Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: November 28 is fundamental date in Albanians’ history and identity  (media)
• Osmani in Prekaz: We pledge we will protect every corner of the Republic (media)
• Rohde: Don't insult the club you want to join, this is never a good idea (media)
• Stano: Implementation of Declaration on Missing will only happen when parties agree on Joint Commission (Ekonomia)
• Stano ends mandate: Lajcak is envoy for dialogue until January (Sinjali)
• Albania, Kosovo's main partner for import and export from CEFTA countries (Koha)
• SpaceX’s “satellite train” crosses the sky of Kosovo (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: What’s happening in world is increasingly getting out of control (Kosovo Online, media)
• Chanting “Kosova, Kosova” and waving Albanian flags in middle of Gracanica (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Gracanica mayor on incident: Planned and organized (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Media Centre)
• Stojanovic at UN conference: Protect Serbian Orthodox sites in Kosovo (media)
• Perovic: Apprehension over apartments’ allocation is continuation of persecution (media)
• Kosovo police suspended six officers over lack of reaction to mural defacing in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Defence minister's collegium meets in Belgrade (Tanjug)
• Ivanovic: Montenegrin Government closely follows arrest case of its three citizens (Kosovo Online)

 

 

 

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti: November 28 is fundamental date in Albanians’ history and identity  (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, after returning from Vlora (Albania) on Thursday, has paid homage to the “Adem Jashari” memorial complex in Prekaz, in honor of the November 28 holiday, media report.

“We came to Prekaz from Vlora because November 28 started with Skanderbeg in Kruja, continued with Ismail Qemali in Vlora, but recently in the liberation war also with Adem Jashari and the Jasharis here in Prekaz, in this capital of the Albanian uprising. November 28 is a fundamental date in the history, collective consciousness, and national identity of Albanians wherever they are,” he told reporters. 

“On this occasion, I would like to congratulate all Albanians wherever they are on the holiday of the independence of Albania, of the Albanian national flag, mentioning in addition to Prekaz, Vlora, and Kruja, also Llausha. When in 1997, Rexhep Selimi, Muje Krasniqi, and Daut Haradinaj universally proclaimed the Kosovo Liberation Army, which was the bearer of our uprising and the main factor that led to the liberation of Kosovo in June 1999, on which occasion this year we celebrated a quarter of a century since the liberation of our homeland,” Kurti said after paying homage in Prekaz.

Osmani in Prekaz: We pledge we will protect every corner of the Republic (media)

 

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, paid homage at the “Adem Jashari” memorial complex in Prekaz, in honor of the November 28 holiday. After the tributes, Osmani said that the November 28 holiday is a symbiosis of several historical dates.

 

“This holiday is a symbiosis of several historical dates for our nation. Of course, the declaration of Albania's Independence, but also the birthday of the legendary commander Adem Jashari and the first public appearance of the Kosovo Liberation Army in 1997, bring us here to Prekaz, to the place of the historical center once again to show not only the greatness and eternity of the sacrifice of Adem Jashari and the Jashari family, but to pledge in front of their graves from the place where they rest eternally that we will uncompromisingly protect every corner of our republic. We will uncompromisingly protect the freedom and independence of Kosovo and at the same time we will do our best so that Albanians wherever they live have their rights guaranteed", Osmani said.

Rohde: Don't insult the club you want to join, this is never a good idea (media) 

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has stated that the club in which Kosovo will join should not be insulted. Rohde referred to the statements of institutional leaders on the "imbalance of the EU towards the parties in the dialogue".

 "It is a mistake to think that when governments change, the main parameters also change... We want normalization to happen, we have a document that operates, and the Brussels agreement is clearly described there. Currently we are blocked because both sides do not show, I would say, good faith and the will to move. But the truth is that Serbia is satisfied with the status quo. Kosovo wants to change the status quo. We want to change the status quo for more recognition, becoming a member of all the clubs you want to be in. And I think it was my U.S. colleague who said a few weeks ago, if you want to become a member of the club, don't insult the club you want to become a member of. That's never a good idea," Ambassador Jorn Rohde told RTV21.

