Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani and Prattipati discuss next steps toward constituting Assembly (media)

• Kosovo ready to cooperate with Croatia on espionage case (media)
• Suspect of espionage sent messages to suspect of Banjska terrorist attack (media)
• KFOR reacts to espionage case of Croatian pilot and Serbian partner (media)
• EU suspends meetings with caretaker government after Supreme Court ruling (Telegrafi)
• Government responds on EU letter to Kurti (media)
• Rasic denies violating constitution and denounces Serbian List’s methods (RTK)
• VV’s Krasniqi after Croatia case: SL should be banned from registration (Koha)
• Osmani and OSCE head discuss minorities in Kosovo (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Kozarev meets Cyprus MFA Political Director: Maximal support of Cyprus to Serbia during EU Presidency (media)

• Simic: No one from Serbian List knows woman accused of alleged espionage in Croatia, denied any connection with her (Kosovo Online)
• Mitrovica North MA decides to protect symbols so next local authorities cannot change them (KoSSev, media)
• Mitrovica North MA decides to change purpose of land from agricultural to construction, for school in Mikronaselje (KoSSev, media)

• Koopman to opposition MPs: EU aware of situation in Serbia (N1)

• RSF warns of violence against journalists in Serbia (N1)
• EFJ, CPJ concerned over UG, Telekom Serbia plans (N1)

International Media:

• AI-generated content threatens information credibility in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani and Prattipati discuss next steps toward constituting Assembly (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, met with the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati, to discuss the next steps toward the full constitution of the Assembly, as well as bilateral cooperation. “During the meeting, the two discussed the latest developments in the country, including the election of the Speaker of the Assembly and the majority of the Deputy Speakers, as well as the next steps toward the full constitution of the Assembly,” the Presidency stated in a press release.

Bilateral cooperation was also among the topics discussed, with both sides reaffirming their readiness to further advance relations in areas of strategic interest to both countries.

In the lead-up to the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where President Osmani will participate again this year as head of Kosovo’s delegation in her capacity as President, the two also discussed the agenda and expectations for the planned meetings and activities.

Kosovo ready to cooperate with Croatia on espionage case (media)

Spokesperson for the Kosovo caretaker government, Perparim Kryeziu, said on Thursday that Kosovo’s institutions are ready to cooperate with Croatian institutions in investigations into the Croatian army pilot and his Serbian partner who were arrested for suspected espionage for Serbia.

Kryeziu also denied some reports according to which the Serb from Kosovo could have secured important and confidential information from the office of Kosovo Prime Minister.

“In the last couple of years, as a result of losing control in the north through the criminal network led by Milan Radoicic, Serbia stepped up its espionage activities and we continuously expressed our concerns about the activities of Serbian intelligence in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. We remind you that in July, a senior Serb officer of Kosovo Police, was arrested on suspicion of spying in the Republic of Kosovo for the interests of the Serbian Security and Information Agency, with the aim of endangering the security situation in general and the operations of Kosovo Police in particular. In February, another person, also of Serb ethnicity and who was working for the OSCE mission in Kosovo, was arrested on suspicion of espionage. Our security and intelligence institutions are working continuously and with high vigilance and are successfully reacting to Serbia’s malign and destabilizing efforts in Kosovo. Being that the activity of A.M. and the Croatian national, both of them arrested in Croatia, happened in Kosovo, our institutions are ready to cooperate with Croatia’s institutions to further investigations and shedding light on the activities and operation network,” Kryeziu said.

Suspect of espionage sent messages to suspect of Banjska terrorist attack (media)

Citing an article published in Croatian media, several news websites reported on Thursday that a Serb from Kosovo, A.M. who is in detention in Croatia together with her partner, Croatian army pilot J.I., is suspected of having sent messages to Vladimir Radivojevic, who is charged by Kosovo’s authorities for the terrorist attack in Banjska in September 2023. Radivojevic also known as Mami is also known as the leader of the Northern Brigade which was declared a terrorist organization in Kosovo. Croatian authorities found messages that the Croatian pilot, who was part of the Croatian contingent in KFOR, shared with his Serbian partner, which also correspond to the attack against KFOR troops in Zubin Potok in September 2022. At the time, A.M. had written to Mami, who was her childhood friend, to fix the situation regarding the attack against KFOR. On the same day, her Croatian partner wrote to her: “you really messed up last night”.

