• Assembly holds session on anniversary of declaration of independence (all media)
• Kurti: Those who declared independence are unjustly in the Hague today (Telegrafi)
• Hague war crimes trial casts shadow over Kosovo’s 18th birthday celebrations (RFE)
• Rubio: US unwavering in support of Kosovo sovereignty, territorial integrity (all media)
• North Macedonia President congratulates Kosovo, “stability and prosperity” (Kallxo)
• Israel congratulates Kosovo on anniversary of declaration of independence (Express)
• Petritsch: Kosovo to sincerely engage with Serbs in the north (RFE/Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Serbia-Kosovo dialogue must be reviewed, progress too slow (Kosovo Online)
• Hand grenade and ammunition found in abandoned house in Kosovo north (Kossev)

Assembly holds session on anniversary of declaration of independence (all media)

One of the leading stories in the media today is the solemn session of the Kosovo Assembly on the anniversary of the declaration of independence. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in her address, called on MPs to stand united toward the ongoing trial of former KLA leaders in the Hague. She said that the KLA is the strongest pillar of Kosovo. “The KLA leaders who are in the Hague today together with thousands of other combatants and with the unwavering support of the people of Kosovo rose for freedom and dignity. Therefore, any attempt to equalize our liberation war with the crimes of Serbia’s genocidal regime not only undermines justice but it also gravely damages the foundations for long-term peace in our region,” she argued.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that Milosevic’s Serbia committed crimes in Kosovo and that trying to equalize the KLA leaders with a genocidal regime is completely untenable and unacceptable. He said that the charges against the former KLA leaders are unjust because they had the courage to pick up arms for freedom, against a century-long oppression and against a genocidal regime.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza in his address slammed the allegations of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against the former KLA leaders, saying that Kosovo’s trust in international justice must not be betrayed. “As we are building our future, the most glorious part of our history, the liberation war, is on the bench of the accused in the Hague … Kosovo’s trust in international justice must not be betrayed. We won’t allow history to be rewritten on the back of our sacrifice. We won’t accept an artificial equalization between the Serbian aggressor and our resistance for freedom. We won’t allow selective justice. The KLA was not a criminal enterprise; it was a liberation army, and a response to oppression, it was the voice of a people that had no other way. Kosovo wants justice, but real justice, a justice that does not relativize sacrifice, a justice that does not submit to political pressure,” he argued.

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku said that there is no process or force that can change the glory of Kosovo’s liberation war and that “the KLA is the people of Kosovo”. 

Kurti: Those who declared independence are unjustly in the Hague today (Telegrafi)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in today’s solemn meeting of the government that on the 18th anniversary of the declaration of independence one cannot but honor those who declared independence and who are being kept unjustly in the Hague today. He said that their contribution to the freedom and independence of Kosovo is precious and that history will make the right judgment. 

“Today our independence is 18 years old. It may be a young age for a state, but an important chapter in our long journey as a people. Our state, independence and constitution are indeed young, but our language, culture and people are ancient. Our state is built and stands for the values of freedom and democracy, equality and justice, prosperity and inclusion. Every citizen, regardless of language, ethnicity, religion or background, is equal before the law. One must honor the representatives that were part of the declaration of the independence of the Republic, and who are being kept unjustly in the Hague today … This year of independence finds us in the beginning of a new governing mandate. The works that await us are many, but the objective we have out before ourselves is high. Students and teachers, doctors and workers, women and men, girls and boys, we all need to do our best. Everyone expects this. Let us make them proud by working and strengthening the state. As a government, we are but an instrument to help the realization of these goals,” he said.

Hague war crimes trial casts shadow over Kosovo’s 18th birthday celebrations (RFE)

Kosovo is turning 18, but this year the anniversary is marked by protests as well as celebrations. The declaration of independence is being overshadowed by the trial of the man who proclaimed it, former President Hashim Thaci, and in particular by the prosecution's request for a 45-year prison sentence.

Closing arguments are now under way at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, with Thaci and three other former senior commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) on trial: Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi. Accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, they have been in pretrial detention since November 2020.

The Specialist Chamber was established in 2015 by the Kosovo Assembly to prosecute mainly former KLA fighters for war crimes and is part of Kosovo's judicial system, but it operates with international staff and is based in The Hague. Fear of witness intimidation was one of the reasons the court is located there.

Closing Arguments

During closing arguments, which began on February 9 and are set to conclude on February 18, the Specialized Prosecutor's Office (SPO) described the KLA as a structured organization in which the four defendants held senior leadership roles. Prosecutors alleged that more than 50 KLA detention centers were used to unlawfully detain, abuse, and kill perceived opponents, including Albanians, Serbs, Roma, and others.

