Albanian Language Media:

• Another failed meeting between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels (media)
• Kurti travels to Montenegro for Western Balkans – EU leaders’ summit (media)
• Hamza: PDK will vote in favor of international agreements (Nacionale)
• Haliti does not rule out a coalition between Vetevendosje and PDK (KTV)
• Abdixhiku calls on Kurti to resign: Set the date for new elections (Kosovapress)
• Haziri: For dissolution of Assembly, Vetevendosje has the LDK votes (media)
• Kurti open EXPOKOS 2024 in Pristina, “let’s explore new partnerships” (media)
• Reactions to graffiti painted on walls of orthodox church near Peja (media)
• Kosovo leaders react to assassination attempt on Slovak PM (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano and Lajcak: No willingness of Belgrade and Pristina to find a compromise agreement (NMagazin, Beta, media)
• Petkovic: Pristina rejected all six of our proposals, we will not give up (Tanjug, media)
• UNS protest due to the lack of translation at the Svecla's and Hoxha conference (KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Protest of drama artists in Serbia due to the ban on entry to Kosovo of actor Nenad Jezdic (KiM radio)
• Vucic shocked by Fico assassination attempt (Tanjug)
• Vucevic met Russian ambassador to Belgrade; Azerbaijani Ambassador (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media

Another failed meeting between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels (media)

Another meeting between Kosovo and Serbia chief negotiators in Brussels on the issue of the Dinar has failed. EU Special Representative for the dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said after the meeting he “hosted the Chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia for the 7th time on the implications of the CBK regulation. Regrettably, the Parties did not manage to reach an agreement. I’m ready to host the Parties again if they show readiness to reach a mutually agreeable temporary solution”.

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement after the meeting that in order to find a sustainable temporary solution for the people most affected by the regulation of the Kosovo Central Bank on cash operations, the European Union, as the Facilitator of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, hosted seven rounds of meetings with the delegations of Kosovo and Serbia between 28 February and 15 May in Brussels.

During these meetings, the Parties extensively presented their positions and explored possibilities for finding common ground. The EU provided ideas and proposals throughout the process, and the Parties managed to bridge some of their differences in order to ensure financial flows from Serbia to Kosovo, including agreeing on the establishment of a new business entity under Kosovo law tasked to temporarily distribute financial assistance from Serbia.

However, despite the EU tabling a compromise proposal that accommodated the Parties’ positions to the maximum possible extent, the Parties could not agree on several key issues including the overall extent of activities of the new entity, the scope of beneficiaries of this entity, and financial assistance from Serbia to Serbia-supported institutions in Kosovo.

The latest meeting today proved that the Parties were not able to find a compromise solution on the remaining open issues. The EU regrets that no agreement could be reached today. The EU assesses that there is no readiness to find a compromise agreement going forward.

The absence of an agreed way forward has negative consequences on the daily lives of Kosovo Serbs and other communities throughout Kosovo and a continued source of concerns.

The EU as the Facilitator remains ready to convene another meeting on this subject as soon as the Parties signal readiness to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Kosovo’s chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi said that the Kosovo side made its comments to Lajcak’s proposal approximating “a final solution within the legal framework of Kosovo and at the same time without touching the substance of Lajcak’s proposal”. He said that the Serbian side however responded with completely new comments as a new proposal and moving away from Lajcak’s proposal.

Bislimi said that “95 percent of the Serbian proposal is a proposal to legalize parallel structures and in no way does it relate to the final beneficiaries of the aid or support from Serbia”.

“In our comments we saw on what points we can make a compromise regarding Lajcak’s proposal. In the comments of the Serbian side, we saw a tendency to move away from the proposal on many points. This proves what we have said several times already: for Serbia, this issue has no urgency, and it is primary for them to not allow a solution for this issue”.

Kurti travels to Montenegro for Western Balkans – EU leaders’ summit (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti travelled to Montenegro on Wednesday where he will take part in the summit of the leaders of the Western Balkans and the European Union. On Wednesday evening he attended the leaders’ dinner hosted by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and on Thursday he will speak at the panel “Current situation and plans for the future – the new growth plan”.

Kurti wrote in a post on X on Wednesday evening: “I am in Kotor Montenegro for the 3rd meeting this year of the WB6 on the EU Growth Plan alongside the EU and the U.S. We will discuss our progress on the EU Growth Plan Reform Agenda & regional issues, including the state of implementation of the agreements we have reached in the Berlin Process.”

Hamza: PDK will vote in favor of international agreements (Nacionale)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) candidate for Prime Minister, Bedri Hamza, told reporters on Wednesday that the PDK will vote on international agreements at the Kosovo Assembly on Thursday. “I am here before you today in my capacity as candidate for Prime Minister from the PDK. I express the position of the PDK, I thank the chairmanship and the parliamentary group for supporting my position which I made public earlier on the vote for international agreements. The PDK will vote on international agreements,” said Hamza, who is also mayor of the municipality of Mitrovica South.

