Albanian Language Media:

 

• Head of RTK Board and member resign their positions (RFE)
• OSCE calls on Assembly to elect new RTK board members as high priority (media)
• Kurti: Report shows Kosovo ranks 2nd in Emerging Europe (media)
• Police, Kosovo Security Force and PM Kurti targeted by fake news (RFE)
• Opening of Iber Bridge “for several hours a day” as the first phase? (Nacionale)
• KSF supporting civilian authorities in managing fires (media)
• Kurti: Fascinating excavations taking place in ancient city of Ulpiana (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

 

• Vucic: I expect KFOR to keep its word that without agreement there will be no opening of Ibar bridge (Kosovo Online, media)
• Group of women from north met KFOR representatives, thanked them for swift reaction (Kosovo Online, Alternativna.com, social media)
• K-Serbian civic leaders question validity of Kurti’s Ibar bridge consultation (KoSSev)
• OSCE: Appointment of new members and director at RTK should be transparent and merit based (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Rukiqi: False claims of successful development of Kosovo, Kurti discouraged foreign investors (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian officials accuse West of backing protests amid controversy (N1)

 

 

Opinion:

 

 

• Is Driving Across the Iber Bridge worth this much trouble? (Sbunker, social media)

 

 

International Media:

 

 

• Kosovo, North Macedonia Book Collaboration Challenges LGBTQ+ Stigma (BIRN)
• EU Warns Kosovo as Mitrovica Bridge Standoff Goes On (Balkan Insight)
• Culture Wars: The Fate of Churches in Kosovo (RFE)

 

Albanian Language Media
 

Head of RTK Board and member resign their positions (RFE)

The head of the Board of the Radio Television of Kosovo, Besnik Boletini, and a board member, Arta Berisha, resigned their positions on Saturday, citing the lack of measures against people that were responsible for the publication by the RTK of an article by Bosnian news website Slobodna Bosna. 
The article, which was published in July, claimed that certain media in the region have submitted to the regime of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and it also mentioned two Kosovo-based news websites, Nacionale and Periskopi. 

Reactions followed after the publication of the article, mainly due to the fact that the RT published a part of the next and then it was shared by several MPs of the ruling party. The RTK Board then convened and expressed concern over the publication of “the controversial article”. The Board said the publication was a clear mistake and asked for detailed explanations from the management of the public broadcaster. 
On July 24, 16 non-governmental organisations and three civil society activists called for the resignation of the RTK Board.

OSCE calls on Assembly to elect new RTK board members as high priority (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said in a Facebook post on Sunday that it “notes the resignation of Chairperson of the Board of RTK Mr. Besnik Boletini and that of RTK Board Member Ms. Arta Berisha. We commend Mr Boletini and Ms Berisha for their service and dedication to public broadcasting”.

“The Mission respects their decisions as having been taken in the interest of upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism and safeguarding the integrity of public service media”.

“The Mission also underscores the importance of accountability and transparency for maintaining public trust in RTK and its commitment to impartial and responsible media reporting and public broadcasting”.

“It is now imperative that the Assembly of Kosovo elects new RTK board members as a high priority as soon as it reconvenes in order to make the board functional again. The appointment of new board members and of a new General Director must be both transparent and clearly based on merit”.

Kurti: Report shows Kosovo ranks 2nd in Emerging Europe (media)
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X on Sunday that “a new report by fDi Intelligence, powered by the Financial Times, shows that Kosova ranks 2nd in Emerging Europe — and 5th in the entire world — for attracting the highest level of FDI relative to GDP. Moreover, it ranks 4th in the world for year-on-year improvement from 2022 to 2023. One more piece of evidence that democratic and economic progress in Kosova go hand in hand, making our country a leading destination for foreign investors”.

Police, Kosovo Security Force and PM Kurti targeted by fake news (RFE)

Security, politics and social topics are three areas where misinformation was spared the most in Kosovo in the last 12 months, the news website reports citing a report published by hibrid.info, a fact-checking platform based in Pristina. The report also notes that the majority of fake news in the media and on social networks were distributed about the Kosovo Police, the Kosovo Security Force and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. With regards to conflicts, the majority of fake news were about the war between Israel and Hamas.

Opening of Iber Bridge “for several hours a day” as the first phase? (Nacionale)

The news website learns that one of the options seriously considered in discussions between the Kosovo government and the QUINT is for the Iber Bridge to be opened “several hours a day” as the first phase. According to Nacionale, this is said to be a starting ‘compromise’ between two diametrically stances, one the one hand KFOR which gave no indication it would remove its presence on the Iber Bridge and the Kosovo government which said the opening of the bridge is a closed matter and a made decision.
The news website tried to get a confirmation from the Kosovo government if the option is being discussed but received no response. The EU and a member state of the QUINT, which were contacted on the issue, did not respond either.

