UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 22, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Duncan, ex-advisor to NATO SACEUR, begins testimony in the Hague (media)
Kurti on testimonies by Rubin and others in the Hague (Gazeta Express)
Vukovic on “biggest problem” challenging legitimacy of Special Court (Nacionale)
Gara: Serbia keeps politicizing missing persons’ issue (media)
Osmani meets Albanian diaspora during stay in New York (media)
Musliu: Proposal for Kosovo in NATO, best response to Vucic’s parade (media)
KSF opens vacancy for 60 new soldiers from non-majority communities (media)
CBK signs agreement with ECB to protect integrity of Euro banknotes (media)
Kosovo leaders remember Fehmi, Xheve Lladrovci, on death anniversary (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian European Integration Minister: Pristina has two goals, to accelerate emigration of Serbs and provoke reaction from Serbia (media)
Gogic: Pristina’s moves are a prelude to what’s to come, Serbs fear education and healthcare are next (RTS)
Radojevic condemns stoning of a bus with pilgrims in Mitrovica South (Radio KIM)
Petkovic: “This is Kurti’s ‘rule of law’” – Reaction to bus stoning incident in South Mitrovica (KoSSev, media, social media)
Veljkovic reacts to stoning of a bus with pilgrims in Mitrovica South (social media)
Cannabis plantation discovered near Podujevo, substance suspected to be TNT explosive also found (Radio kontakt plus)

Opinion:

Walls under siege: The Municipal seal as an art form (KoSSev)
Vucic’s parade, a threat to neighbors and his opponents in Serbia (Koha)

International:

Kosovo’s economy grows 4.57% in 2024 - revised data (SeeNews)
KFOR declares Kosovo's TPPs no-fly zone (SeeNews)
Autostrada Biennale makes history its material (Kosovo 2.0)
Kosovo civil society opposes ‘2,000 Euro Fine’ plea deal for KALLXO.com journalist‘s harassers (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Duncan, ex-advisor to NATO SACEUR, begins testimony in the Hague (media)

The leading story in most news websites is the first day of the testimony at the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo by John Duncan, former British diplomat who served as advisor to former NATO SACEUR General Wesley Clark from 1998 to 2001.

Radio Free Europe quotes Duncan as saying that the KLA did not have a hierarchy and that the real power was in the hands of the zone commanders. “This was the difficulty we faced there because they did not have a hierarchy structure. They were organized differently. The power rested in different places,” he said. According to Duncan, the political leadership of the KLA, including Thaci, was often not able to convince the combatants of important decisions such as demilitarization. He also said that Thaci’s role did not convey the political reality and that he did not have complete legitimacy in society.

Klan Kosova reports that Duncan said that Thaci had to consult with KLA zone commanders and that this was confirmed by a meeting he had with Agim Ceku in Tirana, Albania. “The regional commanders had the real power in the KLA structure. This was confirmed by Agim Ceku at the start of negotiations for the agreement. He said he could not do this without the presence of the zone commanders. I believed him! He was convincing on this issue … We could not go and simply talk to Mr. Thaci, we had to talk with those that really had the competencies, and they were the zone commanders,” Duncan is quoted as saying.

Nacionale quotes Duncan as saying that “it was not realistic to accept Mr. Thaci as the political leader of Kosovo. There were political forces that existed there, like the LDK, Mr. Rugova, and others. They could have elected him as leader of the Rambouillet delegation, but he did not have what is called political legitimacy in a democratic society. He was not elected by the people”.

Several news websites quote Duncan as saying that the Kosovo Albanians suffered under an apartheid system during the time of Milosevic, which then also led to ethnic cleansing. “They were excluded from participation in governance, in public services, and this led to the ethnic cleansing that we all witnessed,” he said. He stated that the war in Kosovo was very different from the one of the Bosniaks and Croats, as according to him, the people in Kosovo were fighting against those who had violated them.

