kosovo (RTK)
• Prime Minister's Office: Phone call incident proves Russia has Kosovo in its sight (media)
• Kurti's deception by Russian comedians sparks reactions (Koha)
• Police find an anti-tank rocket-propelled granade in Banjska, Zvecan (Reporteri)
• After rejection of Ceku's request to visit Presevo, Serbian minister also banned from entering Kosovo (RFE)
• Supreme Court rejects appeal, VV says it will appeal to Constitutional Court (media)
• Maqedonci met with French ambassador, discuss security issues (RTK)
• Belgium also considers possibility of renting prison facilities in Kosovo (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I agreed with Orban to improve relations between the two countries in all spheres (Tanjug, RTS, Blic)
• Serbian MFA: Kenya’s decision a gross violation of International Law, UN Charter trampled (RTS, Kosovo Online, N1, media)
• Djuric thanks Georgia for respecting Serbia's territorial integrity, sovereignty (Tanjug)
• Vucevic, the SL on the ban to Loncar from entering Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Pristina tried to ban Serbs from using documents issued in central Serbia (RTS, Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Through Merdare crossing with Serbian ID cards without hindrance (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• BMFI criticizes EU over Vucic ban on N1 correspondent in Brussels (N1)

International Media:

• Wave of murders in Kosovo sparks public outrage and government reactions (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo de-radicalisation blues: Catching up with the Islamic State returnees (Balkan Insight)

Osmani confirms, Kenya has recognized Kosovo (media)

A short while ago, the Kosovo Presidency officially received the decision signed by the President of Kenya, William Ruto, that this country recognized Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. This was confirmed by President Vjosa Osmani. "This recognition is a testament to the continued support for the right of the people of Kosovo to freedom, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, it is also a recognition of the long suffering and centuries-old sacrifice of the people of Kosovo for freedom," Osmani wrote on Facebook.

On behalf of the institutions and people of Kosovo, she expressed gratitude to the President of Kenya, William Ruto, for this decision, which she called fair and important, as well as to the institutions and citizens of Kenya who supported this major diplomatic step.

“Over the years, I have held several important meetings with him, in which the recognition of Kosovo has been a main topic of discussion. President Ruto has consistently assured the people of Kosovo that the decision on recognition will be taken quickly, based on international law and the long sacrifice of our people,” Osmani wrote.

She expressed gratitude to those who contributed to this process, especially former president and former Kosovo chief diplomat, Behgjet Pacolli.

She added that relations between Kosovo and Kenya will deepen in various fields, and that they expect diplomatic relations to be established very soon, building a strong and long-term partnership between the two states and peoples.

During the day, Pacolli called this a historic day, while distributing photographs from the ceremony of this recognition in the office of the Kenyan president.

"This victory did not come by chance. It is the fruit of long, tireless work, with dedication and sacrifice. Since 2009, I have personally lobbied and talked with the Kenyan authorities to make this day a reality," Pacolli wrote.

Kurti thanks Pacolli and Osmani for Kenya's recognition (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has thanked President Vjosa Osmani and former President Behgjet Pacolli for their contribution regarding the recognition of Kosovo by Kenya. "I thank the President of the country Vjosa Osmani and former President Behgjet Pacolli for their role, in addition to all those who contributed to this achievement. Gratitude to the President of Kenya William Samoei Ruto, who took the decision and the historic step towards bringing Kenya closer to the Republic of Kosovo and opening the way for building diplomatic relations between our two countries," Kurti wrote.

He further added that he hopes that the cooperation between the countries will be long-lasting and productive.

Later on, Kurti said that he spoke with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, whom he said he invited for an official visit to Kosovo.

Gervalla after recognition by Kenya: Important step for international position (media)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, welcomed the decision of the Republic of Kenya to officially recognize Kosovo. "From the first meeting we had in 2021 together with President Vjosa Osmani with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, we have seen the gradual path towards mutual recognition. We look forward to building genuine diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kenya and the beginning of cooperation between our two countries in various fields," Gervalla said.

Osmani stresses urgency of removing punitive measures against Kosovo (RTK)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani stressed on Wednesday during a meeting with EU ambassadors, "the urgency of removing unjust measures against Kosovo, which harm our citizens and violate the very principles of the EU."

She also discussed the dialogue process with Serbia and the steps towards the constitution of new institutions after the elections in Kosovo. President Osmani stressed that "Kosovo remains steadfast in its European journey and committed to cooperation in order to advance on this journey."

Prime Minister's Office: Phone call incident proves Russia has Kosovo in its sight (media)

The Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo has reacted to what it called the phone call incident – ​​a 'prank call' from Russian comedians, who introduced themselves to him as the president of Latvia. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the incident occurred on February 11, shortly after the February 9 elections, at a time when Prime Minister Kurti was receiving numerous congratulatory messages and calls about the election results.

