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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 13, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

 

  • 15th constitutive session fails, parliament remains in deadlock (media)

  • Krasniqi: Kurti’s insistence on Haxhiu is meaningless (Koha)

  • Limaj calls for political courage to unblock the Assembly (AP)

  • Prattipati: Kosovo needs stable and functional institutions (RTK)

  • Kos: Assessing if Kosovo and Serbia will receive Growth Plan funds (AP)

  • Kusari-Lila: I believe our response to President’s invitation will be positive (media)
  • Haradinaj: We will listen to president, we are also waiting for Constitutional Court decision (media)

  • Shtuni: Politicians to show responsibility, not expect solutions from the sky (RFE)

  • KLA war veterans protest; Trendafilova cancels press conference (media)

  • CISMOA signed between KSF and US EUROCOM (media)

  • Kosovo closes Serbia-run water supply system in Mitrovica North (media)

 

Serbian Language Media: 

 

  • Vucic: Important issues discussed with Costa, he has brought good will to EU talks (Tanjug)

  • Costa: The ball is in Serbia’s court (N1)

  • From today Public Company “Vodovod Ibar” part of the Regional Waterworks D.D Mitrovica (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kosovo Online)

  • Djuric: By raiding the "Vodovod Ibar" while Costa is in the region, Kurti is defying the EU (Kosovo Online) 

  • Open Letter of Serbian List President dr Elek to representatives of Quint embassies, EU, UNMIK and KFOR (social media)

  • Petkovic: Kurti continues policy of unilateral and illegal raids of Serbian institutions (Kosovo Online)

  • Reaction of activist Marko Jaksic to joint exercise of KFOR and KP (social media)

  • Traffic sign damaged at the entrance to Zvecan, perpetrators unknown (KoSSev)

  • Serbian students complete ultramarathon, arrive in Brussels (N1)

 

Opinion:

 

  • Dehumanisation as strategy: Bosnian Serb leader Dodik’s rhetorical warfare (BIRN)

 

International:

 

  • Albanian party quits North Macedonia govt over ‘unfulfilled promises’ (BIRN)

 

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

15th constitutive session fails, parliament remains in deadlock (media)

 

Today's session with the agenda of the constitution of the Assembly, has failed again. This was the 15th attempt to make the parliament functional. The candidate proposed for Speaker of Parliament by the Vetevendosje Movement, Albulena Haxhiu, is not managing to get enough votes for this position.

 

Krasniqi: Kurti’s insistence on Haxhiu is meaningless (Koha)

 

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi told reporters today that Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti’s insistence on proposing Albulena Haxhiu for Assembly Speaker is meaningless. After the 15th attempt to constitute the new assembly, Krasniqi argued that Vetevendosje must change their candidate. “Kurti’s insistence on Albulena Haxhiu is meaningless and his insecurity about the fact that he lacks the numbers for a majority in parliament. As leader of the PDK, I will continue to insist on an unblocking approach not only on changing the candidate. I am glad that President Vjosa Osmani has agreed to our proposal to call a meeting with all political parties. I hope that everyone will respond positively,” he said.

 

Limaj calls for political courage to unblock the Assembly (AP)

 

NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj said today that political courage is needed in Kosovo to create a majority in parliament. “Political courage is needed. We need to meet and create a majority in parliament in order to have the new institutions. NISMA is interested in talks for creating a majority in parliament, but the responsibility falls on the bigger parties,” he told reporters after another failed attempt to constitute the new Assembly today. 

 

Prattipati: Kosovo needs stable and functional institutions (RTK)

 

Anu Prattipati, charge-de-affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo, said that they discussed in a meeting with the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti the creation of new institutions. According to the post of the U.S. Embassy Prattipati reiterated the need for Kosovo’s political leaders to work together to constitute the Assembly and form a stable government in accordance with the Constitution. “These institutions are essential to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the citizens of Kosovo,” the U.S. Embassy’s post on the X platform states.

 

Kos: Assessing if Kosovo and Serbia will receive Growth Plan funds (AP)

 

The European Union Commissioner for enlargement, Marta Kos, said during the discussion at the joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament that they are monitoring the progress of the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations before releasing the first payments of the Growth Plan. “Both parties must engage constructively, make measurable progress, and achieve tangible results. Then we will decide on the payment or not of the funds. I cannot comment on this before the decision, but it is a very important issue because it is directly related to our credibility,” she said. 

