Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti doesn’t speak about forming new government: “I need to go,” (media)
• Kurti congratulates Hamza: Committed to continued cooperation (media)
• Clark: I have no evidence that KLA was behind expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo (media)
• 24 victims of UN plane that crashed in northern Kosovo commemorated (Koha)
• Osmani: Gender equality is an oath, an action, and a shared march (media)
• Kurti: We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to gender equality (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Head of German diplomacy: Serbia will decide in elections which way to go (Beta, N1)
• Djuric: In the coming period, we will redouble our efforts to reduce tensions in society (N1)
• Konjufca's deadline expiring for composition of new government of Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online)
• "Clark claims he did not know of KLA crimes against Serbs, attacks on Serbian police" (Radio KIM)
• Media: Armed robbers intercept cash transport in Serbia, escape with millions? (KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo paying high price for delay in joining single Euro payment area (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti doesn’t speak about forming new government: “I need to go,” (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti did not consent to answer when asked when the session for forming the government will be called and whether they have secured the numbers.  “I need to go,” he said briefly.

The mandate-holder Glauk Konjufca has one day left to propose to the Assembly the new government composition, specifically until November 19, to see whether he has the necessary votes to form the new executive.

Konjufca’s nomination for prime minister by Vetevendosje has not changed the stance of the parliamentary parties. The Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Democratic League of Kosovo, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, and the social Democratic Initiative have publicly stated that they will not support a government led by Konjufca and have called for elections.

Kurti congratulates Hamza: Committed to continued cooperation (media)

The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement and caretaker Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has congratulated Bedri Hamza for taking over the leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). “I extend my congratulations to Mr. Bedri Hamza on his election as the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo,” Kurti wrote, adding that mutual cooperation across the broad political spectrum, always in the interest of the public, is a fundamental principle for the functioning and advancement of Kosovo.

“Internal party electoral processes, but also mutual cooperation of the broad political spectrum, always in the interest of the public, are fundamental principles for the functioning and advancement of our state. For my part, I will continue the commitment to correct cooperation, in accordance with the will of the citizens and with the responsibilities required of us in service to the Republic,” Kurti wrote in his message to Hamza.

Clark: I have no evidence that KLA was behind expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo (media)

Former NATO Supreme Commander Wesley Clark, testifying for a second day at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, said he has no evidence that the KLA was behind the expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo, contradicting claims that 170,000 Serbs were forced out by the organization. Clark argued that KLA actions were not part of an orchestrated campaign. The witness reiterated that the violence in 1999 was mostly the result of individual actions rather than an orchestrated campaign. To discuss a confidential matter, the session continued behind closed doors, without public access.

Prosecutor Matt Halling asked the witness whether it was fair to say that a certain distance was maintained towards KLA during the bombings. “No, that is not correct, and this is why I spoke with Thaci. I asked Thaci to help us. We were at a critical point in history, of values, ethics, and democracy at that time. I hope the trial panel won’t interrupt me. Nonetheless, at a certain point, when people fight against oppression, they move from being labeled terrorists to being freedom fighters, and at some point, global opinion and global consensus reach the conclusion that people have the right to resist the pressure of war. This is foreseen in the American Declaration of Independence and is something normal and logical,” Clark said.

He also described Russia’s efforts in 1999 to discredit NATO’s mission in Kosovo, revealing that Moscow had a detailed plan to deploy forces into Kosovo after the war. Clark said his top responsibility was ensuring Serbian forces never returned to Kosovo and that NATO did everything possible to secure its mission.

Clark reiterated that mistakes committed by individuals should not be attributed to Hashim Thaci, whom he said did not control those who committed violent acts. He is expected to be the final witness before the trial moves to closing arguments.

24 victims of the UN plane that crashed in northern Kosovo commemorated (Koha)

On Wednesday, 24 civilian members of humanitarian missions who died in the crash of a United Nations plane in northern Kosovo on November 12, 1999, were commemorated. The plane was arriving from Rome carrying personnel and humanitarian aid to Kosovo, newly emerged from war. UNMIK’s mission in Kosovo marked the 26th anniversary of this tragedy.

“On a foggy, cold Friday morning, November 12, 1999, an aircraft carrying people from all over the world, mostly international humanitarian workers and aid staff, was arriving from Rome to Prishtina on Flight 3275. Their mission was to support relief operations in Kosovo. Tragically, the plane never reached Prishtina Airport. Just minutes before landing, the WFP flight crashed in Shala e Bajgores, killing all 24 people on board and shocking the international community,” UNMIK said in its statement.

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of UNMIK, Milbert Dongjoon Shin, led a delegation to the 1999 crash site to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.

Osmani: Gender equality is an oath, an action, and a shared march (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani emphasized at a conference marking 20 years of Kosovo’s Gender Equality Agenda that society, especially men, must actively support efforts to combat gender-based violence. She called for stronger professional mechanisms, better training, and closer coordination between local and central institutions to build trust and protection for victims. Osmani stressed that gender equality is not a slogan or election promise but a daily commitment and collective effort. The conference was organized by the Agency for Gender Equality as part of the “30 Years After Beijing – The Road Ahead” initiative.