During her questioning by Croatian authorities, A.M. said she worked for the German secret service.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic reacted about the case. “The President expresses his support for all institutions of the Republic of Croatia, mainly for the Croatian Army, which has carried out actions to determine the possible committing of criminal offences against the Republic of Croatia and has taken the necessary measures to identify the possible author and to prevent further criminal offences,” a statement from the President’s office noted.

KFOR reacts to espionage case of Croatian pilot and Serbian partner (media)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, reacted on Thursday to the arrest of a Croatian pilot who served with KFOR, and his Serbian partner, on espionage charges. KFOR told TV Dukagjini that they treat the accusations very seriously and that the security of KFOR personnel and integrity of classified information are a priority. “We treat these accusations very seriously. The security of KFOR personnel and the integrity of classified information are a priority. We refer you to the Croatian authorities for any comment on the arrests and ongoing investigations,” KFOR said.

EU suspends meetings with caretaker government after Supreme Court ruling (Telegrafi)

The European Union Office in Kosovo said it will temporarily suspend meetings with caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his cabinet ministers in the premises of the Kosovo government until a government with a full mandate is formed. Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Aivo Orav, in a letter to Kurti dated August 8, said that the decision follows the ruling of the Supreme Court of Kosovo dated June 25 which annulled an administrative instruction from the Ministry of Finance, citing the constitutional provision that prohibits holding ministerial and parliamentary functions simultaneously. “This decision reaffirms our commitment to the rule of law, democratic accountability, and institutional integrity. High-level visitors from the EU and its member states will temporarily refrain from meetings inside the Government of Kosovo building until a new government is formed,” Orav said in the letter.

Orav also said that the purpose of this decision is to avoid uncertainties and misinterpretations, as had occurred during the recent visit of the EU Special Representative for the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue.

“We hope that a government with a full mandate will be formed without further delays, so that we can resume full cooperation and further deepen our political and economic relations”.

Government responds on EU letter to Kurti (media)

The caretaker government of Kosovo has responded to the letter from the head of the EU mission, which Klan Kosova obtained exclusively earlier on Tuesday.The spokesperson for the caretaker government, Perparim Kryeziu, told KosovaPress that Kurti is still serving in his role, and that the Prime Minister’s Office is his official workplace.

"Anyone who seeks a meeting with the acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo must come to the place where the acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo works.

Of course, this does not mean he cannot hold meetings outside his office, but this must be agreed upon by both parties. Meetings outside the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office have occurred in the past, even while he was serving with a full mandate," Kryeziu stated.

Rasic denies violating constitution and denounces Serbian List’s methods (RTK)

Serb MP Nenad Rasic, following the Assembly session, stated that the vote in the Kosovo Assembly was not unconstitutional. “As foreseen by law, Article 67 allows that one of the MPs can be nominated regardless of whether they are from the largest party,” Rasic said. He emphasized that he sought advice from legal experts, who confirmed that the law allows candidates from smaller parties to run for positions.

Rasic acknowledged the lack of broad consensus among MPs on this issue, saying he couldn’t influence the outcome due to the limited number of votes he controls. At the same time, he sharply criticized the representatives of the Serbian List, claiming that most Serbs in Kosovo do not support them, and that they use brutal methods to maintain their influence. “I’m an MP and I know the methods they use. When I analyze all the tactics they employed in the last elections, and those before them, I’m certain they will use the same methods in future elections,” he said.

VV’s Krasniqi after Croatia case: SL should be banned from registration (Koha)

Alban Krasniqi, member of Vetevendosje in the Central Election Commission (CEC), has stated that the Serbian List should be banned from registering as a political entity. His statement comes after Croatian authorities arrested a Croatian KFOR pilot and his Kosovar-Serb girlfriend on suspicion of spying on KFOR’s plans for the benefit of Serbian List and criminal organizations in the north.

“Now we can no longer speak only of non-certification of Serbian List, but of the need to activate Article 14 of the Law on General Elections, BANNING ITS REGISTRATION as a necessary measure to ensure public order, public health, national security, prevention of disorder, violence and crime, or the protection of the rights of others,” Krasniqi wrote on Facebook.

He added: “There is indisputable evidence submitted by security and intelligence agencies, growing daily, that the Serbian List, with financial and political backing from Belgrade, and even using funds from the political parties’ democratization fund, has organized and coordinated criminal activity, espionage, the organization of illegal and terrorist structures, serving as an extension of Vucic’s regime and Belgrade, using hybrid warfare methods against the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo with the aim of dividing the country.”

