Albanian Language Media:

• EU: Failure of parties to reduce tensions will have consequences (Koha)

• Ursula von der Leyen: In Kosovo, economic reforms are bringing benefits (RTK)

• Minister Gervalla at Bled Forum, welcomed by Tanja Fajon (RTK)

• Aivo Orav starts work as new ambassador of EU in Kosovo (RTK)

• Rohde to new head of EU: Looking forward to make Kosovo a success story (RTK)

• Elshani: As long as Radojcic is free, there is danger (Express)

• Krasniqi and Hamza meet Ambassador Hargreaves, discuss current developments (media)

• Indictment against two Serbs, suspected of war crimes against civilian population (media)

• Director of Media 10: We will be filter of truth for every resident also in north of Mitrovica (Gazeta 10)

Serbian Language Media:

• A new war crime indictment filed, two persons of Serbian nationality suspected (KiM radio, KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media)

• NKEU: Do not stop Radosavljevic and Todorovic at the crossings (KiM radio, media)

• The special political program from the Pristina studio moved to the Mitrovica promenade (KoSSev)

• ProGlas initiative for the first time with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo (KoSSev, Danas, Beta)

• Djuric met Azerbaijani FM in Baku (Tanjug)

• Vucevic: Shameful statement by Canak and Biserko about the resettlement of Serbs from Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTV) 

• Vulin: Quint, the EU, and NATO supported the actions against the Serbs in the north of Kosovo, Kurti doing nothing independently (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti)

• Starovic: Without concrete actions against Kurti, no one will take the State Department's statements seriously (Kosovo Online, Politika)

International Media: 

• Serbia Urged to Stop Holding Activists at Borders (Balkan Insight)
• Von der Leyen: I will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for enlargement (EWB)
• Transforming the Western Balkans: Trade, Energy, and Mobility as Catalysts for Growth (EWB)

Albanian Language Media

EU: Failure of parties to reduce tensions will have consequences (Koha)

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said on Monday that the failure of parties – in reference to Kosovo and Serbia – to lower tensions will have consequences. Commenting on the closure of five Serb parallel institutions by Kosovo’s institutions last week, he said that the EU believes this was a unilateral and uncoordinated action and that it could raise tensions. “There are more pressing topics on the table that need to be discussed. We think this is another unilateral and uncoordinated step that can raise tensions and lead to further escalation. The failure of parties to reduce tensions will have consequences,” he said.

Stano did not give a date for the next meeting of Kosovo and Serbia delegations in Brussels, but said it is expected to be held very soon. “We don’t usually announce the meeting at the level of chief negotiators to the media. But there is no doubt that our goal is to have a meeting at the level of chief negotiators as soon as possible because there are a number of issues that need to be discussed,” he added.

Ursula von der Leyen: In Kosovo, economic reforms are bringing benefits (RTK)

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her speech at the "Bled" Strategic Forum, in the discussion panel, said that the Western Balkans for a long time has been a border between two worlds, east, west, south and north. Von der Leyen emphasised that it will be the reforms undertaken by the countries of the Western Balkans that will also determine the time of integration into the EU.

She also mentioned Kosovo among these successes within the Balkans for the growth plan, where she said that a year ago the new growth plan for the Western Balkans was presented, and according to her, the work has started to bring the first results.

"Tirana has the fastest growing airport in Europe. Kosovo, its economic reforms are bringing benefits, and have been praised by the IMF. Montenegro has just experienced an increase in credit rating," Von der Leyen said.

She also spoke about Russian influence in the region, saying that the current Russian leadership that lives in the past refuses to accept this simple reality that whenever there is progress towards reconciliation and regional integration in the Western Balkans, the Kremlin tries to stir the waters of old conflicts.

Minister Gervalla at Bled Forum, welcomed by Tanja Fajon (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, announced on Monday that in Bled, Slovenia, she was received by her counterpart, Tanja Fajon, and shared photos on her Facebook profile.

"At the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, at the invitation of my Slovenian counterpart, Tanja Fajon", she wrote.

Gervalla, at the Bled Forum, will present the commitment of Kosovo to play an active and constructive role in the advancement of regional and global strategies for peace, security and stability.

"During the panels and meetings, Minister Gervalla will emphasise the progress that Kosovo has achieved in fulfilling the conditions in the Euro-Atlantic integration process, the deep reforms in the rule of law, the advancement of democracy and economic development. Minister Gervalla will also underline the importance of multilateral cooperation to address and overcome global challenges, positioning Kosovo as a reliable partner of democratic and committed states on the international stage", said the Ministry of Justice in the announcement of the visit.

