Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss security issues (media)
• KFOR: We regularly conduct patrols along the boundary line (RTK)
• Works on Iber bridge continue, KFOR increases its presence there (Reporteri)
• Opposition calls criminal LVV’s lack of mentioning loss of Dehari's samples and burning of the IFM (Koha)
• AJK condemns Kurteshi's statements in relation to media (media)
• Bislimi supports protest: Serbia violates rights of Albanians (RTK)
• PDK action in front of government: Youth is running away, Albin what about you (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Representatives of the Office for KiM visited Novake and promised help in the reconstruction of houses (Tanjug, RTS, KiM radio)
• SL: It is urgent to find the perpetrators of the attack on Dragica Gasic's apartment and the fire in the village of Novake (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Gerxhaliu: While the public looks at the Ibar, new rules and import quotas will destroy the economy and citizens (Kosovo Online)
• The Kosovo police detained a Serb (70) for questioning based on a report more than a decade old (Kosovo Online)
• Coordination body of the Government: The meeting in Bujanovac represents abuse of the Albanians from the south of Serbia (RTS)
• In Gorazdevac today a memorial service for the children killed in Bistrica (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac) 

 

Albanian Language Media

 

Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss security issues (media)

 

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, received in a meeting the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier.

 

The Presidency of Kosovo has announced that they discussed the latest developments in Kosovo, with special emphasis on the field of security. The issue of elections was also discussed.

 

“In the meeting, President Osmani and Ambassador Hovenier discussed the latest developments in the country, with special emphasis on the field of security, as well as the ongoing commitment to further consolidate the international position of the Republic of Kosovo. Also, the meeting discussed the progress of the consultation process for setting the date of the regular parliamentary elections and the full commitment to guaranteeing a democratic and successful electoral process. The continuous deepening of bilateral relations and regular coordination on topics of national interest were also part of the discussions in today's meeting", announced the Presidency.

 

KFOR: We regularly conduct patrols along the boundary line (RTK)

 

KFOR has published on its official Facebook page photos of Italian soldiers patrolling along the boundary line.

 

KFOR points out that the Italian soldiers assigned to the Kinetic Battalion of Regional Command West of the NATO-led KFOR mission regularly conduct patrols along the Administrative Boundary Line.

 

“These patrols are part of KFOR’s daily activities to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities living in Kosovo and to support regional stability. 

KFOR continues to implement its mandate  - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people living in Kosovo, at all times and impartially. KFOR acts as third security responder, in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law (EULEX) mission, which are the first and second security responders, respectively.”

 

Works on Iber bridge continue, KFOR increases its presence there (Reporteri)

 

Work on the Iber bridge are continuing. Despite the warnings of the West and KFOR against its opening now, the government has engaged workers who are painting the main bridge in Mitrovica.

 

Some photos from the bridge have been published by Radio Free Europe, which says that during the day there was an increased presence of members of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR.

 

The government has tested this bridge, which Prime Minister Albin Kurti said should be opened. The West, through the ambassadors of the Quint countries, has told Kurti not to do this now.

 

Police say they are ready to execute any possible order to open the bridge, which has been closed since the end of the war in 1999, while KFOR has warned it will not allow it. With troops from the NATO peacekeeping mission they are standing on the bridge and around it.

 

Kurti presented to the diplomatic representatives of QUINT the plan for the opening of the bridge, which foresees the tests for the infrastructural stability of the bridge, the assessment of risk and risks from natural disasters, the visual revitalization of the bridge with access to the bridge for all, discussions with citizens and interest groups and comprehensive information campaign on the benefits and goals of opening the bridge.

 

"Consultations and coordination continue," the statement said, but things do not seem to be going well in this direction.

 

The internationals demand that the issue of the bridge over the river Iber should be resolved within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in Brussels.

 

A decision to open the bridge was made in the North Mitrovica Assembly in April 2023, but it has not been implemented.

 

Kosovo and Serbia had agreed in the dialogue that the bridge would be opened for traffic, but in practice the situation has not changed. The bridge remains barricaded. Only one side lane is open for pedestrians.

 

Opposition calls criminal LVV’s lack of mentioning loss of Dehari's samples and burning of the IFM (Koha)

 

The statement of the member of the Vetevendosje Movement, Sami Kurteshi, who implicated former president Hashim Thaci and former speaker Kadri Veseli, in the case of the death of Astri Dehari, has caused many reactions of the opposition political parties. Kurteshi said that the Police, the Prosecutor's Office and the KIA were also involved in the "staging" of this case.

