Albanian Language Media:

• Kallas: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue stalled, we are considering other means for normalization (RFE)
• Osmani: Kosovo is facing continuous attacks from Serbia (RTK)
• Lammy: We want sustainable and peaceful normalization between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Kurti: Radoicic is roaming free, he should be extradited to Kosovo (RTK)
• COMKFOR and UK Foreign Secretary discuss security situation (media)
• Kurti begins consultations on government formation, meets Emilija Rexhepi (RTK)
• Kurti meets with Rasic, the latter expresses willingness to continue cooperation (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic begins consultations on new cabinet (N1)
• One SOC flag torn apart, another one removed and stolen in Orahovac (Radio KIM)
• Official statement of Raska-Prizren Diocese regarding desecration of Church flag in Orahovac (media, social media)
• Office for KIM, Serbian List head, condemn desecration of SOC flag in Orahovac (Kosovo Online, media)
• NATO official: We will not allow security of Western Balkans to be endangered (Kosovo Online)
• Systematic violations of Law on Use of Languages: Kosovo Police Inspectorate (Radio KIM)
• EU Office to Gracanica Online: Pristina and Belgrade in 2022 undertook obligation to accept each other’s ID cards
• 12 activists blocking Regulatory Energy Office over electricity price increase arrested (KoSSev, media)

• Movement for People and State registered (N1)

   

Albanian Language Media 

Kallas: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue stalled, we are considering other means for normalization (RFE)

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that the European Union is interested in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, whether through dialogue or some other way. 

“Regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, or the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, I have appointed a Special Representative, with whom I will sit down to look at the future. What interests us is the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Whether through this dialogue, or some other instrument, we will gather ideas and come up with a proposal,” Kallas, who is expected to visit Western Balkans next week, said.

“It seems that the dialogue has stalled a bit, because the parties are just complaining about each other. I think we should keep the ultimate goal in mind – the normalization of relations between them, so that they can move forward on the European path. Maybe it is dialogue, maybe it is another tool. I am ready to look into this issue, and I will do so together with the Special Representative in the coming days,” Kallas said.

She also spoke about the possible impact of the trade war between the EU and the U.S., as well as the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, stressing the need for Europe's involvement in any negotiations on this issue. 

Osmani: Kosovo is facing continuous attacks from Serbia (RTK)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, said in the media conference after the meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, that in the dialogue with Serbia, Kosovo remains a constructive party committed to peace and stability despite the fact that, according to her, “the country constantly faces obstructions and provocations from Serbia including the successive attacks that began years ago and are still continuing now.”

“It is imperative that there should be accountability and holding the perpetrators accountable by Serbia, but unfortunately we are seeing that there is no movement from Serbia, neither regarding the act of aggression of September 2023, nor regarding the attack on NATO soldiers, nor regarding the recent terrorist acts that have occurred in the north of the country,” Osmani said.

She thanked the United Kingdom for the continuous support they have given to Kosovo. “We also discussed Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic future, an aspiration that the United Kingdom has supported since the beginning of our relations, as has been the strong support of the United Kingdom for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe.” Osmani said that they always welcome the engagement of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, also regarding arms exports to Kosovo. “This step will contribute not only to strengthening our security, but also to advancing the defense industry of Great Britain,” Osmani said.

Lammy: We want sustainable and peaceful normalization between Kosovo and Serbia (media)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the United Kingdom wants Kosovo and Serbia to have sustainable and peaceful normalization. At the joint press conference with President Osmani, the British Foreign Secretary said that he hopes the next government will address the needs of all the people, including progress in the integration of Kosovo Serbs and a strong commitment to the EU-led dialogue.

“We want sustainable and peaceful normalisation for you here in Kosovo, between Kosovo and Serbia. The UK is undoubtedly a major contributor to KFOR. I visited KFOR the last time I was here and will visit again. It is absolutely essential for your security, and I hope that the next government will address the needs of all citizens, including progress in the integration of Kosovo Serbs and a strong engagement in the EU-led dialogue. I had the pleasure of being with the EU High Representative two weeks ago in London to discuss the Western Balkans and to discuss Kosovo, and its initiatives, and I look forward to working with European colleagues at this time of challenge and to playing our full role alongside the European Union to ensure that we have dialogue, but also progress that works for the people, for the people of Kosovo and Serbia,” Lammy said.

