Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti welcomes Bosnian citizens, first visa-free visitors to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: Time for Kosovo to receive status of EU candidate country (media)
• Svecla and Aliu visited the Jarinje border crossing (RTK)
• U.S. troops conduct security patrolling in north of Kosovo (media)
• Osmani visits shelter of victims of domestic violence in Pristina (media)
• Pristina, sixth in the world with most polluted air (Koha)
• Osmani extends condolences after tragic shooting in Montenegro (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Discussions with US about energy due on Thursday, we will preserve stability (Tanjug, RTS)
• Gasic: Situation in Kosovo sensitive, cooperation with KFOR on high level (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Bocan-Kharchenko: Russia will not change its position regarding Kosovo and the RS (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Arsenijevic detained again then released, this time because of the protest during Svecla and Atic's visit (Radio Mitrovica sever, Danas)
• Xhemail Rexha: Journalism’s fight against propaganda must continue (KoSSev)
• Two different gatherings on New Year’s Eve in Belgrade (N1)
• Haaretz: Serbia buying artillery systems, UAVs from Israel’s Elbit (N1)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti welcomes Bosnian citizens, first visa-free visitors to Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, together with Deputy Prime Minister Emilja Rexhepi, welcomed at the government building the first group of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who entered Kosovo with only an ID card, after the entry into force of the decision of the government of Kosovo that allows them to enter Kosovo without visas.

A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that the group consists of ambassadors, intellectuals, university professors, academics and businessmen from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as members of the Albanian community there.

"We have waited a long time for something that is elementary, freedom of movement, and now we must make up for lost time, so consider that in the government of Kosovo you have a partner who always wants you to come to Kosovo and cooperate as much and as often as possible," Kurti is quoted as saying at the meeting.  

Kurti also said that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, “as friendly states, must build new economic, educational and cultural bridges, which contribute to the security of the region and the well-being of all citizens”. “He added that there are various political forces that can put obstacles in our way, but these obstacles only prepare us for future challenges, which we will overcome. This group will stay in Kosovo for several days, where they will hold various meetings with representatives of central and local institutions, as well as visit cities in Kosovo,” the announcement says.

Osmani: Time for Kosovo to receive status of EU candidate country (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Monday that the time has come for Kosovo to receive the status of a candidate country for membership in the European Union and for the measures imposed by the EU against Kosovo to be lifted. She made these comments in a post on the social network X where she congratulated Poland on taking over the presidency of the Council of the EU. “I look forward to continuing our work with President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk to ensure the future that Kosovo deserves. The time has come to grant candidate status and lift the unfair EU measures against the people of Kosovo,” Osmani wrote. She also expressed her appreciation for Hungary and its commitment during its time as the EU Presidency.

Svecla and Aliu visited the Jarinje border crossing (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, and the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Liburn Aliu, with other associates, visited the Jarinje border crossing during New Year’s Eve. Through a post on the social network Facebook, Svecla congratulated the year 2025, saying that they decided to celebrate the New Year with police officers at this border crossing.

U.S. troops conduct security patrolling in north of Kosovo (media)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a Facebook post on Monday that U.S. soldiers assigned to Regional Command East conducted security patrolling in Northern Kosovo as part of ongoing operations to ensure safety and security of critical infrastructure throughout Kosovo. “These efforts are part of KFOR's daily mission to support all communities within 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,” the post notes.

Osmani visits shelter of victims of domestic violence in Pristina (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani visited a shelter of victims of domestic violence in Pristina on Wednesday and said that “resilience and strength go hand in hand”. “They remind us that unfortunately, violence still reigns under many roofs. Yesterday, on the eve of the New Year, I visited the shelter in Pristina, to tell them that they are not alone in this confrontation, while in this new year we must continue to strengthen every institution to support victims of violence and eliminate this horrible phenomenon,” Osmani wrote in a Facebook post.

Pristina, sixth in the world with most polluted air (Koha)

On Wednesday Pristina was among the cities with the most polluted air in the world. According to IQAir which measures the air quality throughout the world, Pristina was ranked as the sixth city with the most polluted air. 

Osmani extends condolences after tragic shooting in Montenegro (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X on Wednesday that “during this difficult time for Montenegro, we stand in solidarity and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones after the tragic shooting in Cetinje. My thoughts are with the entire community as they mourn and cope with this horrible act of violence that has taken so many lives”.

