Albanian Language Media: 

• Kurti meets Congressman Self on sidelines of UNGA80 High-Level Week (media)
• Kurti and Belgian PM De Wever hold first bilateral meeting in New York (media)
• Osmani invites Pope Leo to visit Kosovo (Koha)
• Gervalla: Without accountability there can be no lasting peace (media)
• Rohde: Kosovo, Serbia should meet their obligations from dialogue (media)
• VV expects Constitutional Court to confirm constitution of Parliament (Ekonomia)
• Milanovic calls on all countries to refrain from actions that damage stability (Express)
• Vucic warns of Kosovo derecognitions by African states (Klan)
• Janjic: Serbia selectively interprets obligations from agreement with Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• President Vucic met UN SG Guterres, discussed Kosovo, regional affairs and UN's role (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic: In all conversations in New York, I pointed out difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo (media)
• Rasic responds to Serbian Democracy, says government and ministers in technical mandate may implement programs (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Families of missing persons looking for answers: EULEX without a mandate, searches are slow and full of obstacles (Radio KIM)
• U.S. Embassy voices concern over alleged political dismissals in Kamenica (KoSSev)
• EPP: We will lead an internal scrutiny process regarding role of SNS within EPP (N1)

International:

• Meetings with Rubio and relations with EU on the agenda (European Western Balkans)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti meets Congressman Self on sidelines of UNGA80 High-Level Week (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Thursday that he met with US Congressman Keith Self on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly 80 High-Level Week. “I thanked him for his positions and public support for Kosova and our future NATO membership. We agreed to continue strengthening the fruitful cooperation between our institutions and the U.S. Congress,” Kurti said in a post on X.

Kurti and Belgian PM De Wever hold first bilateral meeting in New York (media)

In the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, caretaker Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting focused on cooperation in defense and increasing trade relations.

Kurti welcomed Belgium’s decision to host a Kosovo defense attache, following the recent signing of a joint declaration between defense ministries. He described the move as a key step in advancing mutual cooperation and contributing to regional and global security.

The meeting marked the first official encounter between the two leaders. Kurti also expressed gratitude for Belgium’s consistent support for Kosovo, including its backing in the fields of security, EU integration, and NATO aspirations. The talks were held at Belgium’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

Osmani invites Pope Leo to visit Kosovo (Koha)

During her visit to New York, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States. Following the recent opening of Kosovo’s Mission to the Vatican, Osmani expressed a strong commitment to deepening and strengthening ties with the Holy See. She also emphasized the importance of further steps toward full recognition of Kosovo's independence under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, and extended an invitation for the Pope to visit Kosovo.

Gervalla: Without accountability there can be no lasting peace (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gervalla said in a post on X on Wednesday that “at the Group of Friends of Accountability Following the Aggression Against Ukraine meeting, I underlined a simple truth: without accountability, there can be no lasting peace. I condemned Russia’s aggression and cited the 24 Sep 2023 Banjska attack. We share Ukraine’s grief and respect its resilience. Our support is concrete and transparent”.

Gervalla also said that “in Kosova we know the price of freedom and the value of allied action. Impunity breeds repetition. We demand full accountability for crimes and defense of rules that keep people safe. We stand with Ukraine, no step back, until aggression ends and justice is done”.

Rohde: Kosovo, Serbia should meet their obligations from dialogue (media)

Outgoing German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said in an interview with Serbian media, that Kosovo and Serbia should meet their obligations from the EU-facilitated dialogue for the normalization of relations. “Every party in dialogue needs to do its share and meet their obligations. Kosovo is mainly obliged to constitute the Assembly and to form a new government. The citizens of Kosovo have waited for more than half a year for someone to represent them, and the country is slowly losing financial and political support the longer that the democratic representation of its citizens is missing … Germany and the European Union are ready and willing to help, but Kosovo must first prove that it is serious about the dialogue and its obligations towards normalization, such as start implementing the Association of Serb-majority municipalities,” Rohde was quoted as saying.

VV expects Constitutional Court to confirm constitution of Parliament (Ekonomia)

Vetevendosje Movement (VV), has expressed confidence that the Constitutional Court will uphold the legality of the newly constituted Assembly, following a challenge filed by the Serbian List. VV spokesperson Arlind Manxhuka stated in an interview with RTV21 that the election of Emilja Rexhepi as Deputy Speaker was in full compliance with the Assembly's Rules of Procedure and the Constitution. He dismissed any attempt to dispute her appointment as "absurd" and emphasized that the process met all constitutional requirements. “We expect the Court to confirm the constitution of the Assembly, as four out of five members of the Presidency have been elected, in addition to the Speaker,” Manxhuka said, adding that the Serbian List does not hold veto power. He stressed the importance of proceeding swiftly with forming the new government.

