UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 1, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: We aim to vote on new government on day of swearing-in of MPs (RTK)
Kurti publishes map of LVV's performance in municipalities (RTK)
Osmani and Kurti remember victims of Pastaselle massacre (media)
After visits to Kosovo and Serbia, Sorensen heads to NATO (Klan)
Kurti travels to Hanover, participates in industry and technology fair (Reporteri)
Albulena Haxhiu speaks about discussions on government (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: I expect a meeting with Trump in next two months (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
Macron: I reiterated to Vucic my wish for Serbia to advance on European path (N1, social media)
Vucic to meet with Hungarian Defence Minister on Tuesday (Tanjug, media)
Serbian journalists’ associations condemn targeting of Radio Gorazdevac (KoSSev, media)
Brnovich: I am honoured that Trump nominated me as U.S. Ambassador to Serbia (Politika, Kosovo Online, media)
N1 interview with Marta Kos: What demonstrators and students demand is same that EC is asking from Serbia
Opposition refuses invitation to consult on new government (N1)
Serbian students to cycle to Strasbourg (BETA, N1)
Serbia, countries in region align with EU measures against ISIL, Al-Qaeda (N1)

International Media:

Money laundering causes poverty, income disparity in Balkans, says BIRN film (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: We aim to vote on new government on day of swearing-in of MPs (RTK)

The acting Prime Minister, who is also the chairman of the LVV, Albin Kurti, told Mufti Naim Ternava that in the constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo, they are aiming to swear in the MPs, elect the speaker and the presidency, as well as vote on the government. During the visit to the Islamic Community of Kosovo, Kurti was asked by Mufti Ternava if they “resigned after the February 9 elections”. Kurti emphasized that after the certification of the results, the constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo will be held.

Kurti publishes map of LVV's performance in municipalities (RTK)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has published a map of Kosovo showing how it looks after the certification of the election results, with the votes that each party received across Kosovo. "After the certification of the results of the parliamentary elections, this is how the rankings and percentages of the subjects in the municipalities look. A map that should also serve us in the preparations for the local elections in the fall," Kurti wrote on Facebook.

Osmani and Kurti remember victims of Pastaselle massacre (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has remembered the 26th anniversary of the massacre in Pastaselle, Rahovec, as well as that in Burim, Malisheve. She said that Kosovo will not stop seeking justice for the victims of these massacres. “A quarter of a century ago, the forces of the genocidal regime of Serbia committed terrible crimes against the civilian population in Kosovo. In 1999, in Pastaselle, Rahovec, 106 men, women and children were brutally murdered and massacred. The same wave of violence continued in Burim, Malisheve, where 42 innocent civilians were mercilessly executed. But our memory does not fade. History cannot be forgotten. With dedication and determination, we will continue to defend the truth and seek justice for the victims of this genocide,” Osmani said.

Kosovo’s Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti stressed that “in the last week of March 1999, Milosevic's Serbia intensified its brutality as part of the genocidal "Horseshoe" plan, killing hundreds of innocent civilians, torturing and looting thousands more, and destroying unmeasureble wealth throughout Kosovo. He also noted that "the Kosovo Institute for War Crimes is collecting evidence to document crimes against humanity and the Serbian genocide in Kosovo."

After visits to Kosovo and Serbia, Sorensen heads to NATO (Klan)

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska will meet with the European envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and other regional issues in the Western Balkans, Peter Sorensen. No statement to the media is planned after the meeting. This meeting comes a few days after Sorensen made his first visits to Kosovo and Serbia since being appointed envoy for the Brussels dialogue.

Kurti travels to Hanover, participates in the industry and technology fair (Reporteri)

Kosovo’s Acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has traveled on Monday to Hanover, Germany to participate in the largest international industry and technology fair, “Hannover Messe 2025”. This is the second time that Kurti participates in this important global event for innovation, automation and industrial transformation.

According to the announcement of the OPM, during his visit, Prime Minister Kurti, together with the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, will conduct a guided tour through the pavilions of leading companies such as Bosch Rexroth, Festo, Siemens, Aleph Alpha, SAP and Schneider Electric, with a focus on intelligent manufacturing technologies, industrial automation and digital ecosystems.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade Rozeta Hajdari, met with the CEO of Bosch Rexroth, Steffen Haack. They discussed the possibility of investments in Kosovo, while Kurti informed him about the successful reforms and achievements of the government during this mandate.

