Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Today we will sign the EFTA agreement, a great achievement (media)

• PACE delegation calls for “inclusive elections despite polarization” (media)

• Trump suspends international aid, not known if it affects Kosovo (RFE)

• Costa: Future of Western Balkans is in EU, time to keep our promises (Sinjali)

• “Serbian secret services used Illegal camera in Leposavic for monitoring” (media)

• Rushiti: Opportunity for whole world to know about war crimes in Kosovo (media)

• Shabiu: Children of War Museum will contribute to peace and reconciliation (RTK)

• Lajcak holds last meeting with Vucic as EU special representative (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Djuric: China's support on territorial integrity of vital importance to Serbia (Kosovo Online)

• Serbia holds day of mourning for victims of retirement home fire (N1)

• Drecun: Sorensen can try to revive dialogue, Lajcak leaving unresolved issues behind (Tanjug, RTS)
• Lawyer: Witnesses confirmed with facts, Pleskovic has nothing to do with murders he is accused of (Kosovo Online)
• Trial of Sladjan Trajkovic continues (Radio KIM)
• Defense of Sladjan Trajkovic: The court should review the decision and replace the measure with house arrest (KiM radio) 
• Trial of Azem Kurtaj accused of wounding two Serb boys continues (Kosovo Online)
• Protesting students call for general strike on January 24 (N1)

International Media:

• What's stopping NATO countries from boosting defense spending? (RFE)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti: Today we will sign the EFTA agreement, a great achievement (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, at the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “Today we will sign the EFTA agreement, which is a great achievement. We have had considerable growth in the last four years. We want to continue to grow, and exports are very important. The export of goods and services has now been included in the EFTA,” he said.

Kurti thanked Norway for its continuous support of Kosovo, especially for membership in international organizations and the process of European integration. 

Kurti also said it was very important for Kosovo to become a member of NATO.

PACE delegation calls for “inclusive elections despite polarization” (media)

At the end of its visit to Pristina, a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) commended the good preparation for the upcoming elections to the Assembly of Kosovo despite growing polarisation and called on all stakeholders to act responsibly and inclusively, for the benefit of the population.

The delegation noted that the electoral campaign which has just started has been conducted in a calm and peaceful manner. The interlocutors expressed confidence in the electoral process and in the CEC's ability to complete the preparations for the elections within the established deadlines. The delegation expects that the electoral process will be in compliance with Council of Europe standards, which would be a sign of maturity of the institutions.

The delegation was informed that the election law adopted in 2023, which was notably based on recommendations from international observers, introduced technical improvements, including the digitalisation of electoral operations, possibility given to out-of-country voters to cast their vote in person abroad, and new modalities for the counting of votes allocated to parties and to candidates. In addition, new regulations aimed at strengthening the monitoring of campaign expenditure were viewed positively by many stakeholders.

However, concerns were raised regarding the lack of regulations for online media, the transparency of media ownership, the appointment procedure for members of the Independent Media Commission, as well as the potential impact of disinformation and the use of generative artificial intelligence during the campaign. The reluctance of some political parties to engage in contradictory debates on television, and the announced boycott of three prominent TV stations by the ruling party, were deemed detrimental to public information, particularly for elderly people. The delegation recalls that the media play a vital role in ensuring voters have access to diverse and accurate information, which is essential for making informed decisions.

The delegation acknowledged the pluralistic and dynamic political landscape, with 28 contesting lists representing both majority and non-majority communities, offering voters a broad range of choices. However, several interlocutors raised concerns about the rising populist and nationalist rhetoric, as well as the use of hate speech and divisive language. They warned that such trends could undermine democracy and interethnic cohesion and may also negatively affect women’s participation in elections and politics, despite the gender quota in party lists.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/lLAA1

Trump suspends international aid, not known if it affects Kosovo (RFE) 

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday suspending all U.S. international aid programs for 90 days, to see if they are in line with his political objectives, the news website reported on Tuesday. It is not known how the decision will affect current international aid programs, as funding for most programs has already been approved by the U.S. Congress and needs to be spent. 

Radio Free Europe asked the U.S. Embassy and the USAID mission in Kosovo if the decision will affect the aid foreseen for Kosovo but received no response. The USAID webpage notes that since 1999, over €1 billion has been spent on Kosovo’s development. In October last year, the USAID marked its 25th anniversary in Kosovo, developing programs for the fight against corruption, the rule of law and good governance, the fight against disinformation and advocating for independent media, strengthening civil society and democracy, economic development and attracting foreign investments. In August last year, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani signed a grant with the USAID offering additional support to Kosovo’s institutions at US$45 million. The grant was part of an earlier agreement worth US$146 that aimed to provide better services for the citizens, increased institutional accountability and more efficient management. 

