UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 19, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani to travel to New York for UN General Assembly high-level week (media)
Kurti addresses Kosovo Serbs: Don’t trust warmongering cries of senior Belgrade officials (media)
Kosovo wants international reaction to Serbia’s derecognitions campaign (media)
Haradinaj: AAK will contribute to overcoming the deadlock (media)
Orav meets President of Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (media)
Svecla: Ammunition found in property of key suspect for killed policeman (media)
Qalaj: Serb community in Kosovo under Belgrade’s pressure and terror (media)
KLA War Veterans meet Guerot, express concerns related to special court (media)
Rohde urges Kosovo to respect Rule of Law and form new government (Klan)
KFOR and British Army Commanders discuss security in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Pristina's new threats aimed at new expulsions of Serbs (Tanjug, media)
Serbian List: People noticed armed civilians without any markings in Mitrovica North, call upon EULEX and KFOR to react (Tanjug, media)
Serbian List: Kurti’s threats on integration of healthcare and education are not part of any negotiations (Kosovo Online)
Jovanovic meets UN Office in Belgrade Head, says Serbia highly appreciates presence of UNMIK (Kosovo Online, media)
Vucic receives recognition for cooperation through Serbia-Ohio partnership program (media)
Fatherland Movement alleges police raid on Serbian Health Fund building in north “result of Belgrade - Pristina deal” (KoSSev, media)
Kosovo police warn of scams involving impersonation of senior official Veton Elshani (KoSSev)
Biznis.rs: Serbia in talks with Russia on nuclear power plant construction (N1)
Students plan rally on day of military parade (N1)
Gathering in support of journalists killed in Gaza (N1)

International:

Thaci ‘lacked decision-making authority’ during Kosovo war: trial witness (BIRN)
Albanian opposition furious as AI ‘minister’ makes Parliament ‘speech’ (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani to travel to New York for UN General Assembly high-level week (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will travel to New York for the UN General Assembly’s high-level week which will take place from September 22 to 30. “As every year, President Osmani will be in New York for meetings with counterparts and other official activities during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week,” Osmani’s media advisor told several news websites on Thursday.

Kurti addresses Kosovo Serbs: Don’t trust warmongering cries of senior Belgrade officials (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has addressed the Serb community in Kosovo in Serbian, through a video message, calling on them not to believe “the warmongering rhetoric of high-ranking officials in Belgrade.”

“Official Belgrade is officially lying. The government of Kosovo and other state institutions will protect you from them as well. Your peace and security are our responsibility," Kurti said in the message.

He emphasized that interethnic intolerance does not exist in Kosovo, contrary to what is portrayed by some, and that there is actually cooperation, especially in the fields of economy and trade. "Of course, where there is profit, there is cooperation, but that cooperation must be legal and regulated. However, we must admit there is a language barrier, meaning fewer and fewer Albanians speak Serbian, and vice versa."

Kurti stressed the importance of fighting for justice and prosperity, underlining the need to integrate and unify the healthcare and education systems. "Just like all other citizens of Kosovo, you are entitled to public institutional services, and you deserve equal access to our common goods. I am committed to unity and equality. Clearly, the dual system of healthcare and education is unsustainable. Integration and unification are necessary."

"I don’t want to do this against you or without you. During our next term, together with everyone, including the future mayors of the municipalities, we will work on integrating healthcare and education into a single system. I believe it is possible to have a legal, fair, and more functional system. And we know how essential major investments are."

Kurti concluded by stating that this process will include collaboration with international partners: "Within such a process, we will unite ideas, experiences, and forces with our international partners: the European Union and its Special Representative for Dialogue, the Quint countries, and KFOR."

Kosovo wants international reaction to Serbia’s derecognitions campaign (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker government accused Serbia on Thursday of continuing to refuse to implement the Basic Agreement in Brussels and the Ohrid implementation annex reached between Kosovo and Serbia in 2023. Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric said on Wednesday that they prepared “surprises” on the Kosovo issue, implying the campaign for derecognitions.

Klisman Kadiu, advisor to Kosovo caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, said that Djuric’s statement against Kosovo’s international recognition is the latest proof that Serbia is openly violating article four of the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid implementation annex. “Serbia is not ready or willing to be cooperative and constructive in the process of dialogue. But when will the international community deal with this seriously and react towards this destructiveness in the process and Serbia’s continuous refusal,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Haradinaj: AAK will contribute to overcoming the deadlock (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said on Thursday that this party will contribute to overcoming the institutional deadlock and returning Kosovo on the Euro-Atlantic course. Haradinaj made these remarks after meeting Thomas Busch, chief political advisor to EU special representative for the dialogue, Peter Sorensen. “We also discussed the challenges and prospects of Kosovo’s European integration, while appreciating the role of the EU in this strategic process,” Haradinaj said in a Facebook post.

