Albanian Language Media:

• EU Special Representative Sorensen to visit Kosovo next week (media)

• Kurti and Kapetanovic discuss regional cooperation and economic integration (RTK)

• AAK’s Isufi says opposition is meeting to form new government (Klan)

• 25 attacks against journalists in Kosovo in last three months (KTV)

• Hamza criticizes strict measures for Thaci’s visit to ailing father (media)

• Osmani congratulates Tasoulas on inauguration as Greek President (media)

• U.S. General meets Barduani, discuss security situation in Kosovo (Reporteri)

• How Vucic used Trump's son's platform to send messages to White House (Express)

   

Serbian Language Media: 

• SafeJournalists: Threatening rhetoric by public official puts journalists at risk in Kosovo (KoSSev, media)
• Kusari: Since end of conflict this is most dangerous period for journalists owing to Self-determination (KoSSev, media)
• Prosecution authorizes police to open investigation against Sami Kurteshi (Kosovo Online)
• From Kosovo to Belgrade to "protect the president" and with students who want to "learn" (RFE, KiM radio)
• The trial of Milos Pleskovic from Prizren postponed in the Basic Court in Pristina; Lawyer: Pleskovic's right to defense violated because the prosecution does not submit evidence (Kosovo Online)
• Trial of four Serbs for alleged involvement in attack on Municipal Election Office in Mitrovica North continues (Kosovo Online)
• Ahead of Saturday's gathering, parliament buildings closed for security reasons (Tanjug)
• Vucic asks Students 2.0 group to go home on Saturday (N1)
• Warn the Serbian Government before March 15: MEPs write to von der Leyen (N1)
• Donald Trump Jr. published an interview with the President of Serbia (NMagazin, Beta, media)

• Vucic to make public address on Friday evening (Tanjug)

   

International Media:

• Serbia’s capital Belgrade on edge ahead of a major rally testing the ruling populists (AP)

Albanian Language Media 

EU Special Representative Sorensen to visit Kosovo next week (media)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Peter Sorensen, is expected to visit Kosovo on March 17-19, in his first visit since he assumed the position. His visit is part of preparations to resume the EU-facilitated dialogue between the parties. Among the first topics of discussion could be the declaration on missing persons, on which the parties agreed upon, but the last meeting in Brussels at the level of experts had failed. 

Kurti and Kapetanovic discuss regional cooperation and economic integration (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, met with the new Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Amer Kapetanovic, to discuss regional cooperation and economic integration of the region. The government announced that the Berlin process, the Regional Common Market (CRM), and the Green Agenda were among the main topics of discussion. “Emphasizing the importance of equality in regional organizations, the Prime Minister underlined the need for fair representation in leadership positions and in the RCC staff and encouraged the organization of more RCC activities in Pristina,” the announcement says.

Kurti reportedly expressed Kosovo's commitment to the CRM2 Action Plan and stressed the importance of progress in implementing the mobility agreements reached within the Berlin Process, so that they bring concrete benefits to the people. The Green Agenda must ensure a just transition and, in this regard, equal access to financing mechanisms must be guaranteed.

Since January 1 of this year, Kosovo has started the unilateral implementation of the agreement on free movement with identity cards with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina ratifying the agreement on free movement with identity cards, as an obligation taken by the Berlin Process and in order to increase mobility between people of Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in order to deepen cooperation and economic integration in the region.

AAK’s Isufi says opposition is meeting to form new government (Klan)

Ahmeti Isufi, senior member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), says there are informal meetings between the PDK, LDK and the AAK about the possibility of forming a joint government. “There haven’t been direct meetings or official meetings to decide on governing responsibilities, but there is communication between people in the leading structures of the parties. There hasn’t been any official meeting yet to decide on the responsibilities because the election results have not been certified yet,” he said.

Isufi said the AAK would not insist on getting the post of Prime Minister, because they want a functional government. “Haradinaj [AAK leader] too has said that he doesn’t want the main post, unless the political partners agree, he has never avoided responsibilities, but we will never be an obstacle to a coalition by the opposition that could lead the country,” he said.

25 attacks against journalists in last three months (KTV)

Getoarbe Mulliqi from the Association of Journalists of Kosovo said in a debate on KTV on Thursday that 25 cases of attacks against journalists were recorded in the last three months in Kosovo. “We have seen a large number of attacks growing by the year. Until March there are 25 cases. What is more concerning than the number of the attacks is the nature of the attacks. 25 cases were identified and registered by the AJK in the last three months. We don’t believe this is the real situation,” she said, adding that she believes that the number of attacks against media staff is even bigger.

