UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 26, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti lists the “extraordinary results” of his government (Koha)
Osmani: We must not allow justice to be delayed indefinitely (media)
Croatia: Military initiative with Albania and Kosovo, open also for partners (RFE)
Kosovo Ambassador to Polish parliament: Unconditional support for Ukraine (Reporteri)
Suspect in state reserves case appointed director of Accreditation (Koha)
Prosecution authorized police to launch investigations into postal voting (Reporteri)
Kurti on recent murders: Immediate institutional action and social reflections required (media)
Krasniqi on the killings: Institutions must act urgently (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Impossible to pass crossings with Serbian ID cards issued by police departments relocated in central Serbia for Kosovo cities (Radio Mitrovica sever, gracanicaonline.info, Danas)
Three murders, one suicide in Kosovo in just three days (KoSSev)
Pristina banned Serbian Health Minister from visiting Kosovo (Tanjug)
Vucic: I told von der Leyen, Costa there was no sound cannon (N1)
Djuric: Military alliance of Albania and Croatia with Pristina violates Dayton Agreement on arms control (Kosovo Online)
Djuric spoke with Bone: Ascending dynamics of Serbian-American relations (Kosovo Online, mfa.gov.rs)

International Media:

What will a new defence agreement in southeastern Europe mean for the region? (euronews.com)
When should Kurti government officials resign after being elected to parliament? (euronews.al)
EU confronts Vučić as protests rage in Serbia (politico.eu)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti lists the “extraordinary results” of his government (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the government he has led for four years has “achieved extraordinary results”. “While facing the pandemic, facing the energy crisis and inflation caused by the war in Ukraine, despite the obstacles and frustrating delays with complaints from opposition in Constitutional Court that blocked many things, including the one on the price ceiling on basic products, and despite paramilitary and terrorist attacks and Serbia’s continuous attempts at destabilization and despite the loud noise of the evening television debates, our government has achieved extraordinary results”, he said at the government meeting today.

He mentioned visa liberalization and Kosovo’s representation in CEFTA without UNMIK as successes. “With us, we can travel visa-free in Europe and the border in the north does not move,” he said.

He said that public healthcare has become better, cheaper, and more services are offered. He also said that for the first time in the north, energy is being paid, and property taxes are being billed. “Illegal license plates and illegal driver’s licenses are no longer there, they have been converted,” he said.

Kurti mentioned the increase in pensions and the allocation of maternity benefits. He also said that the salary in the public sector has increased as well as the minimum wage in the private sector. He pledged that this would increase in the next mandate. “Poverty has decreased, unemployment has decreased,” he said.

Kurti said that during his 2021-2025 mandate, the budget for the army has tripled and in the next mandate he has pledged to allocate over one billion euros. “We have started to buy unlike before, and unlike now we will produce what we buy,” he said.

He also mentioned the organization of the 2030 Mediterranean Games and the ban on organizing Serbian elections in Kosovo. “We have put the north of Kosovo under the government,” he said.

“These four years of our mandate have been very worthwhile for our Republic,” he said at the beginning of the meeting.

Osmani: We must not allow justice to be delayed indefinitely (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, in front of the families of those massacred 26 years ago in Krushe e Madhe, pledged that they will never stop until justice triumphs and Serbia's cruel crimes receive the punishment they deserve. She said that when so many innocent people are killed in a village and so much blood is shed, it is not just a place on the map, but it is an eternal testimony. "Today we stand in Krushe e Madhe where pain is engraved on every stone, on every doorstep, in every heart that beats for justice. 26 years ago this village was struck by one of the most terrible crimes of the genocidal regime of Serbia. 241 men and boys were massacred, including 7 children and 5 women, including a pregnant woman," the president said during her speech.

26 years later, 64 people still remain missing - Osmani said that it is a multiple crime of genocidal Serbia because their families live every day with the pain, with the longing of a waiting that never ends. "And in this long line of pain stands a great name of our nation, an enlightened mind, an unforgettable figure, Ukshin Hoti. For more than two decades, his fate, like that of all the residents of Krushe who are now forcibly disappeared, remains unclear," she said, in front of family members on this memorial day.

