Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: EU spokesperson's statements are racist, Serbia has nothing to do with Iber Bridge (media)
• Osmani on date of elections: a week more or less, is not a big difference (RTK)
• CEC approves Regulation on election campaign, monitoring and financial declaration (media)
• Kurti met head of CoE office in Kosovo, Mary Ann Hennessey (RTK)
• Former KLA member Blerim Ramadani escapes from house arrest (media)
• Blerim Ramadani's measures were changed, from house arrest to return to custody (Koha)

Serbian Language Media: 

• “Those are situations we heard about from our mothers” – Andric Rakic on unpleasantries women in north face lately (Danas, Vreme)
• Dacic: “Escape of terrorist and war criminal Ramadani scandalous” (Kosovo Online)
• Vucevic: Opening of Ibar Bridge endangers security of Serbs, makes dialogue meaningless (Kosovo Online)
• Ibar Bridge reopening faces local opposition, poll indicates (KoSSev)
• Work continues on the main Ibar Bridge (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Shahini: EU sanction threats are real, consequences could be catastrophic (Kosovo Online)
• Vulin meets Lavrov, Patrushev in Moscow (N1)

Humanitarian/Development:

• ‘We Manage Somehow’: Kosovo’s Pensioners Struggle as Cost of Living Rises (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media  

Osmani: EU spokesperson's statements are racist, Serbia has nothing to do with Iber Bridge (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has said that there should be no dialogue with Serbia on the issue of opening the Iber Bridge. said that there is nothing to ask Serbia about a bridge within the territory of Kosovo.

"As for the statements of the EU spokesperson, his statements are above all racist. So I don't even believe they deserve more attention from me. I have spoken out against their racist statements. There is no reason and I oppose in any way the discussion of the opening of the Iber Bridge in Brussels. We have nothing to ask Serbia, just as this spokesman seems to me to be from Slovakia who does not ask any of the neighbors about the bridges in his country. So there is nothing to ask Serbia about a bridge in Kosovo. Dialogue on this issue with Serbia should not be accepted by anyone, it would be unconstitutional and against the sovereignty of our country", Osmani told the media.

Osmani has said that she has never received any request from the United States of America not to open the Iber Bridge for traffic. However, she emphasized that Kosovo has no reason to enter into conflict with allies. She said that the bridge should be opened, but the moment should be chosen so that when it is opened, it should be kept as such and not just a "success of the moment". Osmani said that the US wants the bridge open, but the implementation plan must be put together.

Osmani on date of elections: a week more or less, is not a big difference (RTK)

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has spoken about the date of the elections, saying that they have time until tomorrow at the end of the schedule for additional evaluations by the opposition.

Osmani has said that tomorrow after the working hours, she will listen to the assessments of the cabinet, as they are dealing with all the issues raised by the parties.

"It is the discretion of the president. There is no difference a week more or less. It doesn't make a big difference", Osmani said.

CEC approves Regulation on election campaign, monitoring and financial declaration (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved on Thursday the Electoral Regulation for the election campaign, monitoring and financial declaration. This regulation was voted by 8 votes for, while its article 7 was updated, for election campaign materials, with the addition that "it will be prohibited to place material by political subjects in buildings or residential facilities without the consent of the residents and without contracting". 

The regulation is part of the by-laws harmonized with the Law on General Elections, approved by the Assembly 2023, which defines the rules and monitoring of the election campaign, the procedures for limiting expenses and the financial declaration for the election campaign.

Kurti met head of CoE office in Kosovo, Mary Ann Hennessey (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, met today the head of the Council of Europe office in Kosovo, Mary Ann Hennessey.

The Prime Minister's Information Office announced that Kurti spoke about the work and commitment of the Council of Europe Office in Kosovo, thanking it for the close cooperation in the advancement of democracy, the rule of law and the promotion of human rights.

"He announced the progress during the government in strengthening democracy and the rule of law, which has been valued by international indexes, employment and welfare policies, from which all citizens have benefited, without distinction. Together they discussed the current projects that the Office of the Council of Europe is implementing in Kosovo and the new opportunities for cooperation", the Prime Minister's Information Office announced.

Former KLA member Blerim Ramadani escapes from house arrest (media)

Former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Blerim Ramadani - arrested last month by the Macedonian police - has escaped from house arrest from his relatives' home in North Macedonia.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia told the MIA news agency on Thursday that it is taking measures to find Ramadani's location.

Blerim Ramadani, based on the international arrest warrant issued to Interpol by Serbia, was arrested on July 17 at the Jazhinca border crossing. The content of the arrest warrant is based on Serbia's suspicions that Ramadani, as a former KLA soldier, has committed war crimes in the Nerodime region.