 

She also highlighted the impact that the institutional deadlock in Kosovo has on the Growth Plan, worth a total of 6 billion euros, through which the EU aims to provide financial and institutional support to the six countries in the region until 2029. “There is no movement in Kosovo either, which has tried for the 14th time to form a government and has failed. We are also being asked whether the EU’s measures towards Kosovo are related to the Growth Plan – and the answer is no. They are separate from this process. However, the issue of normalisation must be taken into account,” Kos added.

 

As for Serbia, Kos stressed that the EU is not at all satisfied, assessing that Serbia has not made any progress on the path of reforms since December last year, despite repeated commitments by its leaders. “Harmonization with the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy is 100 percent necessary. When I was in Belgrade, I told [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vucic that, although he and his government say they are for reforms, they have not accomplished anything since December. We are assessing whether we should release the funds or not.”

 

Kusari-Lila: I believe our response to President’s invitation will be positive (media)

 

MP Mimoza Kusari Lila who is in coalition with the LVV said that in all likelihood, they will be present with the joint coalition at the meeting called by President Vjosa Osmani. “Prime Minister Kurti has received the invitation, and I believe that the response is positive to participate in the meeting,” she said.

 

She further criticized political parties that are not participating in the voting process at all. "They may not agree with the secret ballot, although it may bring a different result because according to the presentation and the will of the MPs of other parties, they show that they have no objections to the candidate", she said.

 

Haradinaj: We will listen to president, we are also waiting for Constitutional Court decision (media)

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has confirmed that he will go to meet with the Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani on Thursday. “We will listen to the president to see what her positions are, what she suggests. If we have any suggestions, we will make them. As you are aware, we are awaiting the assessment of the Constitutional Court about the decisions that take place in the sessions. Yesterday we submitted it, we hope that the Constitutional Court will review it these days. I have confirmed the participation to the president,” Haradinaj said. 

Shtuni: Politicians to show responsibility, not expect solutions from the sky (RFE)

 

Adrian Shtuni, foreign policy and security expert based in Washington, argues in an interview with RFE that the lack of readiness for compromise and trust, which is preventing the constitution of the new Assembly of Kosovo three months after the elections, “comes due to the lack of joint strategic vision for the future of the country”. 

 

Shtuni said that no political party is willing to make steps that could weaken their political position, describing the situation as “a mutual zugzwang” – a moment where every political move is a risk.

 

Shtuni also said that Kosovo needs a stable broad-based government or even a technical government, at least until the election of the President in March next year. He opines that Kosovo is paying a high price from the current deadlock, not only in wasting precious time and development opportunities but also in terms of international perception about Kosovo’s stability and functionality. 

 

KLA war veterans protest; Trendafilova cancels press conference (media)

  

Most news websites report that the President of the Specialist Chambers, Ekaterina Trendafilova, has cancelled a press conference she was scheduled to hold today in Pristina. The organization of the KLA War Veterans held a protest in front of the hotel where Trendafilova was staying and where she planned to hold the conference. A spokesperson for the Specialist Chambers told the media: “I can confirm that today’s event has been cancelled due to public security reasons and based on the advice of the Kosovo Police. This is all I can say for the time being. We will see later for any additional information”.

 

Leader of the war veterans, Hysni Gucati, told reporters that their reaction was against Trendafilova’s visit. “Our reaction was for Trendafilova not to come to Kosovo at all. We know that whenever she comes to Kosovo, she brings more evil to Kosovo. She came today on May 13, which is a notorious day for Albanians, because it marks the day of the establishment of the Serbian state security service,” he said. Gucati also said that the war veterans are not against justice. 

 

CISMOA signed between KSF and US EUCOM (media)

 

Several news websites cover a Facebook post by Kosovo’s acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, in which he writes that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the U.S. Army’s Europe command (EUCOM) signed a Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA).

 

Maqedonci said that “relations with our strategic allies remain at the core of the development of our defense capabilities. This agreement is of special importance because it enables exchanging safe and cryptographic information and the use of advanced defense technology by the Kosovo Security Force. The KSF’s relations with its strategic allies are important for its empowerment and development, and in line with the U.S. Forces Europe Command (EUCOM) will continue to play a key role in building our defense capabilities”.

 

Kosovo closes Serbia-run water supply system in Mitrovica North (media)

 

Kosovo’s acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, said in a Facebook post today that “the parallel water company in Mitrovica North has been closed following a request by the Unit for Monitoring of Public Enterprises of the Ministry of Economy. This is a concrete step that serves the rule of law and the functionalization of public services by the institutions of our state”. 