The British Foreign Secretary further said that it is important to see Kosovo make progress on its Euro-Atlantic journey. “And with the support of the United Kingdom, we hope that you will be able to join the Council of Europe. The Berlin Process is important for creating connections within this region and the rest of Europe, and we will do what we can to support that process in the coming months,” he continued. 

The senior British official said that there is also other work that countries can do together to fight organized crime. “These gangs endanger the region and society and leave a mark as a more insecure region, we must fight this,” he said.

He said that he welcomes the progress achieved in the February electoral process, while expressing hope that Kosovo will continue with the formation of a new government, which according to him, is essential in these moments, which he called challenging. “This is a region that has mattered to the British, it mattered when Tony Blair was in office, it matters today,” he said.

He added that the UK is leading the Berlin Process at a difficult time. “I have not only returned as a friend, but fully convinced that the UK continues to play an essential role as a key friend and partner to this great nation,” Lammy said.

Kurti: Radoicic is roaming free, he should be extradited to Kosovo (RTK)

The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, hosted on Tuesday evening the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, David Lammy, and the Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, at a working dinner. Kurti said at the meeting that there is still no justice and accountability for the attack in Banjska, while Milan Radoicic is roaming free and protected by the Serbian state apparatus. He added that he should be extradited to Kosovo where he would face a fair trial for his actions.

He thanked the Secretary of State and the United Kingdom for their contribution and support “during the stages of state-building” and the friendship and close partnership and highlighted the one between the KSF and the British defense and security institutions.

Kurti congratulated Secretary Lammy and Special Envoy Karen Pierce on the hosting of the Berlin Process Summit this year by the United Kingdom, offering cooperation to make this summit as successful as possible. They also discussed the current situation in the region and the geopolitical situation in Europe, as well as security issues.

COMKFOR and UK Foreign Secretary discuss security situation (media)

KFOR Commander, Enrico Barduani, received the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Lammy, in a meeting.

According to KFOR, during the meeting, Barduani shared his views on the current security situation across the region and highlighted KFOR’s efforts to ensure a safe environment for all people living in Kosovo, and in support of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. It is also said that the KFOR Commander congratulated Secretary Lammy on the UK’s long-standing contribution to KFOR and regional stability.

Foreign Secretary Lammy also met with the British contingent at Camp Film City, to whom he expressed his appreciation for their continued commitment to Operation “Joint Enterprise”.

Kurti begins consultations on government formation, meets Emilija Rexhepi (RTK)

The acting Prime Minister has begun meetings with minority political parties, for consultations with them regarding the formation of the new government after the certification of the results of the February 9 elections and the start of the constitutional deadlines towards the formation of the legislature and the new government. "In the framework of these discussions, the Prime Minister met with the Third Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights and the President of the New Democratic Party (NDS), Emilija Rexhepi. She confirmed her full readiness to continue cooperation with the Vetevendosje Movement as the winner of the last elections and the support of Prime Minister Kurti in the formation of the new government," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Kurti meets with Rasic, the latter expresses willingness to continue cooperation (media)

A day after Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, decreed the date of April 15 for holding the constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly, the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, who is the leader of Vetevendosje, the party that came first in the February 9 elections, winning 48 seats in the Assembly, has started meetings with political parties from the communities within the framework of consultations for the formation of the new government.

He received today the Minister for Communities and Returns, who is the chairman of the Party for Freedom, Justice and Survival, Nenad Rasic, who managed to win a seat in the Kosovo Assembly in the February 9 elections. “During the discussion, Minister Rasic reiterated his support for Prime Minister Kurti for the formation of the new government and the continuation of fruitful cooperation in the next mandate,” the announcement that the Media Office of the Government of Kosovo conveyed to the media states.

