Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani: Constitution of Assembly within 30 days is an obligation (media)
• PDK addresses court over VV’s actions in the last three sessions (media)
• German embassy: Deadlock is hindering important legislative proposals (Express)
• Terras: Elections, last option; non-forming of institutions blocks integration (Klan)
• KFOR statement on construction of two bridges over Iber River (TeVe1)
• Tahiri: Two new bridges in Mitrovica will be completed by autumn (Express)
• Osmani meets Backe: Luxembourg, an unwavering supporter of Kosovo (media)
• Govt building lit with colors of US flag on US Independence Day (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Diocese files third criminal complaint against Xhufka for new break-in at St. Archangel Michael church near Podujevo (KoSSev)
• KFOR on the construction of two new bridges on the Ibar: There were no incidents, we continue to monitor the situation (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic pardons ruling party activists accused of attacking students, breaking a student’s jaw (N1, media)
• Macut: Dialogue amongst all necessary, I appeal for maintaining freedom of movement (Tanjug)
• EU Delegation to Serbia expects swift, transparent, credible investigation into allegations of excessive use of force during protests (N1, FoNet)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani: Constitution of Assembly within 30 days is an obligation (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Thursday that the constitution of the new Kosovo Assembly within 30 days is an obligation as noted in the ruling of the Constitutional Court. After consultations with other parties, Osmani said that the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling is a constitutional obligation and that the ruling has made it clear that constituting the new assembly within 30 days is an obligation and not an option. 

Osmani also called on leaders to, “in the spirit of cooperation and trust, and in the interest of the citizens and the state, find a solution for the constitution of the Assembly as soon as possible but within the timeframe set by the Constitutional Court”. 

PDK addresses court over VV’s actions in the last three sessions (media)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) will address the Constitutional Court to assess the constitutionality of actions of the Vetevendosje Movement in the last three sessions of the Kosovo Assembly. PDK leader Memli Krasniqi, after sending the case to the court, said that he expects it will be treated with urgency. He argued that the sessions after the ruling of the Constitutional Court last week, are an intentional violation by the session chair Avni Dehari and the Vetevendosje Movement. “We will address the intentional violation by the session chair and the biggest parliamentary group in the last three sessions. Namely, the vote for the committee which is an attempt to change the agenda, and which has been forbidden by the last ruling,” he said. 

German embassy: Deadlock is hindering important legislative proposals (Express)

The German Embassy in Pristina said on Thursday that the political situation, including the deadlock in the Assembly, are hindering the advancement of legislative proposals that are essential for Kosovo’s progress. 

Terras: Elections, last option; non-forming of institutions blocks integration (Klan)

European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo, Riho Terras, said in an interview with Klan Kosova on Thursday that Kosovo needs to form the new Assembly within 30 days as outlined by the Constitutional Court. He said this would open the way toward the European Union and would help with lifting the penalty measures. Terras also argued that new elections should be the last option and that the political deadlock is causing problems for Kosovo in its path toward European integration. 

KFOR statement on construction of two bridges over Iber River (TeVe1)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said on Thursday that issues related to the construction of two new bridges over Iber River are outside of its mandate. KFOR told the TV station that it will continue to maintain a permanent presence on the bridge over Iber River, and regular patrols in the area to guarantee security for all citizens. “KFOR also has a visible and flexible presence in Mitrovica north, as well as all over Kosovo, and is ready to respond to any important security development, in the service of all communities in Kosovo,” it said.

Tahiri: Two new bridges in Mitrovica will be completed by autumn (Express)

Candidate of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for Mitrovica mayor, Arian Tahiri, said on Thursday that the two new bridges over the Iber River will be finalized by autumn this year. “I want to highlight that there was always a bridge there since the end of the war. When the floods happened in 2022 it was damaged and replaced. Now construction is beginning on a bridge that will be used by pedestrians, and it will be beautiful. While the other bridge which is behind the Minatory sports hall can be used for vehicles too,” Tahiri said. “These projects are financed by the government of the Republic of Kosovo, and I am grateful because they are important for the citizens of Mitrovica”.

Osmani meets Backe: Luxembourg, an unwavering supporter of Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Thursday in Pristina with the Defense Minister of Luxembourg Yuriko Backes, and said that Luxembourg is an unwavering partner and supporter of Kosovo. “Kosovo is committed to further advance our interstate partnership by opening new chapters of cooperation, including in the area of defense and security, in the service of peace, stability and the joint protection of Euro-Atlantic values,” Osmani said in a Facebook post.

