Albanian Language Media:

• Chollet: Parties should return to dialogue and implement Ohrid deal (Koha)
• Kurti: Two years today, Serbia sent warplanes near border to scare us (Express)

• Kurti thanks residents of Banjska for calmness and prudence (Kallxo)

• Osmani meets Hovenier: Hope there will be sanctions for Serbia (Koha)

• Kurti meets Abbott, discuss security situation and attack on police (Express)

• Gervalla: “Vucic, exporter of terrorism and instability” (Express)

• Kosovo, Serbia called to return to negotiations, implement agreement (Koha)

• KFOR: We were ready to intervene, coordinated with Police and EULEX (media)

• Police Director visits Banjska, ensures citizens will be offered help (media)

• Some 60 suspects for Banjska, 10 received medical treatment in Serbia (Koha)

• Ramadani insists NATO-Serbia Kumanovo Agreement was breached (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• “Restore calm, return to dialogue”: Chollet speaks to Vucic, Kurti (N1)

• Dacic accuses Kurti for situation, asks KFOR to take over security functions (media)

• Drecun: “Kurti to escalate terror” (Tanjug, RTS)

• Momirovic: Systematic violation of human and political rights leads to tragic events (media)

• Raska-Prizren Eparchy extends condolences to families of killed Serbs in Banjska (KoSSev, media)

• Citizens lit candles for Serbs killed in armed incident in Banjska (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)

• Day of Mourning declared in Republika Srpska (RTRS, Kosovo Online)

• Three Serbs arrested in relation to Banjska incident sent to one-month detention (Radio KIM)

• Windows at Braca Aleksic Elementary School broken in Lipljan (Kosovo Online)

• AP on situation in Kosovo: Highly unlikely KFOR will grant Vucic’s request (BETA, N1)

• Police action in Banjska concluded, decision on further steps today (media)

• Kosovo police says eight persons in total arrested in north (Kosovo Online)

• Brnabic thanks Cyprus for respecting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug)

International Media: 

• The Pavlovic Today Asks Blinken’s Spokesperson About US Support For KFOR Taking Charge In Northern Kosovo

 

