Albanian Language Media: 

• Wadephul urges swift formation of functional Kosovo government (media)
• Osmani urges swift EU measure removal, seeks Germany’s support (media)
• Kurti: Radoicic and his group continue to threaten Kosovo security (media)
• Two sessions in Assembly today, RTK funding on agenda (media)
• Osmani: Critical situation if we do not have budget extension (media)
• VV urges MPs to act with maturity, approve laws and agreements (media)
• PDK, LDK, AAK, and Nisma to boycott the 11:00 hours session (media)
• Mustafa: Ramush Haradinaj has special merits for creating the army (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric met Pesko, said role of OSCE Mission crucial for monitoring rights of Serbs in Kosovo (media)
• Wadephul met Osmani, said progress in dialogue needed (Kosovo Online, media)
• Djuric to attend informal dinner of EU and Western Balkans foreign ministers in Brussels (media)
• Drecun: Arming of Pristina is security threat to Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• Hunters from south of Serbia released, each fined 1,000 euros (KoSSev)
• Brnabic in Brussels: If Serbia opens Cluster 3, that’s not just Vucic’s success, but everyone’s (N1)
• Prosecution calls for public trial for Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy (N1)

International Media:

• Kosovo Liberation Army ‘didn’t commit ethnic cleansing’: NATO Ex-Commander (Balkan Insight)
• EU enlargement in this decade realistic, but challenges remain (EWB)

Albanian Language Media

Wadephul urges swift formation of functional Kosovo government (media)

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in a joint press conference with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said that his entire discussion with Osmani focused on the security and future of the continent. “It is good that Kosovo is on our side. All of us, whether EU members or not, must make it clear to Russia that destabilization, disinformation, and manipulation have no place on our continent. We respond to attempts at destabilization with a united Europe. In this context, EU enlargement is now a geopolitical urgency,” he said.

Wadephul stated that Kosovo’s development since the end of the war in 1999 and since independence in 2008 is a success story. According to him, for many in the region, Kosovo is a symbol of democracy and a strong civil society. Therefore, he said, for this success to continue, Kosovo needs as soon as possible a government capable of acting both internally and externally. “Voters have been waiting for its formation for eight months. They have reasonable expectations that these democratic processes reach a positive conclusion, and this includes having a stable government. We are convinced that Kosovo has the strength and the will to implement the necessary reforms for EU membership with determination,” the German diplomat stated.

Speaking about the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue, he said the process has stalled recently, but emphasized the need to implement the agreements, while urging Kosovo to establish the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities. “The Ohrid Agreement, which contains all the elements for normalization, must be implemented quickly and fully. We expect this from both sides. This requires more engagement from both Kosovo and Serbia. For Kosovo, this means, for example, taking the necessary steps to establish the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities,” Wadephul said.

He stated that the dialogue for normalization is their criterion for assessing both governments. Wadephul said their goal is clear: “All six Western Balkan states must become part of the EU, including Kosovo.”

Osmani urges swift EU measure removal, seeks Germany’s support (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani called on German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to support the urgent removal of EU measures imposed on Kosovo in June 2023, which she says negatively affect people’s lives. She stressed that Kosovo remains committed to good neighborly relations and fair EU-mediated dialogue, which is currently unbalanced due to these measures.

Osmani also requested Germany’s backing for Kosovo’s membership in the EU, NATO, and the Council of Europe, emphasizing that Kosovo aims to join as a contributor, not a burden. She highlighted Germany’s historical support and described the Western Balkans’ integration into the EU as essential for regional peace and stability.

Kurti: Radoicic and his group continue to threaten Kosovo security (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, met on Tuesday with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The discussion included the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia and the implementation of the Brussels Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Annex.

“The Prime Minister emphasized that even more than two years after the terrorist attack in Banjske, in which a Kosovo Police officer was killed, the leader of this terrorist and paramilitary group, Milan Radoicic, continues to move freely in Serbia, and the official authorities in Belgrade refuse to hand him and his group over to the Republic of Kosovo, despite evidence of his involvement in the attack and the indictment issued by the Kosovo prosecution. Meanwhile, he and his group continue to pose a threat to the country’s security,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Kurti also said that Kosovo is determined and committed to deepening bilateral relations with Germany. “The Prime Minister expressed that the Republic of Kosovo is determined and committed to working with Germany to deepen bilateral relations and to advance on its path toward the European Union and NATO. On this occasion, he emphasized that the Republic of Kosovo deserves to receive candidate status for EU membership and that the European Commission should submit the membership questionnaire as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Two sessions in Assembly today, RTK funding on agenda (media)

The Assembly of Kosovo will hold two plenary sessions today, where one of the main items on the agenda of the first session will be the issue of funding for Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) and the approval of the budget for the municipalities of Prishtina, Gjilan, and Zubin Potok. Meanwhile, in the second session, the Konjufca government is expected to be voted on.

The first session is scheduled to begin at 11:00, while the second session for the government vote will take place at 14:00.

In the first session, besides the RTK funding item, MPs will also review the formation of legislative committees, including international ratifications and the draft budget law for 2026.

