Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani: Alliance with US, EU and partnership with NATO in our DNA (media)
• Kurti meets ambassadors, discuss constitution of new Assembly (media)
• Arrest warrant issued for Radoicic for barricades in the north in 2022 (Koha)
• Maqedonci: Partnership with U.S. of special importance (media)
• Jashari receives backing from Pentagon to develop KSF (AP)
• Rexhaj: We want a government but only with the LDK (Gazeta 10)
• Ceku, VV’s candidate for Pristina; Kurti: He is what the city needs (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: Deeper cooperation in military tech, economy discussed with UAE president (Tanjug)
• Serbian List: Kurti rapidly and openly implementing the plan of ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Another Serbian police officer deported from Kosovo, receives five-year ban (KoSSev)
• Kosovo Minister signs memorandum with Mitrovica municipalities, announces two new bridges over the Ibar (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani: Alliance with US, EU and partnership with NATO in our DNA (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Wednesday that Kosovo is fully determined to become part of the family of Euro-Atlantic countries and that the alliance with the U.S., the European Union and partnership with NATO countries are pillars of regional stability and contribute directly to the security of the Euro-Atlantic space. 

In her address at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Osmani focused on the role of education as a connecting bridge between nations and a foundation for long-term cooperation. She also said that relations between Kosovo and Hungary have great potential to grow in areas like renewable energy, tourism, technology and education. 

Kurti meets ambassadors, discuss constitution of new Assembly (media)

Most news websites reported on Wednesday that Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti held a working lunch with Finnish Ambassador Matti Nissinen, Swedish Ambassador Jonas Westerlund, Dutch Ambassador Karin Boven, Belgian Ambassador Grégoire Cuvelier, and the Head of Mission at the Embassy of Luxembourg Eric Dietz. The meeting focused on recent developments in Kosovo, including the process of constituting the new Assembly, as well as other topics of interest within the framework of regular communication and exchanges between the government and partner states.

A press release issued by the government notes that Kurti “expressed his gratitude for the good relations and the continued support of these countries for Kosovo, especially in the processes of integration into the European Union and NATO”.

Arrest warrant issued for Radoicic for barricades in the north in 2022 (Koha)

The Basic Court in Pristina issued on Wednesday a domestic and international arrest warrant against the former deputy leader of the Serbian List, Milan Radoicic, in relation to barricades that were set up in the four northern municipalities of Kosovo in 2022. A spokesperson for the Special Prosecution said that in addition to Radoicic, arrest warrants were issued for another ten suspects. “The Basic Court in Pristina approved the request of the Special Prosecution, specifically the prosecutor of the case, to issue a domestic and international arrest warrant for Milan Radoicic. The warrant was issued as part of ongoing investigative actions into the case concerning the setting up of barricades in the four northern municipalities in 2022. The Prosecution has also issued arrest warrants for another ten individuals suspected in this case. Around 50 individuals are under investigation for the criminal offences of obstructing an official person in the performance of official duties, incitement to resistance, and accomplice in unconstitutional activity,” the spokesperson said.

The news website notes that another arrest warrant for Radoicic was issued in relation to the terrorist attack in Banjska in late September, when Kosovo police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. Interpol had also issued an arrest warrant for Radoicic in December 2023. In addition to the Banjska case, the Basic Court in Pristina issued an arrest warrant for Radoicic in March this year for war crimes against civilians during the war in Kosovo.

Maqedonci: Partnership with U.S. of special importance (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, hosted a delegation from Iowa on Wednesday to discuss further cooperation. “The partnership with the United States of America, especially with the state of Iowa, is of special importance, and the topic of discussion focused specifically on exploring opportunities to further and expand cooperation,” Maqedonci said in a Facebook post.

Jashari receives backing from Pentagon to develop KSF (AP)

Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Bashkim Jashari, during his visit to the United States, received backing at the Pentagon for further developing the KSF and to cooperate for joint missions. Jashari met with Joseph McGee, director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff of the US Army, and informed him about the achievements of the KSF, including participation in Defender Europe ’25, trainings, with the US Army and preparations to take part in the Joint Readiness Training Center. “Lieutenant General McGee commended the KSF on its progress, thanked for the hosting during Defender Europe 25, and confirmed Pentagon’s support for development and cooperation in joint peacekeeping operations,” the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. 

Rexhaj: We want a government but only with the LDK (Gazeta 10)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Arber Rexhaj, said on Wednesday that this party wants a coalition only with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) for the new government. “Certainly yes, with the Democratic League of Kosovo, because that is what we prefer. The LDK had two offers from us and the last time it got the most serious offer,” Rexhaj said.