She said that an intellectual, a patriot, a courageous voice of the nation was forcibly taken by the criminal Serbian regime, so since then nothing is known about him, except that Serbia took him. “This mystery is not only an injustice to Ukshin Hoti and his family, but a wound in the conscience of humanity. Because the question, ‘where is Ukshin Hoti?’, still requires an answer, just as about 1,600 forcibly disappeared people also require an answer.”

Osmani said that the Krusha e Madhe massacre is not only a terrible crime from 26 years ago, it is present today. “Because the pain continues today, just like 26 years ago. It is an open battle for justice, therefore we cannot allow their blood to remain silent, and their sacrifice to be forgotten. We must not remain silent, we must not stop, we must not allow justice to be delayed indefinitely, because justice for Krusha e Madhe is justice for all those who gave their lives for our freedom, for the heroes of the KLA and for the martyrs of freedom. Today, in front of the memory of our martyrs, in front of the pain of their families, in front of this sacred land, we make an oath. We will never stop until justice triumphs. We will not rest until the crimes committed by Serbia receive the appropriate response. We will never forget the sacrifice of Krusha e Madhe”, said the president.

Croatia: Military initiative with Albania and Kosovo, open also for partners (RFE)

The Croatian Government has announced that the initiative of Kosovo, Albania and Croatia for cooperation in the field of security and defense, “is also open to allies and partners of the European Union and NATO”, who “want to contribute to building stability, security and sustainability in the region of Southeast Europe”. According to them, the initiative can be joined by all countries that also want to offer support to Kosovo and Albania on their European and Euro-Atlantic path, noting that its goal “is not the creation of any military alliance”. “Such an alliance - apart from NATO membership - is not even necessary”, it is emphasized in the written response of the Croatian Government, sent to Radio Free Europe.

In his first reactions to the initiative, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that by signing the document, Croatia, Albania and Kosovo "have opened an arms race in the region" and "have violated the 1996 subregional agreement."

The Croatian Government said that this agreement has been implemented continuously for 29 years and also recalled that neither Albania nor Kosovo are parties to that agreement. “In this context, it is completely pointless to relate to the Joint Declaration, recently signed between Albania, Croatia and Kosovo, the main purpose of which is to strengthen cooperation between the defense ministries of friendly countries, partners and allies,” the Croatian Government’s response states.

Kosovo Ambassador to Polish parliament: Unconditional support for Ukraine (Reporteri)

Kosovo Ambassador to Poland, Drilon Gashi, participated in the European Interparliamentary Conference at the Polish Parliament, where he emphasized unconditional support for Ukraine and recalled the importance of NATO’s 1999 intervention in Kosovo. Gashi stressed that “our voice may be small, but it is an unconditional voice of support for a Ukraine that is free, whole and at peace.”

“Yesterday, 26 years ago, many of the states in this room made the difficult but right decision to carry out a NATO humanitarian intervention against the Milosevic regime and to protect the Albanian population of Kosovo. Therefore, I ask and hope for the same decision and strength today to find support for our partners in Ukraine and in defense of Ukraine,” he said.

He also cited Serbia’s violation of United Nations resolutions during its wars in the Balkans and called for a similar commitment to support Ukraine in these difficult times. Gashi emphasized Kosovo’s commitment to investing in defense and to further developing defense capabilities and production in partnership with allies. Finally, Ambassador Gashi expressed Kosovo’s commitment to achieving mutual recognition and normalizing relations with Serbia.

Suspect in state reserves case appointed director of Accreditation (Koha)

Irfan Lipovica who was arrested on suspicion in the case known as the state reserves, has been appointed director general of the Kosovo Accreditation Directorate at the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, by a decision of the government today.

“Accreditation as a process of great importance for the economy confirms the quality and reliability of institutions and businesses, since through this process the compliance of products, processes and services with international and local standards is assessed, thus guaranteeing that they offer a high level of quality,” Minister Rozeta Hajdari said.