Krasniqi called on the Prosecution, Judiciary, Presidency, Assembly, and other institutions including the CEC to act immediately, each within their constitutional responsibilities.

Osmani and OSCE head discuss minorities in Kosovo (Klan)

The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Gerard McGurk, announced that on Thursday he met with President Vjosa Osmani. They discussed engagement with non-majority communities in Kosovo. In a post on X, McGurk stated that he expressed OSCE’s support for effective mechanisms supporting minority communities in Kosovo. “Together with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kamp, we met with President Vjosa Osmani. We reiterated the need for genuine engagement with non-majority communities to build trust and expressed support for functional mechanisms for political and public participation, with a strong focus on language rights and inclusion,” McGurk wrote.

Besides meeting with Osmani, McGurk had several other meetings throughout the day. He also held discussions with civil society organizations from non-majority communities and media representatives to talk about their work and the challenges they face.

OSCE wrote on X: “The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kamp, emphasized their vital role in promoting inclusion, dialogue, trust, and amplifying the voices of the community in Kosovo.”

McGurk also met with representatives from the Ombudsperson Institution, Basri Kastrati and Majlinde Sinani Lulaj, as well as the Rector of the University of Pristina, Arben Hajrullahu. The discussions focused on community and language rights, social cohesion, and the Balkan Studies program.

Furthermore, McGurk met with representatives from the Serbian List and Serbian Democracy to discuss the situation of Kosovo Serbs. The OSCE High Commissioner, Kamp, was also present at this meeting. “Kamp emphasized the need for effective political representation and active community engagement to ensure inclusion,” OSCE stated on X.

Serbian Language Media

Kozarev meets Cyprus MFA Political Director: Maximal support of Cyprus to Serbia during EU Presidency (media)

Serbian Foreign Ministry Secretary General, Dusan Kozarev met in Nicosia, as part of a working visit to the country, Cypriot Foreign Ministry Political Director, Salina Shambos, Kosovo Online portal reported.

In a friendly atmosphere, the exceptional closeness and understanding between two countries, peoples and leaders was confirmed, embodied in a high level of coordination on matters of mutual interest, Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The interlocutors reiterated their firm mutual support for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and emphasized that consistent adherence to respect for international law will be a clear framework for efforts to continue the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina as well as European integration process of Serbia with greater success during the Cyprus EU Presidency in first half of next year.

Kozarev, while thanking the Cypriots for their support “explained in detail the extremely difficult situation of the Serbian and non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija in the conditions of a practical apartheid imposed by Albin Kurti with daily blatant violations of basic human rights”, the statement added. 

Simic: No one from Serbian List knows woman accused of alleged espionage in Croatia, denied any connection with her (Kosovo Online)

Speaking in a press conference yesterday following the Kosovo Assembly failed session to elect a deputy speaker from the Serbian community, Serbian List Vice President Igor Simic announced filing a complaint to the Constitutional Court over violation of Constitution and Rules of Procedures, Kosovo Online portal reported. 

Simic also responded to questions related to media reports about Serb woman from Mitrovica North arrested in Croatia with her partner Croatian pilot, who also served in KFOR, over alleged espionage on behalf of Serbia, saying that no one from the Serbian List knows her.

“Neither I nor any of us know this lady. We want to firmly deny that we have any connection whatsoever with her”, Simic underlined.

Mitrovica North MA decides to protect symbols so next local authorities cannot change them (KoSSev)

Mitrovica North Municipal Assembly made a decision yesterday to “protect the municipal symbols it previously adopted, respectively to prevent change” and, as it was said, “their desecration”, KoSSev portal reported on Thursday. A decision that should be approved by the competent ministry was made at the end of the mandate of current local authorities, ahead of October local elections.

Serbian political parties, following the boycott of the last elections, are now expected to take part.

Mitrovica North municipality approved the new municipal coat of arms, which was created by an Albanian artist in July last year. The coat of arms contains two symbols of the city, the Ibar River bridge and a monument to the killed miners in WWII at Kukavica hill overlooking Mitrovica North. The Ministry of Local Government Administration back then approved the decision to change the municipal coat of arms, the portal recalled. Local municipal authorities are now planning to address this ministry again aiming to create “legal grounds so the municipal symbols are protected and prevent their change”. 

