UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 18, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Williams: Process of Kosovo independence had many layers and actors (media)
“Blood ties” – Haradinaj says Kosovo wouldn’t be here today without US (Klan)
Jahjaga meets Obama, “further engagement to strengthen relations” (media)
Haziri: James Rubin has caused a major turning point (media)
General Jashari: Kosovo must become a full member of Adriatic Charter (RTK)
Kurti: Women and girls vital pillar of social and economic development (media)
Hearing against Simic for attack against reporters in 2023 postponed (media)
Military uniforms, equipment, belonging to person wanted in “Banjska” case, found (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Djuric: Strategic dialogue raises relations with USA to a completely new level (Kosovo Online)
Vucic: People to see strong Serbian army on Saturday (Tanjug)
Popovic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss advancement of Serbia-Russia economic cooperation (Tanjug)
Trial of Serbian List MP Slavko Simic postponed for October 9 (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Simic: I have absolutely nothing to do with attack on journalists in Leposavic (media)
Rapajic: It is no coincidence that decision to obtain residence permits in Kosovo will start to be applied now (Kosovo Online)
Surlic: Requirement to obtain residence permits in Kosovo must be subject to dialogue (Kosovo Online)
Marina Bogojevic apprehended over assault in Leposavic municipality (KoSSev)
Another senior police commander being retired (N1)

International:

Spies, tensions and parliamentary paralysis in Kosovo (AFP)
James Rubin’s Kosovo memories (Justiceinfo.net)

Albanian Language Media

Williams: Process of Kosovo independence had many layers and actors (AP)

Paul Williams, former legal advisor to the Kosovo delegation in Rambouillet, on the second day of his testimony in the Hague, was asked about the reasons why Hashim Thaci was selected as the key negotiator for the Kosovo Liberation Army, Albanian Post reports. He said that there were different attempts and figures in the process to achieve Kosovo’s independence. “The idea was that there existed the wish for the process of Kosovo’s independence and this issue had many layers. Rugova was in favor of independence, and he did not speak if you were not in agreement for independence. There was then Bukoshi, who was more nuanced, worked with the Americans and the Europeans, and there were also actions by non-state actors. At the same time, there was another dimension in the strategy for independence,” he said. Williams also said that Thaci was a trusted partner, and that “in the negotiations, you wanted to have a KLA person who would prove with actions, words and engagements that he was a negotiator, a diplomat and a trusted partner”.

Koha reports that Williams said that in the Rambouillet negotiations, he had the impression that Thaci was under outside control. “There was the impression that someone had the negotiations under control or partly under control ... My impression is that he did not have full control over the negotiations, and that he represented interests from outside and I think that these interests had their influence over his behavior during the negotiations,” he said.

“Blood ties” – Haradinaj says Kosovo wouldn’t be here today without US (Klan)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj, in an interview with the TV station on Wednesday, said that relations between Kosovo and the United States of America are “blood ties” and that the US have saved many Kosovo Albanians. “If it weren’t for their help, we would have difficulties. After the war too. We need the American security institutions,” he said, adding that Kosovo would not have been where it is today without the help of the US.

Asked to comment on a statement by former US top diplomat James Rubin about Haradinaj’s contacts with the Central Intelligence Agency before 1999, Haradinaj said: “in his testimony [at the Thaci trial] Mr. Rubin did not say something that is not true. He was right to say that even before the frontal war, we had communications with US security institutions before 1998. The communications took place before the start of preparations for war. I personally communicated continuously with the respected security institutions of the US. I think they had several motives for why they met with us. They wanted to be informed first not only in terms of security, but it was also in their interest to know who we are, to understand our objectives, and to build a position on what they would suggest to decision-makers in the US about what was happening. It was my duty to tell the truth … It was very important to explain to them that we were not only an armed wing but also that we did not have orientations for a religious or interethnic war, but that our objective was the liberation of our country, rights, democracy and freedom … I am glad that I could offer my help,” he said.

