Albanian Language Media: 

• Pristina hosts International Forum for Women, Peace, and Security (RTK)
• Kurti slams opposition for not voting for Haxhiu (RTK)
• Kusari: Opposition is keeping the Assembly hostage (AP)
• KFOR rejects claims of Serbian army concentration near Kosovo (AP)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh visited Mitrovica region on Friday (media)
• Osmani: Growing friendship between Kosovo and Tanzania (media)
• Why the Vatican has yet to recognize Kosovo’s independence (RFE)
• “Serbia preparing new narratives for tensions in the north” (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Let's finish preparations for EXPO first, then we will call early elections (Tanjug)
• KFOR: No significant changes in Serbian military presence along the ABL (Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic reacts to Bislimi’s interview, says CSM draft statute presented in 2023 in Brussels (Kosovo Online, media, social media)
• Serbian List reacts to event organized by Kosovo police, distributing flags and promotional material, in North Mitrovica (Kosovo Online, Alternativna, media)
• KP handed out colouring books to children at Mitrovica North promenade, SD will hand out theirs titled "Prom 2025" (KoSSev, media)
• Students protests in over 30 cities in Serbia demanding elections (N1)

Albanian Language Media 

Pristina hosts International Forum for Women, Peace, and Security (RTK)

Over the next two days, Pristina will host the third edition of the International Forum for Women, Peace, and Security. Under the patronage of President Vjosa Osmani, the forum will begin today and continue through Tuesday. The event is expected to feature over 30 discussion panels, with more than 150 speakers from over 45 countries. “On June 2 and 3, Pristina will once again become the meeting place of voices from around the world who will share their vision for the ‘Security Code for Our Generation,’” the Presidency's announcement states.

On Sunday, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, Irene Fellin, the Head of State of Antigua and Barbuda, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and First Lady Lady Sandra Williams, Chad's Minister of State for Women and Early Childhood, Amina Priscille Longoh, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmedin Konakovic, have arrived in Kosovo to participate in the forum.

Kurti slams opposition for not voting for Haxhiu (RTK)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti has criticized opposition party MPs for not voting in favour of Albulena Haxhiu’s candidacy for Speaker of the Assembly, drawing parallels with their votes on other major issues in the past. During a meeting of the General Council of Vetevendosje (LVV), specifically at a gathering with women, Kurti said that these are the same MPs who in the past voted for the "Association" (of Serb-majority municipalities), the Specialised Chambers, and the border demarcation. “The woman who received the most votes from the people in the February 9 elections is Albulena Haxhiu. Instead of respecting the will of the people, they are fighting Albulena. And who is doing this? It’s the same 10 MPs who are now in the opposition and voted for the ‘Association’ on June 27, 2013; also, 10 opposition MPs voted for the amnesty of Serbian criminals in the north on July 11, 2013; furthermore, 7 opposition MPs today voted for the Special Court on August 3, 2015; and 15 current opposition MPs voted for the border demarcation with Montenegro on March 21, 2018,” Kurti said.

He added that they voted for these four “bad phenomena,” as he called them, but not for Haxhiu. “These unrepentant MPs, who voted for all four of these harmful decisions, now refuse to vote for Albulena Haxhiu, even going so far as to prevent the Assembly from reaching a quorum for a secret vote. Five of those opposition MPs voted for all four of these bad things, while Albulena voted for none of them,” Kurti stated.

Kusari: Opposition is keeping the Assembly hostage (AP)

Head of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) parliamentary group, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, accused opposition parties on Sunday of obstructing the constitution of the new Assembly of Kosovo, arguing that their boycott is a sign of dissatisfaction with the results of the February 9 parliamentary elections. She said that the LVV tried to follow every constitutional and institutional step to form the new Assembly, but that opposition MPs obstructed it and are even blocking the formation of the new government. “Regardless of political rivalries, the country cannot remain hostage to party calculations. Kosovo urgently needs institutional functionality,” she said. 

KFOR rejects claims of Serbian army concentration near Kosovo (AP)

NATO’s mission in Kosovo, KFOR, has rejected the claims made by the acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, that there is a significant concentration of Serbian army forces near the border with Kosovo.

