Albanian Language Media:

• Museum of survivors of sexual violence during war opened in Pristina (media)
• Kosovo initiates procedures to open ammunition factory (media)
• Two hand grenades thrown at police station in Zvecan (media)
• Zvecan Mayor condemns hand grenade attack at police station (media)
• Maqedonci on hand grenade attack in Zvecan: Isolated terrorist act (Paparaci)
• Ruge: Western Balkans is very much on NATO’s radar (media)
• February 9th elections, Konjufca calls on Diaspora to register (media)
• VV announces elections for candidates for MPs on February 9 elections (media)
• Osmani: Thankful for Colombia’s steadfast support for Kosovo (media)
• 20 arrested, €120,000 seized in police operation against cybercrimes (RFE) 
• Kurti on 80th anniversary of National Library of Kosovo (media)
• Albanians of the Valley called to place national flag in their houses (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Djuric: Grenell had a different approach to Kosovo; I expect readiness for cooperation from the new Trump administration (RTV, Kosovo Online, TV Happy) 
• Rasic: Construction of new police substations in the north unnecessary (KiM radio, KoSSev) 
• Two hand grenades thrown in the yard of Zvecan police station (KoSSev)
• Remains found at the site in Suvo Do, sent for examination (KoSSev)
• Serbian Parliament passes 2025 budget bill (Tanjug, N1)
• Vucic met with top military officials (Tanjug, RTS, media)

Opinion:

• Endless Abnormality (KoSSev)

International: 

• Despite being ‘homeless’, Kosovo ballet troupe keeps on dancing (BIRN)                                             

                    Albanian Language Media  

Museum of survivors of sexual violence during war opened in Pristina (media)

Several news websites report that the the Museum of Survivors of Sexual Violence in War was opened in Pristina on Tuesday bringing the unheard stories of around 20,000 women and men who were raped by Serbian forces in 1998-1999. Curator of the museum, Eliza Hoxha, talked about the importance of the museum to reflect and acknowledge the pain of the survivors. “There was a moment when the lives of these survivors were forever changed during the last war in Kosovo,” she said. Hoxha also argued that society has not done enough to integrate the survivors and to acknowledge their pain and suffering. 

Former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, founder of the Jahjaga Foundation and who ideated the museum, said “the museum we are inaugurating today is proof of the lives and sufferings of those that have been left forgotten for a long time. They were not victims, they are the silent heroes of our history, who today finally found their deserved place”.

German Ambassador Jorn Rohde said that the fight for survivors of sexual violence continues. “The majority of survivors still don’t talk about what they experienced. With this museum, Kosovo is making a crucial step towards dealing with the past and promoting reconciliation,” he said.

In a post on X, Rohde said: “Today we inaugurated the Museum of Survivors of Sexual Violence during the War in Kosovo. We need to give survivors a voice, we need to tell their stories to make one thing sure: never again. The museum established by Atifete Jahjaga and the Jahjaga Foundation presents the memories of survivors of different ethnic communities in Kosovo. Germany is pleased to support this crucial contribution towards transitional justice together with [Culture Minister] Hajrulla Ceku and [Pristina Mayor] Perparim Rama”. Jahjaga shared Rohde’s post and thanked the German Ambassador for his help and dedication for the realization of this project. “Your help and trust regarding this project were crucial. Together, we can do big and historical things!” Jahjaga said.

Kosovo initiates procedures to open ammunition factory (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in his address to the government meeting today talked about the Day of the Kosovo Security Force and said that he has signed the decision to initiate procedures for opening an ammunition factory. “We are marking this important day for our army with an important decision that I just signed and a necessary step to guarantee its sustainable development. We will set up an inter-ministerial committee to assess and initiate procedures and negotiations to open a factory for manufacturing ammunition and for a laboratory to design drones in the Republic of Kosovo,” he said.

Kurti said that the Kosovo Security Force needs to have full operationality and sustainability. “Today we are making the first steps to develop our military industry,” he said.

Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci said they coordinated the project with international partners and that the Turkish Ministry of Defence has assisted with a feasibility project. He said that now more than ever – because of global developments – such processes are necessary, and that Kosovo will be able to assist its allies with its manufactured reserves. “The Prime Minister has signed the decision to set up a committee that will lay the foundations of the military industry for the first time in Kosovo. This committee will research and discuss the opening of a state factory to manufacture ammunition. We have coordinated with our partners on this … We are having discussions with our partners about drones too. It is important that with the opening of the ammunition factory our country is making another step toward completing the overall security infrastructure,” he said.

