Albanian Language Media: 

• Kurti: Construction of bridges increases cooperation (Koha)
• Prattipati on July 4 statement calls Kosovo “most pro-American country” (media)
• Kurti’s statement on eve of Western Balkans leaders meet on Growth Plan (media)
• Roads to Jarinje and Brnjak from Serbia freed for traffic (media)
• Citaku: Somewhat surprised by Hoxhaj’s remarks about coalition with VV (media)
• Who are the accused in Banjska attack seen near Serbia’s Presidency? (RFE)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Terras and Ziadeh on Kosovo’s political deadlock (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic, Sorensen discuss continuation of Belgrade-Pristina technical dialogue (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic on the start of construction of two bridges over the Ibar: Kurti is inciting conflict and unrest (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
• Serbian Democracy party members detained again, this time on the Mitrovica promenade during protests against Kurti’s visit (KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Rohde: We support the EU's position that the Kosovo authorities refrain from building two new bridges over the Ibar (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, KiM radio)
• Durmishi: The deadline for the completion of the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar is 90 days (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric met with Czech special Western Balkans envoy (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic claims “long” discussion with von der Leyen, EC issues rebuttal: Casual chat in lounge before dinner (N1, KoSSev, Beta, NMagazin)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti: Construction of bridges increases cooperation (Koha)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Tuesday that the construction of new bridges is in the service of communication and cooperation between communities and that the absence of bridges creates tensions. He made the remarks after the laying of cornerstones of two new bridges over the Iber River in the north of Kosovo. “I am always in favor of bridges of cooperation. These bridges show our commitment to have as much communication, traffic, cooperation and exchange between the north and the south … The bridges are not meant against anyone, they are for all citizens, for Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Roma and others,” he said.

Kurti said that the construction of the bridges is in full compliance with development plans and the law, while responding to a recent statement by the European Union which had called on Kosovo’s authorities to refrain from “unilateral actions” including the construction of adjacent bridges. 

Kurti said that one of the new bridges will serve for vehicles and pedestrians, while the other only for pedestrians.

Commenting on the main bridge over Iber, which is currently closed for vehicle traffic and monitored by the Italian Carabinieri, Kurti said that it needs to be opened as soon as possible. “We never give up on any of our objectives. This bridge needs to be opened. The sooner it is opened the more reasonable it is. And when it will open this is in the hands of the Italian Carabinieri. We don’t to create any friction with anyone, including the Carabinieri, and this is why we are waiting for them to get convinced too, just like us, that the bridge needs to be opened for vehicle traffic too,” he said.

Prattipati on July 4 statement calls Kosovo “most pro-American country” (media)

All news websites cover the statement by U.S. Embassy in Kosovo Chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati on the July 4th event, highlighting her remark that she has “celebrated the Fourth of July in many different countries, and I can’t imagine a better place to mark this occasion than here, with you, in the most pro-American country in the world”.

“President Osmani, caretaker Prime Minister Kurti, members of the diplomatic corps, friends and colleagues. Good evening.  It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to our celebration of the United States’ 249th Independence Day. Let me begin by thanking all of our incredible volunteers, our sponsors, and our Embassy team who helped make this event happen. And to each of our guests – thank you for being here with us tonight. I have celebrated the Fourth of July in many different countries, and I can’t imagine a better place to mark this occasion than here, with you, in the most pro-American country in the world. This is my first U.S. Independence Day in Kosovo.  When I arrived here as Deputy Chief of Mission last summer, I certainly did not expect to be serving as Chargé d’affaires for this celebration – and it is an honor to do so. What an extraordinary place to serve in this role and what a remarkable community to be a part of. We gather tonight to honor the moment in 1776 when our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the revolutionary belief that all people are created equal and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. And in this 249th year, we also mark the approach of America’s 250th anniversary year, a momentous milestone. We look forward to celebrating a number of noteworthy U.S. anniversaries – together with you – during our 250th year,” Prattipati said.

