UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2026

Nagavci: VV doesn’t have an official position for a specific name for President (EO)
Hoxhaj: I’d personally vote for a candidate from Jashari family for President (media)
Guerot on President election: Up to the parties to find the right way (Kosovapress)
Osmani: Kosovo forever grateful to U.S. for steadfast support during all stages (Koha)
Rapajic: Kurti is cautious about Board of Peace (Kosovo Online)
Albanian Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo on Wednesday, will meet Kurti (EO)
British Chamber of Commerce: Urgent measures needed in mining sector (media)
BIRN & Internews Kosova documentary maps out migrant smuggling networks (PI)
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee visits Kosovo (Nacionale)
German embassy donates vehicles and IT equipment for Kosovo border police (Telegrafi)

Nagavci: VV doesn’t have an official position for a specific name for President (EO)

Head of the Vetevendosje Movement parliamentary group, Arberie Nagavci, said in an interview with the news website today, that this party does not have an official position on any specific name for Kosovo President, including Vjosa Osmani or someone from the Jashari family. “Currently we don’t have a concrete name for whom we would know there is full support to proceed with voting, namely with securing the required 80 votes for the President. Prime Minister Kurti will continue discussions with all those that can have an impact in the process, primarily with the leaders of parties, MPs, parliamentary groups, in order to make sure that by March 5, when we need to elect the president, we have at least 80 MPs that will stay in the room. The best scenario would be for all of them to take part in the vote,” she said.

Hoxhaj: I’d personally vote for a candidate from Jashari family for President (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj said today that he would personally support a candidate from the Jashari family for Kosovo President. “It is a political decision that the party will make, but I would personally vote in favor of a candidate from the Jashari family,” he said.

Guerot on President election: Up to the parties to find the right way (Kosovapress)

French Ambassador to Kosovo, Olivier Guerot, in an interview with the news agency today, was asked about the election of the Kosovo President. He said it is up to the political parties to find the right way on the matter. “I think it is very good that the political parties are talking with each other. It is up to them to find a solution. The institutional framework of the Constitution of Kosovo provides that political parties need to talk with each other. Certainly I don’t want to comment on these discussions now because it is up to them to find the right way for the election of the President,” he said.

Osmani: Kosovo forever grateful to U.S. for steadfast support during all stages (Koha)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani received on Monday in a farewell meeting the outgoing Commander of KFOR Regional Command East, Colonel Jonathan Lloyd from the Louisiana National Guard, as well as his successor, Colonel Sam Sargeant. Osmani thanked Colonel Lloyd for his service and dedication during his mandate in Kosovo, highly appreciating his contribution to strengthening security and stability in the country and the region. As a sign of gratitude, she presented him with a certificate of appreciation for his valuable commitment. Osmani welcomed Colonel Sargeant, assuring him of the full support of Kosovo institutions in fulfilling his mandate and the NATO-led KFOR mission.

“President Osmani expressed deep gratitude, on behalf of the people of Kosovo, for the continued presence of the United States Army in the country as part of the KFOR mission, which is vital for peace, security, and stability in Kosovo and the region. In this context, Madam President emphasized that Kosovo will always remain grateful to the United States for its steadfast support during all stages,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.

Rapajic: Kurti is cautious about Board of Peace (Kosovo Online)

Aleksandar Rapajic, program director of the NGO Center for the Promotion of Democratic Culture from North Mitrovica, says that by accepting the invitation to participate in the Board of Peace, Kosovo is trying to improve its relations with the United States. He sees Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s caution on this matter as an attempt to avoid angering European partners, who are generally against the Board of Peace.

“Kosovo’s relations with the United States have been quite strained in recent years, especially due to certain instances when Albin Kurti’s govrnment spoke against the Constitutional Court and judicial institutions in general, which greatly upset the Americans. Participation in the Board of Peace is an excellent opportunity for Kosovo to improve its relations with the United States,” Rapajic told Kosovo Online.

He adds that he does not believe that Albin Kurti and Vjosa Osmani are acting in different ways, as over the years they have generally coordinated their actions.

“I think they are trying not to upset the Europeans, who are generally against the Board of Peace. That is why Kurti remains silent about the Board while Vjosa Osmani accepts it. It is a kind of game where they try to stay on good terms with everyone and avoid angering anyone. I do not think Vjosa Osmani and Kurti are separating or have disagreements. European partners, especially Britain and Germany, are not in favor of this Board of Peace, and since they have been the main sponsors and supporters of the Kosovo Government in recent years, this is why Kurti is cautious about the Board of Peace,” Rapajic says.

Albanian Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo on Wednesday, will meet Kurti (EO)

Albanian Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali will visit Kosovo on Wednesday and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

British Chamber of Commerce: Urgent measures needed in mining sector (media)

Most news websites cover a press release by the British Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo calling for urgent measures in the mining sector in Kosovo. “Kosovo's mining sector requires immediate institutional attention to restore legal security, investor confidence and regulatory credibility. Recent developments related to the functioning of the Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals (KPMM) have created serious operational challenges for the industry, significantly impacting licensing procedures, compliance with legal deadlines, and the stability of the investment climate. Timely decision-making, equal treatment of private and public enterprises, and full compliance with the legal framework are essential to ensure that Kosovo remains competitive and attractive to international investment in mining exploration and development,” the statement notes.

BIRN & Internews Kosova documentary maps out migrant smuggling networks (PI)

On Friday, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, in Kosovo and Internews Kosova launched the investigative documentary, “Smuggling without Borders,” uncovering how smugglers use routes in Kosovo for migrants to pass through the Balkans and further into European Union countries and/or the United Kingdom.

The film documents how organised criminal groups, exploit migrants using both clandestine border routes and fraudulent work visa schemes, generating millions in profit while exposing victims to intimidation, abuse and torture.

Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo, said the documentary connects Kosovo’s own migration history with the current wave. “Today, migrants from Syria, India, and other countries and nationalities are using the same routes” that Kosovo Albanians used during the 1990s, Xharra said, adding that, “we know what drives someone to take that path, our memory is still fresh.

While the visa liberalisation with Schengen countries has reduced the need for Kosovo citizens to rely on smugglers, Xharra noted that criminal groups remain active across the region. The documentary reveals what Xharra described as “a side of Kosovo where few people are aware of criminal groups that kidnap, beat, and in some cases kill migrants.”

The documentary shows footage obtained from migrants’ own mobile phones showing scenes of torture and abuse. “The film contrasts the vulnerability of migrants with the wealth and brutality of those organising the smuggling operations,” Xharra said.

Blerim Isufaj, Chief Special Prosecutor, said illegal migration remains a serious security challenge requiring coordinated institutional and international action. “Illegal migration today demands cooperation, awareness and coordinated response,” Isufaj said. “Our role is clear—to protect the law, prosecute offenders and ensure no one profits from violating it.”