Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo shuts down Serbian-funded municipalities and institutions (media)

• British Minister encourages Kosovo, Serbia for constructive dialogue (RTK)

• EU Office: Justice and accountability for crimes in Recak remain delayed (media)

• Osmani and Kurti pay homage together in Recak (Zeri)

• OSCE Mission in Kosovo remembers Racak massacre (Express)

• US Embassy in Kosovo commemorates Recak massacre (RTK)

• Rohde: What happened in Recak is a fact (RTK)

• Albanian President on Recak massacre: It changed Kosovo’s history (media)

• Maqedonci meets congressman Hamadeh, discusses global security challenges (Klan)

   

Serbian Language Media: 

• Petkovic left the Brussels talks due to the intrusion of the KP into Serbian institutions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

• Vucevic: Kurti turned the pre-election campaign into a continuation of violence against the Serbian people (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

• Djuric and Petkovic on the KP incursion into Serbian institutions; the international community to react: "The time for action is now, silence is complicity" (Blic, media)

• KP without a search warrant raided post office and municipal buildings (Kosovo Online) 

• The KP detained the presidents of the temporary authorities of the municipalities of Vucitrn and Lipljan (Blic, Kosovo Online)

• KP raided all municipal and Post Office buildings in the Serbian system south of the Ibar River (media)

• President of the PA Pristina in Gracanica: A great shame, we will not surrender (KiM radio)

• Director of the Serbian Post in Kosovo: We will manage, we will live (KiM radio)

• Director of the Center for Social Work in Gracanica: Families using the Center for Social Work’s services are at risk (Kosovo Online) 

• Barduani: Banjska and the Sabotage on the Ibar-Lepenac canal are separate incidents, each requiring an independent investigation (KoSSev)

   

International Media:

• Kosovo factory offers hope to disabled people struggling for work (BIRN)

• CEFTA and path to EU accession: challenges and new directions (Osservatorio balcani)

• Serbia in 2025: Potential for new protest momentum (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media 

Kosovo shuts down Serbian-funded municipalities and institutions (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said in a Facebook video today that “with a joint operation of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Kosovo Police, as well as the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade and the Ministry of Administration of Local Government, the era of Serbia’s parallel municipalities and criminal institutions of the Republic of Kosovo has come to an end. Today Serbia’s parallel municipalities in Lipjan, Obilic, Pristina, Fushe Kosove, Vushtrri, Novobrdo, Kamenica, Viti, Rahovec, Skenderaj and their illegal tax offices have been closed. As we have pledged, we will allow no parallelism let alone criminal action by Serbia that threatens the Constitution and legality in our country”.

Interior Minister Svecla: 

Dear citizens starting from today the chapter of the parallel, illegal, criminal institutions of Serbia in the Republic of Kosovo is closed. In Banja, and all over the Republic of Kosovo, the municipal facilities, post offices, tax offices and all remnants of parallel institutions are over.

Local Government Minister Elbert Krasniqi:

Starting from today 28 parallel and criminal institutions of Serbia in Kosovo and five of their districts are finally closed. These parallel and criminal institutions of Serbia have no place in the Republic of Kosovo.

British Minister encourages Kosovo, Serbia for constructive dialogue (RTK)

The UK Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty, has called on Kosovo and Serbia to engage in dialogue. “We engage closely with our partners in Kosovo and indeed across the region and continue to call on Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue,” he said.

He stressed that British KFOR troops play a key role in maintaining a secure environment in Kosovo. Doughty was asked in the British Parliament about the progress of the security agreement that Kosovo has signed with the United Kingdom. He said that the United Kingdom has a responsibility and historical relationship with Kosovo. “KFOR makes a crucial contribution to ensuring a secure environment in Kosovo and of course the United Kingdom troops play a key role in that,” he told British MPs.

Osmani and Kurti pay homage together in Recak (Zeri)

Kosovo leaders, President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, honored today the victims of the Recak massacre. Osmani and Kurti together laid wreaths at the memorial in Recak, on the 26th anniversary of the massacre that changed the history of Kosovo.

Kurti said at the memorial academy for the Recak Massacre that the war for liberation is over, but not the fight for justice. He said that the murderers of civilians in Recak are free in Serbia. "Open graves in the ground, open wounds in the soul, closed archives in Belgrade. The crimes committed during the war were not meant to happen, they were not supposed to happen. What should happen as a result is justice, the trial and punishment of the criminals, even in their absence. In 1998-99, it was said that the battle was over, but not the war. In relation to Serbia, now the opposite must be said, the war is over, but not the battle. The war for liberation is over, but not the battle for justice," Kurti said.

