Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani, Barduani talk cooperation between KFOR and K-institutions (media)
• Prattipati visits north of Kosovo, “stability and security is key” (media)
• SL calls for compromise, while Pristina closes Serbia’s institutions (RFE)
• Osmani meets Limaj regarding efforts to constitute the new Assembly (media)
• President Osmani received life threatening threat email, advisor confirms (media)
• Antonini meets Kurti, discuss recent developments (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic meets with Fidan (Tanjug)
• Djuric meets with Turkish FM (Tanjug)
• Prattipati visits north: It is responsibility of Kosovo Government to ensure all can live in a peaceful manner (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media, social media)
• Bishop Teodosije met new OSCE Head: Pressing need to preserve SOC cultural and spiritual heritage (KoSSev, social media)
• Serbian PM Macut cancels meeting with academic community (Danas, N1, BETA)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani, Barduani talk cooperation between KFOR and K-institutions (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Monday with COMKFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, as part of regular meetings for strategic cooperation between Kosovo institutions and the NATO mission. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that she highlighted the current security challenges in Kosovo, with special emphasis on border security and the need to prevent and avoid any effort for destabilization by Serbia. “The President also highlighted the importance of continuous cooperation and mutual engagement. The President and the COMKFOR reaffirmed the joint commitment for continuous cooperation, in line with the mandate of NATO and the shared interest for peace and stability in the region,” the press release notes.

A post by KFOR on Facebook notes that the meeting was part of Major General Barduani’s regular interactions with his relevant counterparts in Kosovo and across the region. “The current situation and cooperation between KFOR and the Institutions in Kosovo were the main themes of the meeting. General Barduani conveyed to Ms Osmani his hope for a prompt unlocking of the current political stalemate, in order to promptly resume dealing with the most urging challenges for the region. He also underscored KFOR’s continued, good cooperation with the Kosovo security organizations and the importance of regular communication and coordination, for the benefit of lasting security across Kosovo and of regional stability,” the post notes.

Prattipati visits north of Kosovo, “stability and security is key” (media)

U.S. Embassy Charge d’affaires Anu Prattipati visited the north of Kosovo on Monday where she met with civil society leaders, political representatives, and the Kosovo Police. “The CDA reiterated the stance of the U.S. government: stability and security is key. It is the responsibility of the Government of Kosovo to ensure all citizens can live in a peaceful manner,” the U.S. embassy said in a Facebook post.

SL calls for compromise, while Pristina closes Serbia’s institutions (RFE)

The news website reported on Monday that the Serbian List has called on the Quint countries – the U.S., UK, Germany, Italy and France – to engage in finding a compromise solution for the functioning of the Iber water supply enterprise, Kosovo’s authorities are continuing to close institutions that operate under Serbia’s system. 

Serbian List leader Zlatan Elek told a press conference on May 14 that his party “is always ready for a compromise solution” through dialogue. “Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone to talk to, because the dialogue with the authorities in Pristina does not exist, they refuse it,” he said.

The news website notes that this is the first case that the Serbian List calls for a compromise to the closure of Serbian-run institutions which the authorities of Kosovo consider parallel and illegal, and which they started closing in early 2024.

The Government of Kosovo did not respond to questions from the news website if there is readiness for dialogue on the further operation of Belgrade-financed institutions. 

Dritero Arifi, political commentator from Pristina, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that the Serbian List’s request for compromise is late and that this party should have addressed it earlier before starting its boycott of Kosovo’s institutions in 2022. He also argued that the Serbian List has lost credibility after boycotting local elections in the north of Kosovo in 2023 and 2024 and that the reality on the ground has changed. “This issue [the closure of Serbian institutions] is more related to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and the implementation of the Brussels Agreement. But ultimately, without a final agreement and mutual recognition, there will be no real dialogue in this regard,” he added.

Ognjen Gogic, a Belgrade-based political commentator, said that it is not in the interest of Kosovo authorities to stop the services of municipal enterprises and that he believes a solution will be found for their operations. He however said that this will not be possible for other Serbian institutions that operate in parallel with Kosovo’s authorities, such as municipalities, centers for social labor, and others. “It depends if those institutions are necessary for Kosovo. For those that are necessary, it is inevitable to find a solution,” Gogic said.

Osmani meets Limaj regarding efforts to constitute the new Assembly (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Monday with NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj as part of efforts to break the political deadlock and constitute the new Assembly of Kosovo. In a short post on Facebook, Osmani said the meeting came after Limaj’s request. Osmani’s office did not reveal details from the meeting and Limaj has not disclosed any information.

President Osmani received life threatening threat email, advisor confirms (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani received a life-threatening email from an anonymous address, Bekim Kupina, an advisor to the President said in a media statement. “The threat this week is a continuation of death threats against President Osmani,” he said. 

Kupina criticized judicial authorities for failing to act in such cases. “Despite a dozen threats – most of them death threats – no action has been taken against those that made the threats for years now,” he said.

