Albanian Language Media:

• Vetevendosje won’t appeal ECAP decision on Serbian List (media)

• Hovenier holds farewell meeting with Kurti (media)

• Maqedonci: Attacks from Serbia possible while Radoicic and his group are at large (media)

• Munter: U.S. will no longer have traditional approach vis-à-vis Kosovo and Serbia (RFE)

• Hetemi: War crimes in Kosovo, documented more than of other wars in former Yugoslavia (Koha)

• CEC fails to hold meeting, LVV calls absence dishonest (RTK)

• Over 90,000 registered to vote from abroad (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: More countries will withdraw recognition of Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTS)

• Vucic: Good, substantial discussion with Zelenskyy about important matters of cooperation (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

• L.D. from Zvecan released from prison; Lawyer: Released two months early for good behavior (KiM radio, KoSSev)

• Mayor of Gracanica:  The police did not question the work of the municipality of Gracanica; the arrested worked on their own initiative (Kosovo Online)

• KP: Officials in Gracanica arrested for abuse of office and accepting bribes (KiM radio)

• Serbian national flag returned on Zvecan fortress, police drone raised (KoSSev)

• Sarajevo students rally in solidarity with Serbian protesters (N1)

Albanian Language Media 

Vetevendosje won’t appeal ECAP decision on Serbian List (media)

The Vetevendosje Movement will not appeal to the Supreme Court the decision of the Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) in favor of certifying the Serbian List for the February 2025 parliamentary elections. Vetevendosje’s representative at the Central Election Commission, Sami Kurteshi, said this party would not appeal the ECAP decision. “We won’t take it to the Supreme Court because we think that the Supreme Court too would support the decision of ECAP. Based on our experience so far, both these entities refer to the formal aspect, it [the Serbian List] is ok on paper, ‘we don’t look at the other issues, we cannot look at other issues’,” Kurteshi told reporters after the CEC meeting on Thursday. 

Hovenier holds farewell meeting with Kurti (media)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier held a farewell meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Thursday. “We discussed Kosovo’s progress during my tenure and the close cooperation that would enable the United States to most effectively advocate for Kosovo to take its rightful place in European and Euro-Atlantic structures,” Hovenier wrote in a post on X.

The Office of the Prime Minister on the other hand wrote that Kurti expressed deep gratitude to Ambassador Hovenier for his commitment and service in Kosovo. According to the OPM, the meeting discussed the progress achieved during this government mandate and the mandate of Ambassador Hovenier, as well as the cooperation they have had during this time. “The relationship between Kosovo and the United States has reached new levels during his mandate, and Ambassador Hovenier’s contribution has been essential for strengthening these ties in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, economic development, and diplomacy. On behalf of the Government of Kosovo and the people of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti wished Ambassador Hovenier and his family good health and success in every step forward. Kosovo will always be their home,” the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement.

Maqedonci: Attacks from Serbia possible while Radoicic and his group are at large (media)

Kosovo’s Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci said that attacks from Serbia on Kosovo, especially in the northern part, may be possible while Milan Radoicic and his group are at large.  "Attacks may be possible due to the fact that Radoićić's group continues to be at large, moreover, it continues to be supported by the security structures in Serbia and continues to remain organized," he said on Teve1.

Maqedonci said that with the warnings of attacks they do not want to cause panic among people, but as he stated, they have a duty to inform them of the dangers and threats. During 2024 alone, 15 attacks were carried out in the north of Kosovo, which also targeted institutional facilities. The last one was on November 29 in the “Iber – Lepencit” canal, media report.

Munter: U.S. will no longer have traditional approach vis-à-vis Kosovo and Serbia (RFE)

Former U.S. diplomat, Cameron Munter, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe, that negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia for the normalization of relations cannot continue without changing anything “if we don’t want spend another 15 years waiting”. He argued that Donald Trump’s return to the White House will impose a change of strategy, because Trump wants an agreement. “His objective is not to bring Serbs and Kosovars in the European Union. His objective is to do the best for the United States, and to make the U.S. great again,” he said.

“The new administration in Washington is not friends with the European Union. Donald Trump is not a person that thinks a lot about the European Union. Donald Trump doesn’t care, he wants an agreement. He wants an agreement with Serbia, with Hungary, with Romania … He wants agreements and he is not strategic. This means that the traditional strategic approach of the European Union and the six countries of the Western Balkans, is not Donald Trump’s objective. He doesn’t care if someone will join the European Union one day. He cares about reaching an agreement,” Munter said.

