Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani asks U.S. to help accelerate Kosovo’s membership in NATO (RFE)

• Kurti thanks intl officials for letter “calling for solidarity with Kosovo” (media)

• UK receives letter; “We are working for entire Western Balkans” (Express)

• Growing voices in Ukraine for recognition of Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

• MINT revokes licences of 15 other businesses (media)

• Kurti hosts outgoing head of Belgium Diplomatic Office (media)

  Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic, Hill discuss Serbia-US relations, Kosovo, Serbia's international position (Tanjug)

• Vucevic meets with Egyptian President, discuss Kosovo issue as well (media)

• Vucic: Period until 2027 our benchmark for everything from now on (Tanjug)

• Ambassador Tolkach: Stance of Ukraine on Kosovo remains unchanged (N1, Kosovo Online)

• Vucic comments on possibility that Ukraine recognizes Kosovo, says he thinks Zelensky is wise (N1)

• COM KFOR visited Pec Patriarchate (Kosovo Online)

International Media:

• Ukrainian ambassador to Serbia: Rumors growing about Kiev recognizing Kosovo (euronews.al)

• “Ukraine edging closer to recognizing Kosovo,” says Edward Joseph (euronews.al)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani asks U.S. to help accelerate Kosovo’s membership in NATO (RFE)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, during a meeting with U.S. Senator Jack Reed in Pristina on Tuesday, called on the United States to help accelerate the process of Kosovo’s membership in NATO. Osmani said that the U.S. “don’t have a greater ally and friend in the region than the Republic of Kosovo” and that the people of Kosovo are “the most pro-American in Europe and the world”.

Osmani thanked Senator Reed, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, for supporting the Kosovo Security Force, namely for including Kosovo in the U.S. Military Training Assistance. “Kosovo aims for membership in NATO and the Partnership for Peace, therefore, it is important and necessary to have the U.S. support in accelerating this process. Our hope is that Kosovo will be part of the Partnership for Peace as soon as possible as a step that comes before membership in NATO,” she said.

Commenting on political and security developments, Osmani said that Kosovo has made steps to de-escalate the situation in the north, and “highlighted Serbia’s destabilising actions in cooperation with Russia”. “She also highlighted that Kosovo is a multiethnic state, whose Constitution guarantees a high level of protection for the rights and freedoms of all communities. These rights and freedoms are the core of the values of the society of Kosovo and as such they must remain inviolable,” Osmani said.

Senator Reed also met Prime Minister Albin Kurti, the latter thanking him for including Kosovo in the U.S. National Defence Authorisation Act for 2024, “which enables Kosovo to take part in military drills led by the United States of America and to increase compatibility with NATO troops”. 

A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that Senator Reed highlighted “the decision and readiness of the Republic of Kosovo to shelter Afghan refugees and expressed his appreciation. Among other issues, he said that the support for Kosovo in 1999 was one of the most previous actions of the United States of America, and acknowledged the progress that has achieved and expressed his support for the positive results”.

Kurti thanks international officials for letter “calling for solidarity with Kosovo” (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister thanked on Tuesday international officials for the joint letter they sent to U.S., EU and UK asking them to be more critical of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic regarding tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. Kurti wrote in a Twitter post: “Thank you to Alicia Kearns, Senator Bob Menendez, Michael Roth and the rest of the chairs of foreign affairs committees and senior parliamentarians who have called for solidarity with Kosovo and an approach to the region more attentive to the threat posed by Serbia's aggressive stance and actions”.

UK receives letter; “We are working for entire Western Balkans” (Express)

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told the news website on Tuesday that they have received the letter of 56 parliamentarians from Europe and the United States calling for a more equal approach towards Kosovo and Serbia. The spokesperson said: "we are working throughout the Western Balkans to create a safe, peaceful, and prosperous region, built on strong foundations of democracy, rule of law, and cooperation … Together with international partners we have sought de-escalation in the north of Kosovo and encouraged a return to constructive dialogue between all parties”.

Growing voices in Ukraine for recognition of Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

The daily reports on its front page this morning that Ukraine’s Ambassador to Serbia, Volodymyr Tolkach, said on Tuesday that there are growing voices in Ukrainian society about the recognition of Kosovo’s independence and that a certain number of Ukrainian MPs are supporting the position for the eventual recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Tolkach however also said that Ukraine’s position not to recognise Kosovo remains unchanged because the issue of “creating and implementing foreign policy in compliance with the Ukrainian legislation belongs to the President of Ukraine”. 

Tolkach made these remarks after an interview that Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, gave to Pristina-based T7 TV station saying that “Kosovo’s recognition by Ukraine is being discussed in Kiev”. 

MINT revokes licences of 15 other businesses (media)

Most news websites reported on Monday that the Kosovo Business Registration Agency revoked the certificates of 15 businesses. A press release issued by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship noted that the business certificates included anti-constitutional content. The statement also notes that “revoking of certificates of commercial companies, which were identified to include the same or similar violations, will continue in the next couple of days”.

Kurti hosts outgoing head of Belgium Diplomatic Office (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti received in a farewell meeting on Tuesday, the Head of the Diplomatic Office of the Kingdom of Belgium in Kosovo, Julien Sassel.He thanked diplomat Sassel for his active contribution and close cooperation in strengthening and deepening bilateral relations between Kosovo and Belgium, and at the same time wished him success in his next engagements. “The Diplomatic Office of Belgium will soon rise to the level of the Embassy of Belgium in Kosovo, thus proving the excellent relations between the two countries and the mutual will for their further advancement,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic, Hill discuss Serbia-US relations, Kosovo, Serbia's international position (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill on Tuesday about advancement of Serbia-US relations, Serbia's international position, dialogue process with Pristina and the situation in Kosovo, Tanjug news agency reported.

