Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti will take part in Berlin Summit in Tirana, spokesperson confirms (Kallxo)
• Munsch: KFOR presence on September 24 prevented further escalation (Koha)
• Smith: KFOR will have capacities to face challenges (RFE)
• Ulutas officially assumes post of KFOR commander (Kosovapress)
• Palokaj: In EU there are structures that want to avoid sanctions on Serbia (Koha)
• Hoti: Comprehensive agreement is only solution that secures peace (Klan)
• Israeli Ambassador thanks Kosovo and Kurti for their support (media)
• Albania refuses to extradite and releases former KLA members (RFE)
• Lazarevic: Fake news “convinced” Serbs that Serbian army was returning (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• NATO, concerned about the security of the region, announces additional troops in Kosovo (NMagazin, balkansec.net)
• Turkish General Ulutas is new KFOR Commander (Radio KIM)
• Vucic meets Iraqi Assembly Speaker, thanks him for non-recognition of Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Parliaments of Serbia, Iraq sign MoU, speakers discuss Kosovo issue (Tanjug)
• Lavrov: EU does not wish and cannot make Pristina fulfil agreement on CSM (Kosovo Online, Novosti, RTS)
• Hill: We need to know exactly what happened in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio, RTS, Tanjug)

International:

• EU drafts measures against Serbia as Belgrade’s involvement in terrorist attack is under scrutiny (Euractiv)
• The Illegal Theatre of the 90’: House of God Became House of Actors (BIRN)

 

 

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

Kurti will take part in Berlin Summit in Tirana, spokesperson confirms (Kallxo)

A spokesperson for the Kosovo government confirmed to the news website today that Prime Minister Albin Kurti will attend the sessions of the Berlin Summit in Tirana, Albania, on October 16.

The agenda of the summit which will bring together six prime ministers from the region has not been made public yet. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who will host the summit, said that French President Macron, German Chancellor Scholz and European Commission President von der Leyen have confirmed their participation. 

Munsch: KFOR presence on September 24 prevented further escalation (Koha)

Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, said in an interview with Koha Ditore that the presence of KFOR troops on the critical day of September 24 when a Serb group attacked the Kosovo Police helped prevent the further escalation of the situation. 

“KFOR continues to operate in line with the mandate by the UN Security Council to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX),” he said.

“The origin of illegal arms confiscated by the Kosovo Police is being investigated by the Kosovo Police. KFOR’s mandate does not include law enforcement activities. These are an exclusive prerogative of the Kosovo Police,” he said.

Munsch said that in response to the latest events, KFOR has stepped up its troops and patrols in the north of Kosovo. He called on all parties to take steps to reduce tensions and to re-engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue. 

Smith: KFOR will have capacities to face challenges (RFE)

U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, said today that the Alliance’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, will have all the necessary capacities needed to face challenges. Before the meeting of NATO defence ministers, Smith told reporters that after the increased violence in the north of Kosovo, NATO headquarters were closely monitoring the developments on the ground. “All of us here in NATO headquarters, all allies, were monitoring the situation on the ground in the Western Balkans. We were concerned with growing signs of instability and … as a result we saw an increase in violence. For this reason, KFOR made several decisions in the last days to use strategic reserve troops,” she said.

Smith said NATO allies will continue to consult with the commander of NATO forces, General Christopher Cavoli, to see if additional help is needed for KFOR to carry out its mandate and face all eventual challenges. 

Smith also called on all partners in the region to follow the path of the EU-facilitated dialogue, saying that the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is the only way forward.

Ulutas officially assumes post of KFOR commander (Kosovapress)

The change of command ceremony of KFOR took place today in Pristina between Angelo Michele Ristuccia and Ozkan Ulutas. The new Turkish commander of KFOR troops will have a one-year mandate.

Palokaj: In EU there are structures that want to avoid sanctions on Serbia (Koha)

Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj said today that many countries in the European Union are calling for a more balanced approach by the EU toward Kosovo and Serbia. He said that it is ironic that two weeks after the attacks in Banjska near Zvecan, which the EU called as terrorist attacks, there are no measures against Serbia and the measures against Kosovo remain in force.

According to Palokaj there are structures in the EU that want to buy time for Serbia in order to avoid the imposing of sanctions. “There is an increasing pressure by many countries of the EU to impose measures against Serbia, but there is a structure in Brussels that is interested to buy time for Serbia and avoid as long as it can the imposing of sanctions against Serbia,” he said. Palokaj also said that these structures are in the European Commission and in the European External Action Service.

