Albanian Language Media 

• Scholz: Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia must be implemented (media)
• Hovenier: Still no evidence to hold anyone responsible for "Iber-Lepenc" attack (Kallxo)
• Peci: Sources in KFOR say over 1,500 members of Civil Protection in Raska (KTV)
• Maqedonci: It is suspected that attack was carried out by operational remnants of Radojcic's group (Klan)
• Svecla: Members of Serbian List involved in ongoing unrest in the north (Reporteri)
• Perteshi: Serbia’s structures prepared the attacks in the north for three years (RTK)
• Bislimi: Serbia has no right to obstruct our support for Albanians in Presevo Valley (RFE)
• Nexhmi Rexhepi elected new president of Constitutional Court (RTK)
• Gervalla: Kosovo guarantees the highest standards of human rights (RTK)
• Kurti welcomed Hella Ben Youssef (RTK)

Serbian Language Media 

• Vucic: Kosovo, geopolitics and other important issues also discussed with Scholz (Tanjug)
• Scholz: There is an agreement that has been reached and must be implemented (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti and Svecla trying to criminalize Serbian List before the elections (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• SL: Kurti started an undisguised showdown with Serbian List (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
• Kosovo Serbs abandoned by all but God, says Metropolitan Grigorije (KoSSev)
• Students of the University of Pristina relocated in North Mitrovica: We face daily violations of human rights (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media 

 Scholz: Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia must be implemented (media)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Germany, also talked about the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The meeting which focused on the benefits from lithium mining in Serbia, also discussed the EU membership for countries of the Western Balkans. “It is important for people in the region to maintain good neighborly relations. This primarily relates to the relations between Kosovo and Serbia. We are working to offer support for both parties. There is an agreement that has been accorded and which must be implemented,” Scholz said.

Hovenier: Still no evidence to hold anyone responsible for "Iber-Lepenc" attack (Kallxo)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, has said that they do not yet know if the attack on the "Iber-Lepenc" canal is related to the attack in Banjska and that they cannot say who is responsible because they do not yet have evidence, although they believe that it will be found. "Regarding what we know about what happened, it is still very early and as I said last week for the United States, to be able to attribute responsibility, we need to have a fairly clear line of evidence. We think that evidence will be found, but we do not have it yet. So, the investigations are continuing, they are being carried out by the Kosovo authorities" - he said in an interview on the "Context" show on ATV. 

Hovenier added that the United States of America has offered its support to investigate this attack, which it has condemned. “American officials are working with their Kosovar counterparts in an effort to conduct investigations – effective investigations. We believe that they should be credible, prompt, fair, transparent and of course, it is the view of the American Government that we have already expressed very strongly that those responsible for this attack should be held accountable,” said Hovenier.

See the full interview from minute 11:31 here: https://tinyurl.com/ywhrszx5

Peci: Sources in KFOR say over 1,500 members of Civil Protection in Raska (KTV)

Lulzim Peci, executive director of the Pristina-based Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), said on Tuesday that according to sources in NATO’s mission in Kosovo, over 1,500 members of the Civil Protection are located in Raska, Serbia. In an interview with the TV station, he said that the structure is accommodated in premises built by the government of Serbia which also funds them. “Based on sources in KFOR, there are over 1,500 members of the Civil Protection located in Raska, in the facilities that were earlier built by the government of Serbia. As long as this structure is there, organized and funded by the Serbian state, we will face a permanent threat of incidents and paramilitary-like attacks, in addition to the potential threat we face from terrorist attacks,” he said.

Peci said that the situation in the north of Kosovo will not be stable until a democratic solution is found for the problems there. “Currently the security situation is not good despite a major presence of police forces, because we are facing terrorist attacks. The weapons and uniforms that are found in this part of the country are a potential to continue the same situation. I think not enough attention is being paid to this. They were financed by someone; the source of their financing is also the source of the fragile security situation in that part of the country. These acts cannot be done by the population because it requires proper organization and strong financing,” he said. 

According to Peci, the Association of Serb-majority municipalities should be formed after the elimination of parallel structures in education and healthcare institutions. “If we want to eliminate parallel structures the key parts concerning the parallel institutions of education, healthcare and social services, can be done through the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, including the transfer of funds from Serbia to Kosovo, which needs to go through the Central Bank of Kosovo. An accorded plan needs to be prepared with the international community, so that simultaneously with the Association all Serbia’s parallel institutions in Kosovo must be closed, including parallel municipalities that operate in every corner of Kosovo. This should be done through a political agreement. There was no such political agreement before. There was an agreement in 2013 about the security and judiciary, but not for the parallel municipalities or the institutions of healthcare and education,” he argued.