Aivo Orav starts work as the new ambassador of the EU in Kosovo (RTK)

The EU Office has announced that Aivo Orav has taken the position of the new ambassador of the European Union Office in Kosovo on Monday. "On behalf of all the EU staff in Kosovo, a warm welcome to Aivo Orav, the new EU ambassador in Kosovo!", the announcement states.

Further in the announcement it is emphasised that Orav is committed to supporting Kosovo towards the integration process. "Coming from Estonia, a country whose accession to the EU has been a success story, our new Ambassador is committed to taking the biggest step to support Kosovo to become a success story in the EU!" , it is said, among other things, in the announcement of the EU Office.

He pledges to work with local and international EU partners in Kosovo to: Advance diplomatic and political relations;  To consolidate the position of the EU as the biggest investor, trade partner and donor of Kosovo; To support Kosovo's path to the EU and EU-related reforms.

Ambassador Aivo Orav has assumed his duties for an initial period of two years, succeeding Tomash Szunyog, who has been in the post since 2020.

Rohde to new head of EU: Looking forward to make Kosovo a success story (RTK)

The German ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has welcomed the new ambassador, the head of the European Union office in Kosovo, Aivo Orav.

"I look forward to working closely with you to make Kosovo an EU success story, as you point out. Your regional and international experience is undoubtedly an asset for the presence of the EU in this beautiful country", he wrote in X.

Elshani: As long as Radojcic is free, there is danger (Express)

The Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police, Veton Elashni, spoke about the situation in the north of Kosovo.Asked if Radojcic's group was destroyed in the north of Kosovo, Elshani said that while he is free, there is a possibility that something like Banjska's case will be repeated.

"There is danger as long as Radojcic is free, but we have a sufficient number of policemen and everything is under control. In case something happens, we are the ones to react", Elshani said. He further added that the police is constantly working to provide security to all residents in the north of Kosovo.

Krasniqi and Hamza met Ambassador Hargreaves, discussed current developments (media)

The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, has held a meeting with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, at the headquarters of the Party.

Krasniqi, through a post on Facebook, said that together with the candidate for prime minister of this party, Bedri Hamza, they discussed the latest political developments in Kosovo, preparations for the parliamentary elections and their vision for the future of Kosovo.

"We expressed our gratitude to Ambassador Hargreaves for the unwavering support of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, stressing that the further strengthening of friendly relations between our two countries is of particular importance", said Krasniqi.

Indictment against two Serbs, suspected of war crimes against civilian population (media)

The Special Prosecutor's Office of Kosovo, through a press release, announces that it has filed an indictment on Monday in the Basic Court in Pristina - Special Department, against the two defendants M.P and Zh.Z, of Serb nationality, due to the well-founded suspicion that in accomplices have committed the criminal offence 'War crime against the civilian population'.

In the communique, it is said that the defendants are accused of having committed murder, torture, inhuman treatment, intimidation, destruction of property, mass deportation and ethnic cleansing of the civilian population of Albanian nationality in the Municipality of Istog during the war in Kosovo. In addition, the defendants are accused of the events in the Salihaj, Imeraj, Lipa, Pepaj, etc. families.

"Investigations have revealed that during the time period relevant to this indictment, there were two cases of sexual violence against victims of Albanian nationality. Also, during the investigations, it was proven that during the war period, in the Municipality of Istog, about 5 thousand houses were burned, about 250 people were killed, 19 child victims and many other material damages", the communique states.

The defendants are under the measure of detention according to the decision of the Judge of the preliminary procedure until a new decision by the court.

Director of Media 10: We will be filter of truth for every resident also in north of Mitrovica (Gazeta 10)

From September 2, Kanal 10 will have its continuous presence in the north of Mitrovica, through an office there, where the teams that will report on the developments in the northern municipalities will work. The general director of Media 10, Arben Ahmeti, said that this office will serve the residents of the north.

"We will be the address of every citizen from any injustice and any concern they have. Democracy and well-being do not happen without the media. The North does not need political rhetoric. There is a need for democracy, security and development", said Ahmeti.

He further added that Kanal 10 will be the filter of truth for every resident in the north of Mitrovica as well.Ahmeti emphasised that as a media of journalists, they aim for this office to be at the service of opinion makers, journalists, intellectuals, and every Serb and Albanian resident. 

Serbian Language Media 

A new war crime indictment filed, two persons of Serbian nationality suspected (KiM radio, KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media)

The Special Prosecutor's Office of Kosovo filed an indictment in the Basic Court in Pristina for war crimes against the civilian population against M.P. and Ž.Z. Serbian nationality, reported KiM radio.