Duncan said that he drafted the agreement on disarmament of KLA after discussions with General Michael Jackson.

Kurti on testimonies by Rubin and others in the Hague (Gazeta Express)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti told T7 today that he has partly followed the proceedings at the Special Chambers in the Hague. “I have followed it partly, as much as I could, because of many engagements and activities. The defense has chosen a specific orientation; our role is limited. We have uninterruptedly provided financial support, and we hope for the best. But at the same time, my position on the Special Court remains the same as it was in the beginning,” he said.

Asked to comment on the fact that the late Adem Demaci is mentioned as the leading figure and that he was a close associate of his, Kurti said: “thank you. I believe we need to wait for the course of the process without making any political assessments. I once again stress that my position on the Special Court has never changed”.

Asked if he believes that the former KLA leaders will be found innocent, Kurti said “thank you very much” without further comment.

Vukovic on “biggest problem” challenging legitimacy of Special Court (Nacionale)

The biggest systemic problem that challenges the legitimacy of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers is admitting evidence contaminated by mechanisms of Serbian state security, namely from the time of Slobodan Milosevic. This is what renowned international scholar and professor at John Hopkins University, Sinisa Vukovic, said in an interview with the news website on Sunday. He argued that evidence received from Serbian state mechanisms translate “into a major doubt about the integrity of evidence and the potential for misjustice”.

“Proceedings at the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo, especially in the high-profile case against Hashim Thaci and the other codefendants, are continuing with the often-characteristic slow pace of international tribunals, which we have already seen in the case of the ICTY,” he said. “For now, it is clear that the main challenge for the court is to navigate the broad political and historical context in which the alleged crimes took place. Mainly because the court’s reliance on evidence provided by Serbian state security structures from the time of Milosevic is in my opinion the most important systemic issue that challenges the legitimacy of the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo”.

Vukovic warned that such reliance “raises basic questions about the integrity of the evidence and the potential for misjustice”. “The core of the problem is best understood as a paradox … On the one hand we have a court created to offer justice for the victims in Kosovo, which on the other hand is using documents originating from the very regime that committed mass atrocities at the time. It is no surprise that the defense continues to assist that these evidences are contaminated, very likely fabricated or manipulated as part of the propaganda war of Milosevic’s regime to delegitimize the liberation movement of Kosovo,” he said.

Vukovic further argued that this dynamic puts a big burden on the judges. “While the prosecution does its duty to present all relevant evidence, the big burden falls on judges to review the origin and reliability of every single document. If the court cannot effectively filter politically-motivated fabrications, it risks validating a historical narrative shaped by an aggressor state. This goes beyond a legal technical issue, and it strikes at the heart of the court’s position to be a source of impartial justice,” he said.

Vukovic said the court’s verdict could have long-term implications for Kosovo, because they can challenge the narrative for Kosovo’s liberation. “It is now apparent that by prosecuting the leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, the courts complicate the basic narrative of heroic liberation, which for every post-conflict society can become a deeply polarizing dynamic,” he said.

He said that courts risk “generating a considerable gap of leadership by causing political instability and by weakening Kosovo’s position in critical international negotiations”. The problem, in his opinion, becomes more serious by what many people in Kosovo see as biased justice. “These consequences are amplified by a wide-spread perception of selective justice, because the court’s exclusive focus on the KLA causes dissatisfaction and undermines trust in the justice of international law”.

“If the proceedings are not seen as credible and impartial, the court risks failing in its mission to promote the rule of law, and instead further divisions and delegitimizing the very concept of international justice in the eyes of many Kosovars”.

Vukovic said he also sees an optimistic side on the horizon: “There is however a positive side too. By facing this painful chapter, Kosovo can prove its engagement to the rule of law. Successfully navigating this process can ultimately strengthen its international position and help secure its future as a respected member of the European community. The path that Kosovo will follow will depend largely on the perceived justice of courts and the sustainability of its people and leaders”.

