Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Let's make Iber bridge symbol of normalisation (RTK)
• USA: Uncoordinated actions endanger opportunities we helped create (media)
• Krasniqi: Bridges are to connect residents (media)
• Vokrri: Iber bridge will open during this summer (Klan)
• KFOR monitored protests in Mitrovica, guarantees safety for everyone (media)
• Citaku: Bridges that Kosovo needs are bridges with USA, EU, NATO (media)
• KFOR commander meets chief of Serbian army, discuss security (media)
• Vucic introduces "pogrom" of Serbs from Kosovo into discourse out of nowhere (Klan)
• Dimic: Iber Bridge should open for integration and cooperation of citizens (RTK)
• Analysts: Coordination with allies, inevitable (RTK)
• Tahiri: Government started and will end mandate with violations, leaving chaos in state administration(media)
• A positive case of West Nile virus recorded in Kosovo (RFE, media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Pristina is not interested in dialogue; it wants conflict between Serbia and NATO (Kosovo Online, RTS, media)
• Kabasic clams Kosovo authorities and demands fair treatment for Serbs in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Full support for the Serbs in the north, fight against Kurti's regime - a matter of life (Kosovo Online)
• CASA NGO: The government in Pristina wants to threaten the education, health and social system of the Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)
• The Chief of the General Staff and the Commander of KFOR discussed the security situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• Albanians announced a protest in the south of Serbia (Danas, Jugpres)

International Media:

• Closure Of Serbian Post Offices threatens U.S. support for Kosovo (the pavlovictoday.com)
• Kosovo Serbs Protest In North Mitrovica Against Opening Of Main Bridge (RFE)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: Let's make the Iber bridge a symbol of normalisation (RTK)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has reacted to Wednesday’s protest by residents of the Serb community in North Mitrovica, where the opening of the Iber bridge was opposed. Kurti said that this bridge was unfairly given the epithet of separation.

"For too long, the Mitrovica Bridge over the Iber has kept us at a distance. It has been unfairly given the epithet of separation and abnormal relations. Bridges unite us, and together let's make it a symbol of normalisation", Prime Minister Kurti wrote on Facebook.

He said that the protest ended without any incident, as he thanked the security institutions that guaranteed its peaceful progress. "Protests are a democratic right that all citizens of our Republic enjoy and can exercise, without distinction," said Kurti.

He further announced that the Municipality of North Mitrovica will organise a meeting and discussion with citizens, civil society activists and representatives of the local media on Thursday from 11:00 a.m., in the premises of the Municipal Assembly, on the topic of 'Inter-ethnic cooperation, municipal counselling for security in the community, cooperation between institutions and civil society'.

"I invite our fellow citizens of the Serb community to participate in this joint discussion in which they will be able to be informed about the benefits of the opening of the bridge and express their concerns which will be addressed by our institutional representatives and the country's institutions ", added Kurti.

USA: Uncoordinated actions endanger opportunities we helped create (media)

The closure of nine posts in the north of Kosovo has caused dissatisfaction in the United States of America. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson of the Department of State, in Wednesday’s media conference said that they feel concerned with the uncoordinated decisions of the government of Kosovo.

"We are concerned with the continuous uncoordinated decisions by the leadership of Kosovo. We believe that they jeopardise the opportunities that we helped Kosovo to create", said Miller in front of the media.

He further said that the U.S.'s advice to Kosovo is to return to constructive engagement with international allies.

"We would encourage the government of Kosovo to return to close and constructive engagement with the U.S., the EU, NATO and other close international partners of Kosovo and we have made that clear, as I am doing now publicly, we have made it clear to the government also privately", said spokesman Miller.

Miller also mentioned the support that Kosovo has had from the American state in the process of state building.

"If you look at the narrative since Kosovo's independence, the United States has strongly supported its full integration into the international community as a sovereign and multi-ethnic democracy. But in order to realise this vision, which is a vision that we also share, we have cooperated with Kosovo's ongoing political leaders in measures that strengthen peace and prosperity within as we advance Kosovo on this Euro-Atlantic path that you have agreed to", he said.

During the press conference, Miller was asked by a journalist "how many red lines will Prime Minister Kurti cross without any consequences?". Miller's initial response was that he would not speculate on the future.

Krasniqi: Bridges are to connect residents (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, said that the conversation with residents, civil society activists and representatives of the local media on the topic of 'Inter-ethnic cooperation, municipal counselling for community security, cooperation between institutions and civil society', which will to be organised on Thursday in the Municipality of North Mitrovica from 11:00, is a good opportunity to discuss the citizens' concerns.

