Albanian Language Media:

• Maqedonci: We are generating options for helicopter supply (Klan)
• President Osmani expresses condolences to Anton Berisha’s family (media)
• Applications for observer accreditation for the February 9 elections open (media)
• Rizvanolli: Iber-Lepenc turned into a profitable enterprise after 7 years of losses (media)
• Serbia buys drones and heavy artillery from Israel worth $335 million (Paparaci)
• Former KLA soldier Hasan Dakaj held in Serbia since January 2024, released (media)
• From January to November, diaspora sent €1.2 billion to Kosovo (Paparaci)
• International experts: If Kosovo fulfills obligations in 2025, pressure will be on Belgrade (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Elek: Kurti sees Serbian List as greatest danger, because it is bastion of Serbs’ survival in Kosovo (RTS, Tanjug) 
• Milenkovic: Lack of political will in Pristina to find solution to difficult situation following ban on dinar (Kosovo Online)
• People in Mitrovica North 11 months without dinar: It's too difficult, we are struggling (Kosovo Online)
• Kurti: This century belongs to Albanians, this decade to Self-Determination (KoSSev)
• Gacevic: Kosovo took over presidency of CEFTA, focus on new Action Plan (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• "29 minutes for 29 victims", In Novi Sad also a minute of silence for a child from Zagreb, tribute paid for victims in Arilje and Cetinje (N1, KoSSev)
• Vucic proposes Sunday be declared as Mourning Day over tragedy at Cetinje (RTS)

Albanian Language Media 

Maqedonci: We are generating options for helicopter supply (Klan)

Kosovo’s Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci said they are “generating options for the supply of helicopters” and according to him clear information will be available in coming days. “We are generating options for the supply of helicopters and I believe that in the coming days we will have clearer information about our orientation for helicopters and citizens will normally be informed about our orientation and our approach in relation to helicopters and our goal is always to have at least some of these assets in the KSF before the conclusion of the third phase of the transition, before 2028,” he said.

Maqedonci said that Serbia continues to pose a threat with the establishment of 48 Serbian army bases along the border with Kosovo.

"There are still 48 bases of the Serbian gendarmerie and army, but in addition to them, Serbia has other bases located precisely in the south of its territory, more precisely in Raska, Nis and Vranje, which is also not a long distance from the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. Three of the four mechanized brigades of the Serbian army are located in these bases and all these other operational bases that are along the border line. These 48 bases are an operational extension of precisely these large units that are located in the south of the territory of Serbia. This definitely poses a threat to us. Every time a country deploys military troops, that neighboring country on the border is a threat or part of a larger hybrid war that also includes the conventional aspect of the threat," he said.

President Osmani expresses condolences to Anton Berisha’s family (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, has expressed her condolences to the family, relatives, colleagues and collaborators for the passing of the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Kosovo and former ambassador, Anton Berisha.

“With deep sorrow we received the bitter news of the untimely passing of the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Kosovo and former ambassador, Anton Berisha. He will be remembered for his contribution to representing Kosovo and serving the interests of Kosovo,” the Presidency’s announcement reads. “In these difficult moments for the family, I sympathize with you and encourage you to find strength in coping with the pain,” Osmani said.

Applications for observer accreditation for the February 9 elections open (media)

The Central Election Commission announced that the application period for accreditation of observers for the February 9 national elections has begun.

The press release states that certified political entities, NGOs, governmental and intergovernmental organizations, specialized international organizations dealing with elections and the protection of human rights, media, as well as representatives of foreign countries, can submit their application for accreditation of observers online within the following deadlines:

The deadline for submitting the application for accreditation of observers of certified political entities will end on January 15, 2025;The deadline for submitting the application for accreditation of observers of domestic NGOs will end on January 25, 2025; The deadline for submitting the application for accreditation of observers of governmental - intergovernmental organizations will end on January 25, 2025; The deadline for submitting applications for accreditation of local and international media will end on February 4, 2025; The deadline for submitting applications for accreditation of observers of foreign countries' representations will end on January 25, 2025; The deadline for submitting applications for accreditation of observers of international organizations will end on January 25, 2025.

Rizvanolli: Iber-Lepenc turned into a profitable enterprise after 7 years of losses (media)

The Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, has said that Iber Lepenc turned into a profitable enterprise, as she said, after seven years of losses. Through a post on the social network ‘Facebook’,she has presented two graphics which show  the profits and the losses of Iber-Lepenc since 2019.