Mulliqi went on to say that the profession of a journalist has become endangered in the last couple of years and that most of the attacks happen on the field, “because journalists are being seen as easy targets”. She also said that the number of the attacks is on the rise also because of the political discourse.

Hamza criticizes strict security measures for Thaci’s visit to ailing father (media)

Candidate of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Bedri Hamza criticized the strict security measures and treatment of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci during his visit to his ailing father in Kosovo on Thursday. He said there is a positive aspect that the visit was allowed. “And the other aspect [the treatment] was totally unnecessary. I am certain that beyond political differences, these images and the treatment were unnecessary and unjustified because the [former] President and Kosovo do not deserve them,” he argued.

Osmani congratulates Tasoulas on inauguration as Greek President (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in a post on X, congratulated Konstantinos Tasoulas on his inauguration as President of Greece. “As Kosovo and Greece continue to build bridges of friendship, we look forward to working together to seize new opportunities for mutually-beneficial cooperation. Wishing him a successful term ahead,” Osmani said.

U.S. General meets Barduani, discuss current security situation in Kosovo (Reporteri)

Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, Christopher Donahue visited soldiers and leaders of Regional Command East at Camp Bondsteel and Camp Nothing Hill. General Donahue thanked the soldiers for their dedication to the KFOR mission and learned more about day-to-day operations. General Donahue also met with the Commander of KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani and discussed the current security situation and peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

How Vucic used Trump's son's platform to send messages to White House (Express)

Donald Trump Jr. the businessman son of U.S. President Donald Trump, visited Serbia three days ago where he met with the country's president, Aleksandar Vucic. During this visit, Trump Jr. interviewed Vucic in a podcast of his and gave some views on Serbia, Kosovo and the region. At the beginning of this podcast, Trump Jr. presents Serbia as a country that currently "stands for sovereignty and secure borders", while saying that Western European countries are doing the opposite.

"It's a country where the legacy of the 1999 NATO bombing is still present. And what's really incredible is that groups like NATO had a very different view on territorial integrity when it comes to Serbia and Kosovo, compared to their stance on Ukraine", says Trump Jr. in this video.

Then, explaining Serbia's location on the map of Europe, Trump Jr. showed a map where Kosovo is part of Serbia. Giving a background on the events of the breakup of Yugoslavia, Trump's son said that NATO bombing of Serbia is seen as a distraction from Democratic President Bill Clinton's scandal with Monica Lewinsky.

See the entire interview here: https://tinyurl.com/3f6y8fvx

Serbian Language Media

SafeJournalists: Threatening rhetoric by public official puts journalists at risk in Kosovo (KoSSev, media)

The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the threatening and defamatory rhetoric used by Sami Kurteshi, a member of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kosovo, against the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) and the Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo (NWJK). We call on relevant institutions to take immediate action to ensure the safety of journalists and uphold media freedom, the Organization said in a statement.   

“In a public statement, Kurteshi referred to AJK and NWJK as an “Alliance of Criminal Groups.” Such inflammatory language delegitimizes the vital work of journalist organizations, exposes them to potential harm, and creates a hostile environment for media professionals, particularly women journalists, who already face disproportionate threats”, the statement added.

“We are appalled that the ruling Vetëvendosje continues to be unbothered by the sheer scandalous behaviour of its Central Election Commission member, Sami Kurteshi towards the media and journalists”, claims Xhemajl Rexha, Chair of AJK board. “The accusations are of great concern, and endanger journalists’ safety, and VV should immediately dismiss Kurteshi from this important state institution”.

Read the full statement at: https://shorturl.at/RC5EJ

Kusari: Since end of conflict this is most dangerous period for journalists owing to Self-determination (KoSSev, media)

“Excluding the first years after the war, this is the most dangerous period for the journalists in the recent history of Kosovo – owing to Self-determination. The Self-determination should apologize and undertake measures against Sami Kurteshi – the media law lawyer and legal advisor to the European Centre for Press and Media Freedoms, Flutra Kusari said, KoSSev portal reported.

Sami Kurteshi, Self-determination member at the Central Election Commission after being asked a question by a Nacionale journalist told her  “you are criminal media, a media of paid assassins”. Number of reactions, including the one from Association of Journalists of Kosovo and Safe Journalists Network following, condemning Kurteshi’s remarks and asking Self-determination to undertake measures against Kurteshi and apologize.