 

Rizvanolli said that “in line with the agreement signed in January this year between the Mitrovica Regional Water Company and the municipality of Mitrovica North, regular and more qualitative services for the people of the municipality of Mitrovica North will be provided by the Mitrovica Regional Water Company, with high standards and in full compliance with our laws”.

 

Rizvanolli also thanked the Kosovo Police for their support and the Mitrovica Regional Water Company “for their readiness to serve all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo without any difference”.

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

Vucic: Important issues discussed with Costa, he has brought good will to EU talks (Tanjug)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said they had discussed all important issues and the necessity of dialogue with Pristina and preservation of peace and stability in the region and noted that Costa had brought good will to Serbia's EU accession talks, Tanjug news agency reported.

"I am very happy to have had the opportunity to speak with European Council President Antonio Costa and I am pleased with the substance of our discussions. I am grateful to President Costa for visiting Serbia and for bringing good will to Serbia's EU accession talks", Vucic said at a press conference with Costa at the Palace of Serbia. Vucic said they had discussed all important issues, which he noted were not always and not necessarily easy for Serbia.

"The necessity of dialogue with Pristina, preservation of regional peace and stability. I said Serbia is always ready for discussions, that we have never shunned dialogue and that we believe it is the only path to solving problems. Also, we spoke about the necessity of carrying out reforms in our country", Vucic said.

Costa: The ball is in Serbia’s court (N1)

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said Tuesday in Belgrade that, when it comes to Serbia’s EU accession process, the ball is in its court, urging Serbian authorities not to waste time, but to carry out the necessary reforms and seize the momentum currently present within the Union, N1 reported.

“Enlargement is based on building trust. I know that a lot of people, not only in Serbia, but in the entire region, lost their faith in this process. I came here today to assure you of my personal engagement and the European Union’s full commitment to deliver on enlargement”, Costa told reporters following his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He said that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a crucial point, as is a clear condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The ball is in your court now, and, please, we cannot waste time, the future does not wait, let us open this third cluster and continue to achieve a successful integration of Serbia in the European Union”, Costa said.

Commenting on Vucic’s recent visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations despite calls from Brussels to avoid the trip, Costa said the Serbian president explained to him that he attended to commemorate an event from the past.

“But in the present, Serbia is fully committed to the EU accession process, and Serbia knows that for this we need to have full alignment with our common foreign and security policy. We cannot rewrite history, and I fully understand that Serbia celebrates their liberation. But we cannot celebrate the liberation from 80 years ago and not condemn an invasion of another country today”, he said.

Costa is also scheduled to meet Tuesday with Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut, Serbian Parliament speaker Ana Brnabic, and representatives of opposition parliamentary groups. The President of the European Council was welcomed at Belgrade airport on Monday evening by Serbian President Vucic.

From today “Vodovod Ibar” part of the Regional Water Supply System D.D Mitrovica (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kosovo Online)

 

According to KoSSev, this morning, workers from the South Mitrovica Regional Water Supply entered the premises of JP Vodovod Ibar, previously operating under the Serbian system, with assistance from the Kosovo police.

 

They replaced the company's sign with a trilingual board reading "D.D. Mitrovica Regional Water Company" in Albanian, English, and then Serbian, and raised both the company and Kosovo flags.

 

The workers remain on-site and are continuing their duties, now likely under the Kosovo system.

 

Director Bashkim Kurti confirmed this move is part of a January agreement with four northern municipalities, making them the sole licensed provider. Current employees will be prioritized for future positions, and similar changes are expected in other northern municipalities.

Djuric: By raiding the "Vodovod Ibar" while Costa is in the region, Kurti is defying the EU (Kosovo Online) 

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric condemned the Kosovo Police and South Mitrovica waterworks workers for entering the "Vodovod Ibar" premises in North Mitrovica, calling it a unilateral and provocative act approved by Albin Kurti, reported Kosovo Online. 

Djuric warned it threatens water supply stability, including for hospitals, schools, and kindergartens in Serbian-run institutions, and accused Kurti of worsening conditions for Serbs in Kosovo to force emigration.

Minister Djuric also criticized the timing—during EU Council President Antonio Costa’s visit—as a direct challenge to the EU and its dialogue efforts. He noted public utility management falls under the unimplemented agreement on the Association/Community of Serbian Municipalities.