Stano: Implementation of Declaration on Missing will only happen when parties agree on Joint Commission (Ekonomia)

 

The European Union spokesman, Peter Stano, was asked about the declaration on missing persons, agreed by Kosovo and Serbia last year, but which has not yet been implemented. "On this particular issue, which is very important for people, because in fact it is about people, very important for the families of those who are still missing. Again, I can only remind you that it was in May 2023 when President Vucic and Prime Minister Kurti adopted a joint declaration precisely on this issue. This declaration contains issues that include the exchange of information, the joint identification of burial sites, the effective follow-up of excavations, etc. But the implementation of the joint statement, unfortunately, has not yet started", he said. 

 

The EU spokesperson stressed that this was also discussed at the last meeting on October 24, and added the issue of missing persons, and the dialogue in general, affects the people both in Kosovo and in Serbia. "This will only happen when the parties accept or agree on the terms of reference of the joint commission. This has not happened. This was discussed last time at the meeting of the chief negotiators on October 24 here in Brussels. And while an agreement has not been reached, it is achievable, and we are still waiting for reactions on some aspects. We hope that we will receive the reactions very soon so that we can move forward, because as I said, this particular issue, the dialogue in general, affects people both in Kosovo and in Serbia. But this issue of missing persons has a very, very strong human aspect and needs to be moved forward as quickly as possible," Stano said at the press conference.

 

Stano ends mandate: Lajcak is envoy for dialogue until January (Sinjali)

 

EU spokesman Peter Stano spoke on Thursday at his last press conference, as his mandate ends on Saturday. Stano spoke about the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia and the mandate of special envoy Miroslav Lajcak. 

 

"The mandate of the EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, lasts until January and our mandate will end soon, this Saturday. It is not for me to talk about this or comment on what will happen next. I can only remind you that when it comes to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, the decision on the mandate of each Special Representative is in the hands of the member states and they must decide on this," Stano said.

 

Albania, Kosovo's main partner for import and export from CEFTA countries (Koha)

 

Albania is Kosovo's main partner for import and export of goods from CEFTA countries, leaving behind North Macedonia and Serbia. According to Customs data, Kosovo has imported over 200 million euros of goods from Albania this year. But Kosovo's products are almost half less present in the Albanian market. From January to October of this year, Kosovo has exported 105 million euros of goods to Albania.

 

Emanuel Bajra, an expert on financial markets, stated that there is increased cooperation between Kosovo and Albania in all areas. "The end of 2023, the year 2024 has been a record in the frequency of trade exchanges between the two countries, there is a large presence of Kosovar investors in Albania, especially in the field of tourism, energy, real estate, which is expected, because Albania is a tourist country," he emphasized. But Bajra said that strategies must be found between the two states so that the trade relationship is more stimulating and more equal.

 

SpaceX’s “satellite train” crosses the sky of Kosovo (Telegrafi)

 

On Thursday evening, the sky of Kosovo was illuminated by an impressive sight: the “satellite train” of the American company SpaceX, known as Starlink. Images of this phenomenon have been widely shared on social networks, where the satellites could be seen moving one after the other in an orderly formation, creating a celestial spectacle. According to data from the site that monitors the movements of the Starlink satellites, the “train” passed over the territory of Kosovo at 17:31.

 

The Regulatory Authority for Electronic and Postal Communications (ARKEP) has previously confirmed that Starlink satellite services are expected to be operational in Kosovo in December of this year. This is expected to bring great benefits, especially for rural and mountainous areas, where traditional internet infrastructure has been less developed.

With the Starlink service, users will have the opportunity to connect to high-speed internet, regardless of their location.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic: What’s happening in world is increasingly getting out of control (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said last night global events were not heading in a positive direction and that what is unfolding will increasingly spiral out of control. He emphasized that Serbia must strengthen its military in response to these developments.