The Prosecutor's Office states that they are charged with murder, torture, inhuman treatment, intimidation, destruction of property, mass deportation and ethnic cleansing of the civilian population of Albanian nationality in the municipality of Istok, during the early conflicts in Kosovo.

"Accused of the events in the families of Salihaj, Imeraj, Lipa, Pepaj... The investigation revealed that in the period to which this indictment refers, there were also two cases of sexual violence against victims of Albanian nationality," they added.

In addition, it has been proven, they further state, that during the war period in the municipality of Istok, around 5,000 houses were burned, around 250 people were killed, 19 children were killed and other material damage was done.

The defendants were remanded in custody according to the judge's decision for the preliminary proceedings until a new court decision, they pointed out in a press release.

NKEU: Do not stop Radosavljevic and Todorovic at the crossings (KiM radio, media)

The National Convention on the EU (NKEU) has informed the Serbian authorities that it will put a moratorium on further cooperation with the institutions until the decision on the illegal detentions at the crossings is withdrawn of representatives, members of the Working Group for Chapter 35, Jovana Radosavljevic from the New Social Initiative and Sofija Todorovic from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights.

In a statement, the NKEU condemned the decision of the state authorities on the basis of which, as stated, for a long time continuously, they have been illegally detained at the border and administrative crossings of Serbia. 

"Given that the highest representatives of the government informed the public of Serbia in the previous days about the existence of broader lists on the basis of which detentions are carried out at border crossings, we justifiably suspect that they were on it because of activities that contribute to the reconciliation and normalization of relations between the Serbian and Albanian people which the Republic of Serbia assumed as an obligation in accordance with the provisions of the Brussels Agreements," the announcement reads.

With this announcement, as indicated, the NKEU informs the President of Serbia, the Government, the National Assembly and other authorities that it will put a moratorium on further cooperation with the institutions until the moment of withdrawal of the decision restricting the freedom of movement of Jovana Radosavljevic and Sofija Todorovic.

The special political program from the Pristina studio moved to the Mitrovica promenade (KoSSev)

The well-known Kosovo television Kanal 10 from its studio in Pristina came to the main promenade on the northern side of the city on the Ibar last night to broadcast its Politiko show, reported KoSSev last night. 

The lively discussion of the four Albanian interlocutors, with the presenter Kushtrim Sadiku, about the situation in the North of Kosovo, the last action of the Kosovo Police on Friday, but also the question of opening the bridge - was heard above the children's voices at the bottom of the main Mitrovica promenade. Sadiku announced his return after the summer season through several posts on social networks as a special live program from North Mitrovica, announcing nine guests with victory emoticons. 

Guests of the well-known Pristina journalist's special program, which included, among others, the former mayor of South Mitrovica, the now prominent official of Self-Determination Agim Bakhtiri, political commentator Blerim Gashi, former Kosovo minister Sadri Ferati, analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu.

Along with the debate, in the part of this special program, there were several interviews from the Mitrovica promenade, and for that occasion the logo of Kanal 10 was placed on the promenade.

The guests who alternated outside the central debate was the director of Kanal 10, Fidan Rama, with the announcement that this channel had opened an office in the North, and that "Kanal 10 will be a filter of truth even in North Mitrovica."

The deputy commander of the KP for the North, Veton Elshani, was also in the program. From that interview, Kanal 10 opted for the message that the situation in the North of Kosovo is now calm and that there are no problems. They asked Elshani - "whether the Radoicic's group broke up".

The interlocutors agreed on several things during the last night show:

"You can breathe freely in the North, there are no more criminal groups here. The fact that we are going live with the show proves that bridges unite, not divide. There will be no more criminals in this area. All conditions have been met for the bridge to open. The bridge on the Ibar unites, not divides...".

In the promotion of their special program from North Mitrovica, in one post they "dislocated". In the heat of the debate between Bakhtiri and Ferati, the "studio host" missed the square where the show was held by writing that "the debate in Tsar Lazar Square heated up".

This show was still ongoing and entered the fourth hour, at the time KoSSev reported last night.

ProGlas initiative for the first time with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo (KoSSev, Danas, Beta)

The delegation of Serbs from Kosovo met for the first time with the members of the ProGlas initiative yesterday, to exchange opinions on the Kosovo issue and democratic processes in Serbia, reported KoSSev, citing Danas. 