Furthermore, it is said that Kurti thanked the leader of the Party for Freedom, Justice and Survival, Rasic, for the work and contribution he has given to the Serbian community in Kosovo for only half a mandate as Minister for Communities and Returns. “He also expressed the will to continue efficient and fruitful cooperation in the next four years to achieve together other successes and good work in the service of all citizens, without distinction,” the government announcement reads.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic begins consultations on new cabinet (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic launched consultations on forming a new cabinet. First up to meet the president are representatives from the Russian Party, the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, the Justice and Reconciliation Party – the Bosniaks of Sandzak ticket and the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina, as well as members of the We – Voice from the People caucus, N1 reported.

Most of the parliamentary opposition said they will not accept the president’s invitation to discuss the new cabinet. The deadline to form a new government is April 18. If it is not formed by then, early parliamentary elections will be called.

One SOC flag torn apart, another one removed and stolen in Orahovac (Radio KIM)

Unknown perpetrators, with masks on their faces, have removed the flags of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) from a bell tower and the church candle stand in the courtyard of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Orahovac, the parish priest Milan Stanojevic confirmed to Radio KIM.   

Father Milan told Radio KIM following the service this morning they noticed the flag on the bell tower was missing.

“Upon exiting the church we noticed that a flag, 9-meter long, which was placed on the bell tower was torn apart and thrown to the ground, while the other flag that was at church candle stand bearing the Patriarchate Coat of Arms was taken down, and most probably stolen”, he said.

He also said the entire incident was recorded by surveillance cameras that church has and took place 40 minutes after midnight. “They were masked, wearing balaclavas”, Father Milan told the Radio.

Kosovo police conducted the investigation and took the statement from the priest. As he said, the police promised they would do their utmost to find perpetrators.

Father Milan said this incident greatly disturbed him and remaining Serbs in Orahovac, recalling that they faced problems also before. “Every such event causes anxiety among us, in particular among children”, Father Milan said.  

Official statement of Raska-Prizren Diocese regarding desecration of Church flag in Orahovac (media, social media)

“The Diocese of Raška and Prizren expresses its deep concern regarding an incident that occurred during the night between April 1st and 2nd, 2025, at the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Orahovac, Kosovo and Metohija”, reads the statement published on the Dioece’s website.

“The Diocese of Raška and Prizren firmly stresses that this flag is not a political symbol, but the official flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church, displaying the Christian cross and four traditional “ocila” (firesteels). The incident, which was clearly documented by security footage, constitutes a direct violation of religious symbols and property”, the statement added.

“This act is part of a troubling pattern of systematic and continuous violations of the religious freedoms of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Orthodox community in Kosovo and Metohija. The Diocese unequivocally condemns this latest incident, which sadly illustrates the absence of essential conditions for the free and dignified practice of the Orthodox faith and the basic rights of our faithful”, it was also said.

The full Diocese’s statement and videos of the incident are available at: https://shorturl.at/VwFQY 

Office for KIM, Serbian List head, condemn desecration of SOC flag in Orahovac (Kosovo Online, media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija said today that “tearing apart and theft of Serbian Orthodox Church flags in the courtyard of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Orahovac is yet another in a series of incidents and attacks on the shrines and properties of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

The Office added that this act “demonstrates a clear ethnic and religious intolerance by perpetrators who are inspired by everyday anti-Serb rhetoric and acts of Pristina authorities”.

“In a city that has been violently ethnically cleansed of Serbs, it is clear that someone wants to expel and disturb the few remaining Serbs who continued to live there under very difficult conditions and for whom the church is an important gathering place", the statement said.

The Office for KIM warned that “instead of building religious and inter-ethnic tolerance, we are witnessing frequent attacks and provocations against the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church, and that as a rule, perpetrators of such attacks are never held accountable”.

Serbian List head Zlatan Elek also condemned the desecration of the SOC flags saying that “this disgraceful and dangerous act best reflects inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo under Albin Kurti’s regime”. He added this “vandal act comes only a few days after Albanian media presented a lie about whom Serbian monasteries in this area belong”. Elek called on international representatives to urgently react, adding it is their obligation to raise their voices and clearly condemn such attacks and not remain silent.