Gara: Serbia keeps politicizing missing persons’ issue (media)

Kushtrim Gara from the Kosovo Government’s Committee for Missing Persons said in an interview with Ekonomia Online that Serbia is continuing to obstruct the process of resolving the fate of missing persons and that it is trying to rewrite the terms of reference agreed between the two parties in December 2024. “The Kosovo government committee, the delegation of Kosovo and all state institutions have continuously addressed the issue of missing persons as a priority issue, in all meetings including the dialogue process, but also in other high-level meetings. At the last meeting too the issue of missing persons inevitably remains one of issues addressed with high priority. Specifically, the efforts to implement the declaration dated May 2, 2023, but also in terms of functionalizing the joint committee, and as highlighted by government committee chair Andin Hoti, also the monitoring of the implementation of the declaration. Unfortunately, at the last meeting [in Brussels] too, based on statements by Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi and government committee chair Hoti, Serbia not only failed to act towards implementing the declaration and functionalizing the joint committee, but on the contrary, it asked to review the terms of reference that entered into force in December 2024,” he argued.

Gara also said that Serbia lacks the readiness to implement or address the pledges made in the May 2 declaration “and one of the key pledges is for Serbian institutions to open their archives responsible for crimes of genocidal proportions and also pledges to address without delay the locations that have been marked in Serbia’s territory”.

Osmani meets Albanian diaspora during stay in New York (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X that while in New York she met with “with the inspiring young leaders of Zâni, who are part of our brilliant diaspora in the United States. Their work connects youth from our diaspora across the world, turning heritage into strength and ideas into action. It was a privilege to thank them for their vision and commitment to building a more democratic and inclusive future”.

In a different post on X, Osmani said she met the Albanian diaspora in Waterbury, Connecticut, “ the strongest bridge of the enduring Kosovo–U.S. partnership! I extend my gratitude to the Hasan Prishtina Association, to our American friends in attendance, and to all members of our diaspora for making this gathering truly special”.

Musliu: Proposal for Kosovo in NATO, best response to Vucic’s parade (media)

Several news websites report that Agim Musliu, founder of the Pristina-based Octopus Institute for hybrid warfare studies, said that the proposal by US congressman Brian Mast to make Kosovo’s membership in NATO a priority, was the best response to what Musliu called the parade of crises and shame in Serbia, referring to the military parade. “The parade was held at a time when Russia is provoking NATO on the eastern flank, Serbia is provoking the situation in the region, in line with Russia and against NATO and the European Union. This time, Vucic, with his parade, threatened his people too who have decided to remove him from power because of corruption, crimes and for installing dictatorial policies,” Musliu said in a Facebook post.

KSF opens vacancy for 60 new soldiers from non-majority communities (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said in a Facebook post that the Kosovo Security Force has opened a new vacancy for recruiting 60 soldiers from non-majority communities. “The initiative comes as part of continuous efforts to strengthen the capacities of the Kosovo Security Force and to ensure the representation of all communities in the security structures of the country,” the KSF said in a statement.

CBK signs agreement with ECB to protect integrity of Euro banknotes (media)