Full statement at: https://shorturl.at/h9FqF

Kurti’s statement on eve of Western Balkans leaders meet on Growth Plan (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on the eve of the meeting of Western Balkans leaders meeting on the EU Growth Plan in Skopje on Tuesday that the meeting was supposed to be held in March, but was postponed due to the tragedy in Kocani, Veles, “and I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims”.

Kurti said a dinner was held on Monday where they discussed the Growth Plan, “but for me it is always a pleasure to come to Skopje, especially now that we have joint border control points: Han i Elezit – Bllac, which became operational on April 12, and Gllobocice-Jazhince, which became operational this year, on May 28. All of these are the result of the joint agreements that we made with the Miskovski Government on November 18 last year in Pristina, at the joint meeting of our two governments. It is always a pleasure to come to Skopje, to this country, which is the capital of a NATO member state, but also of a country that, together with all the other countries of the Western Balkans, aspires to join the European Union”.

Roads to Jarinje and Brnjak from Serbia freed for traffic (media)

Several news websites reported on Tuesday afternoon that roads leading to the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings between Kosovo and Serbia on Serbian territory were blocked by Serbian citizens but were later freed for traffic.

Citaku: Somewhat surprised by Hoxhaj’s remarks about coalition with VV (media)

Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Vlora Citaku said on Tuesday that she was somewhat surprised with a statement by PDK deputy leader Enver Hoxhaj who said that he would vote in favor of a coalition between the PDK and the Vetevendosje Movement. “I was somewhat surprised by Hoxhaj’s statement. It is true that in our meetings and discussions we have different assessments and opinions, but Hoxhaj’s statement came shortly after our convention where we adopted the political declaration of the PDK. This declaration was very clear also in terms of relations with the government and about possible coalitions, and the declaration was adopted with full unanimity. Hoxhaj voted in favor too. Nevertheless, this is a new position that does not harm political and democratic health. Hoxhaj was clear that he would vote for a coalition if a political agreement was reached, he did not say he would vote in favor unilaterally,” Citaku said in an interview with Klan Kosova.

Who are the accused in the Banjska attack seen near Serbia’s Presidency? (RFE)

Some of the people accused by the Special Prosecution of Kosovo for the attack in Banjska in Zvecan, or at least one of them, who are wanted by Kosovo authorities, were seen participating in a police-surrounded protest in central Belgrade, the news website reported on Tuesday. Authorities in Pristina said that the individuals accused of the September 2023 attack were seen on June 28 at the Pioneers Park in Belgrade, directly across from the office of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. But there has been no response from Serbia’s authorities.

Using facial recognition tools, Radio Free Europe identified that the group included Vladimir Vucevic from Mitrovica North, one of the 45 people indicted by the Special Prosecution of Kosovo. Based on social media footage, Radio Free Europe managed to identify at least 11 individuals gathered in various groups, wearing identical green shirts. Photos and videos available show these groups standing near the Serbian Presidency building and close to police units.

On 28 June, a protest organized by students was held in Belgrade, involving road blockades.

Serbian opposition politician Djordje Miketic shared a photo on social platform X of three men, asking whether they were connected to the attack in Banjska. Several Albanian news websites reported that four individuals seen at the Pioneers Park were among those indicted by Kosovo’s Special Prosecution for terrorism and serious crimes against the constitutional order and security of Kosovo. The indictments relate to the attack against Kosovo Police in September 2024 in Banjska when police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. 

Using facial recognition technology, Radio Free Europe confirmed that Vucevic from Mitrovica North, one of the 45 individuals indicted by Kosovo authorities, was part of the group. He appears in photos posted on social media, which Radio Free Europe verified were taken on 28 June near Pioneers Park. On his social media profiles, he is seen wearing the same green shirt. However, in 2010, for example, he was also seen wearing attire with symbols of “Obraz,” an ultra-nationalist organization banned by Serbia’s Constitutional Court in 2012 for discriminating against minorities and promoting hate speech. Seven years earlier, Serbia’s Ministry of Interior labeled Obraz a “clerical-fascist” organization.