"On a gloomy day in January 1999, 45 residents of Recak, including men, women and the elderly, were massacred by the genocidal regime of Serbia, thus revealing the brutal face of genocide and oppression. Recak is not only a tragedy related only to this village and its inhabitants, but a testament to the long suffering of our people who sought and fought for freedom and the right to exist," said Osmani.

In addition to them, Recak is being visited today by leaders of other institutions and parties, as well as residents from all over Kosovo.

EU Office: Justice and accountability for crimes in Recak remain delayed (media)

On the 26th anniversary of the Recak massacre, the European Union office in Kosovo through a post on “X” said that justice and accountability for the crimes committed in this village are delayed. “Today, we stand in solidarity with the families and people of Kosovo to honour and remember the victims of the Reçak/Račak massacre, a heinous crime that left an unhealed wound 26 years on. Their lives were brutally taken, and justice and accountability remain overdue.

OSCE Mission in Kosovo remembers Racak massacre (Express)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has stated that the anniversary of the Racak massacre reminds of the collective responsibility to confront the past in search of a better future. “Today marks the 26th anniversary of the Reçak/Račak massacre.  We honour the victims and acknowledge the profound loss endured by their families. This anniversary reminds us of our collective responsibility to confront the past in pursuit of a better future,” the OSCE announcement reads. 

US Embassy in Kosovo commemorates Recak massacre (RTK)

The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo has commemorated the 26th anniversary of the Recak massacre, saying it stands with the people of Kosovo ‘at a tragic turning point for humanity that prompted the world to act’. “The US stands with the people of Kosovo in remembering the victims of the Recak massacre - a tragic turning point for humanity that prompted the world to act. As we honor the victims, we renew our shared commitment to truth, justice and reconciliation”, the message published on Facebook reads.

Rohde: What happened in Recak is a fact (RTK)

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has written on the occasion of the anniversary of the Recak Massacre. Rohde said that what happened in Recak is a fact, and that the crimes that occurred have been well documented by foreign organizations such as the UN and OSCE. Ambassador “The denial of these crimes does not respect the memory of the dead, keeps the wounds open and hinders progress towards regional reconciliation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration,” Rohde emphasized.

Albanian President on Recak massacre: It changed Kosovo’s history (media)

President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, said today on the 26th anniversary of the massacre in Recak that it changed the history of Kosovo and the approach of the international community. “On January 15, 1999, in the village of Recak of Kosovo, 45 unarmed Albanian civilians were executed and massacred barbarically by Serbian criminal units. Denouncing the massacre changed Kosovo’s history and the approach of the international community. Eternal glory to the men and women of Kosovo that stood for its freedom! Appreciation for U.S. Ambassador William G. Walker, ‘Knight of the Flag Order’!” Begaj wrote in a Facebook post. 

Maqedonci meets congressman Hamadeh, discusses global security challenges (Klan)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci has announced that he met with Republican congressman from Arizona, Abraham Hamadeh. Through his Facebook account, Maqedonci informed that he spoke with Hamadeh about global security challenges and their impact on the region and Kosovo in particular. “In the United States Congress, we met Mr. Abraham Hamadeh, Republican congressman from Arizona. With Congressman Hamadeh, who has experience in the U.S. military and currently serves on the Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives, we discussed global security challenges and their impact on the region and our country in particular. Together with General Jashari, we also spoke with Congressman Hamadeh about recent developments in Kosovo and especially about the achievements of the Kosovo Army,” he wrote.

He further stated that they also discussed the importance of American attention to the Western Balkans region and the United States military presence in Kosovo. “The United States of America has been and remains an irreplaceable ally on the path towards the development and strengthening of Kosovo’s statehood,” Maqedonci wrote.

Serbian Language Media 

Petkovic left the Brussels talks due to the intrusion of the KP into Serbian institutions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, N1, media)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and Belgrade's chief negotiator, Petar Petkovic, interrupted and left the talks in Brussels, due to today's closure of numerous Serbian institutions in Kosovo, the Kosovo Online correspondent reported from Brussels.

A meeting of the Joint Commission for Missing Persons was supposed to be held in Brussels today, as the beginning of the implementation of the agreement from the dialogue.

Petkovic is expected to speak from Brussels during the day.