“They were very enthusiastic when measures had to be imposed on Kosovo, they were also encouraged by the measures taken by the United States of America, but now they are very slow and are hiding behind calls that the final result of investigations in Kosovo is needed to see what Serbia’s role was,” Palokaj said.

Hoti: Comprehensive agreement is only solution that secures peace (Klan)

MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Avdullah Hoti, said today that a comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on mutual recognition and normalisation of relations is the only solution that secures permanent peace in this part of Europe. After meeting U.S. commentator on the Balkans, Edward Joseph, Hoti said “we had a very substantial conversation about current political developments and the importance for stability in the region”.

Israeli Ambassador thanks Kosovo and Kurti for their support (media)

Israeli Ambassador to Kosovo, Tammy Ziv, shared a post by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on X where he expressed deep concern “about the crimes against civilians and the rising death toll following the Hamas attacks in Israel. I stand with our allies, urging an immediate halt to these acts, supporting Israel's right to self-defence against terrorism, and demanding the immediate release of hostages”. Ziv wrote in her post: “Dear Prime Minister, once again, thank you for your unwavering personal support and Kosova’s support for Israel in these extremely dark and difficult days! Hard times reveal our true friends.”

Albania refuses to extradite and releases former KLA members (RFE)

The Appeals Court of Albania has released today former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Dritan Hoxhaj, after rejecting the request for his extradition to the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo in the Hague. Goxhaj was arrested on July 31 in Albania for suspected intimidation and obstruction of official persons. He is suspected of publishing the names of witnesses on several criminal issues raised after the war in Kosovo. The arrest was made in cooperation with Albanian authorities, and this was the first time that the Specialist Chambers had carried out an arrest in the territory of Albania.

Lazarevic: Fake news “convinced” Serbs that Serbian army was returning (Telegrafi)

Serbs in the north of Kosovo believed last year that the Serbian army was going to return to Kosovo and this was a product of fake news that was served to the people. This is the conclusion of Kossev editor-in-chief Tatjana Lazarevic.

Lazarevic said that the atmosphere in Mitrovica is compared to Northern Ireland, namely to Belfast, and that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was the first to say this in public in 2021. “I wouldn’t go into those parallels. I would say that (the attack in Banjska) was the third act of the play. It did not fall from the sky, although the whole community in the north was in a kind of shock. I must say that in the last three years, especially last year, a narrative, namely a false news, was spread and welcomed by Serbs – that Serbia never had a better standing in the international arena and that the government knows what it's doing and that the army was going to return,” she argued.

According to Lazarevic, this belief came from the decision of Serb authorities to withdraw from Kosovo institutions. “There was a narrative that the Serbian army was going to return, and the fake news were carefully and parallelly fed with the intensifying of the crisis in the north. I am certain that it was fed by Serb structures,” she said.

Lazarevic said that Serbs experienced “a cold shower” after the events in Banjska but that soon “another similar history will happen”. “This is not the first time that the news for the return of the army to Kosovo is published,” she said.

Speaking of Milan Radoicic, Lazarevic said that he is “a project of the government” of Serbia. “I still see him as a government project. When I say this, I mean they could be official and para-state authorities,” she added.

 

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

NATO, concerned about the security of the region, announces additional troops in Kosovo (NMagazin, balkansec.net)

Commander of the NATO Joint Forces Command in Naples, Admiral Stuart Munsch, said that the North Atlantic Alliance is concerned about the recent violence in Kosovo and will deploy additional troops to ensure that KFOR has the necessary resources to face any challenges.

"Belgrade and Pristina must take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation and refrain from further irresponsible behaviour that creates an atmosphere conducive to the spread of violence. Constructive dialogue is the only way to overcome differences. Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under the auspices of the EU is the best platform for finding a solution that respects the rights of all communities," Munsch said in an interview with the Balkan Security Network portal.

He said he was concerned about recent violence in Kosovo, including an attack on KFOR soldiers in May and an attack on Kosovo police in September.

Munch reminded that NATO has already deployed 500 additional Turkish soldiers in Kosovo after the tensions in May, which were replaced in September by forces from Bulgaria and Greece.

"In addition, on September 28, about 200 British soldiers from the First Battalion of the Royal Princess of Wales Regiment joined the British contingent of 400 soldiers already in Kosovo. Reinforcements from other NATO members will follow," he said.

Speaking about the relationship that NATO has with the Serbian Army, he said that this partnership contributes to peace and stability in the Western Balkans and that his organisation respects the military neutrality policy of the official Belgrade.

"Strengthening relations between NATO and Serbia would be beneficial for NATO, for Serbia and for the entire region. We hope that Serbia will have constructive relations with NATO and its neighbours. We fully respect Serbia's policy of military neutrality," he said.