“KFOR has not observed, nor has it been informed about, any recent significant change in the presence of the Serbian Armed Forces along the administrative boundary line,” KFOR stated in its response.

In a media statement, Maqedonci said that 70 percent of Serbia’s military capacities are positioned in the south of the country, near the border with Kosovo. “About 70 percent of the entire military capacity of the Serbian army is deployed in the south of its territory, not far from the Republic of Kosovo, not far from the border. And when you add to that the 48 prior operating bases, which we always assess as a threat—when a neighboring country positions military forces at the border, in one way or another it threatens the security and stability of that country. This is not happening by chance,” Maqedonci stated.

However, according to KFOR such a claim is not accurate, noting that under existing procedures, the Serbian Armed Forces are obligated to regularly inform KFOR about the deployment of forces and their operational activities near the border with Kosovo. KFOR also emphasized that since 2023, it has significantly increased its presence and intensified patrols along the Kosovo–Serbia border. “The KFOR Commander maintains regular communication with the military authorities of Western Balkan countries, which helps enhance mutual awareness of the situation on the ground.”

UNMIK chief Ziadeh visited Mitrovica region on Friday (media)

The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) said in a post on X that SRSG and Head of UNMIK Caroline Ziadeh visited the Mitrovica region where she met the North Mitrovica Hospital administration, the head of the Red Cross, school administrators, as well as representatives of civil society organizations and women’s groups. “Discussions focused on recent political, security and economic developments. Interlocutors expressed concerns about the impact of these developments on the livelihood of the community. SRSG Ziadeh reaffirmed UNMIK’s commitment to trust-building, human rights & rule of law for all,” the post notes.

Osmani: Growing friendship between Kosovo and Tanzania (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Sunday that her meeting with the Foreign Minister of Tanzania, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, is a testament of the growing friendship between the two sides. “We discussed the immense potential for deeper cooperation and affirmed our shared commitment to opening a new chapter in our partnership, rooted in the values we hold dear,” Osmani said in a post on X.

Why the Vatican has yet to recognize Kosovo’s independence (RFE)

This article, picked up by several Kosovo media notes that the recent appointment of Luigi Bianco as Apostolic Nuncio to Slovenia and Apostolic Delegate to Kosovo by Pope Leo XIV has reignited discussion about the Vatican’s continued non-recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. Though warmly welcomed by the Catholic Diocese of Prizren–Pristina, the appointment underscores the Holy See’s nuanced position: providing pastoral care without extending full diplomatic recognition.

RFE argues that while apostolic nuncios act as Vatican ambassadors in recognized states, apostolic delegates, like Bianco in Kosovo, have purely pastoral roles. This distinction reflects the Vatican's reluctance to formally recognize Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by 119 countries.

According to both Church officials and Kosovo diplomats, quoted in the article, the Vatican’s position is shaped by multiple factors: Ecumenical Sensitivity: Recognition could strain efforts at Christian unity with Orthodox Churches, especially Serbian and Russian, which oppose Kosovo’s independence. UN Membership: The Vatican generally recognizes states that are UN members—Kosovo is not. Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue: The Holy See is closely monitoring the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Many believe recognition could follow a normalization agreement between the two.

Vehbi Miftari, head of the Special Mission of Kosovo to the Holy See, said that relations between Kosovo and the Vatican have entered a new and dynamic phase. However, he also spoke of the obstacles to the formal recognition of Kosovo by the Holy See. “We must bear in mind that, beyond political relations, ecumenical dialogue, the process of integration into the European Union and the Kosovo-Serbia political dialogue are equally important for the Holy See,” he said.

Observers suggest a papal visit to Kosovo could mark a significant milestone. Church and diplomatic figures have called for inviting Pope Leo XIV on a “pastoral visit.” However, such a visit would require broad support from Kosovo and religious communities. Further, officials point to a potential concordat—a formal agreement between Kosovo and the Holy See—as a possible step toward recognition. Conversations around this began in 2017–2018 but have not yet materialized.

Both religious and political leaders in Kosovo stress the need for continued engagement and institutional readiness. They argue that formal recognition by the Vatican could influence other holdout countries, including five EU states and many in Latin America. As Don Shan Zefi of the Kosovo Catholic Church noted, “In a non-formal sense, the Holy See has already recognized Kosovo. Now we seek legal recognition.”