Maqedonci: It is suspected that attack was carried out by operational remnants of Radojcic's group (Klan)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, has said that the attack carried out on the Iber-Lepenc canal is suspected to have been carried out by the operational remnants of Milan Radojcic's group and other groups that have operated in the north.

"I estimate that however, the group was defeated on September 24, they withdrew to Serbia, so they withdrew defeated. The institutions of our country have extended law and order and administration to the northern part of our country, however, there still exist and have existed continuous suspicions about the persons who are connected precisely to these groups, and who have continued to operate within the territory of our country."

Asked about sending the Kosovo Security Force to the northern part of Kosovo, Maqedonci said that this is not possible at this time, as a result of the international commitment that Kosovo made in 2013, which, according to him, also speaks of not sending even the purely civilian capacities that the army has. However, he said that the government, namely Prime Minister Albin Kurti and himself as a minister, have been continuously discussing with NATO to send KSF capacities to the north.

He told the TV station that the Kosovo Security Force has received weapons purchased from the United States of America during September, October and early November.

Svecla: Members of Serbian List involved in ongoing unrest in the north (Reporteri)

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said that Serbia stands behind the terrorist acts that Kosovo has faced. He also mentioned the barricades in the north and the blockage of free movement. “Our initial actions in the four northern municipalities have been faced with acts of resistance by criminal groups with attacks on the police, Kosovo Police vehicles and even barricades. The attacks have been continuous and have certainly been dangerous. Over these three years of confronting these criminal and terrorist groups, which are directly financed by official Belgrade, we count attacks on our police officers, facilities, vehicles, attacks on KFOR and EULEX, on journalists and citizens. We have never had doubts that behind this resistance stands Serbia, which has constantly shown territorial aspirations towards Kosovo, and especially the north of the country,” he said. 

"Under the guise of political representatives of Kosovo Serbs after meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the leaders of the Serbian List have been directly involved in the ongoing unrest there, while the people closest to them were active attackers of KFOR members, the Police and our institutions. The Serbian List cannot say that it was not involved in the attacks on KFOR members. Assistants, drivers, bodyguards of the Serbian List have been identified and now some of them are on the run," said Svecla.

“To make matters worse, integration into our institutions according to the Brussels Agreement has enabled the installation of structures that have received orders from Vucic,” he said.

"Since the beginning of 2023, it has been seen that criminal acts have become more severe, turning into attacks that only Russia has carried out in Ukraine, and Serbia in Kosovo," Svecla said.

Perteshi: Serbia’s structures prepared the attacks in the north for three years (RTK)

Skender Perteshi from the Pristina-based Institute for Security and Resilience, said in an interview with the TV station on Tuesday that the next four months could be critical for the security situation in the north of Kosovo. “p4 b4The first reason is that during the transition of the U.S. administration there can be a vacuum of foreign policy and U.S. focus toward Kosovo and the region in general, and this momentum can be used for criminal and terrorist structures that are supported by Belgrade to launch another terrorist attack against the institutions, strategic assets or even the civilian population. Second, the parliamentary elections in Kosovo can shift the focus of political leaders to the campaign and less on the situation in the north. This can also be used by structures of organized crime to create insecurity and to try change the actual situation on the ground which has been created in the last three years with greater security and less organized crime and criminal structures in the north of Kosovo,” he said. 

Perteshi said that the latest study published by their institute shows that “there is sufficient data that structures of organized crime and Serbia’s security structures had planned the attacks in Kosovo for over three years. The objective of the attack in Banjska was to invade the northern part and divide it from Kosovo and join it with Serbia”.