Maqedonci also said “we don’t make any step without consulting with our international partners, namely with the United States, who are our strategic partner in building defense and security capacities”. 

Two hand grenades thrown at police station in Zvecan (media)

Kosovo Police said in a report that shortly after midnight two hand grenades were thrown at the yard of the police station in Zvecan. “Unknown persons threw two hand grenades at the yard of the police station. There have been material damages, but no injuries have been reported,” the police said.

Zvecan Mayor condemns hand grenade attack at police station (media)

All media report that the mayor of the municipality, Ilir Peci, has condemned the hand grenade attack at the police station in Zvecan on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. “This is an unacceptable act and a serious threat to public security which has not only shocked our citizens but also threatened the law enforcement institutions. This criminal act is an attack against the state and will not be tolerated. As mayor of the municipality, I engage to make sure that all necessary measures will be taken to guarantee the safety of our citizens and to support the law enforcement institutions in every step of investigations and legal proceedings,” Peci said in a Facebook post.

Maqedonci on hand grenade attack in Zvecan: Isolated terrorist act (Paparaci)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, was asked to comment today on the throwing of two hand grenades at the Kosovo police station in Zvecan, to which he said: “in the case of such attacks, as was the case yesterday, this is more an issue of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, namely the Kosovo Police, being that it is an isolated terrorist act, but always linked to continuous acts that different paramilitary groups have launched against our country, including the attempt to annex one part of our territory on September 24 last year”.

Maqedonci also said that the involvement of the Kosovo Security Force in the four northern municipalities can be done only with previous coordination with KFOR. “This is a commitment from 2013 which we continue to respect. We will be ready to respond to any challenge and threat always in cooperation with our allies and partners,” he said.

Ruge: Western Balkans is very much on NATO’s radar (media)

NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General Boris Ruge said today that the Western Balkans is very much on NATO’s radar. “I can tell you that the Western Balkans is also very much on our radar. We are facing a situation in Bosnia that remains very difficult. We've had over the past year and a half, very difficult situations in Kosovo, including the attack on KFOR troops in May 2023 including the incident in Banjska in northern Kosovo in November 2023 and we have invested a lot of time and effort and resources in order to get a handle on that situation. For example, we've added around about one thousand troops to KFOR to be able to deal with any situation that may arise. And we have, of course, reached out both to Belgrade and to Pristina to bring tensions down,” Ruge is quoted as saying.

February 9th elections, Konjufca calls on Diaspora to register (media)

Kosovo’s Speaker of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufca, has called on the diaspora to register for the February 9th elections. "As we all know, the elections are already scheduled to be held on February 9th. However, the registration date is until December 26th. This is the registration date for all those who want to exercise their right to vote by mail or at the consulates and embassies of the Republic of Kosovo," Konjufca said.

He informed diaspora that if they do not register by December 26th, then the only option to exercise this right remains physical arrival in Kosovo. "The diaspora is a very important part of the Republic of Kosovo. Together we have built Kosovo and together we will build the future. Register!", he emphasized in a video address posted on Facebook.

VV announces elections for candidates for MPs on February 9 elections (media)

The Vetevendosje Movement has announced internal elections for candidates for MPs for the February 9 elections. This was announced through a media release. ‘’In accordance with the Statute of the Vetevendosje Movement and the Regulation of Internal Elections, the General Election Commission of the Vetevendosje Movement announces internal elections for candidates for MPs for the February 9, 2025 parliamentary elections,’’ the release notes. It further states that all members of the Movement, interested in running in these elections must submit a declaration of candidacy with the accompanying documentation from 26.11.2024 to 30.11.2024.

Osmani: Thankful for Colombia’s steadfast support for Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X that she was welcomed with highest military honors at the Casa Narino Presidential Palace in Bogota by Colombian President Petro Gustavo. “I am deeply grateful for the respect and friendship Colombia has shown towards Kosovo during our official visit — the first by a Kosovo head of state to Colombia. We discussed numerous opportunities for cooperation in security, tourism, economy, culture, and strengthening Kosovo’s standing on the international stage. Profoundly thankful for Colombia’s steadfast and unwavering support for Kosovo!” Osmani said.

