Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani to start consultations for constitution of Assembly on May 15 (media)
• Abdixhiku hails Osmani’s invitation, insists on transitional government (media)
• QUINT stresses to Kurti urgency for new government formation (media)
• Kurti meets QUINT: Kosovo has met criteria for membership in CoE (media)
• Osmani: Deeply honored to receive the Europe Prize (media)
• Kosovo's membership process in CoE stalls, no inclusion in May either (Koha)
• Abdullahu: We have major differences with Vetevendosje Movement (KTV)
• Syla says Trendafilova’s visit to Kosovo in May is provocative (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic welcomes Costa: Serbia committed to continuing its European path (Kosovo Online, media)
• Brnabic: Pristina’s admission to Council of Europe absolutely unacceptable for Serbia (media)

• Djuric to take part at Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting (media)

• Quint and EU Ambassadors: Formation of new Kosovo government essential for continued European integration (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Quint, EU, EULEX, OSCE and KFOR representatives visited Clinical Hospital Centre in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)
• Kosovo Health Ministry confirms inspection held at Velika Hoca Health Center (KoSSev)

• Ecological uprising urges Antonio Costa to condemn Rio Tinto project (N1)

International Media: 

• International observers condemn ‘abusive practices’ in Albania’s elections (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani to start consultations for constitution of Assembly on May 15 (media)

All media reported on Monday that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will begin consultations on the constitution of the Assembly, the Presidency announced on Monday. “President Osmani will begin a series of consultations on the issue of the constitution of the Assembly from May 15. Invitations have already been sent for the first meetings, and we are awaiting confirmations,” the announcement of the Office of the President said.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) have confirmed their participation in the consultative meeting with President Vjosa Osmani to overcome the political impasse on the constitution of the Assembly, while the Vetevendosje Movement has not yet spoken about this meeting.

Abdixhiku hails Osmani’s invitation, insists on transitional government (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku welcomed the decision of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani to hold consultative meetings with party leaders to break the deadlock in the Assembly. He also said that the LDK’s proposal for a transitional government until the election of a new president is the best solution for the current political deadlock. “Last week, the LDK offered a solution. So far it remains the only alternative that has been proposed. It is not ideal but it certainly remains responsible and state-focused. We agree that there is no majority. We agree that we are in a crisis. We agree that we eventually need elections. Let us work together then and give the country a government and the people an immediate address for their problems. A National Transitional Government – with a limited mandate, with a joint agenda and tasks until the election of the President,” Abdixhiku wrote in a Facebook post. “The LDK welcomes every opportunity aimed at emerging from this situation, including a joint meeting called by the President. But for an initiative to be successful, it should be preceded with new ideas. Insisting on old ideas, even at the meeting, implies comfort and further blockade”.

QUINT stresses to Kurti urgency for new government formation (media)

The ambassadors of the QUINT countries met on Monday with the acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, to discuss the political situation in Kosovo. The ambassadors stressed to Kurti the need to form institutions as soon as possible. “Today, the QUINT ambassadors met with the acting Prime Minister Kurti. The need to form a new government as soon as possible was emphasized, so that Kosovo can move forward towards key priorities such as advancing towards Euro-Atlantic integration,” the Italian Embassy in Kosovo announced.

Kurti meets QUINT: Kosovo has met criteria for membership in CoE (media)

Kosovo’s Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Monday with the ambassadors of the QUINT countries and the head of the European Union Office in Kosovo. The Prime Minister's Office announced that the central topic of the meeting was the process of Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, where it was stated that Kosovo has met the legal and institutional criteria to be part of this organization. Kurti stated that Kosovo's further advancement will be recognized and valued in difficult political contexts "in which principled and strategic decisions that strengthen European unity and stability are required".

“As a result of the delays in membership, the Prime Minister added, the citizens of Kosovo, including non-majority communities and other vulnerable groups, continue to be denied the right to access the European Court of Human Rights, a key protection mechanism that could significantly strengthen individual rights and accountability,” the press release states.

It was also stated that during the meeting, Kurti discussed with international representatives the way forward in the European Union integration process and recent developments in Kosovo.

Osmani: Deeply honored to receive the Europe Prize (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Monday that she deeply honored to receive the Europe Prize today in a special ceremony in Vienna, presented by the Pan-European Coudenhove-Kalergi Foundation. “This recognition reflects Kosovo’s courageous journey toward peace, democracy, and our rightful place in the European family. Two decades ago, this same prize was awarded to President Ibrahim Rugova, the founding father of our independent Republic and the visionary architect of our Euro-Atlantic path. We walk in his footsteps. Toward a Kosovo that believes. That stands tall. And that never stops moving forward,” Osmani wrote in a post on X.

