Albanian Language Media:

• Terras calls on EU to lift measures against Kosovo (Klan)

• KFOR soldiers joint march at Camp Bondsteel (media)

• Police report: Suspects threaten a couple to leave Banjska (media)

• Radoniqi hosted De Rui, talked about CEC activities after election day (Klan)

• Asked if he will respond to Court's order, Kurti does not answer (Telegrafi)

• CEC updates preliminary results from the count of all polling stations (media)

• Publication of results for candidates for MPs begins (RTK)

   

Serbian Language Media: 

• CEC: Based on 100 percent processed polling stations Self-determination 40.80 percent, Serbian List 4.62 percent (Radio Mitrovica sever) 
• 15 minutes of silence again in N. Mitrovica: ''Next is Nis, then further south" (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
• Djuric meets with Knesset Speaker, says Serbs in Kosovo endangered (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric meets Jerusalem Patriarch, discusses position of SOC and Serbian people in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Until Kosovo is a settled issue, Serbia's interference expected (Danas)
• AJK: T7 journalists prevented from carrying out their duties at Pec Counting Centre (Radio KIM)
• Arsenijevic shares video of masked individuals removing Serbian flag from a house in Zvecan (social media)
• German Foreign Ministry concerned over Serbia developments (N1)

• BETA news agency: Anti-corruption investigations in 50 companies

• Eight arrested over illegal construction, legalization of buildings (N1)

• G20 begins in South Africa, Lavrov also present (Tanjug, RTV, Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Why the US Sees Kosovo’s Kurti as an obstacle to a deal with Serbia (BIRN)

   

International Media:

• Balkan countries must respond proactively to evolving cyber threats (BIRN)

• In the midst of mass protests, Serbian officials are recycling the narrative of a “colour revolution” (EWB)

Albanian Language Media 

Terras calls on EU to lift measures against Kosovo (Klan)

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Riho Terras, presented at today's session of the EP's Foreign Policy Committee, the draft report on the situation in Kosovo. Terras called on the European Union to lift the measures against Kosovo as soon as possible. He added that these measures are unfair. "I believe, and I emphasize in the report, that the European Union should lift the measures against Kosovo, which are also unfair. These sanctions should be lifted as soon as possible," Terras said.

Among other things, Terras said that he hopes that the new government in Kosovo will resume dialogue with Serbia. "We hope that the next government will resume dialogue with Belgrade in order to normalize relations," he said.

KFOR soldiers joint march at Camp Bondsteel (media)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a Facebook post today that multinational soldiers assigned to Regional Command East, joined together for a ruck march on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. “Training together allows KFOR to be stronger together, all while working to ensure a safe and secure environment for all communities of Kosovo. KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Mission on Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) in their respective roles as security responders,” the post notes.

Police report: Suspects threaten a couple to leave Banjska (media)

Citing the Kosovo Police 24-hour report, several news websites report that a couple in the village of Banjska near Zvecan are constantly being threatened by three suspects to leave the village. The couple reported their case to the police on Wednesday. Police said the prosecution is treating the case. 

Radoniqi hosted De Rui, talked about CEC activities after election day (Klan)

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Kreshnik Radoniqi, hosted the Italian ambassador to Kosovo, Antonello De Rui. He informed the ambassador about the activities of the CEC after the election day, such as the counting of the votes of candidates for MPs in the Municipal Counting Centers, where so far the polling stations of 31 municipalities have been counted.Radoniqi also informed De Rui about other processes being carried out by the CEC, such as the evaluation of packages with ballots from voting outside Kosovo, respectively voting by mail. The Italian ambassador congratulated the CEC and the residents of Kosovo for regular and democratic elections.

Asked if he will respond to Court's order, Kurti does not answer (Telegrafi)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti participated today at the central manifestation of Miners' Week held in Stan Terg. After the visit there, Kurti was asked by journalists if he would respond to the Court's order for testimony regarding the state reserves case, but he did not answer. "Congratulations on Miners' Week," Kurti said briefly, ignoring the journalists' question.