Orav meets President of Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (media)

Several news websites reported on Thursday that the EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, met with Judge Zenel Leku, President of Kosovo’s Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP). Orav’s reaffirmed the EU’s support for the Panel’s consistent and transparent work to preserve the integrity of elections, despite political pressures. “The Ambassador said that this is vital for Kosovo’s democracy and its EU future,” the EU Office in Kosovo said in a Facebook post.

Svecla: Ammunition found in property of key suspect for killed policeman (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said in a Facebook post on Thursday the ammunition, military and police uniforms seized by Kosovo Police on Thursday, were found in the property of Nemanja Radivojevic, who he said is the main suspect behind the explosion that killed Kosovo Police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku in September 2023 in Banjska. “As long as Serbia refuses to hand over these people, they remain a direct threat to our Republic. The equipment found today are clear evidence that this criminal group, directed by Serbia, has made lengthy preparations and never gave up from efforts to threaten the legal and constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo. But our country and our security institutions have wider spread and are stronger than ever before in this part of the country and will not tolerate an ounce of these criminal and terrorist elements to threaten Kosovo,” Svecla argued.

Qalaj: Serb community in Kosovo under Belgrade’s pressure and terror (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Rashit Qalaj, in an interview with TV Dukagjini on Thursday, said that the Serb community in Kosovo lives under pressure and terror from Belgrade and its security mechanisms. “The state of Serbia, the president of Serbia, their security mechanisms, exert pressure on the entire Serb community in Kosovo not to follow Kosovo’s institutions, and they have mechanisms to exert this pressure. In addition to stopping them at the border, interviewing them and arresting them, they also fire people from work and stop their assistance. This is terror. This is the mechanism that the state of Serbia uses continuously,” he argued.

KLA War Veterans meet Guerot, express concerns related to special court (media)

Representatives of the Organization of KLA War Veterans met on Thursday with French Ambassador to Kosovo, Olivier Guerot, and expressed their concerns about the Specialist Chambers and the conditions of their fellow combatants who are on trial in the Hague. “We asked the French Ambassador to convey these concerns to the highest levels of his state. We thank the ambassador for his attention, and France, as an allied country, for its contribution to the liberation and building of the state of Kosovo. We ask for nothing but justice,” the war veterans said in a Facebook post.

Rohde urges Kosovo to respect Rule of Law and form new government quickly (Klan)

In an extensive interview aired by Klan Kosova, the outgoing German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, addressed recent tensions between Kosovo’s leadership and European Union member states, and issued a clear call for the formation of a new government following the February 9 national elections.

Rohde explained the EU’s collective decision to avoid official meetings with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti in his office, referring to a letter from EU countries in Kosovo. He emphasized that this is an EU policy rooted in respect for Kosovo's Constitutional and Supreme Court rulings, and noted that undermining the judiciary harms democratic institutions. “If you ask the Court to decide, then don’t undermine its credibility. Democracy means respecting decisions, even if you don’t like them,” said Rohde, adding that the same principle applies in democracies like Germany and the United States.

He expressed concern over political delays in Pristina, warning that Kosovo risks missing key opportunities on its European path if a functioning government is not formed soon. “You are in a race. Albania and Montenegro have just opened new EU accession chapters. Without a government, Kosovo is at risk of missing the bus,” Rohde cautioned.

The ambassador highlighted Germany’s continued support for Kosovo, including through the Berlin Process, visa liberalization, and backing for Kosovo’s bid to join the Council of Europe. However, he warned that political paralysis could jeopardize not only integration efforts but also EU financial assistance. “If Parliament doesn’t work, the money doesn’t come. There’s a real danger these funds could be lost,” he warned.

Rohde reiterated Germany’s commitment to Kosovo’s democratic development and its European future, calling on political leaders to act responsibly and promptly.

KFOR and British Army Commanders discuss security in Kosovo (media)

The Commander of the KFOR mission, Enrico Barduani, hosted on Thursday the Commander of the British Army’s 7th Brigade, Andrew Watson. According to KFOR’s statement, the two commanders discussed the current security dynamics in Kosovo and the broader regional context. “Brigadier General Watson praised KFOR’s ongoing role in fostering a stable and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo.”

