Albanian Language Media:

• UNSC discusses Kosovo, UNMIK chief says building confidence through achievable goals is key to decisive political outcomes (media)

• Kosovo government adopts budget for 2025 (RFE)

• Kurti welcomes EU recommendations: Committed to path of reforms (RTK)

• Kosovo Assembly adopts National Plan for European Integration 2024 – 2028 (media)

• Borrell: EU membership and progress in Dialogue must go hand in hand (Koha)

• PDK’s Krasniqi slams government after publication of Progress Report (media)

• Kosovo leaders send condolences to Spain after devastating floods (media)

• Kosovo Police Inspectorate recommends suspension of two police officers in the north (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• UNMIK Chief reports to UN Security Council (Beta, N1, Tanjug, KoSSev, media)

• Djuric: Kurti's moves creating a climate of fear, violence against Serbs escalated (Tanjug, media)

• UNSC on the Belgrade Pristina dialogue, Banjska, the Kosovo authorities’ moves, the UNMIK mandate (Beta, KoSSev, media)

• Djuric: We have sent a clear message - Kurti destroying all accomplished by the international community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

• Petkovic: The truth was heard in NY about the suffering of Serbs from Kosovo and the brutal lies of Gervalla (Kosovo Online)

• SL: Djuric presented the difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo, from Gervalla only insults and lies (Kosovo Online) 

• EULEX chief says north Kosovo NGOs break ties with the mission (N1, Kosovo Online)

• Plans of Pristina for Prizren - The path to UNESCO leads through Belgrade (Kosovo Online)

• Vucic: Next US president needs to forge truce in Ukraine (Tanjug, Bloomberg, media)

Albanian Language Media 

UNSC discusses Kosovo, UNMIK chief says building confidence through achievable goals is key to decisive political outcomes (media)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Caroline Ziadeh stressed at the biannual UN Security Council session on Kosovo on Wednesday the importance of open approaches and respect for hard-won agreements forged between Pristina and Belgrade within the EU-facilitated dialogue.

SRSG Ziadeh updated the Council on developments during the reporting period, including the recent agreement by chief negotiators to establish a working group to facilitate entry of certain perishable products, as well as the advancement of energy interconnection.  “Intensifying efforts to achieve concrete results from the EU-facilitated dialogue is essential. This dialogue, which we strongly support, remains central for resolving outstanding issues, including the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities,” she said. 

“I believe both sides recognise that meaningful progress toward decisive political outcomes must be built upon the confidence gained from achieving attainable goals.” 

The SRSG also highlighted the move by Kosovo authorities to lift the ban on the entry of goods from Serbia earlier this month, accompanied by consensus on the Central European Free Trade Agreement procedures, resulting in nine agreements aimed at boosting regional economic prosperity. 

SRSG Ziadeh briefed on her September visit to northern Kosovo, where civil society organisations, political actors, and residents voiced serious concerns about the adverse impact of recent unilateral actions affecting their economic, social and political rights, including the recent closures of Post of Serbia branches and municipal offices run by the Government of Serbia that have limited access to key services, in particular for the Kosovo Serb community. 

One year on from the serious security incident in Banjska, SRSG Ziadeh reiterated her calls for timely accountability for perpetrators through thorough, fair, transparent and independent judicial processes, which are essential for fostering stability. “Such violence is unacceptable and must not be repeated.” she affirmed. 

The SRSG also referred to the findings of a recent UNMIK-supported Trust Index report that underscored the lack of confidence in institutions and increasing pessimism about the future of inter-communal trust. Most Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb respondents said reconciliation was essential for a better future. “Accordingly, our mission remains dedicated to fostering efforts on the ground that aim to build trust across communities, including in the areas of Human Rights, Rule of Law, Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security,” she stressed.

In conclusion, SRSG Ziadeh urged all parties to heed the Secretary-General’s call for responsible leadership and to ensure shared values of promoting peace, sustainable development and human dignity are upheld. 

“Such values are at risk if actions are taken that threaten rights, freedoms, and livelihoods among its diverse communities,” she said.

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, has said that the determination of the West will decide the fate of the Balkans. Regarding the dialogue, she said that Kosovo repeats the offer that it is ready to sign the documents that the EU has proposed, but Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has rejected this.