CEC updates preliminary results from the count of all polling stations (media)

The Central Election Commission has updated the results for political parties from the February 9 elections in Kosovo, drawn from a total of 2,533 polling stations on election day.

According to these preliminary results, Vetevendosje received 40.80 percent of the votes or 342,281 votes, the Democratic Party of Kosovo received 22.3 percent, or 184,811 votes, the Democratic League of Kosovo received 17.63 percent, or 147,888 votes, while the AAK-Nisma coalition received 7.46 percent, or 62,588 votes.

Certification of these results by the CEC is expected to take place only when the vote count is fully completed, initially those for MPs, then votes from the diaspora, conditional votes, and those of people with special needs.

Publication of results for candidates for MPs begins (RTK)

The Central Election Commission on Thursday began publishing the results for candidates for MPs. The votes for MPs can be found at: https://rezultatet2025.net.

"We inform you that after counting the votes of the candidates for MPs and verifying the results of the political entities from the results forms filled out at the polling stations, a process that has been carried out and is continuing at the Municipal Counting Centers, the results for the political entities and candidates for MPs have been published on the electronic platform https://rezultatet2025.net. These results include data from 2,290 (90.41%) of the 2,533 polling stations counted so far at the Municipal Counting Centers and that the results of other polling stations will be published progressively. Also, these results do not include the results of conditional votes, votes of persons with special needs and votes from voting outside Kosovo, the counting of which will be done in the coming days at the Counting and Results Center," wrote the spokesperson for the CEC, Valmir Elezi.

Serbian Language Media

CEC: Based on 100 percent processed polling stations Self-determination 40.80 percent, Serbian List 4.62 percent (Radio Mitrovica sever) 

The Central Election Commission (CEC) in Pristina announced the preliminary results of political parties in the elections for the assembly, based on the counting of all polling stations, according to which the Self-Determination Movement won 342,281 votes or 40.80 percent, reported Radio Mitrovica sever.  

The second is the Democratic Party of Kosovo, which won 184,811 votes or 22.03 percent, and the third is the Democratic Union of Kosovo with 147,888 votes or 17.63 percent of the votes, according to data published on the CEC website.

The coalition around the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo won 62,588 votes or 7.46 percent.

In the February 9 elections, the Serbian list received 38,719 votes or 4.61 percent.

15 minutes of silence again in N. Mitrovica: ''Next is Nis, then further south" (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kosovo Online)

The message of Stanika Lazarevic from Zubin Potok, "Only justice can bring a little peace", is the most powerful message from today's "15 minutes of silence" gathering in the northern part of Mitrovica, wrote KoSSev.

For the fifth time in North Mitrovica, and the fourth organized by students, a gathering called "15 minutes of silence for 15 victims" was held on the town square. 

The initiative was started by the students of the University of Pristina with the Temporary headquarters in North Mitrovica, who invited citizens to join.

Near Knez Lazar, about a hundred people, mostly elderly, by 15-minute silence for the victims in Novi Sad, paid their respects in very cold weather.

In the first row, those gathered carried banners, among which was the one with the inscription: "We live and walk as if on ice bars, we don't know when they might break. Justice must be profitable", but also "I know how the families of victims in Novi Sad feel. Support for the students who fight for liability".

Stanika Lazarevic from Zubin Potok came today with a banner "A mother who lost her sons knows pain. Only justice can bring some peace to the family."

This Kolasin resident lost her 23- and 24-year-old sons - the first in the 1999 war, and the second a few years later in a traffic accident.

After giving the 15-minute respect, the gathered slowly dispersed.

