Albanian Language Media:

• Govt: Association isn’t an umbrella to legalize illegal structures (media)
• Kurti: In less than 2 weeks, 313 Serbs converted their driver’s licenses (media)
• Kurti meets coalition partners, non-majority communities representatives (media)
• U.S. concerned about minorities’ treatment, “leaders to listen to partners” (RFE)
• KFOR said it was notified about operation in north, but did not take part in it (RFE)
• Osmani meets Szunyog, talks need to remove measures against Kosovo (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

• Ziadeh: Kosovo Police action in the north may lead to an escalation (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
• EU concerned over Kosovo police raids on bank branches (N1)
• Hovenier and Chulik: Yesterday’s KP action was not coordinated with international partners, Kosovo government has to address the basic needs of all citizens (KoSSev)
• British Embassy: Police action in the north poses a risk for escalation of tensions (Kosovo Online)
• KFOR: We expect timely consultations on any action by the Kosovo Police or the KSF (Kosovo Online, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Vucevic met Konrad, further cooperation, Serbia's European path, and the position of Serbs in Kosovo discussed (Tanjug)
• Petkovic spoke with the Spanish ambassador about the situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Miljan Jovanovic from Leposavic arrested by the Kosovo police for the second time - by mistake (Beta, NMagazin)
• SL: The state has done everything to protect all Serbs who receive income from the budget of the Republic of Serbia (Radio Mitrovica sever)

    Albanian Language Media

Govt: Association isn’t an umbrella to legalize illegal structures (media)

Kosovo Government spokesperson Perparim Kryeziu reacted to a statement by EU spokesperson Peter Stano on Tuesday saying that “the European External Action Service’ suggestion in its statement today—that illegal structures in 🇽🇰 must be dealt w/ & resolved in conjunction w/ ASMM—is a misleading representation of what ASMM was ever meant to be. For one, it isn’t an umbrella for legalizing illegally & unilaterally created structures”. According to Kryeziu, “the statement only validates Serbia's destructiveness throughout the Dialogue, esp. in the recent meetings in Brussels on the Central Bank Regulation on cash operations in Kosovo — that have failed precisely because of Serbia's position, which goes against the EU's own proposal”. He also said that “the rule of law should not be perceived as escalatory behavior. It is ironic for the EU to react against actions that are in line with rule of law, when the EU's largest civilian mission is called The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX)”.

Kurti: In less than 2 weeks, 313 Serbs converted their driver’s licenses (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Tuesday that in less than two weeks, 313 Kosovo Serbs converted their driver’s licenses issued by Serbia’s parallel structures to Kosovo licenses. “For 3 months, those with driver's licenses issued by Serbia's illegal parallel structures will be able to convert them to Kosovo licenses. In less than 2 weeks, 313 of our fellow citizens benefited from this opportunity. I extend once again my invitation to all those eligible,” Kurti wrote in a post on X. 

Kurti meets coalition partners, non-majority communities representatives (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Tuesday evening that with Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Rexhepi, Minister for Regional Development Fikrim Damka and the Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic, the leader of the multiethnic parliamentary group Enis Kervan, vice president of the Kosovo Assembly Bahrim Shabani, MPs Fidan Jilta, Fridon Lala, Duda Balje, Samra Ilijaz, Bekim Arifi and Erxhan Galushi, and discussed the agenda of the Kosovo Assembly and the importance of the dynamic for adopting international agreements and laws of special importance. A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that he briefed the coalition partners about political consultations with parliamentary parties and highlighted the importance of shared decision-making on future democratic processes, including discussions on what would be the best time for next parliamentary elections. Kurti also pledged to continue to empower the representation of communities and support them with concrete projects.

U.S. concerned about minorities’ treatment, “leaders to listen to partners” (RFE)

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Nicole Chulick, said on Tuesday during her stay in Kosovo that it is important for Kosovo to cooperate with its partners to strengthen its membership bids in all Euro-Atlantic institutions, including the Council of Europe. She made these remarks during a meeting with a group of reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina. “We urge Kosovo to listen to the advice of its closest partners in order to ensure a positive result when it comes to a vote [on membership in international organizations],” she said.

Chulick said that in her meetings with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti she conveyed to them some concerns of European partners regarding the Association of Serb-majority municipalities and the Central Bank of Kosovo’s regulation. “Kosovo needs to continue to work on these issues and move forward,” she said. “Given the responsibilities of the Central Bank of Kosovo, we have continuously expressed our concerns about the manner of the enforcement of the regulation. We did not feel that it took into account how it would impact communities, especially the Serb community. Therefore, we are monitoring the situation and are concerned”.

