UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 6, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Sorensen: Discussed Implementation of Agreements with Kurti (RTK)
Osmani to Sorensen: Kosovo remains committed to European path (RTK)
Westerlund: You cannot refer every question to Constitutional Court (ekonomia)
Haxhiu publishes LVV’s 2018 request regarding Laban (RTK)
RTK workers protest: Demand salaries and budget allocation (RTK)
KLA war veterans: Serbian evidence at The Hague, further reason to protest (RTK)
Haziri supports August 7 protest: Values and shared purpose must be defended (Klan)
Bosch: Protest with dignity, Specialized Chambers should be abolished (ekonomia)
“Another illegally occupied apartment vacated in North Mitrovica” (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Djuric today in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Danas, Blic, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Marinkovic and Sljuka about Osmani’s request withdrawal (KiM radio)
Deda: Kosovo politics does not know how to cooperate with members of Serbian community in institutions (Kosovo Online)
Eviction of Janackovic family from apartment in Mitrovica North underway (Kosovo Online, media)
Vucevic: Stripping Dodik of his mandate a shameful decision by dishonourable people (Tanjug)
RTS: Nuclear Energy Commission formed (N1)

International:

Can Kosovo police itself – and keep the EU dream alive? (Euractiv)
Albanian self-proclaimed Orthodox cleric stirs up controversy in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Bosnia's Election Commission strips RS President of mandate following final Court ruling (N1 Sarajevo)

Albanian Language Media

Sorensen: Discussed Implementation of Agreements with Kurti (RTK)

The EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, speaking to reporters after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, said that the meeting focused on the political situation in Kosovo and the implementation of agreements with Serbia. “I just had a meeting with Mr. Albin Kurti, where we discussed the manner of implementing the agreement and the political situation in the country,” Sorensen stated, noting that this was a regularly scheduled meeting.

"Of course, the political situation here means that things may take more time. I’m aware of that, so this is a regular meeting. I’m glad to be here," he told reporters after concluding his meeting with Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

Osmani to Sorensen: Kosovo remains committed to European path (RTK)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, met today with the EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Peter Sorensen. She emphasized the need to advance Kosovo’s European integration process, highlighting the importance of lifting the measures that are primarily affecting the people of Kosovo.

They also addressed the constitution of the Assembly and other institutions, and the importance of their democratic functioning in order to move forward with shared goals. Osmani also raised the issue of arbitrary arrests of Kosovo people by Serbia, calling for international engagement to pressure Serbia to halt such illegal actions.

President Osmani stressed that Kosovo remains committed to its European path, firmly oriented toward democratic reforms, which, she noted, should be rewarded with concrete steps by the European Union. “President Osmani underlined the importance of Kosovo’s integration into international organizations, particularly the Council of Europe, as well as other significant bodies.

Regarding the dialogue, she emphasized the need for a fair and impartial process, with clearly defined objectives, something that would contribute to peace, stability, and the European perspective for the region as a whole.

She thanked Mr. Sorensen for his role and continued commitment to a principled and balanced dialogue, treating both parties equally,” the Presidency’s statement said.

Westerlund: You cannot refer every question to Constitutional Court (ekonomia)

Sweden’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonas Westerlund, urged political leaders to take greater responsibility and not rely excessively on the Constitutional Court for decision-making. In an interview with the news website, he said that while some constitutional questions, such as what happens if Parliament fails to constitute, do require legal clarification, leaders should be braver and make decisions themselves rather than referring to every issue to the courts. As Kosovo awaits a Constitutional Court decision by August 8, Westerlund emphasized that those tasked with defending the Constitution must step up, especially to ensure the democratic functioning of the state.

Haxhiu publishes LVV’s 2018 request regarding Laban (RTK)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu has responded to the recent announcement by Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, who withdrew her request submitted to the Constitutional Court on July 22, 2025, concerning the constitution of the Assembly of Kosovo. Osmani expressed concerns over the appointed judge, Radomir Laban, whom she claimed poses a threat to Kosovo’s constitutional order due to his background.