Of the 45 individuals indicted by Kosovo authorities, only three members of the group are currently standing trial in Kosovo. Vucic and most of the other accused remain at large, with Interpol arrest warrants issued for them.

Serbian Language Media

Terras and Ziadeh on Kosovo’s political deadlock (Kosovo Online)

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Riho Terras, spoke with the special president of the Secretary General and the head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, about the political deadlock in Kosovo, reported Kosovo Online. 

Teras stated on X that a functional assembly and a government with a full mandate are necessary for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

"I spoke with Caroline Ziadeh about the political deadlock in Kosovo. A functional assembly and a government with a full mandate are necessary to restart the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade," said Terras.

Petkovic, Sorensen discuss continuation of Belgrade-Pristina technical dialogue (Tanjug, media)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic met with the EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Peter Sorensen on Tuesday to discuss a continuation of the dialogue at technical level.

"I discussed a continuation of the technical-level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as the necessary normalisation of relations and deescalation on the ground," Petkovic posted on X.

He noted that he had conveyed to Sorensen concern over the increasingly difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo because of numerous escalatory moves by Pristina.

Petkovic on the start of construction of two bridges over the Ibar: Kurti is inciting conflict and unrest (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Konrakt plus radio)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated yesterday that the laying of the foundation stones for two bridges over the Ibar River was an illegal and violent act that goes directly against the interests of the Serbian people. He said that Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is using dangerous escalatory moves to provoke conflict and unrest.

In a statement to Tanjug, Petkovic emphasized that “Kurti is endangering the survival of Serbs, especially in North Mitrovica, who have endured more than 200 serious attacks and attempted incursions by extremists from the southern part of the city”. He added that he conveyed this concern today to the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, during their meeting in Vienna.

He also pointed out that not a single Serb in the north supports the decision to build the bridges.

"This is a party decision by Self-Determination, one that carries catastrophic consequences. By announcing that the bridges will open in October ahead of local elections, Kurti is deliberately turning a security issue into a tool for his election campaign. That’s why, after the Berlin Process meeting, he went straight to lay the foundation stone, demonstrating that building peace and cooperation means nothing to him. The EU must stop Kurti before it’s too late," Petkovic said.

Rohde: We support the EU's position that the Kosovo authorities refrain from building two new bridges over the Ibar (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

The German ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said yesterday that he supported the position of the EU addressed to the Kosovo authorities to refrain from building two new bridges over the Ibar, reported Kosovo Online, citing Gazeta Express.

Regarding the plans of the Prime Minister in the technical mandate, Albin Kurti, to lay the foundation stones for two new bridges over the Ibar, the German embassy in Pristina told the Kosovo authorities to refrain from those intentions.

"We fully support the European Union's call to the Kosovo authorities to refrain from building two new crossings over the Ibar River in Mitrovica. Instead of uncoordinated and potentially escalating steps, such as the construction of additional bridges, we should focus on solving much more urgent challenges," the embassy's response to the Gazeta Express portal stated.

The Embassy suggests that the Government of Kosovo should redirect limited public resources in areas that directly improve the lives of citizens, such as: the introduction of universal health insurance - which would improve access to health care and protect families from high treatment costs, increasing investment in education - which would prepare young people for the labor market, as well as strengthening social protection - to improve social cohesion and protect families from economic shocks among other things. 

Durmishi: The deadline for the completion of the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar is 90 days (Kosovo Online)

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure in the technical mandate, Hysen Durmishi, said that the deadline for the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River is 90 days and that they will be opened in October, reported Kosovo Online yesterday, citing Reporteri. 

"We are starting work today. One is a bridge for vehicles, while the other part will be a bridge for pedestrians to cross on both sides of the Ibar River. Based on the contract, the deadline for completing the work is 90 days for both bridges, so we will finish both of these bridges by October," he said.

Regarding the EU's reaction to the construction of two new bridges, he says that they have nothing official.