20 arrested, €120,000 seized in police operation against cybercrimes (RFE) 

The news website reports that 20 persons were arrested and €120,000 were confiscated during a Kosovo Police operation in Pristina, Ferizaj, Kacanik and Klina, on the suspicion of “unauthorized computer access” and “fraud”. A police statement notes that investigations were ongoing for several months by the Department for Investigating Cybercrimes. The operation was carried out in 14 different locations, and in addition to money, five vehicles, around 60 computers and telephones, and memory devices, were also confiscated. 120 police officers and German officials were also part of the operation. 

Kurti on 80th anniversary of National Library of Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that “the National Library of Kosova is one of the most memorable and iconic buildings not only in Prishtina, but our country as a whole. In celebration of the Library's 80th anniversary, I had the honor to welcome the renowned architect that designed it, Croatian academic Andrija Mutnjakovic, now 95 years old. I thanked him for his outstanding and permanent contribution to Kosova's aesthetic landscape. I also conveyed to him the gratitude of our people, letting him know that he will always be welcome in Kosova, as an esteemed guest and most cherished friend”.

Albanians of the Valley called to place national flag in their houses (media)

The Mayor of Presheva, Ardita Sinani, has joined the call to place the national flag in every house in the Valley, on the occasion of November 28. Through a post on Facebook, Sinani called for showing national pride and unity, "proving that our red and black flag is our identity and the symbol of our resistance throughout the centuries".

Previously, such a call had also been made by MP Shaip Kamberi.

Serbian Language Media 

Djuric: Grenell had a different approach to Kosovo; I expect readiness for cooperation from the new Trump administration (RTV, Kosovo Online, TV Happy) 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Marko Djuric indicated that during the first presidential term of Donald Trump, the relationship between Serbs and Albanians was at a much higher level and that the priority was to reach a compromise through economic cooperation. He said that he also expects readiness for cooperation from the new Trump administration.

Commenting on the return of the newly elected President Donald Trump to the head of the USA, Djuric pointed out that former Trump envoy Richard Grenell had a different approach and that he tried to create a new type of relationship between Serbs and Albanians through the creation of economic ties, reported Kosovo Online, citing RTV. 

"And we know which economy in the region is the strongest - the Serbian economy. It is in our interest to have open borders, so that our goods can circulate freely. And that is the vision with which President Vucic entered into the creation of the Open Balkans initiative. Open borders also solve the Serbian national issue," Djuric told TV Happy.

When asked about Serbia's expectations from the new Trump administration, he said that he readiness to listen to Serbia's position is expected and emphasized that working with a power such as the USA requires persistence and consistency, which is why, as he says, the country worked to create a Serbian lobby in America, and that the Serbian caucus in the Congress was increased more than twice.

Research which shows that Serbs in Europe were the most in favor of the election of President Trump, he points out, speaks about the appetite of the Serbian people for a different and better relationship with the USA with mutual appreciation and respect.

He added that there is reason to believe that relations between Serbia and the USA will further improve in the coming period, economically, politically and in every other sense, and pointed out that American companies in Serbia are engaged in some of the key infrastructure projects such as the Moravian Corridor , then in the energy and IT sector.

"American policy today must take into account the interests of American companies in Serbia. That's what we didn't have and what we've been missing since the 90s. You don't attack the country where key American companies work, there is no such American policy that will fundamentally go against the interests of American companies," Djuric said. 

When asked whether Euroscepticism is present among citizens, Djuric said that, according to research, Serbian society is divided on the question of whether Serbia should join the EU and assessed that this is understandable because it has not been possible for Serbia to gain full membership status for more than 20 years. 

"That's why these signals, such as the opening of cluster 3, are important, so that the public in Serbia and the political class, as well as all citizens, recognize that European institutions and European states want Serbia as an equal member. And that is why it is important that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was here, who sent a clear and public message that they see us in Europe," said Djuric. 

He added that it is important that Serbia implements all reforms, stressing that the request of certain countries related to Kosovo, which Belgrade cannot and will not accept, must not be combined with the issue of membership in the European Union.

Rasic: Construction of new police substations in the north unnecessary (KiM radio, KoSSev) 

Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic, believes that the construction of new substations of the Kosovo police in the north is unnecessary. He does not expect too much from the next round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and adds that the Serbs are silent observers of their fate in that process.