In response, Haxhiu shared a 2018 letter from the Vetevendosje Movement addressed to then-President Hashim Thaci, urging him not to appoint Radomir Laban as a judge on the Constitutional Court. “MP Albulena Haxhiu, on behalf of Vetevendosje’s parliamentary group, has sent a letter today to the Office of the President of Kosovo, requesting that Radomir Laban not be appointed as a judge to the Constitutional Court. According to media reports, he was convicted as part of a criminal group,” the statement said.

RTK workers protest: Demand salaries and budget allocation (RTK)

The Union of the RTK workers organized a protest in front of the Assembly and government buildings of Kosovo. RTK employees protested due to the non-allocation of the six-month budget for the public broadcaster and the lack of payment of salaries for 700 employees of Kosovo’s only public media institution. During the protest, it was emphasized that the sole purpose is to defend RTK, protect the dignity of its workers, and ensure they receive deserved salaries.

Gezim Bimbashi, head of the RTK Workers’ Union, called for the immediate allocation of funds to RTK, stressing that over 700 families are in a dire economic situation. He stressed that the protest is not political. Bimbashi also demanded a budget increase for next year and guaranteed salary payments.

Xhemajl Rexha, head of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), stated that this crisis at RTK was unavoidable. He urged the government to immediately allocate the budget for the second half of the year, emphasizing that RTK plays a vital role in Kosovo’s media landscape.

KLA war veterans: Serbian evidence at The Hague, further reason to protest (RTK)

Representatives of the Organisation of KLA War Veterans and other war-related organisations have announced that all preparations are complete for tomorrow’s protest, which is being held in opposition to the ongoing trial of former KLA leaders at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

Speaking at a press conference, Gazmend Syla criticized the acceptance of evidence from three Serbian state institutions, which he claims were involved in criminal and genocidal actions against the Albanian people. “It is completely unacceptable to us that the international community, particularly the Specialist Chambers, has accepted this evidence, basically legitimizing these three institutions — even though their leaders were convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia,” Syla said.

“This is an additional reason to protest.”

He also announced that Hysni Gucati, head of the KLA War Veterans Association, Ali Ahmeti, leader of BDI in North Macedonia, Croatian Professor Nevenka Tromp, and other public figures will speak at this event. “I invite all citizens who sympathize with the unjustly prosecuted former comrades-in-arms in The Hague to join this protest,” Syla added.

The protest will take place tomorrow at 17:00 in Skanderbeg Square, Prishtina, as a demonstration against the continuation of the trial. Additionally, due to what they describe as a lack of political will to constitute institutions and a failure to respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling, organizers are calling this a nationwide protest with the following demands: Opposition to injustices against former KLA fighters at the Specialist Chambers; Urgent formation of legitimate institutions and enforcement of the constitutional order; An end to the neglect of war veterans, including financial neglect, exclusion from the minimum wage, and the absence of a law recognizing the values of the KLA.

Haziri supports August 7 protest: Values and shared purpose must be defended (Klan)

Lutfi Haziri, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and MP of the Assembly of Kosovo, has expressed his support for the August 7 protest organized by the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans Organization. In a Facebook post, Haziri emphasized the importance of defending core values and the shared purpose. “A liberation army with one emblem and one goal, for a free, independent, and just Republic for all”.

“The August 7 protest is our call for the Republic. We must protect our values and shared purpose, in the name of the homeland, the family, and God. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” Haziri wrote.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Ganimete Musliu has also announced her participation in Thursday’s protest, which she says is against what she calls “the deviation of the mission of the Specialist Court.” In a Facebook post, Musliu emphasized that the protest is not intended as an attack on justice, but rather as a defense of the truth.

Bosch: Protest with dignity, Specialized Chambers should be abolished (ekonomia)

Former Dutch Ambassador to Kosovo, Robert Bosch, has called on citizens to protest with dignity on August 7, urging them to avoid violence and offensive slogans. He criticized the Specialist Court, saying it has deviated from its original purpose, especially after the organ trafficking claims were disproven. Bosch emphasized the court's lack of transparency and condemned the use of evidence from Serbia’s secret service, which he believes undermines trust. He called for the abolition of the court and suggested establishing a new war crimes tribunal for Ukraine instead.