He reiterated that the organisation he represents strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and encourages leaders in that country to avoid divisive rhetoric, that is, to focus on reforms for the benefit of everyone in BiH.

"We have increased the level of political and practical support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in areas such as crisis management, cyber defence, aeromedical evacuation and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident management. Our teams at headquarters in Naples, and our military and civilian representatives at headquarters in Sarajevo are working closely together with the defence and security institutions of BiH.''

The admiral added that ''Russia's attack on Ukraine'' has drastically changed the Euro-Atlantic and global security environment.

"Across the Western Balkans we can see the spread of disinformation and other destabilising activities originating from Russia. NATO is committed to security and stability in the Western Balkans and continues to work with partners and allies to improve and strengthen security. Unity and truth are the best antidote to chaos and lies arising from the Russian war in Ukraine," he said.

Munsch welcomed Serbia's decision to support the resolutions of the UN General Assembly condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine and assessed that "it is important for nations to stand together in defence of the rules-based international order on which global security is based."

He stated that, after the start of the war in Ukraine, NATO significantly increased its presence in the region by introducing two new multinational battle groups in Bulgaria and Romania and that NATO "is ready to defend every inch of allied territory against any aggression".

"We have strengthened surveillance over the Black Sea, among other things, with the help of patrol aircraft and surveillance drones. NATO's fleet of allied drones for monitoring the country has conducted numerous missions in the Black Sea region, and additional American F-16 fighter jets will improve NATO's air patrolling in Romania. These are prudent, non-escalating measures that clearly demonstrate our ability and determination to defend each of our members," he said.

Today, Admiral Munsch is attending the handover of duties of KFOR commander in Pristina. His next task is a meeting in Belgrade with representatives of the state and military leadership of Serbia.

Turkish General Ulutas is new KFOR Commander (Radio KIM)

Turkish Major General Ozkan Ulutas took over the duty of KFOR Commander in Kosovo from Italian General Angelo Michele Ristuccia today and said on that occasion that KFOR "must remain vigilant and ready for any possible development of the situation that may affect the security environment", Radio KIM reports.

General Ulutas is the 28th KFOR Commander since deployment of KFOR in Kosovo in June 1999.

"Recent events have revealed the unpredictable and fragile nature of the security and safety environment in the region which can be endangered at any time. This makes the existence and mission carried out by KFOR even more important. It is therefore imperative that KFOR maintains its situational readiness to effectively fulfil its mission and remain vigilant and ready for any possible development of the situation that may affect the security environment", General Ulutas said in his address.

He also stated that "a realistic and lasting solution for Kosovo can only be achieved through a political process based on dialogue and mutual trust".

"My priority and desire is to contribute to a constructive dialogue, achieving a trust-based communication and environment with all international and other factors in our sphere of interest", he added.

The Turkish General also emphasised that KFOR under his command will continue to carry out its mission "with complete impartiality and professionalism" and stated that this is required by international responsibility in accordance with the goals and values ​​of NATO and the UN on which the mandate of this mission is based.

"For a safe, stable, peaceful and secure Kosovo, the main priority will be to fulfil the requirements of our mandate with active respect for solidarity and active communication with all actors in the region", he said.

Vucic meets Iraqi Assembly Speaker, thanks him for non-recognition of Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met today Iraqi Assembly Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi and discussed with him advancement of bilateral cooperation, current situation in the Western Balkan and in the Middle East as well as the necessity of dialogue in resolving all open issues.

In a post on his official Instagram account, Vucic also said he thanked Iraq for its consistent stance of not recognizing Kosovo. 

Parliaments of Serbia, Iraq sign MoU, speakers discuss Kosovo issue (Tanjug)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Orlic and his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Al-Halbousi, who is on an official visit to Serbia, signed a MoU between the two parliaments, Tanjug  news agency reports.

Orlic noted that Al-Halbousi's visit was taking place in a year when Serbia and Iraq marked the 65th anniversary of their bilateral relations and that it was a historic one, being the first by an Iraqi parliament speaker in 24 years.

In a substantial and open discussion, the parties expressed their commitment to the principles of international law.

Al-Halbousi noted that Iraq remained committed to its support to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Serbia, and Orlic thanked him for the position.

Orlic informed Al-Halbousi in detail “of the extremely grave situation in Kosovo and Metohija and Albin Kurti's open terror against the Serbs, as well as of Kurti's attempts to lead to open escalation on a daily basis and to permanently destroy peace and dialogue”.

"Serbia remains committed to preservation of peace, stability and dialogue as the only right way to achieve a sustainable solution and, at the same time, to its own development, progress and cooperation with friends and partners from around the world, among which Iraq has its important place", Orlic said.