According to her, the selection process for the high-level management position was carried out in support of the Law on Public Officials and the Government Regulation. After the process was carried out, according to her, the proposal was for Lipovica to be appointed director and this received the support of the cabinet.

Prosecution authorized police to launch investigations into postal voting (Reporteri)

The Basic Prosecution in Pristina has authorized the Kosovo Police to launch investigations into the postal voting process in the parliamentary elections of February 9. “Regarding your question, we inform you that the Basic Prosecution in Pristina has authorized the Kosovo Police to collect and verify information, but at this stage of the submitted procedure, more details cannot be provided because it would violate the investigative process,” the Prosecution’s response states.

“Regarding your question, we inform you that the Basic Cout in Pristina has authorized Kosovo Police to collect and verify information, but at this stage of the submitted procedure, more details cannot be provided because it would violate the investigative process,” reads the response of the Basic Prosecution in Pristina to the news website.

The Vetevendosje Movement had requested a re-vote and the cancellation of around 19,000 postal votes, and even addressed the Supreme Court on the issue. Their decision on this and two other cases is expected today, which then opens way to certification of the election results by the Central Election Commission.

Kurti on recent murders: Immediate institutional action and social reflections required (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has expressed concern regarding the four murders that have occurred in the last three days. “The entire country has been shocked and hurt by this series of murders, which must be stopped and punished. Murder is not only the murder of a person, but of the society to which that person belongs, that is our society,” he said as he called for immediate institutional action and social reflection, stressing that law enforcement agencies must treat the cases seriously and ensure justice for the victims. These serious events, Kurti said, occurred in the week when Kosovo marks the 26th anniversary of the NATO intervention, a period when massacres and attempts to exterminate Albanians by the Serbian regime are remembered.

Krasniqi on the killings: Institutions must act urgently (media)

Memli Krasniqi, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), has said that Kosovo institutions must act urgently after four people lost their lives as a result of gunfire in three separate cases in Vushtrri and Pristina. He stressed that insecurity has gripped Kosovo. According to him, a sense of fear and insecurity has taken root in society, making the lives of the people burdened by anxiety and fear for the future. "No one should live in fear that an illegal weapon can take their life at any moment, on the street, at home or in the workplace. We cannot normalize this situation – we dare not. We cannot remain silent. The state must wake up. Institutions must act urgently. Stricter gun control, strengthening order and uncompromising justice – these are not just politics, but matters of life and death," Krasniqi wrote on Facebook.

According to him, anyone who possesses or uses weapons illegally should face prison, without exception. "Kosovo cannot be a place where human life loses its value. It is time to come to our senses. It is time to choose life. Deepest condolences to the families of the victims!", Krasniqi wrote.

Serbian Language Media

Impossible to pass crossings with Serbian ID cards issued by police departments relocated in central Serbia for Kosovo cities (Radio Mitrovica sever, gracanicaonline.info, Danas)

"Pristina is in Kosovo, not in Serbia," said a Kosovo police officer when the Gracanica online journalist team tried to cross at the Merdare ABL with a Serbian identity card issued by the Police Department for Pristina, now relocated to Niska Banja.

A new verbal police decree allegedly entered into force on Friday, meaning that it is no longer possible to pass at the administrative crossings between Kosovo and central Serbia with Serbian identity cards issued in the names of cities in Kosovo, relocated in the central Serbia.

Gracanica Online journalists went to the Merdare crossing to check, and the KP officer asked them if they had a Kosovo ID. They handed over a Serbian ID that says PU Pristina (Police Department Pristina), replying that they didn't have Kosovo one.

"Pristina is in Kosovo, not in Serbia. This document is not valid for us," replied the police officer, reported GracanicaOnline.

"Based on a personal example, I know that my brother, who currently cannot or is not able to take out a Kosovo ID card, cannot visit his father and mother in Gracanica. This is another, but literally the most brutal pressure. We had dinars, we had the closure of institutions, now we also have documents. I don't know where and how far next," said a resident of Gracanica, when asked how he would comment on the new regulation of Kosovo institutions.

While at Merdare, police officers and customs officers confirmed to journalists that this decree verbally entered into force on Friday.

