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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 13, 2025

Albanian Language Media: 

  • Kurti meets Orav, notes “Serbia’s interference in Kosovo elections” (media)
  • Kosovo government reconfirms pledge over KSF deployment in north (Koha)
  • Osmani thanks NATO Partner countries for participation at NATO Council meeting (RTK)
  • Blakaj: Serbia is tolerating war criminals, it can be a boomerang (Dukagjini)
  • Malisic: A group that participated in Banjska has arrived in Belgrade (RTK/N1)
  • Osmani supports adoption of draft law on missing persons (RTK)
  • Haradinaj: I am not seeking any position to vote for an opposition government, elections are also an option (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

  • Vucic: Burundi a true friend of Serbia (N1, Beta)
  • Djuric: Serbia changed its vote on the Ukrainian Resolution to abstention at the UN Secretariat (Kosovo Online, NIN)
  • Gasic with Munsch on the importance of dialogue between Serbia and NATO and the situation in Kosovo (Tanjug) 
  • Mojsilovic met Munsch: Improving relations with full respect for Serbia's military neutrality (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
  • Students from Belgrade on the Mitrovica promenade handed their colleagues an invitation to the meeting on March 15 (KoSSev, KiM radio, NMagazin, Danas)
  • Citizens honored victims and called for unity at gathering in North Mitrovica yesterday (KoSSev)
  • Malisic: “Radar weekly uncovers evidence of Banjska group’s arrival in Belgrade ahead of March 15 protests” (KoSSev, N1)

 

 

Albanian Language Media 

 
Kurti meets Orav, notes “Serbia’s interference in Kosovo elections” (media)
 
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Tuesday with the EU Head of Office in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, and discussed developments in Kosovo, the region and Europe. “Discussions also focused on the findings of the report of the EU election observation mission, which evidenced Serbia’s interference in the last elections in Kosovo. It was said that such interferences in elections and spreading disinformation constitute threats against democracy. Prime Minister Kurti also discussed with Ambassador Orav about strengthening cooperation between Kosovo and the European Union,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.
 
Orav said in a post on X after the meeting: “Had a good opportunity to meet with Prime Minister 
Albin Kurti today. We discussed the latest political developments and our collaboration on the EU agenda in Kosovo. The EU remains committed to supporting Kosovo in paving the way for progress and stability”.
 
Kosovo government reconfirms pledge over KSF deployment in north (Koha)
 
Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said on Wednesday that Kosovo will respect a pledge made in 2013 about the deployment of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) only with a special consent from KFOR. “A letter that I sent to the commander of KFOR has often been misinterpreted. I have never made a repledge. The Minister of Defense does not make a repledge through a letter, which was a pledge made by a Prime Minister to the NATO Secretary General. We said we will respect that pledge, regardless of the fact that we don’t agree with the limitations that the KSF has in the north, without preliminary coordination with KFOR. We will continue to respect this pledge, by coordinating previously with KFOR before eventually sending troops to the north,” Maqedonci said.
 
Osmani thanks NATO Partner countries for participation at NATO Council meeting (RTK)
 
Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, in a post on the social platform X, announced the meeting with the ambassadors of the North Atlantic Council, the main decision-making body of NATO. Greece, Ukraine and Armenia, countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo's independence, also participated in this meeting.
 
“A timely and critical discussion yesterday with the North Atlantic Council (NAC) on Kosovo’s NATO membership aspirations as well as on the latest security developments in our region. Emphasizing KFOR’s indispensable role in maintaining peace, I also reaffirmed Kosovo’s unwavering commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and our strategic partnership with NATO. I also want to thank NATO partner countries — Ukraine, Armenia, Austria, and Switzerland—for their presence in the meeting, reinforcing our shared dedication to a safer and more secure world for all,” Osmani wrote.
 
Blakaj: Serbia is tolerating war criminals, it can be a boomerang (Dukagjini)
 
The TV station reported on Wednesday that former members of the notorious unit of the Serbian army, the Red Berets, were seen on Tuesday at the camp before the Presidency of Serbia, in support of a group that opposes students’ protests. Among them was also seen Goran Radosavljevic – Guri, who is believed to be linked to the massacre in Recak in Kosovo and the execution of the U.S.-Albanian brothers Bytyci in Serbia. Bekim Blakaj from the Humanitarian Law Fund in Kosovo said this was a clear example of how Serbia is tolerating and promoting individuals accused of war crimes. He said that the presence of such people in the protests can lead to violence and destabilization in Serbia. “It is unacceptable for a country to tolerate someone that has committed crimes and not bring him to justice, and this can become a boomerang in terms of what is expected to happen on Saturday. There can be violence and he [Radosavljevic] certainly does not hesitate to use violence,” he argued.
 
