Albanian Language Media:

 

• EU avoids answer to Trump’s claims about solving Kosovo-Serbia issue (AP)
• Trump: National emergency with respect to the Western Balkans (media)
• Bahtiri says he’ll leave Vetevendosje in the event of a coalition with PDK (media)
• Murati: Post of deputy speaker for Serb community should not go to SL (media)
• Kosovo falls by three positions on Global Peace Index 2025 (media)
• Kurti hails agreement between Ukraine and CoE on Special Tribunal (media)
• Testing on Iber Bridge done by a company contracted by the EU (Koha)
• “Evidence: Arsenijevic drives the vehicle of a ‘Banjska terrorist’” (TeVe1)

Serbian Language Media:

• Andric Rakic: Stories about two new bridges please public in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Gogic: New bridges between South and North Mitrovica part of pre-election rhetoric (media)
• SNF calls on Serbian mayors to raise Serbian flags on Saint Vitus Day (Radio KIM)
• Arlov banned from entering Kosovo again (TV Most, media)
• Milivojevic: Students are not terrorists, but Radoicic who roams Serbia with a paramilitary unit and provokes armed incidents (KoSSev)
• Arrests across Serbia (N1, KoSSev)
• Students announce the time and place of Belgrade protest (N1)

International:

• Parliament deadlock, critics question legality of Kosovo govt decisions (BIRN)
• Obligation of businesses entering free energy market challenged at court (PI)
• Court ruling brings risk of reversal of power market liberalization in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com)
• Serbia's students plan major rally after issuing 'ultimatum' (DW)

Albanian Language Media 

EU avoids answer to Trump’s claims about solving Kosovo-Serbia issue (AP)

The European Union has refused to give a direct answer to a question by the news website about US President Donald Trump’s mentioning his mediation in resolving disagreements between Kosovo and Serbia as part of the US role in preventing international conflicts. “The EU has very clear interests in the Western Balkans and strongly supports the enlargement perspective of the region. At the same time, there is good cooperation between the EU and the US and other partners in reaching our shared objective for a sustainable and economically developed Western Balkans … We expect both Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue and to implement all agreements without delay or conditions. We will continue our practical cooperation with the US,” a spokesperson for the EU told the news website.

Trump: National emergency with respect to the Western Balkans (media)

Most news websites report that US President Donald Trump has declared a continuation of the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans. “On June 26, 2001, by Executive Order 13219, the President declared a national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions of persons engaged in, or assisting, sponsoring, or supporting, (i) extremist violence in the former Republic of Macedonia (what is now the Republic of North Macedonia) and elsewhere in the Western Balkans region, or (ii) acts obstructing implementation of the Dayton Accords in Bosnia or United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999, in Kosovo. The President subsequently amended that order in Executive Order 13304 of May 28, 2003, to take additional steps with respect to certain actions that obstruct implementation of, among other things, the Ohrid Framework Agreement of 2001 relating to the former Republic of Macedonia (what is now the Republic of North Macedonia). On June 8, 2021, the President signed Executive Order 14033, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13219, as amended, finding that the situation in the territory of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Albania (the Western Balkans), over the past two decades, including the undermining of post-war agreements and institutions following the breakup of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as widespread corruption within various governments and institutions in the Western Balkans, stymies progress toward effective and democratic governance and full integration into transatlantic institutions, and thereby constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. On January 8, 2025, the President signed Executive Order 14140, in view of events in the Western Balkans, including continued attempts by individuals to challenge the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Western Balkans nations, to undermine post-war agreements and institutions, to engage in significant corruption that erodes the rule of law and trust in democratic governance, and to evade United States Government sanctions, and in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans,” the statement notes.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/2AyrI

Bahtiri says he’ll leave Vetevendosje in the event of a coalition with PDK (media)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Agim Bahtiri, said he would leave the party if it reached a coalition agreement with the Democratic Party of Kosovo. In an interview with RTV21, Bahtiri said: “I will never believe it [the eventual coalition]. But I can tell you one thing, and this is my opinion, the moment that Vetevendosje goes with the PDK, I will no longer be on that list. I will withdraw from Vetevendosje. Maybe I will give up on my MP post too”.

According to Bahtiri, Vetevendosje has the required number of votes to form a new government, and that it is the obligation of all members of the Kosovo Assembly to elect a new Assembly Speaker.