Blerim Ramadani's measures were changed, from house arrest to return to custody (Koha)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora informed that North Macedonia has changed again the measure on the ex-soldier of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Blerim Ramadani, from house arrest to return to custody.

Media in North Macedonia reported that Ramadani has escaped from house arrest in North Macedonia. He had been waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court.

"We inform you that the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in North Macedonia has been notified by Ramadan's lawyer that the security measure has been changed from house arrest to return to detention, at the time when he was awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court", said Leutrim Sahiti, political advisor in the Ministry of Justice. Sahiti said that they have not received other official information from the relevant authorities of North Macedonia. The Basic Criminal Court in Skopje on August 8, 2024 decided not to extradite Blerim Ramadani to Serbia.

Serbian Language Media 

“Those are situations we heard about from our mothers” – Andric Rakic on unpleasantries women in north face lately (Danas, Vreme)

Milica Andric Rakic from Mitrovica North- based New Social Initiative told Vreme weekly that women in the north of Kosovo face problems with Albanians, who are coming to the north in the evening hours, follow women, either on foot or from vehicles, taunting on them, adding it represents the return to the past and encounters with the situations that they had heard about from their mothers, Danas daily reported.

Andric Rakic is one of the signatories of the letter, handed over by a group of women from northern Kosovo to Carabinieri KFOR unit for KFOR Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutas, calling for the bridge not to be open, given that “they feel endangered enough even without it”.

She told Vreme weekly that they are now facing the situations they had heard about from their mothers.

“Now we have cases we have heard about earlier from our mothers. Unfortunately, we returned to that kind of past where we have a lot of Albanians coming to the north in the evening hours. They follow women, either on foot or from vehicles, in particular if they are alone or pushing strollers (with babies). They are taunting them. We also had an extreme case where a person masturbated in front of one woman”, she said.

She added that women due to mistrust in Kosovo police generally do not report those cases. “We are trying to convince them not to do that, but unfortunately it is difficult”, she said.

Andric Rakic also opined that the Serbian population in Kosovo is constantly being sent a message that “their lives are in Serbia”.

“(Albin) Kurti is relocating us in every sense to the territory of Serbia. If we want medications we have to go to Serbia. If we want our money, we must go to Serbia. We are constantly facing a situation of having to ask who goes to central Serbia and who can bring medications for us if it is urgent”, she said.

Speaking of announced bridge opening, she said it has no practical functions, given that there are three bridges connecting northern and southern Mitrovica. The population, she added, has a bigger need to connect regional roads from the left and right parts of the town, rather than to connect two pedestrian zones in the heart of the city.

“Practical reasons put forward by the Kosovo side do not make much sense”, she underlined. Opening of the bridge would only help the Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to win more votes, as it is the most potent symbolic thing he can do. The bridge is perceived, she said, as a sort of rampart, for Serbs as a rampart of defense, and for Albanians as a rampart where Kosovo sovereignty ends.

Although the opening of the bridge would represent a victory for Kurti, she thinks it won’t happen any time soon, expressing beliefs that KFOR will not move from the bridge. 

Dacic: “Escape of terrorist and war criminal Ramadani scandalous” (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said today that “escape of terrorist and war criminal Blerim Ramadani from house arrest in North Macedonia was scandalous”, MIA said in a statement, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“It is about a member of terrorist KLA who committed crimes against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, wanted by Serbia in order to face the trial. We are requesting an explanation from North Macedonia state bodies how it is possible that someone arrested based on our international legal warrant, escapes from house arrest. Or perhaps international justice does not apply to Albanian terrorists and war criminals, when they murder Serbs everything is allowed and forgiven to them”, Dacic said in a statement.

Blerim Ramadani was arrested at border crossing Jazince, as per Interpol issued warrant requested by Serbia. On August 1, he was sent to house arrest in Skopje, where he was supposed to remain until August 16, pending decision of the North Macedonia Supreme Court. 

Vucevic: Opening of Ibar Bridge endangers security of Serbs, makes dialogue meaningless (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said opening of the Ibar River Bridge directly endangers security of the Serbs in Mitrovica North, and appealed to Quint states not to allow that, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“It would directly annul all the talks, all the agreements and make the further process of dialogue meaningless, despite Serbia remaining committed to the process of the dialogue, which is our interest. But this directly endangers the security and survival of Serbs in Kosovska Mitrovica, respectively Mitrovica North”, he told RTS.

He called upon Quint states primarily not to allow that, adding “no one should play with that”.