Albanian Language Media

  Chollet: Parties should return to dialogue and implement Ohrid deal (Koha)   Counselor to the U.S.State Department, Derek Chollet, called on Kosovo and Serbia on Tuesday to return to the EU-facilitated dialogue and implement the agreement reached in Ohrid.   “Spoke with PM Albin Kurti about the heinous attack Sunday in Kosovo. Strongly condemned violence against Kosovo Police; expressed condolences on the loss of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku. Both sides must return to the EU-facilitated Dialogue and implement Ohrid commitments,” Chollet wrote.   Kurti: Two years today, Serbia sent warplanes near border to scare us (Express)   Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti wrote on X platform about Serbia's violence and aggression, which he said has intensified. “Two years ago, Serbia sent MiG-29 fighter jets and Russia's Ambassador to our border to intimidate us. Since then, their violence and aggression have intensified. But we remain resolute in our commitment to safeguarding democracy and the rule of law throughout the Republic of Kosovo,” Kurti wrote.   “Vucic is obsessed with the commander-in-chief of the KLA, Adem Jashari. He wanted to turn the Orthodox Monastery of Banjska into the "Jasharaj Tower'' for the Serbs of Kosova on September 24! At the meeting in Brussels on May 2nd, he told us that Milan Radojcic will become Adem Jashari of the Serbs. But, being a dictator, he does not understand history: epics and liberations can be neither fabricated nor copied,” Kurti wrote.   Kurti thanks residents of Banjska for calmness and prudence (Kallxo)   Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti thanked the Serb residents of Banjska in Zvecan for calmness, prudence and trust. He has shared some photos of the Kosovo Police distributing food packages to the residents there. “Alongside its anti-terror operation, Kosovo Police has distributed 100+ food packages in Banjske to the majority Kosovo-Serb residents in the area, in addition to addressing other basic needs. I thank our citizens for their calm, prudence and trust. The Police are at your service,” Kurti wrote.   Osmani meets Hovenier: Hope there will be sanctions for Serbia (Koha)   Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met with the ambassador of the United States of America, Jeffrey Hovenier, on Tuesday, with whom she discussed the security situation after the attack against police in the north of the country. Osmani said she hopes there will be sanctions against Serbia due to direct involvement in this attack.   "The President emphasized that for this terrorist attack and act of aggression on the part of Serbia, there should be responsibility on the part of the Serbian state. She also said that she hopes that after the allied countries complete their internal procedures for confirming the information related to the latest attack on Kosovo, they will take concrete measures and sanctions against Serbia, due to its direct involvement. in this attack, either as a pusher, organizer or facilitator of it,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.   Ambassador Hovenier reportedly once again expressed his condolences for the murder of the Kosovo policeman. "The President, meanwhile, has thanked the allies, first of all the USA, for the support and solidarity after the murder of the police sergeant, the hero of Kosovo Afrim Bunjaku, as well as the cooperation and support of the security institutions at this time when national security of Kosovo is being seriously challenged", it was emphasized in the announcement.   Kurti meets Abbott, discuss security situation and attack on police (Express)   Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti hosted on Tuesday the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Nicholas Abbott. The central topic of discussion was the September 24 attack on the Kosovo Police, the current security situation and the steps forward, the Prime Minister's Office announced. Kurti informed Ambassador Abbott of the latest actions of security institutions, as well as their commitment to guarantee territorial integrity, security, legality and constitutionality.   "Kurti said that in Kosovo state sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security were violated on Sunday. "The exposed weaponry shows that there was a scenario for many more killed and bloodshed in Kosovo, a scenario that was fortunately prevented thanks to the professionalism of the Kosovo Police. The police provide security for all citizens of Kosovo, for all communities, without distinction,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.   "Describing the group of attackers, he said they are professionals trained in combat, equipped with mortar weapons, launchers and snipers, who are neither smuggling gangs nor armed citizens. From the preliminary information, he added that most of them seem to have been members of the so-called ‘Civil Defense’ or ‘Northern Brigade’ which the Government of the Republic of Kosovo declared a terrorist organization almost three months ago,” Kurti said.   While expressing gratitude for the continued support of the United Kingdom, Kurti also said that the border line with Serbia is very long, in the north and the terrain is mountainous, "so it is necessary to have increased local and international cooperation for the preservation, protection and border control".   Ambassador Abbott expressed his condolences to the family, colleagues of the deceased Bunjaku, and all the citizens of Kosovo, as he condemned the criminal attack of September 24.   