Albanian Language Media: 

• Kurti: Those who don't believe me that I have 61 votes, let them test me (RTK)
• Sorensen in Berlin, discusses normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)
• Osmani to start her  visit to Switzerland today (media)
• Police initiate criminal case after life threat to President Osmani (media)
• Hargreaves: Kosovo should form assembly and government as soon as possible (media)
• Krasniqi: Kosovo urgently needs to break the blockade (media)
• PDK blames Kurti for political blockade and price hike (media)
• Croatia sends military contingent to Kosovo (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Reactions to seizure of Red Cross facility in Zubin Potok continue (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media, social media)
• Hargraves: Actions in north undermine Pristina’s claims that all those living here are welcome (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• OSCE: We are concerned about developments in north, including latest operation at Gazivode (Kosovo Online)
• Diocese of Raska-Prizren files new criminal complaint against fake priest Nikolla Xhufka (media, social media)
• Italian KFOR donates new spotlights for Visoki Dečani Monastery (KoSSev, social media)
• Djuric: Serbia regional leader in remembrance of genocide victims (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti: Those who don't believe me that I have 61 votes, let them test me (RTK)

Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, during an exclusive interview with national broadcaster RTK, has called on all those who do not believe that he has 61 votes to become prime minister in the third mandate, to test it, and he said that they can do this by voting for Albulena Haxhiu for speaker of parliament, and this, according to him, would be a victory for them.

Kurti confirmed that Glauk Konjufca will be a minister in the “Kurti 3” government. He said that Konjufa is returning to the executive and Haxhiu to the legislative.

Kurti has said that the main reason why a cooperation agreement was not reached with the Social Democratic Initiative was the insistence of its leader, Fatmir Limaj, to take the position of speaker of parliament.

According to Kurti, opposition MPs are under heavy pressure from their party leaders, and that a secret voting would allow them to vote freely and express their true will.

Kurti also said that he does not want a coalition with the PDK, because according to him, this party needs to remain in opposition for at least one more mandate. “I have offered a coalition to the LDK because I consider the the closest to co-govern both in terms of orientations and experiences, but also in terms of our electorates, it would be the right coalition. LVV, plus LDK, plus non-Serb minorities would become 77, and even if we add 3 from Nisma, we would become 80”, he said.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that he does not call foreign ambassadors accredited to Kosovo to talk about Kosovo's internal affairs.

Among other issues Kurti spoke about the Serbian List saying that it was a historic chance not to certify  the Serbian List by the CEC, but according to him, this was prevented by the opposition. He added that now he has the impression that Albulena Haxhiu is being attacked more than Serbia.

Sorensen in Berlin, discusses normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)

The European Union's envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Peter Sorensen, met in Berlin with State Secretary Geza von Geyr and Foreign Policy Adviser to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Gunter Sautter. 

“Always good to be in Berlin, Germany. Very good first meetings with State Secretary Géza von Geyr and Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to Chancellor Merz, Günter Sautter. We discussed how to advance normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Grateful for Germany’s support to EU efforts,” Sorensen wrote in a post on the “X” platform.

Osmani to start her  visit to Switzerland today (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will begin her visit to Switzerland today, at the invitation of President Karin Kuller-Sutter. She will be received with a state ceremony and high military honors by Keller-Sutter, at the central Bundesplatz square in Bern. 

As part of the official agenda, President Osmani will hold meetings with the President of Switzerland and the Federal Council, as well as deliver a speech at the Swiss Parliament. Both presidents will also hold a joint press conference. “In honor of President Osmani and the delegation from Kosovo, President Keller-Sutter will organize a state banquet, honoring in this manner the lasting friendship and partnership between the two states,” the Presidency announced.

On the second day of the visit, Osmani and Keller-Sutter will visit a manufacturing company in eastern Switzerland, as well as a center at the University of Saint Gallen.

Police initiate criminal case after the life threat to President Osmani (media)

The Kosovo Police has initiated a criminal case regarding the life threat made to Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, through the official e-mail of the Presidency, on May 15, the day when Osmani began consultations with party leaders to find a way out of the institutional impasse. “The Kosovo Police received the information you are referring to a few days ago, according to the procedures, the State Prosecutor was notified and a criminal case was initiated,” the Police’s response states.

