Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Preventing destabilization from Serbia is key to security (media)
• Ulutas returns to KFOR command: Security for all communities a priority (media)
• Barduani concerned over security stability in final speech (Koha)
• Osmani: No partnership for those who commit aggression against neighbors (Koha)
• Ursula von der Leyen to arrive in Kosovo on October 15 during Western Balkans visit 15 (RTK)
• Rubin: The Hague should do the right thing and acquit former KLA leaders (Klan)
• Gervalla hosts Iowa delegation: 'Kosovo a regional leader in security' (media)
• Swedish Ambassador: “Kosovo needs legitimate government, parties must respect court ruling” (KosovaPress)
• Serbian national arrested for attacking police at Jarinje (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on Osmani's statement: 'Nobody listens anymore' (Kosovo Online, Danas, Blic)
• Implementation of Law on Foreigners in Kosovo in ''practice'' means shutting down Serbian education and health system (Danas)
• Lucic: More understanding in US Administration for problems Telekom faces in Kosovo (media)
• Abazi: Serbia progressing in cooperation with US after Kosovo was punished by suspension of strategic dialogue (media)
• Grave consequences if the decision of the Constitutional Court is not implemented, experts say (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Kacarska: European Political Community summit without major decisions, discussions focused on migration (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Kosovo's low regional integration, tensions with Serbia limit FDI - US State Dept (SeeNews)
• Serbia's investment climate improves, risks remain - U.S. State Dept (SeeNews)
• Support for enlargement reaffirmed in a meeting with Western Balkan partners (EWB) 

Albanian Language Media

Osmani: Preventing destabilization from Serbia is key to security (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, speaking at the European Political Community (EPC) Leaders’ Summit in Copenhagen, emphasized that Europe’s security is closely linked to the stability of the Western Balkans. During high-level discussions on security with European leaders, Osmani warned that Serbia’s destabilizing tactics pose a serious threat to regional peace. “Europe must focus its attention on this region by investing in the prevention of Serbia’s destabilizing tactics, a key step toward sustainable and long-term security,” Osmani wrote on Facebook post following the meeting. She reiterated that ensuring stability in the Western Balkans is essential for broader European security.

Ulutas returns to KFOR command: Security for all communities a priority (media)

Major General of the Turkish Army, Ozkan Ulutas, has returned as the head of the KFOR command. In his speech, Ulutash promised commitment and emphasized the importance of continuing the mission to ensure a safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. “KFOR has served Kosovo very well and is ready for any security challenges that may arise. I also want to thank KFOR for the respect and support given to partners and the community it serves. As part of KFOR, my priorities during this mission have always been to ensure a safe and stable environment and to protect the security of all communities in Kosovo,” he stated.

Barduani concerned over security stability in final speech (Koha)

Major General of the Italian Army, Enrico Barduani, in his final speech as KFOR Commander, emphasized that the security situation in Kosovo has significantly improved since 1999 - but added that there are concerns about stability of security due to some unresolved issues.  “Certainly, the security situation has significantly improved since the start of KFOR, and the most tangible proof of this is the fact that today KFOR forces have been reduced to less than 10% of what they were in 1999. And this is by no means a small achievement. However, there are still concerns about the stability of security because of some unresolved issues, and precisely for this reason, the role of KFOR remains critical and essential as an integral part of the continued engagement of the wider international community. NATO continues to fully support the EU-facilitated dialogue for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and KFOR is playing its role in this regard. The EU-facilitated dialogue is a framework for resolving open issues and reaching solutions that respect the rights of all communities,” he said, among other things.

Major General Barduani concluded his mandate as KFOR Commander, handing over the duty to Turkish Army Major General Ozkan Ulutas. The ceremony for the change of command at the KFOR Headquarters was attended by the Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and several other caretaker Ministers. 

Osmani: No partnership for those who commit aggression against neighbors (Koha)

At the KFOR command handover ceremony, President Vjosa Osmani reaffirmed Kosovo's deep appreciation for NATO's service, sacrifice, and commitment to peace, calling the mission a symbol of unity and cooperation. She highlighted Kosovo’s alignment with the values of freedom, democracy, and collective security, and reiterated Kosovo's aspiration to join NATO. In her speech, Osmani emphasized the importance of strong and trustworthy partnerships in facing growing global threats, stating that Kosovo has consistently proven its commitment through resilience, reforms, and determination.

