Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani meets Orav, talk about visits of senior European officials (media)
• Hargreaves: Kosovo must have stable government as soon as possible (media)
• Vetevendosje complains to ECAP after hundreds of ballots declared invalid (media)
• KDI calls on Kurti to appear for testimony at Special Prosecution Office (RTK)
• CEC: Diaspora vote count ends Tuesday (Albanian Post)
• Sadiku: Richard Grenell, in Kosovo on Monday? (Demokracia)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic discussed with Rutte situation in region, Serbia-NATO relations (Tanjug)

• Hargreaves on Kosovo’s obligations, Community of Serbian Municipalities (Kosovo Online)

• Three Serbian houses in Suvi Do near Lipljan broken into (media)

• Abbot of Visoki Decani, Father Sava says Monastery continues promoting respect and dialogue (Radio KIM, social media)

• KDI asks Kurti to respond to prosecution’s summon, demonstrate he ‘is not above the law’ (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani meets Orav, talk about visits of senior European officials (media)

The Office of the President of Kosovo informed in a statement after the meeting of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani with the EU ambassador to Kosovo Aivo Orav on Monday, that senior European officials are expected to visit Kosovo in the coming weeks and months. “These visits will be a good opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between Kosovo and the EU, especially in key areas of development and European integration. President Osmani emphasized the importance of joint commitment to advance the country’s strategic priorities, with a particular focus on strengthening democratic institutions and accelerating Kosovo’s European path. On this occasion, President Osmani once again emphasized the importance of removing unjust measures, which are ultimately harming the citizens of Kosovo,” reads the statement of the Office of the President.

They reportedly also discussed the latest developments in Kosovo, the electoral process and further steps for the constitution of institutions. Osmani expressed gratitude for the engagement and presence of the EU Observation Mission during the electoral process.

Hargreaves: Kosovo must have stable government as soon as possible (media)

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, has praised the recent elections in Kosovo, stressing that they were held peacefully and democratically.  “The elections were generally peaceful, and on the whole we can confidently say that they represent the position of the population in Kosovo. To have democratic elections in this region as smoothly as they have been held is a huge achievement that we should take into account and congratulate. Everyone in Kosovo is eagerly waiting to understand exactly what the final results will be, and what this means for the establishment of a government in Kosovo, and I am one of those people who is eagerly waiting. I want to say that one of the important things is that Kosovo is able to constitute a stable government as soon as possible because these are difficult times all over Europe and this is not the time for a country like Kosovo to be without a government with a stable mandate or with a parliament that is not able to pass legislation effectively. My main hope is that the government is constituted in a way that gives this country stability for a good time so that it can engage in international challenges with many domestic challenges, which are very urgent… I consider that we need to have a strong, stable government as soon as possible”, said the British ambassador to RTV Dukagjini.

Vetevendosje complains to ECAP after hundreds of ballots declared invalid (media)

Alim Rama, Secretary General of the Vetevendosje Movement, announced that they have filed a complaint with the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) after saying that hundreds of ballots were declared invalid by the counters at the Counting and Results Center. Rama wrote on Facebook that the complaint was filed “seeing that the CEC is not ready to correct violations for purely political reasons,” while adding that the reason is that citizens did not print the ballots properly. “Hundreds of ballots, like the ones below, were declared invalid by the CNR counters for an absurd reason, because citizens did not print them properly. But in all of these ballots, the voter’s intention is clear and indisputable,” Rama wrote.

KDI calls on Kurti to appear for testimony at Special Prosecution Office (RTK)

The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) expressed concern regarding what they have called "the refusal of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to testify at the premises of the Special Prosecution Office, in the case known as "State Reserves". KDI emphasized that this action challenges and undermines the fundamental principle of the rule of law and equality before the law, two key pillars of the democratic order. According to KDI, the Prime Minister's refusal to respond to an official invitation from the justice bodies, according to the prescribed legal procedure, feeds the mistaken impression that the principle of equality before the law does not apply to high-ranking officials, who can evade the rules that also apply to other citizens. KDI also emphasized that the Prime Minister’s insistence on dictating the conditions for giving testimony – insisting that the interview take place in his office and not in the premises of the Prosecutor’s Office – creates a dangerous precedent and contradicts the legal provisions in force.

“The Prime Minister’s role is not to question or negotiate the implementation of legal procedures, but to show that no one – not even himself – is above the law. By refusing to appear at the Prosecutor’s Office upon official request, the Prime Minister contradicts citizens’ expectations for accountability and transparency. Moreover, now that the electoral process, in terms of voting, has already ended, the Prime Minister’s giving testimony does not produce any electoral effect against him or the entity he represents,” the reaction states.

KDI invited Kurti to cooperate with the justice authorities, in which case he should appear unconditionally at the Special Prosecution Office to provide the requested testimony. “Only by acting in this way can he strengthen public trust in state institutions and prove that, in a true state of law, no one is above the law,” KDI emphasized.

CEC: Diaspora vote count ends Tuesday (Albanian Post)

CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi has informed that the counting of postal votes from the diaspora is expected to be completed by Tuesday. After the completion of the diaspora votes, he said that conditional votes and those of persons with special needs will be counted. “Once all these processes are completed and after we receive confirmation from the ECAP and the Supreme Court that there is no issue being reviewed in these institutions, then the CEC will be able to announce the final results for political entities and candidates for Mps,” he said.