Open Letter of Serbian List President dr Elek to representatives of Quint embassies, EU, UNMIK and KFOR (social media)

Serbian List President Zlatan Elec sent an open letter to the Quint embassies, EU, UNMIK and KFOR over the latest raid of Kosovo police at the Ibar Vodovod water supply company in Mitrovica North operating as part of the Serbian system. The full letter was published on Serbian List official Instagram account.

“To whom it may concern

It is with deep concern that we inform you of the latest incident that occurred in North Mitrovica - the illegal and violent invasion of the premises of the Public Utility Company “Vodovod Ibar” by members of the Kosovo police and workers of the South Mitrovica Water Company. This act represents another in a series of unilateral and provocative actions that, instead of stabilizing the situation, deepens tensions and causes justified fear among the population.

Of particular concern is the fact that the South Mitrovica Water Company does not have the capacity, either technically or in terms of personnel, to manage and maintain the complex water supply system in the north. In addition, this institution does not have the trust of the local Serb population, which further complicates any possibility of legitimate action.

These are not just administrative failures, but dangerous and politically motivated actions by the Albin Kurti regime, which systematically put pressure on the Serbian people, while endangering basic living conditions. Citizens are rightly concerned about the safety and regular supply of water, especially to health facilities and student dormitories. If such actions continue, there is a real risk of serious humanitarian and health consequences.

We call on all relevant institutions, as well as international representatives, to react without delay, prevent further unilateral moves and ensure full respect for the rights and safety of the Serbian population, as well as the smooth functioning of public utilities.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Elek

President of the Serbian List”

Petkovic: Kurti continues policy of unilateral and illegal raids of Serbian institutions (Kosovo Online)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic in a statement issued following the raid of Kosovo police at the Public Utility Company “Vodovod Ibar” in North Mitrovica, said Albin Kurti continues with his policy of unilateral and illegal raids of Serbian institutions in the north of Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Petkovic pointed out that since this morning dozens of police officers are in front of the “Vodovod Ibar” PUC, which provides communal services to thousands of Serbs, but also to other residents of this city and employs more than 80 workers, whom the state of Serbia will certainly continue to take care of.

“We are talking about a vital institution that is essential for the smooth operation of the hospital in North Mitrovica, kindergartens, schools, which without water supply cannot work and provide these existential services. Those who are doing Kurti’s dirty work took down the board with the name of the Serbian Water company and in its place placed a board with the name of the regional water company from South Mitrovica, and told the employees that they have a deadline to “integrate into the Kosovo system”. We emphasize this is not about what kind of “parallel institution” it is, as the authorities in Pristina are trying to spin, but about a utility company that as such should be part of the Community of Serb Municipalities, which must also have the competence to provide utility services, and Kurti knows that very well”, Petkovic noted.

Petkovic added it has been 12 years since Pristina did not form the CSM, and Kurti with his actions and statements violates this and all other agreements on a daily basis in full view of the international community.

“He demonstrated this even today when he made unilateral moves while the President of the European Council, António Costa, was in Belgrade, which is an obvious provocation at the expense of European officials. On this occasion, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija will address all relevant international representatives and missions operating in the area of Kosovo and Metohija in order to point out the new unilateral move of the outgoing government in Pristina and the violation of existing agreements”, Petkovic said.

Reaction of activist Marko Jaksic to joint exercise of KFOR and KP (social media)

Lawyer and activist from North Mitrovica Marko Jaksic shared on social media the article published by KoSSev portal about the joint exercise of KP and KFOR in northern Kosovo along with the following message:

“Hey KFOR @NATO_KFOR, you are in same team with Kurti’s special police in North #Kosovo against local Serbs in their oppression? This is little against your mandate by UNSC RES1244… In a very tense situation, this will increase distrust in KFOR objectivity. Cc, and tagged @EUKosovo @UNMIKosovo @USEmbPristina @FranceauKosovo @ItalyinKosovo @UKinKosovo”. 

Traffic sign damaged at the entrance to Zvecan, perpetrators unknown (KoSSev)

A traffic sign displaying the name of the town of Zvecan was found vandalized at the town’s entrance, according to a statement released by the Kosovo Police.

The sign, which was installed last year and reads “Dobro došli” (Welcome) and „SreČan put“ (an apparent typo for “Srećan put”, meaning “Safe travels”), was damaged yesterday around 9:00 AM.

