Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani and Bulgaria’s President discuss lifting of EU measures (media)
• Kurti: Europe needs clear stand against authoritarianism and support for Democracy (media)
• German Ambassador: KFOR, pillar of security in Western Balkans (media)
• Maqedonci and Rudolph discuss security and challenges (media)
• War veterans to hold protest in Strasbourg on November 16 (media)
• AJK condemns Faton Peci’s intimidation campaign against TV Dukagjini (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian List official: Kurti using children and school in Mikronaselje for pre-election campaign in Mitrovica South (Kosovo Online)
• Whose interests do International Crisis Group’s recommendations serve, and are they feasible? (Kosovo Online)
• Two marches: Students honor victims, Kosovo Serbs walk for Vucic (KoSSev)
• Vucic asks US not to impose secondary sanctions on banks working with NIS (N1)
• Has the relationship between Aleksandar Vucic and Milorad Dodik irretrievably broken down? (serbianmonitor.com)
• RSF: Serbian journalists suffer record number of attacks (N1)

International:

• Insider stories: How Belgrade’s boiler room fraud hubs work (Balkan Insight)
• Serbian capital hails students marching north to join disaster commemoration (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani and Bulgaria’s President discuss lifting of EU measures (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met during her visit to Riyadh with the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev. Osmani announced that the main topic of discussion with President Radev were the removal of the measures imposed on Kosovo and the advancement of Kosovo’s application for EU candidate status. “President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria is a friend of Kosovo and a strong supporter of our Euro-Atlantic aspirations. In our meeting in Riyadh, the focus of our discussions was on lifting the unjust measures against Kosovo and advancing our application for EU candidate status, as part of our joint efforts to strengthen regional stability and deepen cooperation between our countries within the framework of European and Euro-Atlantic partnership,” Osmani wrote.

Kurti: Europe needs clear stand against authoritarianism and support for Democracy (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, took part in a discussion organized by the renowned French institute Jacques Delors in Paris, where he was welcomed by the institute’s director, Sylvie Mattelly. The discussion focused on the geopolitical situation in Europe and its impact on the Western Balkans, while also addressing other topics such as defense, human rights, and recent developments in Kosovo. The Special Envoy of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Western Balkans, Rene Troccaz, was also present at the roundtable.

In his opening remarks, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, Kurti thanked the organizers for the invitation and stated that Europe today is both prosperous and deeply challenged, emphasizing the need for long-term planning in a time filled with geopolitical challenges.

“Systems that thrive, whether institutions, organizations, or societies, evolve through cycles of order, disorder, and reordering. For Europe, this new balance requires a clear stance against authoritarianism and clear inclusion of those countries that support democracy,” Kurti said.

Speaking about Kosovo, he highlighted the institutional and economic progress achieved since declaring independence in 2008, noting that during his government’s term, Kosovo has fought corruption and achieved sustainable economic growth.

Kurti mentioned that in July of this year, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank removed Kosovo from the list of fragile and conflict-affected states, based on the country’s notable institutional and economic improvements — including a drop in unemployment from around 26% to less than 11%.

He also spoke about his government’s progressive social policies, such as free public higher education, allowances for mothers and children, youth employment programs, and increased pensions. Kurti further mentioned preparations for the 2030 Mediterranean Games, which will bring the largest investments in Kosovo’s sports infrastructure. In this context, he thanked the French Development Agency (AFD) for its cooperation and support for Kosovo’s development projects.

The discussion also addressed issues of security and defense, where Kurti emphasized the increase in the budget and capacities of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) in cooperation with international partners, stating that the defense of democracy is inseparable and unstoppable.

Kurti has been invited to the Paris Peace Forum by President Emmanuel Macron. The forum is being held today and tomorrow.

German Ambassador: KFOR, pillar of security in Western Balkans (media)

German Ambassador to Kosovo Rainer Rudolph visited KFOR Headquarters, where he was received by KFOR Commander, Major General Oezkan Ulutas. “During their meeting, Rudolph emphasized his appreciation for the outstanding work that KFOR continues to do and thanked them for their service in promoting peace and stability in Kosovo,” reads a post by the German Embassy on Facebook.

During the visit, the German ambassador also met with the commander of the German contingent within KFOR, Colonel Muller, from whom he was briefed in more detail about the contribution of German soldiers serving in the mission.

Maqedonci and Rudolph discuss security and challenges (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci met with the German Ambassador to Kosovo Reiner Rudolph, to discuss the security situation. “We discussed the security situation in the country, the stability and challenges faced by the nation and the region during a challenging period for security. I also informed him about the current capacities of the Kosovo Security Force,” Maqedonci stated.