Costa: Future of Western Balkans is in EU, time to keep our promises (Sinjali)

President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said in his address to the European Parliament today that “there is no doubt” that the future of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova is in the European Union. He said that the EU enlargement was one of the key messages of the meeting held on December 19 and that the EU remains committed to enlargement as the biggest geopolitical investment for the peace and security of the European people and the continent. “This was also a central topic at the summit on the Western Balkans that I chaired at the European Council. The six countries of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova are working hard to meet their commitments. There is no doubt that the future of these countries is in the Union. It is time for us to keep our promises just as they did theirs,” he said.

“Serbian secret services used Illegal camera in Leposavic for monitoring” (media)

Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, said in an interview with TV Dukagjini on Tuesday that an illegal camera in the municipality of Leposavic was used for monitoring by Serbian secret services. The camera was installed in an electricity tower and was discovered by Kosovo’s authorities. “We believe that Serbian secret or security services installed and monitored the camera … The camera was installed in a way that it could not be seen,” Elshani said.

Rushiti: Opportunity for whole world to know about war crimes in Kosovo (media)

Feride Rushiti and the Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT) have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 by member of the Swedish Parliament Magnus Jacobsson. The latter said in a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee that the decision was made “to acknowledge the outstanding contributions” of Rushiti and the KRCT in “advancing human rights, the dignity of survivors and healing the war wounds of the communities”. 

In an interview with Euronews Albania, Rushiti said she did not know beforehand about the nomination and that she met with Jacobsson in the summer of 2022 as part of meetings with international officials. “During an online meeting with the staff of the organization, I learned about the nomination and then Kosovo’s Ambassador to Sweden informed me. The news then spread in the media and social network,” she said.

Rushiti also said the nomination is the highest acknowledgment for an individual and their cause, adding that this is a moment of pride not only for her but for all of Kosovo’s society. “It is an opportunity to raise our case at the international level and to make sure that the whole world knows about the war crimes,” she said.

Shabiu: Children of War Museum will contribute to peace and reconciliation (RTK)

The Museum of Children of War will be opened today in Pristina at 18:00 and will bring the different stories of people who were children during the war. Marigona Shabiu, executive director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo (YIHR KS) said the museum is a space that will serve for healing, bringing out the trauma and for individual and collective liberation. She said the museum and the exhibitions are curated in a way to contribute to peace and reconciliation in Kosovo.

Shabiu said the museum is a space and initiative that contributes in a very important way to preserving the terrible part of history through children’s eyes, and how at the time children from different communities experienced the war, the memories they have from that time and how that period affected their further development. “We have created this space to contribute not only to documentation and preserving the memory of children from that time, but also to educate and inform the younger generations about what happened, and what the children and citizens of Kosovo faced during the war and in the 1990s,” she said.

Lajcak holds last meeting with Vucic as EU special representative (media)

Several news websites report that EU special representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, held his last meeting in this capacity with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He said they “spoke about the state of play in the Dialogue. I underlined that the 2023 Ohrid Agreement paved the way forward towards normalisation. Further progress is in the interest of Serbia, Kosovo and their EU future”.

Serbian Language Media 

Djuric: China's support on territorial integrity of vital importance to Serbia (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said last evening seven decades of friendship between Serbia and China confirm that the two countries and peoples are connected by indissoluble ties, sincere friendship, deep understanding, and mutual respect. He emphasized Serbia is particularly grateful to China for its principled stance on territorial integrity and the position regarding Kosovo, assuring that China can always count on Serbia's principled and active support for the One-China policy.

Addressing guests at the New Year's reception organized by the Chinese Embassy in Serbia to mark this significant bilateral anniversary, Djuric conveyed that these ties are rooted in shared values and responses to the challenges of today. According to his statement, since establishing cooperation in January 1955, the two nations have successfully nurtured friendship and mutual trust and understanding.

Djuric expressed gratitude to Wang Yi, the head of Chinese diplomacy, and Chinese friends for the warm welcome during his recent official visit to China, highlighting that the discussions had reaffirmed the friendship between the two states and provided additional encouragement for further enhancing their exceptional bilateral relations.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/ZIB8L

Serbia holds day of mourning for victims of retirement home fire (N1)

Serbia is observing a nationwide day of mourning on Wednesday for the victims of the tragic fire at a retirement home in the Barajevo municipality of Belgrade., N1 reported. The Serbian Government made the decision to declare this day of mourning during its session on Tuesday.

The fire, which occurred at the retirement home in the village of Veliki Borak, claimed the lives of eight residents and left seven others injured. In connection with the incident, police have arrested three people on suspicion of committing a serious offense against public safety, which carries a potential prison sentence of two to twelve years.

