Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti received teams of election observation missions from European Union and CoE Parliamentary Assembly (media)
• Konjufca meets CoE Parliamentary Assembly delegation (media)
• Specialist Chambers confirm that former KLA leaders will be allowed to vote in February 9 elections (media)
• Kusari: IMC Chairman Jeton Mehmeti expected to be illegally dismissed today (Reporteri)
• ECSP rejects LVV's complaint against Aleksandar Arsenijevic (Kallxo)
• French MFA: Kosovo government's unilateral actions jeopardize prospects for lifting measures (media)
• World Bank approves over $89 million for two new projects Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Petkovic meets with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Serbian List meets chief of EU Election Observation Mission (Kosovo Online)
• Jablanovic meets chief of EU Observation Mission (Radio KIM)
• Serbian People’s Movement starts election campaign (Alternativna.com, media)
• Commissariat calls on displaced persons from Kosovo to vote on February 9 elections (Danas, RTS, media)
• CEC does not have information in Serbian language on its portal about accreditation procedure of journalists and observers (Radio KIM)
• Vucic, Chinese Ambassador discuss bilateral cooperation (Tanjug)
• China MFA: Unilateral actions not conducive to resolving problems (Kosovo Online)
• Northern Kosovo: Top destination for morning shopping (Alternativna.com, social media)
• Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch calls for peace (N1)
• “You won’t run us over”: Protests over hit-and-run of student (N1)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti received teams of election observation missions from European Union and CoE Parliamentary Assembly (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, received teams of election observation missions from the European Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in a meeting this morning. They discussed the electoral process of the February 9 elections, as well as the importance of their smooth conduct. Kurti emphasized that the process must be transparent and democratic.

It was concluded that Kosovo has managed to implement most of the recommendations of the international partners regarding the electoral process, while Kosovo continues to support political pluralism and open and fair competition for all.

Konjufca meets CoE Parliamentary Assembly delegation (media)

The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, hosted the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, headed by Petra Bayr. Konjufca informed the guests about the current political developments in Kosovo, in this period of the election campaign that ends with the parliamentary elections to be held on 09.02.2025. He assessed that this process is being developed in accordance with its legal definition, in a democratic spirit, as well as by following and promoting common European values. "The meeting discussed the Law on Elections in the Republic of Kosovo that defines this process, as well as the expectations that these elections will continue the good democratic tradition, as a country that aspires to the greatest possible development in this direction, with aspirations of membership in international and European structures," the announcement reads. 

Specialist Chambers confirm that former KLA leaders will be allowed to vote in February 9 elections (media)

The Specialist Chambers in a response to the online newspaper, informed that former KLA members, currently being held in pre-trial detention in The Hague, will be able to vote in the February 9 elections. “Yes. All measures have been taken so that the detainees can exercise their civil rights as citizens of Kosovo to vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections,” spokesman Michael Dyle said.

On Thursday, the Central Election Commission announced that it is in contact with the Specialist Chambers so that former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters who are being tried in The Hague will have the opportunity to vote in the February 9 elections.

Kusari: IMC Chairman Jeton Mehmeti expected to be illegally dismissed today (Reporteri)

Media lawyer Flutura Kusari announced that today, at the meeting of the Independent Media Commission, the chairman of the IMC, Jeton Mehmeti, is expected to be dismissed, a few days before his mandate ends. According to Kusari, the purpose of the dismissal is to usurp the positions of the chairman and deputy chairman before the new members of the IMC are elected. The media lawyer said that according to the votes they have, the chairman and deputy chairman will elect themselves and will be the most illegitimate leaders in the history of the IMC. Of course, this decision will be immediately challenged in court.

She indicated that the dismissal does not appear on the meeting's agenda because it will occur as a proposal for an additional point. "I want to believe that the executive office of the IMC will stop this illegal procedure and will openly oppose it today. This development will have an enormous impact on the further decline of media freedom and will be noted in all international assessments. I ask the media to follow the meeting so that we can document this political dismissal. The chairman and vice-chairman should be elected after the commission is filled with new members," she wrote.