“Iber Lepenc turned into a profitable enterprise since 2022, and it is expected to have even greater profits in 2024, after at least 7 years of losses,” Rizvanolli wrote on Facebook.

Serbia buys drones and heavy artillery from Israel worth $335 million (Paparaci)

Serbia has continued to arm its army by spending a total of $335 million. Serbia’s Defense Ministry has reached a multi-million dollar deal with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.

The deal includes advanced artillery and drone systems, specifically the PULS (Precise and Universal Launch System) artillery rockets, a versatile platform capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away. The system allows operators to fire different munitions from the same platform without moving, making it ideal for rapid response scenarios.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also spoke about the deal, asserting the superiority of Israeli systems over their American counterparts. Vucic has made defense modernization a cornerstone of his administration, with significant investments in both domestic production and foreign purchases. The agreement with Israel is the latest in a series of agreements aimed at strengthening Serbia's ability to respond to regional and international challenges.

Former KLA soldier Hasan Dakaj held in Serbia since January 2024, released (media)

Hasan Dakaj, a former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) who was being held in a Serbian prison, was released today. The news was confirmed by his brother. He said they are on their way to pick him up. Hasan Dakaj was arrested at the Merdare border crossing in early January 2024.

On January 6, 2024, at 4:00 PM, Mr. Dakaj appeared before the pre-trial judge, where he was sentenced to 30 days in custody, until February 3, 2024. On January 10, 2024, Mr. Dakaj confirmed that the High Prosecutor's Office for War Crimes in Belgrade charged him with alleged war crimes against the non-Albanian population during the war in Kosovo in 1999.

From January to November, diaspora sent €1.2 billion to Kosovo (Paparaci)

Foreign remittances to Kosovo reached 1.224 billion euros in the January-November period, up from 1.208 billion euros in the same period last year, the central bank said, citing preliminary data. In November alone, foreign remittances to Kosovo increased by 2.3% compared to a year earlier, the central bank of Kosovo said in a data release.

101.3 million euros is the amount of funds sent in November 2024. Compared to October, remittances from abroad fell by 9.6% in November. In 2023, foreign remittances to Kosovo increased by 10% compared to the previous year.

International experts: If Kosovo fulfills obligations in 2025, pressure will be on Belgrade (Express)

2024 is considered a marathon year of elections that brought changes to the administration of the United States of America and that of the European Union. In Kosovo, the expectations are that these changes will bring positive movements in the processes of integration and normalization of relations with Serbia.

However, international experts do not expect Kosovo and Serbia to be high on the agenda of the new administrations, much less on that of the elected American president, Donald Trump. “I do not think that the Balkans will become a major priority, but President Trump is familiar with the Balkans, he is familiar with Kosovo and Serbia, because he reached the Washington agreement with former Prime Minister Hoti and President Vucic. So he is familiar with them and he mentioned it before the elections. They are aware of this, they will postpone some infrastructure projects, they can postpone them, this eighth corridor which is a strategic project”, said Edward Joseph.

Also, in 2025, no concrete results are expected in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. But, the American professor says that the approach should change due to the fact that Serbia should be held responsible for destabilizing actions. 

In addition, experts see it necessary to take actions towards normalization on the part of Kosovo, as required by the initiation of procedures for the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities. “I hope that there will be movement towards implementing the agreements reached so that the ball remains in Serbia’s court and it will then be pressured to implement its part of the agreements and not to remain in the status quo, to remain in a position of power that is not in the best interest of the people of Kosovo,” says Adrian Shtuni from the International Center for Counter Terrorism, and expert on international relations.

Among other things, a reflection is required from the governments in Kosovo, since it is considered that at this point, Kosovo is losing both credibility and the benefits that come from the European Union. “You cannot leave at the door of the European Union the obligation that you have and that they have made clear for a very long time what you need to do in order for those sanctions to be removed. I hope that there will be awareness, there will be sincerity in communicating with the public on the part of any government that will come tomorrow,” Shtuni said.

Serbian Language Media 

Elek: Kurti sees Serbian List as greatest danger, because it is bastion of Serbs’ survival in Kosovo (RTS, Tanjug)

The president of the Serbian List, Zlatan Elek, said today that the prime minister, Albin Kurti, tried again to prevent the Serbian List from participating in the parliamentary elections in Kosovo on February 9, because he sees that party as the biggest political opponent.

