Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 5, 2025

Albanian Language Media: 

 

  • Bislimi: In upcoming term, VV will govern with same coalition partners (media)
  • GAP: Trump’s order on foreign aid affects 18 active projects in Kosovo (media)
  • Police find weapons and ammunition in Mitrovica North (media)
  • Bislimi: Serbia trying to block our support for Albanians in Presevo Valley (media)
  • Three ex-KLA members sentenced to prison for obstruction of justice (media)
  • Italian and Hungarian KFOR troops conduct training (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

 

  • Vucic speaks with von der Leyen (Tanjug)
  • Djuric: We oppose Pristina's membership in the Hague Conference and other organizations (Kosovo Online, media)
  • Djuric meets Bernasconi, talks about difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)
  • Cafe incident in Leposavic: Provocation or just a good cup of coffee? (KoSSev)
  • Buzhala: “Albin Kurti has polarized Kosovo both internally and externally“ (KoSSev, social media)
  • 117 new Kosovo police officers deployed in northern Kosovo, including 79 Serbs mainly from municipalities south of the Ibar River (KoSSev, media)
  • National Convention on EU warns of deep crisis (N1)
  • Serbia, Albania to co-host UEFA Euro Under-21 2027 (media)

 

International Media:

 

  • Kosovo ex-fighters sentenced for obstruction of justice after plea deal (BIRN)
  • Leading Serbian CSOs suspend cooperation with authorities and support students (The European Western Balkans)

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

Bislimi: In upcoming term, VV will govern with same coalition partners (media)

 

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that “in the upcoming term, the Vetevendosje Movement will continue co-governing with the same coalition partners, namely with Guxo and Alternativa”. Addressing the people of Kosovo ahead of the February 9 parliamentary elections, Bislimi said that “in the upcoming term, there will be neither a need nor any interest on our part to include any opposition party in the government. If any of them try to secure your vote under the false claim that they will co-govern with us, do not believe them. Consider such attempts as confirmation of their deceptive and manipulative nature. In the upcoming term, we will continue co-governing with the same parties representing non-majority communities, as we believe each of them has successfully represented the interests of their respective communities. We will also welcome other entities that gain your support and have proven their commitment to defending and advancing the interests of their voters within the constitutional framework of the Republic of Kosovo. Therefore, we call on citizens of Serb, Bosniak, Turk, Roma, Egyptian, and Ashkali backgrounds to reaffirm their support for these parties, enabling the further advancement of their communities' priorities. Vetëvendosje's stance on Serb List is well known. Our government will not co-govern with this entity or its political satellites within the Serb community or amongst representatives of other communities. A vote for these entities is, therefore, a vote for the opposition and non-governance. I urge citizens of all communities to strongly support the government’s partners and to sanction with their votes those who, immediately after elections, have handed over - and will again hand over - their mandates to the Serbian List”.

 

GAP: Trump’s order on foreign aid affects 18 active projects in Kosovo (media)

 

The Pristina-based GAP Institute said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to suspend foreign aid for 90 days affects 18 active projects in Kosovo that are financed by USAID and which “give an important contribution to the development” of Kosovo. “Some of them have started since before the pandemic and most of them are implemented by American companies and some smaller ones by local organizations. The main beneficiaries include public institutions such as municipalities, ministries, independent agencies, universities, courts, as well as the media, the private sector and civil society organizations,” the institute said in a Facebook post.

 

See list of affected projects at: https://shorturl.at/bkaJK

 

Koha reported on Tuesday that around $140 million in USAID funds for Kosovo may be frozen following President Trump's foreign aid suspension. Officials have not disclosed the exact amount affected by the three-month suspension.

 

Police find weapons and ammunition in Mitrovica North (media)

 

Most news websites reported on Tuesday that Kosovo Police found weapons and ammunition in Mitrovica North. Following information about a specific location, police found one AK-47 rifle, two magazines for the same weapon, 30 rounds, 473 pistol rounds, 40 hunting rifle cartridges, and 122 rounds of various calibers for long-barreled firearms. 