KSF supporting civilian authorities in managing fires (media)

Most news websites reported on Sunday that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is supporting the civilian authorities in managing the fires in several parts of Kosovo. The KSF said in a statement that they are continuing the fire-extinguishing operations in several active areas in Prevalla and in other parts of Kosovo, in support of civilian authorities”. In the previous days, media reported that KFOR used helicopters to help extinguish the fires in Prevalla.

Kurti: Fascinating excavations taking place in ancient city of Ulpiana (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that “fascinating excavations are taking place in the ancient city of Ulpiana, where a rare inscription of the Emperor Justinian (527–565 C.E.) was discovered last year, showing his connection with Dardania”. In a post on X, Kurti also said that “this year, an international team of professors and students of archeology from Kosovo and France - many of whom are beneficiaries of Government scholarships — has uncovered a mosaic made of local stones from the time of Justinian's reign. Such discoveries illuminate the rich and ancient past of our country, while also constituting major scientific contributions by Kosova's top scholars and students”.

Serbian Language Media

 

Vucic: I expect KFOR to keep its word that without agreement there will be no opening of Ibar bridge (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his expectations on Saturday that representatives of the international community and KFOR will keep their word and there will be no opening of Ibar River bridge without agreement and mutual will, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"We are in daily contact with representatives of the international community and KFOR, with whom we have a correct cooperation. We expect them to keep their word that without agreement and mutual will, the bridge will not be opened. There is no mutual will, as we have no dialogue with them (Pristina)", Vucic told journalists.

He pointed out that in Kosovo, now that the authorities in Pristina had scheduled elections for February 9, everything would revolve around the election campaign. "Everything is a campaign for them now. I expect further provocations and problems”, he added. Vucic also said he believes and hopes that KFOR will fulfil its promise as well as its primary task in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Group of women from north met KFOR representatives, thanked them for swift reaction (Kosovo Online, Alternativna.com, social media)

Representatives of a group of women from the north of Kosovo, who handed over the open letter for KFOR Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutas, pointing out difficult position of women in the north, met with KFOR chief political advisor, Ambassador Babur Hizlan, as COM KFOR delegate, Kosovo Online portal reported on Saturday. They expressed gratitude to KFOR for swift reaction and readiness to listen to the problems women in the north face.

“We are grateful to KFOR for swift reaction and readiness to listen in person about more details of all the problems outlined in an open letter, as well as for reiterated public stance that the issue of bridge opening requires meaningful social dialogue with all actors, and primarily with political representatives”, the women said in a statement.

In addition to Ambassador Hizlan, KFOR chief gender advisor Miranda Cleo Rohner and KFOR Liaison Monitoring Team in Mitrovica Commander attended the meeting. The group of women was represented by Danica Kabasic, Milica Radovanovic, Milica Andric Rakic, Vesna Generalovic and Milena Stijovic. 

K-Serbian civic leaders question validity of Kurti’s Ibar bridge consultation (KoSSev)

Pristina’s ongoing efforts to open the Ibar Bridge to vehicular traffic are encountering significant opposition and controversy. This follows a recent meeting between Prime Minister Albin Kurti, his deputy Emilija Redzepi, and representatives from Bosniak and some Serbian non-governmental organisations (NGOs). 

Despite the government’s push to open the bridge, the meeting highlighted divisions among the groups involved, as well as within Kosovo’s Serbian civic society at large, KoSSev portal reported.

Serbian NGOs Voice Concerns Over the Bridge Opening

One of the attendees, Petar Djordjevic from the NGO Young Active Gracanica, noted Kurti’s official statement did not mention that Serbian representatives opposed the bridge’s opening, while Bosniak representatives had divided opinions. Ivana Rakic, head of the organisation Support Me, was also present with her colleague Damira Bahadir. Rakic mentioned attending the meeting solely to address the needs of children with special needs and support ongoing projects, expressing discomfort of her work being linked with political issues. Rakic was reportedly surprised by Kurti’s appearance.

Serbian NGOs criticise Kosovo government’s lack of genuine engagement

KoSSev reached out to various Serbian and mixed NGOs from the North and South of Kosovo, with most confirming they did not participate in the meeting, and many did not receive an invitation. A minority of organisations that were invited chose to decline. At least 20 Serbian civil organisations, including prominent ones, were not part of the recent meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti. 15 of these organisations issued a joint statement. 

“We believe that the alleged consultation process by the Government of Kosovo with civil society is being misused to validate a policy of unilateral actions that threaten the vital interests of the community we represent and belong to. There is no genuine willingness from the Government of Kosovo to address the demands of the Serbian community, making our participation in such a process futile”, the Serbian community civic leaders said in a statement.