During the interview, Haradinaj criticized caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti alleging that he works in Serbia’s favor and to Kosovo’s detriment. He presented a document that EU officials sent to Kurti saying that they cannot meet with him on government premises. “This is the letter dated August 8 that they sent. At a time when North Macedonia and Serbia are opening chapters, Albania is moving forward, they tell him [Kurti] ‘we cannot meet you in your office’ … Do you understand what kind of success this is for Serbia? What success is bigger than for the representative of all EU member states to tell him ‘I cannot come to your office’ because he is illegitimately holding both the post of MP and Prime Minister,” Haradinaj argued.

According to Haradinaj, Kosovo is not under threat from the Serbian List and Serbs in the north, and that Kurti had to find an enemy. “Albin Kurti did not properly manage the dialogue or the relations with the Kosovo Serbs. Unfortunately, we have paid a price for this, because he does it only for votes,” he said.

Jahjaga meets Obama, “further engagement to strengthen relations” (media)

Former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said in a Facebook post that at the Global Summit in Erie, Pennsylvania, she met with former US President Barack Obama and asked for further engagement to strengthen relations between Kosovo and the US. “At the margins of the summit, I had the honor of meeting President Barack Obama, thanking him for the exceptional support he gave to Kosovo during my mandate, and for the continuous commitment of the United States towards our country. I asked President Obama to further engage in strengthening relations between the US and Kosovo, which have recently been challenged with the suspension of the strategic dialogue. I also asked for Obama’s support to consolidate our statehood on the international arena. Kosovo never had and will never have a bigger ally than the United States of America and the American people. Thanks to this partnership, today we have our freedom, independence, international recognition and membership in many world organizations. For this we remain eternally grateful,” Jahjaga said.

Haziri: James Rubin has caused a major turning point (media)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lutfi Haziri, in an interview with ABC News, said that former US top diplomat James Rubin caused a major turning point with his testimony in the trial against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in the Hague. He also argued that the trial has surpassed every reasonable timeline. “James Rubin has caused a major turning point. Kosovo’s defense in this case is faced with 400 witnesses that the prosecution has had so far. The Specialist Chambers have taken 5 years. This is a very long time. The judicial mechanism has lost its credibility. The KLA is being tried and not its individuals. In the remaining months, the defense and the Specialist Chambers must prove the purity of the KLA. The war was pure and I expect justice,” he said.

General Jashari: Kosovo must become a full member of Adriatic Charter (RTK)

The Commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, participated in the 28th Adriatic Charter A5 Conference held in Tirana, where discussions focused on strengthening regional security and addressing the common challenges of the Western Balkans. The conference was led by the Commander of the United States European Command (EUCOM) and also the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), and was co-chaired by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Chiefs of defense from regional countries and Adjutants General of the National Guards from partner states took part in the event.

In his address, General Jashari emphasized the need for Kosovo’s full membership in this initiative, noting that such a step would contribute to greater peace and security in the Western Balkans. During the conference, he held bilateral meetings with the EUCOM and SACEUR Commander, General Alexus G. Grynkewich, as well as with the Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji.

Kurti: Women and girls are a vital pillar of social and economic development (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in his address at the Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Rural Women in the Western Balkans, that Kosovo is committed to respect the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to implementing European standards in advancing their rights. “Women and girls are not only a pillar but are decisive for the social, cultural, and economic development of our country. Rural women, in particular, are bearers of knowledge, tradition, and love for the land. After the war, they contributed immensely to the rebuilding of our country. On scorched land, they planted new life. With sacrifice, tireless work, and unparalleled resilience, they became a force that generated sustainable change,” he said.

A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that the Kosovo government has taken concrete steps by supporting women-led agriculture and expanding programs for economic and social development in rural areas. Kurti highlighted that 5,650 women farmers have been supported with subsidies amounting to 11 million euros from the Ministry of Agriculture. “Meanwhile, in partnership with UN Women and FAO, a strategic program worth 1.5 million euros is being implemented, which, through advanced training in agribusiness, land management, and sustainable development, enables rural women to become leaders in business and rural innovation,” the press release notes.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mw3fxten

Hearing against Simic for attack against reporters in 2023 postponed (media)

Most news websites report that the hearing against Serbian List deputy leader Slavko Simic who is charged with inciting protesters to attack Albanian reporters during tensions in Leposavic in June 2023, has been postponed to October 9. Simic is charged with the criminal offence “participation in a crowd that carries out criminal offence and hooliganism”. The indictment against him notes that on June 16, 2023, during a protest against the visit of Local Government Minister Elbert Krasniqi, Simic ordered the crowd to attack the media and then media teams were attacked with shock bombs, fists, and heavy material. Two reporters suffered serious bodily injuries during the attack.

