UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani and Swedish Ambassador sign Cooperation Agreement (RTK)
Six people arrested for assaulting police officers in Mitrovica North (media)
KFOR Finnish soldiers conduct patrol in northern Kosovo (media)
Feith to Kosovo: Don't take U.S. support for granted from now on (euronews.al)
Prelec calls CEC’s protracted vote count a state collapse (ekonomia)
Enver Hoxhaj congratulates German CDU officials (Blic)
Kurti: Faik Rexhepi – symbol of important political events (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic receives EP's Fourlas, says Serbia remains on EU path (Tanjug)
Vucic: Serbia should have abstained in UNGA vote on EU resolution on Ukraine (Tanjug, media)
Serbian List condemns mistreatment of young men during arrest by Kosovo police (Kosovo Online, media)
Claims of excessive use of force by Kosovo police during arrest of six men in Mitrovica North, police deny (Alternativna.com, Radio KIM)
Brnabic: I will meet with Picula, his assessment of Serbia's progress is ‘disgrace’ (Tanjug)
Police raid NGOs, investigating USAID funding (N1, RTS)
Joe Travel provides free transport for upcoming students protest in Nis from Mitrovica North (Radio kontakt plus)

International Media:

Dazed and confused: Kosovo parties mull options after indecisive election (BIRN)
‘Case Closed’: How Kosovo authorities neglected investigation into North Mitrovica incident (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani and Swedish Ambassador sign Cooperation Agreement (RTK)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani received today the Ambassador of Sweden to Kosovo, Jonas Westerlund. They discussed the latest developments in Kosovo and cooperation in overcoming challenges on the European continent. The Presidency of Kosovo announced through a Facebook post that Osmani, Ambassador Westerlund as well as the Executive Director of the Balkan Policy Research Group, Naim Rashiti, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, which will provide the Office of the President with the support of the Swedish state through professional expertise from the scope of the Presidency institution. The Presidency announced that this memorandum of cooperation marks another concrete step "towards strengthening institutional capacities and creating policies based on international expertise and best practices."

Six people arrested for assaulting police officers in Mitrovica North (media)

Several news websites report that six people were arrested for assaulting three police officers in Mitrovica North. The suspects got into a fight and after the police intervened, the suspects first insulted and then assaulted the police officers causing bodily injuries to three of them. Police said in a statement that all suspects tested positive for alcohol and following an order by the prosecutor were sent to 48-hour detention.

KFOR Finnish soldiers conduct patrol in northern Kosovo (media)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a Facebook post today that Finnish engineer soldiers, assigned to Regional Command East, conducted a routine patrol in northern Kosovo along the Administrative Boundary Line in order to analyze current road and bridge conditions. “These efforts are part of KFOR's daily mission to guarantee a safe and secure environment for all communities living in 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.

Feith calls on Kosovo: Don't take U.S. support for granted from now on (euronews.al)

Pieter Feith, the former EU representative for Kosovo, said in an interview that the political class in Kosovo should not take U.S. support for granted under Donald Trump. Feith said that the new administration is looking at economic interest above all else and in this context, Serbia is much more attractive in terms of minerals that are of interest to it. "I have friendly advice for the political class in Kosovo: don't take U.S. support for granted from now on, things have changed. In the dialogue with Serbia, Serbia is attractive not only to the EU but also to the U.S. because of minerals that are of interest to the U.S., which these days sees the future through Artificial Intelligence. The Kosovo government should understand that it must remain flexible where necessary, of course without giving up its national interest. It would be wise to normalize relations with Serbia as soon as possible," Feith said.

Prelec calls CEC’s protracted vote count a state collapse (ekonomia)

Marko Prelec, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said he was thinking about how in Germany the vote count ended a few hours after the vote, while in Kosovo today it was 15 days since the parliamentary elections on February 9 and not all the votes have been counted. He called what is happening in Kosovo after the elections a “collapse of state capacity”. “After such an inexplicable delay, how can the government expect people to trust the results? Which – I assume – will surely be correct”, he wrote.

Enver Hoxhaj congratulates German CDU officials (Blic)

Former Foreign Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj has congratulated the German CDU officials who were re-elected to the Bundestag. Their victory, he said, is “excellent news” for Germany, Europe and the integration of Kosovo and the Western Balkans.