“General Barduani expressed his sincere appreciation for the dedication and professionalism of British personnel, and in particular, extended heartfelt gratitude to the Scottish Guards, deployed in Kosovo as part of NATO’s reserve forces,” the statement reads.

KFOR reiterated that it works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) within their respective security roles.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: Pristina's new threats aimed at new expulsions of Serbs (Tanjug, media)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said on Thursday “Pristina's new threats that Serbs living and working in Kosovo and Metohija would soon need to obtain work permits and register their places of residence at police stations were aimed at a new wave of expulsions of Serbs at the direct behest of Albin Kurti”, Tanjug news agency reported.

"Due to the announcement of these new escalatory moves, Belgrade will request that the international community stop Kurti's rampage, which brings unforeseeable consequences. Unless the EU and the Quint stop Kurti in his intent to fully disenfranchise the Serbs, Belgrade will be forced to consider an adequate political and legal response to such a drastic threat to the fundamental rights of the Serbs through new unilateral and violent moves by Pristina", Petkovic said in an official statement.

He said it was evident that Albin Kurti was afraid of the outcome of the October 12 local elections, in which the Serbs could regain control of four municipalities in the north of Kosovo, and, for that reason, he was trying to make as many anti-Serb decisions as possible to inflict additional harm on the Serbs.

"In the same way, this announcement, with which Kurti's police are now threatening, has become a part of the electoral campaign, in which Self-Determination is trying to regain the support of the ethnic Albanian electorate at the expense of the Serbs. At a time when international partners are abandoning Kurti, he is resorting to even more radical unilateral moves, calling into question the agreements reached in Brussels", Petkovic warned.

Serbian List: People noticed armed civilians without any markings in Mitrovica North, call upon EULEX and KFOR to react (Tanjug, media)

Serbian List said last night that larger number of armed civilians, without any markings, had been noticed at the main city promenade in Mitrovica North, in particular near the main bridge and urged KFOR and EULEX missions to, as it was said, urgently go to the spot, Tanjug news agency reported.

The Serbian List said in a press statement that people worried about their own safety informed the party of these armed persons presence. It called upon EULEX and KFOR to verify what it was about, given concerns of people for their own safety and given that in the evening hours many families with their children are walking on the city promenade.

“We call upon citizens to remain calm and not fall prey to eventual provocations of the outgoing regime in Pristina, who are ready to do anything in an attempt to score cheap political points”, the statement added.

Kosovo Online portal reported later in the evening that Kosovo outgoing Prime Minster Albin Kurti had some sort of a working meeting with his party candidates in upcoming local elections in Mitrovica North. The meeting took place in one of the coffee bars, owned by Albanian, at the main city promenade, with heavy police presence and security, as well as several dozen people. Kurti’s visit was not announced to the media, while he briefly stayed in Mitrovica North and left to Mitrovica South afterwards, the portal added.

Serbian List: Kurti’s threats on integration of healthcare and education are not part of any negotiations (Kosovo Online)

Serbian List reacting to the last night address of outgoing Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to Serbs in Kosovo, in which he spoke about plans to integrate healthcare and education systems, upcoming local elections and Serbian List, said the fact that Albin Kurti is full of praise for some Serbs, while attacking Serbian List “speaks volume who Serbs in Kosovo should vote for, in local elections on October 12”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

As the Serbian List said, threats about some sort of integration of healthcare and education systems into the Kosovo system were not part of any negotiations and agreements. “These are the pillars of the survival of the Serbian people and shall remain as such. All international agreements clearly say these are separate systems, and this is what the Serbian List, with support of our people, will fight for. Nevertheless, this is a clear threat, to which we expect even stronger reaction from the international community”, Serbian List underlined.

The party also said Serbs will never allow anyone to impose on them their representatives, no matter how hard some tried over the last few years. They also said Albin Kurti “(…) by spending his time with some Serbs obedient to him, got the impression all Serbs are like those close to him (…)”. Serbian List added “they will not be scared by Kurti, nor be prevented from speaking publicly about repression and human rights violations”, noting that “his (Kurti’s) attacks against Serbian List and staged processes against leaders of this party, speak the best of the righteous path this party took and righteous policy they conduct”.

Jovanovic meets UN Office in Belgrade Head, says Serbia highly appreciates presence of UNMIK (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Nevena Jovanovic met yesterday with UN Secretary General Representative and Head of UN Office in Belgrade, Dominika Krois, noting on that occasion that Serbia highly appreciates presence of UNMIK in Kosovo, stressing, as the statement said, the importance of respecting the status neutrality principle in all activities of the UN system, Kosovo Online portal reported.