Kosovo's membership process in CoE stalls, no inclusion in May either (Koha)

Kosovo will not be part of the agenda of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, within the framework of the annual session, which begins on Tuesday. In the questions of the news website regarding Kosovo's application, which has been pending since last year, the Council of Europe has only informed about the agenda. The focus this year is on Ukraine and the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

"The agenda items will include the role of the organization in the new geopolitical context as a defender of democratic security, in particular its actions in support of Ukraine and the New Democratic Pact for Europe, as well as the work of the Council of Europe in the field of the environment - following the Reykjavik Declaration (adopted at the 2023 Summit of Heads of State and Government). The ministers will also discuss cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Union," the CoE said.

Abdullahu: We have major differences with Vetevendosje Movement (KTV)

Spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Faton Abdullahu said on Monday that because of their major differences with Kurti’s Vetevendosje Movement they prefer cooperation with other parties.

Abdullahu said he favors the ideas of joining forces with other parties in order to find a way out of the current political deadlock. “We, the parties that were in the opposition, need to come together … We have differences with other parties too … but we prefer to go with the opposition parties. If we have this opportunity, we will try it. It is not easy, we know, we need to work on this,” he said.

Syla says Trendafilova’s visit to Kosovo in May is provocative (media)

The organization of KLA War Veterans are strongly against the visit to Kosovo by the President of the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo, Ekaterina Trendafilova. Deputy leader of the KLA War Veterans, Gazmend Syla, said in an interview with Klan Kosova, that the visit is a provocation. “You know that May is the month when we commemorate many massacres and martyrs. It was completely unnecessary for Trendafilova to come here now and tell us what is happening there [in the Hague],” he said. Syla also called on the media to boycott a press conference that Trendafilova is scheduled to hold today in Pristina.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic welcomes Costa: Serbia committed to continuing its European path (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic welcomed President of the European Council António Costa last evening, who arrived on an official visit to Serbia.

"I extended a warm welcome to President of the European Council António Costa, with whom I will have the opportunity to discuss tomorrow key issues in Serbia-EU relations, as well as the challenges we face on that path", Vucic wrote in a post on his official Instagram account on Monday evening.

He also said Serbia is committed to continuing its European path and is ready to work on all matters important for peace and prosperity of its people, with a responsible and partnership-based approach. "I believe in the great importance of dialogue, and of open and direct communication in times of complex geopolitical circumstances", Vucic noted.

Brnabic: Pristina’s admission to Council of Europe absolutely unacceptable for Serbia (media)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic said yesterday on the margins of the Conference of EU Parliament Speakers in Budapest that admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe is absolutely unacceptable for Serbia. During a series of meetings, she emphasized the difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo and announced that the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will soon visit Serbia.

Brnabic said she had a constructive meeting with Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), stressing that the encounter was significant for Serbia's efforts to lobby against Pristina’s membership in the Council of Europe.

“He is from Greece, so he understands all the nuances and complexities. He is well-acquainted with the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and knows how disenfranchised the Serbs and other non-Albanians are -  particularly the Serbs, and also the Roma”, Brnabic said, RTV reported. She emphasized that Rousopoulos understands why any positive decision on Pristina’s membership would be completely unacceptable and, as she said, a poor choice. She noted it is essential for Serbia to reiterate this at every meeting and present data on how Serbs live in Kosovo and how marginalized they are under the institutions led by Albin Kurti.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/qLyMP

Djuric to take part at Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric will take part in a ministerial meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, taking place on May 13 and 14 in Luxembourg, Serbian media reported.

On the margins of the meeting, Djuric will also have a number of bilateral meetings, said the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry. 

Quint and EU Ambassadors: Formation of new Kosovo government essential for continued European integration (Kosovo Online, social media)

Diplomatic representatives of the Quint countries and the European Union, who met yesterday with Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, emphasized the necessity of forming new institutions to enable Kosovo to move forward on its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“This afternoon I met Acting PM Kurti with other Quint Amb. I encouraged the formation of a new government as soon as possible to act in the interests of 🇽🇰 and its people by making progress on vital issues, such as unlocking funding & proceeding towards Euro-Atlantic integration”, British Ambassador in Pristina Jonathan Hargreaves wrote in a post on X social platform.

