Albanian Language Media: 

• Rutte: Kosovo elections should not lead to destabilization (media)
• Hoti: Brussels meeting, important for implementation of agreement (RTK)
• US Embassy: We expect political parties and democratic institutions to live up to their strong democratic traditions (media)
• Maqedonci in U.S confirms commitment to further cooperation in defense (media)
• Kurti congratulates Croatian president on re-election (RTK)
• KFOR German and Latvian soldiers patrol in north of Kosovo (media)
• inspectorate: We’ll investigate circumstances of two arrests in north (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hill: Vucic's idea for Serbia to host Trump-Putin meeting to be considered in Washington (Tanjug)
• Peskov: Too early to talk about meeting point of Putin and Trump, many countries want to be platform (Tanjug, RTV)
• Rutte: We are in contact with Pristina and Belgrade so elections in Kosovo do not lead to destabilization (Tanjug)
• KPI launches investigation into allegations of police misconduct during two arrests in northern Kosovo (KoSSev)
• V.Đ. arrested in Socanica released from detention (KoSSev, media)
• Lawyer Filipovic: Gross violation of right to defence in case of Milos Pleskovic (media)
• Lawyer: Young man M.R. sent to one month detention due to alleged threats to Kurti (Kosovo Online)
• ECAP accepted complaint of Serbian List on composition of polling committees (Alternativna.com, media)
• Serbian Democracy says ECAP accepted their complaint on composition of polling committees (media)
• Serbians welcome New Year according to Julian calendar (N1)

International Media:

• Time is running short for new US sanctions in Balkans to work (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media 

Rutte: Kosovo elections should not lead to destabilization (media)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that the alliance is following the situation in the Western Balkans region with concern, especially in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking at the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, Rutte confirmed that they are in constant contact with both Pristina and Belgrade, especially now that the election campaign has started in Kosovo. "We are of course in contact with Kosovo, but also with Serbia, to ensure that the elections to be held in Kosovo in early February will not lead to destabilization. This is crucial," he said.

He has further underlined the necessity for NATO to closely monitor the situation in the entire Western Balkans region and to maintain close ties with this part of the continent.

Rutte expressed deep concern about the overall security situation in Europe in light of Russia's destabilizing campaigns, adding that the continent is not at war, but it cannot be said that it is at peace.

Hoti: Brussels meeting important for implementation of agreement (RTK)

The Chairman of the Governmental Commission on Missing Persons, Andin Hoti, said that the first inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission, which will be held on January 15, in Brussels, is an important step towards the implementation of the existing agreement `Declaration on Missing Persons` adopted on May 2, 2023.

According to Hoti, the meeting aims to determine the work plan for the upcoming sessions, as well as address several important issues on missing persons. Hoti further explained that in this context, the delegation will present several key requests, which are mainly related to the monitoring of the implementation of the Declaration on Missing Persons, with a special focus on the letter on archives, which was addressed to Vucic, and other important issues in this field.

Hoti also announced that at this meeting, Halil Cenaj was appointed as the representative of the Delegation of Kosovo.

US Embassy: We expect political parties and democratic institutions to live up to their strong democratic traditions (media)

The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo welcomed the official commencement of the election campaign in Kosovo. “The U.S. Embassy welcomes the official commencement of the election campaign in Kosovo. We expect Kosovo’s political parties and democratic institutions to live up to their strong democratic traditions. Free, fair, and transparent elections are the bedrock of democracy, and we look forward to all participants respecting the rule of law and democratic processes,” the announcement of the U.S. Embassy reads.

Maqedonci in U.S confirms commitment to further cooperation in defense (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said in a Facebook post on Monday that he began his visit to the United States “with a meeting at the Atlantic Council where I was hosted by Jörn Fleck, Senior Director at this prestigious think-tank and his colleagues. At the meeting we discussed the global security situation, the terrorist attacks in the north, the security situation in the country and the Russia-Serbia influence and cooperation in the service of destabilizing the region. At the meeting I confirmed our institutional commitment to integration into NATO and EU and further deepening of cooperation between Kosovo and the USA in the field of defense and security!”

Kurti congratulates Croatian president on re-election (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has congratulated Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic on his re-election as head of state. "Congratulations Zoran Milanovic, on your re-election as head of the Croatian Presidency. We look forward to continuing our strong cooperation," Kurti wrote on platform X.

KFOR German and Latvian soldiers patrol in north of Kosovo (media)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a Facebook post on Monday that German and Latvian soldiers assigned to Regional Command East conducted a joint patrol in Northern Kosovo. “Patrolling together allows for the two nations' militaries to work together to increase safety and security throughout Kosovo. These efforts are part of KFOR's daily mission to support all communities within Kosovo,” the mission said.

Police inspectorate: We’ll investigate circumstances of two arrests in north (media)

The Kosovo Police Inspectorate said on Monday that it will conduct preliminary investigations into the circumstances of the arrest of two persons in Mitrovica North and near Leposavic. “We have initiated a preliminary investigation to verify the circumstances of the arrests and the conduct of police officers in the respective cases. We will investigate and depending on the findings we will make a conclusion if the conduct of police officers was in line with legal provisions and conditions,” inspectorate chief Kushtrim Hodaj said in an interview with KTV.