Several news websites cover a press release issued by the Central Bank of Kosovo which notes that it had signed a cooperation agreement with the European Central (ECB) in the field of fighting counterfeit of Euro banknote, further strengthening institutional commitment to safeguarding the integrity of euro cash in circulation, and ensuring the country’s financial stability. The agreement was signed by CBK Governor, Ismaili, and ECB President, Lagarde. “This Agreement marks an important milestone in aligning with EU standards and best practices in combating counterfeit currency and establishes the basis for structured technical cooperation, including the exchange of information through the ECB’s Counterfeit Monitoring System (CMS), which supports the identification and analysis of the detected counterfeit euro banknotes. Through this Agreement, the CBK will gain access to ECB operational mechanisms designed to prevent and combat euro banknotes counterfeiting and will be integrated into the professional cooperation network with Eurosystem central banks and non-euro area partner, including countries in the Western Balkans region. This collaboration is the result of an inter-institutional effort in the Republic of Kosovo led by CBK, in coordination with international partners, particularly the European Union Office in Kosovo, to build a sustainable and comprehensive anti-counterfeiting framework. The Agreement reinforces the objectives outlined in the legislation prepared on fighting counterfeit currency, developed with the support of the Croatian National Bank and relevant domestic institutions within the framework of the EU TAIEX project, which foresees initiatives for the establishment of National Anti-Counterfeit Center and a National Counterfeit Monitoring System in Kosovo, in line with the CBK Strategic Plan. The CBK extends its special gratitude to the team of experts who worked on this project, with particular appreciation to the European Central Bank, which, through this cooperation agreement, has paved the way for advancing our institutional, technical, and operational capacities, in a joint effort to combat a phenomenon that requires continuous commitment and a systematic approach. The CBK reaffirms its commitment to strengthening internal capacities, modernizing and automating cash processing in line with Eurosystem standards, raising public awareness, and advancing further toward full integration into the common practices of the European Union,” the statement notes.

Kosovo leaders remember Fehmi and Xheve Lladrovci on death anniversary (media)

Most news websites cover statements by Kosovo government and political leaders on the 27th anniversary of the killing of Fehmi and Xheve Lladrovci, who died while fighting Serbian troops. Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci said in a Facebook post that they were “emblematic figures” of the resistance of the people of Kosovo and that “they were united by the wish for freedom and the will for work and knowledge”. Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Memli Krasniqi said that they knew “that their sacrifice would become the foundation of honor and of our state”. Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj said that they were a strong arm of the movement for Kosovo’s freedom and independence and that their fall marks “a key moment in Kosovo’s history”.

Serbian Language Media

Serbian European Integration Minister: Pristina has two goals, to accelerate emigration of Serbs and provoke reaction from Serbia (media)

Serbian European Integration Minister Nemanja Starovic said on Sunday outgoing Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has two goals “to promote emigration of Serbs from Kosovo and provoke a reaction from Serbia with NATO forces”. He told RTS when it comes to Pristina's actions, he does not expect anything good.

“An international consensus is being created that (Albin) Kurti’s behaviour is inexcusable, in that context I also observe the recent decision of the American administration”, he said.

Speaking of the Serbian delegation's trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, Starovic said the UN General Assembly will be a good opportunity to talk with countries that are friendly to Serbia, countries that are its traditional friends. “We will also talk to those with whom we disagree on all issues”, he added.

“We can also expect good news regarding the change of position on the Kosovo and Metohija of certain states, which was announced by the (Serbian) president”, Starovic noted.

Gogic: Pristina’s moves are a prelude to what’s to come, Serbs fear education and healthcare are next (RTS)

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic told Serbian public broadcaster RTS this morning that in previous years, Pristina authorities have entered the premises of Clinical Hospital Centre (KBC) in Mitrovica North, but this time it was perceived as a kind of prelude to violent takeover of educational and health institutions. However, he pointed out it may be good news that Germany and France have also spoken out on the issue. Speaking of upcoming elections, he explained how demographic changes and divisions among Serbs will affect the result. Gogic also argued life issues cannot be resolved in local elections, but must be internationalized.

Describing the situation affecting the Serbs in Kosovo and challenges they face, Gogic told RTS that in previous years, police in northern Kosovo had entered premises belonging to the Clinical Hospital Centre, but that this time it was understood differently, as a kind of prelude to what was to follow, which was to forcibly enter educational and health institutions, based on the principle that had been used previously, and to integrate them in some way, that is, take them over by force.

“Because there is a whole series of events and statements related to that topic. So, previously there was the closure of the RFZO and the PIO fund also in Mitrovica, and then various statements followed, both from domestic actors here in Kosovo, so from the caretaker Prime Minister (Albin) Kurti, but also from the international community, from the Chargé d’affaires at the American Embassy (Anu) Prattipati, from some German officials, about discussing the integration of the education and health sectors”, Gogic explained.