The meeting was announced by Momcilo Trajkovic, the president of the Serbian National Forum from Gracanica, stressing that this meeting was extremely important for the future of the Serbian community in Kosovo, but also for the broader democratization of Serbia.

Trajkovic expressed his gratitude to the members of the ProGlas initiative for their willingness to discuss one of the most complex topics in the Balkans. As he pointed out, this was the first time that the intellectual elite from Belgrade accepted the dialogue on Kosovo in such a serious way.

"I hope that this meeting will be only the first step towards a more active engagement of intellectuals on the issue of Kosovo," said Trajkovic in an interview for the Beta agency.

The meeting, which is closed to the public, will focus on several key topics and will discuss the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo, the provision of democratic resistance to the policies of the PM of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, as well as a critical analysis of the relationship of the authorities in Serbia towards the Serbian community in Kosovo.

In addition to the members of the ProGlas initiative and the Serbian National Forum, representatives of the Serbian National Council of Kosovo and Metohija from Gracanica, as well as the National Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija "Otadzbina" from North Mitrovica participated in the meeting.

Trajkovic announced that the delegation of Serbs from Kosovo was also planning meetings with the opposition, as well as with associations and movements dealing with the Kosovo issue, emphasizing that they have already had discussions with academics.

Given that the meeting was closed to the public, the members of the ProGlas initiative did not want to comment on the details but announced that a press release will be issued today. Also, it was expected that the delegation of Serbs from Kosovo will hold a press conference in order to present their observations and the results of the talks.

By including the ProGlas initiative, which enjoys profound respect as the voice of civic consciousness, this situation was placed in the center of public discourse not only in Kosovo, but also in Belgrade, adding an important civic dimension to it.

Djuric met Azerbaijani FM in Baku (Tanjug)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric said in Baku on Monday Serbia and Azerbaijan had achieved much in the past two decades when it comes to forging bilateral ties, now characterised by trust, security, and a strategic partnership in the true sense of the word, reported Tanjug.

At a press conference after a meeting with Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov, Djuric said the partnership between the two countries had been shaped under a strategic vision by Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Ilham Aliyev, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Along a range of issues, including cooperation in the economic sphere, a wide range of political issues, including mutual support on top national and state issues were discussed.

"We will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan fully and strongly. It is a matter of principle, and we are very thankful to Azerbaijan for standing with us and supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, which is not only a matter of our excellent bilateral relations but also of the fact that our two countries are defending international law and the UN Charter," Djuric said.

"I informed my Azerbaijani friends and colleagues of the pressures faced by the Serbs as a result of unilateral measures by the Albin Kurti regime, which have been universally condemned by EU member states as well as by countries worldwide. The pressure on the ground is so big that, last year alone, 15 percent of the Serb population was forced to leave its homes due to such grave conditions," Djuric said, thanking Azerbaijan for supporting Serbia in international organisations.

Bayramov said the discussions had addressed a wide range of issues related to the strategic bilateral partnership in various sectors, including the economy, trade, energy, transport and communications and humanitarian issues. He said Azerbaijan and Serbia would consider introducing a visa-free travel regime for citizens of both countries, cooperation in education and twinning of cities to boost ties between the two peoples.

Vucevic: Shameful statement by Canak and Biserko about the resettlement of Serbs from Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTV) 

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said yesterday that the claim of the former leader of the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina, Nenad Canak, and the president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, Sonja Biserko, that Serbia was planning to relocate Serbs from Kosovo to the Raska region, was shameful and against Serbian interests, RTV reported.

Canak and Biserko conveyed what they said was their knowledge in a conversation with Kosovo PM Albin Kurti.

Vucevic told Tanjug that the statement of Canak and Biserko was shameful and proof that there was a parallel reality.

"It is so stupid that it is difficult to give a coherent answer to it. And it is so harmful to Serbs and Serbian interests that it deserves all contempt. At the moment when we are fighting to save every Serb in Kosovo and Metohija, when we are calling on them to stay despite the impossible conditions for life, someone goes to Kurti and says that we are going to move the Serbs from Kosovo to some other territory in Serbia. Well, there is no Serbia in Kosovo without the Serbs," said Vucevic in Bled, where he is participating in the 19th Strategic Forum.

He added that he does not understand that someone is doing this at a time when Serbs are persecuted and Serbian institutions are occupied, when the Brussels Agreement is being violated, and does not even respect what was proposed through the Ohrid Agreement.

Vucevic added that Canak and Biserko would like them to move, but not to the Raska region, but somewhere else, probably to Sumadija, and that, as he said, would solve the Kosovo issue for them since there would be no more Serbs in Kosovo.