“Another illegally occupied apartment vacated in North Mitrovica” (RTK)

The Kosovo Property Comparison and Verification Agency (KPCVA) has vacated another apartment in North Mitrovica today, with the assistance of the Kosovo Police. “The operation was carried out by the Kosovo Property Comparison and Verification Agency with the support of the Kosovo Police,” confirmed Veton Elshani, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the northern region. Just a day earlier, the KPCVA had also vacated another apartment located in a residential building on “Ivo Llolla Ribar” street in North Mitrovica.

Serbian Language Media

Djuric today in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Danas, Blic, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric will meet today in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The meeting is scheduled for 3.15 p.m. Serbian time and will be attended by Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Brendan Hanrahan, senior official of the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, who visited Belgrade, Pristina and Sarajevo in mid-July.

According to the announcement of the State Department, a special meeting between Hanrahan and Djuric is planned after the meeting with Rubio, reported Serbian media citing the announcement.

Marinkovic and Sljuka about Osmani’s request withdrawal (KiM radio)

"It is hard for me to believe that the information she is using today to challenge the legitimacy of the Serbian judge was not known at the time when she herself sent the request to the Constitutional Court", this is how Miodrag Marinkovic, executive director of the Center for Affirmative Social Actions (CASA), views Vjosa Osmani's move.

The withdrawal is indicative to Marinkovic of the general policy direction of the authorities in Pristina in the last few years.

"It is a policy that recognizes the political presence of Serbs only when it does not have the capacity for autonomous action, but is reduced to a form without content, a symbol of subordination, not equality. Such an ethno-populist approach does not dominate exclusively in relation to the Serbian community but is increasingly misused in internal political confrontations among Albanian leaders", said Marinkovic.

Therefore, he sees the current move of President Vjosa Osmani "as an example of such internal political calculation with hidden goals".

"It is hard for me to believe that the information she is using today to challenge the legitimacy of the Serbian judge was not known at the time when she herself sent the request to the Constitutional Court. This seriously calls into question the sincerity of this procedure and points to political maneuvering under the guise of institutional responsibility", said Marinkovic.

He expects that soon, as he says, the real reasons for this decision of the President of Kosovo will be known.

The withdrawal of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani's request to the Constitutional Court is another indicator of disrespect for the principle of separation of powers by the wider ruling structure, an approach that has been going on for years, political analyst Aleksandar Sljuka told KiM Radio.

Sljuka points out that it is now inappropriate to withdraw the request because a specific judge (Radomir Laban) was appointed to consider the case, that is, only because there is some distrust towards him.

"This sends a message that institutions are worthless if their representatives are not "eligible", and that the decisions of such representatives will not be accepted, which directly undermines the credibility of the entire judiciary. When a judge is labeled a "threat to security" without any specific and publicly explained reasons, it creates not only distrust in the court, but also further delegitimizes the representatives of the Serbian community in the institutions", said Sljuka.

Sljuka believes that withdrawing this request now, at the moment of political blockade, signals irresponsibility, stressing that this situation actually shows "that control over the process and personal animosities are more important than resolving the crisis".

Deda: Kosovo politics does not know how to cooperate with members of Serbian community in institutions (Kosovo Online)

Political analyst Ilir Deda said Kosovo political leadership does not know how to work with Serbs in the institutions, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Pristina-based Klan Kosova.

“In this wave of perception that Kosovo is taking actions only against Serbian citizens in Kosovo, another issue is added. It shows that Kosovo’s political leadership does not know how to work with members of the Serbian community in the institutions”, Deda was quoted as saying.

He added that Kosovo’s politicians also do not know how to cooperate with the political representatives of the Serbs in Kosovo.

Eviction of Janackovic family from apartment in Mitrovica North underway (Kosovo Online, media)

An eviction of the Serb Janackovic family from an apartment in King Petar Street in Mitrovica North, carried out by Kosovo Property Verification and Comparison Agency, assisted by Kosovo police, was underway, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Dragan Janackovic bought this apartment from Trepca enterprise 24 years ago, as many Serbs did over the last decades in the north of Kosovo.