“I expressed my gratitude for Germany’s long-standing support to the Republic of Kosovo, the increased presence of German troops within KFOR, and my deep confidence that this cooperation, including with Ambassador Rudolph, will continue toward strengthening the collaboration between our countries in the field of security and defense, as two states that share common interests,” Maqedonci said.

War veterans to hold protest in Strasbourg on November 16 (media)

The head of the Organization of KLA War Veterans, Hysni Gucati, announced in a press conference that organisations representing the categories that emerged from Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have decided to hold their next protest on November 16 at 13:00, in front of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, to demand justice for KLA fighters held in The Hague. “The reason for choosing this location is because it was precisely here that the injustice against KLA began, when Dick Marty’s report was voted on and approved, which later became the basis for the establishment of the Special Court against former KLA leaders,” Gucati said.

He added that the protest will be held to demand justice and to remind European institutions that the truth about Kosovo’s liberation war cannot be distorted.

AJK condemns Faton Peci’s intimidation campaign against TV Dukagjini (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) strongly condemned Faton Peci, the Vetevendosje candidate for South Mitrovica, for launching an intimidation campaign against TV Dukagjini. AJK criticized Peci’s Facebook post in which he called the channel a “criminal enterprise’s operational center,” labelling it irresponsible and dangerous.

The Association urged Peci and Vetevendosje to withdraw their accusations immediately, warning that such rhetoric fuels hostility toward journalists and worsens the media’s working environment, especially during elections.

Serbian Language Media 

Serbian List official: Kurti using children and school in Mikronaselje for pre-election campaign in Mitrovica South (Kosovo Online)

Serbian List Presidency member and elected councillor at Mitrovica North municipal assembly Nemanja Biševac reacted to the laying of foundation stone at the children’s playground in Mikronaselje, emphasizing that Self-determination Movement (LVV) is using construction of a school in the north in the pre-election campaign in South Mitrovica, where the second round of local elections will be held on November 9. He underlined that following the Serbian List victory, all decisions made to the detriment of people, including the one on land repurposing, will be changed.

The cornerstone for the new facility was laid yesterday by outgoing Kosovo ministers of Internal Affairs and Local Government Administration, Xhellal Svecla and Elbert Krasniqi, as well as the outgoing mayor of the Mitrovica North, Erden Atiq, in the presence of the LVV candidate for mayor of South Mitrovica, Faton Peci.

“After experiencing the debacle, Kurti’s fake mayor in the local elections, he directly involved himself in the campaign of his party who is competing in South Mitrovica, by deciding to change the use of the land”, Bisevac said.

He reminded that decisions on land conversion are not legal and legitimate from the moment local elections are announced. “Our people must be sure that after the convincing victory of the Serbian List in the local elections, we will abolish all decisions that are detrimental to the people”, Bisevac emphasized. He added the use of children for political purposes is reprehensible.

“Also, what is reprehensible is that Kurti’s followers continued to use children in the campaign, which is contrary to all laws in force. It is particularly absurd that the cornerstone for the construction of the school was directly laid by Xhelal Svecla, who is also a member of parliament and outgoing Minister of police, which is contrary to all laws and shows how much that minister respects the law”, Bisevac argued.

The laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the school in Mikronaselje was preceded by the decision of the local assembly to repurpose the land on which the children’s playground, funded by the EU, is located, into construction land, which was also condemned by Serbian List at the time.

Yesterday, during the ceremony, construction machines were brought to this area, which Kosovo online did not find on the spot today. In order for the machines to enter the playground, the workers cut and threw away the church gate that was located on the road to the church of St. Dimitrije and that had been there for years.

Whose interests do International Crisis Group’s recommendations serve, and are they feasible? (Kosovo Online)

Kosovo Online reported in English that the picture of political and social reality in Kosovo presented in the ICG report is considered fairly realistic by analysts. However, they argue that the recommendations offered by the organization - particularly those concerning the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue - are either difficult to implement or clearly aligned with the goals of Kosovo Albanians. This is how interlocutors for Kosovo Online interpret the ICG’s report, which focuses on how the EU could support the dialogue and sustain Kosovo institutions. While ICG’s advice continues to be read by policymakers, its influence today is far from what it was two decades ago.

Published on 16 October, the report titled “Kosovo Tests the Limits of the EU’s Patience” recommends that the EU should focus the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia on practical issues that provide tangible benefits for people on both sides. This, it said, includes ensuring full implementation of previous agreements, particularly those on border management and mutual recognition of diplomas, which remain only partially fulfilled.

The report further argues that EU member states could enhance their credibility by bridging their own internal divisions over Kosovo status.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/75sn2s2

Two marches: Students honor victims, Kosovo Serbs walk for Vucic (KoSSev)

While students from Novi Pazar and hundreds of people from across Serbia are marching to Novi Sad to pay tribute to the victims of last year’s canopy collapse, another group set out for the same destination this morning - with a different message, KoSSev portal reported.