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

OSCE: Appointment of new members and director at RTK should be transparent and merit based (Kosovo Online, social media)

OSCE Mission in Kosovo in a statement related to resignation of RTK board chair, Besnik Boletini and board member Arta Berisha said appointment of new director and members at RTK should be transparent, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“The Mission notes the resignation of Chairperson of the Board of RTK Mr. Besnik Boletini and that of RTK Board Member Ms. Arta Berisha. We commend Mr Boletini and Ms Berisha for their service and dedication to public broadcasting. The Mission respects their decisions as having been taken in the interest of upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism and safeguarding the integrity of public service media”, the OSCE said in a statement.

Read the full statement at: https://shorturl.at/5xl0N

Rukiqi: False claims of successful development of Kosovo, Kurti discouraged foreign investors (Kosovo Online)

Former head of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Berat Rukiqi refuted Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that Kosovo is on the second place in Europe and fifth in the world in terms of development rate, stressing that there is not a single investment project which impacted the economic development and created new job opportunities, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“There is not a single investment project which impacts economic development or creates new employment opportunities. Rhetoric of the prime minister about the war in every global media only discouraged foreign investors and domestic investments”, Rukiqi said in a post on his Facebook account.

Serbian officials accuse West of backing protests amid controversy (N1)

Serbian officials, including President Aleksandar Vucic said Western powers are financing protests in Serbia, despite these protests being directed against a Western company, N1 reported. The accusations come after Serbia signed a lithium mining agreement with the European Union. The US State Department has categorically denied any involvement, calling the claims false.

Protests erupted in May 2023 after mass shootings in a Belgrade school and the Mladenovac area, drawing tens of thousands to the streets. Responding to questions at a local event, President Vucic expressed concerns over Western funding of environmental organisations, suggesting significant amounts - up to €100 million- were being used to destabilise his government. He sarcastically proposed counting this as foreign direct investment.

Former intelligence chief Aleksandar Vulin also claimed that Western intelligence agencies were behind the current wave of protests. However, these assertions, N1 further said, are contradictory, as the protests are against the British-Australian company Rio Tinto’s planned lithium mine - a project the West supports.

 

Opinion

 

Is Driving Across the Iber Bridge worth this much trouble? (Sbunker, social media)

By Bronwyn Jones

With less than six months until national elections, the Kosovo government embarked on a mission to begin opening the Iber Bridge for car traffic, by painting and testing the bridge for load-bearing capabilities.

The Bridge, which is open for pedestrian traffic, has long stood as a symbol of division, separating the predominantly Serb population in the north from the majority Albanian community in the south.

The decision to open the Bridge to car traffic was made unilaterally and without any prior coordination, prompting strong backlash from the local community, Western countries, as well as members of civil society and the opposition in Kosovo.

Kosovo’s government has entered a strange state where it appears to be at war with every partner it has on this issue.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/7J0Jx

 

International Media

 

Kosovo, North Macedonia Book Collaboration Challenges LGBTQ+ Stigma (BIRN)

A collection of stories and poetry by queer authors from Kosovo and North Macedonia seeks to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights.

In Stefan Alijevikj’s short story ‘Birthday’, a young boy waits patiently for his birthday present from his grandmother, already disappointed to have received no fewer than three pairs of pajamas.

“Grandma comes exactly when I’m starting to lose hope that I’ll get a decent present this birthday,” the narrator says. Grandma pulls the gift from her handbag.

“I impatiently unfold the decorative paper and the face of Barbie from the large window of the jeans store appears in front of me,” and Grandma quietly reminds him to keep it to himself.

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

EU Warns Kosovo as Mitrovica Bridge Standoff Goes On (Balkan Insight)

Amid tensions over the possible reopening of the main bridge in Mitrovica, an EU official told BIRN that the issue will be returned to the dialogue table in Brussels and warned Kosovo not to open the bridge without prior coordination.

Workers were patiently refurbishing the main Mitrovica bridge in north Kosovo on Friday afternoon as, metres away, an Italian Carabinieri unit, part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission, and Kosovo Police had their vehicles on standby on and next to the bridge, which has ethnically divided the town into two parts for more than a quarter of a century.

An unnamed manager of the company hired by the Kosovo government to do refurbishment work ahead of a possible reopening told BIRN that he expects the work to be completed during Friday.

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

Culture Wars: The Fate of Churches in Kosovo (RFE)

A NATO-led troop deployment ended the devastating war in Kosovo in 1999, but in the 25 years since then, attacks on Christian heritage have altered the cultural landscape of the region.

Photos taken in August show that several damaged churches and monasteries have been restored while others have disappeared completely.

This church was one of scores of Serbian cultural sites that have been vandalised or destroyed since the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) arrived in June 1999 to end fighting between ethnic Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.

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