"We are facing what this Security Council stands for, the biggest security threat in Europe after the war in Ukraine. The determination of the West decides the fate of the Balkans. I am convinced of this... As for the EU-facilitated dialogue, let me reiterate that the offer remains open. We are ready to sign the documents that the EU has proposed. We are waiting for Vucic's signature, but he is not coming and instead continues to repeat that there are no obligations for Serbia from the agreement. It's a bad sign. I really hope that the year 2025 will have a new start in the dialogue with clear objectives and strategy, which allows us to take small steps wherever possible, so that we can overcome this stagnation caused by Serbia", Gervalla said at the UN Security Council.

Regarding the participation of Serbs in the institutions of Kosovo, she said that it is a sensitive issue since the Serbs have left the institutions themselves.

The U.S. representative in the UN Security Council Robert Wood has called on Serbia to provide accountability for the attack that took place in Banjska, Kosovo, last year. He emphasised that Serbia has not made any progress in holding responsible the perpetrators of that attack. "We remain concerned about the uncoordinated actions by the government of Kosovo that are not in line with Kosovo's commitment to work in this direction. These affect the livelihood of the communities and affect the journey towards the normalisation of relations. The dialogue is the agreed journey for normalisation and progress towards European institutions. The U.S. continues to work with the UN, the EU and the OSCE to repel escalating actions by each side, and we will continue to implement all agreements, including the establishment of the Association."

The representative of the United Kingdom in the Security Council has expressed concern that the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia has stalled. He addressed two appeals to the states, as he emphasised that they must implement the existing agreements resulting from the dialogue. "We encourage Kosovo to carefully consider the impact of its decisions on all citizens, including those from non-majority communities, and to work with its partners. We encourage Serbia to play its role in trying to ensure justice and accountability for the perpetrators of last year's shocking attack in Banjska and to play a constructive role in reducing tensions and promoting positive relations in the region", said the representative of United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the representative of France said that the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a guarantee for regional stability and an essential condition for the European perspective. "France supports the free trade agreement and its unblocking that has been done between the two countries". He said that France condemns the many unilateral actions of the Kosovo authorities in the north which, according to him, affect the life of the Serbian community there. Speaking about the attack in Banjska, he said that the Serbian authorities know what their obligations are.

While the representative of Russia said that the inter-ethnic tensions in Kosovo are at the highest level in the last 15 years. "Its root remains unchanged, it is in the authorities of Pristina and their desire to establish full control over the northern part of the province controlled by the Serbs. Among the malicious provocations of Kosovo has been the ban on the circulation of the dinar in the province, the closure of the administrative bodies of the Serbs in Kosovo, the expropriation of the land belonging to the Serbs," he said.

Kosovo government adopts budget for 2025 (RFE)

The Kosovo government adopted on Wednesday the draft budget for 2025 totaling to €3.6 billion. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the figure marks an increase of nearly 9 percent compared to the previous budget. He said that during the four years of his government, the budget of Kosovo has increased “year after year like never before”. He also said that there is a budget increase in many sectors, including in public sector wages.

Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said the budget for 2025 is comprehensive and that it reflects the trend of economic growth. He said that the key sectors that benefited from the budget increase are defence, security, healthcare, road infrastructure. 

Kurti welcomes EU recommendations: Committed to path of reforms (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti received on Wednesday from the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Ambassador Aivo Orav, the "Report on Kosovo 2024" from the European Commission. In the announcement of the Prime Minister's Office, it is emphasised that this report assesses Kosovo's progress on the path towards integration into the European Union.

The announcement states that Prime Minister Kurti thanked Ambassador Orav for the report and emphasised the Government's commitment to advance the reforms that are essential for Kosovo's EU membership.

"In its main points, the EU Report on Kosovo positively assesses visa liberalisation as a step that is expected to improve the free movement of Kosovo citizens in the Schengen area. It appreciates Kosovo's commitment to compliance with EU policies, from which the alignment with the EU's foreign policy stands out, a step that reflects the commitment to cooperation and full integration in the European family", says the OPM announcement.

"This year's report also evaluates Kosovo's active engagement in the implementation of the Growth Plan, the Reform Agenda, as well as the engagement in promoting regional cooperation in unblocking decision-making in CEFTA with new agreements that strengthen trade and economic ties within the region. Strengthening the legal framework in the fight against corruption and organised crime is also positively evaluated as a priority of the government for a state of law", the announcement further emphasises.