Murati: Post of deputy speaker for Serb community should not go to SL (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said in a Facebook post today that Vetevendosje believes that an official that is not a member of the Serbian List should get the post of deputy speaker of the Kosovo Assembly which according to the Constitution should go to the Serb community. “We have also called the other parties – PDK, LDK and AAK – to join us in the initiative, namely, to elect as deputy speaker of the Kosovo Assembly from the Serb community someone that is not a member of the Serbian List. But so far, we have not received a positive response from the PDK/LDK/AAK about this. I believe that the position on the topic of the deputy speaker shows best which parties still wait and hope to cooperate with the Serbian List, and they are PDK/LDK/AAK,” Murati argued.

Kosovo falls by three positions on Global Peace Index 2025 (media)

Kosovo has fallen by three positions on the Global Peace Index 2025 by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Kosovo is ranked 63 on the list, Albania is ranked 52, Bosnia and Herzegovina 69th, Montenegro 34th, North Macedonia 51st and Croatia 19th. 

Read more at: Global Peace Index 2025

Kurti hails agreement between Ukraine and CoE on Special Tribunal (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that “the signing of the agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression is a historic milestone. Kosova welcomes this major step forward for international justice. The Council of Europe sends a clear message: the rule of law will prevail over aggression. There can be no impunity”.

Testing on Iber Bridge done by a company contracted by the EU (Koha)

Tests were done on the main bridge over Iber River in Mitrovica on Tuesday, but the caretaker government said that it was not informed who was doing the testing. Two days later KFOR said that the testing was done by a company contracted by the European Union. “The personnel engaged in technical testing on the Mitrovica Bridge is from a private company contracted by the European Union,” KFOR told the news website. 

Kosovo’s caretaker Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Hysen Durmishi, had said that the ministry completed the tests last year and asked to comment on the tests on Tuesday “we are not doing any tests and we are not informed who is doing the tests on the bridge”.

“Evidence: Arsenijevic drives the vehicle of a ‘Banjska terrorist’” (TeVe1)

The TV station reported on Wednesday that it has secured new evidence which it claims, “implicate a Serb politician from the north of Kosovo, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, with criminal groups”. According to TeVe1, Arsenijevic for some time used the vehicle of Nemanja Radivojevic also known as Gandi, who participated in the terrorist attack against Kosovo Police in Banjska in September 2023. For three days now, Arsenijevic has not handed himself over to Kosovo authorities after police recently found an arsenal of weapons in one of his properties. 

Serbian Language Media

Andric Rakic: Stories about two new bridges please public in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

New Social Initiative Program Manager Milica Andric Rakic said the announcement on reconstructing two new bridges over the Ibar River connecting southern and northern Mitrovica represents a sort of political campaign which “pleases the public” in Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

She expressed belief that the local Albanian population in Mitrovica North would be more interested to see investments in some other fields, adding this initiative is directed to the general public and represents some sort of compensation for failed promises to have the main Ibar River Bridge opened for vehicular traffic.

She opined that reconstruction of two new bridges is possible, but expressed doubts it will materialize.

“There are many questions here. First, it is not justified logistically. In the perimeter supposed to host two new bridges there are already two existing bridges, which are opened for both, pedestrians and vehicles”, she said. The second reason according to her is the number of inhabitants in Mitrovica South and Mitrovica North, which does not justify the need for two more bridges.

As she said it would be more appropriate to use that funds to improve road infrastructure, or existing bridges such as one in Minarce or in Cavra, which barely sustained floods in January 2022. 

Gogic: New bridges between South and North Mitrovica part of pre-election rhetoric (media)

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic assessed that Kosovo Government’s intention to begin construction of two new bridges between South and North Mitrovica is part of pre-election rhetoric, as well as an attempt to "bypass" KFOR's clear position prohibiting road traffic across the main bridge over the Ibar River.

"This is an initiative launched at a time when such initiatives are not usually undertaken. It comes from a ministry whose mandate has expired and from municipalities whose mandates are soon to expire. So, they do not have the authority or mandate to launch new initiatives, making this a pre-election topic, and it is highly questionable whether it will ever be realized, whether there will be consent from a new ministry and new municipal authorities, especially in North Mitrovica when the Serbs return", Gogic told Kosovo Online.

He recalled that the main bridge over the Ibar was already one of the central issues during last summer’s election campaign, which culminated in the February elections, and that it will again become a topic in the upcoming local elections scheduled for October, and most likely in the anticipated repeat parliamentary elections as well.

He emphasized that this summer, Pristina is presenting an upgraded version of the "Ibar bridge topic." "Since they know KFOR’s position, they have come up with another idea: instead of opening that bridge, they plan to build and open two more next to it in the meantime", Gogic explained.

He assessed that this pre-election issue is also aimed at the Albanian diaspora, which traditionally visits Kosovo in large numbers during the summer.