As Kusari said “Kurteshi’s statement can be interpreted as a call of Self-determination that the public attacks journalists”. She also recalled the murder of a journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta.

"This should be read and understood as an invitation from the Self-Determination movement addressed to the public to physically attack Nacionale journalists. It is the ultimate dehumanization of journalists, the same as what the ruling party did to journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta, just before she was killed," Kusari pointed out.

She opined that the Self-determination Movement should apologize and undertake measures against Kurteshi, and that Kosovo police should offer protection to Nacionale journalists.

Prosecution authorizes police to open investigation against Sami Kurteshi (Kosovo Online)

Basic Prosecution in Pristina has authorised Kosovo police to undertake necessary investigative acts against Sami Kurteshi, Self-determination member of the Central Election Commission, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Albanian Post.

Kurteshi on Wednesday verbally assaulted journalists present at the Municipal Vote Counting Centre in Pristina, insulting and accusing them. “Media dogs” and “criminal media of paid assassins” were some of the remarks Kurteshi used against a journalist.

"We won, they let us down with the media and everything and we won. These media dogs who wrote everything, I mean, I don't take them into account... Let them crack and come, let them see how it's done", the portal said it was heard.

The portal further reported that Albanian Post said it contacted Kurteshi to ask for an explanation of those statements, but he refused to make a statement. “I am not giving you a statement”, he said briefly before hanging up the phone.

From Kosovo to Belgrade to "protect the president" and with students who want to "learn" (RFE, KiM radio)

"We came from Kosovo. We are here voluntarily, no one organized us," one of those gathered in Pionirski Park told RFE. This camp of students was installed as opposition to the blockades of the faculties. 

Pionirski Park, close to the most important state institutions in Belgrade, has been the place of protest for seven days by students who demand that they be allowed to study and attend classes at the faculties.

''However, members of the disbanded Special Operations Unit (JSO), whose commanders were convicted of war crimes and political liquidations, officials of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party from various cities, as well as a larger group of people who came from Kosovo, are currently located at this location,'' reported KiM radio, citing RFE. 

For some of them, supporting the demands of "students who want to learn" is not the main reason for being there.

"We came to support President Aleksandar Vucic, who is always with us," a man who introduced himself as Tihomir from Kosovo told RFE, adding that they plan to stay in Pionirski Park "as long as necessary".

Based on the footage and with the help of an open-source face comparison tool, RFE identified Sasa Milosevic, who is the president of the Kosovo municipality of Novo Brdo in front of the SL and the president of the Provisional Municipal Authority of Gnjilane, as well as Sasa Sekulic from the Provisional Municipal Authority of Pristina.

The same way, Milan Kovacevic from the village of Banje near Srbica was also identified. Kovacevic appeared in the media in 2018 when, with the previous promise of President Aleksandar Vucic, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija donated two cows and five sheep to him.

Their tents were placed in front of the entrance to the Old Palace, where the Assembly of the City of Belgrade is located. They did not respond to messages and calls from RFE journalists.

The opposition announced that Serbian List is sending people to Belgrade

According to RFE's information, Serbs from various areas in Kosovo went to the camp in front of the Serbian Presidency, from Strpce and Kosovo Pomoravlje region, via Gracanica to North Mitrovica, Leposavic and Zubin Potok.

"Among them are employees of Serbian institutions, who were allegedly given daily wages and a promise that they would receive an increase in their monthly salary. There are also those who work in the institutions of Kosovo, but are close to the Serbian List," wrote RFE. 

Allegedly RFE received information from ''several sources close to people who went to the camp that they were informed overnight at what time and from where they were leaving for Belgrade, in order to provide support to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic''. Some went in an organized bus and some in their private cars.

RFE sources wish to remain anonymous for security reasons.

The Serbian opposition in Kosovo has been warning the public since the end of February that the SL was organizing Serbs from Kosovo to build a "human wall" in front of the presidency in order to "defend" President Aleksandar Vucic from the "color revolution".

RFE addressed the Serbian List and the Presidency of Serbia with the question whether it is true that they are behind the organization of the departure of Serbs from Kosovo to Belgrade in order to "defend" the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, for what purpose such a thing is being organized and from whom Vucic should be defended.

According to RFE, the answer did not arrive until the publication of their text. 