Albulena Haxhiu speaks about discussions on government (media)

Member of the leadership of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albulena Haxhiu, ruled out the possibility of talks with the opposition regarding the formation of a new government. She told KosovaPress on Monday that they will make efforts to meet elected MPs, but according to her, not those from the opposition. “I believe that now, after the certification of the results, the work continues on establishing the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, namely for the Kurti 3 Government. We will have continuous efforts to meet with parliamentary groups, excluding the opposition, so with our coalition partners, which we are having, but also of course with others that we will have”, Haxhiu said.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I expect a meeting with Trump in next two months (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday evening he expects to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump within the next two months. "I expect to have that meeting; we will see if it materializes. Trump is very busy, and the date is not set in stone yet… I am cautious when talking about this, but it would be an honour for Serbia. I believe it is feasible", Vucic told TV Pink.

Speaking about his conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Vucic said they covered many important topics and that he is proud of their friendship, as it benefits Serbia. "He called me, and we talked about everything. I am proud of our friendship because it brings a lot to Serbia. We discussed how Serbia can progress in the rule of law, the economy, and geopolitical topics such as Russia and Ukraine… We always have comprehensive discussions", Vucic said. He also noted there is a serious political crisis in both Europe and the world. "And Europe will face even more challenges starting Wednesday when Trump's tariffs take effect", he added.

Consultations on new government begin Wednesday, no transitional government

Vucic announced that consultations on forming a new government will take place from Wednesday to Friday and that, so far, five or six political lists have confirmed they will accept his invitation for discussions. "I have sent a letter to all list leaders and parliamentary groups. Five or six lists have informed me that they want to attend the consultations. We will formally start on Wednesday and finish by Friday", Vucic said.

He expects representatives of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), as the largest party, to decide whether they want to form a new government or call for new elections. "It is clear that within SNS, there is no inclination - nor is there on my part - toward any kind of transitional government. There will be no transitional government, as the opposition wants, but rather the kind of government that the citizens of this country desire", Vucic added.

Macron: I reiterated to Vucic my wish for Serbia to advance on European path (N1, social media)

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X that he spoke on the phone with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and “reiterated his wish for Serbia to continue to advance on its European path”, N1 reported.

“We discussed bilateral issues and reviewed the recent contacts he had in Brussels. I reiterated my wish for Serbia to continue to advance on its European path”, Macron wrote on the platform.

President Vucic earlier mentioned in an Instagram post that he had a phone conversation with Macron regarding bilateral matters, enhancing cooperation, and Serbia’s European path, and that they agreed to meet in April. On March 25, Vucic had a working dinner in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa.

Vucic to meet with Hungarian Defence Minister on Tuesday (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will meet with Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky in Belgrade on Tuesday, Tanjug news agency reported.

The meeting at the Palace of Serbia is scheduled for 10 am, the presidential press office announced in a statement. After the meeting, Vucic will attend the signing of defence agreements, to be followed by a press conference.

Serbian journalists’ associations condemn targeting of Radio Gorazdevac (KoSSev, media)

The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and its branch in Kosovo (DNKiM), the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), and the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) have strongly condemned what they describe as the targeting of the editorial team of Radio Gorazdevac by the recently established portal Srpski Glas, KoSSev portal reported.

Srpski Glas published an article last week announcing a series of reports aimed at highlighting media outlets that, in its view, portray Kosovo as “an independent state”. The portal asserted that such media “advocate for the independence of ‘Kosovo,’ regardless of their justifications“.

The article specifically named Radio Gorazdevac, the only Serbian-language media outlet in Pec region, accusing it of using terms like “President of Kosovo,“ “Kosovo President,“ and “Kosovo Prime Minister,“ which, according to Srpski Glas, grant legitimacy to “Albanian separatists“ and a “false state“.

The portal further claimed that, should Serbia become a “lawful state“, media outlets allegedly violating the Serbian Constitution should be held accountable, and their editors prosecuted. It called for a boycott of Radio Gorazdevac, labelling its reporting as a “betrayal of the country and the people“.