Hetemi: War crimes in Kosovo, documented more than of other wars in former Yugoslavia (Koha)

Atdhe Hetemi, director of the Institute for Crimes Committed During the Kosovo War, has stated that war crimes in Kosovo have had the opportunity to be documented more easily compared to other wars in the former Yugoslavia.

"...I have noticed that the crimes committed during the Kosovo war have been more documented compared to crimes committed in other wars in the former Yugoslavia. This is due to the first intervention of NATO, various media or civil society, after a period of time they have created experience. Kosovo has lacked an institution that would serve as a collection point to deposit this evidence," Hetemi said. According to Hetemi, Kosovo institutions dealing with war crimes and civil societies are invited to each meeting, in order to benefit from their suggestions.

CEC fails to hold meeting, LVV calls absence dishonest (RTK)

The Central Election Commission has failed to hold the meeting called for 13:30 on Thursday due to the lack of a quorum. Only 4 of the 11 members of the CEC were there. The two representatives of LVV were in the hall, but not those of PDK, LDK and AAK. The head of the CEC, Kreshnik Radoniqi, said that this meeting will be held on another occasion. Asked by journalists if this absence is related to the certification of the Serbian List, he said that this has nothing to do with that issue, while indicating that the deadline for the appeal regarding the ECAP decision must pass and then they will deal with it at the CEC, as soon as the decision becomes final.

Meanwhile, CEC member from Vetevendosje Alban Krasniqi said that the absence of other members could perhaps be related to the issue in question, but according to him, a very important issue that would be discussed on Thursday was the extension of the deadline for the application of expatriates as voters. He said that there is a recommendation that the secretariat has brought on the possibility of extending the deadline for the application for registration of expatriates, which ended on Thursday at 24:00.

Krasniqi called the absence of colleagues from other parties at the decision-making table dishonest. Krasniqi said that their absence is an attempt to prevent the extension of the deadline, which was requested to be made by Sunday, December 29.

Over 90,000 registered to vote from abroad (media)

Over 90,000 residents outside Kosovo have registered to vote for the parliamentary elections on February 9, the Central Election Commission announced. The acceptance of applications ended at 23:59 (Thursday), while the number of applications under review is 18,244.

The CEC announced that the review of received applications will continue on Friday. “I would like to inform you that the 120-day period for the registration of voters outside Kosovo has ended. According to preliminary data, the number of Kosovo citizens who have registered as voters outside Kosovo in the period 29 August – 26 December 2024, until 23:59 is: 90,860, while the number of applications that are under review is: 18,244”, the announcement of the CEC spokesperson, Valmir Elezi, states.

He stated that they will come out with a final report on the number of residents registered to vote from outside Kosovo as soon as possible.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: More countries will withdraw recognition of Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTS)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced last night that more countries would withdraw their recognition of Kosovo.

"There will be more countries withdrawing recognition of Kosovo," he emphasized in an interview for RTS.

When asked if he could name the countries or at least the continents they are from, he replied, "from beautiful continents."

"From Asia, Africa, and South America. Surely, you don’t think Canada or the USA will withdraw their recognition. There's nothing to discuss with them about this, except to seek good economic relations," Vucic underlined.

Today, all of Europe understands what is happening in Pristina

Asked about the situation in Kosovo, Vucic said that now everyone sees what is happening.

"Now everything is clear, both in Europe and globally. Previously, we could count on Russia and China among the great powers, and we still can. I had an excellent conversation with Sergey Lavrov, and I am scheduled to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9. I have agreed with Robert Fico to travel together. He will come to Belgrade, and we will fly together. Today, all of Europe understands what is happening in Pristina. They lied a lot about everything, especially about the Ibar-Lepenac canal. We will stand with our people in Kosovo and Metohija," Vucic emphasized.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3fmkmc29

Vucic: Good, substantial discussion with Zelenskyy about important matters of cooperation (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday and noted that they had had a good and substantial discussion about all important matters of bilateral cooperation.

"Serbia has recently reopened its embassy in Kyiv, in the hope that its work will further contribute to better relations. We discussed the European paths of our countries as well as the possibility of more frequent bilateral visits in the future," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

L.D. from Zvecan released from prison; Lawyer: Released two months early for good behavior (KiM radio, KoSSev)

A Serb L.D. who was sentenced to eight months in prison and a fine of 10,000 euros for participating in last year's events in front of the municipal building in Zvecan, was released two days ago, his lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic confirmed for KoSSev.