Pressures due to different attitudes

On the other hand, in North Mitrovica in the north of Kosovo, several gatherings of support for students in the blockade have been held so far, and some of them go to protests in cities in Serbia.

Goran Antic from North Mitrovica is one of them. He plans to go to the rally in Belgrade on March 15.

Antic, the owner of a passenger transport agency, drives other fellow citizens at his own expense, as well as students of the University of North Mitrovica, who support students in the blockade. His motive, as he said in his statement to RFE, is to help people "who are fighting for the truth".

"There will be about 60 people, maybe more. Everyone who comes is welcome, there is no blackmail, no bribery, no fear. Everyone decides according to their conscience," Antic told RFE.

Regarding his compatriots from Kosovo who are camping in front of the Presidency to support "students who want to study", he says that they were "blackmailed" and "bribed".

"First of all, they are not students, they have never studied anything, they only listen to their superiors. They are blackmailed with work, some have a contract for three or six months, some are offered daily wages, some are promised that they will be employed or that they will get a job contract. Everyone gets either cash or a promise. In principle, no one went there out of love," believes Antic.

He previously indicated certain pressures from the Serbian List due to "different views", that is, that educational institutions were ordered not to cooperate with him and not hire him to drive school excursions.

He says that he is not under pressure now, that they have nothing to blackmail him with because he is not on the "state budget".

Serbs from Kosovo have various incomes from the Serbian budget, from salaries, pensions, social benefits. The Kosovo authorities shut down most of the institutions that work in the Serbian system, but the employees continued to receive salaries.

RFE recalled that on March 13, a group of students from the University of North Mitrovica, which works in the Serbian system, held another rally to support students in the blockade. Individual citizens and professors support them.

A day earlier, a delegation of students from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade handed them an invitation to a gathering scheduled for March 15 in North Mitrovica.

Nevertheless, the rectorate of the University of North Mitrovica announced in mid-December last year that it supports the right to free opinion, but that it distances itself from the views of individuals, and that the academic community should not be politicized.

The statement stated that "support is provided to President Aleksandar Vucic, state bodies and institutions of the Republic of Serbia in preserving academic freedom, ensuring the rights of students and teachers and conditions for normal work and functioning of higher education institutions in the Republic of Serbia."

The trial of Milos Pleskovic from Prizren postponed in the Basic Court in Pristina; Lawyer: Pleskovic's right to defense violated because the prosecution does not submit evidence (Kosovo Online)

The trial of Milos Pleskovic from Prizren, accused by the prosecution of an alleged war crime committed against civilians in 1998, was supposed to continue before the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina.

An anonymous witness was expected to be questioned at today's hearing, but due to lack of technical conditions, the witness was not questioned. The trial is scheduled for May 12.

Pleskovic was arrested on September 29, 2023, and is accused of allegedly having committed three murders in September 1998.

Pleskovic's right to defense violated because the prosecution does not submit evidence

According to lawyer Jovana Filipovic statement after the previous hearing, the witnesses heard so far confirmed the facts that the accused has nothing to do with the murders he was accused of.

"The main trial was postponed, because the prosecutor did not submit all the evidence as ordered by the court. The prosecution again ignored the court's request,'' said Filipovic, adding that the court ordered submission of the evidence eight days before the hearing, which was not done again. 

"We go like this on and on. Milos remains in custody, his right to defense is violated because the prosecution does not submit evidence, justifying itself with a vague legal situation, which does not exist. It is clearly stated in the law that all evidence must be submitted to the defense, they are somehow buying time," said Filipovic. 

She also said that the protected witness from whom everything started should have been questioned today.

"This is the statement of a witness who is protected. We did not ask to see who he is, but we are asking to see what he said. Everything started from his statement, not from the victim who claimed that he apparently had seen Milos. And according to what was delivered to us, according to one statement, he really could not see and have direct knowledge. We hope that this will reach the chief state prosecutor, that he will react in a legal way and prevent violations of the law to the detriment of the accused persons," concluded Filipovic.

Trial of four Serbs for alleged involvement in attack on Municipal Election Office in Mitrovica North continues (Kosovo Online)

The trial of Milun Milenkovic, Dejan Pantic, Momir Vakic and Aleksandar Vlajic accused of “terrorism” over their alleged involvement in the attack on Municipal Election Commission Office in Mitrovica North on December 6, 2022, continued today at the Basic Court in Pristina, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Today, one witness of prosecution and one witness of defence will be interviewed. The four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges they are accused of. Milun Milenkovic and Aleksandar Vlajic remain in detention ever since their arrest, while Dejan Pantic and Momir Vakic defend from freedom. 