 

Bislimi: Serbia trying to block our support for Albanians in Presevo Valley (media)

 

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that Serbia is again attempting to block the Kosovo government’s support for Albanians in Presevo Valley, “and is already blocking the functioning of the Albanian National Council through its refusal to register the new president”.

 

Bislimi argued that these actions “are political interventions, violations of Albanians' rights and an open display of discrimination by the Serbian regime towards Albanians. These actions of the Serbian state are not isolated, but part of an ongoing strategy to discriminate against the Albanians of the Valley, to block their economic development and to undermine their legitimate institutions. Kosovo's aid to the Albanians of the Valley is legitimate although the funds are not only transparent, they also compose the right and necessary support. While the blockade on the functioning of the Albanian National Council is an action that has no legal basis and is a political intervention in order to keep the Council dysfunctional and powerless to protect the rights of Albanians. This is an open attempt to control Albanian institutions and extinguish any independent voice that opposes Serbia's discriminatory policies. Serbia wants Albanians to have no voice and representation. We will not stand indifferent to these offenses. The Kosovo government will not stop supporting the Albanians of the Valley, despite the obstacles from Serbia, but instead we will increase support year by year, as we have done during this mandate. Also the international community should be vigilant to these developments, and the next attempts to violate Albanians' rights by the Serbian press regime”.

 

Three ex-KLA members sentenced to prison for obstruction of justice (media)

 

Most media outlets reported on Tuesday that the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo sentenced three former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army to prison on charges of witness intimidation and obstruction of justice. The decision was made based on a plea deal reached with the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office. 

 

The Specialist Chambers said in a statement that Haxhi Shala, Sabit Januzi and Ismet Bahtijari all admitted that they had engaged in witness intimidation and obstruction in separate plea agreements with the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO).

 

“The plea agreements are historic in that they represent the first occasion on which accused at the KSC have voluntarily admitted their guilt,” the Specialist Prosecutor said.

 

“This development is critical to protecting the integrity of proceedings at the KSC, as well as a step forward for the administration of justice in Kosovo.”

 

Italian and Hungarian KFOR troops conduct training (media)

 

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that “Italian soldiers from Regional Command West and Hungarian trainers from KFOR Tactical Reserve Battalion regularly conduct firephobia training activities, at Camp Novo Selo, to maintain their high operational readiness. These efforts are part of KFOR's daily mission to guarantee a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo. KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Mission on Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) in their respective roles as security responders”.

 

Serbian Language Media  

 

Vucic speaks with von der Leyen (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by phone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday noting that they had good and substantial discussion about the current situation in Serbia, the region, Serbia's European path and reform processes, Tanjug news agency reported.

"I noted that we remain committed to delivering on the reform agenda and alignment with EU criteria, which is a job we plan to complete by the end of 2026. I reiterated the expectation that member states will recognise our engagement and progress and enable Serbia to seize newly created momentum in the enlargement process in the best possible way, and the first step would be giving the green light for opening Cluster 3", Vucic wrote in a post on his official Instagram account.

He added he informed von der Leyen of Serbia's progress in economic growth and alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy in keeping with Serbia's national interests and confirmed Serbia's principled position when it comes to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the region. "I thanked von der Leyen for her personal engagement and support on the path of Serbia's development as well as in our country's European integration process", Vucic also wrote in the post.

Djuric: We oppose Pristina's membership in the Hague Conference and other organizations (Kosovo Online, media)

At the end of his two-day official visit to the Netherlands, Serbian Foreign Minister, Marko Djuric said the visit was of great significance for Serbia's European perspective. He also highlighted the importance of meeting with the Secretary-General of the Hague Conference, due to issues related to Kosovo, as Serbia believes that Pristina should not be allowed membership in such organizations when “regime of Albin Kurti is threatening the human rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians”, Kosovo Online portal reported. Djuric said he also had other important meetings in the Netherlands. 