Osmani: Critical situation if we do not have budget extension (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, did not want to prejudge what will happen today when asked whether, if the new government fails to be formed, she would speak with the parties about a budget extension. “I cannot prejudge what will happen tomorrow in the session, but only if there is no success, then it becomes necessary for us to discuss approving budget extensions, because we must ensure that our citizens, not only the tens of thousands of civil servants, but also many services funded by the state budget, are not blocked,” Osmani said.

She stressed that such a situation has never happened before in Kosovo, and according to her it would be a critical one. “Such a situation has never happened to Kosovo; it would be a critical situation. We are talking about the most basic needs of our citizens that could be blocked if we do not have budget extensions until the end of the process. So naturally, it is an issue I will discuss with the parties if what you mentioned happens, but as I said, we cannot prejudge what tomorrow’s result will be, after the vote,” Osmani stated.

VV urges MPs to act with maturity, approve laws and agreements (media)

The Vetevendosje Movement has called on Kosovo’s MPs to “show rationality and maturity” and to attend the session convened for today at 11:00, in which several draft laws will be reviewed, including the one on budget allocations and the issue of RTK’s financing. “Vetevendosje Movement, through its parliamentary group, has convened an extraordinary session for tomorrow at 11:00 to address the matters and challenges ahead of our country. Among other things, this session includes important topics such as the 2026 budget, the budget for RTK, and the budget for several municipalities. Also, five items on the agenda in this session deal with international agreements amounting to one billion euros in financing, including 90 million euros in grants from the EU. We invite the MPs of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo to respond to this session with rationality and maturity and thus vote on these important laws and agreements, so that the country does not face such challenges and can move forward,” VV wrote on Facebook.

“We recall that in 2020 the Vetevendosje Movement voted for the 2021 budget even after the Constitutional Court had overturned and declared the Hoti Government unconstitutional, and the country was heading toward extraordinary parliamentary elections,” Vetevendosje wrote.

PDK, LDK, AAK, and Nisma to boycott the 11:00 hours session (media)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), and the Social Democratic Initiative (Nisma) will boycott the 11:00 hours session in which the Vetevendosje Movement has proposed the establishment of permanent commissions to approve international agreements, budget allocations, and RTK funding.

The former opposition parties are calling VV’s proposal for the session a “theatrical” and “populist” move. Initially, LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku confirmed their non-participation. Later, Faton Abdullahu on behalf of PDK, Kushtrim Xhemaili of AAK, and Nisma Socialdemokrate via a Facebook post also confirmed they would not attend.

Meanwhile, for the 14:00 session, aimed at forming the government, these parties have confirmed their participation and will vote against the proposal.

Mustafa: Ramush Haradinaj has special merits for creating the army (media)

Several news websites report that former Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, in an interview with ATV on Tuesday, said that AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj has special merits for creating the army. “All of Kosovo should honor Ramush Haradinaj. I don’t know how he managed to convince the United States for the transformation into an army … The US and NATO did not even want to hear about the creation of the army without constitutional amendments [while Mustafa and Hashim Thaci were in power]. Ramush finished the job, and he has special merits for this,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

Djuric met Pesko, said role of OSCE Mission crucial for monitoring rights of Serbs in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met yesterday with the new Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Marcel Pesko and discussed with him cooperation priorities as well as joint activities in the upcoming period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Minister Djuric congratulated the new Head of OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Pesko on assuming his duty and expressed confidence that joint work of Serbia and OSCE Mission will remain open and focused on achieving concrete results. He emphasised OSCE is one of Serbia’s most important partners when it comes to dialogue and preservation of stability in the region.

“Djuric particularly underscored the importance of the support the OSCE provides to Serbia in its European integration process, including in the areas of the rule of law, human rights, media freedom, and democratic standards. He noted Serbia is making economic progress, that regional cooperation carries special significance, and that the Western Balkans - owing to its potential - can be a valuable partner to the European Union”, the statement noted.

“Djuric also highlighted the importance of the OSCE Mission’s activities in Kosovo and Metohija and stressed that Serbia highly values its role in monitoring minority rights and the security situation on the ground - matters of particular importance for the Serbian community and for preserving stability in the province”, the statement also said.

Wadephul met Osmani, said progress in dialogue needed (Kosovo Online, media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani told the press conference with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul that his visit confirms the words of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans. She thanked the German KFOR soldiers for their engagement and added Kosovo is firmly committed to its path toward the EU and NATO. “The lifting of measures that had a negative impact on us is of great importance; for this, we need Germany’s support. We also need support on our path toward the EU”, Osmani said, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Wadephul emphasized that partnership between Kosovo and Germany is close, recalling Germany has recognized Kosovo only a few days after its declaration of independence. He added KFOR is the most important mission for preserving security in the region.

He said Germany supports the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue held under the EU’s auspices, noting that the process has stagnated in recent months. The German Foreign Minister also said it was now essential to achieve progress in the dialogue. Calling for full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement, Wadephul also said when it comes to Kosovo, it was important that it takes steps toward establishing a Community of Serb-majority municipalities.

