Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti meets Costa: Kosovo ready for advance on EU path (media)
• Kurti meets Kallas; “I discussed terrorist attack on critical infrastructure” (media)
• Osmani talks with O’Brien about attack in Zubin Potok (RFE)
• Police Director: Attack on Iber Lepenc similar to a war-time sabotage attack (RTK)
• Svecla publishes photos of confiscated ammunition, weapons and arms (media)
• Osmani to meet with new president of EU Council and EP president today (media)
• Bislimi accuses Serbia of aggressive discrimination against Albanians in the Valley (media)
• Osmani honors “extraordinary contribution of persons with disabilities” (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

 

• Vucic: Whoever caused incident on water canal did not do it in Serbia's interest (media)
• Vucic: Discussion with Kallas open, difficult (Tanjug)
• Kallas: Normalization of relations is only path to EU membership (media, social media)
• Vucic meets Lajcak: Serbia will insist on truth and protection of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)
• Djuric meets Chinese Ambassador Li Ming (media)
• Lin: China condemns attack on infrastructure in Kosovo, rights of all ethnic groups should be protected (media)
• Jevtic: Incident on Ibar-Lepenac water canal benefits Kurti, I’m increasingly convinced it was preplanned (Kosovo Online)
• Gogic: Pristina did not receive desired outcome from EP Foreign Affairs Committee (media)

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

Kurti meets Costa: Kosovo ready for progress on EU path (media)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Tuesday with the new President of the EU Council, Antonio Costa, and said that Kosovo is prepared and committed to move forward in the EU path. “I congratulated him on the new duty and many successes in his engagement, and I offered close and honest cooperation, while our country remains unwavering in its commitment to integrate in the European family where it belongs,” Kurti said in a Facebook post.

 

A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that he reiterated the need to remove the penalty measures against Kosovo as soon as possible. “The Prime Minister also talked about the security situation and the latest attacks. He informed President Costa about the terrorist attack on November 29 against the Iber Lepenc canal and the objective of the attack to damage the production of electricity and water supply, which would have left half of the population without electricity and water. He stressed the importance of arresting and extraditing chief criminal and chief terrorist Milan Radoicic, for whom the prosecution has a 160-page indictment, and who continues to pose a threat to the security of Kosovo and the region as long as he remains free in Serbia and has the support of President Aleksandar Vucic and the state apparatus there,” the press release notes.

 

Kurti meets Kallas; “I discussed terrorist attack on our critical infrastructure” (media)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with the new European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas in Brussels on Tuesday. He said in a post on X that he “congratulated her on assuming the role of leading the EU’s foreign and security policy during such challenging times for Europe”. “I also discussed the recent terrorist attack on our critical infrastructure and emphasized that security remains of utmost importance. In order to have regional cooperation and good-neighborly relations, security threats must end, and the lead terrorist behind the Banjska attack, along with his paramilitary group, must be handed over to Kosova for prosecution. I look forward to working together to advance our shared goals,” Kurti added.

 

Kallas mentioned her separate meetings with Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a post on X. “The only way to EU membership is through normalisation of their relations, on the basis of the Ohrid agreement. I welcomed the readiness to fully cooperate after the recent terrorist attack. Perpetrators must face justice,” she said.

 

Osmani talks with O’Brien about attack in Zubin Potok (RFE)

 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani talked with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, James O’Brien, about the November 29 attack against the Iber Lepenci water canal in Zubin Potok. Bekim Kupina, a political advisor to Osmani, told the news website that she also had discussions with international leaders, including British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “She thanked them for their reaction and condemnation of the attack on the vital infrastructure of Iber Lepenci. Discussions focused on the recent terrorist attack against Kosovo’s vital infrastructure and its implications on the stability of Kosovo and beyond,” the advisor said

 

Police Director: Attack on Iber Lepenc similar to a war-time sabotage attack (RTK)

 

Kosovo Police Director, Gazmend Hoxha, in an interview with the TV station on Tuesday, said that the explosive used in the attack against the water canal in the north of Kosovo is believed to have been 15 to 20 kilograms. “This attack is similar to sabotage operations that are usually carried out in wartime with the objective of putting the opposing side in an extremely difficult position of resistance. It is one of the elements that is used in war, it is a paramilitary and military operation,” he said.