"The Hague Conference deals with agreements in the field of international private law and increasing Serbia's contractual base. This actually creates a better business environment and strengthens our country's economic ties with other states…The discussion with the Secretary-General of the Hague Conference was also significant due to issues related to Kosovo and Metohija, as we believe that Pristina should not be allowed to join such organizations at a time when the regime of Albin Kurti is endangering the human rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians. Every month we see a new step back in the dialogue”, Djuric said. He also informed his Dutch interlocutors about the position of Serbs in Kosovo.

"In yesterday's conversation with the OSCE's Special Envoy for Human and Minority Rights, we discussed respecting the minority rights of national communities in Serbia. I particularly highlighted the efforts Serbia is making to protect minority communities and the pride we have in their diversity. On the other hand, I also pointed out the difficulties that Serbs face in Kosovo and Metohija", Djuric said.

Djuric meets Bernasconi, talks about difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian Foreign Minister, Marko Djuric, said in a meeting with Christophe Bernasconi, the Secretary-General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law there has been no significant progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue for years, and that economic, human, and all other rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo have been violated as well as that they are exposed to pressure due to unilateral Pristina’s acts, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"Although there are condemnations of such actions from the EU, the US, and others, this has not prevented the political arrests of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, nor the fact that the Serbian people can no longer receive salaries, child benefits, social and other benefits", Djuric said.

Djuric also said Serbia remains fundamentally committed to respecting the basic principles of international law in the creation and conduct of foreign policy and it attaches great importance to the work of the Hague Conference and its role in unifying the rules of international private law. As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Djuric highlighted that in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Charter, respect for international law is more important than ever. He also noted the significance of the Hague Conference in enhancing cooperation between states and ensuring legal certainty.

Cafe incident in Leposavic: Provocation or just a good cup of coffee? (KoSSev)

Yesterday’s visit of Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla to Leposavic sparked controversy after two local residents were briefly detained at Bastion cafe, located across from the municipal building. The cafe, which Svecla visited with the deputy mayor of Leposavic municipality, quickly became the centre of conflicting narratives involving police, politicians, and local activists, KoSSev portal reported.

Conflicting reports and detention of two residents

In the early afternoon, two Leposavic locals, identified as A.T. and M.M., were detained by Kosovo police at the cafe. According to Kosovo deputy police commander for the region North Veton Elshani this was not an arrest but a brief detention to confirm their identities. He also claimed the action had nothing to do with Svecla, refusing to even confirm that the minister visited Leposavic on Tuesday, the portal added.

However, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, leader of the Serbian Democracy party, disputed this version, insisting that the two men were arrested due to Svecla’s presence. Speaking to KoSSev, Arsenijevic claimed that the men were detained for expressing dissatisfaction with the minister’s visit. “They were arrested simply for possibly giving a disapproving look. This is a gang that arrests people based on orders and glances”, Arsenijevic said in a live broadcast on social media from Leposavic.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/z4Acm

Buzhala: “Albin Kurti has polarized Kosovo both internally and externally“ (KoSSev, social media)

Kosovo political tensions continued to escalate as prominent journalist and director of the news portal Nacionale, Berat Buzhala, once again delivered sharp criticism against Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his Self-Determination Movement, KoSSev portal reported. Buzhala, known for his outspoken stance against the current government, finds himself increasingly targeted by Kurti and his allies, who accuse him of being a so-called “ally of Serbia“, the portal further wrote. 

After the U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell issued yet another scathing critique of Kurti, labelling him a “not trustworthy partner“ for the United States, Grenell’s post on X social platform prompted Buzhala to respond on social media, amplifying his criticism of Kosovo prime minister.

“Kurti and his lackeys have been declaring for several days now that ‘whoever does not vote for their party is with Serbia’”, Buzhala said. “In 25 years of parliamentary democracy, the risk in Kosovo has never been higher or more serious”, he added.

