UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 30, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti asked about formation of government: The Assembly first (media)
Osmani meets Rohde, discuss further expansion of relations (media)
Abdixhiku calls on non-recognizing EU members to recognize Kosovo (AP)
SL out of the game: How will Serbs’ interest in Kosovo be protected? (RFE)
Orav: €7.7 million for 12 high-performing municipalities this year (EO)
Prattipati, U.S. embassy officials meet Kosovo Business Club (media)
Osmani meets with BDI leader Ali Ahmeti in Pristina (media)
Interreligious meeting held at KFOR headquarters on Tuesday (Gazeta Express)
Concert with Serbian singers in Dragash cancelled (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

Marta Kos paid tribute to victims of Novi Sad canopy collapse (KiM radio, KoSSev, media)
Serbian Democracy pleased with support for their petition to reduce traffic congestions in Jarinje and Brnjak (Radio kontakt plus)
Analyst: Albin Kurti has started pre-election campaign (Kosovo Online)
PM agrees to Rector’s condition for meeting (N1)
Student relay run to Brussels continues through Austria (N1)

International:

Exemplary Punishment: The people paying the price for supporting Serbia’s protests (BIRN)
Italy queried over fate of 16 ‘missing’ migrants outsourced to Albania (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti asked about formation of government: The Assembly first (media)

Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti was asked today by reporters in Istog about the formation of the new government. “The Assembly first and then the government,” he briefly said.

Osmani meets Rohde, discuss further expansion of relations (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Tuesday with German Ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde and talked about developments with the formation of new institutions and the importance of maintaining stability and democratic functionality. They also discussed the formation of the new German government, with Osmani expressing her belief that Germany’s commitment to Kosovo and the Western Balkans region will remain a priority of this new political chapter in Berlin. “The importance of further expansion of bilateral relations between Kosovo and Germany was emphasized and President Osmani also praised Germany’s role as a strong supporter of Kosovo’s European perspective and stressed the necessity for this support to continue within the framework of EU institutions. Part of the discussion was also dedicated to this year’s edition of the Forum on Women, Peace and Security, which will be held in Prishtina, as well as regular cooperation towards advancement of this agenda,” a press release notes.

Abdixhiku calls on non-recognizing EU members to recognize Kosovo (AP)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku said during a summit of the European People’s Party that the five non-recognizing EU member states should recognize Kosovo. “Not only do we exist, but we are blossoming. The Republic of Kosovo is blossoming! As a sovereign state with a functional democracy and a society that aims for full European integration, we are moving forward and we will not stop,” he said.

Abdixhiku also talked about “Serbia’s destructive approach” vis-à-vis Kosovo saying that “we are faced with a neighbor that refuses to change”. “Serbia is still seized by the past, it denies the truth, it incites hatred, it protects and shelters all those that threaten peace,” he argued.

SL out of the game: How will Serbs’ interest in Kosovo be protected? (RFE)

The news website reports that at a time when the vote of every MP is of crucial importance, no one is considering the nine votes of the Serbian List. The elected MPs from the February 9 parliamentary elections have failed even in the eighth attempt to constitute the new Assembly due to the lack of votes. While in the previous years, the Serbian List used to be a regular part of ruling coalitions, this time no one is approaching it or expecting any cooperation with it, neither the Vetevendosje Movement of acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, nor the parties that used to be in the opposition. Miodrag Milicevic from the NGO Aktiv based in Mitrovica North, told the news website that what led to this situation is the armed attack and the killing of a Kosovo police officer in Banjska in September 2024. He said that after the attack in the north of Kosovo carried out by a group of Serbs and for which former deputy leader of the Serbian List Milan Radoicic claimed responsibility, the SL lost “its potential for a coalition”. “This represents an additional problem for the Serb community when it comes to representing their interests which usually happened through the Serbian List,” he argued.

The Serbian List did not react publicly about the attack in Banjska and did not distance itself from Radoicic, whom it had publicly supported earlier. Radoicic is currently at large and is believed to be in Serbia. Kosovo has filed an indictment against him about the Banjska case and an arrest warrant for suspected war crimes against civilians.

Political commentator from Belgrade, Ognjen Gogic, said that both Albanian parties and the Serbian List agree that cooperation between them is not possible. He adds that the Serbian List does not even see itself as a representative of Serbs in Kosovo’s institutions. He also says that if the interests of the Serb community cannot be protected if they don’t take part in the institutions, because the Kosovo government makes decisions that directly affect them. “Even if it remains outside the government, the Serbian List can take part in the works of the Assembly and have an impact on the legislative process. Possibly it can even stop the adoption of some laws,” he said, adding that the votes of Serb MPs are crucial for constitutional amendments or for the adoption of important laws.

The news website notes that the Serbian List, the only Serb party in Kosovo that is supported by Belgrade, has not been communicating with the media in Pristina for two months and that it has not responded to questions from the news website on how it can protect the interests of the Serb community if it is not part of leading institutions. This party has boycotted Kosovo’s institutions for over two years, after it initiated the withdrawal of Serbs from institutions in November 2022, as a reaction to the Kosovo government’s decision to remove Serbian license plates. Then the Serbian List took part in the February 9 parliamentary elections, but for the first time since its formation it lost one out of 10 reserved seats for the Serbs. This seat was won by Nenad Rasic, leader of the party “For Freedom, Justice and Survival” and a partner of Kurti’s ruling coalition until now.

The Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement categorically refuses any cooperation with the Serbian List. “Our position on this matter is clear, well known, and it has not changed,” Perparim Kryeziu, spokesperson for the acting government, told the news website.

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo and MP, Lutfi Haziri, said that the party respects the will of the people that have voted for the Serbian List to represent them, but that the LDK has no communication with the Serbian List. “We have never cooperated with elements that have links with organized crime, corruption, terrorism, and other legal problems. All the parameters are set. We have no problems about the political part. But on anything that does not touch these principles, we welcome cooperation, but not with such elements in any way,” he said.

Orav: €7.7 million for 12 high-performing municipalities this year (EO)

The EU Ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, said today that €7.7 million will be allocated this year for 12 high-performing municipalities. During a conference on the Municipal Performance Grant, Orav said: “this is an important event, where we acknowledge the exceptional achievements of Kosovo’s municipalities, and we celebrate our joint commitment to strengthen local governance. We are pleased to support this precious initiative which has been developed in close partnership with the Ministry of Local Government. The Municipal Performance Grant does not serve only as a financial instrument, but above all as a key impetus for the municipalities. Through the grant, the municipalities are encouraged to improve institutional performance and to provide public services of greater efficiency and responsibility to the needs of the citizens,” he said.

Prattipati, U.S. embassy officials meet Kosovo Business Club (media)

The United States Embassy in Kosovo said in a Facebook post today that economic ties between Kosovo and the U.S. are a key component for bilateral relations. “Chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati and U.S. Embassy officials had a great meeting with the Kosovo Business Club to discuss continued cooperation. We look forward to welcoming Kosovan businesses to Maryland for Select USA in May!” the post notes.

Osmani meets with BDI leader Ali Ahmeti in Pristina (media)

Most news websites covered on Tuesday a meeting between Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and the Democratic Union for Integration leader Ali Ahmeti, in Pristina. They discussed current political developments in Kosovo and the region, with special emphasis on the importance of strengthening cooperation between Kosovo institutions and Albanian political representatives in North Macedonia. “President Osmani emphasized that Albanians in North Macedonia are an essential factor for the stability and integration of this state. As she has stated before, President Osmani reiterated that Albanians are a constitutive nation in North Macedonia and a decisive force that has led the country towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Therefore, any tendency to violate the Ohrid Agreement regarding the already acquired and confirmed rights of Albanians in the RNM must be resolutely opposed by all Albanians in the RNM, as well as the entire Albanian factor in the region. In this context, she reconfirmed the commitment of the Republic of Kosovo to expand cooperation with all powers working in the service of peace, stability and the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the entire region,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.

Interreligious meeting held at KFOR headquarters (Gazeta Express)

The news website reported on Tuesday that an interreligious meeting was held at the Villaggio Italia camp, at KFOR headquarters, in Pristina. In attendance were all the most important religious authorities from the western part of Kosovo. KFOR said in a Facebook post: “Interreligious meeting took place at Camp Villaggio Italia, headquarters of the Regional Command West of the NATO KFOR mission, with the participation of all the most important religious authorities from the western part of Kosovo. The commander of RC-W, Colonel Francesco Errico, in his opening speech outlined, as the main topic of the meeting, the role of spirituality in promoting peace, and how religion can be a vehicle of mediation and conflict resolution. The meeting highlighted KFOR's sensibility and respect towards all religious beliefs in the strongly multi-ethnic society of Kosovo”.

Concert with Serbian singers in Dragash cancelled (Klan Kosova)

The TV station reports that a concert with singers from Serbia planned to be held tomorrow in the southern municipality of Dragash to mark the holiday of the Gorani community has been cancelled. The information was announced by the head of the KLA War Veterans in Sharr. He told Klan Kosova that when he found out about the concert, he met the mayor of the municipality and the police commander there and asked for the concert to be cancelled. “We are not against the Gorani community, but we are against singers from Serbia. May 5 is the day of the martyrs. Serbian singers have no room in Sharr,” he said.

Mayor of the municipality of Dragash, Bexhet Xheladini, said he was informed by the organizers of the concert that they have postponed the event indefinitely.

Serbian Language Media

Marta Kos paid tribute to victims of Novi Sad canopy collapse (KiM radio, KoSSev, media)

European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited Novi Sad Railway Station today and laid flowers at the place where the station canopy collapsed on November 1 last year, when 16 people died, reported KiM radio.

Marta Kos stated on X that she came to Novi Sad to pay her tribute to the 16 victims of a "tragedy that could have been avoided".

"My heart goes out to the victims and their families," she wrote.

On November 1, 2024, due to the fall of the canopy, an indictment was brought against 13 people, but the court returned the indictment to supplement the investigation.