 

Hoxha said that the people arrested as suspects for the attack are “remains of the Civil Protection” which was declared a terrorist organization by the Kosovo government last year. “Most of the persons we sent to police stations are from this terrorist organizations, so we are working in this direction. The majority of people involved in the Banjska attack were also from the ‘Civil Protection’,” he argued.

 

Svecla publishes photos of confiscated ammunition, weapons and arms (media)

 

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, published photos on ammunition, weapons and uniforms which were seized during a raid in the north of Kosovo on Tuesday. He said that in addition to uniforms of the Serbian and Russian armies, police also found uniforms of the U.S. and British armies, “and this fact reveals plans and dark scenarios to commit crimes and carry out attacks and blame other countries”. Svecla also said that whoever tries to threaten the constitutional order of Kosovo would be punished. 

 

Osmani to meet with new president of EU Council and EP president today (media)

 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will stay in Brussels today where she will meet with the new president of the EU Council Antonio Costa and the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. 

 

Bislimi accuses Serbia of “aggressive discrimination” against Albanians in the Valley (media)

 

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi accused Serbia on Tuesday of “aggressive discrimination” against Albanians living there. “The High Council of the Judiciary in Serbia recently appointed Aleksandra Kuzmanović as the head of the Misdemeanor Court in Presheva. This decision deepens the marginalization of Albanian professionals, reinforcing inequalities in decision-making institutions. Three retired Albanian deputy prosecutors have been replaced w/Serbs. In Pcinja district Albanians hold just 12% of judicial positions & make up only 2.7% of judges despite constituting 30% of the population. In 2011 the Basic (Municipal) Court in Presheva was also dissolved. The acting director of the Presheva Health Center has been a Serbian doctor for 2 years while Serbs make up only 3% of the population in the area. Serbia's commitment to minority rights is inexistent. It is urgent for the EU to react & stop this aggressive discrimination,” Bislimi said in a post on X.

 

Osmani honors “extraordinary contribution of persons with disabilities” (media)

 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Tuesday that on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, “we honor the extraordinary contribution of persons with disabilities who remind us that courage, determination, and talent know no limits”. “They challenge us to break down barriers and create a world where everyone has the chance to succeed. Because when we lift each other up, when inclusion and opportunity guide our path, we don’t just build a better society—we build a stronger, safer and more prosperous future for all,” Osmani said in a post on X.

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

Vucic: Whoever caused incident on water canal did not do it in Serbia's interest (media)

Whoever caused the incident on the Ibar-Lepenac water canal, regardless of nationality, did not act in the interest of Belgrade or Serbia, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said.

In a statement to journalists after his meeting with new EU representatives, Vucic said that the recent incident on the Ibar-Lepenac canal was also discussed during the talks. He emphasized that Serbia has no problem accepting the results of an investigation and that whoever committed this act did so without any regard for the interests of Belgrade or Serbia, irrespective of nationality. “We are conducting our investigation, and I believe we will have results in the coming weeks”, Vucic assured.

Gervalla's remarks to EP Committee lacked seriousness, but the world demands evidence

Commenting on the call of Kosovo Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla to blame Serbia for the explosion on the Ibar-Lepenac canal, Vucic remarked that she was “saying whatever came to mind” regarding Serbia's involvement in the explosion. However, he noted the international community is far more serious and demands evidence for such claims.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/pCj9V

Vucic: Discussion with Kallas open, difficult (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with new EU Foreign Policy and Security Chief Kaja Kallas in Brussels on Tuesday, and noted that they had had an "open and difficult" discussion, Tanjug news agency reported.

"We discussed Serbia's European path, and the EU high representative for the foreign and security policy spoke about the necessity of establishing dialogue with Pristina, solving the Banjska case and introducing sanctions against the Russian Federation. I responded in line with Serbia's policy and interests", Vucic wrote in a post on his official Instagram account.

Vucic, who is on a one-day visit to Brussels, will also have a series of meetings with other EU officials and attend an informal dinner hosted for Western Balkan leaders by new European Council President Antonio Costa.

Kallas: Normalization of relations is only path to EU membership (media, social media)

The normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, based on the Ohrid Agreement, is the only path to their EU membership, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas said, following separate meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Kallas emphasized on the social network X that the EU is ready to cooperate regarding the attack on the Ibar-Lepenac canal.

"I met today with Aleksandar Vucic and Albin Kurti. The only path to EU membership is through the normalization of their relations, based on the Ohrid Agreement. I welcomed the readiness for full cooperation following the recent terrorist attack. The perpetrators must be brought to justice", Kallas said.