Military uniforms, equipment, belonging to person wanted in “Banjska” case, found (media)

The Kosovo Police have reported that they found in North Mitrovica, military uniforms, body armor, AK-47 rifle magazines with ammunition, and other military equipment. These are suspected to belong to a person who is wanted in connection with the “Banjska” case. “There are no arrests, and it is suspected that these weapons belong to a suspect who is already wanted for the “Banjska” case,” the statement reads. The military equipment was found in a trailer on Thursday morning.

“On 18.09.2025, at around 09:45, the investigation unit of the Zvecan Police Station came across a trailer where, upon inspection, they found two bags containing uniforms, body armor, five AK- 47 magazines with ammunition, and other military equipment,” the police statement continues.

The confiscated suspicious military items are listed as follows:1 camouflage military uniform; 5 magazines with 132 AK-47 rounds; 5 chest rigs for holding magazines; 4 pairs of military pants; 4 military jackets; 3 radio holsters; 1 body armor; 2 military belts;1 tactical vest; 1 tactical backpack;1 green helmet; 1 cap; 1 rotating warning light.

All relevant police units reportedly responded to the scene. All actions taken have been presented to the State Prosecutor, who has ordered the initiation of a case for "Unauthorized ownership, control, or possession of weapons."

Serbian Language Media

Djuric: Strategic dialogue raises relations with USA to a completely new level (Kosovo Online)

The strategic dialogue raises relations with the USA to a completely new level, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, at the conference "America Day 2025 - Strategic Partnership for the Future".

Djuric said that the strategic dialogue should be viewed in a bilateral and wider global context.

"We are all aware that we live in a time of enormous global turbulence. What is constant in this difficult time is the continuous improvement of the relations between our two countries," he stated.

He said that cooperation with the USA opens new chances and possibilities, opening a new horizon of cooperation.

The confirmation of this is the public declaration of the intention of the two countries to open a formal strategic dialogue, said Djuric.

He recalled that he recently had the opportunity to be a guest of Marco Rubio during his visit to Washington, which gave a new impetus to strategic cooperation.

"I am a big supporter of strategic dialogue with the USA, because apart from political messages, it brings practical structure, organization and order to bilateral cooperation. It introduces regular meetings and exchanges, and various program activities between institutions in a way that is not the case with countries that do not have that type of relationship," he explained.

Djuric pointed out that if there are regular meetings, precisely defined points and goals, there is a possibility to deliver good results to the citizens.

He pointed out that strategic cooperation includes numerous topics, such as energy, which is of particular importance because the Serbian industry is growing, so diversification of sources is needed.

He also mentioned the partnership between the Serbian Army and the Ohio National Guard.

"It is about a partnership that changed the image of military cooperation relations, about an American soldier in Serbia and a Serbian soldier in the USA and paved the way for wider cooperation in the field of defense," he emphasized.

Djuric said that, while he was ambassador to the USA, an agreement on education was concluded with the state of Ohio, which is just one example of how much can be achieved when the Serbian education system is paired with the American one.

"The strategic dialogue is comprehensive and puts our relations in a completely different drawer, raising them to a completely new level. It helps us to turn over a new page in the essential sense, with a country with which we have been friends for 144 years," he pointed out.

Vucic: People to see strong Serbian army on Saturday (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic and Assistant Defence Minister Nenad Miloradovic on Thursday and noted that the people of Serbia would have an opportunity to see a strong Serbian army at Saturday's military parade in Belgrade.

In a post on his official Instagram profile, Vucic wrote that final preparations for the parade were underway.

"On Saturday, the citizens of Serbia will have an opportunity to see a strong and powerful Serbian army. Final preparations for the military parade are underway. Long live free Serbia", Vucic said in a post.

Popovic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss advancement of Serbia-Russia economic cooperation (Tanjug)

Serbian Minister for International Economic Cooperation Nenad Popovic met with Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Wednesday to discuss advancement of bilateral economic cooperation, as well as concrete joint activities in areas of mutual interest, Tanjug news agency reported.