As the statement of the Serbian Foreign Ministry further said, particular attention was dedicated to the work of UNMIK in Kosovo, whose mandate is based on legally binding UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Jovanovic pointed out significance of regular discussions of UN Secretary General reports on the work of this mission at UNSC sessions, which, as she said, represents an important mechanism of providing information about political and security situation, position of Serbs and other non-Albanian population, as well as issues relating to the rule of law, human rights, cultural and religious heritage protection. She also said it is necessary to preserve the mandate of UNMIK in full scope and without reduced competencies and the budget, so that the mission can act effectively in line with Resolution 1244.

Jovanovic, once again pointed out the significance of respecting the principle of status neutrality in all activities of the UN system, including the work of the UN Development Coordinator Office in Pristina as a prerequisite to preserve credibility and efficiency of the organization, the statement added.

Vucic receives recognition for cooperation through Serbia-Ohio partnership program (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Thursday in Belgrade with Ohio National Guard Commander Brig Gen Matthew Woodruff, from whom he received recognition for his commitment to advancing the cooperation through a Ohio–Serbia State Partnership program.

In a post on his official Instagram profile, Vucic noted that he was pleased Woodruff would be attending Saturday's military parade in Belgrade and added that they had discussed the current security situation in the region and worldwide.

"We had a good and cordial discussion and I expressed special pleasure that General Woodruff, as an esteemed guest, will be attending our Strength of Unity military parade, at which we will proudly demonstrate the strength of our army", Vucic noted, adding that they had also discussed the priorities and the prospects of cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ohio National Guard.

Fatherland Movement alleges police raid on Serbian Health Fund building in north “result of Belgrade - Pristina deal” (KoSSev, media)

The opposition Fatherland Movement has accused Belgrade of, as it said, colluding with Pristina over Kosovo police raid on the offices of Serbia’s health and pension insurance fund in North Mitrovica, KoSSev portal reported.

In a statement, Fatherland alleged that the incursion into the Republican Health and Pension Insurance Fund premises in North Mitrovica was “the result of an agreement reached in Brussels between the head of Serbian Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, and the representative of Pristina”.

The group said it was telling that, even before police had withdrawn from the building, Belgrade had reportedly already ordered the Fund’s staff to prepare to relocate their operations to Raska and Novi Pazar in central Serbia.

International

Thaci ‘lacked decision-making authority’ during Kosovo war: trial witness (BIRN)

Witness Paul Williams confirmed defence claims that the Kosovo Liberation Army did not have a proper command structure – and said Hashim Thaci could not make decisions without the approval of KLA battlefield commanders.

In his two-day testimony at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, Paul Williams, who was adviser to the Kosovo delegation during the failed Rambouillet peace talks in 1999, gave testimony that backed up defence claims that former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci could not have directly ordered war crimes.

Williams told the court on Thursday that the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, had “a rural-based structure” and that Thaci did not have authority to make decisions without the approval of the guerrilla forces’ operational zone commanders, among others.

Williams, the second witness in Thaci’s defence against war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, also confirmed the defence’s claims that the KLA did not have a proper army command structure but was a grassroots movement with decision-making from the ground up.

Similar claims were made by the first defence witness in the trial, former assistant US Secretary of State James Rubin, who testified from Monday to Wednesday,

Thaci and his co-defendants Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi are on trial for allegedly having individual and command responsibility for crimes committed against prisoners held at KLA detention facilities in Kosovo and in neighbouring Albania, including 102 murders. The crimes were allegedly committed during and just after the war in 1998 and 1999. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Williams explained that Thaci became the leader of the Kosovo delegation to the Rambouillet talks between Kosovo and Serbia in France in March 1999. According to Williams, the other key member, Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova, also “was very important, his ideas were pacifist, but he was not a negotiator. He did not negotiate.”

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr2z9hzf

Albanian opposition furious as AI ‘minister’ makes Parliament ‘speech’ (Balkan Insight)

In a tense parliament session, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave the floor to the AI entity he has appointed as artificial intelligence minister, sparking an angry backlash from opposition MPs.

Opposition MPs erupted in anger on Thursday when Edi Rama presented a ‘speech’ by his new AI Minister, an entity known as Diella, in the Albanian parliament chamber.

“I’m not here to replace people, but to help them,” the AI entity – an avatar resembling a woman wearing traditional Albanian dress – ‘said’ in a video that was screened to the legislature. The AI ‘cabinet member’ is actually a digital assistant that will be used to reduce corruption, nepotism and conflicts of interest in public procurement processes, Rama said while presenting it to MPs.

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/hvgSt