Kurti: We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to gender equality (media)

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti reaffirmed Kosovo’s strong commitment to gender equality, highlighting government programs that support women’s employment and combat poverty. He emphasized that both public and private sectors must uphold gender equality standards to ensure women’s potential is recognized, supported, and valued across society.

“One of the pillars of this platform is the elimination of women’s poverty, because poverty is not neutral from a legal perspective. Therefore, as a government, we have taken measures to break this cycle. Over 12,000 women have been directly employed through our employment programs, including the ‘Super Work’ platform, which has reached nearly 20,000 young people, 51 percent of whom are women and girls. At the same time, we are working on the dedicated platform ‘Super Work for Women,’ where women employed in the private sector receive, for six months, a minimum-wage bonus, which will be 425 euros from January 1 and will increase to 500 euros from July of next year,” he said.

Serbian Language Media 

Head of German diplomacy: Serbia will decide in elections which way to go (Beta, N1)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Johann Wadephul said this morning in Belgrade Serbia will decide in elections which way to go and that there is no doubt that it will be possible.

Wadephul said he received assurances from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Head of Diplomacy Marko Djuric that Serbia is clearly focused on the path to the European Union, reported N1.

He told journalists in Belgrade after meeting Djuric that the EU membership candidate is expected to ensure freedom of assembly and expression, adding this is not negotiable, because these are the pillars of the EU.

Wadephul, who arrived in Belgrade last night, where he spoke with Vucic and today with Djuric, will also speak with representatives of civil society, after which he will travel to Pristina and Skopje, where he will end his three-day visit to the Western Balkans.

After Belgrade, the German Foreign Minister will travel to Pristina, where he will talk to Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister in technical mandate Albin Kurti and German soldiers in the KFOR mission.

The head of German diplomacy will then travel to Skopje.

Djuric: In the coming period, we will redouble our efforts to reduce tensions in society (N1)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric said that the Government of Serbia is trying to open the way for dialogue, as the past year was politically difficult, marked by a high degree of polarization, reported N1. 

"We are working to reduce social tensions and in the coming period we will redouble our efforts to reduce these tensions. However, I have to say that I cannot agree with certain assessments that sufficient freedom of assembly was not provided or that there was no space to express different views", he said after the meeting with his German counterpart Johann Wadephull.

He presented information that 22,000 public gatherings were held in Serbia, adding he was glad there were no victims, although there was political violence, and, as an example, he cited the vandalism of SNS premises. He assessed that such a picture of political relations is bad and all political actors share responsibility for overcoming such a situation.

"But I want to assure both our and the international public that we are committed to a dialogue based on mutual appreciation and respect, and I am fully convinced that Serbia will pass the test of maturity and in the future through institutional methods will resolve internal political disagreements, thereby showing all of Europe it is the type of society it should be in order to play a constructive role in the European framework," he said.

He also pointed out Serbia is unequivocally and firmly determined to join the EU, including "acceptance of the foreign and security policy and active participation in its formulation". "For Serbia, the EU is a strategic goal because we see in it an opportunity to change the paradigm of relations in our region, to create a new, different future. I don't think I can be clearer at this moment. Yes, there is no ambiguity, our path is the path to the EU", Djuric told reporters. 

He added he has also informed the German delegation about the position of the Serbs in Kosovo, but also about Serbia's willingness to preserve stability in the region. "This is especially important in the context of the need to create a perspective for the younger generations in our region. By working on reforms with the support of key partners such as Germany, we can really make the European perspective close, tangible and attainable", he said, noting Serbia wants to join the EU as soon as possible.

The Serbian Government would undertake all measures to ensure energy security and solve the issue of the Russian majority-owned oil company NIS - which is under US sanctions - in line with the laws and interests of Serbia, Djuric said. He also said Serbia had support of European partners when it comes to diversification of energy supplies, reported Tanjug. Djuric made these remarks responding to questions from reporters after a meeting with his German counterpart in Belgrade.

"The Government of Serbia will do all it takes to ensure security of supplies to both citizens and businesses. In the coming days, we will hold sessions on a daily basis to solve the issue of NIS in a manner that is based on our laws, as well as on our national interests, as no country in the world would allow itself to be deprived of energy supplies, and that will not be the case with Serbia. We will do all it takes to ensure the security of the energy market", Djuric said.

Konjufca's deadline expiring for composition of new government of Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online)

A prime minister designate for the composition of the new Kosovo Government, Glauk Konjufca's time is slowly running out to propose the composition of his cabinet to the parliament. President Vjosa Osmani entrusted him with the mandate on November 4, while the 15-day constitutional deadline to form the governmetn expires tomorrow. There is still no announcement from Kosovo Assembly on the session where MPs could express their opinion on his proposal, reported Radio Mitrovica sever. 