Govt building lit with colors of US flag on US Independence Day (media)

Most news websites reported on Thursday evening that the Kosovo government building was lit with colors of the United States of America in honor of US Independence Day. “A symbol of our deep gratitude and unwavering friendship. Happy 4th of July!” Kosovo’s Ambassador to the US said in a post on X.

Serbian Language Media

Diocese files third criminal complaint against Xhufka for new break-in at St. Archangel Michael church near Podujevo (KoSSev)

The Diocese of Raska Prizren  filed a new criminal complaint against Nikola Xhufka, who claims to be a priest of the so-called Albanian National Orthodox Church and, more recently, “Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Kosovo.” According to the Diocese, Xhufka has once again broken into the Church of St. Archangel Michael in Rakitnica near Podujevo, KoSSev reported yesterday.

This third complaint was submitted to the Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina on June 30 by the Diocese’s legal representative.

“He again broke the padlock of the 14th-century Church of St. Archangel Michael and, for the third time, illegally occupied the church owned by the Ras–Prizren Diocese, which he wants to appropriate for his false organization,” the Diocese stated.

The Diocese reminded the public that Xhufka continuously falsely presents himself as clergy:

“Although he is not [clergy], nor is he recognized as such by any Orthodox Church, he has frequently been criticized in Albanian media for spreading hatred and intolerance.”

Appeal to the International Community

The Diocese once again appealed to the entire international community to pressure Kosovo’s judiciary to show even a minimal degree of effort and will to protect the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose rights are guaranteed like those of any other person or religious organization in Kosovo.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3k46yrpu

KFOR on the construction of two new bridges on the Ibar: There were no incidents, we continue to monitor the situation (Kosovo Online)

The NATO mission in Kosovo announced that there were no incidents during the laying of the foundation stone for two new bridges on the Ibar, and that they continue to monitor the situation and maintain an appropriate presence on the ground through regular patrols and training.

"We have a constant and visible presence, through the Multinational Specialized Unit, on the Ibar bridge and in the surrounding areas," said the KFOR spokesman in response to questions from Gazeta Express about the security aspect related to the construction of new bridges.

As KFOR stated, they will continue to contribute to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all local communities, in accordance with KFOR's long-term mandate within the UN, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999.

Vucic pardons ruling party activists accused of attacking students, breaking a student’s jaw (N1, media)

In response to an inquiry from N1 TV, the Basic Court in Novi Sad said that on July 2, the Ministry of Justice delivered a decision from the Serbian President granting a pardon to four accused activists of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

The activists were charged with assaulting students, including breaking a female student’s jaw, during the night of January 27-28. The pardon frees them from criminal prosecution for multiple violent offenses.

According to the decision, the suspects have been relieved of criminal liability for serious bodily harm and violent behavior.

The case will be forwarded to the presiding judge for further proceedings in line with the pardon, the court said.

Macut: Dialogue amongst all necessary, I appeal for maintaining freedom of movement (Tanjug)

Serbian PM Djuro Macut said on Thursday peace, dialogue and understanding amongst all factors in society were necessary and appealed to citizens to show a sense of responsibility and that freedom of movement be maintained.

"We are fully aware that this long-lasting process is, in fact, an exhausting process that has led the entire country into a situation that is not desirable, for universities and for all our citizens alike," Macut told Tanjug in a comment on blockades in the country.

He appealed to all citizens that order, freedom of movement and all civic freedoms be maintained in Serbia and thanked the Interior Ministry for making great efforts to preserve public order and peace.

"Unfortunately, the situation is that currently we have a part of those blockades taking place in Belgrade and that they may or may not be run by students. In any case, right now, this very much looks like something that is, in fact, not associated with that process but represents a classic case of vandalism, a form of something that is not desirable in developed societies," Macut said.

He expressed the hope a solution and common ground would be found for all issues related to higher education to enable a peaceful start to a new academic year.

EU Delegation to Serbia expects swift, transparent, credible investigation into allegations of excessive use of force during protests (N1, FoNet)

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia said Thursday in a post on X that it is monitoring the situation closely, calling to avoid escalating tensions, as well as that it strongly condemns all acts violence.

“The rights of peaceful demonstration, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are to be upheld. There is no place for violence,” said the EU Delegation.

It emphasized that police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights, including for all those ones being detained. The EU Delegation added that they expect a swift, transparent and credible investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by the law enforcement authorities, and that any measure of deprivation of liberty or criminal sanction should be based on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offense and must be justified and proportionate.

“Fundamental rights and values are at the core of out common European project and need to be respected,” the Delegation said.