He praised the management of the situation by the government of Kosovo, the Police of Kosovo and all other state institutions for the professionalism and prudence shown.   Gervalla: “Vucic, exporter of terrorism and instability” (Express)   Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, has posted on X platform the footage where the deputy leader of the Serbian List, Milan Radojcic, is seen as part of the action of the armed group, which on September 24 attacked the Kosovo Police, killing Afrim Bunjaku. “Irrefutable evidence that Radoicic, a close associate of Vucic, led the terrorist group that attacked the Kosovo police. Vucic is an exporter of terrorism and instability. This should be a wake-up call for the international community to take decisive action to preserve stability,” Gervalla wrote.   Kosovo and Serbia called to return to negotiations, implement agreement (Koha)   Two days after the attack in Banjska of Zvecan, the authorities in Kosovo and Serbia have been called to return to the table of discussions. The USA and Germany have reiterated the need to start implementing the agreement reached in Brussels and its Annex in Ohrid. However, Prime Minister Kurti has not responded to these calls.   Diplomats accredited in Kosovo requested the continuation of the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia.   After the attack that a Serbian armed group made against the Kosovo Police in Banjska Zvecan, the US ambassador in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, met on Tuesday with President Vjosa Osmani. He expressed the expectation that both sides will engage in the process facilitated by the EU.   "We want to see the Ohrid Agreement fully implemented by both sides, and we think that dialogue is the way to achieve this. We will continue to work with the authorities in Kosovo and Serbia to advance in this direction", Hovenier said.   The ambassador of Germany in Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, also said that the attack on the police emphasizes the need to continue the talks.   "Sunday's horrific criminal and terrorist attack against law enforcement officers in Kosovo underscores the urgent need to continue dialogue talks and implement the Ohrid Agreement now," Rohde said.   The request to return to the dialogue was also made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.   However, Prime Minister Albin Kurti did not respond to international calls.   Also, former chief negotiator Edita Tahiri does not see the continuation of the process as possible. "Borell and Lajcak, what planet are they on? They should resign after Serbia's hegemonic attack on Kosovo. Now the EU must suspend the Serbia of terrorists from European integration; to dismiss the two mediators. Kosovo was punished when it made mistakes, now without punishing Serbia the calls for the continuation of the dialogue have no meaning,” Tahiri said.   Unlike at the end of May, when Kosovo became responsible for tensions in the north, internationals have now offered support to the authorities to track down and bring to justice members of a Serbian armed formation that left one policeman dead and another injured, reports the news website.   KFOR: We were ready to intervene, coordinated with Police and EULEX (media)   The NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, has announced that it was ready to intervene if required after the armed attack that took place in Banjska in Zvecan on September 24, where the sergeant of the Kosovo Police, Afrim Bunjaku, was killed.   In a press release on Tuesday, KFOR said that they were present in the area observing the action of the Kosovo Police. It adds that they have worked closely with the institutions of Kosovo and EULEX.   "As stated in the KFOR statement issued on September 24, 2023, after the attack against the Kosovo Police in Banjska, the Kosovo Police intervened in accordance with its law enforcement prerogatives, as a first responder. KFOR troops were present in the area. They watched the situation closely and were ready to respond, if required. Throughout the time, the Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR acted in close coordination, respectively as the first, second and third responders", says the KFOR announcement.   The commander of KFOR, according to the communique, remains in regular contact with all interested parties, "including EULEX, representatives of institutions in Kosovo and security organizations of Kosovo, as well as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Serbia".   "Through KFOR, NATO will always take all necessary actions to maintain a safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, impartially and in accordance with our mandate based on Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council of 1999", KFOR's announcement follows.   KFOR has once again appealed that dialogue is the address where unresolved issues can be resolved.   "KFOR will also continue to provide the necessary security framework for the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to move forward. The dialogue mediated by the EU between Belgrade and Pristina is the only way to resolve the outstanding issues and to reach a sustainable solution that respects the rights of all communities", says the KFOR communique.   Police Director visits Banjska, ensures citizens will be offered help (media)   The General Director of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, on Tuesday visited the village of Banjske, the place where the conflict between the Kosovo Police and armed attackers took place. From there, Hoxha has assured the citizens of Banjska that they will be offered help according to their needs and requests.   