In the last month, the construction of three substations of the Kosovo police began in the north of Kosovo, near the Bistrica bridge, in the village of Izvor and in Lesak. 

"That way of communicating with citizens is not the best, due to the fact that the number of stations is increasing. Although they may have been missing there, I don't know if that's why it's being done. Again, this is a negative indicator," said Rasic. 

He added that on Monday he met with the new commander of KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, who told him that the essential task of this mission in the coming period will be the security of administrative lines.

Although the Serbs from the north of Kosovo do not trust the Kosovo police, the Minister for Communities and Return states that it is the only police that exists and that "people are by nature such that they have to adapt to circumstances."

"There were at least three or four recruitments, I know there were about 200 or 300 newly recruited police officers, which I think is the way to achieve trust. If these young men are hired as police officers, the local population knows them and thus instills new trust," Rasic believes. He stressed that Serbs must have their own representatives in the police because this is how long-term trust is created in the work of that institution.

Regarding the next meeting between the chief negotiators of Belgrade and Pristina, Rasic says that he does not expect much.

"It is always good to have meetings, regardless of whether you confirm the same again - that there is no agreement. The reasons are obvious, in this case the pre-election campaign is starting here, and in Belgrade you can see that there are some different kinds of tensions, so we don't go into the analysis of that. But, as per the old bad custom, they will probably return without an agreement," he stated.

He added that new talks within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will follow, and that the Kosovo Serbs, as he said, have no idea what their essence is.

"We are constantly suffering. It will have serious consequences because we are still not participants in the decision-making process. It will probably cost us dearly, because on a given day or moment, when that agreement is reached, when someone comes to us and says: 'This is it, you implement it now, you organize yourself now', and you couldn't intervene in a timely manner, so that possible adaptation could be painless," he said.

Rasic concluded by stating that the Serbs in Kosovo are constantly brought before the fait accompli, which personally, as he added, "terribly irritates" him, because they are only "mute observers of their fate."

Two hand grenades thrown in the yard of Zvecan police station (KoSSev)

KoSSev portal reported, according to KP statement this morning, that last night an unknown individual threw two hand grenades into the yard of the police station in Zvecan. KP noted that because of the explosion, material damage was caused, but no one was injured. The incident happened around 23.55 p.m.

According to the police, all competent units that conducted the investigation went to the scene, and the Unit for Serious Crimes was working intensively to identify the perpetrator. The prosecutor characterized the case as “causing general danger”.

KP condemned such dangerous attacks, but also called on people to help find the perpetrator. 

Remains found at the site in Suvo Do, sent for examination (KoSSev)

In the Suvi Do settlement, in the southern part of Mitrovica, a locality where excavations are being carried out in search of mortal remains, the remains of one person were found. The Commission for Missing Persons of Kosovo government states that there is a possibility that it is the remains of a person from the list of missing persons during the war in Kosovo, reported KoSSev. 

The exhumed remains, as they further state, will be sent for the necessary forensic examinations and identification through scientific DNA analysis. They also state that the public will be informed about the results of the findings.

The excavations were carried out in cooperation with the Kosovo police and the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

KoSSev recalled that at the beginning of September, the remains were found at the cemetery in the northern part of Mitrovica, which, as the Pristina Institute for Forensic Medicine announced at the time, were found by residents.

Serbian Parliament passes 2025 budget bill (Tanjug, N1)

The Serbian Parliament passed the 2025 budget bill on Wednesday.

Budget revenues in 2025 will amount to 2,346.2 bln dinars, with costs and expenditures totalling 2,660.2 bln dinars. Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said earlier the new budget was both socially responsible and development minded as it ensured continued economic growth through large-scale investments. The projected 2025 GDP growth rate is 4.2 pct, with the budget deficit to amount to 3 pct of GDP. The general government debt is projected at 47.5 pct of GDP. A total 7.4 pct of GDP - or 762.9 bln dinars - will go to capital investments, including expressways, high-speed rail lines, motorways, health centres, schools, and hospitals.

Also, 2.5 pct of the national GDP will go to the Serbian Armed Forces and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija will receive 17.2 bln dinars, with an additional 2 bln dinars set aside for the unemployed in the territory of Kosovo. 