“But we must be clear: there are those who seek to undo all that we have achieved, who want to drag us back into the past. For them, our response must be resolute. Appeasement of dictators and autocrats cannot be the answer, because history has shown this time and again. Partnership cannot be granted to those who commit aggression against their neighbors," Osmani said, adding that “only together can we ensure that the hard-won peace of today becomes the sustainable peace of tomorrow”.

Ursula con der Leyen to arrive in Kosovo on October 15 during Western Balkans visit (RTK)

Brussels based correspondent of the national broadcaster, Gjeraqina Tuhina reports that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is set to visit the Western Balkans in mid-October, according to unofficial sources within the institution. Her tour is expected to begin on October 13, during which time she will meet with the leaders of all six countries in the region. Her visit to Pristina is scheduled for October 15.

During her stay in Kosovo, von der Leyen is expected to meet with both the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, and the caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

The visit will also serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the EU perspective for the entire Western Balkans. Von der Leyen’s plan to visit regional capitals has led to a postponement of the European Commission’s annual enlargement report, which is usually published in October. The release of the report has now been delayed until early November.

This delay appears intended to allow the visit to be presented as a success, even though the upcoming reports are not expected to contain many positive evaluations.

Aside from Albania and to some extent Montenegro, which are advancing in EU accession negotiations, other countries have made little to no progress, with some even backsliding in the integration process.

The Kosovo report is expected to focus on the institutional deadlock, Serbia’s report will highlight its domestic crisis and ongoing protests that have lasted nearly a year, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is viewed as facing a state-level crisis. Meanwhile, North Macedonia remains stalled in its EU path due to Bulgaria’s veto.

Rubin: The Hague should do the right thing and acquit former KLA leaders (Klan)

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Rubin reiterated that former President Hashim Thaci did not have a key role in leading the Kosovo Liberation Army. Rubin made this statement to renowned journalist - and ex-wife - Christiane Amanpour after giving his testimony at The Hague. “It’s not true that all Albanians hate Serbs, and all Serbs hate Albanians. But this trial is blaming KLA leaders for things they did not control. It was very clear that Mr. Thaci, a young man at the time, had no control over anything,” said the former U.S. official.

During the interview, Rubin also expressed surprise at the judges in The Hague during his testimony. “To my surprise, the judges asked me questions that seemed highly biased. They didn’t sound like questions trying to find facts. The prosecution should present its charges. The defense should present its defense. The judges are supposed to just collect evidence to make a judgment afterward. From some of the judges’ questions, it seemed to me they had already decided that the KLA was a fully functioning organization with Hashim Thaci at the helm. Which is not true,” he said.

According to Rubin, The Hague Tribunal should do the right thing and acquit the former KLA leaders. “This tribunal must do the right thing, declare them innocent, and then the United States along with Europe should sit down with the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia and resolve this issue,” he said. James Rubin also said the Balkans are in a frightening situation, but not a war zone.

Gervalla hosts Iowa delegation: 'Kosovo a regional leader in security' (media)

Acting Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla met with a law enforcement delegation from Iowa, led by Johnston Police Chief Dennis McDaniel. She highlighted Kosovo’s strong performance in rule of law and security, recognized by international reports. Gervalla expressed full support for expanding Kosovo–Iowa cooperation, especially in law enforcement. She also thanked retired Major General Timothy Orr and the Iowa National Guard for their continued support in strengthening Kosovo’s security institutions.

Swedish Ambassador: “Kosovo needs legitimate government, parties must respect court ruling” (KosovaPress)

Sweden’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonas Westerlund, has called on all parliamentary parties to respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding the Assembly's formation. The Court ruled that the 9th legislature has not been properly constituted without the election of a deputy speaker from the Serb community.

In an interview with KosovaPress, Westerlund emphasized the need to swiftly form new institutions, stressing that Kosovo urgently needs a legitimate government to move forward with its EU, Council of Europe, and NATO aspirations. He warned that Kosovo risks falling behind Albania and Montenegro, which are progressing in EU integration. He added that respect for the Constitutional Court is fundamental in any democracy.

Regarding EU sanctions, Westerlund noted that the gradual removal of measures imposed in 2023, due to tensions in the north, is ongoing, with funds and meetings being reinstated, but full lifting depends on future developments.