Hamza said that the PDK for some time now has said that Kosovo needs to go to elections. “The economic situation is not good, and to be honest we are already in an election process. The difference is whether it is appropriate for this season,” he said. “In terms of an agreement, I am always a supporter of having cooperation for the interest of the country, coordination between political parties. But if there is an attempt to postpone the timeline, that is a different issue”.

Hamza also said that the position of the PDK does not imply a coalition with Vetevendosje. “This is not about any coalition. We’re not talking about coalitions. We are in a race to work hard and to convince the people with our program and list,” he argued.

According to Hamza, the most realistic option to go to early elections is the dissolution of the Assembly. “There are three options: resignation, a no-confidence motion and the dissolution of the Assembly. The first is not happening, in terms of the second option, the opposition does not have the required number of votes, and the third option is the most realistic. Whether or not it will happen, we can talk about it only hypothetically. Regardless if it happens or not, the PDK will vote on international agreements,” he said.

Haliti does not rule out a coalition between Vetevendosje and PDK (KTV)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Xhavit Haliti, said in an interview with the TV station on Wednesday that the PDK does not rule out a coalition with the Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement. “If we need to enter a coalition, we have been in a coalition with the AAK, LDK, the Serbian List, and the other minorities. We have never been in a coalition with Vetevendosje. Now even if we were to enter a coalition with them, I don’t see any evil in that because they are now the biggest party in Kosovo. But I haven’t seen a mood from VV or PDK for a possible coalition. In principle, there are no eternal animosities or friendships in politics. The overall interest of Kosovo is to make way for development,” he said.

Abdixhiku calls on Kurti to resign: Set the date for new elections (Kosovapress)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, said that the ruling party – the Vetevendosje Movement – should set the date for new elections, and accused other opposition parties of instrumentalizing with the government.

According to Abdixhiku, the only solution for a way out of the current situation is for Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to resign and that “as long as populists choose the path of confronting our allies the establishment of the Association [of Serb-majority municipalities] will be a condition for Kosovo”.

Haziri: For dissolution of Assembly, Vetevendosje has the LDK votes (media)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lutfi Haziri, said in an interview with Kanal 10 on Wednesday that for the dissolution of the Kosovo Assembly, Vetevendosje will have the votes of the LDK.

Kurti open EXPOKOS 2024 in Pristina, “let’s explore new partnerships” (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X on Wednesday that he was delighted to open EXPOKOS2024 in Pristina, “a celebration of our vibrant business ecosystem and our commitment to economic growth and innovation”. “Let’s explore new partnerships and investment opportunities in one of Europe's fastest-growing economies!” he said.

Reactions to graffiti painted on walls of orthodox church near Peja (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said in a statement on Wednesday that it condemns “the vandalizing of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Holy Trinity at Nakëll/Naklo on 14 May, and messages of hatred and intolerance with which the church walls were defaced. We welcome swift action by Kosovo Police to open an investigation and hold perpetrators to account”.

A Kosovo imam, Labinot Maliqi, expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the graffiti painted on the walls of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the village Nakell near Peja by unknown persons. Maliqi said in a Facebook post that they stand together and show solidarity with the Serbian Orthodox community in Kosovo in condemnation of this act of vandalism. “Kosovo is our joint homeland and Islam as a religion of peace and harmony that encourages inter-religious coexistence condemns every act of violence and denigration of human and religious integrity … No one should dare give themselves the right to use a certain religion to express their insanities and cause concern among the believers of a community,” Maliqi said.

Kosovo leaders react to assassination attempt on Slovak PM (media)

Kosovo leaders, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and President Vjosa Osmani condemned the assassination attempt on the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, on Wednesday. Writing on X, Kurti said “very disturbing news from Slovakia, reporting that PM Robert Fico has been shot. We wish him a fast and full recovery and extend our thoughts to his family and the people of Slovakia. Violence has no place in a democracy”. Osmani said “wishing Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico a speedy recovery following today's vile attack. We strongly condemn these acts of violence that threaten European values”.

Serbian Language Media 

Stano and Lajcak: No willingness of Belgrade and Pristina to find a compromise agreement (NMagazin, Beta, media)

The tripartite meeting of the delegations of Belgrade and Pristina with the mediation of the EU ended in Brussels without a solution regarding the decision of the central bank in Pristina on the use of the dinar.

The special envoy of the European Union for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, stated yesterday after the meeting with the main negotiators in Brussels that he was ready to host both sides again if they show readiness to reach a mutually acceptable temporary solution.

"Hosted the chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia for the 7th time on the consequences of the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo. Unfortunately, the parties failed to reach an agreement," wrote Lajcak on the X. 

The spokesperson of the European Union, which mediates the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, wrote on X that the parties failed to reach a compromise on the remaining open issues.

"The EU regrets that and assesses that there is no willingness on the part of Belgrade and Pristina to find a compromise agreement in the future," he said. 