Fear in all Serbian communities

He added fear among Serbs that educational and health institutions are now also on their turn has been sparked. “That fear exists not only in northern Kosovo, but in all Serbian communities. Because those statements that came were very indicative that, in fact, some action is now being prepared in this regard” Gogic said.

Asked by RTS anchor - what if Pristina forcibly takes over education and healthcare – Gogic responded - if that were to happen, it would again be against the will and without agreement with the Serbs, who would not be involved in the management of these institutions, nor would Belgrade agree to it”.

“That is something that would really disrupt the provision of these services”, he opined, adding that, although he does not like using harsh rhetoric, it seems as if it would be a blow from which the community would have difficulty recovering, and which could lead to the emigration of the population.

However, he pointed out perhaps the good news is that Germany and France have also spoken out on the issue. “Germany even said that Kosovo could actually risk something similar to what happened with the Americans. That is, if they take (actions) against healthcare more seriously, the Germans could also suspend bilateral cooperation”, Gogic said.

The issue of vehicle driving licenses

In addition to health and education, two other topics have been discussed. These are the licenses for driving motor vehicles and the issue of residence.

“These topics actually come down to the recognition of documents. Namely, when those vehicle re-registrations to “RKS “plates were made, a number of Serbs, both earlier in the south and later in the north, either could not or did not want to take those “RKS” plates, and they transferred their vehicles to their relatives or friends in Central Serbia, and from them they received the authorization to drive those vehicles. Now, in fact, there is a threat that those authorizations will no longer be recognized, but the point is that the ID cards used for that authorization are not actually recognized. And those are the ID cards that Serbia issues for cities in Kosovo”, Gogic explained.

“How Serbs become foreigners in their own country”

Regarding residence, he said that these are Serbs who live, reside in Kosovo, and who do not have identity cards from Kosovo institutions.

“Either because they cannot, most often there are some procedural bureaucratic obstacles, or they did not want to obtain them, and now they are actually becoming foreigners in their own country, even though they are in their homes, even though they actually live there all the time, but now they will have to, if they have identity cards from cities in central Serbia, like I do, who come here often, they will have to report their residence to the police and then reside in Kosovo, so that the police would allow them to reside in Kosovo”, Gogic said.

“Life issues cannot be resolved in local elections, they must be internationalized”

Speaking of October 12 local elections, Gogic opined that life issues for Serbs unfortunately cannot be resolved through local elections, because they are a matter of the competences and powers of the central government, which completely ignores and neglects the needs, interests and position of Serbs.

Nevertheless, he believes it is very important for Serbs to participate in the elections, take power in ten municipalities with a Serb majority, but to also take, if possible, council seats in municipalities with an Albanian majority, where they are in smaller numbers.

“These are all topics that actually need to be internationalized. That is, there must be strong engagement of the international community here, to put pressure on the authorities in Pristina and then find solutions for these matters”, Gogic said.

“Demographic changes and divisions among Serbs will affect the result”

RTS noted Serbian List complains about changes in the Voter’s lists for the local elections, as well as insufficient representation in the election commissions. Gogic explained there has been demographic change in the sense that the structure of those municipalities with a Serbian majority is changing, in which Albanians have an increasing share, and that this will be reflected in the election results.

He also added Serbs will take part in the elections divided into several columns, which may lead to a waste of votes. He appealed to Serbs living in central Serbia or beyond, and who can also vote in Kosovo, to come and vote on October 12, both in municipalities with a Serbian majority and in municipalities with a majority Albanian population, where they can take some council mandates.

Radojevic condemns stoning of a bus with pilgrims in Mitrovica South (Radio KIM)

Serbian List mayoral candidate for Mitrovica North, Milan Radojevic condemned the stoning of a bus with pilgrims in Mitrovica South, Radio KIM reported. The pilgrims were visiting monasteries in Kosovo on the occasion of Orthodox holiday and have also visited Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) Saint Sava in Mitrovica South.