“Due to time constraints, it was not always possible to conduct full verifications of each phone call. This unfortunate incident reinforces what we have known for a long time: Russia is obsessed with Kosovo and continues to target our country. During the election campaign for the February 9 parliamentary elections, Sputnik Serbia and Russia Today (RT) published over 60 fake news and disinformation articles, interfering in our democratic process, as documented by the EU Election Observation Mission,” the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office reads.

Further expressing regret that Prime Minister Albin Kurti became the target of such a call, it is emphasized that this episode reconfirms Prime Minister Kurti’s principled and consistent positions on key issues, both in public and private conversations.

During the day, famous Russian comedians, “Vovan & Lexus” have published a video with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who they say has fallen prey to their deception.

In the video published on the comedians’ channel, Kurti complains that there has been a hybrid war against him and that it has been carried out mainly by Serbia, Russia “but also their elements within Kosovo”. He has also criticized the former US envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Richard Grenell.

Kurti's deception by Russian comedians sparks reactions (Koha)

The opposition has reacted after Prime Minister Albin Kurti was deceived by famous Russian comedians, "Vovan & Lexus", who introduced themselves to Kurti as the Latvian president.

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, is seen in a video published on the social network Facebook, making a "desperate" face as he sees Kurti falling prey to the deception. He did not write anything next to the short 10-second video.

The deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Vlora Citaku, has also written about this case, saying that it is not shameful that he fell into the trap, but the "scandalous" conversation and its content. "The Prime Minister uses this 'meeting' to attack the opposition, the media, businesses – even the new US administration. The whole conversation highlights a disturbing level of superficiality and ignorance in handling foreign policy issues. And if this is the way Kurti speaks in meetings with international leaders, then… a disgrace to us," she wrote on Facebook, calling the whole incident a disaster.

The Coordinator of the Department for Defense and National Security within the Cabinet for Good Governance, Besa Kabashi-Ramaj, who is also a member of the PDK Presidency, has reacted after Kurti fell prey to deception. “The Scandal of Deception with Prime Minister Kurti – Alarm for the Security of Kosovo”, she wrote.

Police find an anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade in Banjska, Zvecan (Reporteri)

The Kosovo Police announced that on Tuesday at around 15:05, they managed to find an anti-tank rocket-propelled granade. The weapon was found in the mountains of the village of Banjska, Zvecan.According to law enforcement authorities, the rifle is an M-80, 64 mm, Serbian-made.

“The relevant police units, including the specialized unit for handling explosive devices, have arrived at the scene. The weapon has been seized as material evidence, while investigations into this case are ongoing,” the Police said, adding that the State Prosecutor has ordered the initiation of the case “Unauthorized possession, control or possession of weapons,” reports

After rejection of Ceku's request to visit Presevo, Serbian minister also banned from entering Kosovo (RFE)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (MFA) told Radio Free Europe that it has rejected the request for the visit of the Serbian Minister of Health, Zlatibor Loncar, to Kosovo, in retaliation for the rejection by the Serbian authorities of the visit of the Minister of Culture of Kosovo, Hajrulla Ceku, to Presevo. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, through the Liaison Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia, submitted the request for the visit of Minister Ceku on March 20, 2025, while it has not received any response from the Serbian side until March 26, the day the visit was planned," Qendresa Fazliu from the Office for Communications at the MFA told RFE.

“On the other hand, the Serbian side submitted its request on March 24, four days after our request, and requested that their visit take priority. So that we approve their request before they process our request, even though we were the first to make the request,” Fazliu added. The MFA accused Serbia of a “destructive approach,” adding that Belgrade aims to “impose bias in the treatment of official visits.”

“The MFA reiterates that Kosovo’s approach will remain based on reciprocity and respecting the constitutionality and laws of Kosovo,” said Fazliu from the MFA.

Supreme Court rejects appeal, VV says it will appeal to Constitutional Court (media)

The legal officer of the Vetevendosje Movement, who is also the Deputy Minister of Justice, Blerim Sallahu, has reacted after the Supreme Court rejected the appeal of this political entity, regarding the votes received by mail for the February 9 elections. He has warned that they will file a request for a constitutional review at the Constitutional Court and an interim measure against the decision. Sallahu said that precisely at the time when the Prosecutor's Office has begun investigations, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal.