  

The opposition reacted saying that the burning of the Institute of Forensic Medicine and the loss of Dehari's samples during the ruling of this party was were not mentioned at all.

 

The member of the leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Perparim Gruda, said that this is unacceptable and shameful. "Despite the fact that more than three years have passed in power, during which nothing has been done to clarify the Dehari case, on the contrary, the Institute of Forensic Medicine has been burned down twice, today LVV decided to organise a media conference in front of the Special Prosecutor's Office, demanding justice for Astrit Dehari. Is this the justice you promised the citizens of Kosovo and the Dehari family? This is unacceptable and shameful", Gruda wrote on Facebook.

 

MP of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Hykmete Bajrami, has called "shameful and criminal" the failure to mention the fact that during the governance of the Vetevendosje Movement, the loss of Dehari's samples at IFM was not mentioned, nor was the burning of this institute. "I feel pain in my soul for Astri and Arbnor Dehari. For their parents, for their whole family. Justice must go to the end. It is shameful and criminal that today Sami Kurteshi, on behalf of the LVV, did not mention the fact that at the time when they themselves are governing, other events related to this case also happened. At the conference that just ended, Vetevendosje did not say a word about the loss of Astri Dehari's samples at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, which is under the management of the Ministry of Justice. Not a word about the burning of the Institute of Forensic Medicine", she wrote. 

 

AJK condemns Kurteshi's statements in relation to media (media)

 

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo has reacted to Monday's statements of the member of Vetevendosje, Sami Kurteshi. According to AJK, Kurteshi attacked the media during the pronouncement on the case of Astri Dehari.

 

"Kurteshi has accused Klan Kosova, Express and RTK: 'for a negative and disinformation role, especially with the release of unauthorised filming. At that time, RTK covered all the propaganda against the Vetevendosje Movement and justified the arrests. This is an irresponsible and dangerous statement by Kurtesh, who accuses the media about the circumstances of Dehari's death in prison", says the AJK's reaction.

 

According to AJK, such statements endanger the safety of the journalists of these media and are unacceptable.

 

"The Dehari case was and remains of high interest to the public, and at that time the specifics of that case were shared in detail by the Vetevendosje Movement itself. The footage published by the media has revealed the circumstances of the event in the detention center where high security was expected, and has contributed to informing the public", it is further stated in the reaction of AGK.

 

Bislimi supports protest: Serbia violates rights of Albanians (RTK)

 

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, has stated that the government supports the Albanians of the Presheva Valley who, according to him, continue to face an unacceptable situation of systematic discrimination, which violates their basic rights.

 

Through a post on Facebook, Bislimi said that their demand for respecting political agreements, banning the passivation of addresses, recognition of Kosovo diplomas and fair inclusion in state institutions are completely legitimate and fair.

 

"The Government of the Republic of Kosovo supports our compatriots in Presheva, Bujanoc and Medvegja, and remains committed to raise these issues at the highest international levels and seek support to put an end to unfair discrimination," said Bislimi.

 

PDK action in front of government: Youth is running away, Albin what about you (Klan)

 

The Democratic Youth of Kosovo, on Monday, on International Youth Day, has organized a symbolic action in front of the government of Kosovo.

 

"Youth is running away, Albin What about you?" - was the motto of this action, which, according to the PDK, holds the Kurti government responsible for the departure of over 200,000 people from Kosovo, mostly young people, in the last three years.

 

"This government is responsible for the loss of hope and perspective of the Kosovar youth, who are already projecting their dreams away from their family, society and homeland. The Democratic Youth of Kosovo assesses that this government, which has failed to improve the life and well-being of the Kosovar youth, should be the one that should go home".

Serbian Language Media 

 

Representatives of the Office for KiM visited Novake and promised help in the reconstruction of houses (Tanjug, RTS, KiM radio)

 

Deputy and assistant directors of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Borislav Tajic, Milos Terzic and Milena Parlic visited the village of Novake near Prizren yesterday, where three Serb returnee houses were burnt and announced that they would help in the reconstruction of the burned houses, reported Tanjug. 

