Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani asks government to suspend import tariffs on U.S. products (media)
• Congressmen Gimenez and Self thank Osmani: Other countries should follow your example (Klan)
• Murati reacts to President's request to suspend tariffs with U.S. (RTK)
• Osmani's Advisor: Murati is the last one who can talk about seriousness (RTK)
• Osmani travels to Bulgaria for the Aqaba Summit (media)
• Osmani: With friends like Croatia, Kosovo is stronger every day (RTK)
• Kurti concludes cycle of meetings with non-majority community parties (RTK)
• Citaku to Kurti: Your political end will be shameful (Koha)
• Kurti meets Orav, discuss Kosovo's journey towards EU integration (media)
• Kosovo condemns removal of its flag at UEFA Congress in Serbia (euronews.al)
• Serbian club fans burn Kosovo flag outside UEFA Congress (euronews.al)
• Specialist Chambers: We hold individuals accountable, not ethnic groups, organizations or communities (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: We have many challenges; I am concerned by lack of willingness for compromise (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• Vucevic: We want new gov't, list of candidates for PM-designate down to two names (Tanjug, media)
• Dacic: We want new government, but not transitional one (media)
• Constitutional Court confirmed Gracanica Municipality filed complaint over Kosovo Government decision on municipal land appropriation (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• 11,000 persons still missing in former Yugoslavia (N1)
• Serbian Government adopts decision on joint WWII Victory Day commemorations with Russia (media)
• Bicycle convoy reaches Subotica, on border with Hungary (N1)
• Former cabinet minister questioned over railroad reconstruction (N1, Nova.rs)
• Serbian Football Association apologizes over Kosovo flag display at UEFA congress in Belgrade (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani asks government to suspend import tariffs on U.S. products (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has asked the government to suspend import tariffs on all products from the United States of America. This request, according to Osmani, was made to send the message that Kosovo is ready for stronger relations with the United States. “I am convinced that this action will open new opportunities for job creation, technology exchange and long-term economic growth,” Osmani wrote on the “X” platform.

According to her, more than an economic action, this is a foreign policy objective, reaffirming the enduring commitment to the Kosovo-U.S. alliance, built on the shared values ​​of freedom and support that have continued for decades.

Congressmenn Gimenez and Self thank Osmani: Other countries should follow your example (Klan)

Republican U.S. Congressmen Carlos Gimenez and Keith Self have praised President Vjosa Osmani's request to the government to suspend the customs tariff on U.S. imports. Congressman Gimenez said that Europe should follow Kosovo's example. "Thank you, Madam President! This is being well received in the United States and our other allies in Europe should follow your example," he wrote in X.

Murati reacts to President's request to suspend tariffs with U.S. (RTK)

Acting Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, has reacted to President Osmani's request for the government to suspend tariffs on products originating from the United States of America. 

He stated that the request was sent to the government's address at 17:39, while this was made public only three minutes later, on the social network X. Murati emphasized that such issues should be handled away from the media and the public should be notified only after a decision is made. He added that fiscal policies fall within the scope of the executive branch, specifically the ministry responsible for finance. "Every serious country handles these issues away from the media, and the public is notified when a decision is made," he wrote.

He emphasized that Kosovo fully supports President Trump's principle of free and barrier-free trade and that the government's goal is to increase trade with the US. "I take this opportunity through this post to inform the president, but also the citizens, that as a government cabinet we have already been considering this topic. And whenever a decision is made, we will definitely inform you in a timely manner," he wrote.

Osmani's Advisor: Murati is the last one who can talk about seriousness (RTK)

President Vjosa Osmani's media advisor, Bekim Kupina, has reacted to the statement of Finance Minister Hekuran Murati, calling him "the last person" who can talk about seriousness in leading the state. "A person who has not yet understood that leading the state is a 24/7 job, not one that ends at 4:00 p.m., a person who does not yet understand that according to the Constitution and the commentary to the Constitution, foreign policy objectives are determined by the institution of the Presidency, who does not understand that these things are not simply economic actions, but strategic actions in relation to our strategic and existential ally," said Kupina.

Osmani travels to Bulgaria for the Aqaba Summit (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, at the invitation of the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, and the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, has traveled to Bulgaria to represent the Kosovo along with other leaders at the High-Level Meeting of the Aqaba Process for the Balkans III, which will be held in Sofia. According to the press release, it is announced that within the framework of the visit to Sofia, Osmani will deliver a speech at the opening of the Summit and will hold separate bilateral meetings with some of the participating leaders. “During these meetings, the deepening of bilateral relations, the advancement of cooperation in the field of security and the strengthening of joint efforts for regional stability will be discussed,” the press release states.