At the meeting, held in the government building, the parties exchanged views on current results of bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy, trade, industry, investments, digitalization and new technologies, an official statement said.

Special emphasis was placed on the significance of strategic partnership between the two countries and the potential for its further development.

Trial of Serbian List MP Slavko Simic postponed for October 9 (Radio Mitrovica sever)

The trial of Serbian List (SL) MP Slavko Simic and Uros Vukasinovic, who were accused of allegedly attacking journalists in 2023 in Leposavic, was postponed in the Basic Court in North Mitrovica until October 9, because the case files in the Serbian language were not delivered to the lawyers of the accused.

The Prosecutor's Office was ordered to deliver the case files translated into Serbian to the lawyers of the accused within five days.

Simic was charged with the crime of "participating in a crowd that commits a criminal offense and hooliganism."

In April, the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Mitrovica announced that, as a suspect, Slavko Simic was interrogated, on suspicion of having organized an attack on journalists on June 16, 2023 in Leposavic, during the visit of former minister Elbert Krasniqi, recalled Radio Mitrovica sever.

A few months ago, the SL announced that the indictment against Simic was fabricated and unfounded and that it represented another in a series of politically motivated actions directed against the Serbian people in Kosovo.

At the time, they pointed out that Slavko Simic was a respected political representative, a family person and father of four children, and that he was one of the nine deputies of the Serbian List who "resolutely refuses all blackmail and pressure from the regime of Albin Kurti".

"During the incident from 2023, which was confirmed by the testimonies, recordings and statements of Albanian journalists, Simic acted calmly and responsibly, trying to protect everyone present, including the journalist crews," the Serbian List said in a statement in mid-June. They also pointed out that contrary to Simic, the person who worsened the situation that day with his actions was Minister Elbert Krasniqi, "known for his role in encouraging provocations in the north of Kosovo and Metohija".

"It is obvious that the goal of such actions is to silence legitimate Serbian representatives, to criminalize the Serbian political struggle and to divert attention from the real sources of instability in these areas," Serbian List was convinced.

Back then, the SL called international representatives to react.

Simic: I have absolutely nothing to do with attack on journalists in Leposavic (media)

Serbian List MP Slavko Simic, accused by Mitrovica North prosecution of alleged participation in an attack on journalists in Leposavic in 2023, said today after preliminary hearing in the Basic Court was postponed as prosecution failed to deliver case files in Serbian language to Simic’s defense lawyers, that he has nothing to do with that case and is absolutely innocent, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“I have absolutely nothing to do with that case and I am absolutely innocent. Of course, in the further proceedings, when the time comes, I will declare myself as such. I am someone whose life and political mission has always been to call for peace, coexistence, dialogue and solving all problems through institutions and no other way”, Simic underlined during his address to journalists.

He explained that his basic principles and political code are based on respect for journalistic work. “My basic principles and my political code are based on the fact that a journalist is sacred and no one should touch a journalist, and that’s how I treated journalists both in the north and in the south. Whenever I came across Albanian journalists in the north, during the protests of the past few years, I always came to their aid and provided support both in technical terms and in any other sense”, he said. Simic said he had publicly condemned this attack before, and he continues to do so today.

Rapajic: It is no coincidence that decision to obtain residence permits in Kosovo will start to be applied now (Kosovo Online)

Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture (ACDC) Program Director Aleksandar Rapajic said today an obligation for persons without Kosovo documents to report their presence to Kosovo police upon entering Kosovo and obtain documents needed for residence permits will affect many people, adding he believes decision made by Kosovo authorities at this moment is meant to create even bigger problems, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Although the law regulating the residence permits has already been in place in Kosovo for many years, the police started announcing controls and informing people of the rules to enter and stay in Kosovo.

As Rapajic said there is a large number of people living in Kosovo with Serbian documents and they can not obtain Kosovo documents due to various administrative reasons and obstacles created by institutions themselves.