Kosovo Assembly adopts National Plan for European Integration 2024 – 2028 (media)

Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, presented before members of the Kosovo Assembly on Wednesday, the National Plan for European Integration 2024 – 2028, which was adopted by the Assembly. Bislimi said the plan consists of three blocs: political criteria, economic criteria, and approximating Kosovo’s legislation with the EU Acquis Communautaire. “The program consists of 306 measures: 105 legislative measures and 201 implementing measures. From the 105 legislative measures, 38 are draft laws, three are international agreements and the rest are legal acts,” he said.

Borrell: EU membership and progress in Dialogue must go hand in hand (Koha)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in a message for Kosovo and Serbia during a press conference on Wednesday said that membership in the European Union and the progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue must go hand in hand. He said that the implementation of the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid implementation annex are pending and expressed hope that both Kosovo and Serbia will move forward in the normalisation of relations. 

Borrell said: “In Kosovo and Serbia, allow me to mention the work we are doing in the Dialogue. Believe me, it is a lot of work. We have resolved the issue of licence plates by mutual agreement, and we have succeeded in the policy for accepting documents at last, enabling the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia to move without obstacles from one side of the border to the other. It is an important achievement; it was not easy. After 20 years, we put an end to the irregular expenditure of electricity in the north. And we reached the Basic Agreement in Brussels and the Annex in Ohrid. Unfortunately, implementation is pending. And for both, progress towards EU membership and dialogue must go hand in hand. Not one yes, one no. This needs effort and tireless work, and I hope that this agreement, which was not easy to reach, will be implemented and move forward towards normalisation and EU membership”.

Borrell also said that he has recommended the lifting of EU’s measures against Kosovo. “My recommendation was clear. The decision as always is in the hands of member states at the EU Council,” he said.

PDK’s Krasniqi slams government after publication of Progress Report (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi reacted after the publication of the Progress Report on Kosovo, saying that it is the most negative report Kosovo has ever received. He argued that the three main pillars of a democratic country – governance, justice and basic freedoms – are in stagnation or deep regress, and that these failures are a direct responsibility of the current government. “Our citizens deserve more and better. They deserve an accountable government that will return Kosovo on the right track. There is no other alternative,” he said.

Kosovo leaders send condolences to Spain after devastating floods (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani in a post on X on Wednesday extended condolences of the people of Kosovo to Spain and those that lost their loved ones in the devastating and deadly floods. “Heartbreaking news out of Valencia, Andalusia, and Murcia. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these devastating floods. We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and stand with the people of Spain in this difficult time, wishing strength and resilience to all the communities working to rebuild,” Osmani said.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Wednesday that “our thoughts are with the Spanish government and the people of Spain as they face the deadly and devastating floods. Kosova sends condolences to the families of the many victims and stands in solidarity with the affected communities, as well as with the emergency responders in their tireless efforts to bring relief”.

Kosovo Police Inspectorate recommends suspension of two police officers in the north (Koha)

The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo has recommended the suspension of two police officers in North Mitrovica, as it is said that on October 26, they mistreated a person who had damaged a private shop.

The police officers, one of them a sergeant, are said to have mistreated the person with the initials M.S., while undertaking police actions in this incident.

"Referring to allegations of mistreatment by the police in North Mitrovica related to an incident in 'Car Llazar' square on October 26, 2024, PIK investigators have today recommended the suspension of two police officers (a sergeant and a police officer) engaged in the Regional Directorate of Police in North Mitrovica. The recommendation for suspension was made in the interest of the investigation with the suspicion that the same are involved in the mistreatment of the citizen in this case. The Police Inspectorate, within the framework of the legal authorizations, will undertake other investigative actions in coordination with the competent prosecutor's office to clarify the circumstances of this case", says the announcement of the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (IPK).

Serbian Language Media 

UNMIK Chief reports to UN Security Council (Beta, N1, Tanjug, KoSSev, media)

UNMIK chief Caroline Ziadeh told the UN Security Council yesterday that the situation in the north of Kosovo was tense despite claims that Belgrade and Pristina want a constructive dialogue.

The Beta news agency reported her as pointing out the concerns of the Kosovo Serbs in the northern municipalities over the unilateral steps taken by the authorities in Pristina. Ziadeh was in New York to present the latest 6-month report on the situation in Kosovo.