Djuric meets with Knesset Speaker, says Serbs in Kosovo endangered (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met yesterday in Jerusalem with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, informing him about the situation in Kosovo and the threats faced by the Serbian population, as well as frequent provocations and unilateral actions by Pristina. Djuric also held discussions with Tzachi Hanegbi, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Recalling the historical friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the Serbian and Jewish peoples, Djuric expressed confidence that his visit to Israel would contribute to strengthening the ties between the two countries.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/0cdBe

Djuric meets Jerusalem Patriarch, discusses position of SOC and Serbian people in Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric informed Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilus III today about the situation faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church, its clergy and believers in Kosovo, Tanjug news agency reported.

As Foreign Ministry said in a statement Djuric with particular concern presented the data “that in the last 20 years, around 150 churches, monasteries and other buildings have been destroyed, damaged and desecrated in the southern province, and that four Serbian medieval sacred buildings in Kosovo and Metohija are on the UNESCO list of endangered heritage”.

Djuric also pointed out that in the last few years, almost 15 percent of Serbs have left the territory of Kosovo due to, as he said, intense pressures and threats to their survival and basic rights.

Until Kosovo is a settled issue, Serbia's interference expected (Danas)

The German Ambassador in Pristina, Jorn Rohde, accused Serbia of interfering in the Kosovo elections, referring to the report of the EU observation mission. Although the actions of official Belgrade can be seen as interference in Kosovo's election process, Danas interlocutor claims that this is reasonable because Serbia still sees Kosovo as part of its territory, and that until Kosovo isn't a "settled issue" one cannot expect a different approach.

Marko Milenkovic from the NGO New Social Initiative told Danas daily that official Belgrade has been interfering in the election processes in Kosovo for years and adds that it is reasonable in a way because Serbia, according to the Constitution, sees Kosovo as the territory of Serbia.

"In that sense, we cannot expect anything else, as long as the political processes last, especially the last three years, when there is no progress in the dialogue between the two sides," says Milenkovic.

He points out that it is normal for Serbia to interfere in the election process because it determines to a certain extent the positions within the dialogue, but also the position of the Serbian community in Kosovo.

"Even if you were to ask the Serbian community in Kosovo, I think that people would like Belgrade to be involved in political events, and to a greater extent than it is now," claims Milenkovic and recalls that Serbian elections were also maintained in Kosovo until the Self-Determination government. 

Milenkovic reminds that Serbia is still the biggest employer for the Serbian community, as well as a kind of guarantor and financier of multi-ethnic Kosovo.

"The Serbian community is most dependent on Serbian institutions that employ a large number of people, so we still have Serbian institutions here that function within the framework of health and education," he told Danas. 

Therefore, he adds, as long as Kosovo is not "solved or the story settled", it can be expected that Serbia will have interests in getting involved in the election process and participating in some way.

"We can discuss whether that participation is good or bad, how it relates to democracy in the Serbian community, that is another aspect, but it is normal to expect that official Belgrade will interfere in the election process here, because it has interests on the ground itself," Milenkovic emphasizes.

He also reminds that the Serbs in Kosovo are also citizens of the Republic of Serbia and that they have Serbian documents, and that is why it is logical for Belgrade to be involved in political processes.

On the other hand, he points out that the Serbian community in Kosovo is in trouble because there are "clear indications that even these rights guaranteed to Serbs are being tried to be removed and collapsed by the government of self-determination".

As a similar scenario to the Serbian interference in the elections, Milenkovic cites the statements of the Special Envoy of the President of the United States of America, Richard Grenell, who criticized Kurti and denied his allegations about Kosovo's cooperation with the USA.

"In that sense, we can also look at it as the interference of the international community in the elections, because on the one hand we had Serbia supporting one option, and on the other the American administration which was clearly against the Self-Determination regime," Milenkovic told Danas.

AJK: T7 journalists prevented from carrying out their duties at Pec Counting Centre (Radio KIM)

Journalists of TV T7 were prevented from reporting at the Vote Counting Centre in Pec yesterday, and even received threats their camera would be broken, Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said. They termed the act as “unacceptable attack on freedom of media and work of journalists”, Radio KIM reported.

As it was said the journalists of TV7 were allegedly prevented from reporting by the Vote Counting Centre in Pec manager Abdurrahim Haxhisefa.