They said about 100 people were killed and cited 437 detention incidents between April 1998 and August 1999, most involving civilians. The prosecution presented KLA General Staff communiques that referred to the killing of alleged collaborators with Serbia and warned others not to follow the same path. The prosecution argued the crimes were committed to consolidate control over Kosovo and outlined the defendants' roles within the KLA leadership and the Provisional Government.

During the trial, the prosecution has called around 125 witnesses, many of them anonymous.

The defense teams rejected the allegations and argued that a 45-year sentence would amount to life imprisonment.

Thaci's lawyers argued there is no direct evidence of any plan to take control of Kosovo through crimes. They said Thaci was often outside Kosovo during the period covered by the indictment and did not attend General Staff meetings. Defense lawyers also said international witnesses had testified that Thaci was not suspected of war crimes at the time and that information from diplomatic and intelligence sources did not implicate him.

Prominent Western figures -- including former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Wesley Clark, former US State Department official James Rubin, and retired US diplomat Christopher Hill -- testified for the defense.

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

Rubio: US unwavering in support of Kosovo sovereignty and territorial integrity (media)

All media cover a statement by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulating the people of Kosovo on the anniversary of the declaration of independence. “The United States remains unwavering in its support for Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we look forward to expanding the economic ties that will enhance the prosperity of both our nations. We appreciate Kosovo’s support for U.S. efforts to address global challenges and welcome its leadership as a Founding Member of the Board of Peace. As Kosovo marks this important anniversary, we look forward to even stronger cooperation in the years ahead. The United States stands with Kosovo as it continues to build a secure and prosperous future,” Rubio said.

North Macedonia President congratulates Kosovo, “stability and prosperity” (Kallxo)

North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska congratulated Kosovo on the anniversary of the declaration of independence wishing the people of Kosovo stability and prosperity. “As friendly countries, we nurture good-neighborly relations and work toward fulfilling our shared vision for the European integration of the region. I look forward to further deepening and strengthening our partnership in the interest of our citizens,” she said in a post on X.

Israel congratulates Kosovo on anniversary of declaration of independence (Express)

The Israel Foreign Ministry, in a post on X, congratulated Kosovo on the anniversary of the declaration of independence. “Dear Kosovo. Happy Independence Day! Sincerely yours, Israel,” the post notes.

Petritsch: Kosovo to sincerely engage with Serbs in the north (RFE/Kosovo Online)

Former European Union Special Envoy for Kosovo Wolfgang Petritsch, who participated in the negotiations in Rambouillet, said that Kosovo should sincerely engage with the minorities, especially with the Serb community in the north, and after a long period of democratic insecurity, get a functional and efficient government. “That would turn Kosovo into an ‘adult’ European state,” Petritsch told Radio Free Europe on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

He opined that the real challenge is to create the conditions for the young generation to see their future within Kosovo, and not outside of it. “Many citizens of Kosovo are still forced to seek their well-being outside their country,” Petritsch noted.

He expects an ambitious economic strategy from the new government of Kosovo, aligned with the agenda of the European Union. “Precisely at a time when Kurdish freedom fighters are being abandoned by the US in Iraq, or when Palestinians are further than ever from their own state, we should remind ourselves that the United States and Europe went to war to ensure Kosovo’s survival - and its eventual independence,” Petritsch said.

According to him, it contains a lesson and an obligation for Kosovo to become a respected member of the community of European democratic states.

Hill: Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo must be reviewed, progress too slow (Kosovo Online)

Former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill pointed out that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must be reviewed, since progress has been very slow so far, stating that the process is aimed at achieving achievable results - the right way.

In an interview with Kosovo Online, Hill said that the different approaches had led to some confusion, adding that he would like to see a process that really goes towards normalization, that people who live, whether in Mitrovica or elsewhere, can wake up in the morning and know what their lives will be like.

When asked whether the Board of Peace initiated by Donald Trump could offer a solution to the Kosovo issue, he honestly says that he does not know, noting that it is a complex problem, that he knows both Serbs and people in Kosovo, and that dialogue is needed. “They need to get to know each other, instead of staying on opposite sides of the table and yelling at each other, and I don't think the process should be held as it is,” Hill said.

Hand grenade and ammunition found in abandoned house in Kosovo north (Kossev)

A hand grenade and ammunition were found in an abandoned house in Donje Varage in the north of Kosovo, a Kosovo Police spokesperson confirmed to the news website today. He said the weapons were found after police got “information from the field”. No arrests were made and investigations are underway. The news website notes that weapons were found in Zvecan on Monday too.