Around 60 Serbs from Kosovo began walking toward Novi Sad on Wednesday morning to show their support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and express opposition to what they described as “blockades and the halting of Serbia”.

The commemorative gathering marking one year since the collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station - which claimed 16 lives on November 1, 2024 - is scheduled for Saturday. Student and citizen groups from all parts of the country are planning to meet in Novi Sad that day to jointly honor the victims.

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

Vucic asks US not to impose secondary sanctions on banks working with NIS (N1)

President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday called the US to delay possible sanctions on Serbian banks doing business with the NIS oil company at least until mid-December, N1 reported.

He called on the US not to impose those secondary sanctions to allow official Belgrade to find a solution for the NIS which is majority Russian-owned. The US Treasury imposed sanctions on NIS as part of the sanctions on the Russian energy industry. The sanctions were postponed twice to allow the Croatian JANAF oil pipeline to complete its contract with NIS. Speaking in Tashkent, Vucic asked for a delay on the secondary sanctions at least till mid-December and a 7 day warning to Serbian banks.

Vucic said he isn’t thrilled with the possibility of the US expecting the Serbian Government to do away with Russian ownership of NIS. “I see you living in a state of reality not a state of justice, I understood that message”, he said answering a reporter’s question on the US view of the situation.

NI reported earlier that Washington is not prepared to compromise on the sanctions against NIS and expects the Serbian Government to come out with concrete proposals on ending Russian control over the company either through the sale of the Russian shares or the nationalization of the Gazprom and Gazpromneft shares.

Has the relationship between Aleksandar Vucic and Milorad Dodik irretrievably broken down? (serbianmonitor.com)

Following recent reports that surfaced in the media, an old story has once again been revived – that something serious is amiss in the relationship between Aleksandar Vučić and Milorad Dodik. 

This time, according to claims by the opposition in Republika Srpska, official Belgrade has reproached the President of RS for making certain decisions without informing Serbia’s leadership. However, this is not the first time tensions have arisen in their relationship, and according to sources speaking to Nova, it is still too early to draw any conclusions. 

The leader of the electoral opposition list called Justice and Order, Nebojša Vukanović, said official Belgrade is extremely dissatisfied with the decisions of the former President of Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, to appoint Ana Trišić Babić as acting entity president and to annul all laws passed in the RS Parliament over the past year and a half, which the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina had previously declared unconstitutional. 

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdfz59zx

RSF: Serbian journalists suffer record number of attacks (N1)

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that a record number of attacks on journalists were recorded in Serbia in the past 12 months since the Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy sparked anti-corruption and anti-government protests, N1 reported.

“Nearly a year after the start of the protests - sparked by the deadly collapse of the canopy of a railway station in northern Serbia on 1 November 2024 -  journalists covering them continue to be targeted. Media professionals have suffered at least 89 physical attacks in one year, a record”, a press release on the RSF portal said.

It added that there were 82 attacks on journalists and media crews in 2025, about half of them perpetrated by law enforcement officers. RSF warned that law enforcement officers look the other way when journalists are attacked by pro-government activists.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/T7pUR

International

Insider stories: How Belgrade’s boiler room fraud hubs work (Balkan Insight)

Despite police raids and international investigations, dozens of call centres offering fraudulent financial investments are still operating in Serbia’s capital. Speaking to insiders, BIRN reveals how victims are manipulated by call centre workers into losing thousands of euros.

“We work here as psychotherapists, you know. You have to know their problems at work, conflicts with their wife, their dreams,” says Branko*. “You talk to them about how long they work, what they plan to do with the money, what their children do and what school they go to. It’s called bonding. My clients contact me within two hours at the latest, ready to invest money.”

Branko (not his real name) earns 900 euros a month plus bonuses selling fake investment opportunities to people from all over the world from one of several illegal call centres operating in Belgrade. And he’s not the only one.

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

Serbian capital hails students marching north to join disaster commemoration (Balkan Insight)

Belgraders cheered students walking from the southern city of Novi Pazar to Novi Sad in the north to mark the first anniversary of the fatal collapse at the city railway station, which sparked a mass protest movement.

Fireworks lit up the sky above Belgrade on Tuesday night as thousands of people turned out to cheer students who had been walking from Novi Pazar for 13 days as they arrived in the Serbian capital on their way to this weekend’s commemorative protest in Novi Sad.

The students plan to arrive in Novi Sad the day before November 1, which marks the first anniversary of the collapse of the concrete external canopy of the railway station, which killed 16 people and sparked a nationwide anti-government protest movement.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/LMMm3