“The Aqaba Process, initiated by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015, has played a key role in coordinating global efforts against terrorism and addressing security challenges,” the announcement says. Osmani will emphasize Kosovo’s successful engagement in the fight against terrorism and radicalism, as well as the importance of close cooperation with allies and strategic partners.

Osmani: With friends like Croatia, Kosovo is stronger every day (RTK)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, held a meeting with the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, in Sofia, where she expressed gratitude for Croatia's support in the field of regional defense and security. Osmani conveyed  to Milanovic her warmest congratulations on his re-election to this position. In her statement, President Osmani emphasized that Kosovo cooperates with Croatia in the field of defense, economy and every other field, adding that “the relationship between the two states is based on mutual trust.” She mentioned that with friends like Croatia, Kosovo is stronger every day.

Kurti concludes cycle of meetings with non-majority community parties (RTK)

The cycle of consultative meetings of Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who is also the leader of Vetevendosje Movement, the winning party of the February 9 elections, with non-majority community parties regarding the creation of new institutions has been concluded with the leader of Ashkali Party for Integration Etem Arifi and the elected Ashkali MP, Artan Asllani. “They discussed steps forward towards the formation of institutions in the 9th legislature and cooperation in this regard. They agreed on the importance of constituting the Assembly and forming the government without delay, in response to the will of the citizens for development and progress, expressed in the parliamentary elections of February 9,” reads the announcement distributed by the government regarding the conclusion of the cycle of meetings with the parties of non-majority communities that have occupied parliamentary seats.

Earlier, he had also met with the elected MP of the Gorani community, who is the chairman of the Gorani United Party, Adem Hoxha.

Citaku to Kurti: Your political end will be shameful (Koha)

The Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Vlora Citaku, has accused the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, of violating the law by hosting political parties from the communities in government premises for consultations on the formation of the government. 

“Close your eyes for a moment. And imagine if Hashim Thaci, Isa Mustafa, Ramush Haradinaj, or anyone else before Albin Kurti had done what he is doing today. Imagine a Prime Minister who, instead of serving the people, transforms the office of the state into a party office. Who uses his power to conduct political bargaining behind closed doors. Who calls representatives of non-majority communities, not to listen to them, but to subjugate them. Not for dialogue, but for pressure. Albin, Kosovo is not a party. Kosovo is not property,” she wrote on Facebook.

Citaku said that Kurti will have an ignominious end to his political career. "You are not above the law. You are not above the Constitution. You are not above the dignity of this people who have suffered for democracy, not to become spectators of a party that seeks to control everything. You are breaking the laws. You are disrespecting traditions. You are desecrating the principles that you once defended with passion. Albin, with this approach, your political end will not only be a failure, it will be shameful. History does not forgive. The people do not forget," she wrote.

Kurti meetst Ambassador Orav, discuss Kosovo's journey towards EU integration (media)

Kosovo’s Acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, received on Thursday the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Ambassador Aivo Orav. In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, it is stated that during the meeting, Kurti and Orav discussed Kosovo's journey towards EU integration, for which the Prime Minister emphasized the government's full commitment to implementing reforms. Furthermore, Kurti expressed Kosovo's proven commitment also within the framework of the Growth Plan, as a mechanism that pushes forward the region's integration into the EU, from which Kosovo will benefit 882.6 million euros, the statement says.

They also discussed current political issues and the importance of regional cooperation. 

Kosovo condemns removal of its flag at UEFA Congress in Serbia (euronews.al)

The acting Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports of Kosovo, Hajrullah Ceku, condemned on Thursday the removal of Kosovo’s flag from the UEFA Congress in Belgrade, calling it a “shameful and unacceptable act.” In a Facebook post late Thursday, Ceku stated that Kosovo expects clarifications from UEFA and “effective actions to address the responsibility for this violation of their internal rules and this attack on the state of Kosovo.”

A dispute broke out between the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) and the Football Federation of Serbia (FFS) over the presence of Kosovo’s flag at the 49th UEFA Congress held in the Serbian capital. While the Serbian Federation claimed it had removed Kosovo’s flag from the congress venue, blaming UEFA for placing it there, the Kosovar Federation insisted that the flag remained present until the end of the meeting.

Minister Ceku described the removal of national symbols as a “direct attack on the state integrity of Kosovo,” and said it “must not go without a proper international response.”