The same messages once again are coming from opposition parties, that is, they will not support the government led by the current Speaker of the Parliament. They do not want a Self-Determination government, but new elections. And analysts see that scenario as the most certain.

Vjosa Osmani told journalists yesterday she is optimistic and that the parliamentary session on the election of the government will be convened before Wednesday, rejecting allegations she had also contributed to the delays in the formation of institutions.

"It was never my intention to cause delays; they were caused by others. We waited for them for nine months. Now the process is ending, and we will see what will happen", said Osmani.

Even the leader of Self-Determination and still Prime Minister in technical mandate, Albin Kurti, who failed in his attempt to form a government, was not precise either yesterday, but pointed out the importance of forming parliamentary committees.

"We have two more days until the assembly session. What I consider urgent for Kosovo is the formation of parliamentary committees. There are four permanent committees, the committee for the budget, employment and transfers, the committee for European integration, the committee for communities and return and the committee for legislation. Now that we have constituted the assembly in the ninth convocation, it is a political mistake and financial and social damage not to continue. There is no more urgent issue than this, the deadline of 15 days is valid until Wednesday", said Kurti.

An extraordinary session of parliament can be convened at the request of 40 members of the opposition, which Self-Determination certainly has in the parliamentary benches. However, there are no announcements from the party yet when the session could be held.

If Konjufca does not get 61 votes, Kosovo will go for early elections, no later than the second half of December.

"Clark claims he did not know of KLA crimes against Serbs, attacks on Serbian police" (Radio KIM)

Defense witness in a case of former KLA leader Hashim Thaci and three other defendants accused of war crimes committed in Kosovo and Albania, in the period from 1998 to 1999, Wesley Clark said he did not know “about crimes against Serbs and attacks on (Serbian police) that KLA carried out before the NATO bombing in 1999”, Radio KIM reported.

At the beginning of cross-examination the prosecutor Matthew Halling asked Clark, who was the-then NATO Commander in Europe, if he knew that in the summer of 1998 KLA abducted 10 Serbian workers at Belacevac mine near Pristina, and several dozens of Serbs in Orahovac.

“I did not know about that”, Clark responded.

The workers of Belacevac mine and abducted Serbs from Orahovac are on the list of KLA victims included in the indictment against Thaci.

Clark also said he does not know what crimes Thaci is accused of. As he said he did not have an insight into internal KLA documents, nor into their public statements, and also that he did not know who the members or commanders of the KLA general staff were, or commanders of the operation zones. The witness also admitted he does not know who Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi or Jakup Krasniqi are. The three former KLA leaders are standing the same war crimes trial along with Hashim Thaci.

Media: Armed robbers intercept cash transport in Serbia, escape with millions? (KoSSev)

A group of masked individuals intercepted an armored cash-transport vehicle late last night in the Sandzak region, making off with what is estimated to be around €2 million in state funds, Sandžak danas reported, citing its own sources.

The robbery reportedly occurred in the village of Kucani, on a regional road, where the attackers — according to initial media accounts — allegedly held the drivers at gunpoint and forced them to abandon the armored truck. The perpetrators then fled the scene. Shortly afterward, the stolen vehicle was found set ablaze in the village of Jablanica. Police units from Novi Pazar and Raska have been deployed to the area. They were conducting an on-site investigation, blocking a wider perimeter, and checking all exits from the town.

The Serbian Ministry of Interior has not yet commented on the incident, nor has it confirmed the claims circulating in the media since last night, reported KoSSev.

Similar cases in the region — on the Kosovo side

Robberies targeting cash-transport vehicles have also occurred in the northern Kosovo region in previous years. Most frequently, the targets were vehicles belonging to the Henderson company, which transported funds of the Republic of Serbia after they were collected at the Jarinje crossing.

One such robbery took place on 28 November 2019 in Krtina, Leposavic municipality, and another in June 2018, also in Leposavic. Earlier that same year, in May 2018, only about twenty meters from the Jarinje crossing, an attempted robbery during a cash handover was prevented. In addition, in 2022, an armed robbery at Komercijalna Banka in Zubin Potok resulted in more than €90,000 being stolen. The Post Office in Zvecan has also been robbed, and Kosovo has seen multiple robberies of banks and post offices across several locations over the years.

International

Kosovo paying high price for delay in joining single Euro payment area (Balkan Insight)

Membership of Europe’s Single Euro Payment Area could save individuals and businesses in Kosovo millions of euros every year, but a court review and a prolonged political impasse mean no one knows when the country might join.

When dozens of banks from Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Moldova joined Europe’s Single Euro Payments Area, or SEPA, last month, the executive arm of the European Union, the Commission, hailed it as an “historic development” that will make euro transactions between the bloc and these four states “more reliable, faster, and cheaper”.

The Commission’s statement even put a number on it: up to 500 million euros in savings for individuals and businesses, plus easier international transactions and enhanced cross-border trade. Kosovo, however, could only watch from the sidelines.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/tJqE6