However, N1 reported that deputies of the Serbian Parliament voted on the state budget for 2025, without the opposition, which does not participate in the work of the session. The opposition previously assessed that the clashes on Monday were deliberately staged, so that the government would push through the laws on which the lives of Serbian citizens depend "through the back door". They said that they will file a criminal complaint against Ana Brnabic on suspicion of abuse of official position. Without opposition, amendments to the Law on Games of Chance were also adopted, and there are more than 60 other items on the agenda, including amendments to the Criminal Code, the Law on Energy, the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance...

Vucic meets with top military officials (Tanjug, RTS, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he held an important meeting yesterday with top military officials and the chiefs of military agencies, reported Tanjug.

"Serbia must be independent, militarily neutral and, above all, militarily capable of protecting its people from any potential aggressor," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

Opinion

Endless Abnormality (KoSSev)

By Ilir Deda

Dear Saša,

Reading your letter brought to mind my first and, sadly, last conversation with the late Latinka Perović about 18 or 19 years ago in Priština. One of her observations has stayed with me ever since: that our societies are inherently immature and un-emancipated. From today’s perspective, however, could the same not be said of other Western countries, judging by their electoral choices? We are living in an era of the collapse of mainstream politics, where political elites seem incapable of addressing the enormous challenges burdening people, making “abnormality” increasingly prevalent, even in countries with a long democratic tradition.

Our nations, unfortunately, lack such a tradition. Despite your efforts and my own past engagement in advancing democracy, strengthening institutions, and promoting equality, we are witnessing significant regression and growing dissatisfaction within society, both in Kosovo and in Serbia.

Yet this dissatisfaction and socio-political crisis do not lead to “normalcy.” The divide between our societies is vast, and the public sphere is dominated by national-populism, which inherently thrives on conflict. This is precisely why we need processes like those in Brussels, Berlin, and Europe—because without them, we might already be entrenched in conflict. States resolve mutual problems, while people of goodwill support every possible step toward normalcy.

You briefly touched on the events of thirty years ago in your letter. To be honest, I prefer not to dwell on the dark days of the 1990s, when Albanians were collectively discriminated against by Serbian state policies of the time. In general, I avoid thinking about the past unless it serves as a lesson, inspiration, or a reminder of what must and must not be done.

I understand the struggles of Serbs in Kosovo, particularly those in the North. Unfortunately, the current Prime Minister has squandered the chance to extend an olive branch to the Serbian community and initiate a dialogue to address issues within the Kosovo government’s power to resolve. I am disheartened by the arbitrariness of decisions from Kosovo’s institutions and the misuse of the so-called “rule of law,” which now seems to include the revival of the long-abandoned “verbal offense,” evidenced by the arrests of Serbs for slogans, T-shirts, or banners. The current ruling party either misunderstands or deliberately ignores the essence of equality, and this “misunderstanding” leaves profound, damaging consequences—not only for interethnic relations but for Kosovo itself.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2s8bhfzf

International

Despite being ‘homeless’, Kosovo ballet troupe keeps on dancing (BIRN)

Without a National Opera and Ballet venue, Kosovo’s national ballet company is constantly on the move.

The most recent performance by Kosovo’s National Ballet, The Terminal, explored the changes relationships go through in a lifetime. The theme was apt for a ballet company constantly adapting to new conditions. Rarely are they ideal.

The Terminal was performed on an improvised ballet stage in the local cultural centre in Obiliq/Obilic, just west of the capital, Pristina. The stage was harder than it should be for ballet dancers and the lighting was limited.

“If they have to work there for eight hours, their feet and muscles will ache, or even be injured,” said 34-year-old Sead Vuniqi, a dancer and choreographer for the national ballet company. “This hall is more for concerts.”

The company has little choice, however, given that Kosovo does not have a venue specifically designed for opera and ballet, while the company’s official residence – the National Theatre – has been closed for renovation for more than two years. When it was open, the ballet company rehearsed in a basement hall, but even then they had problems with the sewage system, said ballerina Aulone Nuhiu.

“At least we had a hall of our own,” she said between rehearsals in Obiliq/Obilic.

When the renovation began, the ballet company was moved to the Palace of Youth in Pristina, which does not have enough space to accommodate different types of shows simultaneously, so the company is constantly searching for alternative venues for rehearsals and performances.

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