Commenting on the appeal of Kurti's Self-Determination movement, requesting cancellation of the decision on certification of Serbian List, Elek said that the Serbian List is the rampart of the survival of Serbs in Kosovo, and that Kurti perceives it as the greatest danger. "That's why he is preventing us and will do everything to prevent us from participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections", Elek told RTS.

He said the goal of SL is to win all 10 mandates in the elections, which, as he said, would prevent the adoption of legal acts that would enable further harassment of the Serbian community in Kosovo. 

"Changes on the international level, the election of Donald Trump as president of the USA, the weakening of Albin Kurti, winning all ten mandates in the Kosovo Assembly will enable us to influence that Kurti does not adopt the legal acts detriment to the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church", he said. According to Elek, there are 48 candidates on the list of the Serbian List, including deans, doctors, judges, professors, as well as Dragica Gasic, the only returnee from Djakovica.

The new 2025 began with pressure on the Serbs

He said the year 2025 also began with pressure on the Serbs in Kosovo adding that the auxiliary buildings of the Djokic family were set on fire and part of the property was destroyed. "This is who knows how many times we have been sending a message that Serbs are not welcome in Kosovo", said Elek and recalled that since Albin Kurti came to power in Pristina, there have been more than 500 ethnic attacks in Kosovo.

He also recalled that newspapers from central Serbia do not reach people in Kosovo, school textbooks are forbidden to them, that they have to travel for several hours for salaries and pensions, and that supply of medicine and food is difficult.

"It is clear that we live in a ghetto occupied by hundreds of Kosovo special forces armed with long-barrelled weapons", said Elek.

“CHC Kosovska Mitrovica facing difficult supply”

According to Elek, the State of Serbia, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija are trying with great efforts to provide the Clinical Hospital Center in North Mitrovica with working conditions. However, as he said, they face difficulties with supply of medicines.

Elek recalled that this health facility was targeted by Kosovo special forces.

"We had two raids on the premises and more than 700 interceptions of ambulances. To this day, the video surveillance that was forcibly taken from us has not been returned to us, the material damage has not been compensated, we have not received any written evidence based on which the search took place", emphasized Elek.

Vucic brought the issue of Kosovo back to the international stage

Commenting on the announcement by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, that he expects in the coming period two large countries to withdraw recognition of Kosovo and the process of derecognition to continue, Elek said this is proof that the state of Serbia has not given up the fight for Kosovo. 

"What is most important for the citizens of Kosovo and Metohija is that President Vucic managed, in almost impossible conditions, to bring the issue of KiM back to the international stage, even though many convinced us that this was already a done deal. This is another incentive for us who live on KiM, that we should think about our survival and stay, and to see that the country of Serbia is very much with us," said Elek.

Milenkovic: Lack of political will in Pristina to find solution to difficult situation following ban on dinar (Kosovo Online)

Decision of Kosovo Central Bank on cash transactions which led to ban on dinar directly affected Serbian community and at large hampered their lives and normal functioning, Marko Milenkovic from New Social Initiative told Kosovo Online portal.

He assessed there was no political will in Pristina to find a solution to this problem although there were announcements it would be found within Kosovo institutions. He added he is not optimistic regarding the situation on dinar, recalling there were more than seven meetings in Brussels directly related to the issue of payment transactions from Serbia.

“What is necessary to have is a political will to resolve this issue and understanding for the problems faced by the Serbian community. This issue cannot be solved without a larger framework and results in the dialogue, as well as without establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, given that it is a basis on which payment transactions from Serbia and many other things were supposed to be resolved, among other functioning of the Serbian institutions working in Kosovo (…)”, Milenkovic said.

He added that the Community of Serbian Municipalities is a commitment Pristina undertook, there is pressure from the international community to send the draft statute of the CSM to the Constitutional Court and start with its implementation. As he said, without those steps he sees no possibility how to overcome the issue with the dinar. 

People in Mitrovica North 11 months without dinar: It's too difficult, we are struggling (Kosovo Online)

Kosovo Central Bank regulation banning the use of dinar has made daily life more difficult for people in Mitrovica North. Nearly a year after the decision took effect, Serbs are still finding ways to cope, primarily by traveling to Raska to withdraw money. However, this comes with additional expenses, and winter travel poses a significant challenge, especially for pensioners, Kosovo Online portal reports today.