"It is a very good moment for all the relevant actors to be there and talk openly about the situation of inter-ethnic relations, about all the investments that have been made by the central and local government, but also about the work that the central and local government should do so that this part is the focus of public investments", Krasniqi emphasised in a statement to the media after the visit that he and Minister Svecla made to the Iber bridge.

He further invited all citizens to come to this meeting and discuss their concerns, while he said that bridges serve to connect citizens.

"I believe that it is a very good moment for the citizens to come, even those who protested today, and discuss the concerns we have. Let's not forget that bridges are to connect citizens, to connect cities, not to separate them. Therefore, it is the ideal discussion momentum, democracy for them and I expect that there will be participation and interest in discussions", he added.

Vokrri: The Iber bridge will open during this summer (Klan)

The Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration, Arber Vokrri, said that the Iber Bridge is expected to open this summer. "There is no set date yet, an exact time, but we are committed to enabling the free movement of citizens, even by car, this summer and that, as soon as possible," said Vokrri in Info Magazine of Klan Kosova.

Vokrri also addressed Wednesday’s protest of the Serbs in the north of Kosovo.

"Anyone who has seen the images of the protest, in front of which the organisers have been observed, can have a clear idea of ​​what the agenda is and who these people are who are trying at all costs to create the illusion of danger and tensions in that part of the country, so it is about the leaders and supporters of the Serbian List".

KFOR monitored protests in Mitrovica, guarantees safety for everyone (media)

NATO  peacekeepers, KFOR, have monitored Wednesday’s protests by Serbs in the north, assessing them as peaceful, while reiterating that KFOR continues to guarantee security for all citizens without distinction.

"KFOR troops were on the ground and carried out patrols in the surrounding areas to ensure a safe environment. The demonstration continued without any reported interruptions or security concerns", says the communique issued by KFOR.

According to the announcement, it is reiterated that KFOR continues to implement its UN mandate, for the benefit of all people and communities living in Kosovo, at all times and in an impartial manner. KFOR also acts as a third security responder, in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law mission (EULEX).

"KFOR will not hesitate to take all the necessary measures to address any development that may affect regional security and stability, in accordance with its UN mandate," KFOR's announcement states.

Citaku: Bridges that Kosovo needs are bridges with USA, EU, NATO (media)

The deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Vlora Citaku, has said that Kosovo's priority should be to strengthen ties with the United States of America, the European Union and NATO.

"Kosovo needs bridges that strengthen its integrity and international position. We cross the bridges we have together with our allies. We need more content and less symbolism," wrote Citaku in a post on Facebook.

"We walk the bridges we have, because we are together with our allies. More content, less symbolism", wrote Citaku.

KFOR commander meets chief of Serbian army, discuss security (media)

The commander of KFOR, Ozkan Ulutas, met on Wednesday with the head of the Armed Forces of Serbia, Milan Mojsilovic, to discuss the security situation in Kosovo and in the region. According to KFOR's announcement, Major General Ulutash and General Mojsilovic shared views on the general security situation and its impact on regional stability and cooperation activities.

"They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to protect communications and open dialogue. The meeting was part of the regular interactions of Major General Ulutas with his main military counterparts", the statement of the NATO mission in Kosovo reads.

KFOR reiterates that it continues to implement its mandate - based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution - to contribute to a safe environment and freedom of movement for all people and communities living in Kosovo, at any time and impartially.

"KFOR acts as a third security responder, in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law mission, who are respectively the first and second security responders," the communiqué further emphasised.

Vucic introduces the "pogrom" of Serbs from Kosovo into the discourse out of nowhere (Klan)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has raised a false claim by bringing into the discourse the possibility of mass deportation of Serbs from Kosovo. While the head of the Serbian state was staying in Vrbas Novi, Serbia, he said that "the situation in Kosovo is serious, but pogrom, like the one in 2004, will certainly not happen".

"The situation is difficult, but we will fight. We will not give up," Vucic told reporters of"Danas”.

He added that he is also concerned that "the international community is silent about Pristina's provocations".

The president of Serbia raised these claims at a time when the government of Kosovo is aiming to open the Iber Bridge in Mitrovica to vehicles.

Dimic: Iber Bridge should open for integration and cooperation of citizens (RTK)

Serbian journalist Radomir Dimic said that in the name of Kosovo's multi-ethnic European perspective, the idea of ​​opening the Iber bridge in Mitrovica is good for the integration and cooperation of citizens from both sides.