Malisic: A group that participated in Banjska has arrived in Belgrade (RTK/N1)
 
Vesna Malisic, editor in chief of Radar, in an interview with N1 on Wednesday said she has received information from several journalists that a group of people from Kosovo that organized the attack in Banjska have arrived in Belgrade. Commenting on the protests in Serbia, she said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is trying to incite a conflict before the March 15 protest in order to declare a state of emergency or to have an excuse for police intervention.
 
Osmani supports adoption of draft law on missing persons (RTK)
 
The Office of the President informed that Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, with representatives from institutions and several organizations engaged in clarifying the fate of persons who disappeared by force during the recent war in Kosovo. “They discussed the preparations of the Office of the President regarding the establishment and functioning of the Presidential Commission on Transitional Justice, which stems from the Strategy for Transitional Justice of the Republic of Kosovo.”
 
According to the announcement, the attendees reiterated the request for the adoption of the Draft Law on Missing Persons, so that the needs of the families of the missing are addressed. At the same time, they confirmed their readiness for close cooperation with the Office of the President for the establishment and functioning of the Presidential Commission. Osmani expressed her gratitude for the commitment of those present in clarifying the fate of the forcibly disappeared, and reaffirmed her support in this important process.

 

Haradinaj: I am not seeking any position to vote for an opposition government, elections are also an option (Klan)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj, has said that he is ready to enter into a coalition with the opposition without any conditions, and he does not even consider the post of President as an option. He said that his party's votes go only to a government formed by opposition parties. In fact, in the interview with Klan Kosova, he said that elections are a possible option if Kosovo is left without a government soon. "I am not seeking any position, I will not take any position. For [the president], that is not an issue now, but when the time comes, it is not a topic for me at all. I have no request for a job in this government, we have very good colleagues who know what to do. The Alliance's votes are only for an opposition government, only for the opposition. I am not looking to take the country to the elections, but for me, elections are also an option," Haradinaj said.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: Burundi a true friend of Serbia (N1, Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that Serbia views Burundi as a “genuinely friendly country” that, according to him, has never taken part in any initiatives against Serbia.

Following talks in Belgrade with the president of this African country, Evariste Ndayishimiye, Vucic said Burundi has “always firmly supported Serbia’s territorial integrity.”

“Regarding Kosovo and Metohija, Burundi has consistently backed not only Serbia’s policies but also the UN Charter and the framework of international law established after the Second World War. They have never taken part in any initiatives against Serbia, whether regarding Kosovo and Metohija or the Srebrenica issue at the UN. They have always been on our side, and Serbia highly appreciates that,” Vucic told a press conference at the Palace of Serbia. 

Vucic said he discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation with the president of Burundi and that they agreed to have their foreign ministries consult on all significant regional and global issues concerning both countries, ensuring they present a united front in every global organization and institution.

He added that they also talked about military-economic cooperation, emphasizing that Serbia can provide significant support to Burundi.

Serbia and Burundi signed on Wednesday in Belgrade nine agreements and memoranda on cooperation in various fields. The documents were signed and exchanged in the presence of presidents Ndayishimiye and Vucic.

Djuric: Serbia changed its vote on the Ukrainian Resolution to abstention at the UN Secretariat (Kosovo Online, NIN)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric told NIN that Serbia’s Mission to the United Nations (UN) changed its vote in the UN General Assembly on the Ukrainian resolution, which reaffirms support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity while condemning Russia.

Initially, Serbia voted in favor of the resolution. However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic later stated that a voting mistake had been made and apologized to the public.

In an interview for the latest print edition of NIN, Djuric emphasized that Serbia’s Mission to the UN changed its vote to abstention at the UN Secretariat, thereby closing the issue. When asked what happened at the UN during the vote on the Ukrainian resolution—co-sponsored by the EU and condemning Russia—he took responsibility for the situation.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/t9z3j89y(link is external)

Gasic met Munsch (Tanjug) 

Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic met yesterday in Belgrade with the Commander of the NATO Joint Forces Command in Naples, Admiral Stuart Munsch, and emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue between Serbian and NATO officials at all levels, in order to improve mutual trust and understanding, which, as he stated, will be especially contributed to by participation in future joint activities.

Gasic emphasized that yesterday's meeting represented another opportunity to exchange views on issues of the security situation in the region and the world, with special reference to the situation in Kosovo. 