“According to information, the journalist Arianite Zhergova and cameraman Gjens Karaqi were stopped and prevented from carrying out their journalistic assignment and they were even threatened their camera would be broken”, AJK said in a statement.

The AJK also claimed the incident took place in presence of Central Election Commission Chair Kreshnik Radoniqi, who as they claim “did not intervene”.

The AJK also called on CEC to undertake appropriate measures, and guarantee a safe environment for journalists while reporting on election processes. 

Arsenijevic shares video of masked individuals removing Serbian flag from a house in Zvecan (social media)

Serbian Democracy leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic posted on social media a video showing the removal of a Serbian flag from a private property in Zvecan.

“Late last night, masked individuals pulled over their Toyota Land Cruiser in Zvecan and removed the Serbian flag that had been placed on private property. This type of vehicle is also owned by the Kosovo police; however, the license plate is unreadable in the video. We demand that KFOR and EULEX request the Kosovo police to release additional footage from street cameras to identify the vehicle and the perpetrators”, Arsenijevic said in a post on X, tagging KFOR and EULEX Missions. 

The video he referred to is available at: https://tinyurl.com/5n6v5kva

German Foreign Ministry concerned over Serbia developments (N1)

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed concern over developments in Serbia on Wednesday.

“After the tragic incident in Novi Sad, attacks, allegations, and hate campaigns against students, journalists, and activists have repeatedly been reported. We expect a speedy and impartial investigation of these attacks. Everyone in Serbia should be able to express their concerns freely and without interference or intimidation”, the spokesman told N1. “We monitor with great concern the developments in Serbia”, he added.

According to the spokesman, the fundamental values of the EU, such as freedom of assembly and the rule of law, apply equally to member states and candidate countries. “Germany supports Serbia on its path to EU integration. That includes frank and respectful dialogue, including on the need to observe the fundamental rights of citizens”, the spokesperson also said.

BETA news agency: Anti-corruption investigations in 50 companies

The BETA news agency said on Wednesday that anti-corruption prosecutors ordered investigations in some 50 companies across Serbia, N1 reported.

It was told by sources at the Special Anti-Corruption Section of the Higher Public Prosecution that the police launched the investigations in more than 50 companies on Wednesday.

“The investigations are being conducted by the Tax Administration and the Criminal Police Directorate as part of an operation to uncover and prosecute domestic criminal corruption”, it added.

The investigations are part of the crackdown on corruption that has resulted in dozens of arrests. “Certain circles consider this the regime’s attempt to deflect attention from the university student protests, which have been going on for months in response to the 15 deaths caused by the Nov. 1, 2024 accident at Novi Sad Railway Station”, BETA said.

Eight arrested over illegal construction, legalization of buildings (N1)

Former secretary of the Belgrade Secretariat for Legalization of Buildings Nemanja Stajic was arrested on the orders of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade on suspicion of approving the legalization of several illegally constructed buildings. Nemanja’s brother, Novak Stajic, was also arrested.

On the orders of the Third Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, and in collaboration with the police and the City of Belgrade Construction Inspection Department, six more people were arrested on suspicion of construction without the required building permits.

G20 begins in South Africa, Lavrov also present (Tanjug, RTV, Kosovo Online)

The meeting of the G20 foreign affairs ministers begins in South Africa today, and will last until February 21 in Johannesburg, reported Kosovo Online, citing RTV. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also attend the meeting, and as the ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told RIA Novosti, Lavrov will present a detailed analysis of the international situation at the plenary sessions.

The G20 includes Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, China, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, USA, Türkiye, France, South Korea, South Africa, Japan, as well as the European Union and the African Union.

On December 1 last year, South Africa took over the presidency of the G20 from Brazil. Pretoria will hand it over to the United States at the end of November.

The theme of the South African presidency is "Solidarity, equality and sustainable development".