"People adapt to whatever comes their way, in every situation. They have become resilient. They endure and get used to everything. For me, it has had little to no effect, maybe because I'm resourceful, or as the saying goes, 'find a way'", an elderly resident of Mitrovica North said. He added he values the dinar, not because of its worth, but because "it is ours," which, he says, is the whole point.

"What hurts us older folks the most is having to travel just to get a small amount of dinars. And it gets spent there too. That is the social aspect. There is also the health aspect. It is not easy for us to travel in winter", he pointed out.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/beGNv

Kurti: This century belongs to Albanians, this decade to Self-Determination (KoSSev)

“This century belongs to Albanians; this decade to Self-determination,” declared Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti as he stepped into 2025, sharing the message alongside a photograph with his wife, Rita Augestad Knudsen, reported KoSSev in English.

Kurti reiterated his vision in a series of public addresses marking the end of 2024, his second set of remarks in just a week.

“This is a new era for our state, where we have achieved significant results in building a stronger and more internationally recognized country,” he stated.

Reflecting on the year behind, Kurti described 2024 as “a year of respect for laws and strengthening the rule of law.”

Achievements Showcased

Kurti highlighted, what he called, numerous accomplishments under his administration, including:

“Increases in salaries, pensions, social benefits, and one-time financial aid; Visa liberalization and international recognition of Kosovo’s passports; Securing Kosovo’s first credit rating; Exiting the energy bloc with Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, followed by integration into OST with Albania; Implementing energy registration and billing in northern Kosovo; Conversion of driving licenses and closure of illegal Serbian institutions; Documenting war crimes and enhancing national defense capabilities”.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/y9fnu4m3

Gacevic: Kosovo took over presidency of CEFTA, focus on new Action Plan (RTS, Kosovo Online)

Kosovo took over the presidency of CEFTA from Serbia by agreement, and the focus will be on the implementation of the new Action Plan for the formation of the regional market, acting director of CEFTA Secretariat, Danijela Gacevic told RTS. 

"The presidency is moving from Belgrade to Pristina. We are starting with the implementation of the new Action Plan for the formation of the regional market. There are new bodies in it, such as the body for intellectual property. The institutional framework of CEFTA is expanding, which shows the coverage of the topics we deal with. Each side will preside over one body, which is important for achieving further results and supporting the success of regional integration", Gacevic explained.

When asked how important CEFTA is for Serbia's economy, she reminded that Serbia traditionally achieves a surplus in trade with CEFTA members.

"It can be improved by the measures we are working on. CEFTA is the second most important market after the EU", underlined Gacevic. 

She pointed out that in the previous year, during Serbia's presidency, a lot had been achieved, citing the adoption of a set of decisions by the Joint Committee, which, for example, refer to the recognition of authorized business entities, the establishment of a framework for the improvement of electronic commerce, cooperation in the field of tourism, risk management, but also a recommendation regarding the green card.

She pointed out that the previous activities were covered by the four-year plan, and that future ones will be covered by the new 2025-2028 plan. According to her, CEFTA makes an important contribution to regional integration, and that the implementation of the activities has taken a step further in regional integration, and a step closer to European integration.

"29 minutes for 29 victims", In Novi Sad also a minute of silence for a child from Zagreb, tribute paid for victims in Arilje and Cetinje (N1, KoSSev)

In Serbia, tribute was paid for those who died in Novi Sad, but also to those killed in Arilje and Cetinje. The action lasted 29 minutes - for 29 victims. In Novi Sad, the action lasted 30 minutes, as a tribute was also paid to the child who was killed in Zagreb. N1 reported that a man in a BMW in that city tried to break through the blockade.

The action was held in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kraljevo, Nis, Aleksandrovac, Zrenjanin...

The students at the University of Novi Sad blocked this bridge for 30 minutes from 11:52 a.m., in order to pay tribute to those who died when the canopy fell on November 1, and for those who died in Arilje on December 31, in Cetinje on January 1 and in Zagreb December 20.

Students developed a large banner of the Red Hand at the Petrovaradin fortress.

Vucic proposes Sunday be declared as Mourning Day over tragedy at Cetinje (RTS)

The Serbian Government in a session tomorrow will decide on a proposal put forward by President Aleksandar Vucic to declare Sunday as a Mourning Day over tragedy in Cetinje, Montenegro leaving 12 people dead and four wounded in a shooting spree, RTS reported. The session will take place at 10.00 tomorrow. 

Previously, Serbian media reported that Republika Srpska, Serb-majority entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina declared January 3 as a Mourning Day over the tragedy at Cetinje.