Vulin: Quint, the EU, and NATO supported the actions against the Serbs in the north of Kosovo, Kurti doing nothing independently (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti)

The Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin, said, on the occasion of the intrusion of the Kosovo police in the buildings of Serbian institutions in the north of Kosovo, that Albin Kurti is not doing anything independently, so the latest attack on the Serbs was "agreed upon and supported by Quint, the EU and NATO", reported Kosovo Online, citing Vecernje Novosti. 

"Calling on Quint to protect the Serbs from Kurti has the same effect as when the European Union is asked to keep its word and form the Community of Serbian Municipalities. Kurti does nothing independently and the latest attack on the Serbs in the North was agreed and supported by Quint, the EU and NATO. Even KFOR pretends to be not in charge, and the commander of KFOR sends a deputy to a meeting with the leaders of the Serbs in order not to commit to action," Vulin said.

He asked why, if he is not right, Kurti is not under the sanctions of the USA, then why he is meeting with EU officials, and why his funds and projects from the EU are not terminated.

"The problem is not Kurti, the problem is the liars from the European Union whose signature on the Brussels Agreement is worth as much as the signature on the Minsk Agreement," said Vulin, who is attending the economic forum in Vladivostok.

N1 reported that on Wednesday Vulin will meet the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, as announced by Yuri Ushakov, the aide to the Russian leader.

Ushakov said that Vulin and Putin will meet on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on September 4, writes the Russian news agency Krasnaya Vesna, cited N1.

Starovic: Without concrete actions against Kurti, no one will take the State Department's statements seriously (Kosovo Online, Politika)

The Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starovic, stated yesterday that it was significant that verbal condemnations of Pristina's unilateral actions, following the blockade of Serbian institutions in northern Kosovo, are becoming increasingly harsh from the West, but emphasized that it was necessary for them to be accompanied by concrete actions, reported Kosovo Online, citing Politika daily. 

Speaking to B92 television, Starovic mentioned that the sharper the statements, citing the example of the U.S. State Department, the "greater the loss of credibility for the U.S. administration" in the entire region if these statements and positions do not bear any fruit.

"Simply put, no one will take the State Department's statements seriously anymore if it turns out that there is an Albin Kurti who can ignore them or throw underfoot and trample," the minister assessed.

According to him, it is not the first time that Kurti has taken unilateral actions, while the Western part of the international community—whether the EU, the U.S., or all the Quint states—condemns them, but it does not produce "any practical effect."

"And then, a month later, Kurti resorts to a new set of unilateral actions. The question I often pose in international contacts is where exactly verbal condemnation ends and tacit support begins. It is very difficult to distinguish this," Starovic added.

He noted that despite everything, he believes it was significant that these verbal condemnations were becoming increasingly harsh because everyone in the international community "is starting to realize that the only source of the problem, the only one generating conflict, is precisely Albin Kurti."

International Media

Serbia Urged to Stop Holding Activists at Borders (Balkan Insight)

After human rights activist Sofija Todorovic was held up for hours at Belgrade airport at the weekend, an umbrella organisation for Serbian NGOs warned that such harassment has been happening repeatedly.

Serbia’s National Convention on the European Union, NKEU, an umbrella organisation for NGOs dealing with EU integration, on Monday condemned the detention of two civil rights activists, Jovana Radosavljevic and Sofija Todorovic, who it said have been repeatedly, “illegally” held at border crossings for periods of several hours.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/4vuwkf3k

Von der Leyen: I will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for enlargement (EWB)

BLED – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered a keynote address at today’s opening of the Bled Strategic Forum, focusing on the European Union enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans. She said that there is political will in the EU to integrate the region as soon as possible and stressed that, in her next Commission, there would be a Commissioner specifically dedicated to the enlargement portfolio.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ymdtzvb9

Transforming the Western Balkans: Trade, Energy, and Mobility as Catalysts for Growth (EWB)

By: Kristina Milosevic, Migena Kalthi, Mona Xhexhaj, and Nikola Nesic

The Western Balkans do not enjoy a good image in the EU, especially in the Member States which have had little contact with the Western Balkans countries. The Western Balkans also face an image problem in the EU, often seen through a lens of conflict, political instability, and corruption. Moreover, the region is often perceived as being at the frontier of the European Union.

The fact that the Western Balkans are geographically surrounded by EU countries, they should be viewed as integral to the European framework. Our disputes and polarization often contribute to this negative image, but it is imperative to change it.

The Western Balkans have the potential and can be transformed from a region seen as problematic to one of significant opportunities.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/572ppbn8