KFOR said it was notified about operation in north, but did not take part in it (RFE)

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said in a statement on Tuesday that it was notified shortly before Kosovo’s security authorities started the operation in the north of Kosovo against Serbian financial institutions on Monday. During the operation, six units of Serbia’s Postal and Savings were closed. Kosovo’s authorities said that the operation was aimed at enforcing order and legality and that they confiscated different evidence, including money. 

“KFOR personnel were not involved in these operations,” KFOR said on Tuesday, adding that they expect timely consultations for every action by Kosovo Police or the Kosovo Security Force “that may affect regional security”. KFOR also said that they support the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and that dialogue is the only way to resolve open issues. 

Osmani meets Szunyog, talks need to remove measures against Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Tuesday with EU Head of Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, and ambassadors of several European countries. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that the meeting also discussed the EU measures against Kosovo. “President Osmani said that Kosovo is fully aligned with the EU policies on security and foreign policy, including sanctions against Russia and other countries or groups that threaten global peace and security. President Osmani also discussed the need to lift the measures against Kosovo, which are mostly affecting the well-being of Kosovo citizens, and that Kosovo has met all conditions. At the meeting the ambassadors informed the President about the preparations for the Peace Summit for Ukraine which will be held in Switzerland,” the statement notes.

Serbian Language Media 

Ziadeh: Kosovo Police action in the north may lead to an escalation (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

The head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, said that she is worried about yesterday's action by the Kosovo Police in the north of Kosovo, which could lead to an escalation, reported Kosovo Online yesterday. 

Ziadeh stated on the social network "X" that all issues should be resolved through dialogue.

"Unresolved issues, especially those that affect the most vulnerable, should be resolved through a dialogue led by the EU," it was stated in a UNMIK's X post, cited Kosovo Online.

EU concerned over Kosovo police raids on bank branches (N1)

The European Union expressed concern on Tuesday over the Kosovo Police raids on Serbian Postal Savings Bank branches in majority-Serb northern municipalities warning that they were escalating the situation, reported N1.

“The European Union noted with concern Monday’s police operation at the offices of the Serbian Postal Savings Bank in the north of Kosovo,” a statement said. “Monday’s operation proves again that Kosovo authorities prioritise unilateral and uncoordinated actions rather than cooperation with its friends and allies,” it added.

It added that “the closure and confiscation of these offices without prior notice or coordination and only a few days after the last Dialogue meeting, which also covered the question of the premises of the Postal Savings Bank, is escalatory and goes against the spirit of normalisation and it undermines Kosovo’s good faith in achieving normalisation of relations through the Dialogue”.

The statement said that the repeated uncoordinated actions by one of the parties put the implementation of the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation at risk. “The operation by the Kosovo Police also jeopardises the ongoing negotiations on a temporary solution for people negatively affected by the regulation of the Kosovo Central Bank on cash operations,” it said and added warned of “negative effects on the daily lives and living conditions of Kosovo Serbs and other communities eligible for financial transfers from Serbia”.

Hovenier and Chulik: Yesterday’s KP action was not coordinated with international partners, Kosovo government has to address the basic needs of all citizens (KoSSev)

“This action was not coordinated with international partners, and it escalates tensions. It undermines perceptions of Kosovo’s good faith in resolving outstanding issues with Serbia through the EU-facilitated dialogue,” the US ambassador to Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, said, reiterating the US State Department’s stance on the events in the north of Kosovo, reported KoSSev yesterday.

On Monday, the Kosovo police closed all five branches of the Poštanska Štedionica bank in the north and the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, whereby they confiscated over two million euros in various currencies, along with documentation and forced employees out of those facilities.

The police acted in a synchronized manner, along with the Tax Service of Kosovo, on the order of the prosecution.

The action took place between the visits of US officials – Elizabeth Allen, Undersecretary of the State Department for Public Diplomacy, who visited Kosovo on Saturday and Sunday, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Nicole Chulik, who arrived in Kosovo on Sunday.

Read more at: https://t.ly/ye3Ho

British Embassy: Police action in the north poses a risk for escalation of tensions (Kosovo Online)

The Embassy of Great Britain in Kosovo announced that the action by the Kosovo Police and the Tax Administration, in which six branches of Postal Savings Bank in the north of Kosovo were closed, is worrisome.

As the British Embassy stated on the "X" social network yesterday, this action represents a risk for an even greater escalation of tensions and threatens the solution of the currency issue in Kosovo.