Ceku, VV’s candidate for Pristina; Kurti: He is what the city needs (media)

The Vetevendosje Movement announced on Wednesday that Hajrulla Ceku, current caretaker Minister of Culture, will run for Pristina mayor in the local elections in October. Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said that Ceku is what Pristina in order to have good governance and to be a place where people can live well. 

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Deeper cooperation in military tech, economy discussed with UAE president (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday his discussion with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi had addressed deepening of cooperation in military technology and a continuation of various economic projects.

Vucic said he had asked his host for assistance in high technologies, especially in military technology, which he noted was important for Serbia due to its position and the fact it was surrounded by NATO members.

"We must become stronger militarily to be able to preserve peace, stability and our sovereignty and independence, without ever threatening anyone, but deterring anyone who might think Serbia could be an easy prey in today's world of complete instability and, I would say, unknowns as to what awaits us tomorrow," Vucic said. He added that, for that reason, potential cooperation in military technology had been discussed with the UAE president.

Vucic announced a large-scale military parade in Belgrade for September.

"That will be something people in the region have not yet had an opportunity to see. We will demonstrate many things the majority of Serbian citizens do not even know we have acquired, produced or, as experts say, inducted into the Serbian Armed Forces arsenal in the meantime," Vucic said.

He noted that they had also discussed the Serbian energy sector and that, as part of a working visit to the UAE, he would continue discussions about the subject with bin Zayed's aides in the evening. He said a potential construction of a nuclear power plant in Serbia would guarantee a sufficient supply of power.

Serbian List: Kurti rapidly and openly implementing the plan of ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Kosovo (Tanjug)

The Serbian List stated yesterday that by expelling Serbian police officers who were born and have lived in Kosovo for decades, by issuing warrants and interrogating dozens of Serbs for peaceful protests held in 2022 or, as Pristina calls them barricades, as well as by announcing the construction of two bridges on the Ibar, Albin Kurti rapidly and openly implements the plan of ethnic cleansing of the Serbian people from Kosovo, reported Tanjug.

"It is about the violence of the institutions that exert unprecedented pressure on the honorable Serbs who do not renounce their Serbian name and surname, who do not want to be Kurti's servants and who are now a target just because they are Serbs," the statement emphasized.

The SL pointed out that it was shameful and worrisome that there was no reaction from international missions and institutions - the EU, Quint, UNMIK and KFOR, which, according to their mandates, should prevent such behavior and protect basic human rights.

Another Serbian police officer deported from Kosovo, receives five-year ban (KoSSev)

The last in a series of Serbian Ministry of Interior officers arrested at border crossings between Serbia proper and Kosovo has now been deported, attorney Miloš Nikolić confirmed to KoSSev. J.A., a Serb from the village of Strelica in the municipality of Kamenica, has been banned from entering Kosovo for five years.

According to the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, J.A. was apprehended yesterday at the Konculj border crossing and transferred to a deportation center. He is employed by the police department in Vranje and, for years, had been commuting regularly between Vranje and Kamenica without obstruction. The Office strongly condemned the latest arrest, describing it—as in previous similar cases—as an “unlawful and politically motivated persecution of Serbs by Pristina.”

KoSSev was unable to independently confirm the arrest with the Kosovo Police. Speaking to KoSSev on Wednesday evening, attorney Nikolić stated:

“The same as in previous cases. He was taken to Pristina and then deported under an order from the Directorate for Migration.” Nikolić confirmed that J.A. received a five-year entry ban and was stripped of his Kosovo citizenship.

“An appeal must be submitted to the Complaints Commission against the deportation order within eight days. Following that, an administrative lawsuit must be filed before the court within 30 days in response to the citizenship revocation,” he explained, outlining the next legal steps.

Nikolić clarified that J.A. works for the Gnjilane police department, which is located in Vranje.

He is also representing another Serbian police officer, M.Z., who has likewise been deported from Kosovo. An appeal has already been filed in that case.

Kosovo Minister signs memorandum with Mitrovica municipalities, announces two new bridges over the Ibar (KoSSev)

Kosovo’s Acting Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Liburn Aliu, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the municipalities of North and South Mitrovica, announcing plans to build two new bridges over the Ibar River.

Aliu reported the signing in a Facebook post, although he referred only to “the municipalities of Mitrovica and North” without specifying full official names. The memorandum was signed by Aliu, North Mitrovica Mayor Erden Atiq, and South Mitrovica Deputy Mayor Arijanit Tahiri. The signing was also attended by Kosovo’s Acting Minister for Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi.

He stated that the memorandum includes, among other provisions, the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River.

“We initiated the memorandum with a joint project to build two new bridges over the Ibar—projects that will ease mobility for residents of both municipalities and serve as infrastructure for communication and cooperation among citizens, strengthening social integration and economic development on both sides,” Aliu said.

No further details were provided about the planned locations, timeline, or design of the bridges.

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