During this visit, according to the announcement, the Police management was accompanied by the Deputy Commander of KFOR and met the EULEX advisor for the regional directorate in North Mitrovica, with whom they discussed the security situation.   "During the visit to several locations in the village of Banjske, they met and encouraged the officials of the security institutions who, with dedication and professionalism, are actively performing their duties in the field, with the aim of creating greater security for all citizens without distinction. At the same time, Director Hoxha was interested in the provision of security to the citizens by the police units and assured that the KP will continue to provide assistance to the citizens according to their needs and requests", the announcement states.   The Director of Police expressed his gratitude to the police officers and thanked them for their successful and professional work in managing the security situation and preventing criminal and terrorist activities.   Some 60 suspects for Banjska, 10 received medical treatment in Serbia (Koha)   Much greater than 30 is the number of people who were allegedly involved in Sunday's attack on the Police in Banjske, Zvecan. Authorities have not officially spoken about the number or how they escaped. Koha’s sources indicated that around 10 of the group's members arrived in Serbia injured, including the deputy leader of the Serbian List, Milan Radojcic.   Double the number of people officially reported, suspected of belonging to the paramilitary group that committed terrorist acts against the Kosovo Police in Banjska.   Initially, the Kosovo institutions said that the number is around 30. However, Koha’s sources have stated that this number is believed to be around 60.   The drone footage shows the moment of their departure from the Banjska Monastery, after the fight with the police. In the video, it can be seen that they escaped under the barrage of bullets from the Kosovo Special Unit. Some are seen getting into armored vehicles.   Koha sources have shown that the number of injured people who left Kosovo for Serbia may be around 10. According to them, the images provided by the drone show that they were pulled with an armored vehicle.   The institutions of Kosovo have not provided information on how they left, although the Minister of the Interior emphasized on Sunday that the members of the group were surrounded by the police.   Serbian media have been reporting for two days that wounded Serbs who took part in the attack in Banjska are being treated in Serbian hospitals. Among them, they also identified the deputy leader of the Serbian List, Milan Radojcic.   The medium "N1" in Serbia has reported on at least two injured people who requested medical assistance. According to this medium, they received the first treatment at the general hospital of Novi Pazar and were then transferred to other medical centers.   These two men aged 26 and 29, according to these reports, were seen in intensive care at this hospital. One was admitted with wounds on the arm and leg, while the other on the chest, but the wounds are reported to have been smaller due to the bulletproof vest.   Koha’s sources have said that the members of the Serbian paramilitary group used two armored vehicles to return to Serbia. One of the armored vehicles is among the vehicles and military arsenal that the Kosovo Police found the day before.   "The means confiscated on 25.09.2023 consist of a heavy armored car, two cars and a heavy machine (excavator), which were filled with a large amount and which mainly consist of: a heavy caliber weapon (launcher with nitro 30 mm), three heavy guns (three-barreled gulinov), two long guns (machine guns), one sniper (black spear 12.7 mm), one mortar (82 mm), twenty-two long guns (AK 47), one automatic rifle (RPZ), two hunting rifles, two short guns (revolvers), one hand grenade, seventy-four magazines for AK 47, nine bulletproof vests, one radio, eight military bags, six military uniforms,” said the Kosovo Police.   After the attack in Banjska, two more suspects were handcuffed, bringing the number of those arrested for this case to eight.   Ramadani insists that NATO-Serbia Kumanovo Agreement has been breached (Express)   The former inspector general of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Burim Ramadani, spoke at T7 Pressing about the developments in the north of Kosovo. Ramadani believes that this group is “a military paramilitary, which means that Serbia has violated the Kumanovo agreement, which it signed in 1999.”   While explaining this, Ramadani said that the agreement states that Serbia is not to support provocative or hostile demonstrations. "Serbia has done this", he says - therefore it has violated the agreement.”   "Serbia has at least supported this group and if it has supported this group then this is a violation of the Kumanova agreement, because this agreement states that Serbia cannot encourage or organize provocative or hostile demonstrations. Because of this, I am convinced that the game has changed", Ramadani said.   Furthermore, he spoke about the potential consequences that Serbia would have, mentioning the possibility, always according to Ramadani, that the Serbian president, Aleksandër Vucic, will be included in the blacklist of the USA and the European Union.   "For my conviction, there are three elements. The exclusion of Serbia from the partnership for peace with NATO, the conditioning with the shutting down of the Russian espionage in Nis and the third that the Serbian president joins Vulin in the list of sanctions", Ramadani said.  