SNF calls on Serbian mayors to raise Serbian flags on Saint Vitus Day (Radio KIM)

Serbian National Forum (SNF) with the seat in Gracanica called upon Serbian mayors to raise Serbian flags and decorate streets and squares ahead of Saint Vitus Day (June 28), Radio KIM reports.

This way SNF reacted to the decision of Pristina Basic Court to ban Gracanica municipality from displaying flags on this important Serbian holiday.

Recalling that Saint Vitus Day is two days ahead only, SNF in a statement signed by Momcilo Trajkovic said the people feel “ashamed” and expects that local authorities from Serbian List will decorate the streets and squares with the Serbian flags, thus commemorate the holiday in a, as it was said, dignified manner.

“(…) If the flags of Albania fly over southern Serbia and across Kosovo and Metohija, who are bothered by Serbs using their own flags. Albanians in the south of Serbia overcame all legal and state obstacles and “won their right” because they were persistent and fought for their national dignity. And where is our dignity, where did Serbian heroes disappear?”, reads the statement.

SNF said the “flags should be raised and the heads held high”, adding “if intimidated Serbian authorities remain silent now, they will stay silent for ever”. 

The Basic Court from Pristina decision to ban Gracanica municipality from displaying the flags on Saint Vitus Day was met with sharp condemnation from some political parties, Serbian List and ordinary people.

Arlov banned from entering Kosovo again (TV Most, media)

Chair of the Committee for Helping Serbs in Kosovo, Milorad Arlov was banned from entering Kosovo again, TV Most reported. Arlov planned to visit Kosovo on the occasion of Saint Vitus Day commemorations to be held in Gracanica on June 28. The visit, although timely announced, was not permitted, the statement added.

Recalling that during a five-year ban on him to enter Kosovo, and highlighting that all his visits were of humanitarian and religious nature, Arlov said that during the five-year long ban, he was only once permitted to enter Kosovo on June 27 and 28, 2022.

He said he addressed and sought support from UNMIK and EULEX several times already over this issue. “I appeal to Kosovo security bodies, UNMIK, KFOR, EULEX that freedom of movement anywhere in the world should not be hampered and democratic rights of every person should be respected”, Arlov said. 

This is the 18th ban imposed on Arlov to enter Kosovo. 

Milivojevic: Students are not terrorists, but Radoicic who roams Serbia with a paramilitary unit and provokes armed incidents (KoSSev)

Amid growing tensions following the arrest of student Stefan Tomic, MP Srđan Milivojevic has accused Serbian authorities of escalating political repression by branding protesters as terrorists while allowing armed figures like Milan Radoicic to move freely, reported KoSSev yesterday. 

“The regime, paralyzed by fear of losing power, no longer chooses its means,” said Democratic Party leader and MP Srdjan Milivojevic, reacting to what he calls a renewed campaign of political persecution and intimidation against students and citizens involved in recent protests.

Referring specifically to the case of Stefan Tomic, a University of Belgrade student who was arrested and reportedly charged with terrorism, Milivojevic claims the move is part of a broader pattern of repression, recalling similar accusations made before the March 15 protests.

“Targeting and accusing students of terrorism—this time Stefan Tomic—only confirms how terrified the coward from Andricev Venac has become,” said Milivojevic, using a pejorative nickname for President Aleksandar Vucic. 

He further accused the authorities of committing unlawful acts, citing the use of “sonic weapons” against peaceful demonstrators in March.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/5n838dzy

Arrests across Serbia (N1, KoSSev)

Police raided on Wednesday the home of retired first-class captain Branko "Majkan" Momcilovic, a veteran of the wars in Slovenia, Croatia, and Kosovo.

Sources told the Nova.rs portal that the police searched his home on the grounds that he is suspected of committing the criminal offense of plotting against the constitutional order and security of Serbia.

Momcilovic was also detained on March 15, on his way to attend the mass protest in Belgrade that day.

Lawyer Ivan Ninic said in a post on X on Wednesday that opposition councilor Ivan Matovic from the Association of Old Residents of Kraljevo has been arrested.

Ninic also wrote on X that the house of Novica Antic, former head of the Military Trade Union of Serbia, was being searched.

“The family home of Novica Antic in Kragujevac is currently being searched because he was supposed to come to Belgrade on Saturday as always, with the veterans, for a protest. Oscar has completely lost his compass and has started a volley of revenge, but I don’t know which dictator in the world has managed to defeat the people,” Ninic wrote on X.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/54ptwnxv

Students announce the time and place of Belgrade protest (N1)

Student protesters announced on the X social media platform when the St. Vitus Day (Vidovdan in Serbian) protest in Belgrade will begin, reported N1.