Hodaj said one of the cases involves Kosovo Serb politician Aleksandar Arsenijevic who was arrested on Sunday evening after protesting against Prime Minister Albin Kurti, while the other case pertains to the arrest of a citizen suspected of several criminal offences. “In both cases there have been allegations in the media and also reactions by EULEX about the possible use of excessive force by police officers during the arrest,” he said.

Serbian Language Media  

Hill: Vucic's idea for Serbia to host Trump-Putin meeting to be considered in Washington (Tanjug)

Outgoing US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill said on Monday Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's idea for Serbia to host a meeting between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be considered in Washington, Tanjug news agency reported.

"Yes, I saw that the president has expressed this opinion of his. Obviously, the idea will be studied in Washington", Hill told reporters at an Orthodox New Year reception hosted by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric for foreign ambassadors and mission heads in Belgrade.

"I have not heard anything from Washington. But I will say that, whenever President Vucic has thoughts on a subject, people consider those thoughts very carefully. That is all I can really say because it was news to me", said Hill, whose tenure in Belgrade ends next week. Declining to give his personal view on Vucic's proposal, Hill noted that he could only say people in Washington would look at the idea. In an interview on Sunday evening, Vucic said Serbia was interested in hosting a meeting between Putin and Trump.

Peskov: Too early to talk about meeting point of Putin and Trump, many countries want to be platform (Tanjug, RTV)

Many countries express readiness to be the platform for potential negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, but it is too early to talk about that, Kremlin Spokesperson Dimitry Peskov said on Monday, Tanjug news agency reported.

He also said there are no essential preparations for the Putin-Trump meeting yet, adding there is a political willingness for that. “Such contacts are very much needed and recommendable”, he said, as RIA Novosti reported.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier Serbia was interested in hosting the meeting of Putin and Trump, adding it could guarantee security for both presidents. 

Rutte: We are in contact with Pristina and Belgrade so elections in Kosovo do not lead to destabilization (Tanjug)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday NATO is in contact with Kosovo and Serbia in order to make sure that elections in Kosovo, scheduled to take place on February 9, do not lead to destabilization, Tanjug news agency reported.

He also said during debate with European Parliament members dedicated to European and global security and responding to questions relating to the security situation in the Balkans that there are some NATO worries, in particular when it comes to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and between Belgrade and Pristina. 

KPI launches investigation into allegations of police misconduct during two arrests in northern Kosovo (KoSSev)

Kosovo Police Inspectorate (KPA) has initiated a probe into two arrests that occurred over the past three days in northern Kosovo. The investigation focuses on allegations of police misconduct, as confirmed by KPI representatives, KoSSev portal reported. While KPI acknowledged that the arrests took place on Saturday and Sunday in Mitrovica North and Socanica village in Leposavic municipality, respectively, they did not specify the exact incidents under scrutiny. It also said investigations were launched ex-officio.

Incident in North Mitrovica

One of the incidents involves Aleksandar Arsenijevic, the leader of the Serbian Democracy political party. Arsenijevic was detained on Sunday night in Mitrovica North but was later released. However, video footage, including recordings from KoSSev, captured police officers using force against Arsenijevic during the arrest on a public promenade. According to witnesses, prior to the arrest, Arsenijevic and his partner were restricted in their movements, while other people were free to move about. This incident took place at the same time Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and several of his ministers visited the Albanian-owned cafes at Mitrovica North promenade.

Allegations of police abuse in Socanica

In the second case, a man identified as V.Đ. was arrested in Socanica on Saturday night following a court order related to a drunk driving incident. V.Đ. has since been released but claims of police brutality during his arrest have surfaced. Witnesses, companions of V.Đ. and Serbian Democracy officials, allege he was taken to an undisclosed location and subjected to severe physical abuse, resulting in injuries, including a broken nose and a torn eyelid. They claim he was bleeding from his nose and mouth. Kosovo police confirmed the arrest but denied the allegations of mistreatment, claiming that they “handle cases professionally”.

V.Đ. arrested in Socanica released from detention (KoSSev, media)

A Serbian man V.Đ., arrested in Socanica on Saturday evening as per court order for driving while drunk, had been released on Monday, his family confirmed to KoSSev portal. He was arrested by Kosovo special police, dragged from the vehicle as the portal further reported and taken to the prison in Ajvalija to serve the sentence, unless the fine is paid.

In the first hours following his arrest, claims about his mistreatment by Kosovo special police surfaced. The claims were presented by Serbian Democracy officials referring to the statements of his companions, who claimed that he was taken to unknown direction with severe injuries allegedly inflicted upon him by special police, suffering broken nose, torn eyelid, and that he was bleeding from his nose and mouth. This all occurred, they said, because V.Đ., although told not to do so, facing problems with the window, attempted to open the door of the vehicle and give his documents to the police. Kosovo police confirmed the arrest, but denied claims of the mistreatment, claiming that they “handle cases professionally”. EULEX Head Giovanni Barbano two nights ago expressed concern over allegations of police mistreatment of a man in Socanica.