Serbian Language Media

  “Restore calm, return to dialogue”: Chollet speaks to Vucic, Kurti (N1) Counselor of the United States Department of State Derek Chollet spoke on Tuesday with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, N1 reports. Chollet said in an X post that, in his conversation with Kurti, he strongly condemned violence against Kosovo police. “Spoke with PM Kurti of the heinous attack Sunday in Kosovo. Strongly condemned violence against Kosovo Police; expressed condolences on the loss of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku”, Chollet said. He said he spoke with the Serbian President about de-escalation. “Spoke to President Vucic on the importance of immediate de-escalation in the north of Kosovo and avoiding actions which could further inflame tensions. The tragic loss of life underscores the urgent need to restore calm and return to the EU-facilitated Dialogue”, Chollet said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Dacic accuses Kurti for situation, asks KFOR to take over security functions (media) Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti is the only culprit for everything that is happening in Kosovo, because, as he said, if it were not for his policies the incident in Banjska would have not occurred, adding that is why Belgrade asks KFOR to take over security functions in the north, in Serbian municipalities, to avoid possibility of conflict. Dacic told RTS that a regular session of the UN SC on Kosovo, and in principle about the entire situation there, would most probably be held on October 23. He announced that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will attend it. He also said following the incident in Banjska on Sunday that it is one of the most difficult moments in which Serbia and Serbian people are, asking what 460 Kosovo special police officers in armored vehicles were doing in the vicinity of the Monastery in Banjska on that day, when no single Albanian lives there. “And now Serbs are terrorists because they endanger the constitutional order of the so-called Kosovo? I think they mixed things a bit. Kosovo was created on the terrorist acts of the so-called KLA. Did anyone react to the KLA flags at the burial of a police officer? What KLA was armed with? Did they carry candies or armament? We have been telling everybody that (Albin) Kurti will set the powder keg on fire. So Albanians had the right to fight against Serbian authorities, but Serbs have no right to express protests peacefully, let alone get organized and fight for their rights”, Dacic said. He said this in no way means that he justifies violent actions, adding he regrets the loss of lives of an Albanian police officer and Serbs in Banjska, adding what happened there is not in Serbia’s interest, but wanted to point out a paradoxical situation. Drecun: “Kurti to escalate terror” (Tanjug, RTS) The chairman of the Serbian Parliamentary Committee for Kosovo-Metohija Milovan Drecun said on Tuesday recent deadly clashes in the north of Kosovo were “a result of horrible terror wreaked by the regime of Pristina's PM Albin Kurti”. Speaking to the RTS, Drecun said Kurti would not only continue but also escalate the terror under the pretext of investigations. “Motivated by Kurti's policy regarding Serbs, ethnic Albanian extremists are further encouraged to attack the Serbs and Kurti is using the situation to achieve his goals”, Drecun said. "They immediately launched a systematic internal campaign to demonstrate that this is about a terrorist group and to link it with Belgrade and, in parallel, they are preparing a crackdown on Serbian List", Drecun said. That means that, in the period to come, there will be demands to ban Serbian List activities and participation in any future elections to eliminate the factor of Serb unity and ties with Belgrade from Pristina's political scene, Drecun said. Momirovic: Systematic violation of human and political rights leads to tragic events (media) Serbian Minister of Trade, Tomislav Momirovic said the tragic events that took place over the last days bear witness to what future awaits us if mechanisms are not created that all ethnic communities can take part in public and economic life, and have self-governance as agreed by the Brussels agreement. Speaking in a business forum in Tirana, he added that violation of the basic human and political rights as a consequence brings loss of human lives. He also said when people do not have employment opportunities populist politics will regain, while a joint path to the EU stipulated free flow of goods, services, people and capital. He pointed out that responsibility for incidents that happened in Banjska, in northern Kosovo goes exclusively to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.  Raska-Prizren Eparchy extends condolences to families of killed Serbs in Banjska (KoSSev, media) The Raska-Prizren Eparchy extended last night condolences to the families of three Serbs killed in Banjska during an armed incident there on September 24, KoSSev portal reports. A Kosovo police officer was also killed in the attack. “Regarding the latest suffering of the Kosovo Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, Raska-Prizren Eparchy extends sincere condolences to the members of their families”, reads the statement. The Eparchy also said the latest events represent a deep tragedy for the Serbs, in particular those in the north of Kosovo. “Our Church does its utmost, in order to create conditions that Serbs remain in Kosovo and Metohija at these difficult times and circumstances”, the statement added. Serbian Orthodox Church once again called upon all to peace and restrain, with hope that this and similar events will never happen in the future again. In a first reaction, following the armed incident in Banjska, Raska-Prizren Eparchy also extended condolences to the family of a killed Kosovo police officer. Citizens lit candles for Serbs killed in armed incident in Banjska (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Radio KIM) Large number of citizens lit candles in Mitrovica North, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok to pay tribute to the three Serbs killed in an armed clash with Kosovo police in Banjska village, Serbian media report. Large number of people paid the tribute near the Tzar Lazar Monument in Mitrovica North. Representatives of the Serbian List, Goran Rakic, Igor Simic, former Mitrovica North mayor Milan Radojevic, former Kosovo MP Miljana Nikolic, head of School Administration Ivan Zaporozac, representatives of the Provisional Authority, former MA Mitrovica North chair, Nemanja Bisevac were among present. Large number of citizens also gathered in Leposavic. Family members of two killed Serbs from this municipality were also present. Large number of citizens also gathered in Zvecan and paid tribute near King Milutin Monument in this town. Family of a Serb from this municipality who was killed in Banjska was present. In Strpce, in the Saint Nikola Church citizens lit the candles for their compatriots from the north. The flags fly half mast in Serbian areas in Kosovo, media recalled.  