Kupina said that “in most cases” the threats are made “with names, last names and from identifiable profiles” but did not reveal further details about the threats. “Some threats were even made in TV shows, but even then, there were no actions to hold those that made the threats accountable,” he argued. “This dangerous climate incites others to follow the same model: inciting violence, calls for physical elimination and total disregard for the constitutional order”.

Antonini meets Kurti, discuss recent developments (media)

Italian Ambassador Maurizio Antonini met on Monday with Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who welcomed him to his new post and expressed gratitude for Italy’s continued support to Kosovo, particularly through KFOR. “They discussed recent developments and ways to further strengthen an already excellent partnership,” the Italian Embassy said in a Facebook post.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic meets with Fidan (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Belgrade on Monday, saying on this occasion that Serbia attaches significance to its relations with Turkey, Tanjug news agency reported.

"I am confident that our discussion will contribute to further strengthening of Serbia-Turkey relations, characterised by intensive political dialogue and comprehensive cooperation, from the economy and energy to tourism, culture and education", Vucic wrote in an Instagram post.

He added he was especially pleased Turkey had confirmed its participation in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and noted that the move was another confirmation of a strong partnership and mutual trust. "Serbia especially attaches significance to the relations with Turkey, which, in view of its great influence, is important for the stability of the entire region", Vucic also wrote in the post.

Djuric meets with Turkish FM (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Belgrade on Monday. Djuric and Fidan discussed in detail the numerous aspects of bilateral relations and opportunities for continued advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation based on clearly expressed political will of the two sides and a quality relationship between the heads of the two states, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Djuric said Serbia-Turkey cooperation could have a key role in creating lasting stability in the Western Balkans and noted that Serbia was substantially interested in building a peaceful and prosperous region. He informed Hakan in detail of the situation in Kosovo, noting that continuing the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, deadlocked for years due to Albin Kurti and Pristina’s unilateral moves, was imperative.

Djuric voiced the expectation Turkey would show understanding for Serbia's positions and contribute to creating a positive atmosphere for continued productive dialogue between representatives of Belgrade and Pristina on normalisation of relations.

Prattipati visits north: It is responsibility of Kosovo Government to ensure all can live in a peaceful manner (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media, social media)

US Embassy in Pristina Charge d'affaires Anu Prattipati visited the north of Kosovo yesterday, KoSSev portal reported. “Charge d’affaires Anu Prattipati had a productive visit to the north of Kosovo today, meeting with civil society leaders, political representatives, and the Kosovo Police. The CDA reiterated the stance of the U.S. government: stability and security is key. It is the responsibility of the Government of Kosovo to ensure all citizens can live in a peaceful manner”, US Embassy said in a post on X on Monday.

The portal said although specific names were not mentioned in a post, based on photos published on the US Embassy in Pristina X account it could be seen that Prattipati met with Kosovo police deputy commander for the region North, Veton Elshani, leader of the Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic and Milija Bisevac from Serbian Peoples’ Movement. She also had a meeting with civil society representatives in the north. 

Meanwhile, leader of the Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic in a post on Facebook said he expressed during the meeting “serious concern over escalation of events on the ground and appealed to the US not to stay by side at the moment when rights and security of the Serbs are seriously endangered”.  

“We firmly believe the US has a crucial role in Kosovo both morally and politically. We believe that they have, as it is said, a carrot and a stick. That is why we expect their concrete and responsible reaction, and not neutral observation of the situation”, Arenijevic added. 

Bishop Teodosije met new OSCE Head: Pressing need to preserve SOC cultural and spiritual heritage (KoSSev, social media)

Raska-Prizren Diocese Bishop Teodosije met the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Gerard McGurk at Gracanica Monastery on Monday, KoSSev portal reported.

“In a cordial and open conversation, Metropolitan Teodosije informed Ambassador McGurk about the challenges faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) and the Serbian people in Kosovo, with particular emphasis on security problems, violations of human and religious rights, and the pressing need to preserve the SOC cultural and spiritual heritage in Kosovo.

Ambassador McGurk expressed his gratitude for the reception and reiterated the OSCE Mission’s commitment to continuing its monitoring efforts on the ground, supporting the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and religious freedoms. @OSCEKosovo #Kosovo”, Raska-Prizren Diocese said in a post on X. 

Serbian PM Macut cancels meeting with academic community (Danas, N1, BETA)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut called off a meeting with representatives of the academic community that was scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, Danas daily reported. The Serbian Government said Macut will instead speak at the 8th Jahorina Economic Forum in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

Danas reported that the last meeting at the Serbian Government, attended by a delegation from the University of Belgrade led by Rector Vladan Djokic, along with rectors of other public universities, took place on May 8. Djokic said at the time that no conclusions were reached and assessed that, after three meetings with the prime minister on normalizing operations of university faculties in Serbia, he does not see “any significant progress”.