"We encourage the Kosovo authorities to coordinate actions with international partners and engage in a constructive way through dialogue with the support of the EU to resolve such issues," it was said in a X post.

KFOR: We expect timely consultations on any action by the Kosovo Police or the KSF (Kosovo Online, KiM radio, KoSSev)

Members of KFOR were not involved in the action to close the branches of Postal Savings Bank in the north of Kosovo, it was announced from that mission, reported Kosovo Online.

The statement read that KFOR was informed immediately before the beginning of the operations of the Kosovo Police against the branches of the Postal Savings Bank in the municipalities of North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok.

The statement noted that KFOR expects timely consultations on any action by the Kosovo Police or the KSF that could affect regional security.

It is also stated that KFOR continues to support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with the mediation of the EU, providing the security framework necessary for diplomacy to progress.

"It is the only way to resolve unresolved issues and reach solutions that respect the rights of all communities," it is said.

Vucevic met Konrad, further cooperation, Serbia's European path, and the position of Serbs in Kosovo discussed (Tanjug)

Prime Minister of Serbia Milos Vucevic spoke yesterday to German Ambassador to Serbia Anke Konrad about current security issues and cooperation between the two countries in areas of common interest, stressing concerns about the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo. 

Vucevic pointed out that the partnership with Germany is extremely important and that Serbia is determined to further improve bilateral cooperation, the Cabinet of the Prime Minister announced.

"Germany is Serbia's largest foreign trade partner, and there is a great potential and scope for shaping that cooperation primarily in economic aspects and increasing German investments, which have a significant share in the Serbian economy," Vucevic pointed out.

Petkovic spoke with the Spanish ambassador about the situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, met yesterday with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Serbia, Juan Joss Sanz Aparicio, whom he thanked for the consistent support that his country provides for preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, reported Tanjug. 

Petkovic informed the interlocutor about the course of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, about the daily problems faced by the Serbian people in Kosovo, as well as about the political and security situation in the province, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced.

He warned of the worsening of the situation and endangering the already fragile stability on the ground, with recent raids on the branches of the Postal Savings Bank in the north of Kosovo.

Miljan Jovanovic from Leposavic arrested by the Kosovo police for the second time - by mistake (Beta, NMagazin)

Former Kosovo police officer Miljan Jovanovic (45) from the village of Kamenica near Leposavic, who was mistakenly arrested on March 29, 2023, in front of his wife and two minor children at the administrative crossing of Jarinje, was taken to the police station in Leposavic again today, reported NMagazin. 

The Kosovo police kept Jovanovic in the station for more than an hour today, to re-establish that he is not the person they are looking for.

Jovanovic told Kosovo Online that he is no longer free to live and work with his family in these areas, not even on his own property, and that he does not understand how it is possible for the police to make a mistake again and that he is still on the arrest list.

"They arrested me on the property and took me to the police station, in order to establish again, for the second time, that I was not the person they were looking for. They held me for more than an hour. They told me that I was still in the system and that the prosecutor issued an arrest warrant. In the end, they told me that I was not the person they were looking for, and they let me go. I don't know why they keep making mistakes, it's not clear to me that I can't move and live freely," said Jovanovic.

SL: The state has done everything to protect all Serbs who receive income from the budget of the Republic of Serbia (Radio Mitrovica sever)

The Serbian list announced yesterday that the state of Serbia has done everything for the Serbs who receive income from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, while ''quasi-patriots'' have done nothing, reported Radio Mitrovica sever. 

"While the attacks on our country and our people continue from all sides the disguised, DSS (New Democratic Party of Serbia) and an imaginary movement without members, the Fatherland, vultures and are trying to shift the responsibility for the mistreatment of Serbs from Kurti's regime to the state of Serbia and President Vucic''.

''It is a shame that without a single fact, even though it is their manner, they place lies in the media. So, these vultures forgot that the state was doing everything to find a solution for the dinar and the functioning of the Postal Savings Bank through negotiations in Brussels, and that seven rounds of dialogue were devoted to efforts to find a solution, while Pristina wanted violence all the time.''

''The state, for its part, did everything to protect all Serbs who receive income from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, opened alternative branches, guaranteed jobs to all employees of Postal Savings Bank, and for months has been fighting this unilateral action by Pristina with all diplomatic means. And what did the quasi-patriots do? Nothing! As usual. But they are waiting to vulture and rub salt to the wound.,'' it was said among other things.