Brnovich: I am honoured that Trump nominated me as U.S. Ambassador to Serbia (Politika, Kosovo Online, media)

Mark Brnovich, whom U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, said on Monday he is deeply honoured to be chosen for the position, Belgrade-based Politika daily reported.

"I am very honoured that President Trump has nominated me for such an important role. I really do not wish to comment further until my Senate hearing. Thank you", Brnovich told the Tanjug news agency.

Trump appointed Brnovich on Saturday, describing him as a "proud veteran of the Army National Guard" who previously served as the Attorney General of the state of Arizona. Brnovich, a member of the Republican Party, held the position of Attorney General of Arizona from 2015 to 2023.

N1 interview with Marta Kos: What demonstrators and students demand is same that EC is asking from Serbia

"It seems to me it is important to say that what the demonstrators and students demand from Serbia is the same thing that the European Commission is asking from Serbia", Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, said in an interview with N1 Slovenia.

She said she was amazed by the energy of the demonstrators to change the circumstances they were not satisfied with. As she assessed, Serbia is stagnating and has to take many steps in order to be able to continue negotiations. The EC demands urgent reforms from Serbia, primarily changes in electoral legislation, changes in media laws and the appointment of electronic media regulators, for which, she stressed, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gave guarantees.

“I expressed my protest to President Vucic for conducting violence and intimidation towards non-governmental organizations“, she added.

Opposition refuses invitation to consult on new government (N1)

The Green-Left Front said on Monday that the parliamentary opposition parties in Serbia which proposed a nationally trusted government will not take part in the consultations on a new government at the invitation of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, N1 reported.

A press release said that President Vucic’s intention is to replace “a bad government” with a new one which leads to a deepening of the political crisis in the country. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) are set to form a new government following the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic (SNS). Vucic has invited parliamentary parties to consult on a new prime minister.

“We believe that the only way for Serbia to move forward is to meet the students’ demands and peacefully replace the SNS regime in fair elections. Since conditions for fair elections do not exist, we demand the formation of a transitional government that would create those conditions“, said the press release of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), People’s Movement of Serbia, New Democratic Party of Serbia, POKS, Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), Serbia Center Party – SRCE, and the Green-Left Front (ZLF).

Serbian students to cycle to Strasbourg (BETA, N1)

Serbian student protesters announced that they will leave for Strasbourg on bicycles on April 3, one day before Student Day, to address the Council of Europe and European Union institutions, BETA news agency reported.

They said they expect to arrive in Strasbourg on April 17 to raise international public awareness about the events in Serbia and the lack of response from responsible institutions. Their journey will take them across Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany to France.

According to the students, the purpose of the trip is also to alert foreign institutions that can influence Serbian authorities and create external pressure on them in Serbia. They added they aim to draw international media attention to exert pressure on both domestic and foreign institutions. The announcement noted student cyclists would deliver memorandums and reports to various institutions, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Directorate of Democracy and Human Dignity, the Committee of Ministers, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the EU Agency of Fundamental Rights.

Serbia, countries in region align with EU measures against ISIL, Al-Qaeda (N1)

The Council of the European Union (EU) High Representative issued a press release on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning the latest restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda as well as persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them, N1 reported.

On 17 March 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/5141, which adds one entity to the list of persons, groups, undertakings and entities set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693.

The countries that have aligned with this Council Decision include Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine. These countries will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision, said the press release. The European Union welcomed this decision by partner countries and emphasized the importance of a unified approach to preserving international peace and security.

International Media

Money laundering causes poverty, income disparity in Balkans, says BIRN film (Balkan Insight)

BIRN new documentary shows how money laundering has been increasing poverty, prices and income inequality in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.

BIRN new documentary, The Impact of Money Laundering on Poverty, launched on Friday in Pristina, Kosovo, shows how organised crime uses money laundering to build “economic empires” that worsen poverty and income inequality.

Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of BIRN and Internews Kosova’s Albanian-language media outlet, KALLXO.com, which produced the film, said the documentary shows that money laundering has never delivered economic development, “but has only brought poverty and income disproportionality”.