Drecun: Sorensen can try to revive dialogue, Lajcak leaving unresolved issues behind (Tanjug, RTS)

The head of the Serbian parliamentary committee on defence and interior affairs Milovan Drecun said on Wednesday Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen, the most likely candidate to succeed the outgoing EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak on February 1, could try to revive the dialogue and be more agile.

"Miroslav Lajcak is leaving unresolved issues behind, the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities is the key matter. We now have a situation where that issue is peripheral and where the priority issues for Pristina are two points from the agreement on the path to normalisation that are unacceptable to us," Drecun told the RTS.

He said that, in his opinion, the agreement remained a dead letter.

"That agreement essentially contains cancer. And that cancer means that 'Kosovo' is being treated like a state and, if such a situation occurs, it will not be possible to implement any agreement as that is unacceptable to Belgrade. Besides, we do not have a de-escalation of the crisis in the north, and Lajcak has left it to Pristina to unilaterally impose, to the detriment of the Serbs, all other issues that should have been resolved in the dialogue," Drecun said.

Speaking about his expectations from Sorensen, Drecun said mediators did not have much maneuvering space.

"The autonomy and independence of mediators like Lajcak as well as Sorensen is questionable. They do not have much maneuvering freedom," he said.

Drecun said Sorensen could try to revive the dialogue technically and be more agile.

"But, in my opinion, the key issue is what his position on Pristina's unilateral moves and all the things that are thwarting a continuation of dialogue will be," he added, noting that Sorensen would act in line with the defined EU policy.

Lawyer: Witnesses confirmed with facts, Pleskovic has nothing to do with murders he is accused of (Kosovo Online)

Lawyer Jovana Filipovic said today, following the hearing in the case of Milos Pleskovic accused of allegedly committing war crimes in Prizren, at the Basic Court in Pristina that witnesses interviewed thus far have confirmed with facts that Pleskovic has nothing to do with the murders he is accused of, Kosovo Online portal reported.

two witnesses I.B. and M.G. were interviewed today and as Filipovic explained one more, anonymous witness, is left to be heard, who was the first one to give the statement and from whom everything started.

“The judicial panel decided him to be the last witness interviewed. The witnesses heard thus far confirmed with the facts that Milos has nothing to do with the murders he is accused of. While the witness who made the statement during the investigative phase that was the most detrimental to Pleskovic in a hearing today confirmed that he only expressed his opinion. That he presented some claim, but did not hear from anyone that Milos had anything to do with that (murders). Therefore it was his personal assumption, because, as he said today, he had some disagreements with Milos in the period from 1998 to 1999, and had motive to present suspicions which were not in line with the facts and evidence in this proceeding”, Filipovic said.

Witness I.B., a veteran of the former KLA, said he did not know Pleskovic personally, and he did not personally see murder of two Albanians, Pleskovic is accused of, but recognized him “as potential perpetrator” based on the photos, and on what he heard about Pleskovic after the conflict. His today’s statement did not match the statement he gave to the police previously.

Another witness M.G. claimed he knew Pleskovic personally, but did not see that he committed murders of Albanians in Prizren, but that it was his personal opinion. He also said he did not see Pleskovic wearing uniform during the conflict in 1998 and 1999.

Milos Pleskovic, an internally displaced person from Prizren was arrested in Ugljare village, near Kosovo Polje, where he lived with his mother, on September 29, 2023 and remains in detention ever since. He is accused of allegedly murdering three Albanians in September 1998 in Prizren. 

Trial of Sladjan Trajkovic continues (Radio KIM)

The trial of Sladjan Trajkovic, accused of allegedly committing war crimes in Vucitrn municipality, continued today at the Basic Court in Pristina by interviewing the witnesses.

The witness Dz.K. described the event which took place on May 22, in 1999 saying that men aged from 18 to 55 were separated into two groups, including himself, his brother and uncle. He said he told his uncle that Sladjan knows them and to go and ask him to release his brother, father and relative from the other group. As he said Sladjan told his relative to go with him, but did not bring his father and the brother to their group. After that the people from the first group were released, and the second group was transported to the sports hall in Vucitrn.

As the witness claimed Sladjan was wearing uniform, and he saw him “kicking a child twice”. “Other than that, I cannot say anything more about Sladjan, because I have not seen anything”.  

Defence lawyer of Sladjan Trajkovic, Dejan Vasic asked him how it happened that he became a witness in this case, the witness responded that police invited him “{...} they found me based on information my father gave a long time ago in a statement. After that they invited me as well. They invited me to identify Sladjan Trajkovic in a photo. They showed me several photos and my task was to identify Sladjan”, he said.

The trial of Sladjan Trajkovic had to commence for the third time from beginning, over the change in judicial panel. Family members of Trajkovic regularly attend his hearings and were also present today.