ECSP rejects LVV's complaint against Aleksandar Arsenijevic (Kallxo)

The Electoral Complaints and Submissions Panel (ECSP) has rejected as unfounded the complaint of the Vetevendosje Movement against the leader of Srpska Demokratija, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, regarding the violation of the code of conduct for political entities during the election campaign. In the justification of this decision, ECSP announced that, on 14.01.2025, LVV filed a complaint against Arsenijevic under the claim that on 12.01.2025 he obstructed the visit of Prime Minister Albin Kurti to North Mitrovica. On that day, Kurti had gone to the 'Misini' bar, which is located in this part of the city, and from there he had left for the rally that would be held at the 'Minatori' sports gym. Aleksandar Arsenijevic had attempted to disrupt the activity – using offensive language in a loud voice and whistling at the Prime Minister, Ministers and MPs, who were in his company. Arsenijevic was arrested after he had ignored recommendations to stop as he was disrupting the activity. In his response to this complaint, the leader of Srpska Demokratija had stated that they were not aware that an election rally would be held there. LVV's plan was to visit South Mitrovica. He further emphasized that the whistling was in protest, that his freedom of movement was prevented by the police cordon, and that they did not know that the Prime Minister was a few meters away and that no one had announced that he could not move in that area. According to the ECSP, the actions presented in the Complaint do not represent any alleged violation, as the attached footage shows that there was no election rally. 

French MFA: Kosovo government's unilateral actions jeopardize prospects for lifting measures (media)

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a press release on the actions of the Kosovo government and the closure of several parallel Serbian institutions in several municipalities of Kosovo.

"France regrets the unilateral closure by the Kosovo government on January 15 of a large number of Serbian administrative structures in Kosovo, a decision that will negatively affect the daily life of the Serbian population of Kosovo. This jeopardizes efforts to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia within the framework of the dialogue under the auspices of the European Union," the reaction states.

"This unilateral action jeopardizes the prospects of lifting the restrictive measures against Kosovo. France calls for respect for the commitments made by the parties to advance in the implementation of the Brussels-Ohrid agreement," the reaction concludes.

World Bank approves over $89 million for two new projects Kosovo (media)

The World Bank announced that its Board of Executive Directors has approved financial assistance for two new projects in Kosovo totaling $89.7 million (87.2 million euros) aimed at strengthening private sector competitiveness. The World Bank will support the $52 million Financial Sector Development Project and the $37.7 million Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (TTFP) 2.0 through concessional credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the global lender said in a press release on Thursday.

The Financial Sector Development Project aims to increase financial stability and inclusion in Kosovo by strengthening the capacity of the deposit insurance fund, financing underserved firms, and catalyzing faster payments. The project will strengthen the financial environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by allocating capital for loan guarantees through the Kosovo Loan Guarantee Fund, potentially attracting nearly $200 million in private sector investment, the announcement said.

Serbian Language Media 

Petkovic meets with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic met on Thursday with political and institutional representatives of Serbs from Kosovo in Raska, central Serbia, noting that no Serb would be left without income following Pristina's closure of Serbian institutions, Tanjug news agency reported.

"We discussed the latest unilateral and violent moves by Albin Kurti, who yesterday closed Serbian institutions south of the Ibar River", Petkovic wrote in an Instagram post. He added that they had discussed “further steps and Serbian Government assistance and support to Serbs who had lost their jobs due to Kurti's terror”.

"What is important is that none of our people will be left without income provided by the state of Serbia, because the state of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija is not walls and offices, but people, and all our people are representatives of the state of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija. That is why we will stay, and survive, in our ancestral homes and that is why, with our unity embodied by the Serbian List, we will be the strongest response to all those who wish no good to our people", Petkovic said.