“Sadly, the race as to who will inflict more damage to the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija continues, which is a direct consequence of the anti-Serbian campaign of the outgoing regime in Pristina”, Radojevic said. He added this is yet another in a series of incidents targeting Serbs in Kosovo, including closure of institutions, confiscation of properties, arrests of juveniles over T-shirts and many others.

He in particular pointed out that the incident took place in presence of Kosovo police, which did not thwart the attack. “It is not sufficient to arrest the perpetrator. It is necessary that he faces punishment, as it is the only way to prevent similar attacks in the future”, Radojevic noted.

He called upon the international community, including KFOR and EULEX, to react urgently and ensure protection of rights to movement, speech and religion.

Petkovic: “This is Kurti’s ‘rule of law’” – Reaction to bus stoning incident in South Mitrovica (KoSSev, media, social media)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic, has sharply condemned the treatment of a man suspected of stoning a bus carrying Serbian pilgrims in South Mitrovica, calling it an example of acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s “rule of law”, KoSSev portal reported today.

“When an Albanian stones a bus full of Serbian pilgrims in South Mitrovica, he is charged with property damage. But when a Serb wears a T-shirt with Prince Lazar’s image, he goes straight to prison, accused of inciting national and religious hatred. This is what Kurti’s ‘rule of law’ looks like”, Petković said in a post on X social platform.

The incident occurred on Sunday around 5 p.m. in front of the Church of Saint Sava in South Mitrovica, when an unidentified man threw a stone at a bus carrying pilgrims from central Serbia, shattering a window. The passengers temporarily patched the broken glass and continued their journey. Kosovo police detained the suspect, took witness statements, and later released him after questioning. He faces charges of “property damage”, Avni Zahiti from the Kosovo police – south region confirmed to KoSSev.

Veljkovic reacts to stoning of a bus with pilgrims in Mitrovica South (social media)

Serbian Democracy vice president Stefan Veljkovic shared on his Facebook late last night the news about the stoning of the bus with pilgrims from central Serbia while visiting the Serbian Orthodox Church Saint Sava in Mitrovica South.

“I demand the harshest punishment for the attacker who was, quite certainly, incited by the inflammatory anti-Serbian rhetoric of (Albin) Kurti, (Xhelal) Svecla and the camarilla - this is an attack on the Serbian Orthodox Church and our people!”, Veljkovic wrote in a post.

Cannabis plantation discovered near Podujevo, substance suspected to be TNT explosive also found (Radio kontakt plus)

Radio kontakt plus reported today that 1.769 cannabis plants have been found and confiscated near Podujevo, scale and substance suspected to be TNT explosive.

Kosovo police arrested a man in Donja Dumnica village near Podujevo, after finding 1,769 cannabis stalks planted on an area of one hectare of corn. During the police operation, equipment was also seized, and a substance suspected to be the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT).

According to a Kosovo police report, the suspect was found in a corn field that was used as a cover for growing narcotics. Plants of different sizes were discovered in the plantations, which are suspected to belong to cannabis species, Radio kontakt plus added. The plants have been destroyed, the suspect taken into custody, while the substance believed to be TNT was taken over by a demining unit.

Opinion

Walls under siege: The Municipal seal as an art form (KoSSev)

By Marina Milentijevic

At the end of August, North Mitrovica lost the graffiti and murals that had covered the walls of buildings in the town center for years. The repainting operation, carried out with police assistance, was organized by municipal authorities. At the roundabout, murals dedicated to Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije were whitewashed. On the same building, only on a different wall, graffiti reading “Because there’s no going back from here, Kosovska Mitrovica” and one dedicated to the fighters from Kosare were also erased.