Vucic meets Lajcak: Serbia will insist on truth and protection of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)

“Serbia will do everything and will continue insisting on truth, justice, and the protection of the lives of Serbs in Kosovo, who are exposed to increasingly brutal pressures and the arbitrariness of the regime in Pristina”, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic emphasised during a meeting with the EU Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, in Brussels.

"With Lajcak, I discussed developments in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the latest threats to the security and rights of Serbs. I reiterated that we are conducting a serious investigation and will cooperate with everyone to clarify the facts, perpetrators, and, most importantly, the masterminds behind the events in Varage, which served as a pretext for a hybrid attack on our country. Serbia will do everything and will continue insisting on truth, justice, and the protection of the lives of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, who face increasingly brutal pressures and the arbitrariness of the regime in Pristina", Vucic wrote in a post on his official Instagram account.

He emphasized that Serbia expects increased engagement on these key issues for Belgrade, both from the EU as a mediator and as a guarantor of what has been achieved during the Brussels dialogue.

While in Brussels, Vucic also discussed the situation in Kosovo with US Assistant State Secretary for Europe and Eurasia James O’Brien. In a post on Instagram Vucic said that he reiterated Serbia’s consistent position of promoting peace and maintaining stability and requested strong and unequivocal support from U.S. partners in these efforts.

Djuric meets Chinese Ambassador Li Ming (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, Li Ming expressed gratitude for China’s consistent position to respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, adding that Serbia adheres to the same principles when it comes to China.

Djuric informed Ambassador Li Ming about the current situation in Kosovo following the incident in Zubin Potok in which the Ibar-Lepenac water canal had been damaged. He also said Serbia is ready to assist in all possible ways to find perpetrators of this sabotage, given that peace and stability in the region and continued economic development were of highest importance to Serbia. 

Lin: China condemns attack on infrastructure in Kosovo, rights of all ethnic groups should be protected (media)

China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said his country follows all reports related to the incident that happened on Ibar-Lepenac water canal and condemns attack on important infrastructure. He reiterated that, as always, China respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, and urged relevant parties to continue with practical and constructive dialogue, Kosovo Online portal reported.  

“China noted the reports and condemn acts that damage important infrastructure. On the Kosovo issue, China, as always, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, and calls on relevant parties to continue engaging in practical and constructive dialogue and actively seek a lasting solution to the issue. In this process, the security and lawful rights and interests of all ethnic groups in Kosovo should be protected”, Lin said.

Jevtic: Incident on Ibar-Lepenac water canal benefits Kurti, I’m increasingly convinced it was preplanned (Kosovo Online)

Strpce mayor Dalibor Jevtic said yesterday the situation in northern Kosovo remains tense following the explosion on the Ibar-Lepenac water canal, adding he is increasingly convinced the incident was preplanned, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"The situation remains tense. To be honest, we’ve been living under such circumstances for a long time, especially since (Albin) Kurti came to power and started implementing repressive policies to force Serbs to leave Kosovo. Considering everything that happened in Zubin Potok and Gracanica, every incident in northern Kosovo indirectly affects every Serb south of the Ibar River. Kurti knew that such a situation would help him achieve certain political goals. In this context, as the February 9 elections approach, we can expect continuous incidents", Jevtic said on Newsmax Balkans television.

When pointed out that Pristina authorities blamed Serbia for everything, Jevtic stated that observing what happened after the incident makes him increasingly convinced it was preplanned.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/KE7TD

Gogic: Pristina did not receive desired outcome from EP Foreign Affairs Committee (media)

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic said yesterday the European Parliament’s stance, which called for an independent investigation into the Ibar-Lepenac water canal explosion, was not the outcome Pristina had hoped for. According to him, Pristina wanted the European Parliament to support its narrative that Serbia orchestrated the attack.

"The most important aspect is that the European Parliament did not prejudge blame for the incident. The EP took the position that an independent investigation is necessary to establish the facts. This is not the outcome Kosovo desired. Kosovo did not approach the EP with the expectation that it would call for an investigation but rather hoped to hear support for its accusations that Serbia orchestrated the attack. That is the most significant takeaway from this event", Gogic said.

He also questioned why the EP Committee addressed the issue, given that it is not a judicial body responsible for presenting evidence. According to Gogic, the European Parliament should refrain from discussing the matter until other relevant authorities establish certain facts. Gogic also argued Serbia has nothing to prove since Pristina’s accusations are baseless.