The representatives of the Office visited Novake to talk with the concerned locals after this unfortunate event, but also directly saw the extent of the damage in order to help the families.

 

An even bigger disaster was avoided only by the quick reaction of the locals, because the fire could have engulfed other houses in the settlement, and the fire services, according to the locals, did not respond to the call in time and appeared at the scene of the fire too late.

 

"Although the cause of the fire is not officially known, everything indicates that the fire was arson, and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija expects the international missions operating in the province to approach this case with the utmost care and determine all the circumstances of this event, which disturbed all Serbian returnees," the Office for KiM announced.

 

"This is another in a series of attacks on the property and lives of the remaining returnee families, who have been exposed to constant attacks on their property for more than two decades. In 2020, ten houses in this settlement were ransacked, and since 2012, thefts have been daily," stated the press release of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

 

SL: It is urgent to find the perpetrators of the attack on Dragica Gasic's apartment and the fire in the village of Novake (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)

 

The Serbian List announced that it demands an urgent investigation into the attack on the apartment of returnee Dragica Gasic and the fire in which three houses of Serbian returnees burned down in the village of Novake in the vicinity of Prizren.

 

"We are again witnessing a new attack on Serbian returnees in Kosovo and Metohija. First, three Serbian houses in the returnee village of Novake near Prizren burned to the ground, and then the apartment of Dragica Gasic, the only Serbian returnee in Djakovica, was stoned.'' 

"Given the high tensions in Kosovo and Metohija, which are the result of the anti-Serb policy of Albin Kurti's regime, it is necessary for EULEX, UNMIK, OSCE and KFOR to conduct an independent investigation without delay and determine the causes of the fire, because the Serbs do not trust Kosovo's institutions, which every day carry out institutional violence against our people," the announcement read.

 

The Serbian List appealed to international representatives to act proactively and prevent, as they stated, ethnically motivated attacks in areas where Serbs are a minority.

 

"Also, we appeal to all international actors to act proactively and prevent ethnically motivated attacks, especially in areas where Serbs are a minority. The obligation of international representatives to ensure peace and security regardless of the nationality of the citizens, and the best example of their failure to do so is the stoned apartment of Dragica Gasic, the only Serbian woman who returned to live in Djakovica, and who, since the moment she returned to her home, has suffered unprecedented pressure both from local Albanians who do not allow her to buy bread, and from Albanian NGOs who are nothing more than false fighters for human rights and in fact the extended arm of the anti-Serb regime in Pristina," concluded the announcement of the Serbian List.

 

Gerxhaliu: While the public looks at the Ibar, new rules and import quotas will destroy the economy and citizens (Kosovo Online)

 

The former president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Safet Gerxhaliu, said that, while the public's attention was focused on the issue of the main bridge on the Ibar, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade signed an Administrative Instruction on establishing rules and import quotas, which represents a "devastating blow to the economic sector" that will produce price increases, reported Kosovo Online.

 

"At a time when the public's attention is focused on the question of the Ibar bridge and its possible opening, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIPT) took a dangerous step that deeply affects the private sector. The Minister signed the Administrative Instruction that defines the rules and procedures for managing import quotas. This instruction, which was passed quietly and without much media noise and without public-private dialogue, imposes strict control on the amount and type of products that can be imported into Kosovo, as well as the companies that have the right to export / import them. Such an approach is more common in countries with totalitarian regimes and is contrary to the principles of the free market that characterize an open economy like Kosovo's," said Gerxhaliu in a FB post. He stated that the damage will not be felt only by the private sector, but also by citizens and family businesses.

 

"It is expected that the immediate consequences will be a new wave of price increases, which will make life difficult for the majority of Kosovo citizens. This will be a heavy blow for households, especially after the inflation and price increases, we have experienced in the last few months," he pointed out.

 

He stressed that this instruction is expected to favor only certain companies and "oligarchs who support the ruling party", while many other companies, including those representing international brands, will face serious challenges for survival.

 

"This situation can also drive away foreign investors, who are already few or completely absent in Kosovo, creating an uncertain and inappropriate investment climate," he stressed.

 

He pointed out that the fact that this guideline was adopted without prior consultation with representatives of the private sector, which will be directly affected by this regulation, is even more worrying.