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/zGFPz

Djuric to attend informal dinner of EU and Western Balkans foreign ministers in Brussels (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric will attend this evening in Brussels an informal dinner of the EU and Western Balkans foreign ministers, Kosovo Online portal reported. The informal dinner is organized by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. During the dinner, which takes place ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the topic of discussion will include regional development and the EU integration processes, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. 

Drecun: Arming of Pristina is security threat to Serbia (Kosovo Online)

The Chair of the Serbian Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, Milovan Drecun, met with Bundestag MP and Chair of the Defence Committee, Thomas Röwekamp, to discuss the security situation in the Western Balkans, with particular focus on Kosovo. Drecun emphasized that “the primary security threat to Serbia is the process of the violent secession of Kosovo”, noting that the complexity of the situation is further compounded by the “unlawful arming of Pristina” and the creation of regional military alliances.

Drecun criticized the failure to implement the Brussels Agreement in the part concerning the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, reiterating “the unlawful arming of Pristina” and the formation of regional military alliances.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/SF6q7

Hunters from south of Serbia released, each fined 1,000 euros (KoSSev)

Four men from Medvedja area, south of Serbia, arrested on Sunday, November 16, in the area of Kamenica in Kosovo, upon crossing an administrative line during the hunting were released yesterday with a financial fine in the amount of 1,000 euros imposed on each of them, KoSSev portal reported.

Their defence lawyer Nikola Todorovic confirmed this news to the portal. Kosovo police said on Sunday, following their arrest, that they “illegally crossed the border”, adding they were hunters found in possession of weapons they had no permits for. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated following the arrest. Two days later they were released.

As their lawyer Nikola Todorovic said, the Basic Court in Gnjilane sentenced them to three months in prison, commuting their prison sentence to 1,000 euros fine each. They were also obliged to pay costs of the court proceedings and faced charges of “illegal border crossing” and “illegal possession of weapons”. 

Brnabic in Brussels: If Serbia opens Cluster 3, that’s not just Vucic’s success, but everyone’s (N1)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said Tuesday in Brussels that the reforms Serbia is undertaking for its European path are primarily beneficial for Serbia itself, adding that the European Union (EU) has made some “fundamental mistakes”, N1 reported. She noted some have been on the path to the EU for so long that some people have lost faith.

“In my opinion, the biggest disappointment, for everyone in the region, was the case of North Macedonia. They did everything, they even changed their name, but they didn’t even get close to starting negotiations. The EU also made some fundamental mistakes that discouraged the people of the Western Balkans”, Brnabic said at the EU Enlargement Forum in Brussels.

The Serbian Parliament Speaker also mentioned that in Serbia, there are pro-European civil society organizations and pro-European opposition parties that would prefer Serbia’s European path to be slowed or stopped until there is a change of government. She added that a segment of civil society and of the pro-European opposition would be unhappy if a cluster were opened and would criticize the EU for it, and described this as “schizophrenic behavior”.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/i8Xf0

Prosecution calls for public trial for Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy (N1)

The Higher Public Prosecution in Novi Sad called for a public trial for the collapse of a concrete canopy at the city’s main railway station which claimed 16 lives, N1 reported.

A statement recalled on September 16, 2025, an indictment was filed against 13 individuals on suspicion of having committed serious crimes against public safety adding that it expects the indictment to be confirmed as soon as possible and that all defendants stand trial in public. It said a public trial is necessary. The 13 people indicted include former Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic, former Acting CEO Serbian Railways Infrastructure Jelena Tanaskovic, Vesic's former assistant Anita Dimoski, as well as former Infrastruktura CEO Nebojsa Surlan.

“All 13 accused are charged with criminal acts that enabled the use of a public building – the station building of the Railway Station in Novi Sad, Block B, even though construction work was ongoing and no occupancy permit was issued for that building, due to a criminal offense related to previous neglect of the station building's structure, and for criminal acts during the design and execution phases of renovation of the station building of the Railway Station in Novi Sad,” the prosecution statement said.

International Media

Kosovo Liberation Army ‘didn’t commit ethnic cleansing’: NATO Ex-Commander (Balkan Insight)

Retired US general Wesley Clark told the Hague court that the KLA was a response to decades of oppression against ethnic Albanians – and was not responsible for post-war acts of revenge against Serbs.

In his two-day testimony at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, General Wesley Clark, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, said the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, was the reaction of ethnic Albanians to more than a decade of oppression by the Serbian regime, and denied it committed ethnic cleansing against local Serbs after the war ended.

“I have no evidence or proof that the KLA was behind this [violence against Serbs], but I have indications that prove the opposite,” Clark said on Tuesday.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/0yNzp

EU enlargement in this decade realistic, but challenges remain (EWB)

Four countries could join the EU by 2030, but the reforms in candidate countries need to go hand in hand with the EU's internal reform.

The EU institutions remain committed to enlargement, but the process also requires reforms within the European Union itself, as well as in the candidate countries, speakers said at the panel “EU Enlargement: Between Momentum and Uncertainty” held at the Belgrade Security Conference (BSC).

Steven Blockmans, Senior Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, noted that the latest European Commission report shows progress in four candidate countries – Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/nC6j2