He also voiced support for Peter Sorensen, the new EU envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, expressing hope that a new government in Kosovo will lead to serious talks in Brussels. Despite recent meetings between chief negotiators, there’s been little progress on implementing the 2023 Brussels and Ohrid agreements.

Serbian national arrested for attacking police at Jarinje (media)

A citizen of Serbia has been arrested for assaulting police officers at the Jarinje border crossing. “A male suspect, a citizen of Serbia, was arrested after assaulting police officers. One officer received medical treatment, while the suspect, by order of the prosecutor, was taken into custody,” the police report stated.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic on Osmani's statement: 'Nobody listens anymore' (Kosovo Online, Danas, Blic)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today, regarding the statement of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani who called on Europe to prevent Serbia's destabilizing tactics, that no one listens to it anymore, but warned that Pristina will continue with “the persecution of the Serbian people and provocations”, in order to take advantage of the current situation at the global level and win over the majority of NATO and EU countries to their side, and against Serbia. 

"No one even listens to it anymore. How they were lying with those drones, people laughed at them. You can lie once, twice, the third time you can't lie to anyone anymore. No one listens to it anymore. There is no great philosophy there," said Vucic, answering a journalist's question during the opening of a part of the high-speed railway from Novi Sad to Subotica, reported Kosovo Online.

Vucic indicated that Pristina will continue with attempts of persecution of the Serbian people and provocations, because they cannot have another policy, waiting to use, as he stated, this pre-war time.

"I speak openly about it, because the war is coming. They would like to use their opportunity to have the majority of NATO countries and Europeans against Serbia. We will not give them that opportunity," said Vucic. 

He also noted that the entire world is in “complete collapse and chaos, and that it will be increasingly difficult everywhere”, including in Serbia on certain issues.

"People must know that everyone is preparing for war. And if they are preparing, then there will be one. I see how much everyone is preparing for war, they are not preparing for anything else. No one is preparing for talks, everyone just wants to see who is on whose side, while they dig their trenches and wait for the start of the war. They know that the war will definitely come, they just wait for it and let them not lie that they are not waiting. They are waiting for it, and they are preparing," stated Vucic, adding that it has never been simpler in the messages - "We are here, the Russians are behind the curtain. Who is there, is with us, who is not, is against us."

When asked if Serbia could not participate in that war, Vucic said that he would do his best to make it so.

"I will do my best for the duration of my mandate, to make it so," said President Vucic. 

Implementation of Law on Foreigners in Kosovo in ''practice'' means shutting down Serbian education and health system (Danas)  

Although the implementation of the Law on Foreigners in Kosovo was supposed to start on Tuesday, it was postponed along with the problems that may arise with the implementation. This law can affect a large number of Serbs who live, work and study in Kosovo, and interlocutors of Danas especially emphasize the beneficiaries and employees of health and educational institutions that function according to the Serbian system.

Marinkovic: “Kurti's most dangerous and nefarious plan so far”

The executive director of the Center for Affirmative Social Actions, Miodrag Marinkovic, told Danas that the consequences of the rough application of this law will be catastrophic for the Serbian community in Kosovo, but also for the part of the population of Serbia who are connected to the University and Clinical Center in North Mitrovica.

"Anyone who does not have a residence in Kosovo, and we are talking about several thousand students, a large number of professors and doctors, a large number of whom have the status of displaced persons, will no longer be able to work or study in Kosovo, because the law stipulates that the basis for obtaining a residence permit is a certificate from an accredited institution," explained Marinkovic to Danas.

He points out that the implementation of this law in practice also means shutting down the Serbian health and education system because they are not accredited in the Kosovo system due to a deadlock in the negotiation process. 

"Until now, we have not seen a more dangerous and nefarious plan of Albin Kurti, even though he had many of them during his mandate," says Marinkovic. 

When asked if there are administrative obligations that citizens can fulfill in order not to suffer the consequences of the application of this law, Marinkovic draws attention to the Brussels negotiation process. 

"It generates what according to local law is treated as an international agreement, and such agreements have priority over domestic law. I want to say that both the international community and the Serbian community demand that the local legislation in these matters be harmonized with the solutions from the negotiation process," says Marinkovic. 