In a post on his official Instagram profile, Vucic noted that the discussion with Hill had been open and sincere.

"The main topic was further advancement of Serbia-US political and economic relations. Of course, we discussed Serbia's international position, as well as the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the process of the dialogue with Pristina", Vucic said.

Vucevic meets with Egyptian President, discuss Kosovo issue as well (media)

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Milos Vucevic met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss strengthening of bilateral cooperation and convey Serbia's gratitude for Egypt's consistency and unchanged position on Kosovo issue.

Political relations between Serbia and Egypt are traditionally good, friendly and represent a partnership, and the two countries are connected by historical ties spanning over 115 years - for that reason, Serbia intends to maintain and advance them constantly, the Serbian Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Vucevic, who is on an official visit to Egypt, thanked El-Sisi for a cordial welcome and an opportunity to discuss not only defense cooperation but also advancement of overall relations between the traditionally friendly countries, the statement added. 

Vucic: Period until 2027 our benchmark for everything from now on (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a public address on Tuesday evening that Serbia's development plan had been changed completely and that, from now on, the period until 2027 would be the benchmark for everything.

At a press conference with Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Vucic said the plans were ambitious and that their implementation should begin "almost as early as tomorrow".

"We will need people to help us, we will need many volunteers and the entire Serbia will need to work. One of the reasons for that is EXPO 2027, which will transform the entire country - not only Belgrade, which you will not recognise in four years' time. We will use it for further development of Serbia", Vucic said.

Brnabic said rebuilding homes and schools damaged in recent storms and making records of the damage were absolute priorities at this time.

Ambassador Tolkach: Stance of Ukraine on Kosovo remains unchanged (N1, Kosovo Online)

Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia, Volodymyr Tolkach said the stance of his country remains principled not to recognize Kosovo, adding that Ukraine respects territorial integrity of Serbia.

In a response to Kosovo Online media inquiry Tolkach emphasized once again it is of particular importance for Ukraine to respect and ensure protection of the international law norms by all states, in particular when it comes to territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of internationally recognized states.

The stance of Ukraine is principled and stable, and Ukraine respects territorial integrity of Serbia, Tolkach said.

Vucic comments on possibility that Ukraine recognizes Kosovo, says he thinks Zelensky is wise (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he considers Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “much wiser” than Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko, who according to media reports said earlier that Kiev considers recognizing Kosovo, N1 reports.

“Imagine that Ukraine recognizes independent Kosovo – in one day they would lose all. Complete political credibility, it will all be gone in a single day”, Vucic said last night while addressing the public.

He also said Ukraine is a friendly state with Serbia, adding he hopes there will be no problems with it. 

COM KFOR visited Pec Patriarchate (Kosovo Online)

KFOR Commander Major General Michele Ristuccia visited Pec and Pec Patriarchate, Kosovo Online portal reported citing KFOR’s announcement on social media.

As the statement posted on Facebook reads, General Ristuccia met Pec mayor Gazmend Muhaxherri and then together with him and Regional Command West Commander Colonel Gabriel Vacca visited Serbian Orthodox Church Pec Patriarchate where the nuns illustrated all the details of this ancient and important religious site.

“KFOR continues to implement its mandate – based on the #UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 – to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people living in #Kosovo”, it was also said in a statement. 

 

International Media

Ukrainian ambassador to Serbia: Rumors growing about Kiev recognizing Kosovo (euronews.al)

The Ambassador of Ukraine to Serbia, Volodymyr Tolkach, said on Tuesday that in Ukrainian society voices are growing more and more for the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, and that a certain number of deputies in the Parliament of Ukraine are supporting the position for the recognition of possible of Kosovo.

However, Tolkach emphasized that Ukraine’s position on the recognition of Kosovo remains unchanged, because the issue of “creating and implementing foreign policy in accordance with Ukrainian legislation belongs to the president of Ukraine.”

Ukraine does not recognize the independence of Kosovo, declared in February 2008.

Tolkach made these comments after an interview of the chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian Parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko, for the T7 channel in Kosovo.

Merezhko had said on August 7 that “the recognition of Kosovo by Ukraine is being discussed in Kiev.” 

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3t9mv5dy

“Ukraine edging closer to recognizing Kosovo,” says Edward Joseph (euronews.al)

Edward Joseph, an American expert on Balkan affairs, delves into the implications of a letter signed by prominent politicians from Europe and the United States, advocating for a new and closer approach by the Western countries towards Kosovo as it navigates its relations with Serbia.

According to Joseph, the primary signatory of the letter isn’t a representative from Washington or Berlin; rather, it is Oleksandr Merezhko, the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

The letter underscores the fact that Kosovo is an autonomous nation. With its endorsement, the high-ranking Ukrainian politician has propelled his nation towards recognizing Kosovo’s independence, notes Joseph.

“The potential recognition of Kosovo by Ukraine could potentially encourage five European Union member states that currently withhold recognition to rethink their stance, potentially diminishing Belgrade’s sway over Pristina and possibly reducing the need for further appeals to [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vučić’s pro-Russian regime,” articulates the American professor.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/33nr6cbr