Maqedonci met with French ambassador, discuss security issues (RTK)

The French Ambassador to Kosovo, Oliver Guerot, was a guest at the Ministry of Defense of Kosovo. He discussed with Minister Ejup Maqedonci security issues and cooperation between France and Kosovo. “Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, received in a meeting the Ambassador of France to Kosovo, Olivier Guerot, with whom they had a discussion on security issues and bilateral cooperation. In particular, the meeting focused on strengthening coordination to achieve common objectives and advancing relations between Kosovo and France. The Minister thanked Ambassador Guerot for the continued support of France, and his commitment to deepening bilateral relations,” the ministry announced.

Belgium also considers possibility of renting prison facilities in Kosovo (Koha)

The Kingdom of Belgium is exploring the possibility of sending prisoners to serve their sentences in prisons in Kosovo in order to address the overcrowding of Belgian prisons. This is reported by the news agency "Belga" citing Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden. The minister said in a debate in Parliament that the Belgian federal government is considering the possibility of renting or building prison facilities in other European countries where foreign citizens serving sentences in Belgium would be sent. During this debate, Kosovo was mentioned as a potential location. “Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden told Parliament on Wednesday that Kosovo is a serious option. However, she said, adapting the facilities to European standards takes time. The estimated price for such an agreement would be 202 million euros over a ten-year period,” writes the Belgian agency, recalling that Denmark already has such an agreement with Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: I agreed with Orban to improve relations between the two countries in all spheres (Tanjug, RTS, Blic)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced last night that in a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, he agreed to improve mutual relations between the two countries in all spheres of social life, including military and defense, reported Tanjug. 

"An excellent conversation with a great friend of Serbia, Viktor Orban. We exchanged opinions on the current political situation in the world, in Europe, and especially in our countries. We agreed on the accelerated improvement of our mutual relations in all spheres of social life, including the military and defense sphere," said Vucic on the Instagram profile of buducnostsrbijeav.

He added that he supported Orban in his efforts to preserve the independence of the Hungarian state and thanked him for his exceptional contribution in building closer Serbian-Hungarian relations.

Serbian MFA: Kenya’s decision a gross violation of International Law, UN Charter trampled (RTS, Kosovo Online, N1, media)

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned Kenya’s decision to recognize Kosovo’s independence, stating that this move constitutes a gross violation of international law and a direct breach of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which unequivocally guarantees Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“And this, in the very year that marks the 80th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Charter, which the Kenyan authorities have trampled upon with this act,” the Ministry stated in its announcement.

It further emphasized that such a decision undermines efforts aimed at constructive dialogue, regional stability, and respect for the international legal order.

The statement also rejects the justification based on the 2010 ruling of the International Court of Justice as unfounded.

The Ministry stressed that Kenya’s decision represents a regrettable precedent in the traditionally friendly relations between Serbia and Kenya—relations built over decades on mutual respect and cooperation, including within the Non-Aligned Movement.

“Serbia will take all necessary diplomatic and political measures in response to this unacceptable and hostile act,” the MFA declared.

It also recalled that over the past eight years, 28 countries have withdrawn or suspended their recognition of Kosovo’s independence, while only two new states have decided to recognize it, demonstrating that the clear majority of the international community, as well as law and justice, stand with Serbia.

“We will continue our fight even more resolutely. Serbia remains firmly committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity by all available diplomatic and legal means,” the Ministry’s statement concluded.

Djuric thanks Georgia for respecting Serbia's territorial integrity, sovereignty (Tanjug)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric on Wednesday received a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, led by Committee President Nikoloz Samkharadze, and thanked Georgia for its "consistent respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia."

Djuric also said that Serbia "unequivocally supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia," the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

“Djuric emphasised that the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is not only a matter of territory, but also of national identity, and that Belgrade will continue to be a constructive party in the dialogue with Pristina.

Djuric stressed that Belgrade will continue to insist on the implementation of previously agreed-upon agreements as mechanisms to ensure the political, economic, and other rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

According to the statement, Djuric said, among other things, that Serbia remains committed to preserving peace and stability in the region, which is a fundamental precondition for further economic and overall development of the Western Balkans. 

Vucevic, the SL on the ban to Loncar from entering Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister in technical mandate Milos Vucevic said, regarding Pristina's ban on Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar to visit Kosovo, that this was another proof that PM Albin Kurti, was allowed to do everything.

Vucevic said that it was normal that the minister wants to visit the health facilities in that area because they are part of the Serbian system.

"I think it would be most normal if Zlatibor Loncar, like any citizen of Serbia, traveled around KiM''. 

"I will remind you that they did not even allow the Serbian Patriarch to enter Kosovo and Metohija, and we also have many obstacles for the entry of Serbian goods into Kosovo and Metohija through one crossing. You never have peace with Kurti," Vucevic told reporters.