"No, we do not have anything official, because these are projects of the Government of Kosovo, which enable the easiest and best possible circulation of citizens on both sides of the river. This will not be the last, we have many other projects that we will implement in this area. Along with the Ibar River, we will completely treat this area that is located around, so that circulation is as easy and best as possible for citizens on both sides of the Ibar River," Durmishi told RTV21.

Durmishi also emphasized that KFOR requested information about what was happening, but that there was no reason to suspend the work, because, as he stated, these were "projects for the benefit of all".

"KFOR did not have any reaction. We talked about it with the KFOR officials who are here. They simply asked for information about what was happening. We said that we have a contract, we have a project and today we are starting its implementation - and nothing more. That is, these are projects of the Government of Kosovo that are implemented on the territory of Kosovo and are not projects to the detriment of anyone, but to the benefit of everyone. There is no reason to stop the work. We are developing the project, just as we are developing many other projects in the territory of Kosovo, including many projects that we have been implementing in the north for years Kosovo," he said.

Serbian Democracy party members detained again, this time on the Mitrovica promenade during protests against Kurti’s visit (KoSSev, KiM radio)

Members of the Serbian Democracy party have once again been detained, this time on the Mitrovica promenade during a protest against the arrival of Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The party described the incident as an act of “police repression,” claiming their members had peacefully expressed their discontent from a significant distance. On the other hand, the police stated that the individuals were detained for refusing to comply with officers’ orders and were later released after being issued fines, reported KoSSev last night.

As previously announced by the Kosovo government, acting PM Albin Kurti yesterday laid the foundation stones for two new bridges connecting North and South Mitrovica — one vehicular bridge near the North Mitrovica municipal building, and a pedestrian bridge on the southern side towards the “Three Towers” complex.

While waiting for Kurti to lay the first foundation stone near the North Mitrovica municipality, numerous media crews could hear the sound of a whistle in the distance.

The sound was coming from the Mitrovica promenade, where members of the SD party had gathered to protest Kurti’s arrival.

Some media outlets published footage showing police officers escorting away the vice-president of Serbian Democracy, Stefan Veljkovic, along with several other senior party officials.

“This is police repression. You can’t even blow a whistle, or they will arrest and beat you. Shame!” Veljkovic shouted as the officers took him away.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/3w9ua5dt

Djuric met with Czech special Western Balkans envoy (Tanjug, media)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric received Czech special Western Balkans envoy Edita Hrda in Belgrade on Tuesday to discuss the current situation in the region, Serbia’s EU integration process and key issues of mutual interest.

Djuric said the relationship between Serbia and the Czech Republic was characterized by "strong partnership and mutual respect."

"The Serbian FM expressed gratitude to the Czech Republic for its continued support of Serbia’s EU accession process, reaffirming that EU membership remains a strategic objective for Serbia and the most effective mechanism for advancing institutional reform, the rule of law, and the living standards of its citizens," the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Djuric informed Hrda of the position of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo, underlining the consequences of "unilateral actions taken by the provisional institutions in Pristina, which have contributed to escalating tensions on the ground."

"In this context, he expressed his expectation that the Czech Republic, as a reliable EU partner, would continue supporting efforts aimed at deescalation and the preservation of peace and stability."

Speaking about regional cooperation, Djuric underscored, among other things, the importance of regional initiatives in which Serbia actively participated, with the aim of enhancing economic connectivity, freedom of movement of people, goods, and capital, and strengthening regional stability.

Vucic claims “long” discussion with von der Leyen, EC issues rebuttal: Casual chat in lounge before dinner (N1, KoSSev, Beta, NMagazin)

“President von der Leyen had a casual, spontaneous chat with President Vucic in the lounge before the official dinner in Seville,” EC spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker said responding to a reporter’s question about Vucic’s statement regarding the meeting and his claim that they had “never discussed bilateral cooperation for so long.”

Pro-regime media on Monday quoted Vucic as saying that he had “a long discussion with Ursula von der Leyen, 30 minutes (long).”

"President von der Leyen had the occasion to exchange a few words with many leaders, by the way, during this event, including President Vucic. So, this was not an official bilateral meeting,” the EC spokesperson insisted, reported N1.