"We have a situation where personal documents that are recognized, not only in the entire region, but also in the whole of Europe, including the world, cease to be valid by a unilateral decision of Pristina. The cancellation of personal documents issued by the Police Department, be it temporary, parallel or any other, is a clear proof that Pristina does not care for the Constitution, nor for freedom of movement, and least of all for human rights," said one of the interlocutors of Gracanica online.

The European Union announced in 2022 that they had a "European solution", when an agreement on personal documents was agreed between Belgrade and Pristina in the dialogue mediated by the European Union, and after thirteen days of barricades in the north of Kosovo.

Three murders, one suicide in Kosovo in just three days (KoSSev)

Last night in Pristina, a man was killed in a shooting by two masked persons, and this is the third murder in the last three days in Kosovo, along with another suicide, reported KoSSev.

The shooting in Pristina happened last night around 10:25 p.m.

The police say that two armed and masked persons fired in the direction of the two men.

One of them died at the University Clinical Hospital Center in Pristina, and the other was undergoing treatment.

The victim's body was sent for an autopsy, and the case is being treated as "Aggravated murder".

Last night's murder was the third in Kosovo in just three days. First, on Sunday evening, a 19-year-old man was killed by his peer in Vucitrn, and then, also in Vucitrn, a man killed a woman, and then himself.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, at the ongoing Government session, expressed serious concern about the series of murders and called on the institutions to act.

Pristina banned Serbian Health Minister from visiting Kosovo (Tanjug)

Pristina authorities did not allow Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar to visit Kosovo, Tanjug news agency said citing its correspondent from Kosovo.

Loncar was supposed to visit health centers in Mitrovica North and Gracanica, meet health workers and assure the functioning of the Serbian health system and its further advancement, but was prevented from doing so, the news report added.

The announcement on Loncar’s visit was sent on Monday, in line with Brussels agreement on official visits, however Pristina did not give a positive answer, despite repated attempts made by the Belgrade liaison officer yesterday.

Loncar termed the decision to ban his visit as “shameful”. He said the visit was not of political nature, but rather aimed at getting assured of the functioning of the Serbian health system providing, without distinction, medical services to Serbs and Albanians, guided by a humanitarian approach and without creating difference on any grounds

Vucic: I told von der Leyen, Costa there was no sound cannon (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday evening in Brussels that he informed top European Union (EU) officials that a sound cannon wasn't used during the March 15 protest in Belgrade, and that Serbian authorities are prepared to let the EU verify this, N1 reported.

Following a working dinner with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Vucic spoke to the media. He asserted that the Serbian Government did not use a sound cannon, that they have “nothing to hide” and are “entirely open to any examination”.

“I told my hosts that there was no sound cannon involved, that we are prepared to let them verify this in every way possible, and that we will provide answers to the European Court of Human Rights, even though this is not prohibited anywhere in Europe”, Vucic said.

The European Commission President did not mention in her post on X that the protests in Serbia were discussed with Vucic, nor did she publicly address his comments regarding the sound cannon.

Von der Leyen noted that an important meeting was held with Vucic, and that Serbia needs to deliver on EU reforms, in particular to take decisive steps towards media freedom, the fight against corruption and electoral reform. “Serbia’s future lies in the EU”, wrote Ursula von der Leyen in a post on X social platform.

Djuric: Military alliance of Albania and Croatia with Pristina violates Dayton Agreement on arms control (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said the military alliance between Croatia, Albania, and the authorities in Pristina disrupts the balance, strength, and security architecture of the region and violates the 1996 agreement on arms control, which is part of the Dayton Agreement, Kosovo Online portal reported.

In an interview with K1, Djuric emphasized the significance of the recent dinner hosted in Brussels by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa in honor of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

“These are people who lead the most important European institutions. This kind of gesture is not common, especially for a country of this size. The fact that these two key European leaders organized a dinner in someone's honor is not just about their personal respect for President Vucic, which is evident because they wouldn’t treat him this way otherwise, but also a genuine desire to support Serbia and its government in accelerating its European integration, reforms, and modernization”, Djuric pointed out.