Bislimi: Serbia has no right to obstruct our support for Albanians in Presevo Valley (RFE)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the Kosovo government strongly condemns the efforts of Serbian authorities to stop a donation dedicated to subsidizing Albanian farmers in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja. “This donation, initiated upon a request by the Albanian National Council, aims to improve the life of the Albanian community and to support the economic development of the region being that the municipalities of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac are some of the most underdeveloped municipalities in Serbia, among the poorest with a high level of unemployment especially among the youths. On October 26, 2024, the Albanian National Council announced a public call for farmers, by getting over 1,178 applications. Meanwhile, the Serbian Ministry for Human Rights and Social Dialogue, interfered to block the process, by asking for the public call to be annulled. Precisely on December 10, on the International Day for Human Rights, Albanians in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja were denied the right of aid from the Republic of Kosovo. Serbia has no right to obstruct our support for Albanians in Presevo Valley. We call on the European Union, the OSCE, the QUINT countries and other international organizations to monitor this situation and to act in the defense of the rights of Albanians in Presevo Valley. The Government of Kosovo remains committed to help Albanians in Presevo Valley and to protect their rights and their national, cultural and linguistic identity,” Bislimi said.

Nexhmi Rexhepi elected new president of Constitutional Court (RTK)

The judges of the Constitutional Court have elected on Tuesday Nexhmi Rexhepi for the new president of this court. “The judges of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo, based on paragraph 5 of Article 114 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, have elected judge, Nexhmi Rexhepi, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo,” the announcement says.

According to the announcement, the mandate of the incoming president of the Court will begin on December 31, 2024, after the current president, Gresa Caka-Nimani, completes the nine-year mandate foreseen for judges of the Constitutional Court, according to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 114 of the Constitution.

Gervalla: Kosovo guarantees the highest standards of human rights (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla, has said that Kosovo guarantees the highest standards of human rights. She said this through a post on the X platform for International Human Rights Day. “Kosovo guarantees the highest standards of human rights, as confirmed by the European Union, the OSCE and other organizations. We ask Serbia to respect the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, extradite criminals and provide data on missing persons,” Gërvalla wrote.

Kurti welcomed Hella Ben Youssef (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti received the deputy chairwoman of the "International Socialist Women" organization and at the same time of the Arab Social Democratic Forum, Hella Ben Youssef, who served as Deputy Minister for Women, Families, Children and the Elderly in the years 2019-2021. "Prime Minister Kurti congratulated her for her commitment and determination in the democratization of her country. During the conversation, they also exchanged mutual experiences on the role of diasporas in the development of their countries of origin," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Hella Ben Youssef is participating in the "Ulpiana" International Forum, which is holding its second edition this year, under the organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: Kosovo, geopolitics and other important issues also discussed with Scholz (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday his discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had addressed not only mining projects but also Kosovo and other important issues, as well as the geopolitical situation, reported Tanjug.

Speaking to reporters in Freiburg, a city in the German federal state of Saxony, Vucic said strategic bilateral relations and what was to be done in the coming period had also been discussed with Scholz.

He said they had also touched upon the US elections "and the results and the consequences for the entire European continent."

"So, it was a comprehensive discussion. They (Germany) are de facto in a campaign. Here, elections are due in February and the formation of a government is also still not finished in Saxony, so they have their own issues. We were really able to see here the points we can discuss and the people we can talk to in order to make the best possible expertise for a potential mine in our country - to see how we can ensure a clean environment and how to perform land cultivation after the use of an underground mine," Vucic said.

Scholz: There is an agreement that has been reached and must be implemented (Kosovo Online)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated yesterday that Germany supports the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and added that there is an agreement that has been reached and must be implemented.

At a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Freiberg, where they visited the Mining Administration of the German state of Saxony, Scholz emphasized that Berlin supports the EU accession process of the Western Balkans and said that many aspects must be taken into account in this process.

“President Vucic is actively working on this process. We will provide support as much as we can, focusing primarily on reforms in the areas of the rule of law, media freedom, and others. It is important that people in the region maintain good neighborly relations, and this applies especially to Serbia and Kosovo. We are working on supporting both sides. There is an agreement that has been reached and must be implemented,” he stressed.

Scholz conveyed that he discussed with Vucic the sustainable mining of lithium, a mineral important for future mobility.

“We must ensure an adequate supply of lithium. The stance of the German government is clear: we need lithium and other critical raw materials. The EU has adopted a law on critical raw materials to secure these resources. We discussed sustainable lithium extraction while preserving the environment,” he said.

Scholz emphasized that the EU wants to participate in the exploitation of lithium in the Jadar Valley.