Serbian List meets chief of EU Election Observation Mission (Kosovo Online)

Serbian List headed by its President Zlatan Elek met with chief of EU Election Observation Mission Nathalie Loiseau and her team, and discussed the situation of the Serban people in Kosovo and upcoming elections, Kosovo Online portal reported.

As Serbian List said in a statement, they informed interlocutors about “institutional violence and intimidation carried out by the regime in Pristina against the Serbian people”.

They also said Pristina is trying, by illegal acts, to prevent the Serbian List from participating in the elections and keeping all ten parliamentary mandates in the hands of the Serbian people.

"We welcomed deployment of the European Observation Mission and pointed out that beginning of election campaign is taking place in the illegal unilateral escalating moves of (Albin) Kurti's regime, the seizure of buildings and the attempt to ban Serbian institutions, as well as electoral engineering through the manipulation of polling committees and voter lists with the aim of Kurti using his proxies to steal from the Serbian people mandates in the Assembly in Pristina", the statement added.

Jablanovic meets chief of EU Observation Mission (Radio KIM)

President of the Party of Kosovo Serbs (PKS) Aleksandar Jablanovic met in Pristina chief of EU Election Observation Mission, Nathalie Loiseau, Radio KIM reported.

As the party said in the statement they discussed “problems in the previous electoral cycles that impacted regularity and rating of Serbian political parties”. Jablanovic said his party, its observers and members of the polling committees are ready to cooperate with the EU Mission during the electoral process.

Jablanovic also said he remains convinced that the EU Mission will be much more active than during the previous period on the issue of observing the process and vote counting. He also opined that recommendations of the EU observation mission report had a positive impact on change of electoral conditions. 

Serbian People’s Movement starts election campaign (Alternativna.com, media)

"Kolasin used to have three municipalities, but today, unfortunately, it has been narrowed down to the registry offices on Brnjak Bridge. It didn't happen by itself, but some were making decisions on our behalf, some were deciding on our destinies and handed all this over to (Albin) Kurti, so that today we could only go to registry office to demand our rights there", Serbian People's Movement (SNP) President Milija Bisevac said at first electoral gathering in Zubin Potok.

The gathering was attended by Movement’s candidates, supporters and guests from Serbian Parliament, including MP from Kosovo, Zarko Ristic, MP Slavica Radovanovic, PUF Movement and Nemanja Sarovic, who extended support to SNP candidates.

During his address Bisevac criticized Serbian List, adding it is important that people are involved in decision making processes.  “To stand up in front of all of them and tell those authorities currently here – you have forgotten people, the authorities have forgotten people ... .They forgot that they should use their functions, that certain people elected them for, to defend our interests”, Bisevac said. He added that during upcoming days, the Movement will visit places across Kosovo. 

Commissariat calls on displaced persons from Kosovo to vote on February 9 elections (Danas, RTS, media)

Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations called on internally displaced persons from Kosovo, currently residing in the territory of central Serbia, to vote at upcoming February 9 elections, Danas daily reported.

“Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of Serbia informs those interested that they can exercise their right if they have valid ID cards issued by provisional institutions of the local self-governance in Pristina. Bus transportation would be organized to the polling stations in Kosovo and Metohija for all those interested to take part”, reads the statement.

CEC does not have information in Serbian language on its portal about accreditation procedure of journalists and observers (Radio KIM)

Although on January 12 “the notice on the application procedure for the accreditation of observers and media for the elections for the Assembly of Kosovo" was published in Albanian language on the Central Election Commission (CEC) portal, until today the same notice was not published in Serbian language, Radio KIM reports. Also, the application template for the responsible person of the organization/media has not been fully translated into Serbian either.

In order to facilitate the registration process of journalists and observers to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo scheduled for February 9 this year, the CEC has created an electronic platform, Radio KIM added.

However, on its portal, the CEC nowhere published a notice in the Serbian language on how to use that platform, nor was the application template for the responsible person correctly and fully translated into Serbian.