"Therefore, Belgrade's accusations that with the opening of the Iber bridge, the Prime Minister of Kosovo wants to instigate war, are completely unfounded and unacceptable. It is unacceptable to in this way incite panic and fear among citizens in the north of Kosovo, for whom the Government of Kosovo has had understanding when for more than two decades they did not pay electricity, water and other obligations", Dimicsaid. 

He further called on the Kosovo Serbs not to fall prey to the incessant propaganda of Serbian President Aleksandër Vucic.

"Don't live in the illusion that the north of Kosovo, through the Association, will also gain a Serbian Republic. In this context, today's protests by Serbian List , the List and some other minor political parties from the north of Kosovo, citizens should understand that the whole thing is the work of Milan Radoicic who wants to provoke a reaction from the Government of Kosovo and create chaos which has been seen so many times", said Dimic in his reaction.

Analysts: Coordination with allies, inevitable (RTK)

The decisions of the government of Kosovo regarding the extension of legality and sovereignty in the north, have been seen from different perspectives by Kosovar analysts. Some have supported it and some have said that closer coordination with the international community would be needed, so that the security situation there is not compromised.

Faced with the insistence on Kosovo's right to extend legality throughout Kosovo, analysts consider that coordination with allies, America and the European Union, is inevitable.

"I think that some steps that are taken should be done anyway in coordination with them, because the security situation needs to be measured, then the readiness of the people for a certain step and action", said Blerim Canaj, familiar with the political circumstances.

According to another expert, the Kurti government acted correctly when it presented to the international community the plan to open the bridge over the Iber River.

"For all topics, the institutions of Kosovo must have a strategy, as is happening with the plan for the opening of the Iber Bridge, but for the previous actions, such a strategy was missing, we did not listen to the international factor, and these actions have attacked and they are attacking us every day", said Fidan Ukaj, an expert on the political situation.

According to analysts, such uncoordinated steps have deepened mistrust between Kosovo and its Western allies.

In recent months, Kosovo has taken a decision to ban the use of the Serbian dinar, has closed some of the Serbian institutions that have been operating illegally in the north of the Kosovo, confiscated the properties owned by the Kosovo Privatization Agency, and closed nine branches of the Serbian post office in the four northern municipalities.

Tahiri: Government started and will end mandate with violations, leaving chaos in state administration(media)

The head of MPs of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Besnik Tahiri, has said that the current government has started and will end the mandate with violations, leaving chaos in the state administration.

Through a post on Facebook, Tahiri has listed some of the violations that, according to him, the Constitutional Court has found that the government has committed regarding the Law on Wages in the public sector.

"Violated the principle of legal security of employees. It violated the principle of equality before the law by providing different wages and compensation for similar work and responsibilities. Violated the right to consult of those affected by the law, also violating union demands. The entire procedure was developed without any consideration for the financial and budgetary aspect and capacity, and without any reference to other laws. It violated the right to classify wages as the property right of the employing entities, and not as property of the government. By violating the right to property, the government violated the principle that property can only be affected in legitimate and exceptional circumstances," he wrote.

Tahiri added that more than six months have passed since the Constitution gave the government a deadline "to correct these violations", but according to him, the government continues to passively affirm its own violations, "because it has no interest to do something where it does not see room for punishment and penalization of the public sector".

A positive case of West Nile virus recorded in Kosovo (RFE)

A positive case of West Nile virus was recorded in Kosovo on Wednesday, announced the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (IKSHPK).

IKSHPK wrote on Facebook that a 59-year-old man from the municipality of Fushe Kosova was hospitalised at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of QKUK on July 29, due to symptoms such as fatigue and high temperature.

"The patient from 27.06.2024 to 29.06.2024 stayed in Shengjin-Albania, while from 13.07.2024 to 22.07.2024 stayed for vacation in Ulcinj. "Symptoms appeared immediately after returning from Ulcinj," the announcement states.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic: Pristina is not interested in dialogue; it wants conflict between Serbia and NATO (Kosovo Online, RTS, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated last night that Pristina was not interested in dialogue but instead wants to drag Serbia into a conflict with NATO at any cost.

"Pristina is not interested in dialogue... It's a race against time for everyone in the world. They see that things are going in a bad direction between Israel and Iran, especially with the arrival of the S-400 on Iranian territory, which further changes things. And all this accelerates the processes they thought were limited... The situation in Ukraine is becoming more complicated, things are speeding up. That's why they want to provoke a conflict before the American elections to drag Serbia into a conflict with NATO. That's their main goal," Vucic told RTS. 

As he noted, in Pristina, they know it is questionable how much they will be able to react and provoke after the US elections.