However, he adds, Pristina persistently refuses that and now one can see why. 

"The plan is to resolve the issue of those institutions outside the negotiation process, in a way that suits the government of Albin Kurti. So, by the complete shutdown and departure of the Serbs from Kosovo because we, with our political rights, are an obstacle to the realization of the national dream of Albin Kurti - unification with Albania," says Marinkovic. 

He points out that this is impossible due to the right of veto that the Serbian community has under the current Constitution and adds that Self-Determination is trying to reduce the number of Serbs in Kosovo by secondary measures and under the guise of the rule of law to the extent that would justify the abolition of those affirmative rights. 

Commenting on the invitation sent by civil society to representatives of the international community, Marinkovic says that it has a double purpose. 

"The first is to draw the attention of the public and the international community to the consequences of the application of this law, and the second is to offer a realistic solution. With the first, we succeeded in pointing out the drastic consequences that this law has, not only for the Serbs, but also for what the international community sees as its interest, multi-ethnic and stable Kosovo," interlocutor of Danas explains, but adds that it is difficult to say whether they will react in the way that was suggested, or perhaps they have more effective solutions. 

Given that international actors in Kosovo have problems coordinating with Kurti, Marinkovic believes that the focus of active Western diplomacy will be the formation of an opposition government instead of negotiations with the current government of Kurti, because, as he says, he has shown an extremely low degree of flexibility towards the interests of the West. 

Danas recalled that the head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, replied that the international community must react, and that Serbia will prepare a political and legal response. Marinkovic points out that Belgrade is shamefully silent on this situation. 

"Preoccupied with the protests that shook their government, it is withdrawing from Kosovo. As this is the main priority of this government, we in Kosovo, have the impression that Belgrade consciously and systematically, through its regime media, removed this topic from the public narrative," says Marinkovic. 

He states that the current situation is one of the most difficult moments in the history of the Serbian community since 1999, while in the Serbian media under the control of the regime, the focus is on insulting their own students as much as possible and calling them the most derogatory names - foreign mercenaries, Ustasha and terrorists. "It's really a shame," concludes Danas' interlocutor. 

Danas reported that no response was received to a query sent to the foreign embassies in Kosovo on whether they were informed about the situation related to the controversial law. 

Lucic: More understanding in US Administration for problems Telekom faces in Kosovo (media)

Telekom Serbia General Director, Vladimir Lucic said today following the meetings he had in Washington, he is an optimist as there is a stronger understanding of the US Administration for the problems this company faces in terms of obtaining the third license in Kosovo. He told Belgrade-based Prva TV that the negative campaign of Pristina authorities does not impact the quality of service this company provides in Kosovo.

He also expressed belief that with change in authorities in Pristina, the better times for the company would come. “It is thanks to our workers, 250 in total, that this (negative campaign) does not impact (the quality of services). We are covering 30.000 households, the quality of service is good, no interruptions. We are an important element of life there, because having the internet, domestic TV channels, and links with central Serbia, is very important. The life there is not easy, our people are under strong tensions”, he said.

Speaking of the work of the company, Lucic said it was a record year for Telekom Serbia, with revenues at the level of the group of 2.2 billion and a profit of 1.2 billion euros, adding he is proud of everything Telekom has achieved over the last seven years. 

Abazi: Serbia progressing in cooperation with US after Kosovo was punished by suspension of strategic dialogue (media)

Former Kosovo deputy prime minister Haki Abazi commented on the political crisis in Kosovo that has been ongoing since February in a show Balkan Update. As he said, the United States had punished Kosovo by suspending the strategic partnership, while at the same time this benefited Serbia, allowing it to advance in its cooperation.

“Kosovo is in a dangerous status quo as a result of wrong decisions. This division is reflected in the fact that (Albin) Kurti was not invited to take part in making these important decisions. The Prime Minister should have been part of these crucial discussions. Since Kurti is seen as a partner who cannot be expected to keep his word and implement decisions, he is now excluded and left off the table”, Abazi is quoted as saying.

He added that foreign policy is at its lowest point. “After the Prime Minister’s disobedience toward the court, the accusations against him, and the lack of cooperation, the US punished Kosovo by suspending its strategic partnership and opened the possibility for Serbia to advance in that cooperation”, he opined.