 

The Kosovo police detained a Serb (70) for questioning based on a report more than a decade old (Kosovo Online)

 

Kosovo police detained yesterday at the administrative crossing Jarinje Serb M.P. (70) from the vicinity of Leposavic while he was going to collect his pension, Kosovo Online learns. He was taken to the court in South Mitrovica, where he was questioned about the report that is more than a decade old, after which he was released.

 

The lawyer of the detained person, Milos Delevic, told Kosovo Online that the judicial authorities do not use the summons as a means of securing the defendant's presence.

 

"Once again, the judicial authorities, more specifically the Basic Court in Mitrovica and the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Mitrovica, do not use the summons as a means of ensuring the presence of the accused. Today, a 70-year-old man from Jarinje was brought before the court under an arrest warrant. He went to Raška to get medicine and the police exposed him to unnecessary stress because of a 12-year-old case. I believe that it was difficult for both the prosecutor and the judge to see the 70-year-old man in tears. He was released a while ago and headed to his village near Leposavic''.

 

As Kosovo Online learns, the police confiscated M. P. 's old hunting rifle more than 10 years ago, which he inherited after the death of his grandfather.

 

Coordination body of the Government: The meeting in Bujanovac represents abuse of the Albanians from the south of Serbia (RTS)

 

The coordination body of the Government of Serbia for the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja assesses that the meeting in Bujanovac represents abuse of Albanians from the south of Serbia with the aim of causing new tensions and destabilizing the region, reported RTS. 

At a rally in Bujanovac, MP Shaip Kamberi accused the state of Serbia of discriminating against Albanians, claiming that they are underrepresented in state institutions, which, as the press release points out, are incorrect claims, because, for example, in 2023, they are in the Health Center in Bujanovac, out of 45 newly employed workers, 25 were Albanians, while two female doctors from Bujanovac were employed at the Vranje Health Center last year.

 

When it comes to education, it is added, complete textbooks for primary education in the Albanian language have been provided, the approval of the Albanian National Council is awaited in order to start the procedure of printing textbooks for secondary education, and the Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted a Conclusion on the renovation of primary schools "Sami Frasheri" in the village of Lucane, municipality of Bujanovac.

 

"The seven-point plan adopted by the Government of Serbia in June 2013, which envisaged talks with Albanian representatives from Presevo and Bujanovac, was interrupted by Riza Halimi, then a deputy in the Serbian Parliament, who represented the political representatives of the Albanians, in November of the same year," the announcement states.

 

Despite several unsuccessful calls by the Government of Serbia to continue the dialogue, it is added, through the Coordination Body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, the Albanians did not respond, but in the meantime an outpatient maternity hospital in Presevo and a building of the Department of the Faculty of Economics from Subotica were built in Bujanovac in 2015 , which were their demands from the Seven-Point Plan.

In the press release, it is estimated that the real reason for today's gathering is not the threat to the rights of Albanians, but the Shaip Kamberi, Nagip Arifi and Shqiprim Musliu going to opposition in the municipality of Bujanovac. 

 

"While they were in power, they showed no interest in solving the local problems of their fellow citizens. Therefore, this gathering is another attempt to destabilize the region under the direction of the Pristina regime, under the direct patronage of Albin Kurti," the statement added.

 

They state that the Coordination Body of the Government of Serbia for the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja will continue to work on the overall development of these municipalities and all their citizens, regardless of their religious and political affiliation.

 

In Bujanovac, a protest was organized by the National Council of Albanians (NSA), which, among other things, demanded "stopping the passivation of the residence of Albanian citizens", as well as their greater presence in state institutions and companies.

 

In Gorazdevac today a memorial service for the children killed in Bistrica (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac) 

 

Today marks 21 years since the murder of children in Gorazdevac who were bathing in the river Bistrica. On that occasion, Panto Dakic and Ivan Jovovic were killed, while four others were wounded, reported KiM radio.

Metropolitan Teodosije of Raska-Prizren will serve the memorial service for the martyred children in front of the Church of St. Jeremije in Gorazdevac at 10:00 a.m., reported KiM radio, citing Radio Gorazdevac.

 

On August 13, 2003, around 1:00 p.m., Ivan Jovovic (19) and Panto Dakic (12) were killed while swimming in Bistrica, while Djordje Ugrenovic, Bogdan Bukumiric, Dragana Srbljak and Marko Bogicevic were wounded.

 

The perpetrators of this crime were never found, and EULEX officially closed the investigation, recalled the media.