“Serbia preparing new narratives for tensions in the north” (Telegrafi)

Director of Octopus, the Pristina-based institute for hybrid warfare studies, Arben Fetoshi, said in a Facebook post that Serbia “is using hybrid war mechanisms, including the Serbian List and the Kosovo Online news website, to promote destabilizing narratives that aim to incite interethnic tensions in the north of Kosovo”. “Through fabricating topics such as the changing of street names in the north, the alleged forcing of Serb children to hold Kosovo flags or the destruction of Serb houses, Serbia is trying to present Kosovo as a state that discriminates against the Serbs,” he argued.

According to Fetoshi, “the purpose of this campaign is two-folded: to demonize Kosovo’s institutions in the eyes of the international community, and to keep local Serbs under pressure and to incite them to engage in provocative actions against order and security”.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Let's finish preparations for EXPO first, then we will call early elections (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is also the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Presidency member, said on Friday early parliamentary elections could be called once preparations for EXPO 2027 Belgrade were finished, Tanjug news agency reported.

"We will win those elections, too", Vucic said during a visit to the Jelasnica village near Zajecar, eastern Serbia, responding to questions from reporters about comments that he was afraid of elections.

"We have EXPO, and we need to prepare for it. Once we finish the preparations for EXPO, we will give them (the opposition) early elections, and in those elections... I am afraid they are badly wrong. When I thought they had a chance of winning, it turned out that they no longer do, and we will defeat them convincingly", Vucic said.

KFOR: No significant changes in Serbian military presence along the ABL (Kosovo Online, media)

Following statements by acting Kosovo defence minister Ejup Maqedonci and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti about an alleged increase in Serbian forces along the administrative boundary line (ABL), KFOR in a response to Pristina-based Gazeta Express media enquiry said that they had not observed, nor had they been informed of, any significant changes in the presence of Serbian armed forces, Kosovo Online portal reported.

KFOR emphasized that it continuously monitors activities along the boundary and had not noticed, nor been informed of, any major increase in Serbian armed forces in the area recently. “KFOR continues to maintain a presence and monitor activities along the administrative boundary line, in line with its mandate derived from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo. KFOR has not observed, nor been notified of, significant changes in the presence of Serbian armed forces along the administrative boundary line”, a KFOR official stated.

The official also noted that, according to existing procedures, the Serbian army is obliged to inform KFOR about any deployment and operational activity near the boundary with Kosovo. “We expect this practice to continue and rely on their ongoing cooperation in this regard”, the official added in the statement to Gazeta Express.

The KFOR official concluded by saying that KFOR Commander maintains regular communication with military authorities across the Western Balkans, which helps to strengthen mutual understanding of the security situation.

Petkovic reacts to Bislimi’s interview, says CSM draft statute presented in 2023 in Brussels (Kosovo Online, media, social media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic, described the interview of Kosovo caretaker deputy prime minister and chief negotiator in the dialogue with Belgrade, Besnik Bislimi, as a pure deception, pointing out that, as he said, it is a lie that the Management Team did not present the Community of Serbian Municipalities Draft Statue, because it was presented on May 2, 2023, in Brussels. In a post on X social platform, Petkovic added it is also false to claim that the dialogue is conducted between "Serbia and Kosovo".

“UN General Assembly Resolution from 2010 established the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. It’s a lie that Serbs have privileges in Kosovo and Metohija – over 600 attacks on Serbs, 6 Serbs shot, Serbian children harassed by Kosovo police, the violent closure of Serbian institutions, 4 Serbian-majority municipalities usurped, Serbian properties being seized, and 20 percent of Serbs have left the north due to (Albin) Kurti’s terror! Of course, none of that was mentioned in Bislimi’s interview. But he shouldn’t worry, I will tell it all to his face again soon in the dialogue”, Petkovic wrote in the post.

As Kosovo Online reported in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Bislimi said the Brussels Agreement does not explicitly mention the CSM in any of its articles, but rather the obligation of the parties to implement previous agreements. He also claimed that the EU itself acknowledged that the list of Serbia’s unfulfilled obligations is twice as long as that of Kosovo. According to Bislimi confusion surrounding the CSM stems from a lack of understanding of the details, and that the working group, composed of members of the Serbian community, tasked with proposing a draft statute of the Community, had not submitted any document until 2024, despite being assigned that responsibility as early as 2013.