NATO official: We will not allow security of Western Balkans to be endangered (Kosovo Online)

The visit of NATO Secretary General to the Western Balkans shows the region is still high on NATO's agenda and of strategic importance, which was reiterated by our leaders at the Summit last July, a high-ranking NATO official said in Brussels ahead of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers starting tomorrow, reported Kosovo Online. 

As the NATO official stated, "the security of the Western Balkans is of vital importance for the stability of the Alliance, and we will not allow it to be threatened".

He reminded that this week, foreign ministers will meet to discuss the continuation of preparations for the NATO Summit in The Hague, at the end of June.

"They are expected to share views on how to maintain the momentum in increasing defense spending and on how to restore industrial production in the defense sector. We also expect them to share views on our continued support to Ukraine and how we will further develop our already well-established cooperation on issues of mutual interest and in several domains with partners from the Indo-Pacific region (Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea)", a NATO official said.

He also said this week's meeting of NATO foreign affairs ministers comes a few weeks after two important visits of the NATO Secretary General to the Western Balkans region.

"He visited Sarajevo and, together with the North Atlantic Council, our staff in Kosovo who serve in KFOR and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT). Both visits represented another, tangible demonstration that the Western Balkans remains high on NATO's agenda; it is a region of strategic importance, as reiterated by our leaders at the NATO summit last July. The security of the Western Balkans is vital to our stability, and we will not allow it to be jeopardized", a NATO official said.

Systematic violations of Law on Use of Languages: Kosovo Police Inspectorate (Radio KIM)

Civil society organization Aktiv and Radio KIM continued their public advocacy campaign aiming to encourage Kosovo institutions to resolve years-long problems of systematic violations of the Law on Use of Languages. This week, the Kosovo Police Inspectorate and its adherence to this law were scrutinized in detail. Numerous shortcomings were identified in this regard, both on the official website of this institution and its accounts on social media, Radio KIM reported.

Although the legal framework guarantees equal status and use of Serbian and Albanian languages as official languages in Kosovo, systematic violations of the use and status of the Serbian language in Kosovo persists. Non-majority communities using Serbian language are therefore deprived of access to crucial information, the Radio KIM recalled.

The previous analysis of Aktiv and Radio KIM included the Central Election Commission and Kosovo Interior Ministry, identifying numerous language irregularities and inconsistencies. This week, Kosovo Police Inspectorate (PIK) was in the focus.

What was found on PIK’s website?  

Organogram – In Serbian language section of the website the entire organogram is presented in the Albanian language;

Order of languages in the name of the institution – Despite having a status of official language, in addition to Albanian, the official name of this institution is written in Albanian, followed by English and then comes Serbian to the third place. English language is not official language in Kosovo;

News – Some news items in the Serbian section of the website are written in the Albanian language only. Also, unlike in the Albanian section, on the Serbian section of the website apart from headlines, the text includes no information whatsoever;

Incomprehensible translation - Under “departments” category translation into Serbian takes weird, almost incomprehensible form (examples: “creates intelligent reports for investigation” or “evident cases or cases that are sent for treatment in the department”). Also in some cases “ijekavica” dialect which is not common for the Serbian language in Kosovo is used;

Availability of documents – Link leading to the Law on Kosovo Police Inspectorate in the Serbian section of the website is not functional, nor any other administrative instructions included under category “administrative instructions”, while in Albanian language all these documents are fully available;

Reports – Under category “reports” in the Serbian section of the website, all documents including accompanying headlines, are written in the Albanian language only. At the same time, unlike in the Albanian section, some files can not be downloaded from the Serbian language section of the website. The situation is similar with the category “other reports” with a difference compared to the Albanian language section of the website, where in the Serbian section only two documents can be downloaded, one of which is in Albanian language only;

Annual reports – PIK annual reports in the Serbian language are available only for the period from 2022 to 2024, which means not a single report is available in the Serbian language for the period from 2006 to 2021. On the other hand, all reports in Albanian are neatly available;

Financial reports – All financial reports in the Serbian language section of the website are available in the Albanian language only;

Provisions – If one wishes to download the document from category “provisions” it will not be possible as the sign “server error” appears upon attempt to download the files. The content in Serbian can only be downloaded from the Albanian language section of the website;

Integrity Magazine – As far as the magazine, periodically issued by PIK is concerned, out of 14 editions issued in the Albanian language, only 2 are available in Serbian.