In Belgrade, in front of Saint Sava Temple several hundred people gathered and lit the candles there.    A three-day morning period was declared in the Serbian areas in Kosovo over the tragic incident. The mourning days on September 27 are also declared in central Serbia and Republika Srpska (Serb-majority entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina) Day of Mourning declared in Republika Srpska (RTRS, Kosovo Online) The Government of the Republika Srpska (Serb-majority entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina) declared September 27 as a Day of Mourning over tragic events that took place in Kosovo, Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS) reported. The flags will fly half mast, and TV and radio programmes, sports and entertainment activities will be adjusted in accordance with the mourning day requirements. The Assembly of Republika Srpska also said the cabinet in cooperation with the Church municipality of Banja Luka will organize a prayer and lighting of candles for the Serbs killed in Banjska. The prayer and lighting of candles will take place at 18.00 today in the Christ the Saviour Temple in Banja Luka. Three Serbs arrested in relation to Banjska incident sent to one-month detention (Radio KIM) Lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic told Radio KIM that Pristina special prosecution requested a detention measure be imposed on Blagoje Spasojevic and Dusan Maksimovic, adding the court has accepted it. Pantovic also announced he will file an appeal to this decision related to Spasojevic. Previously lawyer Dejan Vasic said his client Dusan Maksimovic was sent to one-month detention. One-month detention is also imposed on Vladimir Tolic, arrested in Banjska, who is currently under medical treatment because of the wounds he sustained. The lawyers also said they received decisions without elaboration in it, adding the elaboration should come in a few hours. “They are charged with very serious criminal acts, in particular my client. Two very serious criminal acts, it is now difficult to comment if there is evidence and how things stand there, given that the process is at its start, nor we from defense receive a list of files, prosecution has at this phase of proceeding”, Pantovic said. Vasic, who represents Maksimovic, said he pointed out to the court facts he considers relevant and that they demonstrate it is about something else, a misunderstanding rather than something that could have been connected with a criminal act that took place in Banjsa. He also announced an appeal to the decision on detention. He also said his client was not able to give a statement. “He is very distressed because of everything that happened, and I will ask that he is interviewed as soon as possible, if possible tomorrow”, Vasic added.   The trial is closed to the public, so the lawyers were not allowed to provide more details.  Windows at Braca Aleksic Elementary School broken in Lipljan (Kosovo Online) Last night around 22.30 windows at Braca Aleksic Elementary School in Lipljan were broken, head of the Provisional Municipal Authority Milan Joksimovic said, Kosovo Online portal reports. Joksimovic added that Kosovo police opened an investigation, adding that Serb residents in Lipljan feel anxious because of the incident.   Around 50 pupils attend this school. AP on situation in Kosovo: Highly unlikely KFOR will grant Vucic’s request (BETA, N1) The American news agency Associated Press (AP) reported that it is “highly unlikely” that KFOR will grant Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s request presented to Quint ambassadors on Tuesday in Belgrade for it to take over security matters in the north of Kosovo instead of Kosovo Prime Minister “Albin Kurti’s police.” However, AP reported that “there was no immediate reaction from NATO to Vucic’s request, but it is highly unlikely to be granted because the primary role of the (4,500) troops is peacekeeping, not policing”. Read more at: rb.gy/8r8d4 Police action in Banjska concluded, decision on further steps today (media) Kosovo police concluded a police operation in the village of Banjska, in Zvecan municipality, Kosovo Online portal reports citing Pristina-based Telegrafi, adding it will be decided today about further steps. “Today in the afternoon a control-search action in the area of Banjska was concluded. Tomorrow morning it will be decided about further steps”, deputy director of the Kosovo police region north, Veton Elshani said yesterday.  Kosovo police says eight persons in total arrested in north (Kosovo Online) Kosovo police said yesterday that up to now eight persons, suspected of taking part in the incidents in Banjska village in northern Kosovo are arrested, Kosovo Online portal reports. They also said the situation in the north was calm, but tense.  Brnabic thanks Cyprus for respecting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug) Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met with newly-appointed Cypriot Ambassador to Belgrade Andreas Fotiou on Tuesday, thanking him for Cyprus's consistent respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, Tanjug news agency reports. Brnabic also thanked Cyprus for its principled position during a review of a request to launch the procedure of Pristina’s admission to the Council of Europe, the Serbian Government said in a statement. Welcoming the ambassador and wishing him a successful term in Belgrade, Brnabic said she believed bilateral relations between the two countries - based on traditional friendship, closeness and solidarity between the two peoples - would be advanced further through mutual efforts.  

International Media

  The Pavlovic Today Asks Blinken’s Spokesperson About US Support For KFOR Taking Charge In Northern Kosovo Asked by The Pavlovic Today about the US stance regarding the calls from Western Balkan leaders for KFOR to assume full control in northern Kosovo, Matt Miller calls for immediate international cooperation to de-escalate tensions. In the wake of escalating tensions that have gripped northern Kosovo for several months, a climax unfolded on Sunday, September 24th, as violence erupted in Banjska, resulting in the tragic loss of at least four Serbian lives and one Kosovo policeman. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, responding to a critical situation, has formally requested on Tuesday the Quint’s authorization for the NATO-led KFOR mission to assume full control over northern Kosovo. According to a high-ranking government official The Pavlovic Today spoke to, President Vucic made this request during the United Nations General Assembly week that took place last week in New York. Read more at: https://t.ly/OG3P