Reports indicate that the sign was defaced with black spray paint and punctured with what police described as a “sharp object”, specifically targeting the section displaying Zvecan’s emblem, which was assigned by Kosovo institutions.

Police have confirmed that the perpetrators remain unknown. The incident has been classified as “property damage or destruction”, and authorities have launched an investigation. Judicial bodies have also been informed.

Signs with spelling errors

The traffic sign in question was installed at the entrance to Zvecan in early October last year, but it quickly caught attention for its unique appearance.

Aside from the visible spelling errors, the sign is written in three languages—Albanian, Serbian (in Latin script), and English. However, discrepancies in font size and style are apparent. As with the signs at the entrance to North Mitrovica, the Albanian text is emphasized with a larger and bolder font, while the Serbian and English translations are notably smaller.

For drivers approaching Zvecan from Mitrovica, the sign reads “Opština Zvečan. Dobrodošli” (Municipality of Zvečan. Welcome). However, those traveling in the opposite direction are greeted with the misspelled message, “SreČan put”, rather than the correct “Srećan put”.

Serbian students complete ultramarathon, arrive in Brussels (N1)

Serbian student runners crossed the finish line in Brussels on Monday evening, just after 7 pm, arriving in front of the European Union’s (EU) main institutions where they were welcomed by a large crowd from the Serbian diaspora, including supporters from Belgium and neighbouring countries, N1 reported.

The students began their ultramarathon relay, titled From My Village to Brussels, in Belgrade on April 25. After 16 days of running and covering approximately 2,000 kilometres, they reached their final destination—Brussels.

European Parliament Vice-President Martin Hojsik addressed the Serbian student runners, praising them as the true future of Serbia - not Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic - and said they are demanding things they genuinely deserve. It is deeply inspiring that you are here in Brussels, the heart of European democracy, Hojsik told the students at the start of his speech, adding that their journey to Brussels on foot is an incredibly powerful statement. He also emphasized that the student movement has grown beyond the universities and that their struggle is not just for Serbia, but for values that are dear to Europe.

MEP Irena Joveva, who attended the welcoming event, told N1’s reporter that “what these students from Serbia are doing is truly admirable {…}”.  MEPs Rasmus Nordqvist and Goran Bosanac also attended the students’ welcome in Brussels.

 

 

Opinion

 

Dehumanisation as strategy: Bosnian Serb leader Dodik’s rhetorical warfare (BIRN)

 

Opinion piece by Sead Turcalo.

 

From “genetic liars” to “Islamic threats”, the president of Republika Srpska repackages 1990s hate to suit his 21st-century strategy of secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, the president of the Republika Srpska entity, is known for his vitriolic outbursts. His tirades are harsh and ruthless, delivered without a hint of remorse. This brutal approach is part of a deliberate political manoeuvre: he seeks to delegitimise the Bosniaks as an equal political community. By casting them as inferior, he aims to pave the way for his secessionist agenda.

 

When the president of Republika Srpska says that Bosniaks are “genetic liars”, his statement is not mere political provocation. The words have echoes of his predecessor Biljana Plavsic when she described Bosnian Muslims as “genetically defective” in September 1993. Plavsic was later convicted of war crimes.

 

Such statements condemn Bosniaks as biologically and morally inferior human beings. It is precisely this kind of dehumanisation, warned Raphael Lemkin, the father of the term genocide, that precedes attempts to destroy an entire people. When a group is labelled 'genetically inferior', anything becomes possible.

 

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

 

 

International

 

Albanian party quits North Macedonia govt over ‘unfulfilled promises’ (BIRN)

 

After one year in the government of right-wing Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, the small Alliance of Albanians party led by Arban Taravari, has made an exit, citing “unfulfilled promises”.

 

“That’s why we decided to return to among the citizens,” Taravari said after a party meeting on Monday, adding that the party would now act as an opposition force.

 

The departure of its five MPs still leaves the government with a safe majority. Last June the new government obtained the support of 77 out of 120 legislators.

 

The prime minister is meanwhile expected to conduct a small government reshuffle to replace the Alliance for Albanians’ ministers and deputies in cabinet, Taravari, the current Health Minister, is one of them.

 

The party’s departure follows weeks of uneasy relations within the governing alliance, which the prime minister tried to mitigate.

 

In April, three out of the four ethnic Albanian parties that formed the junior governing Vlen [It’s Worth It] alliance, opted to unify into one bigger party and put forward joint candidates for the local elections due in October.

 

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/4e8fyfdh