She said that every time the Kosovo authorities implemented a measure that was not consulted and agreed with Kosovo Serb representatives and in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, many Kosovo Serbs perceived it as antagonistic. She added that the Serbs have complained that the closure of Serbian government institutions in the northern majority-Serb municipalities limits their access to important services and that they are concerned that the Kosovo government will try to do the same with health care and education institutions.

Ziadeh said that there were several reported cases of the arrest of people exercising their right to freedom of expression over the past few weeks.

She warned of danger if the bridge across the Ibar river dividing the city of Mitrovica was  opened to traffic and of excessive use of force by the Kosovo Police.

She called for a comprehensive investigation into the Banjska armed incident on September 24, 2023, describing it as a serious security incident.

The UNMIK chief said trust in Kosovo institutions was low and added that the EU-facilitated dialogue was crucial to resolving Serb-Albanian problems in Kosovo.

Djuric: Kurti's moves creating a climate of fear, violence against Serbs escalated (Tanjug, media)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric told the UN SC on Wednesday human rights violations and unilateral moves by the regime of Pristina's PM Albin Kurti created a climate of fear and instability in Kosovo and that violence against Serbs escalated to an alarming level.

"In 2024 alone, over 90 attacks specifically targeted Serbian individuals and properties, with not one perpetrator facing justice," Djuric said at the UN SC session yesterday.  

"As a series of UNMIK reports and recent developments reveal, in the past two and a half years the situation in Kosovo and Metohija has worsened significantly, with human rights abuses and unilateral moves by the regime of Albin Kurti creating a climate of fear and instability," he said.

"Today, I am here to detail his regime`s serious transgressions against the Serbian community, and to appeal for your urgent, decisive action. And as we shall see today, the real question facing this council is will we stand aside while innocent ordinary people suffer, or will we take meaningful steps to protect the vulnerable," Djuric said.

"Pristina’s refusal to honor the Brussels Agreement, which calls for the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), has stripped Serbs of even basic legal protections. Just two days ago, in a public statement that yet again openly challenges the fundamentals of the dialogue process and the rule of Kosovo`s own laws, PM Albin Kurti stated that he does not plan to implement the agreement on the CSM. This is not only a rejection of commitments made under EU mediation but a direct affront to this Council and the international community’s authority.”

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/yc7s73pu

UNSC on the Belgrade Pristina dialogue, Banjska, the Kosovo authorities’ moves, the UNMIK mandate (Beta, KoSSev, media)

Representatives of the permanent members of the UNSC at the session on Kosovo yesterday expressed their well-known views on the relations between Belgrade and Pristina, the implementation of the agreements reached, the conflict in Banjska, the unilateral moves of the Kosovo authorities and the mandate of UNMIK, agency beta reported. During the discussion at the session, representatives of leading Western countries presented, as usual, opposing views from Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya. 

Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood reiterated that the US advocates for "mutual recognition of Serbia and Kosovo", the abolition of UNMIK and for the redirection of discussions in the UN SC on Kosovo to closed annual consultations. Wood criticized the Serbian authorities for having those responsible for the armed conflict in Banjska still at large and expressed concern about the "uncoordinated actions" of the Kosovo government, which he said were affecting minority communities. He also called on UNMIK to take a "more neutral stance" in future reports on the situation in Kosovo.

Russian Ambassador Nebenzya said that ethnic tensions in Kosovo are "at their peak" today, stating that the "root of evil" was the intention of the Pristina authorities to establish full control in the north of Kosovo. Nebenzya said that since the Self-Determination Movement came to power in Pristina, the number of ethnically motivated attacks has "drastically increased" and warned that it was necessary to put pressure on Kosovo PM Albin Kurti so that the expulsion of the Serbian population does not continue. He pointed out that Serbia was under continuous pressure to recognize the independence of Kosovo, and that there was no pressure on Pristina to form the A/CSM, agreed upon in the Brussels Agreement of 2013. He added that Russia demands the immediate and unconditional implementation of that agreement. Nebenzya reiterated Moscow's position that UNMIK should not be abolished, stating that the role of that mission in ensuring stability in Kosovo was irreplaceable.

The representative of Great Britain at the UN stated that it was important that both Belgrade and Pristina show the "political will and courage" to fully fulfil the obligations from the previous agreements, which includes the formation of the A/CSM. He called on Pristina "to consider the consequences" of its own moves on all people of Kosovo, including members of minority communities, and Belgrade to bring to justice those responsible for the conflict in Banjska on September 24 last year. The British diplomat said that there was concern about the lack of progress in the dialogue under the auspices of the EU and called for a review of the role of UNMIK, explaining that the situation on the ground was incomparably different than when the mission was established.