A few weeks later, the same fate befell the mural dedicated to the “Golden Dolphins,” Serbia’s water polo players who won Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. In place of Filip Filipović and the names of the championship team members, residents today are greeted by a mural of an American guitarist, Joe Satriani—largely unknown to them—playing for the public on a building not far from the main bridge.

The previous mural, painted “out of gratitude to the guys who never let us down,” had been done voluntarily as a caricature. The new one, according to eyewitnesses, was created under the watchful eyes of Mayor Erden Atić and municipal inspector Fatir Berzati—clear evidence that even wall painting in the north now has its official quality controllers. Not even a coat of paint can be applied without the municipal stamp—literally: the stamp is embedded in the mural itself through the new municipal emblem which, like the mural itself, the citizens did not ask for. The previous emblem, likewise, never bothered them much.

The whole operation is unfolding in the midst of local elections. While the provisional municipal bodies continue to tend to democracy and the rule of law by whitewashing the few walls that remain as part of collective memory—or rather recollection—of another time and, as it happens, another municipal emblem. In this joyless atmosphere, the golden water polo players are clearly unwelcome, but a musician who has nothing to do with Kosovo is welcome—appearing only as a spray-painted abstraction next to, again, the new municipal emblem. If the saying “you get what you pay for” holds true, it is natural to conclude that North Mitrovica has become the new World Trade Center: music is played even when no song has been requested, and to an audience that refuses to applaud.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr4daw9m

Vucic’s parade, a threat to neighbors and his opponents in Serbia (Koha)

Op-ed by Enver Robelli

Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbia, which for almost a year now has been faced with a popular revolt against corruption and government crime, chose September 20 to demonstrate military power with a militarist parade in Belgrade. This parade was held, as it was said, to crown the day of “Serbian unity, freedom and national flag” which is marked on September 15.

Two hours away from Belgrade, in Vukovar of Croatia, September 20 is remembered as the day when in 1991 Croatian fighters started their resistance against pan-Serbian aggression. For three months in a row, the Serbianized Yugoslav army, paramilitary forces and other criminals commanded by Belgrade brutally assaulted Vukovar, by causing thousands of civilian casualties and almost leveling to the ground a city with Baroch architecture. Up to 7,000 rockets were fired every day at Vukovar.

When they entered the city on November 18, 1991, Serbian soldiers and paramilitaries arrested even the patients of the Vukovar hospital, over 200 of them, and sent them to an agricultural complex in the outskirts of the city. There they were all executed. Today, a museum honoring the victims stands at the crime scene. Among many names are also those of several Albanians from Vukovar who were killed by Belgrade’s armed forces.

In the horror of Vukovar, there were Albanians everywhere, in all fronts. There were Albanians that resided and lived in Vukovar and who were killed by Serbian soldiers. They were Albanians that joined Croatian forces in the defense of the city. And there were Albanian recruits that had remained in the Yugoslav army and who were fighting the battles of their lives: how to escape that army and save their heads?

Vucic, with his military parade, sent two threatening messages. The first one is directed against the neighbors. The second one against students and their many supporters in Serbia, who are protesting since November last year against crime and corruption. The protest started after the fall of a canopy at the train station in Novi Sad where 16 innocent people lost their lives. As never before during his years in power, Vucic is faced with a popular revolt which has shaken the foundations of his regime. On March 15, the student movement in Serbia managed to bring around 300,000 people on the streets of Belgrade. Since then, Vucic has become even more paranoid about the end of his regime. Therefore, his goal is to use all means to minimize the massiveness of the protests. For this reason, he misused the army too.

The Serbian militarist parade was a clear message for the European Union too: Vucic’s Serbia does not even declaratively believe in European values. On the stands, Vucic was surrounded by several men wearing traditional Arab clothing. Most prominent among them was the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Attending a military parade of a country that not only provided logistical support to the genocide against around 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks in Srebrenica, which is only 211 kilometers from Belgrade, speaks volume about the guest’s double standards of human rights. It is not worth talking about solidarity with the Muslims. It does not exist.