Milanovic calls on all countries to refrain from actions that damage stability (Express)

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, said that his country promotes good neighborly relations and he called on all countries to refrain from actions that damage stability in the Balkans. He also said that Croatia continues to support and promote legitimate political processes as a basis for progress in South-Eastern Europe. “Membership in the European Union is not a solution for all challenges, but it remains a strong impetus for prosperity, and this is apparent in Croatia,” he said.

Vucic warns of Kosovo derecognitions by African states (Klan)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that his government is working to secure further derecognitions of Kosovo’s independence by African countries. Speaking from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly, Vucic said new developments on this front are expected in October. “We are working on this. You will receive new information very soon, in October. We have already achieved something,” Vucic stated in response to a journalist's question, as reported by Tanjug.

He also claimed that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is well aware of the situation facing Serbs in Kosovo, referring to reports from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

Janjic: Serbia selectively interprets obligations from agreement with Kosovo (RTK)

Belgrade-based analyst Dusan Janjic has accused Serbia of selectively interpreting its obligations under the Ohrid Agreement, warning that recent diplomatic moves could signal a breach of the EU-brokered deal with Kosovo. In a statement to RTK, Janjic responded to comments from Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, who suggested that Serbia is working to influence international recognition of Kosovo, particularly among African states. Janjic argued that such efforts contradict the commitments Serbia undertook not to obstruct Kosovo’s international standing.

He emphasized that while the agreement does not compel Serbia to recognize Kosovo, it clearly obligates Belgrade not to campaign against it or hinder its international integration. According to Janjic, Serbia’s continued political messaging, particularly from President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration, is primarily aimed at domestic audiences and risks undermining efforts toward normalizing relations with Pristina.

Janjic also warned that any attempts to connect Kosovo’s status with other geopolitical issues, such as the recognition of Palestine, could further isolate Serbia on the international stage.

Serbian Language Media

President Vucic met UN SG Guterres, discussed Kosovo, regional affairs and UN's role (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York on Thursday to discuss Kosovo issue, regional affairs, the UN's role in the world and other topics, Tanjug news agency reported.

"As always, a good and open discussion with Guterres, with whom I exchanged views on the most important global topics and key issues regarding the future of the world we will leave behind for generations to come. We also discussed Kosovo and Metohija, our regional circumstances and potential steps towards overcoming challenges. During the discussion, I noted that I listened to his introductory address particularly attentively, as well as to the main messages to today's leaders, which we all need to think about", Vucic said in a post on his official Instagram account.

He added that they had especially discussed the place and the role of the UN in a world undergoing swift and often complex changes whose impact reached beyond local and regional relevance. “In this respect, I emphasized that a serious, prudent, responsible, and rational policy, as well as a return to the principles of the UN Charter, is the only true path toward a fairer and safer world”, Vucic also said.

Vucic: In all conversations in New York, I pointed out difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that in all conversations the Serbian delegation had in New York, the difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo was emphasized, in particular since outgoing Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti came to power, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“We have discussed the situation in Kosovo and Metohija with everybody. I pointed out the difficult position and the situation of the Serbian people, and all what has been happening since Albin Kurti came to power”, Vucic said in a statement to the journalists.

He added he spoke about Serbia’s policy – the policy of peace, stability, and future. He also said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres understands the situation in Kosovo. “They have a report from UNMIK and they know it very well, I saw it in the reactions of his associates. They understand that well in the UN, we have other things with them that we do not agree on”, Vucic said. Vucic said he discussed Kosovo with the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Callas and the European Council President, Antonio Kosta, at the dinner he hosted the night before.

“We are working on securing more withdrawals of Kosovo recognition from African countries”

During the media address, Vucic also said efforts were underway to secure additional withdrawals of Kosovo recognition from African countries, adding that more information will be available in October.

“I am working on it. In October you will very soon have new information. Some of it has already been finalized”, he said. 

Rasic responds to Serbian Democracy, says government and ministers in technical mandate may implement programs (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, Radio KIM)

Responding to accusations from Serbian Democracy on attempts of vote-buying during the pre-election campaign, acting Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic said the government and ministers in technical mandate may implement the programs envisaged by the budget, including the international programs. As Rasic said the government in technical mandate “has the same technical and operational validity as any other government in a regular mandate”. 