Sladjan Trajkovic was arrested on December 15, 2022 in Mitrovica South and remains in detention ever since. He was a member of Kosovo police, and left the service along with all Serbian colleagues once Serbs resigned from Kosovo institutions in the north on November 5, 2022. Before joining police Trajkovic passed all security verifications by both Kosovo and international institutions. 

Defense of Sladjan Trajkovic: The court should review the decision and replace the measure with house arrest (KiM radio) 

After today's trial of Sladjan Trajkovic in the Basic Court in Pristina, his lawyer Dejan Vasic emphasized that "it is serious time for the court panel to reconsider its decision" and expressed his expectation that Trajkovic will be placed under house arrest.

Vasic pointed out that the defense will try to request his release again with "one strong argument" at the next trial.

"My impression is that the time has come for the judicial panel to reconsider its decision. At the last session, we gave serious and clear arguments why the measure (detention) of Sladjan could be changed to house arrest, which could, without any problems, be carried out in his house in Mitrovica. We did not receive an answer to that question in the last decision. The procedure lasts long enough and there are no longer any reasonable suspicions for 80 percent of this indictment," he added.

Krivokapic: Unable to examine the witness due to the lack of translation of the statement

Lawyer Jelana Krivokapic, who is also defending Sladjan Trajkovic, said that at today's hearing it was impossible to question the second witness because the defense had not been provided with the statements he had previously given. The witness was examined only by the prosecution.

"The prosecutor said that she has it, but in Albanian and that she can give it to us that way. We did not accept it because this is a very sensitive case, but we asked for it to be translated and delivered to us," she stated.

Krivokapic emphasized that today "both witnesses were very correct".

"Everything that they stated, especially the second witness, has practically nothing to do with Sladjan. The first witness mentioned him, something along the way, but as for the second witness, he was really so clear and precise, at no point did he say that he (pre)knew Sladjan. He knows him from before, but he has not linked him to any event. He was at that place on the critical day and nothing more," she added, concluding that she was satisfied with today's trial.

Trial of Azem Kurtaj accused of wounding two Serb boys continues (Kosovo Online)

The trial in the case of Azem Kurtaj, Kosovo Security Force (KSF) member accused of wounding two Serb boys on the Christmas Eve in Gotovusa village, near Strpce, continued today at the Basic Court in Urosevac, Kosovo Online portal reported.

At today’s hearing presentation of evidence, including material evidence, hearing of the parties, including affected party and witnesses is expected.

Prosecution charges Kurtaj of “causing general danger” and he is released pending trial. The initial charges of “attempted grievous murder” have been dismissed. He pleaded not guilty in a hearing today.

Stefan (11) and Milos (21) Stojanovic were wounded on January 6, 2023 while carrying a Christmas Tree in the village of Gotovusa near Strpce. Kurtaj shot at them from a moving vehicle, the portal added. 

Protesting students call for general strike on January 24 (N1)

Protesting university students called on the Serbian citizens to halt all activities on Friday, January 24, explaining that the term “general strike” refers to widespread civil disobedience. “We won’t go to work, we won’t attend lectures, we won’t run errands. Let’s take our freedom into our own hands! Your participation makes a difference”, the students wrote on Instagram, N1 reported.

They encouraged workers to participate by either not going to work on Friday or by organizing a work stoppage with their colleagues. “If you’re afraid of your employer, take the day off, call in sick, or donate blood”, the post said.

Students advised employers to give their staff the day off, cancel scheduled meetings, and explain the reasons to clients. Students emphasized that anyone could contribute to the general strike by not going to cafes, restaurants, gyms, stores, markets, shopping malls, cinemas, or theatres. Despite it being Friday, do not attend parties and concerts, they also said.

International

What's stopping NATO countries from boosting defense spending? (RFE)

U.S. President Donald Trump expects Washington's NATO allies to spend more on bombs and bullets.

Trump's proposal for members to devote 5 percent of GDP to defense was widely rejected, but the demand for bigger budgets is real and is not expected to go away.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said spending might need to rise to as much as 3.7 percent of GDP. Only Poland is above that right now.

The current target for defense spending is 2 percent of GDP, which most members met or exceeded in 2024.

A new target for spending is likely to be agreed at a NATO summit in The Hague in June. That would require agreement from all 32 member states.

European countries have ramped up defense budgets since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022. And many leaders have said the increased spending must continue to counter the growing military threat from Moscow.

But putting this into practice is the hard part.

Many governments already face strained public finances, debt-ridden pension systems, creaking public services, and disgruntled voters with different priorities. Political instability adds to the mix.

A look at the three largest European military powers underlines the scale of the obstacles to major investments in their armed forces.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/d4y1t