Albanian Language Media: 

• Kurti: Opening Iber Bridge is not against anyone and even less against our partners (Klan)
• Bislimi on opening of Iber Bridge: It is not unilateral decision nor unresolved issue of dialogue (Klan)
• Krasniqi: The EU should tell Kosovo why it has changed its position on the Ibri bridge (media)
• Tahiri: Opening Iber bridge to hide Association, Kurti has prepared draft statute (Reporteri)
• Iber bridge ‘armored’ by KFOR and EULEX vehicles (Klan)
• After request of MFA, Orban's advisor corrects post where Kosovo was presented as part of Serbia (Albanian Post)

 

Serbian Language Media: 

 

• Vucevic: Kurti plans to violently merge northern and southern parts of Mitrovica (Radio KIM)
• Petkovic: Pristina did not fulfill obligations related to bridge opening, Kurti and Bislimi want conflicts only (Kosovo Online, social media)
• EULEX on the Ibar bridge situation: A new unit formed; reconnaissance patrols are being carried out (euronews.rs, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Milenkovic from NSI says people in the north want bridge to remain closed (Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic: If Kosovo Government opens bridge, EU will not lift punitive measure, nor make first installment from Growth Plan (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Gracanica: The mayor initiated several court cases against individuals; Central institutions sued the Municipality for the decision to display the Serbian flag (KiM radio)
• Associations from Kosovo announce the blockade of administrative crossings if the arrested Serbs are not released (NMagazin, N1, Beta)
• Trajkovic: Arrest of Radoicic being prepared, Belgrade requested material on Banjska from Kosovo (N1, NMagazin, Danas)

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

Kurti: Opening Iber Bridge is not against anyone and even less against our partners (Klan)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has reiterated that the opening of the Iber Bridge is not against anyone.

During his speech at the opening of the government meeting, Kurti further added that regarding its opening, he also discussed it in yesterday's meeting with the KFOR commander, Ozkan Ulutash, and added that he will continue consultations and coordination with partners.

"We consider the opening of the Ibri Bridge as a fair, necessary and beneficial thing for everyone. We have welcomed the preliminary assessment and sustainability reports of the bridge. The relevant results of these reports, which we shared yesterday with the commander of KFOR and his team in the spirit of ongoing consultations and coordination that we have. The government and I as the prime minister deeply believe that freedom of movement and the rule of law on the one hand, as well as peace and security on the other, are possible together and right for the country, society, state, citizens and communities", said Kurti.

"We will continue consultations and coordination with our partners. The opening of the Bridge is not against anyone and even less against our partners. Kosovo is a normal state, and its bridges should be normal, that is, open", Kurti said.

Bislimi on opening of Iber Bridge: It is not unilateral decision nor unresolved issue of dialogue (Klan)

Kosovo’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, stated that the opening of the Iber Bridge in Mitrovica is not a unilateral decision of the government of Kosovo nor an unresolved issue of dialogue, but rather it is the main requirement of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia mediated by the EU.

Through a post on his account on the X platform, he further states that, moreover, the implementation plan of the EU dated August 5, 2016 considers the opening of the bridge as "Symbol of the normalization of relations between Kosovo Serbs, Albanians of Kosovo and other communities".

"The report of the Commission for Kosovo 2020 concludes as follows: 'Works on the Mitrovica bridge have been completed and the bridge should be opened for vehicle traffic without further delays or obstacles'. This is the formulation of the EU, but the agreement was reached between Kosovo and Serbia", explains Bislimi.

He further states that on his last trip to Kosovo, on June 19, when he discussed the Mitrovica bridge, Lajcak stated that if Kosovo does not prefer to discuss this issue again in Brussels, he recommends internal discussions with the local Serbs in the north to possible security implications and their concerns related to this issue. 

"Quint's partners increased the request for technical inspections. We have followed both recommendations. Now the EU is threatening Kosovo if it implements the EU-brokered agreement and additional recommendations. We strongly believe that the EU promotes more freedom of movement and less borders or walls between different ethnicities", Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi concluded in his post.

Krasniqi: The EU should tell Kosovo why it has changed its position on the Ibri bridge (media)

The Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, has said that the European Union should tell Kosovo why it has changed its position regarding the opening of the Ibri bridge.

“From 2018-2021, the Eu reports say that the bridge is ready and it should be opened. The Eu should show us what has changed since that year. Our dialogue with the Serb citizens about the opening of the bridge was not only these days, we have been in contact with them. There is no reason why the bridge should be closed. There are also two bridges that are used. I see the Serb citizens constantly and the opening of the bridge will make life easier for citizens. The bridge is currently being whitewashed and other preparations are being made. We are finalizing all the works and of course I cannot tell a date when the

Krasniqi also commented on the statements that with the opening of the bridge, the American soldiers are in danger. "We take the well-being of American soldiers seriously. We are continuing coordination with our partners so that everything goes well and there are no incidents," he added.