“Kosovo institutions do not accept their (Serbian) documents issued with addresses in the territory of Kosovo, and on another hand, they do not have any other documents they could use. That is one problem. The second problem relates to the large number of people who come to Kosovo and work. Here, the faculties are in particular jeopardy as a large number of professors, assistants, and also a large number of students come from central Serbia. If students say their place of residence is at the student's dormitory, those papers will not be valid, because we know that Kosovo institutions do not accept documents issued by the Republic of Serbia”, Rapajic warned.

He also said it is no coincidence that this decision will start being applied now, after the summer break.

“Imagine if all those Albanians, coming from abroad, during summer time, were asked to report to the police three days after they arrive and obtain documentation. The institutions waited for this peak of Albanian diaspora to pass, and now when Serbian students and people from central Serbia should come, they are implementing this measure. I think it is deliberately targeting students and faculties, to reduce the number of people who will come”, he opined.

Surlic: Requirement to obtain residence permits in Kosovo must be subject to dialogue (Kosovo Online)

The announcement that people without Kosovo documents will be obliged to register at police stations within three days of entering Kosovo and obtain a residence permit will primarily affect the Serbian community, Stefan Surlic, Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade Assistant Professor said. He stressed this issue must be the subject of dialogue and agreement.

Surlic added that if one would look at the history of all agreements concerning normalization of relations, the central idea was always that Serbs could live “in two worlds”, and that regardless of the status dispute between Belgrade and Pristina, they should be granted freedom of movement. Moreover, Serbs living in Kosovo were not required to have their status absolutely defined in every aspect, given that Kosovo’s international status has not been fully resolved either.

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/pblGB

Marina Bogojevic apprehended over assault in Leposavic municipality (KoSSev)

Leposavic deputy mayor Marina Bogojevic was apprehended yesterday over an alleged physical assault that, as KoSSev portal reported, took place in the municipal building.

According to Kosovo police, she is suspected of assaulting a woman who asked for a decision about her dismissal from work.

Both parties were interviewed and released, while case goes in regular procedure. The police opened “the assault” case.

Another senior police commander being retired (N1)

The Insajder news portal said that another senior police commander is being retired following the SAJ counter-terrorism unit’s commander. It quoted police sources who confirmed that Criminal Police Department (UKP) chief Ninoslav Cmolic was being retired. His retirement comes in the wake of the dismissal and retirement of SAJ commander police Colonel Spasoje Vulevic last week, N1 reported.

Cmolic took command of the UKP early in 2023 when his predecessor retired. He came to the UKP from the post of commander of the Anti-Organized Crime Service (SBPOK) when that unit arrested the Belivuk organized crime group, earning him a medal for courage. Under his command, the UKP arrested the so-called Balkan Cartel group and solved murders committed in Greece.

Cmolic was one of the police officers rumored to be considered for the post of Director of Police (the top police post). Speculation of his dismissal as UKP chief started in August after the arrests of two former cabinet ministers on corruption charges following an investigation by a task force which included UKP officers. Retired Navy Captain Petar Boskovic told N1 on Wednesday that the authorities are set to retire the commander of the Serbian military’s elite 72nd Special Operations Brigade Brigadier Miroslav Talijan. Boskovic said that Talijan and retired SAJ commander Vulevic were roommates at the Military Academy.

International

Spies, tensions and parliamentary paralysis in Kosovo (AFP)

Grinding political gridlock has seized the small Balkan nation of Kosovo since indecisive elections in February and multiple attempts to form a government have failed, leaving the former prime minister Albin Kurti in a caretaker role for months.

But the parliamentary stasis has not stopped Kurti from continuing a campaign to counter Serbian influence in Kosovo -- reforms labelled "provocative and damaging" by the European Union and criticised by the United States.

Neighbouring Serbia, which has never formally recognised Kosovo's independence, looms large over the country's north, a region that remains fractious more than two decades after the last of the 1990s conflicts that tore apart the former Yugoslavia.

Kurti's Vetevendosje party topped the polls but lacked a governing majority.

Deeply divided MPs took months to elect a parliamentary speaker, and now efforts to select a representative from the Serb minority as deputy have stalled the formation of a new government again.

Albanian majority MPs rejected the candidate from Kosovo's main Serb party, Lista Srpska, prompting an appeal to the constitutional court that has frozen further parliamentary decisions until September 30.

Kurti remains the de facto leader in the meantime.