“See you on Vidovdan. Gathering: Slavija Square, 6 pm,” they wrote.

International

Parliament deadlock, critics question legality of Kosovo govt decisions (BIRN)

Experts are questioning the legality of a raft of decisions taken by Kosovo’s outgoing government, which remains in office due to a failure to constitute parliament after February elections.

After lawmakers in Kosovo failed this week for the 36th time to constitute the country’s new parliament, Albin Kurti joked with journalists. “Every democratic opposition tries to shorten the government’s mandate,” he said. “The exception is the opposition in Kosovo, which, as you know, is extending the mandate of the government.”

More than four months since Kosovo’s last general election, Kurti remains prime minister at the helm of a caretaker government.

His Vetevendosje [Self-Determination] party, in power since 2021, won the February 9 vote, but lost the majority it previously commanded alone. To constitute the new parliament, MPs must elect a speaker; Vetevendosje insists it should be caretaker Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, but, with efforts to build a ruling coalition going nowhere, the party does not have a majority to back her.

As the standoff drags on, Kurti is continuing with the business of government, ignoring the objections of opposition parties and some legal experts who say he is overstepping his mandate as a place-holder PM.

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

Obligation of businesses entering free energy market challenged at court (PI)

Kosovo’s Commercial Court has postponed the implementation of the Energy Regulatory Office’s notification for entrance into the free energy market of two businesses, until a final court verdict—a decision that prompted business representatives to call for a full halt to energy market liberalisation.

The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce announced on Wednesday that the Commercial Court postponed the entrance of a local business into the free energy market, based on a decision by the Energy Regulatory Office, ERO, until a final court decision.

“This clearly shows that businesses were justified in raising their voices against ERO’s unjust policies,” the Chamber declared, encouraging affected companies to seek legal remedies.

The Chamber announced it also appealed to outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti, calling for immediate government intervention. Citing international trends in energy pricing, it called on the outgoing government to consider subsidies or transitional support for the private sector.

“European governments are already supporting their economies through direct aid and subsidies. Kosovo must follow this example to protect its businesses and overall economic stability,” the Chamber stated.

This is the second such decision by the Commercial Court. 

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

Court ruling brings risk of reversal of power market liberalization in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com) 

The Commercial Court in Kosovo* supported the claims filed by one company in a complaint, suspending its obligation to purchase electricity in the free market. The ruling follows protests against the controversial liberalization of the power market for larger firms, which came into force on June 1.

Two old coal-fired power plants in Kosovo* account for 92% of domestic production, which is the highest level in the world. Outages often prompt expensive emergency imports of electricity. Just last week, all operational coal units malfunctioned, while one in Kosovo B has been under reconstruction since last month.

Nevertheless, the authorities pushed through a controversial liberalization of the market for companies with more than 50 employees or an annual turnover of more than EUR 10 million. The measure, which came into force on June 1, led to two large protests. Almost 1,300 firms must purchase electricity in the free market.

However, the Commercial Court in Kosovo* suspended the obligation for REKS in a recent first-degree ruling. The company filed a complaint after it wasn’t allowed to use universal supply. It argued that it faced irreversible financial damage.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/5ywuuuu5

Serbia's students plan major rally after issuing 'ultimatum' (DW)

Faced with mounting pressure from the authorities, Serbia's students have issued an "ultimatum" to the government to call snap elections and are urging citizens to continue the push for change.

As Belgrade's asphalt shimmers in blistering 40-degree sunshine, the city is bracing for heat of a very different kind: Students have scheduled another major protest for Saturday.

All eyes are on the Serbian capital, and both anticipation and uncertainty across the country are rising as students remain tight-lipped about their plans and the exact location and timing of the demonstration.

The protest has the potential to be a turning point because the students have issued what they are calling an "ultimatum" to the Serbian government, demanding the announcement by 9 p.m. on June 28 that the government will ask the president to dissolve parliament, paving the way for snap elections.

"Should the stated demands not be met within the given timeframe, we expect that the citizens of Serbia will be ready to take all available measures of civil disobedience to protect their basic right to a free and legitimate democratic system," the students wrote in an open letter to the Serbian government.

Significant date for the protest

The upcoming protest comes after eight months of protests, during which students and citizens have demanded political and criminal accountability for the collapse last November of the canopy at the entrance to Novi Sad Railway Station, which killed 16 people.

The day chosen for the protest carries particular weight in Serbia.

Vidovdan is a national and religious holiday that falls on June 28. Deeply rooted in Serbian history and mythology, it has often coincided with decisive events and historical turning points in the country's history such as the 1389 Battle of Kosovo and a number of pivotal political events in the 20th century.

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