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

117 new Kosovo police officers deployed in northern Kosovo, including 79 Serbs mainly from municipalities south of the Ibar River (KoSSev, media)

Region North has received almost 120 new Kosovo police officers. They come from the new generation which graduated at the end of last month, KoSSev portal writes. Out of this number, 79 are of Serbian ethnicity and 21 are Bosniaks.

They are stationed in four northern Kosovo municipalities, Mitrovica North, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok. As Kosovo police deputy commander for the region North Veton Elshani said although those police officers work in the north, the majority comes from municipalities south of the Ibar River. “Around 30 police officers out of 79 Serbs are from northern Kosovo”, he said.

The portal also recalled that although international agreements do not envisage so, majority police officers in the four northern Serb-majority municipalities are of Albanian ethnicity including police sergeants. 

National Convention on EU warns of deep crisis (N1)

The Serbian National Convention on the European Union said in an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the serious political and social crisis in the country is deepening by the day, adding it can’t take part in the country’s accession process under the current circumstances, N1 reported. 

“Given the previous responses from both the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the European Union to this mass social movement, we wish to emphasize that these protests are neither an attempt at a “violent overthrow of the government” and “orchestrated revolution”, nor are they a consequence of Russian influence or interference in Serbia’s internal affairs. The fact is that the majority of the protest participants are pro-European oriented citizens of our country, including numerous members of the National Convention. The protests are an authentic expression of young people’s demands to restore the jurisdiction and responsibility of institutions”, the letter said.

It added that the European Commission should approach Serbia and its institutions with due consideration for the current social and political situation. “We urge you to publicly and openly acknowledge the existence of a political and social crisis in Serbia and to insist that the authorities of the Republic of Serbia ensure timely and lawful actions by all relevant institutions in accordance with their competencies”, the letter said.

Serbia, Albania to co-host UEFA Euro Under-21 2027 (media)

European football's governing body UEFA announced on Tuesday Serbia and Albania will host the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) said in a statement.

It will be a joint undertaking by the two neighbouring states, which have received UEFA support to co-host the competition. At the same time, UEFA's decision to accept the joint bid is also a sign of great support for top FSS officials, who have done much to build football infrastructure across Serbia. The competition will be an excellent opportunity for development of Serbian football at all levels.

Matches in Serbia will be played at new stadiums in Loznica, Zajecar and Leskovac, all built to the most stringent UEFA standards, with games in Albania to take place in Tirana, Shkoder, Durres and Elbasan. The tournament, which will feature 16 national teams, will kick off at the Karadjordje Stadium in Novi Sad, with the final match to be played in Tirana, the statement said. 

 

International Media

 

Kosovo ex-fighters sentenced for obstruction of justice after plea deal (Balkan Insight)

Kosovo's Specialist Chambers sentenced three former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters to prison terms after prosecutors reached a 'historic' plea deal with them, in which they admitted witness intimidation and obstruction of justice.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers on Tuesday sentenced three former fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, Haxhi Shala, Sabit Januzi and Ismet Bahtijari, to prison on charges of witness intimidation and obstruction of justice, based on a plea deal reached with the Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, SPO.

“The panel approves the plea deals,” Judge Mappie Veldt-Foglia told the court, announcing that Shala was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and Januzi and Bahtijari to two years each, taking into account time spent in the detention centre in the Hague.

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

Leading Serbian CSOs suspend cooperation with authorities and support students (The European Western Balkans)

Some of the leading civil society organizations in Serbia announced on Tuesday that they are suspending cooperation with Serbian authorities. They said authorities attempt to uphold a false facade of democracy and inclusivity in policymaking by formally involving civil society in decision-making processes.

“We see the misuse of state security structures and other institutions for illegal surveillance of activists and the fabrication of criminal and other legal proceedings aimed at intimidating activists and journalists. The pressure on civil society has now taken on an institutional form for the first time through the proposed law on a special register of foreign influence agents, modelled after regulations in Russia and Belarus. In response to all this, the responsible institutions remain silent and fail to perform their fundamental duty – they do not protect citizens or the common good”.

Read more at: rb.gy/n51uiv