Vucevic: Kurti turned the pre-election campaign into a continuation of violence against the Serbian people (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

The Prime Minister of Serbia, Milos Vucevic, said that Belgrade is closely monitoring what is happening in Kosovo, where the police are raiding numerous Serbian institutions, pointing out that Albin Kurti turned the election campaign into a continuation of violence against the Serbian people.

“This morning, Albin Kurti's shameful, unlawful torture of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija continued. Kurti's police raided the facilities of the PA Pristina and the Post Office in Gračanica, as well as in Kosovo Polje, Lipljan, and other places south of the Ibar River. We are closely monitoring the further development of the situation, and we will take all measures to protect the Serbian population from new attacks by Albin Kurti, who has obviously turned his election campaign into a continuation of the torture of our people,” read the Prime Minister Vucevic’s X post. 

Djuric and Petkovic on the KP incursion into Serbian institutions; the international community to react: "The time for action is now, silence is complicity" (Blic, media)

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric, in a post on X, condemned today's incursions of the Kosovo police into Serbian institutions in municipalities in the South of Kosovo, reported Serbian media.

"In Brussels, I was greeted by the news of Kurti's attack on Serbian institutions in a huge scale. The violent closure of a large number of our municipalities, centers for social work, post offices... It is clear why Bislimi did not appear in Brussels today.

I came with the delegation from Belgrade with the intention of solving the issue of missing persons today, while Kurti and Pristina chose the path of violence and unilateral moves. This kind of terror calls dialogue itself into question. It is clear that Kurti is not the only one to blame for this. The responsibility lies with the European Union!" Director of the Office for KiM wrote in a X post.  

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric wrote in a X post: 

“Today’s coordinated actions by Kurti’s government, targeting Serbian institutions in Kosovo Polje, Gračanica, Lipljan, Velika Hoča, Orahovac, Kusce, and numerous other enclaves, mark a dangerous escalation. These aggressive moves are not just an attack on institutions but a blatant attempt to undermine the collective rights and identity of Serbs in Kosovo*. It is evident that Kurti is using these provocations as part of his election campaign, disregarding human rights and flouting agreements that were meant to protect peace and coexistence. This strategy only deepens divisions and threatens stability in the region. The international community must not remain silent. By turning a blind eye, it risks endorsing actions that prioritize political agendas over basic human rights and the implementation of agreed-upon frameworks. We call on international stakeholders to: 1. Condemn these actions publicly and unequivocally. 2. Demand immediate cessation of institutional targeting and protect the rights of Serbs in Kosovo*. 3. Hold all parties accountable to agreements ensuring peace and coexistence. The time to act is now. Silence is complicity,” read Djuric’s post on X. 

The Minister also tagged Miroslav Lajcak, Kaja Kallas, Anthony Blinken, Antonio Guterres, EU Commission, UN Human Rights, OSCE, and US Embassy in Kosovo. 

KP without a search warrant raided post office and municipal buildings (Kosovo Online) 

According to the portal Kosovo Online, the Kosovo Police raided the buildings of the post office and the Provisional Authorities in the municipalities south of the Ibar, although they did not have a search warrant.

One of the inspectors of the Kosovo Police told only those gathered at the post office in Gracanica that he has a verbal order, but although he is obliged by law to say which of the judges issued the verbal order, he did not do so.

As Kosovo Online learns, the judges from whom the KP requested a search warrant, refused to do so - in writing or verbally. 

According to the portal, since today's action by the KP is not treated as a criminal investigation, its members could only be there to ensure safety and security.

According to Kosovo law, officials first deliver a letter to the property owner asking for information, such as business records or permits, and only if they are not satisfied with the paperwork, they must ask the court to order the office closure. 

According to the portal findings, the KP did not receive a search warrant from the court.

The KP detained the presidents of the temporary authorities of the municipalities of Vucitrn and Lipljan (Blic, Kosovo Online)

The Kosovo Police detained Milan Kostic, the president of the Vucitrn PA in the village of Priluzje, to the police station in Vucitrn, as well as Milan Joksimovic, the president of the PA of the municipality of Lipljan and three other employees of that municipality.

Kostic was detained during the KP intrusion into the building of the PA in Priluzje. 

Joksimovic and three employees of the municipality of Lipljan were detained in the municipal premises, where they were told that they should wait for the inspector from Pristina.