Hargreaves: Kosovo should form assembly and government as soon as possible (media)

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, has called on Kosovo’s political leadership to form a new assembly and government as soon as possible. Hargreaves called for determination from Kosovo’s political leaders, across the political spectrum, saying that Kosovo needs to take the initiative and avoid having its future determined by the actions of others. He encouraged Kosovo to offer pragmatism, not purist positions. “Several Western Balkan countries are making good progress towards EU accession. If concrete steps towards peace in Ukraine materialize, progress towards EU membership could also be accelerated.”

“The UK would also like to see Kosovo in NATO – once its forces and monitoring mechanisms meet the relevant standards. In order to achieve these goals, Kosovo will need excellent active diplomacy – including taking difficult decisions – to achieve both goals, it must start with new steps forward in the normalisation process with Serbia,” Hargreaves said in his column distributed to the media.

The British ambassador further said that Kosovo must be ready to advance its interests as he added that “we in the UK want Kosovo to be part of the Council of Europe”. “Kosovo’s membership could be voted on at any moment – ​​once Kosovo has done the hard work of convincing member states that its impressive legal framework is backed by a genuine intention to protect non-majority communities,” he said.

Krasniqi: Kosovo urgently needs to break the blockade (media)

Memli Krasniqi, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), received on Tuesday the new Ambassador of Italy to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini. Krasniqi said that during the meeting they also talked about the current political situation in Kosovo, adding that Kosovo urgently needs to break the blockade. Krasniqi said that PDK is always ready for communication with local factors and international friends. “…because citizens are facing great challenges and need functional institutions and concrete actions – not endless waiting. PDK has proven that it is always ready for communication – with all local factors and with our international friends – for the good of the country and our citizens”, he wrote. 

PDK blames Kurti for political blockade and price hike (media)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) called a press conference on Tuesday where member of PDK’s leadership Arben Mustafa said that at a time when Kosovo still does not have a constituted Parliament even after 18 attempts, there is an acceleration of the increase in the prices of basic products. He raised the alarm for a double-digit increase in the prices of basic products. “The data for April show a double-digit increase in the prices of basic products, which affect every citizen, every family. The prices of products such as meat, oils and fats, fruits, as well as coffee and tea increased by 10 to 16.4%. On the other hand, workers, pensioners and beneficiaries of various social categories continue to have no increase in income”, he said. 

Mustafa said that Kosovo’s economy continues to face a further deterioration in the trade deficit, as a result of the decline in exports and the increase in imports, noting that in the first three months of this year alone, this deficit reached 1.4 billion euros. According to Mustafa, this unfavorable trade position for businesses is expected to deepen further through measures to impede the energy supply within Kosovo.

“The decision to bring businesses into the open energy supply market, without any preparatory measures and without ensuring that there will be genuine competition in the energy supplier market, is expected to increase energy supply costs by around 260% for businesses with over 50 employees or over 10 million euros in annual turnover. Such a large increase in energy bills for some businesses could mean business closure, while for others it could mean a major blow to their competitive position, making exports from Kosovo companies much more expensive and, as a result, even fewer than they currently are,” Mustafa said, among other things, at this conference.

According to the PDK official, fewer exports from Kosovo companies mean fewer jobs in Kosovo, less income for Kosovo families and fewer taxes paid. “In a word, this government is severely hitting the private sector and, with this, is hitting the main pillar of employment and income generation for Kosovo families,” he added.

He further criticized the outgoing Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, for not being sensitive to this open threat to Kosovo’s economy, therefore, according to him, he does not see the urgency of opening the way to unblock the institutions. “Every additional day of this blockade is weighing on the present and future of the state of Kosovo, as well as on the quality of life of every family in Kosovo. Therefore, today we call on the party that came first in the elections to take the responsibility that belongs to it for unblocking the process of constituting the Assembly and to pave the way for the creation of a responsible government that works for a better life for the citizens of Kosovo,” Mustafa concluded.