“Heartfelt congratulations to my German CDU friends, Johann Wadephul, Gunther Krichbaum, Florian Hahn, Peter Beyer, Knut Abraham and Roderich Kiesewetter, on their re-election to the Bundestag! Their victory is excellent news for a strong Germany, a more united Europe and for continued support for the integration of Kosovo and the Western Balkans," Hoxhaj wrote in a Facebook post. "I had the pleasure of working with them and I know that their commitment to democratic values, security and development is unwavering," he added.

Kurti: Faik Rexhepi – symbol of important political events (RTK)

A commemorative meeting was held for Faik Rexhepi, the man who became a symbol of resistance against Slobodan Milosevic, with his act of resistance in the square of Pristina. The acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, under whose patronage this organization was held, said that Rexhepi demonstrated his stoic attitude. “There are very rare cases and so few people who manage to rise from mediocrity and become a symbol of important political events of the time. One of these cases and these people is Faik Rexhepi”, Kurti said.

"At that time, a meeting of the American delegation was being held, thousands of people wanted to let them know that they were very dear to us and to show them that we were discriminated against. Among thousands of people, he sat on the ground with a stoic attitude,", Kurti said among others.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic receives EP's Fourlas, says Serbia remains on EU path (Tanjug)

Serbia remains on the EU path and is confirming that through concrete reform steps, economic stability and a contribution to regional cooperation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at a meeting with Loucas Fourlas, chair of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee, Tanjug news agency reported.

In a post on his official Instagram account, Vucic wrote he had a good and constructive meeting with Fourlas about Serbia's EU integration, the necessary reforms and key challenges on that path, as well as about the EP's role in that process.

"I reiterated that Serbia remains on the European path, which we are confirming through concrete reform steps, economic stability and a contribution to regional cooperation", Vucic noted. He added he thanked Fourlas for his engagement and advocacy of Serbia's progress in the EU integration process, as well as for his objective approach to Serbia's efforts on the reform path.

Vucic: Serbia should have abstained in UNGA vote on EU resolution on Ukraine (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday evening Serbia had voted for an EU resolution on Ukraine in the UN General Assembly, but that this was a mistake and it should have abstained, Tanjug news agency reported.

"I think Serbia made a mistake. I apologise to the Serbian citizens for that and I myself am to blame for this, I guess because I am tired and under too much of a burden and I do not have the time to deal with everything", Vucic said on a Happy TV talk show.

"As for the US resolution, we voted in just the right way - we abstained. In my opinion, we should also have abstained regarding the European resolution. As you can see, I am saying this now when it is completely clear I will fall out of favour with the EU or lose political gains because of it. I believe Serbia should have abstained", Vucic said.

"The explanation I heard after is that it (a vote in favour of the resolution) would confirm our positions on territorial integrity. But we would not have denied them even if we had abstained. I do not think we should ingratiate ourselves with any power - the Russians, Americans, or anyone else", Vucic said.

In a reaction, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday Moscow accepted Vucic's apology for the mistake in the vote on an "anti-Russian resolution". "Of course, we heard the apology, and we accepted it. Technical mistakes happen", the Russian RIA news agency quoted Peskov as saying. Peskov also commended Vucic's "quick reaction" as head of state.

Serbian List condemns mistreatment of young men during arrest by Kosovo police (Kosovo Online, media)

In a statement published today the Serbian List said it condemns in the strongest terms “police brutality during the arrest of six young men last night in Mitrovica North”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

It also requested Kosovo Police Inspectorate to launch an immediate investigation into this incident and suspend those involved until the closure of investigation.

"Violation of the law, police rules of engagement with citizens, and above all the violation of the human rights of citizens is a consequence of incendiary rhetoric fuelled by the regime in Pristina, as well as impunity of those responsible for hundreds of attacks on Serbs”, Serbian List said.

“As long as we wait for years for the verdicts to police officers who abused their powers and physically and mentally abused our fellow citizens, same as for KSF member who shot Stefan and Milos who were carrying a Christmas Tree in Gotovusa, such acts will keep reoccurring", the statement added.

Serbian List said it expects EULEX to publish a report on monitoring work of Kosovo police, in particular in north of Kosovo, with emphasis on cases containing, as the statement said, obvious evidence of police brutality.

It was also said that Serbian List will continue demanding from international representatives "the withdrawal of parapolice mono-ethnic police formations from Serbian areas because they threaten the peace in this region with their escalating moves".

Claims of excessive use of force by Kosovo police during arrest of six men in Mitrovica North, police deny (Alternativna.com, Radio KIM)

Six persons were arrested last night after midnight in Mitrovica North, at King Peter Street, Kosovo police told Alternativna.com portal.