Serbian Democracy previously accused Rasic that the ministry he leads carries out informative sessions in Leposavic, offering ‘fabulous’ amounts of grants and aid ahead of local elections. They noted, as it was said, problematic presence of German state funds, through GIZ organization, which are directly promoted in Kosovo in the midst of a pre-election campaign.

GIZ representative said during the informative session in Leposavic that the activity was part of the three-year program in which Kosovo Ministry for Communities and Returns is a partner, adding that activities were held in line with previously agreed schedule. However, Vladimir Radosavljevic from Serbian Democracy insisted this was an  “illegal act”, given that the Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic is in technical mandate and activities take place during a pre-election campaign. He recalled the scenario from February, when GIZ directly promoted their activities with Rasic, who back then also took part in the pre-election race for general elections in Kosovo.  

Reporting on Serbian Democracy accusations and response of acting Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic, KoSSev portal said it sent questions to GIZ and German Embassy in Pristina, requesting response to those accusations and clarification of the role of international donors during politically sensitive periods. 

Families of missing persons looking for answers: EULEX without a mandate, searches are slow and full of obstacles (Radio KIM)

The search for missing persons in Kosovo has been going on for more than two decades and families still do not have answers - archives are closed, investigations are slow, and political will is weak. While EULEX does not have a mandate to go to the field to investigate, Kosovo police conduct investigations with numerous obstacles and without significant results, KoSSev portal reported.

These challenges were described during the panel Paths to Closure: Families and Societies Facing the Legacy of the Missing organized by non-governmental organization Aktiv together with NGO Pro Peace and Missing Persons Resource Center. Members of the panel included EULEX, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Office of the Special Representative of the European Union and Negovan Mavric from Missing Persons Resource Centre, whose own brother went missing during the conflict in Kosovo and has not been found.

Although solving the fate of the missing persons is one of the Brussels Agreement's main points, there has been no concrete progress. Many families still live without answers about the whereabouts of their beloved. The search for mass graves is progressing slowly because of lack of resources, inaccessible locations and a lack of political will. While access to war archives is limited, many documents are still classified, fragmented or even destroyed - as some experts and organizations warn, while their public disclosure is conditioned by political negotiations.

The panel held yesterday also discussed what next steps should be taken, how the search is currently progressing, and what are the failures of the competent institutions for conducting the investigations. There are 1.600 persons still missing from the last conflict in Kosovo. Families are looking for the truth, embittered at institutions that are supposed to help them. Joint Declaration on Missing Persons and subsequent commission to follow implementation of this declaration renewed their hopes. Soon it will be a year since the formation of the commission was agreed, the portal recalled.  

U.S. Embassy voices concern over alleged political dismissals in Kamenica (KoSSev)

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina has expressed concern over what it sees as attempts to restrict competition among political parties and peoples’ right to elect their representatives, after two employees of the Provisional Authority of Kamenica – Ivan Ristić and Ivan Petrović – began a hunger strike claiming they were fired for their candidacies in upcoming local elections, KoSSev portal reported.

“We are concerned by any efforts to restrict competition among political parties and to prevent Kosovo citizens from being able to elect their own representatives. All Kosovans – whether Serbs, Albanians, or from any other group – regardless of party affiliation, must have the ability to participate fully in the political and civic life of Kosovo”, the Embassy said in a written statement to KoSSev.

Ristić and Petrović have been on hunger strike for three days in Ranilug, alleging that their dismissals were politically motivated. They are running as candidates of For Freedom, Justice and Survival and Serb People’s Movement, parties respectively.

EPP: We will lead an internal scrutiny process regarding role of SNS within EPP (N1)

The European People’s Party (EPP) Presidency on Thursday tasked EPP Secretary General Dolors Montserrat and EPP Vice-President Kostis Hatzidakis with leading an EPP internal scrutiny process regarding the role of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) within the EPP, N1 reported.

They will be in close contact with all stakeholders, including the SNS leadership, the party added.

“This is not an official EPP statutory suspension or exclusion process, but a thorough and swift internal investigation with open-ended results”, the European People’s Party said on its website.

International

Meetings with Rubio and relations with EU on the agenda (European Western Balkans)

NEW YORK – Around 150 world leaders, including the presidents of the Western Balkans Six and the high officials of the European Union, participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York from 21 to 30 September.

The theme of this year’s debate, “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights”, reflects the anniversary of the United Nations, founded in 1945, and underscores the call for renewed global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity and shared action for people and planet.

The officials of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia attend the high-level debates and side events, as well as numerous bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. 

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/775aR