Read the full statement on the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue by the EU Spokesperson at: https://t.ly/FZela

Petkovic: Pristina rejected all six of our proposals, we will not give up (Tanjug, media)

The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said in Brussels Wednesday's round of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on the dinar issue in Kosovo-Metohija had produced no solutions and that Belgrade had been constructive, but that Pristina had again rejected all proposals.

Speaking to reporters, Petkovic said Belgrade had not shut the door to a solution and that he would come to Brussels as many times as necessary.

"For more than nine hours, we discussed the use of the dinar and the unilateral decision by (Pristina's PM) Albin Kurti, who has made it impossible for the Serbs to receive their wages, pensions and social benefits. Even though our side was constructive again and came out with six new proposals, Pristina rejected all of them," Petkovic said.

UNS protest due to the lack of translation at the Svecla's and Hoxha conference (KiM radio, KoSSev)

The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) with its branch in Kosovo protested the lack of translation into the Serbian language during the press conference of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo Xhelal Svecla and the director of the Kosovo Police Gazmend Hoxha held at the police station in North Mitrovica two days ago, reported KiM radio. 

As the UNS state in the announcement, several journalists from newsrooms reporting in the Serbian language who followed this conference, in connection with the operation of the Kosovo Police in the area of the municipality of Zvecan, were denied a translation into their native language.

"The UNS with its branch in Kosovo points out that it is unacceptable to prevent journalists who report in the Serbian language from working, and that this way not only violates the Law on the Use of Languages, but also threatens the right to information guaranteed by international conventions." 

The UNS with its branch in Kosovo reminds that the most frequent form of threat to media freedom in this area is the inability to work due to the lack of translation into the Serbian language, and that journalists of Serbian newsrooms have faced this problem more times since the beginning of the year.

Protest of drama artists in Serbia due to the ban on entry to Kosovo of actor Nenad Jezdic (KiM radio)

The Association of Dramatic Artists of Serbia (UDUS) expressed its protest and deep concern over the ban on entry to Kosovo of colleague Nenad Jezdic and the play "The Book of Milutin" by Zvezdara Theater.

"This unprecedented act of violence against the art and rights of our people in Kosovo and Metohija is just another proof of the malice and arrogance of those who would completely and in every possible way deprive our people even more, who are already denied almost every right," stated the UDUS statement.

The association sent an appeal to the competent institutions and the international public to strongly condemn this behavior and stand up for at least elementary human rights, when all others have long been taken away and annulled.

In the statement, UDUS also expresses fear that such deliberate provocations and intensification of otherwise dangerous tensions in Kosovo do not leave room "for retreat and good will, but force an urgent and sharp reaction, both from the domestic and international public."

Vucic shocked by Fico assassination attempt (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday he was shocked by the attempt to assassinate Slovakian PM Robert Fico.

"I am shocked by the attempted assassination of Robert Fico, a great friend to me and to Serbia. Dear friend, I pray for you and for your health," Vucic wrote in a post on his predsednikrs account on the social media network X.

Fico was shot and wounded in the city of Handlova, central Slovakia, this afternoon, Slovakian media reported. He remains hospitalised in a life-threatening condition. The attacker has been arrested.

Vucevic met Russian ambassador to Belgrade; Azerbaijani Ambassador (Tanjug)

Serbian PM Milos Vucevic received Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Wednesday.

Vucevic said preservation of regional stability was a strategic interest of Serbia and that a UNGA resolution on Srebrenica was a sensitive issue that was not contributing to deepening of cooperation and building good-neighborly relations.

Botsan-Kharchenko said Serbia could count on Russia's firm support in preservation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as unequivocal support in the international arena on all issues vital to Serbia, the Serbian government said in a statement.

Vucevic thanked the Russian Federation for its firm position on Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and for its respect of international law. He noted that Pristina's decision to ban the Serbian dinar in Kosovo jeopardised the position of the Serbs in Kosovo and made their life more difficult to a great extent, moving Belgrade and Pristina away from dialogue.

Vucevic: Azerbaijan's support in UN, CoE extremely important to Serbia 

The Serbian PM also met the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Belgrade Kamil Hasiyev on Wednesday.

Vucevic said Azerbaijan's principled position on Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty when it comes to the Kosovo issue was extremely important to Belgrade, the Serbian government said in a statement. He said the same was the case with Azerbaijan's support in the UN and the Council of Europe.

Vucevic said he expected bilateral cooperation to be continued, in the infrastructure and energy sectors, especially when it comes to green energy, as well as in other fields, in view of the potentials of the Serbian economy.

Hasiyev noted that Serbia was the only European country with which Azerbaijan had established a special, strategic friendship and partnership, based on a good relationship between the presidents of both countries. He said development of bilateral ties, in the economy in particular, would be strengthened further by a session of a joint economic committee in Baku this year.

Vucevic invited Azerbaijani companies to take part in the specialised EXPO 2027.