The deputy ambassador of France to the UN, Jay Dharmadhikari, said that it was necessary to reduce tensions in the relations between Belgrade and Pristina, stating that the "re-establishment of representative democracy" in the north of Kosovo, that is, the return of Serbs to local authorities, was of key importance. He said that the Kosovo government should have avoided unilateral actions that disturbed the Serbian population in the north of Kosovo, while, on the other hand, he pointed out that it was "unacceptable" that those responsible for the attack in Banjska were still at large.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong reiterated Beijing's position that a mutually acceptable solution should be reached, with full respect for UN SC Resolution 1244 and the territorial integrity of Serbia. Fu accused the Kosovo authorities of raising tensions and undermining the welfare of the population in the north of Kosovo with unilateral actions, stating that peace and stability are beneficial for all actors. He stated that UNMIK has an "important role" in preserving peace and advocated against the abolition of this UN mission.

Djuric: We have sent a clear message - Kurti destroying all accomplished by the international community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, stated after the UN Security Council session that Serbia has sent clear and strong messages—that everything the regime of Albin Kurti is doing in Kosovo is a direct destruction of all that the international community has accomplished and invested in.

Djuric told reporters that "building coexistence, democracy, and human rights are all things that Kurti's regime has trampled underfoot in two and a half years". 

He pointed out that in the meantime, Serbs in Kosovo have become second-class citizens and victims of persecution.

"We have documented all of this well, presenting concrete cases and evidence of the persecution and discrimination of Serbs at many levels, as well as unilateral actions, attacks on Serbian children, and even harassment of women on a national basis, which is completely unacceptable," emphasized Djuric.

He conveyed that during the UNSC session, he spoke about what has led to new emigrations of Serbs from the north of Kosovo, including raids on branches of the Postal Savings Bank and other institutions providing vital services to Serbs.

"Our message was unequivocal: this must stop immediately if we want to have a multiethnic and democratic Kosovo and Metohija," the head of Serbian diplomacy stated.

He also noted that he intentionally used the term "Metohija" during his address.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdsyyh26

Petkovic: “The truth was heard in NY about the suffering of Serbs from Kosovo and the brutal lies of Gervalla” (Kosovo Online)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, said that the entire world could hear the devastating truth about the suffering of the Serbian people in Kosovo and the terror of Kosovo PM Albin Kurti during the presentation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, as well as “brutal lies and volleys of hatred” towards everything Serbian by Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gervalla. 

Petkovic wrote in a X post that Gervalla, in the absence of arguments to deny the terror against Serbs, attacked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. 

"With the same fierce hatred with which Pristina and Kurti attack the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, Kurti's spokeswoman attacked President Vucic tonight, and in the absence of arguments to deny the terror against the Serbs, she devoted her entire speech to attacking him," Petkovic pointed out.

"I know that it is not easy for Pristina when the truth is thrown in their face, it is the same in Brussels, New York, everywhere where they are faced with evidence of the impossible living conditions of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija and that is why they use lies, manipulations, personal insults against Aleksandar Vucic. It seems that in Pristina they have not yet recovered from the lesson that Aleksandar Vucic gave them at the last session, and today Marko Djuric convincingly continued,'' Petkovic wrote.

SL: Djuric presented the difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo, from Gervalla only insults and lies (Kosovo Online) 

The Serbian List announced that the session of the UN SC on the situation in Kosovo, through the presentation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric, and the head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, depicted a gloomy, difficult and devastating situation in which the Serbian people are fighting for bare survival.

"Serbia presented an argumentative and comprehensive presentation of the terror of Kurti's regime, the wounding, beatings and baseless arrests of Serbs, the abolition of both the human and political rights of our people, but also Kurti's determination to expel Serbs and thereby completely ethnically cleanse Kosovo and Metohija," stated the Serbian List. 

"Kurti's spokeswoman, Donika Gervalla, having nothing to deny these data and the anti-Serb policy of the regime in Pristina, used lies and insults, especially towards the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic," state from the SL. They also note that in her presentation, Gervalla also showed her obsession with Milan Radoicic, whom she mentioned several times.