Ahead of Saturday's gathering, parliament buildings closed for security reasons (Tanjug)

The Serbian National Assembly said its buildings would be closed from Friday to Monday to do everything in the institution's power to ensure Saturday's gathering outside the House of the National Assembly in central Belgrade passed without incidents, Tanjug news agency reported.

The decision has been made "exclusively for security reasons to do everything in our power to ensure the announced March 15 gathering in Belgrade, outside the National Assembly, passes without any incidents whatsoever", said the text of the decision, sent to MPs and employees.

It also said the decision had been made by the secretary-general of the National Assembly based on a security assessment by the Interior Ministry, "with the aim of avoiding any, even minimal, space for causing potential provocations and clashes".

Vucic asks Students 2.0 group to go home on Saturday (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called on the students who opposed the protests to leave the Pioneers’ Park on March 15 and go home, suggesting they return the following day, N1 reported.

A group identifying themselves as Students 2.0, last week set up camp outside the Serbian Presidency building in Belgrade, demanding a return to classes.

During a meeting with a delegation of the Students 2.0 group at the Presidency building, Vucic said he would be grateful if they were to heed his request, but assured them that the state authorities would make efforts to protect them if they decide to remain in the park. “If you decide to stay, we will do everything we can to protect that space. I’m not sure that they won’t hurl rocks and flash bangs”, the president said. As KoSSev portal reported later Students 2.0 group refused the request of President Vucic to leave the Pionirski Park on March 15, and will remain there under the tents. 

Student protesters have announced plans to organize a protest outside the Serbian Parliament building on March 15, and have called on citizens to join them. Several state officials have warned of the potential for clashes and violence on the streets that day.

Warn the Serbian Government before March 15: MEPs write to von der Leyen (N1)

The people of Serbia are demanding democracy, transparency, and accountability. As a candidate country, Serbia must uphold these principles. Any repression of peaceful protests must have consequences, reads a letter that members of the European Parliament addressed to Ursula von der Leyen. They added that von der Leyen needs to make this clear before March 15.

Slovenian MEP Irena Joveva, who captured the attention of the local public when she bowed to Serbian students a month ago, shared the letter on social media.

She said at the time that young people are the driving force of Serbia.

We present the full text of the letter to Ursula von der Leyen:

“We, the undersigned Members of the European Parliament, write to you regarding the ongoing protests in Serbia, where citizens are demanding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law while receiving barely any principled or even symbolic support from the highest representative from the EU.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2pu693nf

Donald Trump Jr. published an interview with the President of Serbia (NMagazin, Beta, media)

Donald Trump Jr., the son of the President of the USA, published today an interview with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, which he conducted recently, during his visit to Belgrade, and Vucic spoke about Serbia's position in Europe, the NATO bombing in 1999, the protests taking place in the country, and Kosovo, reported NMagazin. 

In the introductory part of his podcast "Triggered" published on the Rumble network, Donald Trump Jr. said that the visit to Serbia was an "eye-opening" experience. He described that Serbia has embraced the free market, that it supports the election of Donald Trump in the US and the values of Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, and that it has embraced common sense, law and order, and a common national identity among other things. 

See the ''Triggered'' podcast with President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic at: https://tinyurl.com/92b3j7vw

Vucic to make public address on Friday evening (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will make a public address at 6 pm on Friday.

Vucic will be speaking from the Palace of Serbia, the presidential press office announced in a statement.

International

Serbia’s capital Belgrade on edge ahead of a major rally testing the ruling populists (AP)

Serbia’s capital Belgrade was on edge on Friday ahead of a major anti-government rally this weekend with populist authorities of President Aleksandar Vucic ramping up efforts to dissuade people from attending. 

The protest on Saturday is seen as a culmination of months of anti-graft demonstrations in the Balkan country and a test for Vucic’s right-wing government, which has faced mounting popular discontent.

The autocratic Serbian president has repeatedly warned that violence is planned at the rally while also threatening arrests over any incidents. Vucic’s supporters have been camping in the city center, fueling fears of clashes with the protesters.

Despite mounting tensions, tens of thousands of students and other protesters are expected to converge on Belgrade from all over Serbia.

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