Lawyer Pantovic confirmed yesterday to KoSSev that L.D. released exactly two days ago, after the court approved his request for early release.

"L.D. was released two days ago, after the court approved his request for early release, more precisely two months before the end of his sentence, and because of good behavior," said Pantovic.

Mayor of Gracanica:  The police did not question the work of the municipality of Gracanica; the arrested worked on their own initiative (Kosovo Online)

The President of Gracanica Municipality Ljiljana Subaric said that the Kosovo Police raided the Cadastre Department of Gracanica Municipality yesterday and detained two officials. As she pointed out, the work of that municipal department was not called into question.

Subaric stated that it was about "self-initiative work of individual officials".

"The municipality of Gracanica would like to inform the public that today, following the invasion of the Kosovo police in the municipal cadastre department, two officials were detained. The good thing is that with this investigation and apprehension, the work of the municipal management, nor the management of the Cadastre Department, was not called into question. It is the self-initiated work of individual officials. They have been detained, there will be an investigation. We would not like to speculate about further proceedings. When we get more information, you will be informed," said Subaric.

KP: Officials in Gracanica arrested for abuse of office and accepting bribes (KiM radio)

The KP announced last night that two municipal officials from Gracanica V.S. and Z.M. were detained for up to 48 hours, while regular court proceedings were initiated against three people, KiM radio.

The Kosovo Police, Directorate for the Investigation of Economic Crime and Corruption, received information in which it is suspected that some officials of the Municipality of Gracanica, more specifically officials of the Administration for Cadastre and Property, are involved in the crimes of "Abuse of official duties" and "Accepting bribes", the statement read. 

Certain officials are suspected of having asked the citizen for funds in the amount of €25,000.00 (twenty-five thousand euros) to complete the case related to the transfer of ownership, it was added.

"After receiving this information, economic crime and corruption investigators from the Kosovo Police applied special measures in which today, in the course of a tactical action, two suspects (V.S. and Z.M.) were arrested for receiving funds in the above-mentioned value, in order to complete the case".

While the other three suspects, according to the Kosovo Police, to have committed the above crimes in cooperation.

After the arrest of the suspects, searches were conducted at three separate locations where the evidence was seized.

Serbian national flag returned on Zvecan fortress, police drone raised (KoSSev)

The Serbian national flag was returned to the Zvecan fortress yesterday in the early afternoon. It was previously removed by unknown perpetrators, which was not the first time, reported KoSSev. The flag was returned by a group of volunteers from Mitrovica and Zvecan. Immediately after the installation, a police drone was raised, and KoSSev also found the command staff of the North region on the spot. They came, they say, to tour the field.

Immediately after that, a police drone was raised, and the deputy commander of the Kosovo Police for the North region, Veton Elshani, and the chief of operations, Petrit Fejza, came to the scene.

"I came to see this place, I'm here for the first time," he said, confirming what he told KoSSev yesterday morning that he was aware of the new removal of the flag, but that they are not dealing with this case.

"If we found someone here doing something like that, we would most likely talk to him and react, to see why he is doing it, and we would act according to our powers, that depends on the prosecutor," said Elshani.

According to KoSSev, one of the shots, possibly a drone or a professional camera with a strong lens, ended up on the "Jepi Ze" FB page.

"A live picture of the moment when the flag of Serbia was removed from the Zvecan fortress," this page writes. In the picture, however, are the Serbs who helped to return the flag. Kemail Behrami is signed as the author of the photo. According to this portal, Behrami's FB page, who presents himself as a photographer, indeed has this photo, but with a short description that it is of Zvecan Fortress and a live image.

When asked where the picture on the FB media page in South Mitrovica came from, and in real time, Elshani denied that it was a police video.

Sarajevo students rally in solidarity with Serbian protesters (N1)

A group of around hundred students gathered on Thursday in front of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Sarajevo to express support for students in Serbia, who have been protesting for days following a tragic incident at the Novi Sad Railway Station. On November 1, the collapse of a station canopy claimed 15 lives, sparking widespread dissatisfaction and protests across Serbia.

The Sarajevo students read out their demands but remained cautious with the media, stating that they would strictly adhere to their publicly announced positions.

Among their primary messages were solidarity with their peers in Serbia and the highlighting of numerous issues within Bosnia and Herzegovina that they see as reasons for potential future protests.

While the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton approved the gathering, the official stance of the Faculty of Philosophy’s dean on the students’ activities is still awaited.