Mitrovica North MA decides to change purpose of land from agricultural to construction, for school in Mikronaselje (KoSSev, media)

The Mitrovica North Municipal Assembly decided yesterday to change the purpose of a land from agricultural to construction, aiming to build a school in Mikronaselje settlement, KoSSev portal reported. This topic was first presented in a session on August 11, but was not deliberated as the session lacked quorum. The only Serbian councillor, Dusan Milovanovic who was not present yesterday, left the session on August 11 as the proposal to change the purpose of land was presented in Albanian language only. Yesterday, the proposal was delivered in Serbian language as well. The proposal was submitted by the municipal directorate for urban planning, cadastre and geodesy through the mayor Erden Atiq.

It refers to a cadastral unit in size of 7050,70 cubic meters located next to the sports hall which has not been completed, with a children's playground currently there. The change in purpose of land was requested to build the school in the Kosovo system, KoSSev portal added. 

The decision was made despite claims of MA chair Nedzad Ugljanin who questioned legality of the decision in a previous session. He said back then that following the call for local elections, announced by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, the Ministry for Local Government Administration delivered notification to Mitrovica North and other municipalities that they can no longer make decisions to change the purpose of the land. However, after the session yesterday Ugljanin claimed “it was nowhere written” that decision applies to agricultural land, adding the final take on legality of decision is made by the Ministry for Local Government Administration.

Koopman to opposition MPs: EU aware of situation in Serbia (N1)

European Commission official Gert Jan Koopman told opposition MPs in Belgrade on Thursday that the European Union is aware of how serious the situation in Serbia is, N1 reported.

Koopman, Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Director General (ENEST) said respect for rule of law and independence of institutions was necessary along with the fight against corruption, the Serbian Parliament said in a press release after his meeting with opposition MPS. He said those are the key values that the European Union is based on and demands of students and public protests.

The press release quoted him as saying he is convinced the European integration process brings progress in organizing fair elections with participation of authorities, opposition and civil society. He added the EU should also be engaged more.

The statement said opposition MPs told Koopman their views of the situation in the country, including a review of the electoral rolls which, they said, is being manipulated by the authorities. Koopman also met with Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic to discuss the election of new members of the electronic media watchdog (REM) and draft amendments to the law on a single electoral roll.

RSF warns of violence against journalists in Serbia (N1)

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned on Thursday that more than 30 Serbian journalists have been attacked over the summer. The RSF also urged the European Union to strongly condemn what it said is a record wave of violence, N1 reported.

“Violence against journalists in Serbia - which Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has repeatedly warned about - has reached a sad new record. RSF has documented 34 physical attacks committed in less than two months against media professionals by both political activists and law enforcement while they reported on anti-corruption protests. This figure exceeds all annual totals of physical assaults recorded in Serbia since at least 2020”, the RSF said.

“RSF calls on European Union (EU) member states and the European Parliament to send a clear message to the Serbian authorities that their passive stance – and potential complicity – in these abuses is incompatible with their goal of joining the EU”, it added.

EFJ, CPJ concerned over UG, Telekom Serbia plans (N1)

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) President Maja Sever said “Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is achieving his intention of subduing the last freely-reporting media outlets in the country”, N1 reported. “What we feared is happening”, she said, adding that latest developments are a cause for concern for people in Serbia and something that should worry many in the European Union.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed alarm over reports that the Serbian authorities are trying to silence independent media. “CPJ is alarmed by the OCCRP reports that Serbia’s government, with telecom giants, allegedly sought to silence independent media covering anti-government protests”, it said in an X Post. The CPJ warned that journalists in Serbia face constant threats and added that “these revelations show press freedom is worsening fast”.

International Media 

AI-generated content threatens information credibility in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

Content generated by artificial intelligence, AI, is spreading rapidly across platforms like Facebook and TikTok, threatening the credibility of information in Kosovo and raising concerns of deeper polarisation and mistrust of the country’s fragile media landscape.

Just minutes after Kosovo MPs elected Vetevendosje’s Dimal Basha as Parliament Speaker on Tuesday, a fake AI-generated video surfaced on Facebook, Basha’s likeness claiming to be the father of Kosovo’s ethnic Ashkali community. In under eight hours, the video amassed over 80,000 views on Facebook.

Data collected by fact-checking organisations shows that the rapid development of artificial intelligence has fueled an industry of video and audio manipulation.

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