Croatia sends military contingent to Kosovo (Koha)

A contingent of Croatian soldiers was sent to support KFOR troops in Kosovo on Tuesday, the Croatian Ministry of Defense announced. “Your tasks in KFOR are challenging and involve much more than a military approach. I believe that you will know how to choose the right way to overcome challenges, always remaining, in every situation, in many ways ambassadors of Croatia,” said Major General Drago Matanovic.

Serbian Language Media

Reactions to seizure of Red Cross facility in Zubin Potok continue (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media, social media)

Water company Ibar Lepenac, assisted by Kosovo police, took over yesterday the facility of Red Cross of Kosovo and Metohija in Zubin Potok municipality at Gazivode lake. The building in question was reconstructed with the funds of the Serbian Government and officially inaugurated in 2018, Serbian media extensively reported about.

The Serbian Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs in the strongest terms condemned the closure of the Serbian institutions in northern Kosovo, more particularly entry of Ibar-Lepenac workers into the premises of Red Cross of Kosovo and Metohija. In a statement issued to the media, the Ministry said this is about “yet another attempt of violent usurpation of the Serbian institutions and intimidation of the Serbian people in the north of the Province”. Highlighting importance of Red Cross as internationally recognized institution and activities it undertakes to help those in need, the Ministry said that “repressive and illegal actions” against Serbian social, humanitarian and health institutions in Kosovo clearly point out, as they said, “genocidal intent of Kurti’s regime, undertaking all it can to deprive Serbs from the elementary resources for life and drive them out of Kosovo”.

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric in a post on X social platform said the “raid of Kurti’s police in Zubin Potok represents not only grave violation of the protected status of a humanitarian institution, but also a serious breach of the international norms and conventions”.  Djuric called on the international community to react and demand full accountability from those responsible. Read the full Djuric’s post at: https://tinyurl.com/y23smz4j

Serbian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Nemanja Starovic said the raid of the Kosovo police of the Red Cross facility in Zubin Potok was shocking. “This reckless raid on a beacon of aid for Serbian people undermines the rule of law & endangers vulnerable lives. Demand accountability for this outrageous violation of compassion!”, Starovic wrote in a post on X social platform.

The Permanent Mission of Serbia to the UN in Geneva demanded an adequate response from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Mission asked concrete steps be undertaken over, as they said, “ongoing illegal operations” by Pristina authorities, Kosovo Online said it learnt from diplomatic sources. It also condemned this Pristina’s act and the fact that the search was carried out without the presence of staff members, as Kosovo police did not allow them to enter. Ambassador of Serbia to the UN in Geneva Milan Milanovic also spoke with representatives of the ICRC in Geneva and demanded their urgent reaction to the seizure of Red Cross of Kosovo and Metohija facility, which is a fully fledged part of ICRC. 

The Red Cross of Kosovo and Metohija said Kosovo police without reasons raided on Tuesday Educational-Recreational Centre of this organization at Gazivode lake in Zubin Potok which is used for training in humanitarian programs for volunteers and associates. This is a grave violation of the Basic Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, while the premises and equipment are now not available to the members, they said in a statement. “This act of Kosovo police caused additional insecurity and fear among all organizations of the Red Cross in Kosovo and Metohija, as a serious concern in the general structure of the Red Cross of Serbia”. It was also said that the Red Cross of Serbia immediately requested the highest bodies of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent for immediate protection of functioning and safe conditions for the work of the Red Cross in Kosovo. 

Hargraves: Actions in north undermine Pristina’s claims that all those living here are welcome (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, Radio KIM)

The recent actions carried out in northern Kosovo have disrupted the daily lives of Kosovo Serb community and undermine Kosovo’s claims that all people - regardless of ethnicity - are welcome, British Ambassador in Pristina, Jonathan Hargreaves wrote in an op-ed, as reported by Radio KiM. He warned that Kosovo must be politically prepared to protect non-majority communities if it aspires to membership in international organizations.

In the article, Ambassador Hargreaves reaffirmed the UK’s support for Kosovo membership in the Council of Europe, but emphasized that Kosovo's “impressive legal framework” must be matched by a genuine commitment to protecting the rights of minority communities.

