UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 27, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Defender Europe 2025; Kurti: Proof of growing US trust in Kosovo govt (media)
Maqedonci: Kosovo at highest peak of cooperation with U.S. in defense (KTV)
Osmani: It is time for NATO to open its doors to Kosovo (media)
Osmani meets Rutte; “Kosovo firmly committed to its path toward NATO” (media)
Former Kosovo MP first stopped then released by Serbian authorities (media)
Rexhaj: There is a great possibility for a coalition with NISMA (media)
Osmani receives a second threatening email in ten days (media)
Caretaker government ready to discuss “return hubs” for migrants with UK (RFE)
Presevo Valley Albanians risk remaining without representation in police (media)
Svecla reacts to vacancy announced for police in Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian delegation calls for postponement of decision on Pristina's CoE guest status (Tanjug)
KFOR deeply concerned over recent events in Mitrovica North, calls on Kosovo police to conduct thorough investigation (Kosovo Online)
Serb in Kosovo fined 3.000 euros for wearing shirt with reference to Serbian Emperor Dusan (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Svecla is last person who can lecture Serbia about minorities (media)
People on two years since takeover of municipalities in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
UNS and DNKiM: Stop labeling and criminalization of Kosovo Online editorial team (Kosovo Online, Radio kontakt plus)
Former Kosovo Assembly MP arrested then released at Merdare crossing point (KoSSev)

International Media:

Kosovo probes police officer accused of injuring Serb pupil (BIRN)
Kosovo retrial shortens Serb ex-policeman’s jail term (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Defender Europe 2025; Kurti: Proof of growing US trust in Kosovo govt (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the US-led military exercise “Defender Europe 2025” will help strengthen the cooperation between the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and armies of partner countries. He said in a Facebook post on Monday that the presence of U.S. troops and other allies in Kosovo is proof of the growing trust that the United States of America and other international partners have in “Kosovo’s institutions and the professionalism of its army”. “Kosovo is proving that it is capable of hosting and organizing on its territory complex exercises that require very high-level planning, organization and support,” he said.

Maqedonci: Kosovo at highest peak of cooperation with U.S. in defense (KTV)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said on Monday that the United States has trusted Kosovo with being part and host of the Defender Europe 2025 military exercise, and that Kosovo is currently at the highest peak of cooperation with the U.S. in defense. “This is an exceptional achievement for our country, because we are part of the exercise and also a host country among 18 states. The special part about this is that the U.S. have trusted the Republic of Kosovo with being a host of the command that will direct all exercises and activities in the region of the Balkans,” Maqedonci said.

Osmani: It is time for NATO to open its doors to Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in her speech at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in the United States that “it is time for NATO to open its doors to the Republic of Kosovo”. “Kosovo is already doing its part by spending two percent of its GDP in defense and in the next few years we’re aiming to double that because being able to defend our hard-won peace is one of our most important missions. And it is now up to NATO to open its doors to partners like Kosovo who has long been contributing to defending our shared values at the benefit of global security. So the same way that our beautiful flag is standing right there through our membership in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly I do hope that the same will happen when it comes to membership in the NATO alliance,” Osmani said.

Osmani’s full speech at: https://rb.gy/17zuje

Osmani meets Rutte; “Kosovo firmly committed to its path toward NATO” (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X on Monday that she met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton and they “discussed the security situation in Kosovo and the indispensable role NATO continues to play in safeguarding peace and stability across our region”. Osmani also said that Kosovo remains firmly committed to its path toward NATO membership and to building a secure future for all its citizens.

Former Kosovo MP first stopped then released by Serbian authorities (media)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that a former member of the Kosovo Assembly – Gramos Agusholli – was stopped by Serbian authorities at the Merdare crossing as he was travelling to Slovenia. The Ministry later said that Agusholli was released and that he was on his way to Slovenia. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to closely follow every situation that threatens the rights of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and calls on the International Community to react to Serbia and to stop repressive practices that go against the basic principles of international law and international conventions for human rights,” the statement notes.

Agusholli wrote in a Facebook post after his release: “Today, on the way to Ljubljana, Slovenia, I was stopped by Serbian authorities at the Merdare border point. Unexpected stop, for no apparent reason and not easy at all especially when traveling with family and facing unnecessary tension. I would like to let you know that we are now well and have continued our journey, but I can't say this experience was easy! Facing this reality, even in 2025, is painful and disappointing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who were worried, who wrote to me, who contacted my family. A special thank you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Kosovo's Liaison Office in Belgrade, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and all those who engaged and contributed to my release!”