“We view this endeavor positively, as well as the one here in the Upper Rhine Basin. The demand for lithium will be high, and it is important to secure sufficient quantities. It is also crucial to adhere to high environmental protection standards. Greater local acceptance is also needed. Residents are concerned about whether mining will negatively impact the environment. That is the reason for our visit to Freiberg. We want to collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from one another. Specifically, we discussed how to expand our cooperation,” he said. Scholz highlighted that he is impressed by the people of the Mining Administration, the employees, and the company itself, which are working on this and possess great expertise, crucial for gaining public trust. “For me, this is a very important visit, the foundation for good and fruitful cooperation that we will have and must have,” he concluded.

Petkovic: Kurti and Svecla trying to criminalize Serbian List before the elections (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla are trying to criminalize the Serbian List before the elections in Kosovo, in order to leave the Serbian people without protection, announced the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic.

Petkovic wrote on X regarding Svecla's statement that "Serbia is behind hundreds of attacks on the police, media and citizens", as well as "that members of the Serbian List were involved in the unrest in the north".

"Once again, we can see who the thorn in the eye for Kurti is and Svecla, and that is the Serbian list, which they are obsessed with and are trying to criminalize before the elections in Kosovo in order to leave the Serbian people without protection!" Waisted lies and attacks, they will not be able to close the SL or intimidate and it will always be with its people," wrote Petkovic.

Petkovic said that Svecla should have counted 573 ethnically motivated attacks and incidents against the Serbian people in the report on security in the north.

"In fear are big eyes, so even Svecla sees the Serbian list everywhere...It would be better if he counted some of the 573 ethnically motivated attacks and incidents against the Serbian people," Petkovic wrote on X.

SL: Kurti started an undisguised showdown with Serbian List (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

''As President Vucic predicted, and we felt on the ground, Kurti started an undisguised showdown with Serbian List in the hope of getting his own Serbs into the parliament in Pristina, suitable and humble enough, without national feeling and responsibility towards the Serbian people,'' announced the SL.

"In this sense comes the last statement of Xhelal Svecla, who most directly drew a target on the heads of the representatives of the Serbian people who are part of the Serbian List, accusing them, as a rule without any evidence, of actively attacking KFOR members in Zvecan. Contrary to Svecla, who does not have any evidence, there are hundreds of statements by representatives of the Serbian List and announcements in which we called for peace, restraint, and cooperation with KFOR," stated the SL. 

Even on that day in Zvecan, representatives of the Serbian List made superhuman efforts to calm the situation, to protect every person in Zvecan that day in cooperation with KFOR, they added.

"Nevertheless, the strength of the evidence is not enough to make Kurti's assistant change his opinion, which is essentially characterized by hatred towards Serbs," the statement read.

"Aware that this is not the first, nor the last attack on Serbian List, i.e. the Serbian people, we clearly say that as representatives of the people we have always shared the fate of our compatriots, that we have always advocated for peace, dialogue and democracy and that such statements that come to us from Pristina will not scare or prevent us, on the contrary, they will motivate us to give our best and win all ten mandates provided for Serbs in the parliament in Pristina," concluded the SL. 

Kosovo Serbs abandoned by all but God, says Metropolitan Grigorije (KoSSev)

“We often think that Kosovo today needs figures like Marko Kraljevic, Milos Obilic, and the Nine Jugovic brothers. But we forget that perhaps true knights already exist among the people who remain there,“ said Metropolitan Grigorije of Germany.

“I am convinced that anyone still living in Kosovo is a knight because it is incredibly difficult to endure life there today.”

To the Serbian community in Kosovo, he delivered a poignant message: “Everyone has abandoned you—everyone except God.”

Metropolitan Grigorije has been awarded the prestigious “Knight of Calling” recognition for 2024 by the LEX Association of Experts. The accolade, which has been honoring individuals for 18 years, celebrates integrity and honor as guiding principles. During the ceremony held at the National Theatre in Belgrade, Grigorije reflected on the virtues embodied in the concept of a knight and its relevance in modern times.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/yhc6yzcm

Students of the University of Pristina relocated in North Mitrovica: We face daily violations of human rights (Kosovo Online)

The Student Parliament of the University of Pristina, temporarily based in North Mitrovica, has addressed a letter to the Student Conference of Serbian Universities and the European Students' Union, highlighting that they, along with the entire Serbian population in Kosovo, are subjected to discrimination, violent behavior, restrictions on freedom of movement, and denial of opportunities critical for education due to actions taken by representatives of the Albanian side.

With this letter, sent on December 10th – International Human Rights Day, the students aim to draw attention to the human rights violations in Kosovo, which they experience daily.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/5n7myvr2