According to the latest updates, the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo have recorded an increase, while the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the AAK-NISMA coalition have suffered a decrease in percentage.

Sadiku: Richard Grenell, in Kosovo on Monday? (Demokracia)

Journalist and moderator Kushtrim Sadiku has said that according to an unofficial information, the U.S. envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, will come to Kosovo next Monday. Sadiku stressed that Grenell's arrival in Pristina means a new move by the U.S. in relation to Kosovo. 

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic discussed with Rutte situation in region, Serbia-NATO relations (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke on the phone yesterday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the situation in the Western Balkans region and bilateral relations between Serbia and NATO, Tanjug news agency reported.

In a post on his official Instagram account, Vucic said he presented Rutte with Serbia’s views on the situation in Kosovo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "We both noted the importance of responsible and serious behaviour in the region and stressed that the preservation of peace is the priority interest of all people living in the region", Vucic also said in a post. 

"Good call with President Vucic. It is so important that we continue to work together to support stability across the Western Balkans – including through NATO's partnership with Serbia. Aleksandar, I look forward to hosting you in Brussels very soon!", Rute said in a post on X social media platform. 

Hargreaves on Kosovo’s obligations, Community of Serbian Municipalities (Kosovo Online)

The UK Ambassador in Pristina, Jonathan Hargreaves said Pristina can make progress in the dialogue with Belgrade and ensure lifting of European Union punitive measures by fulfilling its obligations under the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, including the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Dujagjini.

He emphasized the UK will continue supporting Kosovo and encourage a constructive approach in the dialogue.

"We are not part of the EU, and I cannot speak on behalf of my EU colleagues regarding the path to lifting measures, and I would also not want to speculate on how the U.S. administration will approach Kosovo in the coming weeks and months. However, what I do know is that we will work very closely with Kosovo and encourage the Kosovo Government to be as positive and constructive as possible in the dialogue with Serbia, as this is clearly the best way to ensure the lifting of measures. I know that EU member states will welcome positive moves from Kosovo in advancing the dialogue", Hargreaves said in an interview for Dukagjini.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/3jaKq

Three Serbian houses in Suvi Do near Lipljan broken into (media)

Unknown perpetrators have broken into three Serbian houses in Suvi Do village near Lipljan causing material damages to the properties, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Owners of the houses who did not wish to speak on camera said they were not at home in the night, and found their homes in disarray upon returning yesterday. As they said the windows were shattered with the bricks, their belongings scattered, but nothing was stolen. Kosovo police opened the investigation and classified the act as “attempted aggravated thefts”.

Abbot of Visoki Decani, Father Sava says Monastery continues promoting respect and dialogue (Radio KIM, social media)

“The Monastery continues contributing to building the trust and cooperation with people of good will, promoting mutual respect and dialogue”, Abbot of Visoki Decani Monastery, Father Sava said in a post on Facebook, following the visit of a multi-ethnic group of youth from Kosovo, Radio KIM reported. 

Father Sava also said that non-governmental organization New Social Initiative (NSI), supported by UNMIK, has organized this group visit to the Monastery. “On this occasion, a discussion was held about ways to advance trust and better understanding, as well as about dealing with stereotypes and prejudices that make the common life difficult”, he added.

In a post on Facebook the New Social Initiative said that they “continued Interfaith Study Tours with a visit to the Visoki Dečani Monastery, where we were welcomed by Father Sava Janjić. Discussions centered on the Orthodox Church’s role in community cohesion, offering valuable insights into the monastery’s historical and spiritual significance. The exchange emphasized the role of religious institutions in peacebuilding and trust-building”.

“By facilitating these discussions, we reinforced the importance of open dialogue and mutual respect in strengthening community relations and fostering a deeper understanding of Kosovo’s diverse religious landscape”, NSI added in a post. 

KDI asks Kurti to respond to prosecution’s summon, demonstrate he ‘is not above the law’ (KoSSev)

Following several invitations, Kosovo Special Prosecution sent to the Prime Minister Albin Kurti to testify as a witness in public reserve case, followed by Kurti’s insistence these talks to take place in his cabinet, a decision of the court was made ordering Kurti to appear at the Special Prosecution on Tuesday, at 10.00 hrs, KoSSev portal reported. However, the portal continues, based on some Pristina media reports, Kurti plans to attend a foundation stone laying ceremony for the new kindergarten in Gnjilane, at the time he is supposed to appear at prosecution.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) interpreted this announcement as refusal of the Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to testify in prosecution’s premises. KDI expressed concerns, adding “the rule of law means that no one, regardless of position or function, should enjoy the special treatment before judicial institutions”. KDI also said that by refusing to respond to the summon, Kurti “brings into question”, but also “undermines the fundamental principles of the rule of law and equality before the law”, the two critical pillars of democratic order.

"The prime minister's refusal to respond to the official invitation of the judicial authorities, according to the applicable legal procedure, creates the wrong impression - that the principle of equality before the law does not apply to high-ranking officials, who by such practise can avoid the rules that apply to other citizens", KDI said.

It added that “Kurti's insistence on dictating the conditions for giving a statement, or that the interview be held in his office, and not in the prosecutor's premises, represents a dangerous precedent and contradicts the applicable legal provisions”. KDI also said institutional leaders have a responsibility to give the best examples of adhering to the law.

"The prime minister's role is not to question or negotiate the implementation of legal procedures, but to show that no one - including himself - is above the law", they said.