Nine people are currently in custody, and three people are under house arrest, recalled KiM radio.

Serbian Democracy pleased with support for their petition to reduce traffic congestions in Jarinje and Brnjak (Radio kontakt plus)

Serbian Democracy said it was pleased with the turnout of people supporting their petition to reduce traffic congestion and enable free flow of goods at Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points in northern Kosovo, Radio kontakt plus reported. The signing of the petition concluded yesterday in Mitrovica North, and the same petition was also available for signatures in other three northern municipalities.

Stefan Veljkovic, Serbian Democracy Vice President said he expects that more than 1000 people signed the petition. (…) We have reasons to believe it will be successful as the previous one, when we managed to halt reconstruction of a police base near the Military Overhaul site”, Veljkovic said.

He also termed the situation at Jarinje and Brnjak crossings as unbearable.

“We do hope that responsible bodies and institutions, international institutions and organizations will have understanding for this petition, because we plan to send it to everybody, in order to exert stronger pressure. Indeed, congestions at Jarinje and Brnjak have become unbearable, difficult to cope with. Citizens are writing to us on a daily basis and complaining (over it)”, Veljkovic added. He also said the petition demands unimpeded flow of goods from central Serbia.

“It is very important to us that free flow of goods is enabled, as the verbal decision of Kosovo Government to ban import from Serbia is still in place. We know there is that famous Fund for Development of North, which is blocked this way. All those millions that should have been invested in the north, based on tax collection for imported goods from central Serbia, in principle, nothing happens with that. It is not coming (to the north) so we are grateful to people for their large turnout”.

He also said while signing of petition was ongoing in the north, it was noticed that all four lines were opened for traffic at Jarinje, perceiving it “as an attempt to discourage citizens from supporting petition”.

“We will not rest until all four lines are fully opened to traffic and free flow of goods enabled”, Veljkovic underlined.

Analyst: Albin Kurti has started pre-election campaign (Kosovo Online)

Political analyst Shenol Muharemi assessed today that the latest activities of Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti were a clear signal that he has already started a pre-election campaign, Kosovo Online portal reported.

In a post on his Facebook page, Muharemi listed a number of activities he described as part of that strategy, which is focused on the north of Kosovo, patriotism, nationalism and polarization.

“Albin Kurti has already started pre-election campaign. Cutting the ribbon in Leposavic (north) , wearing a traditional Albanian hat in Boletin (patriotism), red and black flag in the Assembly (nationalism), laying foundation stone today in Istog (work of government), continuous confrontations with other parties (polarization). There seem to be credible indicators, aren’t they?”, he said in a post.

PM agrees to Rector’s condition for meeting (N1)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut has agreed to Belgrade University Rector Vladan Djokic’s condition of a 5-member delegation of university officials at their second meeting, the FoNet news agency said on Wednesday.

Djokic will come to the meeting with his deputy rector and the four deans representing the medical, social-humanities, natural-mathematical and technical-technological groups of schools. He will present the Belgrade University platform for talks with officials as the starting point for the dialogue.

The rector said on Tuesday that he accepted Macut’s invitation to discuss problems in university-level education even though the prime minister did not reply to an invitation from the university for talks with all deans earlier this week. He added that he believes that the dialogue has to continue in the interest of the entire academic community, the state and society as a whole.

“I hope the dialogue will be a step forward in resolving the decades of problems in higher education and contribute to the necessary change of working atmosphere and an easing of tensions between all players in society,” Djokic said.

Student relay run to Brussels continues through Austria (N1)

The group of students running a relay marathon from Novi Sad to Brussels continued their route through Austria on Wednesday. The 5th day will take them from Großwarasdorf to Vienna, a total of some 92 kilometers, N1 reported.

Local Serbians in the Austrian capital are preparing what they say will be “an epic welcome” on Vienna’s central Am Hof square. The group’s videographer Nastas joined the runners, preferring to run instead of just recording their progress. “My group will cover 36 kilometers today. There’s a big group welcome waiting for us in Vienna. I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait”, he said.

International

Exemplary Punishment: The people paying the price for supporting Serbia’s protests (BIRN)

Salary cuts, media smear campaigns, arrests for alleged subversion, expulsions: Serbian protesters have been supporting each other for months to sustain their mass movement, but some are now coming under serious pressure.

Five months into the student protests that have gripped the country and the biggest social crisis since the current Serbian government came to power, behind the emotional picture of solidarity, unity and resistance, there are people whose lives have been turned upside down because they dared to participate in the popular uprising.

Sanja Strbac has been teaching Serbian language and literature at schools for two decades. She works at Zemun Grammar School in the capital Belgrade, but these days her work has taken on an unusual pattern: rather than having lessons, she and her colleagues are spending time with pupils who are occupying the premises.

Pupils who are 18 or over declared on December 16 last year that they are occupying their school, where they spend the night, refuse to admit any outsiders except teachers, and have no lessons.

They are part of a nationwide anti-government protest movement sparked when an outdoor concrete canopy collapsed on November 1 last year at Novi Sad train station, killing 16 people, an incident which many blame on official corruption or negligence.