Grave consequences if the decision of the Constitutional Court is not implemented, experts say (Kosovo Online, Danas)

Kosovo online reported experts warnings of grave consequences if the decision of the Constitutional Court decision is not implemented. According to them, there is a dilemma whether to continue with the re-voting in the package for vice-presidents from non-majority communities or whether to go for the election of vice-presidents from the Serbian community.

Constitutional law experts expressed doubts regarding the continuation of the Assembly session after the decision of the Constitutional Court. By the beginning of next week, according to them, the Constitutional Court will announce the verdict in order to know how this procedure will proceed.

"There is an ambiguity, a dilemma as to whether the re-voting in the package for two proposals from non-majority communities will continue, or whether the court will clarify whether it has legitimized the current process of electing the vice-president and the president of the assembly, and that what it remains is for the deputies, within 12 days after the verdict comes into force, to elect a vice-president who represents the Serbian community," said Vullnet Bugaqku, an expert in constitutional law at the Kosovo Institute for Justice.

"The Court's decision is crystal clear: The Assembly cannot be considered constituted without a vice-president from the Serbian community. This is not the time for folklore patriotism, but for constitutional patriotism," said political analyst Artan Muhaxhiri.

They believe that non-compliance with the Constitution can negatively affect the process of Kosovo's international integration, including the path to the EU and NATO.

"If the MPs do not implement the decision of the Constitutional Court, it is a violation of the constitutional order. Such a procedure can have immediate consequences for Kosovo and on the international stage," emphasized Bugaqku.

Muhaxhiri, on the other hand, points out that anyone who respects the Constitution must engage in unblocking the current situation. "This institutional crisis is intolerable and harmful to the state of Kosovo," Muhaxhiri added.

Kacarska: European Political Community summit without major decisions, discussions focused on migration (Kosovo Online)

The Director of the European Policy Institute from Skopje, Simonida Kacarska, told Kosovo Online that yesterday’s European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen did not result in major decisions and that discussion was dedicated to certain issues related to migration and illegal trade, primarily of interest to the United Kingdom and France.

Kacarska notes the EPC summit was overshadowed by the EU summit with which it overlapped, since Denmark currently holds the EU presidency, and at the EU summit, she says, much larger, substantive issues were considered, primarily in the field of security.

She adds that representatives of EU candidate countries at EPC meetings sit at the same table as EU member state representatives, act as active participants, and have the opportunity to see themselves as policy-shapers, since they are often in the position of policy recipients. She recalled that the European Political Community is a concept announced three years ago by French President Emmanuel Macron, and that it is significant in the context of a broader understanding of Europe.

International

Kosovo's low regional integration, tensions with Serbia limit FDI - US State Dept (SeeNews)

A small market, limited regional integration, and continued tensions with Serbia remain Kosovo's main hurdles to attract foreign investment, the U.S. State Department said.

"Businesses and the government often complain about non-tariff barriers in trading with other CEFTA [Central European Free Trade Agreement] countries, particularly Serbia," the State Department said in its 2025 Investment Climate Statement report earlier this week.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4t2bf4cd

Serbia's investment climate improves, risks remain - U.S. State Dept (SeeNews)

Serbia's investment climate has seen modest gains in recent years, but persistent challenges, including bureaucracy, corruption, inefficient state-owned enterprises and judiciary, political influence, and a large informal sector, continue to weigh on the business environment, the U.S. Department of State said.

The improvement in Serbia's investment climate has been driven by financial stability, fiscal discipline, and reforms backed by the European Union (EU) to support privatisation, procurement, labour law, permitting, and other areas, the U.S. State Department said last week in its 2025 Investment Climate Statement on the country.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3rmnekuu

Support for enlargement reaffirmed in a meeting with Western Balkan partners (EWB) 

The Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament hosted a meeting with their partners from the Western Balkans candidate countries. The aim of the meeting, according to the group’s press release, was to reaffirm their unequivocal support for EU enlargement as Europe’s peace project.

The S&D Group relaunched the Willy Brandt Programme for EU enlargement in April in Brussels.

“At this stage, the S&Ds are opening a new opportunity for Western Balkans partners to participate more actively in the political activities of the Group. Today’s meeting is one such example of this closer cooperation, as we have invited the acceding countries’ representatives to the Group’s event,” reads the press release.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/3t54hxyf