Radio KIM said it sent an enquiry to CEC regarding these deficiencies, but received no reply by the time this news was published.

The last “news” in Serbian language published on CEC portal dates back to December 17 of last year. 

Vucic, Chinese Ambassador discuss bilateral cooperation (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Li Ming on Friday to discuss further advancement of overall cooperation between the two countries, Tanjug news agency reported. In an Instagram post, Vucic wrote that they had discussed various fields, including the economy, infrastructure, trade and energy, as well as cooperation in technology and innovation that he noted would propel Serbia to the global top when it comes to technology.

"China is one of Serbia's most significant partners and friends in the international arena, which we are proud of and grateful for. We are working on speedier implementation of key infrastructure projects and on attracting new Chinese investments, which will contribute to economic growth, development of our country, as well as to our further progress globally", Vucic wrote in the post.

He noted that he was confident intensive political dialogue and economic cooperation would contribute to even greater benefits for both countries and their citizens as well as to strengthening the steely Serbia-Chinese friendship. "P.S. Thank you for the wonderful gift. 2025 is a Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, and experts say it means that careful planning, strategic thinking, creativity and seizing opportunities wisely is needed to achieve excellent results and prosperity", Vucic added.

China MFA: Unilateral actions not conducive to resolving problems (Kosovo Online)

The Spokesperson of China Foreign Affairs Ministry Guo Jiakun said today in relation to the current situation in Kosovo, that official Beijing continues supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, adding that security and lawful rights and interests of Serbs in Kosovo should be safeguarded, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“On the Kosovo issue, China respects Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and believes that the security and lawful rights and interests of the Serbs in Kosovo should be safeguarded. Unilateral actions are not conducive to resolving the issue and will impact security and stability in the Kosovo region. We hope relevant parties will continue to engage in practical and constructive dialogue within the framework of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and actively seek a lasting solution to the Kosovo issue”, he told a regular press briefing. 

Northern Kosovo: Top destination for morning shopping (Alternativna.com, social media)

Alternativna.com portal under its section “Photo of the Day” writes yesterday “it is not INTEREX in Pristina, nor Vucitrn, Pec, Prizren, Suva Reka, Srbica, Gnjilane, Lipljan, Urosevac, Vitina, Kosovo Polje, Podujevo, Kacanik, Istok, Laplje Selo or Mitrovica South but precisely the INTEREX in Leposavic where Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti did his ‘morning shopping’”.

Albin Kurti attended the opening of the Banka Ekonomike branch in Leposavic yesterday, but also stopped by the recently opened Albanian-owned INTEREX shop in this town, the portal added.

“For morning shopping in INTEREX” in Leposavic Kurti wrote in a post on social media, along with a photo of him doing the shopping published.

Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch calls for peace (N1)

Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Porfirije called for peace following the injuring of a law school student by a driver in Belgrade on Thursday, N1 reported.

The girl was hit by a car that rammed through the crowd standing in silence at a central city intersection. Video recordings showed her being thrown onto the hood of the car and then onto the roof and falling off. She was taken to hospital and was treated for head injuries.

“I am warning again that aggression and violence brings no one anything good and I am calling for peace and mutual respect”, Patriarch Porfirije said in a written statement.

“I am deeply upset by the event in Belgrade when a law school student was hit by a car and seriously injured. I expect the perpetrators to be accountable before the law”, the SPC elder added.

“You won’t run us over”: Protests over hit-and-run of student (N1)

Protests erupted throughout Serbia on Thursday after a young woman, a law school student, was injured when a driver rammed into a crowd of students in downtown Belgrade minutes before a memorial for the 15 victims of the Novi Sad train station tragedy.

Following the Thursday hit-and-run incident, University of Belgrade students gathered in large numbers outside the Law School before marching to the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office for a protest rally, joined by members of the public.

The students carried signs and chanted: “We are not scared, we are angry,” “Hands off students,” “You won’t run us over,” “The system has fallen ill,” and “Resignation then jail.”

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