"The events occurring in the world, especially the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, are not moving in a good direction. My prediction is that everything happening will increasingly get out of control. Every statement, from either side, is at the very least not de-escalatory. I fear this will only lead to greater conflicts and problems, as well as what we wish to avoid at all costs – a larger-scale conflict", Vucic said in an interview with TV Pink.

He stressed that Serbia must bolster its military to deter potential aggressors and prepare for other contingencies.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/cYqWw

Chanting “Kosova, Kosova” and waving Albanian flags in middle of Gracanica (Radio KIM, KoSSev)

Number of men from dozens of vehicles which stopped last night at the main street in Gracanica, near the House of Culture, repetedly honked horns, yelled and waved Albanian flags, Radio KIM reported. Some of the men climbed to the tops of vehicles and chanted “Kosova, Kosova”, the Radio KIM added. They waved Albanian flags, while some waved the flags from the windows of their vehicles. Some of the vehicles also had KLA symbols displayed.   

As local residents told Radio KIM everything lasted for about 15 minutes and took place 300 meters away from the Kosovo police station. Video recordings of the event were shared on social media, while some residents said this was about provocation of the Albanians on the occasion of Albanian Flag day in the area populated by the Serbian majority. The convoy of vehicles also stopped in front of Serbian Orthodox Church Gracanica Monastery and the Milos Obilic Monument. The residents also asked what the police were doing in Gracanica in relation to this happening. As Media Centre reported later in the evening, several persons from the group which stopped the traffic and waved the flags have been taken to the police station. In the meantime, Gracanica mayor Ljiljana Subaric and several municipal directors also came in front of the police station.

One of the videos shared on social media is available at: https://shorturl.at/QWoso

Gracanica mayor on incident: Planned and organized (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Media Centre)

Gracanica mayor Ljiljana Subaric came last night in front of the police station and spoke with a police member about the incident which took place in this Serb-majority settlement involving a group of men who waved Albanian flags, chanted “Kosova, Kosova” and honked the horns on their vehicles.

“I condemn this night’s event in the strongest terms, which has obviously been well planned and well organized to instill fear among the people”, Subaric said, following the talks with a police member. She told Media Center the intention of the group with the Albanian flags was to “demonstrate force”.

Subaric called upon residents of Gracanica not to fall prey to such events, which, she added, aim at causing discord among communities. “This does not go in favor of anyone, and I urge citizens for restraint in order not to have a larger conflict, because what happened tonight is chaotic”, she said. The Media Centre also reported that several participants of last night's event had been taken to the police station. 

Stojanovic at UN conference: Protect Serbian Orthodox sites in Kosovo (media)

Nikola Stojanovic, Serbian Foreign Ministry State Secretary highlighted at the global United Nations (UN) Protection of Religious Sites: A Multidimensional Approach conference, held as part of the 10th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Cascais, that over 110 Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries in Kosovo were destroyed between 1999 and 2004. He also said that this year alone, ten attacks on Serbian Orthodox sites in Kosovo have occurred, including vandalism, littering, and graffiti on cemeteries and churches, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Stojanovic noted that during just three days of violence in March 2004, 35 churches and monasteries were burned or destroyed, one-third of which date back to the 14th century. “These attacks, carried out despite the presence of international forces, represent a profound blow not only to Serbian cultural heritage but also to global efforts to protect religious sites”, Stojanovic said.

He reminded attendees that four significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries - Visoki Decani, Gracanica, the Patriarchate of Pec, and the Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevis - were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list in 2006 and have remained on the list due to ongoing threats. He added that this year alone, ten attacks have targeted Serbian Orthodox sites in Kosovo, including acts of vandalism, littering, and graffiti on cemeteries and churches. Stojanovic specifically pointed out that Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, despite his status as a religious leader, was prevented from entering Kosovo, which represents a severe violation of fundamental religious rights. He stressed that the protection of cultural heritage in Kosovo requires the urgent attention of the international community, not only because of its importance to the Serbian people but also due to its contribution to Europe’s multicultural identity.