When the situation in Kosovo was in question, Gasic expressed particular concern over the unilateral moves of the PM Albin Kurti, directed against Serbia and the Serbian community, as well as the fact that certain NATO member states participate bilaterally in arming, building capacities, capabilities and transforming the KSF into the armed forces of Pristina, contrary to Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council.

Mojsilovic met Munsch: Improving relations with full respect for Serbia's military neutrality (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

The Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilovic, spoke yesterday in Belgrade with the Commander of the NATO Joint Forces Command from Naples, Admiral of the Armed Forces of the United States of America Stuart Munsch.

As stated in the statement of the Ministry of Defense of Serbia, the meeting discussed the current security situation in the region and the world, the modalities of cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and the NATO command from Naples, and the prospects for the development of overall relations.

With the assessment that the established relations are professional, constructive and contribute to peace and stability in the region, the willingness of both sides to improve cooperation in areas of common interest was expressed. It was established that the existing mechanisms of cooperation enable further improvement of overall relations with full respect for the military neutrality of the Republic of Serbia, the press release pointed out.

"Given that the International Security Forces in Kosovo and Metohija are under the responsibility of the command from Naples, a significant part of the conversation was related to the state of security in our southern province," the statement concluded.

Students from Belgrade on the Mitrovica promenade handed their colleagues an invitation to the meeting on March 15 (KoSSev, KiM radio, NMagazin, Danas)

Before the upcoming big meeting in the Serbian capital, a delegation of students from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade visited North Mitrovica, reported KoSSev.

They met with colleagues from the University of Pristina. At the same time, they were handed an invitation to a meeting in Belgrade scheduled for March 15, it was confirmed on the Instagram page of the students of this university who organize actions "15 minutes of silence" and support the student blockades of colleagues from central Serbia.

Among those who welcomed the delegation from Belgrade was the student and aphorist Jovan Zafirovic.

"A group of students from the University of Pristina with temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica, which now regularly organizes meetings, welcomed their colleagues from Belgrade and received an invitation," he said in a post on Facebook.

KoSSev recalled that a group of students from the University of Pristina, in cooperation with a local carrier, is organizing free transportation for those students and citizens who intend to attend a large student protest on March 15 in the Serbian capital. Joe travel will drive them to the new protest again.

KoSSev reported that this group of students is organizing another "15 minutes of silence" action today for the victims in Novi Sad.

Citizens honored victims and called for unity at gathering in North Mitrovica yesterday (KoSSev)

The key message from yesterday’s gathering in North Mitrovica was clear: unity is essential in these times, and division is the last thing the people need. In a solemn tribute, citizens once again honored the victims of the tragic collapse of the canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad.

The silent commemoration, part of the “15 Minutes of Silence” action for the fifteen victims, took place in front of the Faculty of Philosophy. Residents of other northern Kosovo municipalities joined Mitrovica’s citizens in the gathering.

A large banner dominated the event, reading, “Solunski Front Soldiers 1918 – 20th century. Students, pupils – 21st century”.

During the moment of silence, which lasted from 11:52 AM to 12:07 PM, some attendees held smaller signs with messages such as “The people only seek justice”, “Support for students and pupils from Kosovo and Metohija”, and “Students, God has spoken”.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/ykzeuehc(link is external)

Malisic: “Radar weekly uncovers evidence of Banjska group’s arrival in Belgrade ahead of March 15 protests” (KoSSev, N1)

“Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is attempting to create the conditions for conflict ahead of the March 15 protests in order to justify either a state of emergency or police intervention,” Vesna Malisic, editor-in-chief of the weekly Radar, told N1, cited KoSSev. 

According to the weekly’s journalists, a group of individuals involved in organizing the Banjska attack has arrived in Belgrade.

Speaking to N1 Studio Live, Malisic called it “tragic” that on the anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, members of the disbanded Special Operations Unit (JSO) appeared in Pioneer Park.

“Their presence and what they symbolize is ominous. They were a death squad, responsible for the murder of four people on the Ibar Highway, the assassination attempt on Vuk Draskovic, the killing of Ivan Stambolic, and the murder of Prime Minister Djindjic—not to mention their actions in Bosnia. And now, within the police-protected zone around the Presidency, they appear as a human shield for the president. This is an outrage, a scandal of scandals, sending a deeply sinister message,” Malisic stated.

“A Deliberate Strategy”

Malisic argued that the recent events, including the JSO’s reappearance, are not coincidental.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2nmympz8(link is external)