Tahiri: Opening Iber bridge to hide Association, Kurti has prepared draft statute (Reporteri)

The former chief negotiator in the technical dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, believes that the opening of the Iber bridge for vehicle traffic has only one goal - to camouflage the Association of Municipalities with a Serb Majority.

"Kurti with small battles is filling the space of big failures in the Brussels Dialogue - the Iber Bridge has been restored by the European Union several years ago and this propaganda of Kurti that he will allegedly restore and open the Bridge, is to hide that he has prepared the statute of the association and just wait and see that this will be made public as soon as the bridge from the EU and the Americans opens", wrote Tahiri.

Iber bridge ‘armored’ by KFOR and EULEX vehicles (Klan)

In addition to the EULEX vehicles, KFOR armored vehicles were placed on the bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica.

There, the works have continued even today, namely on the part above the bridge and its surrounding parts.

In addition to the armored vehicles it placed on the bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica, KFOR members of the K9 unit were also seen patrolling with dogs under the bridge.

AmCham concerned with Kosovo’s current relations with its allies (media)

The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo expresses its concern regarding the recent initiatives undertaken by the Government of Kosovo, which have not been coordinated with its strategic allies and partners, including the United States and European Union member states. These actions have raised concerns among the very nations that have steadfastly supported Kosovo throughout its journey to independence and beyond.

AmCham is particularly troubled by the statements from Kosovo’s key partners regarding the declining enthusiasm for supporting Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path and the strengthening of its international subjectivity, including its membership in international organizations. The recent failure to secure membership in the Council of Europe is a clear example of this diminishing support.

Kosovo’s success on the international stage has always been closely tied to the strong relationships it has cultivated with its allies. These partnerships have not only strengthened Kosovo’s political standing but have also been vital in fostering economic growth. When Kosovo acts in alignment with the expectations and guidance of its strategic partners, it sends a powerful signal of stability, reliability, and commitment to shared values—qualities that are crucial for attracting and retaining investors.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2vanzd89

After request of MFA, Orban's advisor corrects post where Kosovo was presented as part of Serbia (Albanian Post)

Balazs Orban, the chief of staff of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has corrected the map that he had published on his social network "X" where he had presented Kosovo as part of Serbia.

"The media "Nemzeti Sport Online" has corrected the map published earlier, including the number of medals won by athletes from the Republic of Kosovo. In the light of these developments, the Political Director of the Office of the CM of Hungary, Mr. Balazs Orban has deleted the message published on the X platform dated August 12, 2024," says a written response from the MFA to Albanian Post.

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

Vucevic: Kurti plans to violently merge northern and southern parts of Mitrovica (Radio KIM)

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said today Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti plans to “violently merge” northern and southern parts of Mitrovica, Radio KIM reports.

Vucevic told RTS he is so far content with acts of the international community, in particular with the statements of KFOR. He added the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic informed Quint states’ representatives about attempts to destabilize the north of Kosovo, and that he hopes everyone would be sufficiently rational and reasonable to prevent those things from happening.

He also said he can not believe that the international community has no mechanisms and ways to prevent Kurti from what he is doing. “I am afraid that Kurti would go after our education system, because he attacked the health system already”, Vucevic said.

Petkovic: Pristina did not fulfill obligations related to bridge opening, Kurti and Bislimi want conflicts only (Kosovo Online, social media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said Pristina did not fulfill its obligations related to the bridge opening such as delineation in the Suvi Do village and security situation which must be such that opening would not lead to new conflicts and sufferings, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“Albanian politicians were saying in 2014 as well that the bridge should connect people, but did the opposite in practice. When Serbs in June 2014 removed barricades from the bridge, a mass of Albanian extremists wanted to move in and expel Serbs from the north, who defended themselves by constructing “Peace Park””, Petkovic wrote in a post on X social media platform.

He added removal of “Peace Park” and then conditions for reconstruction and opening of the bridge were precisely agreed by agreements from 2015 and 2016.

“In both cases, prior to the agreement on bridge opening the agreements stipulate that: Pristina must carry out delineation in Suvi Do and security situation must be such that opening of bridge must not lead to new conflicts and sufferings. Unfortunately, Kurti and Bislimi obviously want new conflicts only, because they are not interested in agreements. That is why they said not a single word about Pristina’s obligations which have not been fulfilled as preconditions for bridge opening. They remain completely silent about it”, Petkovic said. 

EULEX on the Ibar bridge situation: A new unit formed; reconnaissance patrols are being carried out (euronews.rs, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

The EULEX mission announced today that a police unit of the mission was formed in order to gain awareness of the situation around the Ibar bridge in Mitrovica, which conducts regular mobile reconnaissance patrols 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including, it is stated, but not limited to near the bridge, reported Euronews.rs.