Dugolli: Deeply saddened by heinous terrorist attack in New Orleans (media)

Kosovo’s Ambassador to the United States, Ilir Dugolli, said in a post on X that he was deeply saddened by “the heinous terrorist attack in New Orleans on this New Year’s Day”. He also said that his “thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the entire community as they grapple with the aftermath of this devastating tragedy”.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: Discussions with US about energy due on Thursday, we will preserve stability (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced discussions with US officials about energy, including the issue of Serbia's majority Russian-owned oil company NIS, were scheduled for Thursday, and noted that Belgrade would fight to preserve Serbia's stability in the energy sector and all other areas.

Vucic made the announcement in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

"P.S. My message to the centres of power in Zagreb, Sarajevo and Pristina: Happy New Year and your hopes are in vain, you will not change the government in Serbia," he added.

Gasic: Situation in Kosovo sensitive, cooperation with KFOR on high level (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)

Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic said on Wednesday the situation in Kosovo was very sensitive, primarily due to the unpredictability of Pristina and Albin Kurti's moves, but that the cooperation with KFOR was on an extremely high level.

"More than anyone else, Albin Kurti is making the situation more difficult by trying to maximise his political gains in the electorate through his so-called nationalism by putting the Serb population under pressure. The Republic of Serbia is watching all that closely to ensure that the security of our citizens is guaranteed," Gasic told Tanjug. He said the situation in the province was sensitive, especially due to the February 9 elections.

He said the international community had not fallen for Kurti's recent tricks, including an attack on the Ibar-Lepenac canal in the north of Kosovo.

Gasic said Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic deserved the most credit for the extremely high level of cooperation with KFOR. Mojsilovic has discussions or meetings with KFOR representatives almost on a daily basis, Gasic noted.

"Under UNSCR 1244, too, KFOR is a guarantor of peace, stability and security for our citizens in the territory of our southern Kosovo-Metohija province. Besides, we have joint patrols in the Ground Safety Zone, which are proceeding without any problem whatsoever. You have been able to see how many lies the so-called Pristina regime and Albin Kurti have uttered in the past six months, with the intention of making life worse for the Serbs as much as possible, especially in the north of Kosovo-Metohija," Gasic noted.

Commenting on the security situation in the region and globally, Gasic said that, like in Kosovo, it was unstable.

"The situation is very unstable, and conflicts have a constant tendency of spreading. We do not know what direction the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Middle Eastern conflicts might go in. Some new flashpoints have suddenly emerged as well, so we are watching the situation very closely," Gasic said.

Bocan-Kharchenko: Russia will not change its position regarding Kosovo and the RS (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

The Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandar Bocan-Kharchenko, emphasized that Moscow will not change its stance on the most painful Serbian issues—Kosovo and the Republic of Srpska.

"Regarding the most painful issues for Serbia, primarily Kosovo, but also the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning the Republic of Srpska, it is impossible to consider that Russia might change its stance of support for Serbia, support for the Republic of Srpska. As for Kosovo, we will continue to work together, primarily at the UN," Bocan-Harcenko told Tanjug.

He stated that Serbia can be proud of its achievements in the field of economics and emphasized that he expects that growth will continue in 2025 and that Russia will contribute to it.

The economy is the most important thing, said Ambassador Bocan-Kharchenko regarding how he sees Serbia, bilateral relations, and the global situation in 2025.

He stresses that he sees 2025 as both interesting and complicated, but not in the case of Serbia, which has shown good results in the field of economics.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/6vnbjjwe

Arsenijevic detained again then released, this time because of the protest during Svecla and Atic's visit (Radio Mitrovica sever, Danas)

The leader of the Serbian Democracy, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, was taken to the police station of the North region for the second day in a row, this time for blowing the whistle during the visit of the head of the MIA Xhelal Svecla and the mayor of North Mitrovica, Erden Atic. The incident happened at the end of the Mitrovica promenade on Tuesday, near the main bridge, where these officials were staying after the visit of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.

He was detained soon after, and released soon after, with a fine.