The portal said that Dragan, along with his wife, son and daughter-in-law were present in the apartment. Kosovo police officers were present on the ground, permitting entry to the building to residents only.

In a similar action yesterday, the officials of Kosovo Property Verification and Comparison Agency took over an apartment belonging to another Serb, Arsic family, and according to Kosovo police claims weapons were found during that action. As police further claimed the weapons were also found in another apartment owned by the same family member.

Vucevic: Stripping Dodik of his mandate a shameful decision by dishonourable people (Tanjug)

Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Milos Vucevic, who is also the presidential adviser for regional affairs, said on Wednesday stripping Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik of his mandate was a "shameful decision by dishonourable people", Tanjug news agency reported.

Vucevic was reacting to a decision by Bosnia and Herzegovina's central electoral commission to strip Dodik of his mandate, adding that the "force of lawlessness can never be stronger than the power of justice".

"The Serbs are accustomed to Golgotha, especially Serbs west of the Drina. This attack on the Serbs' right to elect their leader on their own represents a shameful decision by dishonourable people", Vucevic said in a post on social platforms. It is a shameful decision by people who are banning from political engagement a man who has undisputed legitimacy to represent the Republika Srpska citizens, Vucevic added. That act is, in fact, an attack on the Bosnia and Herzegovina established by the Dayton Agreement, he said.

"Milorad Dodik is the only one who has actually fought for a state based on the letter of the Dayton Agreement, not on its arbitrary spirit. Our brothers and sisters west of the Drina need not worry. President Aleksandar Vucic and Serbia as a state will always be there for them. And with them. We are with you! And we will never leave you at the mercy of those who, evidently, do not mean well to you at all”, Vucevic noted.

RTS: Nuclear Energy Commission formed (N1)

The Serbian public broadcaster RTS said on Tuesday that a Commission for Nuclear Energy was set up at the Vinca Nuclear Science Institute. According to the RTS, the commission was formed to provide expert assistance to state institutions assessing the need for a nuclear power plant in Serbia, N1 reported.

It said that the commission has 23 members, all experts in different fields. The RTS quoted Vinca Institute Slavko Dimovic as saying that the most important job for the commission is an assessment of personnel. He said a nuclear conference open to the public will be organized in November.

International

Can Kosovo police itself – and keep the EU dream alive? (Euractiv)

Mounting abuse allegations, ethnic tensions, and EU scrutiny are putting Kosovo’s police force – and its membership prospects – to the test.

Mounting allegations of police abuse in Kosovo are raising uncomfortable questions for the European Union, the main funder and backer of the country’s police force. In recent weeks, more than 10 police officers have been suspended in connection with several cases, including the death of 27-year-old Agon Zejnullahu in Lipljan, near Pristina. Five officers are now facing manslaughter charges.

Kosovo’s police force consists of around 10,000 uniformed and civilian staff. Of these, over 15% are women, and around 10% belong to non-Albanian ethnic communities – the rest are ethnic Albanians. Over the past five years, the EU has invested €3 million in aid and €1.5 million in training for Kosovo’s police, alongside broader support via its EULEX rule of law mission. Speaking to Euractiv, one senior EU official described police violence in Kosovo as “endemic”. According to the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK), the number of complaints has increased by more than 20% in three years, mostly from the ethnic Albanian majority in Pristina, where police presence is strongest.

Collapsing public trust

Public trust in Kosovo’s police is collapsing, particularly among the ethnic Serb population. A 2021 survey revealed that 77% trust of ethnic Albanians trusted the police, compared to just 14% of Serbs.

The tipping point came in November 2022, when over 600 ethnic Serb officers resigned en masse. This followed the government’s refusal to implement the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities (ASM), part of a 2015 EU-brokered agreement intended to grant Serbs limited autonomy. Pristina argues the ASM would give Serbia too much influence.

The mass resignation left a major security vacuum in the Serb-majority north – and instead of replacing the officers with new Serb recruits, which officials claim current legislation blocks, the government responded by deploying mostly ethnic Albanian officers to fill the gap.