The Italian Embassy in Pristina also highlighted on Facebook the need for the swift formation of a new government so that Kosovo can make progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Head of the EU Office in Pristina, Aivo Orav, in a post on X social platform said ambassadors agree that Kosovo needs a stable and functional government to move forward. “The current status quo benefits no one”, Orav wrote.

German Ambassador in Pristina, Jorn Rohde, echoed this sentiment. “Kosovo needs a stable government that is capable to take decisions. Better yesterday than tomorrow. Too many important domestic + international tasks await & progress on vital issues is needed. This was the main message my Deputy conveyed along with Quint colleagues in a meeting with Acting PM Kurti”, Rohde wrote in a post on the social network Bluesky.

Also present at the meeting was U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Anu Prattipati. “Chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati and the Quint Ambassadors met today with Caretaker Prime Minister Kurti. During the meeting the CDA reinforced the need for Kosovo’s political leaders to work together to constitute the Assembly and form a stable government in accordance with the Constitution. These institutions are essential to ensure the well-being and prosperity of Kosovo’s citizens”, US Embassy said in a post on X.

Quint, EU, EULEX, OSCE and KFOR representatives visited Clinical Hospital Centre in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)

Representatives of the Quint states, EU, EULEX, OSCE and KFOR visited yesterday the Clinical Hospital Centre (CHC) in Mitrovica North, CHC said in a statement, Radio KIM reported.

As the statement added, diplomatic and international missions delegations and CHC leadership spoke about the work of this institution and its significance in providing health services to all those in need for them.

“Delegation was welcomed by Clinical Hospital Centre in Kosovska Mitrovica Director Professor Doctor Zlatan Elek and his associates, who informed the group about the work of the hospital and its mission to continue providing health services to all communities”, reads the statement of Clinical Hospital Centre.  

Kosovo Health Ministry confirms inspection held at Velika Hoca Health Center (KoSSev)

The Kosovo Ministry of Health has confirmed that the inspection conducted at the Velika Hoca Health Center was, as they said, part of a regular annual plan, focusing on essential conditions for the operation of healthcare institutions, KoSSev portal reported.

The inspection took place on May 6th, carried out by inspectors from the ministry. Bojan Pavlovic, director of the Velika Hoca Health Center, which operates under the Serbian healthcare system in Kosovo, confirmed the inspection to the media. He said two inspectors examined medications and their excise stamps, requested the list of employees, and inquired about the center’s operating license. He also said inspectors checked the vehicles used by the health center. The Kosovo Ministry of Health denied this in their response to KoSSev, saying that vehicles were not part of the inspection.

Political Implications

The inspection raised concerns as it marked a rare instance of the Kosovo health ministry inspecting a healthcare institution operating under the Serbian system. This prompted questions about whether the inspection violated the Brussels Agreement, as healthcare was not publicly discussed during negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.

Despite the unusual nature of the inspection, the portal continues, there was no official reaction from Belgrade on the day it took place. In contrast, strong responses came from the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and the Serbian List party regarding the simultaneous shutdown of the “SrbijaŠume“ company in Leposavic.

Ecological uprising urges Antonio Costa to condemn Rio Tinto project (N1)

Ahead of European Council President Antonio Costa’s visit to Serbia, the Ecological Uprising movement issued a statement saying that the people of Serbia will not stand by silently while their country is being destroyed for the profit of multinational corporations, N1 reported.

“The Rio Tinto project is an ecological catastrophe that threatens to leave behind poisoned water, devastated land, and displaced communities. This is not just a fight against one project, it is a fight for the people’s right to decide their own future and to live in a healthy environment”, the movement said in a statement.

They added if the European Union supports such projects, that raises serious questions about the kind of future it is offering Serbia. “Lithium exploitation cannot be a condition for European integration”, said the Ecological Uprising. “We call on Mr. Costa to publicly condemn the Rio Tinto project and to stand with the people of Serbia in their fight to protect nature, health, and freedom. Europe needs to understand that the citizens’ struggle in Serbia will not stop”, the movement said.

International 

International observers condemn ‘abusive practices’ in Albania’s elections (Balkan Insight)

International observers criticised 'widespread intimidation and abuse of public resources' in Sunday's election – which Edi Rama's ruling Socialist Party looks set to win by a landslide.

International observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on Monday expressed strong criticism of Albania’s parliamentary elections, which the ruling Socialist Party appeared to have won easily.

The OSCE-ODIHR election observers said abuse of state resources was evident and the media had failed to provide diverse and honest coverage.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/APEom