"But she 'forgot' to mention what we have been hearing and reading for days in the Albanian media - how officials of the ruling party, on Kurti's order, called him and begged him to provide them with the missing vote for the election of the president. It was thanks to the Radoicic, who provided the decisive vote of Gorani people, that their president was elected. Radoicic was good to them then? There is no end to the lies and hypocrisy of the Pristina officials, but their nervousness and obsession with Vucic and Radoicic shows that their tyrannical rule is coming to an end," it was said in the Serbian List statement.

EULEX chief says north Kosovo NGOs break ties with the mission (N1, Kosovo Online)

EULEX chief Giovanni Pietro Barbano said on Wednesday that NGOs from the north of Kosovo are refusing to discuss their concerns with the EU rule of law mission following an incident in Mitrovica North, reported N1.

“I regret to acknowledge that some NGOs operating in northern Kosovo are refusing to discuss their concerns with EULEX, thus missing the chance to share their concerns with the Mission in an open discussion,” Barbano wrote in an X post.

His post comes after 5 leading civil society organizations from north Kosovo suspended cooperation with EULEX following what they said was the “unlawful detention and beating” of Mitrovica North resident Milos Subotic. The Kosovo Police Inspectorate recommended the suspension of two police officers over the October 26 incident.

Barnabo recalled that EULEX’s mandate was to robustly monitor all cases of concern through the entire chain of justice but that it did not carry out investigations into individual cases. “I therefore encourage anyone who requires information on the status and outcomes of such investigations to file their requests with the relevant authorities,” he added and listed the prosecution, Kosovo Police and Police Inspectorate “all of which are accountable for guaranteeing the human rights of every person without discrimination”.

“We will continue to engage with civil society for the benefit of all communities, condemning any acts which undermine social cohesion, and progress achieved through the EU-facilitated dialogue such as intimidation, hate speech, and sexual harassment,” he added.

Plans of Pristina for Prizren - The path to UNESCO leads through Belgrade (Kosovo Online)

The historical center of Prizren was designated by the Kosovo Assembly in 2012 as a "special protected zone." Five days ago, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that his government is preparing this part of the city for a nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. With Byzantine, Serbian, and Ottoman cultural heritage, Prizren, as sources tell Kosovo Online, deserves recognition as a world heritage site, but it cannot be classified as "Kosovar" heritage, nor does Kosovo have the right to submit such a proposal to UNESCO, reported Kosovo Online.

The Kosovo government’s projects for Prizren do not stop here, as the Ministry of Culture presented a "vision" in 2020 for Prizren to be a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2050. Given all this, it is unsurprising that Albin Kurti, after inspecting three restored 19th-century houses in Prizren, proudly announced that his government has invested over 4.5 million euros in the city.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/mu5sjmjx

Vucic: Next US president needs to forge truce in Ukraine (Tanjug, Bloomberg, media)

The next US president needs to forge a truce in Ukraine, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Bloomberg in an interview. Vucic said a proposal by the winner of the November 5 US presidential elections was the only way out of the conflict - now well into its third year - even though the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, might find that difficult to accept.

"Make a truce as soon as possible. Then there will be ways to reach long-term peace — but make this first step as soon as possible," Vucic said in the interview, conducted in Belgrade on Tuesday. He added that a halt to the fighting would not only end the bloodshed but would be in the "very best interest of the West."

"Vucic has long maintained a balancing act between East and West. But he’s scaled back his ties with Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Serbia hasn’t adopted Western sanctions targeting Moscow, it’s provided aid to Kyiv and condemned the Kremlin’s attack," Bloomberg said. The US-based news agency noted that, earlier this month, Vucic and Putin had spoken by phone for the first time in two and a half years and that Vucic had told Putin he would not be able to accept his invitation to the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

"It’s what gentlemen do, it’s what real men do" in such circumstances, even if the other side expects a different answer," Vucic was quoted as saying in the interview. Vucic also said he had broached the subject of a ceasefire in Ukraine but that Putin had not appeared to be interested, saying that "all the goals of special military operations will be fulfilled." Vucic said the discussion with Putin had also addressed Serbia’s three-year agreement on Russian gas supplies, which expires next year.

"Very soon we’ll have to start discussion, which is not going to be easy," Vucic said, adding that he would speak with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev next week to discuss available gas volumes.

"Then we’ll have a clear picture of what we need to do with Russia," he said.