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti reacted in a Facebook post saying that “Serbia does not miss a chance to prove that it does not intend to have normal and neighborly relations. The latest proof of this is the stopping of a former member of the Kosovo Assembly, Gramush Agusholli, by Serbian authorities at the Merdare border crossing for hours. Such practices which are constantly used with the purpose of mistreating and intimidating our citizens must be condemned strongly and unanimously by the international community too. I commend our institutions and partner countries for their swift and successful reaction”.

Rexhaj: There is a great possibility for a coalition with NISMA (media)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement (VV), Arber Rexhaj, said on Monday that there is a great possibility for a coalition between VV and NISMA led by Fatmir Limaj. He also said that it is unfair for a party with three MPs to request posts of great political importance. “Agreements are finalized with the signatures of both parties. There have been talks and communications but no agreement. There is room and a great possibility to have a coalition between VV and NISMA. This agreement is reached by the two leaders, and it is not important for me where I see Limaj but it needs to be an agreement in the spirit of cooperation and one that leads to the formation of the new government,” he argued.

Osmani receives a second threatening email in ten days (media)

The Office of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has received a second threatening email in the last ten days. The information was confirmed by an unnamed official in Osmani’s office.

Caretaker government ready to discuss “return hubs” for migrants with UK (RFE)

Kosovo’s caretaker government said on Monday it was ready to discuss with the United Kingdom about the proposal to build “return hubs” in Kosovo for failed asylum seekers in the UK. Spokesperson for the government, Perparim Kryeziu, said in an interview with the news website that “we want to help the United Kingdom, our friend, partner and ally, and its Labour government”. “We believe it is right to say that we can start discussions on this topic, but all our state institutions need to get involved and then the decision will depend on their recommendations. Many questions will have to get prior answers,” he said.

The proposal to build return hubs is part of a wider strategy by the UK to address the increasing number of migrants that reach the island through illegal routes. According to The Times, these hubs would serve to shelter asylum seekers that have concluded the appeals process and are awaiting deportation.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has already said that Kosovo would be open to discussing housing the UK’s failed asylum seekers. She said last week: “There’s been no formal talks with the UK on this issue. It hasn’t been raised so far. We would be open to discussing it, however, I can’t say more than that because I don’t know the details. I cannot give an answer on a request that hasn’t been made so far”.

Meanwhile the Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that using the Balkans countries as host countries for migrants can lead to the violation of their rights and create new challenges for the host countries. In a recent statement, the organization said that the EU and the UK should stop using the Balkans “as a warehouse for migrants”.

Presevo Valley Albanians risk remaining without representation in police (media)

The Albanian National Council in Serbia said in a statement on Monday that Albanians in Presevo Valley risk remaining without representation in the police force and other state institutions as no Albanian candidate has been admitted in the latest vacancy announced by the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs. Head of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi, said: “this is an alarming signal that shows the continuous and systematic discrimination against Albanians by state institutions, despite international agreements and the obligations of the state”.

Svecla reacts to vacancy announced for police in Serbia (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, reacted to the news that no Albanian candidate has been admitted in the latest vacancy announced by police in Serbia. He said that 10 percent of the Kosovo Police are from the communities. “10 percent of the total of Kosovo Police are from the communities and over 50 percent of this figure are from the Serb community. In the last three processes, separate for the communities, 210 new members have been admitted from the Serb community,” he said in a Facebook post.

Svecla further argued that “Serbia is increasingly displaying its discriminatory approach against Albanians in Presevo Valley, and at its core is the ethnic cleansing [of Albanians there]”. “This ethnic cleansing that Serbia is carrying out in every form against Albanians living in Presevo Valley, by violating their every basic right, should be condemned and stopped immediately by the international community,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

Serbian delegation calls for postponement of decision on Pristina's CoE guest status (Tanjug)

The Serbian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) met with PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos on Monday to discuss the situation in Kosovo, especially regarding Pristina’s request for special guest status in the Council of Europe (CoE) and Pristina's pending commitments, including establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities, Tanjug news agency reported. The meeting took place on the Greek island of Crete, where the PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy is meeting on Monday and Tuesday.