Actions in northern Kosovo in recent weeks have deprived ordinary children and adults in the Kosovo Serb community of peaceful access to everyday services, such as sports clubs. These actions undermine Kosovo's assertion that everyone who lives here - regardless of ethnicity, gender, or background - is welcome, he added.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3h2wnrym

OSCE: We are concerned about developments in north, including latest operation at Gazivode (Kosovo Online)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said it is closely and with concern monitoring the latest developments in northern Kosovo, including yesterday’s operation that involved the Red Cross facility near Gazivode, the Mission told Kosovo Online portal.

“We are aware of developments in northern Kosovo, including today’s operation involving the Serbian Red Cross facility at Gazivode. The Mission continues to follow the situation with concern, particularly as it affects the functioning of public service providers and institutions that support local communities”, the OSCE said in a statement to the portal.

The organization emphasized the importance of uninterrupted and sustained access to essential services for all communities in Kosovo. It warned that actions affecting such services - especially when conducted without sustainable alternatives, community consultation, or ensured institutional continuity - can have a disproportionate and negative impact on non-majority communities. “The OSCE reiterates its call for all such issues to be addressed through constructive engagement and dialogue”, the Mission also said.

Diocese of Raska-Prizren files new criminal complaint against fake priest Nikolla Xhufka (media, social media)

The Diocese of Raška-Prizren of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as the aggrieved party, filed a criminal complaint in Podujevo through its representatives and in the presence of EULEX officials. The complaint was lodged with the Kosovo Police against Nikolla Xhufka, an Albanian citizen with a purported temporary residence in Pristina, as well as against unidentified persons whose identities are to be determined during the investigation. The complaint is based on Article 141.3 of the Kosovo Criminal Code (inciting discord or intolerance) and Article 320 of the Criminal Code (illegal occupation of another’s property), the Diocese said in a statement on Tuesday.

The criminal complaint against Nikolla Xhufka, who falsely presents himself as an “Orthodox clergyman,” and his accomplices was submitted due to his recent repeat break-in at the 14th-century Church of St. Archangel Michael in the village of Rakitnica near Podujevo. According to Xhufka’s Facebook post from May 18 of this year, he forcibly entered the church (after the Diocese had previously changed the lock) and performed a so-called religious service in the church, which he this time proclaimed as the “Monastery of St. Alban”, the statement added.

Read the full statement of Raska-Prizren Diocese at: https://shorturl.at/4as6H  

Italian KFOR donates new spotlights for Visoki Dečani Monastery (KoSSev, social media)

“On behalf of the #Italian Army Colonel Francesco Errico, Commander of KFOR Regional Command West, today presented a donation of new spotlights and other lighting equipment for the nave of the Visoki Dečani Monastery church”, the Monastery wrote in a post on X social platform, KoSSev portal repported. 

“The original lighting system for the frescoes of Visoki Dečani was installed in 2016 by the company Devotee, using equipment from the renowned Italian manufacturer iGuzzini, internationally recognised for producing specialised lighting for churches, museums, and cultural monuments around the world. Since the original fixtures were in need of replacement after nine years, KFOR, following last year’s donation of lighting for the church narthex, decided this year to donate new spotlights for the illumination of the central part of the church.

For the first time in seven centuries, all the frescoes in the Dečani church can now be clearly seen, thanks to this lighting system. With modern technology, the new spotlights are programmed to illuminate different zones and levels of the church interior.

The Abbot of the monastery, Fr. Sava, together with Fr. Peter, expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the monastic brotherhood to Colonel Errico for this valuable donation @NATO_KFOR @Esercito”, the statement added. 

Djuric: Serbia regional leader in remembrance of genocide victims (Tanjug)

A panel titled Genocide - A Shared Story of the Serbs and Jews in the XX Century was held in Novi Sad on Tuesday. Addressing the event, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said Serbia was the leader in this part of the world when it comes to a culture of remembrance and that it would continue to remember victims.

"With this panel, together with the Svetozar Miletic Foundation, the Centre for Social Stability, which is the organiser of this event, has demonstrated intellectual courage and a readiness to oppose Machiavellianism in politics", Djuric said.

He added that the two institutions had the strength to oppose brutal misuses of sensitive and painful topics such as issues related to the term and concept of genocide, as well as historical revisionism.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ymfcd86a