One of the men, who was in a group with those apprehended, claimed that Kosovo police used excessive force. Police said the arrest was made because of a brawl, claiming that afterwards “an attack on official persons” took place, and that those apprehended were sent to 48-detention.

N.N., (24), N.N., (26), A.B., (28), A.B., (30), I.R. (24), and B.D., (19) were arrested.

Testimony of a young man

“They were using force even though there was no need for it at all. I told them in Serbian, and in English there is no need for it (the force), that we did not endanger any security by anything. This all could have been resolved much more peacefully”, Jovan Smilic said in a video published by Serbian Democracy.

He said none of the young men offered resistance, and that police used tear gas and threw some of them to the ground.

“We were absolutely guilty of nothing, there are surveillance cameras that recorded the entire situation. This all could have been resolved more peacefully… tear gas was unnecessary”, he said as well.

He admitted there was ‘pushing’ among the young men themselves, but, as he added, there was no reason for police to react or use force.

On the other hand, Kosovo police claimed there was “an attack on an official person”, adding that six young men were arrested and were intoxicated. “Police saw a group of people. They fought each other. Police gave the order to stop, they stopped and then started again. When police attempted to prevent them, an attack on an official person was carried”, Petrit Fejza from Kosovo police said. As police said in the statement “they acted professionally”.

Brnabic: I will meet with Picula, his assessment of Serbia's progress is ‘disgrace’ (Tanjug)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic confirmed on Sunday evening she would meet with the European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula in Belgrade even though his assessment of Serbia's progress on the EU path was a "disgrace", Tanjug news agency reported.

"Will that be the most beautiful thing in my life? It will not. Would I, as Ana Brnabic, like to speak with Tonino Picula? Never. But as speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, I have to speak with EP rapporteurs", Brnabic told Euronews Serbia. She noted that Picula's assessment that Serbia had made limited, or no progress overall was a "disgrace".

"A big disgrace. A disgrace to him. We will see how the EP will react. If it adopts such things, factually incorrect things stated in that resolution, then it will, to an extent, be a disgrace to the EP as well", Brnabic said.

The EP announced earlier Picula would be visiting Belgrade from February 23 through 26 on a fact-finding mission. He is due to meet with Serbia's political leadership, government members and opposition representatives, as well as with representatives of the media, civil society and the business sector, an EP statement said.

Police raid NGOs, investigating USAID funding (N1, RTS)

The Belgrade police raided the offices of two democracy watchdog NGOs under warrants from anti-corruption prosecutors, the Serbian public broadcaster RTS reported on Tuesday.

According to the RTS, the CRTA and Civic Initiatives NGOs were being investigated for possible misuse of funds from USAID. “Following statements by the FBI director on the misuse of USAID funds, the Belgrade Prosecution is investigating the activities of certain NGOs”, the RTS said.

Other Serbian media reported investigations into the use of USAID funds started when US President Donald Trump took office. It added that the Trump administration found millions had been used inappropriately and that the investigation into the use of those funds extended to several countries including Serbia. Informer said USAID funds were used to finance NGOs and media in Serbia and added that Trump himself revealed that huge funds were earmarked to exert influence on the election process in Serbia.

Joe Travel provides free transport for upcoming students protest in Nis from Mitrovica North (Radio kontakt plus)

An 8-hour long blockade was announced by students on March 1, in Nis, Radio kontakt plus reported. For all those from northern Kosovo wishing to take part in the protest in Nis, Joe Travel company will provide free transportation from Mitrovica North.

The departure will take place on March 1, at 6.45 in the morning, while return back is planned for 20.00 from Nis on the same day.

Another 15 Minutes of Silence vigil to pay tribute to 15 people who died at Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse on November 1, last year, will be organized in Mitrovica North, tomorrow, February 26.

International

Dazed and confused: Kosovo parties mull options after indecisive election (BIRN)

Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje party remains tight-lipped about possible partners after its inconclusive ‘win’ makes the prospect of complex coalition talks likely. Kosovo faces a complicated political period as parties wait for the Central Election Commission, CEC, to complete the vote count before they explore the options about the next government.

Kurti’s Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) party again came first, but its share of the popular vote shrank from 50.2 per cent in 2021 to 41 per cent.

After four years of ruling alone, it faces the prospect of having to strike a deal with one of three bitter rivals – the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, which came second, with some 22 per cent, the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, which won 17.6 per cent, or the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, which won 7.5 per cent.