Serbian List reacts to event organized by Kosovo police, distributing flags and promotional material in North Mitrovica (Kosovo Online, Alternativna, media)

Serbian List said yesterday in a statement that “an organized attempt was made on the promenade in the center of North Mitrovica to distribute Kosovo flags to Serbian children, along with photographing them without the knowledge or consent of their parents. They emphasized that this represents a gross violation of the rights of minors and international conventions on the protection of children, describing it as yet another provocation by Albin Kurti’s authorities targeting Serbian children”, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“The reaction of citizens, as well as of parents who happened to be nearby at the time, was strong and justified. It is clear that this was a planned political performance aimed at provoking the Serbian people and disturbing peace and security in areas where Serbs make up the majority”, the statement added.

Serbian List also said “that instead of institutions protecting children and their privacy, the children are being used - at the behest of Pristina - as instruments in political confrontations”. It called on all relevant international organizations, especially UNICEF and representatives of the EU, OSCE, and UN missions, to urgently respond and condemn such actions that violate fundamental children's rights and further undermine the fragile security situation in northern Kosovo. At the same time they reiterated their demand for a visible increase in the presence of EULEX and KFOR in the Serbian areas, accusing Kosovo police of being "a tool in the apparatus of Albin Kurti’s regime used to harass the Serbian people”.

KP handed out colouring books to children at Mitrovica North promenade, SD will hand out theirs titled "Prom 2025" (KoSSev, media)

"Mr. Hoxha, (in reference to Kosovo police director general) if you share your colouring books, this is for you to know, we will share ours as well. Tomorrow on the promenade", Serbian Democracy leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic said yesterday after Kosovo police distributed coloring books for children "Our Police, Color and Have Fun" and other promotional material at Mitrovica North promenade. Serbian Democracy also said that "a coloring book is not an eraser to erase bruises!", KoSSev portal reported.

Kosovo police handed over yesterday promotional material at Mitrovica North promenade, as they said, part of their activities to mark International Children’s Day. “Our Police – Colour It and Have Fun”. “Make a Selection of Colours and Use Them to Colour Police Photos”, “Write, Colour and Be Inspired”, are some of the messages written in the colouring books. At the end of it there is a place to write a letter to Kosovo police starting with the words “Dear police ... .Love….”.

Serbian Democracy: ‘"Closeness" of Kosovo police with young Serbs – “grabbing by the throat"’

"Today, police officers appeared in the north, handing out colouring books to children - supposedly to show closeness and connection with young people", Aleksandar Arsenijevic said. "The same police officers whose colleague just a few days ago brutally attacked a high school graduate, brutally grabbing him by the neck to rip out his throat", Arsenijevic added.

"The same ones whose minister and director, (Xhelal) Svecla and Gazmend Hohxa, shamelessly publicly call Serbian high school graduates derogatory names. The same ones in whose station that boy was further humiliated - by having his naked body photographed and distributed", Arsenijevic also said.

As he said, Serbian Democracy will hand over the coloring books at Mitrovica North promenade today, but with different drawings and names “Prom 2025”, showing a police officer holding a boy by the neck. 

Students protests in over 30 cities in Serbia demanding elections (N1)

Students are organizing protests in 32 cities across Serbia on Sunday demanding snap parliamentary elections. Stefan Radovanovic, a student from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade, told N1 that students had already organized a large protest on Friday, also demanding snap parliamentary elections.

This also marks exactly seven months since the collapse of the canopy at the train station in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. That tragedy was the trigger for months of anti-corruption protests led by students from Serbia’s largest universities: those in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Nis, and Novi Pazar.

In addition to Belgrade, protests today have been announced in: Novi Sad, Nis, Kragujevac, Novi Pazar, Aleksinac, Bela Palanka, Bor, Čačak, Jagodina, Kikinda, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kraljevo, Kruševac, Leskovac, Loznica, Pančevo, Pirot, Priboj, Prokuplje, Ruma, Senta, Sombor, Sremska Mitrovica, Subotica, Surdulica, Šabac, Užice, Valjevo, Vlasotince, Vršac, and Zrenjanin.