Opinion

Why the US Sees Kosovo’s Kurti as an obstacle to a deal with Serbia (Balkan Insight)

By David B. Kanin

Washington wants a new government in Pristina that will strike a ‘normalisation’ agreement that Donald Trump can claim credit for – while stabilising Aleksandar Vucic’s embattled regime in Serbia.

Richard Grenell has had a busy week working in the cause of international justice. On behalf of the new US administration, he pressed Romania to lift restrictions on the brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, self-proclaimed masters of masculinity accused of money-laundering, sex trafficking and, in Andrew Tate’s case, rape.

The charges matter less than the brothers' far-right politics and Washington’s alleged sympathy for the cause of Calin Georgescu, the independent nationalist who surprisingly came first in the first round of Romania’s recent presidential elections, only to have the courts throw out the process and mandate a re-run.

Grenell also called for the release of Kosovo’s former President, Hashim Thaci, from what he called “wrongful imprisonment” in The Hague under the jurisdiction of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers war crimes court. Grenell’s use of the hashtag “Jack Smith” implied Washington considers the court’s behaviour toward Thaci as repellent as that of the US prosecutor who investigated Trump’s behaviour in response to his defeat in the 2020 elections – and who, before that, was also chief prosecutor at the Hague court.

Perhaps the US is sincerely concerned with alleged injustice in the Tate and Thaci cases. However, Washington’s sanctions against officials of the International Criminal Court, Trump’s stated approval of Napoleon’s dictum that he who saves his country does not violate any law, and attacks by Elon Musk and Trump loyalists in Congress on US judges, suggest less than full American respect for laws and legal institutions. Trump appears likely to treat international courts as minor nuisances.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2zx4p3uj

International

Balkan countries must respond proactively to evolving cyber threats (BIRN)

As cyberattacks in the region become ever more sophisticated and daring, Western Balkan governments need to improve their cybersecurity frameworks and cooperate, a new BIRN report warns.

The cybersecurity landscape in the Western Balkans has undergone a transformation in recent years, marked by a rise in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting state institutions, critical infrastructure and media organisations, says a new report by BIRN.

“Navigating the Evolving Threat Landscape and Institutional Responses to Cybersecurity Threats in the Western Balkans”, published on Tuesday, covering the years 2022 to 2024, highlights how, as digitalisation advances, vulnerabilities in the region’s governmental systems have become apparent. 

Cyberattacks in countries such as Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina underscore a need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks, improved coordination among stakeholders and enhanced public awareness, according to the report.

“This report shows that while governments in the Western Balkans have taken steps to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, these efforts are often reactive rather than proactive. Institutional advancements frequently come in response to major cyber incidents rather than as part of a strategic, forward-thinking approach,” said Amina Mahovic, manager of BIRN’s Digital Rights Programme.

“Many reforms are shaped by external pressures, such as EU directives, rather than by a genuine commitment to addressing local cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” Mahovic added.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3jx5kayd

In the midst of mass protests, Serbian officials are recycling the narrative of a “colour revolution” (EWB)

The popular narrative of a “colour revolution” attempting to overthrow the government has been recycled by Serbian officials in the midst of the ongoing widespread student-led protests. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić is claiming, on a daily basis, that foreign influences are orchestrating the ongoing anti-government protests. The same messages were heard during this week’s meetings between Serbian government ministers and Russian officials.

According to Vučić, international organisations, such as the suspended USAID, had funded efforts to destabilise Serbia.

“And now I tell you – their colour revolution has failed. Inform USAID, NED (National Endowment for Democracy) and EED (European Endowment for Democracy). Let them all know – it is over. Serbia has won, and you will never defeat Serbia”, Vučić said, addressing his supporters at a pro-government rally organised on 15 February in Sremska Mitrovica.

In addition, addressing the people in the town of Kikinda earlier this month, Aleksandar Vučić stated that he would write a textbook entitled “How I Defeated a Colour Revolution in Serbia”. According to the President, his experience in countering the protests would serve as a model for other countries facing similar movements.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/57yvfwm3