The Serbian Delegation expressed concern over an escalation of violence and pressure by the Albin Kurti-led authorities in Pristina against Serbs in Kosovo. The delegation members also asked Rousopoulos whether there was a possibility of a postponement of a decision on Kosovo CoE special guest status in view of Pristina's violations of fundamental human rights and failure to meet undertaken international commitments, a source in the delegation told Tanjug.

As Tanjug news agency reported Rousopoulos said he himself was aware of the numerous mistakes committed by Kurti and said his political practice was unacceptable. He said a decision to recommend Pristina’s admission to CoE had been made by the PACE and that everything was now up to the Committee of Ministers, which he noted was divided on the issue at this time.

KFOR deeply concerned over recent events in Mitrovica North, calls on Kosovo police to conduct thorough investigation (Kosovo Online)

We are deeply concerned over the recent events in Mitrovica North and expect Kosovo police to conduct thorough investigation into the incident. Any form of violence is unacceptable, KFOR said in a response to Kosovo Online portal. As it was further said “KFOR carefully monitors the situation and is well positioned to respond to any development of events that may impact security in Kosovo and regional stability”.

"We call on all actors to refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions that could further worsen the situation and negatively affect security and stability in Kosovo. KFOR continues to implement its UN mandate, based on Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999, to contribute to a safe environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo, at all times and impartially, in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), in their respective roles as the security responders", KFOR said in a statement to Kosovo Online.

The portal recalled that according to videos published on social networks, Friday's incident took place at the pedestrian zone in North Mitrovica, near the main bridge on Ibar River. The footage shows a member of Kosovo police lunging on a Serbian high school student and grabbing him by the neck several times. Previously Albanians sitting in cafes at the promenade and students who celebrated the end of the school year exchanged gestures each side considered offensive and provocative.

Serb in Kosovo fined 3000 euros for wearing shirt with reference to Serbian Emperor Dusan (Tanjug)

A basic court in Pristina has fined a Serb man from Kosovo for wearing a shirt with the inscriptions “We Are Not Letting Them Take You, Dusan's Land” and “Ravna Gora Movement - Ibarski Kolasin”, which the prosecutor said were nationalistic, Tanjug news agency reported citing Pristina-based media outlets.

Stefan Spasojevic from the Dren village near Zubin Potok was ordered to pay a 3,000 euro fine for allegedly causing "discord and ethnic intolerance". The first inscription is a reference to Stefan Uros IV Dusan, a XIV century Serbian king and subsequently emperor who also ruled in the territory of Kosovo.

Spasojevic was seen wearing the shirt in his village in October 2023. Initially, he was sentenced to six months in prison, but then entered a plea bargain, after which the sentence was converted to the 3,000 euro fine.

Petkovic: Svecla is last person who can lecture Serbia about minorities (media)

“Serbia is one of the most functional multiethnic states in Europe, and Svecla is the last person who can lecture Serbia about the endangerment of national minorities”, Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said in response to accusations made by Kosovo acting Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla, that “Serbia discriminates against Albanians and is conducting ethnic cleansing in the ‘Presevo Valley’”.

As Petkovic pointed out it is precisely Serbia’s multiethnic nature that bothers people like Svecla, who, as he said, “have a pathological fear of anything that does not fit into their ‘Greater Albanian’ ideology”.

Petkovic recalled that to this day, 212,000 internally displaced Serbs have not returned to Kosovo, precisely because “the southern Serbian province is poisoned by a virus of chauvinism and hatred, one of whose propagators is Svecla himself”. “We saw in the brutal attack by one of Svecla’s fanatics on a Serbian high school graduate in Kosovska Mitrovica the principles under which his so-called ‘multiethnic police’ operates, and unfortunately, this is even more clearly demonstrated by the fact that 20 percent of Serbs were forced to leave Kosovo and Metohija, driven out by his idea of an open society”, Petkovic also said.

People on two years since takeover of municipalities in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Residents of Leposavic and North Mitrovica say that pressure and daily provocations in municipalities in northern Kosovo have increased exactly two years after Albanian mayors, with the support of Kosovo police, entered municipal buildings. They say life has become harder, more insecure, and filled with fear, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Residents of Leposavic say that in the two years since the Kosovo police forces, together with Albanian mayors, entered the buildings of the four northern municipalities, the pressure they experience has been constantly increasing.

“Nothing has changed, the pressure on Serbs is the same, like with those young men in Kosovska Mitrovica. You can see what they’re like - it’s just violence upon violence. I have no words, what can I say? I’m a bit scared for our children, what the future will bring”, Andrijana Stefanovic said.