“We expect clarifications from UEFA and effective actions to address the responsibility for this violation of their internal rules and this attack on the state of Kosovo,” he wrote. Ceku also urged UEFA and FIFA to avoid hosting sports events in Serbia as long as the Serbian government continues its hostile stance toward Kosovo’s participation. “The Serbian state has not changed. It is the same one that committed massacres and genocide just a few decades ago. Back then, as now, it has not spared even sports,” he added.

Serbian club fans burn Kosovo flag outside UEFA Congress (euronews.al)

Supporters of the Serbian football club Crvena Zvezda, known as the "Delije", have burned the flag of Kosovo in front of the venue where the UEFA Congress is being held in Belgrade. According to KosovaPress, the incident took place near the UEFA offices, where the congress is taking place, just one day after the President of the Football Federation of Kosovo (Agim Ademi) was seen near the Kosovo flag, which was displayed alongside the flags of other participating nations.

On Thursday morning, the Football Federation of Serbia issued an official statement, announcing that it had taken steps to remove Kosovo's symbols from the congress venue. A video circulating on social media shows a small group of young individuals setting the Kosovo flag on fire. So far, there has been no official reaction from the Football Federation of Kosovo regarding the incident.

Specialist Chambers: We hold individuals accountable, not ethnic groups, organizations or communities (media)

Specialist Chambers spokespeople Michael Doyle and Angela Griep held a press conference for journalists from Kosovo on Thursday. They discussed the trial in The Hague against former KLA leaders, an issue that has sparked widespread criticism in Kosovo. In their statements, they emphasized that the Court is established on the basis of the Constitution of Kosovo and that its legitimacy stems precisely from this Constitution.

They added that the aim of the Specialist Chambers is to ensure a fair and independent trial for the accused, to protect witnesses and to guarantee the rights and dignity of victims.

They recalled that this Court deals only with individual criminal responsibility, holding “only individuals responsible for the crimes charged in the indictment” and not “ethnic groups, organizations or communities”.

They also mentioned the complaint of Hashim Thaci’s defense regarding the judges’ questions to witnesses and the response of the trial panel to this complaint. “The judges recalled that, based on the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, they are allowed, and even required, to ask questions, as it is their duty to determine the truth. Limiting their ability to ask questions would interfere with their role as a neutral fact-finder,” the spokespersons said.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: We have many challenges; I am concerned by lack of willingness for compromise (Kosovo Online, RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is participating in a summit within the Aqaba Process dedicated to the Balkans in Bulgaria emphasized that Serbia is facing numerous challenges, from the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in  Republika Srpska, to relations with Pristina, but what worries him the most is that in all the discussions he had recently, he had not seen a willingness for compromise. Regarding the tariffs the U.S. imposed on Serbia, he said they were calculated using a "strange formula", adding he hopes the issue will be resolved in his conversation with US President Donald Trump, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"I know that (Vjosa) Osmani will raise certain issues because here there are no flags or insignias, even ties are banned as part of the Aqaba summit's image, and I am sure of the questions she will raise. But we also have a good delegation, and we will bring up our own issues. The most important thing is to preserve peace and stability, and to see how we can move forward", Vucic told RTS.

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

Vucevic: We want new gov't, list of candidates for PM-designate down to two names (Tanjug, media)

Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Milos Vucevic said on Thursday the party and its coalition partners in the most recent elections wanted to see a new government formed rather than early elections and that their list of candidates for PM-designate was now down to two names, Tanjug news agency reported.

"Within 24 hours, or 36 hours at the latest, I will inform the president of the PM-designate - of who the person we think should be given the mandate by the president is", Vucevic told reporters after consultations with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

There is a parliamentary majority, and the legal and legitimate conditions are in place to elect a new government in the parliament by the legal deadline of April 18, he said. He added the PM-designate would be picked by the SNS party bodies.

Dacic: We want new government, but not transitional one (media)

Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader Ivica Dacic said on Thursday the position of a coalition comprised of the SPS, United Serbia and the Greens of Serbia is that a new government should be elected but that they were against a transitional, as he called it, "coup government" of any shape or form, Tanjug news agency reported.

"There is a stable parliamentary majority, and there is no reason whatsoever to go to elections or to form a government that would mean a seizure of power in the streets - through violence", Dacic told reporters after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic as part of consultations about a candidate for PM designate.

"That is our answer to the question of whether we want elections, or a new government formed. We want a new government to be formed, in line with the Constitution and the law. I do not know whether such a decision will be made, but in case that is the position of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), we have a decision in place to continue the coalition with the SNS", Dacic noted.