"We detained Arsenijevic because he disturbed the free movement of people on the promenade. He didn't listen to what the police told him, so he was given a ticket for "disturbing public order and peace" and for "disobeying the order of the police". Now we have released him," Elshani said.

Xhemail Rexha: Journalism’s fight against propaganda must continue (KoSSev)

As 2024 draws to a close, journalists in Kosovo reflect on a year fraught with challenges. From verbal attacks by high-ranking officials to an ever-evolving wave of propaganda, the press has faced mounting pressures. Yet, according to Xhemail Rexha, President of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK), the battle for truth is far from lost.

Speaking to KoSSev, Rexha highlighted the year’s difficulties, including verbal and physical attacks against journalists. These pressures have often originated from government officials, aiming to discredit media workers. However, Rexha emphasized that journalists must persist in their mission to provide factual, unbiased reporting and debunk misinformation.

A year of challenges and attacks

According to Rexha, the challenges journalists faced in 2024 largely carried over from 2023. He noted a disturbing trend of verbal assaults targeting Albanian-language media, with high-ranking officials from Kosovo’s government openly criticizing journalists.

“These attacks were often open and personal and aimed at discrediting journalists by naming and shaming,” Rexha explained. Among the culprits were members of the ruling party and government officials, including Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

Kurti’s rhetoric, which accused Albanian journalists of aligning with Serbia and failing to criticize its actions in northern Kosovo, drew sharp condemnation from AGK.

“This kind of language is dangerous to the safety and security of journalists. If there are consequences, the government would be held responsible,” Rexha warned.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/3xrpdhh6

Two different gatherings on New Year’s Eve in Belgrade (N1)

Two opposed groups ushered in the New Year on two neighboring squares in central Belgrade, one at a concert organized by the city authorities and the other led by students observing the daily memorial protest in silence, reported N1.

Belgrade University students gathered along with a large number of members of the public in the park outside the Serbian Presidency building and then marched to the central Students’ Square for the 15 Minutes of Silence protest in memory of the people killed in the collapse of a concrete awning at Novi Sad Railway Station on November 1. The protest is held daily at 11:52 am, the time the awning collapsed, and was moved to just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. The crowd in the packed square observed the protest and then just walked away.

A similar nighttime protest was held earlier in December at Slavija Square and was the first nighttime memorial with mobile phones raised up with the lights on.

Earlier, the students said there was nothing to celebrate and raised a banner across a major intersection which said No New (year), You Still Owe Us for the Old.

The students and their supporters were forced to march around the central Republic Square where a concert was organized for a much smaller crowd of people, allegedly all supporters of the authorities. Garbage trucks and dumpsters were placed to block streets leading to Republic Square along with security fences and guards. There was a relatively small police presence.

The authorities also organized fireworks at the Belgrade Waterfront complex which could be heard across central Belgrade.

Haaretz: Serbia buying artillery systems, UAVs from Israel’s Elbit (N1)

Haaretz daily said on Wednesday that the Serbian government is buying advanced artillery systems and drones from the Israeli Elbit Systems, reported N1. According to the daily, the deal is worth 335 million Dollars.

Elbit Systems said on its web site that it was awarded contracts worth 335 million Dollars to supply defense systems to an undisclosed European country. “The contracts include the supply of PULS™ (Precise and Universal Launching Systems) rocket launchers and rockets, as well as Hermes™ 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) equipped with advanced payloads. The contracts will be performed over a period of three years and six months,” the press release specified.

It added that the PULS provides a comprehensive and cost-effective solution capable of launching unguided rockets, precision-guided munitions, and missiles with various ranges and is fully adaptable to existing wheeled and tracked platforms. A Serbian company alleged to have close ties to the authorities and that it recently imported military-grade trucks capable of carrying rocket launchers from China.

Elbti said the Hermes 900 multi-role MALE UAS is its largest drone capable of performing a wide range of missions, including area dominance and persistent intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) across land and maritime domains. Defense news-oriented portals said the purchase is a significant step in the modernization of the Serbian military, adding that the Elbti PULS can strike targets up to a range of 300 kilometers using various munitions from the same platform without relocating and is ideal for rapid-response.

According to analysts, Serbia’s purchase of Israeli systems and drones comes in response to Croatia’s purchase of the US HIMARS system in an effort to maintain a strategic balance in the region.