EULEX thus answered Tanjug's question about the current situation on the bridge and whether the patrols have been increased in view of Pristina's announcements that the bridge could be opened today or tomorrow and pointed out that EULEX does not have static security on the bridge.

"EULEX conducts its reconnaissance patrols in coordination with the Kosovo Police and KFOR, in accordance with the three-level security response mechanism of Kosovo, where the Kosovo Police is the first security response, EULEX is the second, and KFOR is the third security response", it is stated in announcement of EULEX.

Milenkovic from NSI says people in the north want bridge to remain closed (Kosovo Online)

Marko Milenkovic from Mitrovica North-based New Social Initiative said he expects KFOR to prevent opening of the main Ibar River bridge if Kosovo Government unilaterally decides to do so and that this should not happen in the coming weeks. He added this time he expects a more concrete reaction from KFOR and that the mission should fulfill its mandate by ensuring a safe environment, primarily for people in the north, but also for others, Kosovo Online portal reported.

He recalled peoples’ appeals on this issue, including the protest held by Serbs in the north, and then the letter from more than 400 women clearly opposing the opening of the bridge, which was submitted to KFOR representatives yesterday.

"Thus, Serbs and other communities living in the north have made it clear that they do not want the bridge to be opened at this time, as it raises additional concerns primarily about safety, and that this issue is viewed primarily through that security aspect. From Pristina's perspective, it is a political act connected with the campaign ahead of the upcoming elections. We still don't have a clear position from the mayor of South Mitrovica on the opening of the bridge, but the Self-Determination movement is persistent in making it happen and earning additional points in the elections through this", Milenkovic said. 

Mijacic: If Kosovo Government opens bridge, EU will not lift punitive measure, nor make first installment from Growth Plan (Kosovo Online, social media)

Coordinator of the National Convent for EU Chapter 35 Dragisa Mijacic said in a post on X social platform today if Kosovo Government opens the bridge on Ibar River, the EU will not lift punitive measures nor will it make the first installment from the Growth Plan, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“If the Kosovo government opens the bridge, the EU will not lift the punitive measures from last year and will not make the first installment from the Growth Plan, which is alone almost 200 million euros for capital investments in this year. That is just a bit of price Kosovo will pay for Kurti’s adventures”, Mijacic wrote in a post, replying to earlier post of Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi who said that opening of the Ibar Bridge is “neither unilateral decision of the Kosovo Government, nor it is an unresolved dialogue issue. It is rather the main requirement of the EU mediated agreement between Kosovo and Serbia”.

Reacting to Bislimi’s post Aleksandar Sljuka from New Social Initiative said that “the agreement has never been fully implemented as there has never been a proper delineation between Mitrovica North and Mitrovica South”, as the agreement stipulates, adding that “if you had engaged in dialogue with the Serbian community in the north, you would have found they are strongly opposed to the opening of the bridge”.

Gracanica: The mayor initiated several court cases against individuals; Central institutions sued the Municipality for the decision to display the Serbian flag (KiM radio)

The president of the municipality of Gracanica, Ljiljana Subaric, announced that she has initiated several court cases against individuals due to, as she stated, "combined and coordinated attacks" on her personal reputation and the reputation of the institution she leads. 

She also stated that the "central institutions in Pristina" initiated a court case "due to the decision of the Gracanica City Council to adopt the proposal of 13 non-governmental organizations to highlight the symbol of the Serbian community - the national flag", reported KiM radio. 

Ljiljana Subaric did not specify against whom she initiated legal disputes, nor which central institution in Pristina initiated legal proceedings against the municipality of Gracanica.

She pointed out that the attacks were aimed at decisions made in favor of all communities in the municipality of Gracanica, including the decision of the Gracanica Municipal Assembly to adopt the proposal of 13 non-governmental organizations to highlight Serbian national symbols. According to her, this decision was made unanimously and in accordance with legal regulations immediately before the celebration of Vidovdan (St. Vitus day).

However, the central institutions in Pristina initiated a court case against this decision, questioning the legality of the procedure. Subaric expects that the court proceedings related to this issue will be resolved in record time, as well as that the decision will be made in favor of the Serbian community.

"The decision to ban the display of national symbols is not a matter for individuals, groups and political campaigns. It is a question of our identity, dignity and institutional repression that is carried out on our community," Subaric pointed out in a post on Facebook, calling for calmness and wisdom among the Serbian community.

The president of the municipality of Gracanica also appealed to the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation and act to protect the rights and freedoms of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

"Who does not allow the highlighting of national symbols to the Serbian community? Who dared to violate the legal and constitutional provisions that are legally and constitutionally guaranteed to the Serbian community? Will someone stop the political, legal, and administrative measures that come from the central institutions and limit the rights and freedoms of the Serbian community. Who is bothered by the Serbian flag among the Serbian people?" asked Subaric, reported KiM radio.