Constitutional Court confirmed Gracanica Municipality filed complaint over Kosovo Government decision on municipal land appropriation (KoSSev, Radio KIM)

Gracanica Municipality has filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court over Kosovo Government decision to appropriate 13.5 hectares of the municipal land without consultations and without consent from this municipality, Radio KIM reported. The Court confirmed to Radio KIM that a complaint was filed on April 2.

A foundation stone was laid on April 2 to reconstruct a Rehabilitation and Education centre for children and adults with Autism, Down Syndrome and disabilities on land that is located in a close proximity of Kisnica mine wasteland in Gracanica settlement of Padaliste.

The Court also told Radio KIM that “the complaint is in the process of elaboration and all interested parties and the public will be timely informed about its decision”. Gracanica Municipality previously lodged the protest to the Kosovo Government over its decision to appropriate municipal land and filed a lawsuit against the Government at the Basic Court in Pristina.  

Radio KIM also recalled that former Gracanica mayor Branimir Stojanovic and Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic suggested to the municipality in October last year it should immediately address the Constitutional Court over the disputable transfer of ownership of 13.5 hectares of municipal land to the Kosovo Government.

11,000 persons still missing in former Yugoslavia (N1)

During the missing persons conference in Belgrade held on Thursday information was presented that around 11,000 persons are still listed as missing in the wars in the former Yugoslavia. During the presentation of a missing persons database, it was also said that about 40,000 people were listed as missing in the wars of the 1990s. The presentation was organized by the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), N1 reported. 

The database now contains 11,275 names of missing persons. The authorities in the countries of the former Yugoslavia which were engulfed by war are working on identifying hundreds of remains found in mass graves. ICMP program chief for the Western Balkans Samira Krehic said that the regional database of active cases is unique and allows the input of new cases and updates of existing cases. She said updates are sent out to all parties involved in the search for missing persons.

Serbian Government Missing Persons Commission chief Veljko Odalovic said the project is important because it treats all victims in the same way. According to him, the database will help in the search and in presenting the hard legacy of the region.

Serbian Government adopts decision on joint WWII Victory Day commemorations with Russia (media)

Serbia's caretaker government on Thursday adopted a decision to set up a working group for joint WWII Victory Day commemorations with Russia. The 80th anniversary of the WWII victory over fascism will be celebrated on May 9.

The celebrations mark the day when, on behalf of the Allies, Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov ratified an agreement on Nazi Germany's capitulation in 1945.

Bicycle convoy reaches Subotica, on border with Hungary (N1)

The students on bicycles arrived in the northern Serbian town of Subotica, covering some 100+ kilometres on the first day of their ride to Strasbourg. The students from Serbia’s university centres will spend the night in Subotica before crossing into Hungary to continue their journey. N1 crew is going with them and also a Nova.S TV reporter who is riding a bicycle.

The bicycle trip has been organized as part of the student protests which have been rocking Serbia for months following the deaths of 16 people in the Novi Sad railway station tragedy on November 1. They hope to attract public attention in the European Union and meet with European Parliament and Council of Europe officials in Strasbourg.

Former cabinet minister questioned over railroad reconstruction (N1, Nova.rs)

Former cabinet minister Zorana Mihajlovic has been questioned by the police Organized Crime Service (SBPOK) as part of an investigation into corruption in the reconstruction of the Belgrade-Budapest railroad. Mihajlovic held several ministerial posts over the past few years, including the post of Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure. That ministry was in charge of the reconstruction of the main railway station in Novi Sad where a collapsed concrete canopy claimed 16 lives on November 1.

Her interrogation was ordered by the Public Prosecution for Organized Crime (JTOK). A Nova.rs source said she was summoned to the police because she signed a 943 million Euro commercial contract to build part of the Belgrade-Budapest railroad between Novi Sad and Subotica while she was minister. The Commission of Inquiry looking into the Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy said that Mihajlovic should be questioned.

Serbian Football Association apologizes over Kosovo flag display at UEFA congress in Belgrade (KoSSev)

The Serbian Football Association has issued an official apology following the appearance of a Kosovo flag at the 49th UEFA congress in Belgrade, KoSSev portal reported.

Footage emerged on Wednesday evening showing Agim Ademi, President of Kosovo Football Association, posing next to a Kosovo flag inside the Sava Center, the venue hosting the UEFA congress in Belgrade. In the video, Ademi is seen approaching the blue and yellow flag, touching it with his hand, and turning towards the camera.

The incident ignited strong reactions in Serbia, and footage also surfaced online allegedly showing individuals burning a Kosovo flag outside the Sava Center on the same evening.

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