Lavrov: EU does not wish and cannot make Pristina fulfil agreement on CSM (Kosovo Online, Novosti, RTS)

Russia is deeply concerned over continuation of deterioration of the situation in Kosovo, and at this moment the European Union does not want and cannot force Pristina to fulfil Brussels agreement from 2013 on establishing Community of Serbian Municipalities (CSM), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an op-ed titled Respecting UN Charter Principles as a Key to International Peace and Stability, posted on the Foreign Ministry’s website, Kosovo Online portal reports.

He also said that in this region “a sadful history of the Minsk Agreement related to Ukraine repeats itself”.

“Entire world can see how sadful history of the Minsk Agreement on Ukraine which foresaw special status to the republics of Donbas and which Kiev openly sabotaged with support of the West, repeats itself in the Balkans”, Lavrov wrote.

He also said that at this moment European Union “does not want, and it can not make its protegees in Kosovo to fulfil agreements of Belgrade and Pristina from Brussels in 2013 on establishing Community of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo and Metohija, that would have special rights related to their language and tradition”.

Comparing the two agreements, he said in both cases the EU was guarantor of them. 

Hill: We need to know exactly what happened in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio, RTS, Tanjug)

The US ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, said that he personally believes that we need to know exactly what happened in Kosovo, so that something similar does not happen again, reported Kontakt plus radio, citing RTS. 

"Without a political agreement and political perspectives, we cannot move forward and solve these kinds of problems," Hill told reporters at the Regional Conference on Innovation and Innovative Entrepreneurship "SPLET Tek Conference".

Hill emphasized that one of the elements of the political solution for Kosovo should be a regional perspective, that is, a regional approach to solving problems and for people to establish trust and work on problems together.

"I also think that some politicians should come, and see what the approach to solving the problems in Kosovo is," Hill added.

The ambassador stated that a political agreement for Kosovo is necessary, which consists of some elements, which are, as he said, the Association/Community of Serbian Municipalities, as well as a broader picture and a broader perspective for Kosovo.

 

 

 

International 

 

EU drafts measures against Serbia as Belgrade’s involvement in terrorist attack is under scrutiny (Euractiv)

The EU is running out of patience with Serbia and has drafted measures that will impact it politically, economically, and in terms of its EU accession, while more evidence emerges from the 24 September terrorist attack, including the involvement of Serbian President Aleksander Vucic’s son’s close collaborator.

Since the terrorist attack in Banjske, northern Kosovo, just over two weeks ago, pressure has been mounting from regional leaders, members of the European Parliament and Pristina to enforce measures on Serbia.

The attack saw some 30 armed militia ambush Kosovo police, killing one, before barricading themselves inside a monastery. The subsequent shootout with police saw three terrorists killed, and Belgrade declared a period of mourning.

It was later revealed that the attack involved the since-resigned vice-head of the Kosovo political party Serbian List, Milan Radojicic, Serbian intelligence chief Aleksander Vulin’s personal bodyguard Bojan Mijailovic, and Milorad Jevtic, a close associate of the Vucic’s son Danillo.

More information, following an investigation by Balkan Insight, found that weapons used in the attack had been made in Serbia in 2022, while some mortar rounds and grenades had been repaired in Serbian state maintenance centres in 2018 and 2021.

In an interview, MEP and rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, said that threats over stability in the Western Balkans “primarily come from Serbia and the lack of political will to find a solution. It is clear this time that patience with President Vucic is wearing thin.”

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/64x86vmx

The Illegal Theatre of the 90’: House of God Became House of Actors (BIRN)

Sovran Nrecaj’s immersive exhibition, Illegal Theater, transports us back to a time when artists, silenced by the Milosevic regime, turned homes, churches, and schools into theater stages, bringing the magic of storytelling to life in the face of adversity.

Three theater curtains, not in the usual black, but in vivid colors, surrounded small screens displaying three different parts of a documentary, in the Dardania neighborhood of Prishtina. The narrative of Ferizaj’s illegal theater unfolded through the firsthand stories of three eyewitnesses, actors of the Theatre of Ferizaj.

These documentaries bring a history that took place in the heart of Kosovo’s tumultuous past, when a clandestine movement emerged, defying an oppressive regime and finding consolation in the most unexpected of places—the world of illegal theater. 

Slobodan Milosevic’s regime placed theater under violent administration, expelling Albanian artists and subjecting them to totalitarian control. In the absence of theaters, people opened the doors of their homes, churches, and schools to practice the words that needed to be spoken before the public but were suppressed by the authorities.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/dej3thhc