Associations from Kosovo announce the blockade of administrative crossings if the arrested Serbs are not released (NMagazin, N1, Beta)

A group of Serbian associations from Kosovo announced today that they will block all administrative crossings to central Serbia if the Serbs who were "illegally" arrested by the Pristina authorities are not released by August 19, reported portal NMagazin. 

The President of the Board of Directors of the Women's Association for Kosovo and Metohija, Slavica Vujacic, said at a press conference in the Belgrade Media Center that with the support of 19 native associations, they started peaceful protests in early August due to the arrest of Serbs from Kosovo. 

"We have four demands, and we want all of them to be fulfilled, otherwise we will take other measures. We want the arrested Serbs to be released immediately, our property to be returned, Serbian municipalities to be formed and returned, and the opening of the bridge over the Ibar not to be allowed," said Vujacic.

She said that since the end of the conflict in Kosovo in 1999, only 1.7 percent of Serbs have returned to their homes.

"We are starting with the blockade, with the hope that the Albanians will give up their unrealistic dream of an independent Kosovo. As long as there are Serbs in the world, that will not be possible," said Vujacic.

The representative of the Native Association of Klina, Radosav Djurdjevic, said that they are ready to help all Serbs in Kosovo who suffer ‘’the terror’’ by PM Albin Kurti “every day”.

"They are trying to take away our churches, monasteries, language, territory and Serbian identity," said Djurdjevic, and added that the Serbs did not relocate voluntarily, but "escaped from the territory because of terrorists".

The President of the Association of Citizens of the Kosovo-Mitrovica District, Radomir Rojevic, said that since August 6, they have been warning with a peaceful protest what will happen if "Kurti does not leave the Serbs alone".

"We will take radical actions if tensions do not calm down. We have to take matters into our own hands," he added.

He warned that he will "close Kosovo and Metohija" if their demands are not met by August 19, reported the portal.

Trajkovic: Arrest of Radoicic being prepared, Belgrade requested material on Banjska from Kosovo (N1, NMagazin, Danas)

The President of the European Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, Rada Trajkovic, said that official Belgrade has accepted the condition of French President Emmanuel Macron for coming to Serbia and that the arrest of Milan Radoicic is being prepared, reported portal NMagazin. 

"The news is that the judiciary of Serbia, the prosecutor's office and the authorities of Serbia have officially requested material from the authorities of Kosovo about Banjska and that they will seriously prepare the arrest of Radoicic. Vucic accepted it," said Trajkovic in N1's Novi dan show. 

Kosovo PM Albin Kurti is not giving up the announced opening of the Ibar bridge that separates Mitrovica into the southern (Albanian) and northern (Serbian) parts of the city, and according to Trajkovic since the anniversary of Banjska is approaching, Kurti wants to show what he has achieved in a year. 

She points out that the government, led by Kurti, made the north of Kosovo a police-military area, in which there is no civil administration.

"We have a completely extraordinary situation, an empty shell without civil authority," said N1 interlocutor, reminding that the Albanian mayors in the north have no legitimacy.

She pointed out that this is the time of expulsion of all Serbian institutions from the territory of Kosovo, and that the population is leaving with the institutions. She adds that the strength of the Serbs and their resistance has diminished with the departure of Radoicic from Kosovo and the people he took with him.

"With the departure of the institutions, the citizens also leave. With the departure of Radoicic, who for 10 years had an indescribable power over the Serbs, and which was mainly in the function of harassing and bullying Serbs... the withdrawal of those people with Radoicic, and the killing of the three, reduced the strength of the resistance of the citizens of the north," according to Trajkovic. 

When it comes to the opening of the bridge, which was also opposed by women from the north of Kosovo, pointing out in a letter to the commander of KFOR that they fear for safety as the day of starting school is approaching, Trajkovic said that the opening is not necessary because four bridges in the north of Kosovo are already functioning.

The only current solution is the US ambassador, who, according to Trajkovic, reacted fiercely to the announcement of the opening.

"He reacted fiercely, the KFOR forces are on the bridge, they have set barriers that can be lowered and raised, and they will defend the bridge," believes Trajkovic.

When it comes to the government in Belgrade, Trajkovic says that Aleksandar Vucic will be written down in Serbian history as the one who actively worked to bring out all Serbian institutions.

"Who, in a historical sense, set a precedent, giving in peace what was preserved during and after war and conflict,'' Trajkovic pointed out.

"He will be a part of the most shameful Serbian history," Rada Trajkovic says of the Serbian president.

On the other hand, she says that the Kosovo PM is "a very dangerous leader of the Albanians" and that the international community has begun to identify him as someone who wants to achieve "a historic position in Albanian history, as a man who will work on the projects he outlined, among which is the “Greater Albania” project".