“And KFOR to do what their mission is. I have an impression, based on what KFOR Commander said, and what Serbian Army Chief in Staff told me, that KFOR would not be lenient and will not allow it”, Vucevic also said.

Ibar Bridge reopening faces local opposition, poll indicates (KoSSev)

The announced reopening of the Ibar River bridge in North Mitrovica, a symbolic and strategically significant site in Kosovo, has sparked considerable debate among local residents. Despite being a hot topic of discussion in the area, many people, particularly the youth, are reluctant to share their views on camera. Those who do speak out are largely opposed to the bridge’s reopening, at least at this moment in time, KoSSev portal reported.

The Kosovo government is actively working to open the main bridge on the Ibar, with high-ranking officials in Pristina increasingly advocating for its reopening. However, key international players, including the Quint countries, the European Union, and KFOR, oppose unilateral moves and stress the importance of coordination and adherence to the Brussels Agreement on bridge revitalization.

The Serbian community has already expressed its opposition to the bridge’s reopening. At a protest last week near the bridge, participants unanimously voiced their disapproval. Additionally, a group of women from the northern part of the town recently handed a petition, reportedly signed by more than 400 women, to KFOR, demanding that the bridge remain closed.

This sentiment was echoed in a social media poll conducted by KoSSev, where nearly a thousand votes were cast within 24 hours, with the overwhelming majority opposing the bridge’s reopening.

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

Work continues the main Ibar Bridge (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

The painting and cleaning of the main bridge on the Ibar River, which separates South and North Mitrovica, continued with the painting of graffiti on the northern side.

The workers who carry out work on the main Ibar bridge, painted and cleaned parts of the bridge on the south side in the previous days.

Radio Mitrovica sever reports the situation on the main Ibar bridge as normal, adding that two Italian Carabinieri vehicles are stationed on it, presence of EULEX is noticeable, as well as the vehicle of Kosovo police.

Shahini: EU sanction threats are real, consequences could be catastrophic (Kosovo Online)

Alliance of Kosovo Businesses President Agim Shahini said opening of the main Ibar River bridge, despite its political symbolism, could lead to catastrophic punitive measures for Kosovo.

"For me, the bridge is open, but for someone else, the bridge is closed. I believe it is a political symbol, but it can directly affect Kosovo, leading to severe measures that could be catastrophic for Kosovo. This is a real threat, and that threat could lead to a loss of significant support on the ground. The threat could even include a travel ban for certain individuals to the EU or the suspension of visa liberalization if we continue to take unilateral actions that are not in line with the EU", Shahini told Kosovo Online.

As he said, Kosovo has already been under EU sanctions for nearly two years, but this is the least of the problems. "We have lost financial, political, and diplomatic support, which cannot be measured in money. Since the EU sanctions, Kosovo has not become a member of any international mechanisms, nor has it gained any new recognition. We even had a deficit of around 600 million euros in foreign investments from the EU, from funds for schools, over these two years. And now, we are not talking about lifting the previous sanctions but about facing additional punitive measures. Therefore, the Kosovo Government is both obligated and responsible to be more cautious in every decision it makes. It is necessary not to make decisions independently but in collaboration with the international community, which is our main partner", Shahini underlined.

Vulin meets Lavrov, Patrushev in Moscow (N1)

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin had meetings in Moscow with two close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a government press release said, N1 reported. It said that Vulin met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev.

“Vulin and Lavrov agreed that bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Russia is very good and is developing at all levels, stressing that both countries are interested in further improving the Serbian-Russian strategic partnership. Vulin reiterated that he is proud that Serbia is not part of the anti-Russian hysteria and that it has not imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation”, the Serbian Government press release said, adding that they also discussed way to set up cooperation between Serbia and the BRICS organization.

Vulin and Patrushev “highlighted the mutual focus on further improvement of the strategic partnership between Serbia and Russia”, it also said.

Humanitarian/Development

‘We Manage Somehow’: Kosovo’s Pensioners Struggle as Cost of Living Rises (Balkan Insight)

Many retired people in Kosovo find themselves forced back into work by rising living costs and stubbornly low pensions. Enver Malazogu, a former construction engineer, retired aged 65 and entered the highest pension bracket Kosovo has. Now 73, he has been driving a taxi around his hometown of Pristina for the past two years.

“My pension is not enough to make ends meet, so I work,” Malazogu told BIRN. “For as long as I have the strength, I will work; I can’t live properly on 265 euros, I can only get by.”

In Kosovo, the basic pension is 100 euros per month; those who paid contributions for at least 15 years can expect between 182 euros and 265 euros, depending on education level.

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