The Serbian List strongly condemned the illegal decision of the regime in Pristina to ban the visit of the Serbian Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar to the Serbian health institutions in North Mitrovica and Gracanica.

The SL said that this decision was against the valid agreements. They said that the visit was announced in advance with the compliance of all procedures and was of exceptional importance for the health system in Kosovo, and all people who use the services of this system - Serbs, Bosniaks, Roma, Goranians and even Albanians.

"The silence of those who are the guarantors of the signed agreements tells us that they are complicit in the disenfranchisement of the Serbian people, because healthcare is a basic right that must be protected and guaranteed in accordance with the agreements, but also international treaties and conventions on human rights," the statement of this party said among other things. 

They also referred to violation of freedom of movement, saying that in ''the last days of his dictatorship, Albin Kurti continued to persecute everything Serbian, but also to implement moves that violate all signed agreements, especially regarding freedom of movement''.

"This is supported by the attempts to deny the freedom of movement of some Serbs at the Merdare crossing with identity cards issued by the police administrations of the cities of Kosovo and Metohija, which have been relocated to the territory of central Serbia, which is another provocation of the regime from Pristina," said the Serbian List statement. 

Petkovic: Pristina tried to ban Serbs from using documents issued in central Serbia (RTS, Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated yesterday that the authorities in Pristina illegally and unilaterally tried in the past few days to prohibit the use of the documents and deny the freedom of movement through the Merdare administrative crossing to some citizens of Serbian nationality. Petkovic referred to ID cards issued by the police administrations for the cities in Kosovo, which have been relocated to central Serbia.

He pointed out that the Office immediately informed the EU, as well as its special representative in charge of the Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, about it through diplomatic channels on Monday, upon learning that such cases are sporadically happening to Serbs.

Petkovic added that Sorensen was informed about this problem and the new Pristina violation of the agreement on freedom of movement during the meeting in Belgrade on March 25, as well as that on that occasion confirmation was received from the EU that Serbian citizens, residing in the territory of Kosovo, have the right to unhindered use of identity cards issued by the Police administrations (PU) transferred from Kosovo to central Serbia.

Through Merdare crossing with Serbian ID cards without hindrance (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)

Kosovo Online reported that at the Merdare crossing yesterday, the ID cards issued by the police administrations of the cities in Kosovo, relocated in central Serbia, can be passed without hindrance. 

The Kosovo Online team reported from Merdare and Jarinje crossings, following the news in connection to reports of some media that it was not possible to pass through the Merdare crossing with Serbian documents. 

According to the portal, citizens who owned Serbian documents yesterday at the Merdare crossing had no problem entering Kosovo, that is, central Serbia, with the same documents.

The Kosovo Online team previously visited Jarinje, where the movement of citizens with Serbian documents also takes place without hindrance.

BMFI criticizes EU over Vucic ban on N1 correspondent in Brussels (N1)

The Balkan Free Media Initiative criticized leading European Commission officials for allowing Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to block an N1 correspondent from his news conference after their meeting in Brussels.

“The European Union speaks of media freedom, yet Vucic’s playbook unfolds right under its nose. Minutes after (European Commission President) Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to press freedom, a journalist was blocked from doing their job — in Brussels,” the BMFI said in on X.

N1’s European correspondent Nikola Radisic was not invited to Vucic’s news conference after the meetings in Brussels.

 International Media 

Wave of murders in Kosovo sparks public outrage and government reactions (Prishtina Insight)

A recent surge in violent crimes has sparked concern in Kosovo, prompting strong reactions from government officials and the public.

In a span of three days, four people were murdered in three separate incidents across Kosovo, raising concerns about security, access to firearms, and law effectiveness.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called on law enforcement and judicial institutions to thoroughly investigate the motives, circumstances, and psychological profiles of the perpetrators to ensure justice and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

During the meeting of the Government of Kosovo on Wednesday, Kurti condemned the murders and emphasized that the act of murder must never be normalised.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/bycppr65

Kosovo de-radicalisation blues: Catching up with the Islamic State returnees (Balkan Insight)

“For a small country, Kosovo sent a lot of citizens to the caliphate. The survivors came back to prison, reintegration programmes and arguments over headscarves in the classroom.”

These days, Nuredin Sylejmani rejects terrorism and accepts that he had to go to jail. Back then, he admits, he had been hanging out with the “wrong people, at the wrong place and the wrong time”. Still, he wishes the justice system had been fairer. He was 27 in 2013, when the police picked him up. I met him in Dubrava prison ten years later, as he was nearing the end of his sentence. He had spent much of the last decade in custody and was appealing for an early release. “The days here are too long,” he said. Sylejmani was one of the last prisoners still serving time in Kosovo on terrorism charges stemming from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. 

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/ahzwj75e