Perovic: Apprehension over apartments’ allocation is continuation of persecution (media)

Milos Perovic, a member of the Zubin Potok Interim Municipal Authority and Kosovo Assembly former deputy, along with two other Serbs, was apprehended yesterday by Kosovo police on suspicion of involvement in the allocation of apartments in Zubin Potok. Perovic told Kosovo Online that this is part of the “ongoing persecution of Serbs by Albin Kurti’s regime”.

“Around noon today, I was summoned along with two of my compatriots for an informational interview at the police station in Kosovska Mitrovica. The reason for this interrogation was the alleged allocation of apartments intended for socially vulnerable groups in the Municipality of Zubin Potok, a project funded by the Serbian Government through the Office for Kosovo and Metohija. I see this as yet another instance of pressure from Albin Kurti’s regime on the Serbian community, which occurs daily in this area”, Perovic underlined. He added that he and his compatriots were released after the interrogation.

Kosovo police suspended six officers over lack of reaction to mural defacing in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)

Six Kosovo police officers have been suspended for 72 hours after it was confirmed they were stationed in the near vicinity of a location in Mitrovica North centre where a mural was painted over by unknown persons, but they did not react. The mural in question was dedicated to the members of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, who fought at Kosare battle, during the conflict in Kosovo, KoSSev portal reported.  

The mural was painted over two nights ago. The faces and bodies of the soldiers were defaced with black paint, and only the message “It is worth dying for this country” remained. In addition, the word “peace” had been inscribed. 

As the portal reported in the near vicinity of this mural, another mural featuring the wording KMF at Mitrovica North promenade had been damaged. Serbian Democracy leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic who was the first to report about the incident said it was done by persons whose faces were covered with hoodies, and that one of them bear insignia of “Torcida”, Albanian football fan group from Mitrovica. He also said they were prevented from painting over another mural dedicated to the late Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije.

Kosovo police told KoSSev that they have opened the case of “vandalism” in relation to the mural damages. Petrit Fejza from the region North said surveillance cameras recorded the painting over the graffiti, adding that perpetrators remain unknown, while the investigation is ongoing. He also confirmed that the same group painted over the first and the second mural. He added surveillance cameras also recorded police offices, both those in uniforms and those in plain clothes, being nearby, while the murals had been painted over. According to Fejza, police officers claimed they “did not see” that murals were being painted over. Kosovo Police Inspectorate is also informed of the case, and it is expected that PIK will take over it on Monday. 

Defence minister's collegium meets in Belgrade (Tanjug)

The Collegium of the Serbian Defence Minister met on Thursday in Belgrade to review the current security situation in Serbia and the region. The session was chaired by Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, who was informed by Collegium members of the degree of completion of tasks in their respective functional competencies, the MoD said in a statement.

The Collegium concluded that the Serbian Armed Forces were prepared to respond to all challenges, risks and threats to Serbian citizens in the present complex geopolitical circumstances. It noted that the focus would be on the task of continued strengthening of operational capabilities through acquisitions of modern arms and equipment, modernisation of existing arms and equipment as well as construction of new and rebuilding of existing infrastructure to improve living and working conditions and strengthen the overall defense capabilities, the statement also said.

Ivanovic: Montenegrin Government closely follows arrest case of its three citizens (Kosovo Online)

Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Filip Ivanovic said he expects impartial and fair treatment of the three Montenegrin young men arrested in Kosovo, after attending a celebration at Visoki Decani Monastery, Kosovo Online portal reported. Following arrest, the three men are sent to one-month detention.

Ivanovic’s cabinet said that diplomatic representatives of Montenegro in Pristina are in permanent contact with detainees and their defense attorney.

It was emphasized that they closely follow the further proceedings and expect that all facts and circumstances of this case would be considered in an impartial and fair manner. “Once again we recall the importance of respecting freedom of speech and expression that citizens of other countries, including those from Kosovo enjoy while staying in Montenegro {…}”, reads the statement from Ivanovic’s cabinet, adding that Montenegro remains committed to respecting rights of their citizens and offering support whenever needed.