"You also saw the clear warning from Richard Grenell, who will be one of the close associates of the possible Republican President Trump. And even if that doesn't happen, I'm not sure that the potential future Democratic administration in the US will want to endure and tolerate such behaviour for long," Vucic pointed out. He addressed the Serbs in Kosovo, saying he knows how difficult it is for them.

"We will accept a significant number of people in health and education institutions to provide additional financial support," the Serbian President said. He emphasised that there will be no pogrom of Serbs.

"I know the situation is difficult; it pains, worries, and troubles me every day, but we must pursue a smart, serious, responsible, and wise policy," Vucic added.

Kabasic clams Kosovo authorities and demands fair treatment for Serbs in Kosovo (KoSSev)

At yesterday’s protest in Braca Milic Square in North Mitrovica, which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced from Belgrade the day before, participants voted by acclamation against reopening the main Ibar Bridge to traffic, reported KoSSev in English.

Nikola Kabasic, former President of the Basic Court of Kosovo in Mitrovica, spoke at a protest in North Mitrovica, emphasising the symbolic importance of the Ibar Bridge to the Serbian community. Reflecting on the past, Kabasic stated, “This is the place where we first gathered in June 1999, as citizens abandoned by our government and state, ready to self-organise and do everything for ourselves.”

He recalled how the French KFOR recognized the loss of Kosovo’s multi-ethnicity, which helped save the bridge and halt ethnic cleansing. Kabasic lamented the current situation, stating, “The bridge is now a symbol of survival for Serbs, as well as 25 years of peaceful life”. He criticized the current Kosovo government, stating that the last two years under Prime Minister Albin Kurti have seen “unrelenting state and institutional aggression against Northern Kosovo and the Serbian people”.

Kabasic criticised local officials in Northern Mitrovica Municipality (Kosovan) for making decisions that are harmful to the Serbian community, including preventing the construction of essential facilities and bringing in officials from other areas as “specialists working against Serbian interests.”

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yetem3n6

In another separate article, KoSSev reported that residents of Northern Mitrovica will have another opportunity to express their views today at 11 a.m., when a public discussion on multilateral cooperation will be held at the municipal office. The discussion will focus on community safety and cooperation between institutions and civil society.

Minister for Local Government Elbert Krasniqi and Jeta Tela, head of Kosovo’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, are expected to attend the meeting. Prime Minister Albin Kurti has urged citizens to participate in the discussion and to “learn about the benefits of reopening the bridge”.

What Kosovo Police did not clarify the day before the protest, Kabasic confirmed yesterday: he and a group of lawyers organised the rally. He also mentioned that they have been discussing joint actions with all political representatives of Serbs in the North for the past month concerning the current crisis affecting Serbs in the area.

“I believe this is the beginning of a dialogue. We need to wake up; I have spoken with the leadership. We need to renew dialogue among us Serbs. We need to first talk within our own community and then with our neighbours. Street by street. We need to restore contacts and unify our efforts,” he said.

Listing various political parties, Kabasic also introduced a new one that had not been officially mentioned before: the “League of the North”, led by Marko Jaksic and Ivan Miletic.

Representatives from three currently confirmed Serbian political parties in the North—Srpska Lista, Serbian Democracy, and the Party of Kosovo Serbs—were present at the rally, along with representatives from institutions. Milija Bisevac from the Serbian National Movement was notably separate from them, reported KoSSev.

Jevtic: Full support for the Serbs in the north, fight against Kurti's regime - a matter of life (Kosovo Online)

Mayor of Strpce, Dalibor Jevtic, expressed full support for the Serbs in northern Kosovo following today's protest in North Mitrovica.

Jevtic stated on Facebook that he fully understands the difficult position of the residents in the north and the fact that they, along with all Serbs in those areas, are subjected to terror and institutional violence by Albin Kurti's regime.

"Today, the Serbian people, wherever they live, sympathise with and fully support their brothers and sisters in the north of Kosovo. Today's protest in North Mitrovica was not the first, and I believe it will not be the last, protest by the Serbs in Kosovo with a clear message that we want to live in peace and not be deprived of basic human rights in the heart of Europe," said Jevtic, who is also the vice president of the Serbian List.

He added that it is clear to everyone that as the election day approaches, Kurti will use various methods of institutional violence against the Serbian people.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ms4avmuw

CASA NGO: The government in Pristina wants to threaten the education, health and social system of the Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

A non-governmental organisation from North Mitrovica, the Center for Affirmative Social Action (CASA), warned that the unilateral actions of the Government in Pristina are aimed at endangering the health, education, and social system of the Serbian community in Kosovo, reported Kosovo Online.