Research by BIRN platform showed that in the first half of 2025, Serbia exported to Israel ammunition worth around €55,5 million – more than the total of last year, when export reached a record-setting €47,9 million. According to human rights experts, some of these weapons were used in Gaza too. At the parade in Belgrade, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan seemed very calm, and even applauded.

International

Kosovo’s economy grows 4.57% in 2024 - revised data (SeeNews)

Kosovo's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by a real 4.57% in 2024, following a 4.07% expansion in the previous year, the country's statistical office, ASK, said on Friday, revising earlier data.

The increase was chiefly backed by electricity and gas supply, which grew 6.1% followed by agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing with a 5.2% growth, and hotels and restaurants, which saw a 5% increase, ASK said.

In real terms, GDP at current prices in 2024 amounted to 10.35 billion euro ($12.2 billion).

Last month, Kosovo’s central bank said the country’s economy advanced by a real 4.4% in 2024, citing preliminary data.

The central bank projects Kosovo’s GDP to grow by a real 4.1% in 2025, on the back of stronger domestic demand and higher exports.

KFOR declares Kosovo's TPPs no-fly zone (SeeNews)

Kosovo’s power utility KEK, which operates the thermal power plants (TPPs), said that the NATO-led international peacekeeping force, KFOR, in coordination with local and international security institutions, has declared the TPPs a no-fly zone, particularly for drones.

The measure, effective since September 1, aims to strengthen protection of Kosovo’s energy infrastructure, KEK stated in a press release last week.

KEK's facilities and assets are also secured by local institutions, being now classified as part of Kosovo's critical infrastructure under the Law on Critical Infrastructure, KEK noted.

KEK operates the two thermal power plants - Kosova A and Kosova B. Kosova A consists of five units, of which only two units with 200 MW capacity and a 210 MW capacity unit are operational. Kosova B has two units of 339 MW each. Together they generate more than 90% of Kosovo's total power output.

KFOR was established in 1999 under a UN Security Council Resolution following the Kosovo conflict with Serbia.

Autostrada Biennale makes history its material (Kosovo 2.0)

A review of the biennale’s 5th edition, “Unfolding Currents: The Pulse of Time.”

In the vaulted chambers of Prizren’s Hamam, a series of objects by artist Doruntina Kastrati are displayed on cabinets re-imaged as circular slabs. Plastered in a coral kind of pink, the slabs match the patina of the 16th-century building. Cutting across the bathhouse, only a few of the display stands store Kastrati’s artefacts while most sit empty. These objects, fragments of pottery in various sizes –– sharp angular shards, the handles and rims of vases –– are organised in museum-like arrangements. Among the ceramic remains, Kastrati displays what can only be described as the dredges of the kitchen sink, clumps of hair and skin: bodily waste that often doesn’t make its way into the museum exhibit.

While these ‘artefacts’ nod to all kinds of histories, no captions or dates are offered to the viewer. What’s more, the little we are left with in the write-up questions the authenticity of the objects, of which, alongside those found, are also ones of Kastrati’s own making, we are told. So, the viewer is forced to create new interpretations out of muted artefacts. Objects that stand in as props to a history untold, awaiting the viewer’s intervention for captions.

This installation, of a museum gone awry, is in some ways a good metaphor for the fifth edition of Autostrada Biennale, curated by Erzen Shkololli. “Unfolding Currents: The Pulse of Time” sees the works of 25 artists, both local and international, presented at the biennale’s permanent home, the Autostrada Hangers and select venues in Prizren’s historic center. When Autostrada first began in 2017, as a volunteer passion project by Leutrim Fishekqiu, Vatra Abrashi and Barış Karamuço, the biennale had no fixed home or functioning contemporary art galleries to draw on. In the absence of facilities, the organisers repurposed public venues, like the city’s local bus station, to exhibit art.