The family of V.Đ. confirmed he was released from Ajvalija prison on Monday morning but was not able to talk to the portal personally. His family also said he “feels better and is recovering”. “He is with us, at home. He is recovering, but still in shock. He was released to defend himself like this. That is all we can say for now”, the family told the portal. 

Lawyer Filipovic: Gross violation of right to defence in case of Milos Pleskovic (media)

“Today, a gross violation of the right to defence of a defendant occurred after the court decided to start hearing the witnesses without delivering case files to the defence, respectively the statements of anonymous witness”, lawyer of Milos Pleskovic, Jovana Filipovic told Radio KIM on Monday.

During the hearing on Monday, as Filipovic said, a gross violation of the right to defence occurred. “A question arises how can we trust the impartiality and objectivity of the court when the rights of the defendant have been so obviously violated”, she said, adding she requested postponement of the hearing, but her request was not met.

Two witnesses were interviewed during the hearing on Monday. As Filipovic said, both witnesses said they did not have direct knowledge related to her client. One of them said he saw the defendant for the first time in life. The third witness will be interviewed on Tuesday.

Pleskovic was accused of allegedly committing war crimes against the civilian population. He is an internally displaced person from Prizren, and lived in Ugljare village near Kosovo Polje with his mother, where he was arrested in September 2023. He remains in detention ever since, Serbian media reported earlier. 

Lawyer: Young man M.R. sent to one month detention due to alleged threats to Kurti (Kosovo Online)

Lawyer Jelena Krivokapic confirmed that her client, M.R., was ordered a one-month detention on Monday by the Basic Court in Mitrovica due to alleged threats to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and “a founded suspicion of the threat's repetition and implementation”, Kosovo Online portal reported. Krivokapic asserts that this measure is unfounded, adding she will file an appeal with the Appellate Court on Tuesday.

"He was imposed 30-day detention in Mitrovica. We have the right to appeal, I have written it, and I will submit it tomorrow. He is charged with threatening a high-ranking official, for which the penalty ranges from six months to five years in prison", Krivokapic told Kosovo online.

She notes that M.R. stated to the police that he was inebriated on the day the controversial photo was posted on his Instagram profile as he had been celebrating Christmas Eve all day.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/iIdl8

ECAP accepted complaint of Serbian List on composition of polling committees (Alternativna.com, media)

Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has accepted a complaint of the Serbian List relating to the composition of the polling committees and vote counting teams, and the previous CEC decisions in this regard had been annulled. The parties have the right to appeal the decision with the Supreme Court within a 48-hour deadline.

In addition to the Serbian List, Serbian Democracy and Serbian People’s Movement filed an appeal over composition of the polling committees. Serbian List Vice President Igor Simic told Kosovo Online they have received the information about ECAP’s decision but wait to receive the decision in writing.

Serbian Democracy says ECAP accepted their complaint on composition of polling committees (media)

Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has accepted the complaint of the Serbian Democracy related to the composition of polling committees and vote counting teams, annulling the previous decisions of the Central Election Commission in this regard, the party told the media, KoSSev portal reported.

Serbian Democracy filed an appeal to ECAP over, as they said, uneven representation in the polling committees for the upcoming parliamentary elections, having their members engaged in only four out of ten Serb-majority municipalities.

Last night, the party welcomed the ECAP decision, arguing that CEC did not respect the laws guaranteeing fair representation of political subjects. 

Serbians welcome New Year according to Julian calendar (N1)

On Monday evening, Serbians welcomed the New Year according to the Julian calendar, marking the occasion 13 days after the widely observed Gregorian calendar New Year, N1 reported.

The Serbian Orthodox Church uses the “old” Julian calendar. This calendar, suggested by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman calendar and took effect on January 1, 45 BC. The difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars (the latter named after Pope Gregory XIII in October 1582) is 13 days, which is why those who follow the old schedule celebrate Christmas on January 7 and New Year on January 13.

This year’s celebrations, however, will in many places be marked by solemn remembrance following the November 1 tragedy in Novi Sad, where a concrete canopy at the recently renovated main train station collapsed at 11:52 am, claiming 15 lives and severely injuring two people. In response, students across Serbia have been holding weeks-long protests demanding accountability for the incident.

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

International Media

Time is running short for new US sanctions in Balkans to work (BIRN)

Joe Biden’s outgoing administration has less than a week to ensure its latest sanctions on Balkan leaders are not only transformative, but difficult for the incoming Donald Trump government to undo.

The White House last week issued a new executive order  - published in the Federal Register as Executive Order 14140 on January 13 - for sanctions pertaining to the Western Balkans, amending a previous renewal and expansion from June 2021 with new provisions and breadth. 

The fundamental question, however, is not the widening applicability of the potential measures against Balkan leaders, their families, parties and connected enterprises. 

It is whether the departing Biden administration will deviate from its practice in applying these tools to date and aim not for incremental or situational effects but transformative ones, which would be harder for the incoming Trump administration to undo.

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