Read CASA’s press release at: https://tinyurl.com/bdzk8tcx

The Chief of the General Staff and the Commander of KFOR discussed the security situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)

The Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilovic, spoke yesterday in Belgrade with the Commander of KFOR, Major General Ozkan Ulutas, reported Tanjug adding that it was a regular high-level meeting. 

The security situation in Kosovo and the cooperation of the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR on a joint task of creating a safe and secure environment in Kosovo was discussed. 

They also discussed the activities that the Serbian Armed Forces and international forces in Kosovo are undertaking to monitor the situation on the ground, prevent crises and respond effectively in the event of a security breach, the Ministry of Defense announced.

Bearing in mind that the security situation in Kosovo is unstable and sensitive, the interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to continue the good cooperation and direct communication at all levels, reported Tanjug, citing the announcement.

Albanians announced a protest in the south of Serbia (Danas, Jugpress)

The National Council of Albanians of Serbia informed the public and the media that a protest meeting of members of the Albanian national community will be held on Monday, August 12 at 11 a.m. in the central town square in Bujanovac.

Nevzad Lutfiju, president of the NSA, said in a statement to the Bujanovacke portal that the reason for the announced Albanian protest was "discrimination against the Albanian national community in Serbia and that this is a protest of identity and dignity." Previously, the NSA strongly reacted to the selection of judges of the Basic Court in Vranje, dissatisfied that all the new judges were Serbs, and no Albanian judges were selected.

The NSA denies that the protest occurred after the formation of the multi-ethnic government in Bujanovac, which includes the Albanian Front for Change and Serbian lists, the SNS, Dr. Dejan Stojanovic's list and Sasa Arsic's Promena Sad (Change now) list, as well as the Roma party, but that the cause of the protest is the dissatisfaction of the Albanians in Serbia due to discrimination against members of this national community.

On the other hand, the media sources from the Albanian and Serbian ranks claim that there would have been no protests if a mono-ethnic government in the municipality composed of Albanian parties had been formed in Bujanovac.

NSA President Nevzad Lutfiu is an activist of the Movement for Democratic Progress led by Shqiprim Musliu, which after the formation of the multi-ethnic government found itself in opposition together with the Democratic Party of Nagip Arifi and the Party for Democratic Action of Shaip Kamberi.

In support of this claim, the media sources cite the FB post of the former president of the National Council of Albanians, Ragmi Mustafa, who is now the president of the Municipal Committee of the Party for Democratic Action in Bujanovac and the political adviser of Besnik Bislimi, the head of the Kosovo delegation in the dialogue with Serbia. According to media, in his Facebook profile, he called former fighters of the Liberation Army of Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja to rebel against the formation of a multi-ethnic government in that municipality where his party is not, reported Danas.

International Media

Closure of Serbian Post Offices threatens U.S. support for Kosovo (the pavlovictoday.com)

The Pavlovic Today asks State Department spokesperson Matt Miller how many red lines in northern Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti can continue to violate without facing consequences. Miller issues a stern warning to Kosovo’s leadership amid the shutdown of Serbian post offices.

The Kosovo government, in a dramatic action of unilateralism, shut down nine Serbian post offices in northern Kosovo on August 5, 2024. This act, condemned by the European Union as “unilateral and uncoordinated,” flagrantly violates agreements forged under the EU-facilitated Dialogue. The EU’s rebuke and a significant disapproval from the international community Prime Minister Albin Kurti appears, so far, has not taken seriously.

“How many red lines in northern Kosovo can Prime Minister Kurti keep violating without any consequences?” Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer of The Pavlovic Today asked Matt Miller, Secretary Blinken’s spokesperson. 

“I’m not going to speculate about future actions,” Miller began, emphasizing the U.S. concern over Kosovo’s uncoordinated decisions. “ What I will say is we are concerned by the continuing uncoordinated decisions by the leadership of Kosovo. We believe they put at risk the opportunities that we have helped Kosovo create,” Blinken’s spokesperson Matt Miller shared with The Pavlovic Today on Wednesday. 

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/u6katmvy

Kosovo Serbs Protest In North Mitrovica Against Opening Of Main Bridge (RFE)

Serbs from northern Kosovo protested on August 7 against the opening of the main bridge in Mitrovica that divides the city into the Albanian-majority south and the Serb-majority north.

Protesters gathered near the bridge held up banners with messages including, "On the bridge we defended survival, now we defend extinction" and "While the EU and the U.S.A. are writing statements, they are expelling us."

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti last week informed Western diplomats in Pristina of his plans to open the bridge to traffic, a move that was opposed by both NATO and Quint nations -- an informal decision-making group consisting of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4ensjmeh