KP raided all municipal and Post Office buildings in the Serbian system south of the Ibar River (media)

The Kosovo Police raided the facilities of the Provisional Authority of Pristina and the Post Office in Gracanica, as well as in Kosovo Polje, Lipljan, and other locations south of the Ibar River.

Workers left their workplaces after the raid, and the post offices were closed. The Kosovo police also raided the buildings of the Provisional Authority in Orahovac, Gnjilane, Vucitrn…

According to reports, the Kosovo police also raided the post office in Ugljare, as well as the Coordination Center in Novo Badovac.

The president of the Provisional Authority in Kosovo Polje, Aleksandar Trajkovic, confirmed to Kosovo Online that the Kosovo police entered the post office in Kosovo Polje and the municipal office this morning.

In the village of Banje, the closure of the post office and the Srbica municipality was  underway as well.

President of the PA Pristina in Gracanica: A great shame, we will not surrender (KiM radio)

"Suddenly, they invaded the municipality and said that we cannot continue to function, to work. I said that we work here, this is PA according to the Serbian system, we function according to the system of the Republic of Serbia, so... They are looking for some kind of certificate, I don't know what they are looking for. This is a great shame for the international community, a shame for the European Union and for everyone. We will not surrender, we will continue to fight," said Novak Zivic, president of the Provisional Authority of the City of Pristina in Gracanica, after the closure of this institution by the Kosovo Police.

"As you can see, in the presence of EULEX, meaning the international community that refers to that international law, to that Brussels agreement, which they do not respect, do not respect Resolution 1244... Even today, they showed their true face and pressure the Serbian people. They are ranting, they want to instill fear, to expel these people. Today they came, they broke into the PA of the city of Pristina. Kurti is doing this in the midst of the pre-election campaign in order to get some political points,'' said Zivic among other things, reported KiM radio.

Director of the Serbian Post in Kosovo: We will manage, we will live (KiM radio)

After the closure of several facilities of the Post of Serbia in Kosovo, director Ivan Milojevic visited the branch in Gracanica, reported KiM radio.

This facility was closed this morning by members of the Kosovo Police with the support of EULEX. Employees left their jobs. After the closing of the branch, Ivan Milojevic, director of the Post of Serbia in Kosovo, visited Gracanica.

"I am under stress; I have a simultaneous closing action at several locations in Kosovo. I'm going further now, to Morava region, they raided many post offices in Kosovo, "he said.

When asked what will happen to the employees and users of Post Serbia services, Milovic says "we will manage".

"We will live, we will endure, the Serbian people will live," he said briefly.

Director of the Center for Social Work in Gracanica: Families using the Center for Social Work’s services are at risk (Kosovo Online) 

The Director of the Center for Social work in Gracanica, Nemanja Petkovic, stated that they had received notification this morning that they could not continue their work because they did not have "permission from the authorities of the Republic of Kosovo."

This morning, the KP raided the Center for Social Work in Gracanica. The director of this institution, Nemanja Petkovic, says he is sorry that the center’s users will not be able to continue using their rights.

"The Center for Social Work received a notice this morning that it cannot continue its work because it does not have permission from the authorities of the Republic of Kosovo, and that as a result, they are closing the institution. I am sorry that this will severely deprive many socially vulnerable families and our users of the help they need. They will not be able to continue using their rights as they have been until now," Petkovic said.

Barduani: Banjska and the Sabotage on the Ibar-Lepenac canal are separate incidents, each requiring an independent investigation (KoSSev)

General Enrico Barduani, KFOR Commander, confirmed in an interview for KoSSev, published yesterday, that he did not authorize the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) deployment after the sabotage of the Ibar-Lepenac canal. He clarified that, in the case of the Banjska incident, no such request was received.

Assessing the current situation in Kosovo, Barduani described it as calm yet fragile, with a risk of potential escalation. “Isolated incidents can still occur. Preventing such incidents entirely is challenging, as they often involve criminal or terrorist elements acting covertly and unpredictably,” he emphasized.

The interview with General Barduani was conducted in written form.

 What has the investigation into the Ibar-Lepenac case shown so far?

We strongly condemned the attack on the water pipe in Zubin Potok on November 29 which had a severe impact on water and electricity supplies in northern Kosovo, and as such affected local communities. We made it clear that it is essential to establish the facts, hold those responsible accountable, and bring them to justice. Ensuring accountability is crucial, and the Kosovo Police is in lead for the investigation. While the facts are being established, it is important to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions that could raise tensions, as this would be detrimental to security and stability in Kosovo and the region.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/2wk3875y