Social media

The Facebook account of Kosovo Police Inspectorate has the name of the institution in Albanian only, same goes for introductory text about this institution. As far as posts are concerned, Serbian language is included in third place only, preceded by English and Albanian. Out of 12 videos posted on the account, only one has a translation in Serbian. Situation is similar with Reels material. Public events organized by this institution are presented in the Albanian language only.

X (Ex Twitter) – The name of the institution is as on Facebook, in Albanian only. It is also notable that this account has not been active for some time, as the latest post dates back to 2019. However, all posts are in Albanian language only, same as photos and illustrations.

YouTube – This account is also not that active, although it was created in 2014. There are only five videos posted, and only one video is in the Serbian language, while others are in Albanian and English languages. 

EU Office to Gracanica Online: Pristina and Belgrade in 2022 undertook obligation to accept each other’s ID cards

Pristina and Belgrade, helped by the EU, in 2022 agreed to accept each other’s ID cards, without any accompanying exit document, reads a replay sent by EU Press Office to the Gracanica Online portal. The latter sent an inquiry seeking comment on Pristina authorities decision not to allow use of Serbian ID cards issued by police administration relocated from Kosovo and bearing the names of cities and towns in Kosovo at administrative crossing points.

On March 21, Gracanica Online portal published the news that use of such Serbian ID cards was not permitted at Merdare crossing point. Upon travelling to verify the facts, the Gracanica Online portal journalist was also returned back from the crossing point, as the journalist had only an ID card issued by the Police Administration for Pristina within the Serbian system, now relocated to Nis.

“Pristina is in Kosovo, not in Serbia”, a Kosovo police officer told the Gracanica Online journalist, adding that as far as Kosovo police is concerned the journalist does not possess “a valid document”.

One week after the news was published the reply from the EU Office came: "Kosovo and Serbia, with the help of the European Union, agreed in 2022 to accept each other's identity cards without any exit document. The Special Representative of the European Union, Peter Sorensen, is in contact with both sides to determine the level of compliance with the agreements on freedom of movement".

As the portal further reported, since March 26 it has again been possible to use Serbian ID cards with the markings of Kosovo cities at the crossings. The portal recalled the agreement on freedom of movement was reached in 2022 after thirteen days of barricades in the north of Kosovo. At that time, this agreement was called "the European solution".

12 activists blocking Regulatory Energy Office over electricity price increase arrested (KoSSev, media)

“No Cent More” group activists have blocked the Regulatory Energy Office this morning in Pristina, KoSSev portal reported citing Klan Kosova.

They blocked the office to protest the announced electricity price increase by 15 percent. Kosovo police intervened and arrested several persons, the portal added.

As the group said in a statement 12 of its activists have been arrested. 

Movement for People and State registered (N1)

The Movement for the People and the State has been officially registered as an association with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR), based on an application submitted on Friday, March 28, N1 reported.

A gathering to mark the formation of this movement, which was first announced in September 2022 and has been in the works for two and a half years, is set to take place in Belgrade from April 11 to 13.

In March 2023, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic explained that the movement was conceived as a place for individuals who wish to provide “supra-partisan support for the preservation of Serbia during difficult times”. Since then, Serbia has faced numerous challenges: the Vladislav Ribnikar school shooting, mass shooting in the villages of Dubona and Malo Orasje, and the Novi Sad train station canopy collapse. Throughout this period of ongoing protests and a five-month political crisis, Vucic has periodically re-announced or reaffirmed the movement’s mission.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/n4sES