Albanian Language Media: 

• Kurti meets with Sobel, discuss Kosovo-United Kingdom relations (Klan)

• Kurti thanks Bulgaria for close cooperation in regional security (media)

• Begaj: Common future of Kosovo and Albania is in EU (media)

• Citaku: We have not received a letter from VV, co-government with them almost impossible (Klan)

• Abdixhiku demands from Rohde lifting of EU measures (RTK)

• Rasic: First option Kurti, then the opposition (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: We did not introduce countermeasures to US, we want solution (Newsmax Balkan)

• Church of Christ the Saviour in Pristina – continued calls for violation of religious rights of Serbian Orthodox Church (Radio kontakt plus, social media)

• Cyrillic sign removed at entrance to Mitrovica North from Zvecan (KoSSev, media)

• Nearly two years without Serbian newspapers in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

• Jevtic received protesting residents, discussed employment and financial aid distribution issues (Kosovo Online) 

• Trial of Gavrilo Milosavljevic continues, defence claims witness made contradicting statements (Euronews in Serbian)

• Vulin meets with Iranian deputy FM, thanks him over support on Kosovo issue (Tanjug, media)

• “Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots”, Orban tells Vucic (Tanjug)

International Media:

• Kosovo’s data privacy crisis: Systematic failure in the digital age (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti meets with Sobel, discuss Kosovo-United Kingdom relations (Klan)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti welcomed on Thursday the Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from the ranks of the Labour Party, Alex Sobel. They discussed bilateral relations between Kosovo and the United Kingdom, the deepening of cooperation in the field of defense and security, and recent developments in Kosovo and the region, the Prime Minister's Office announced. They also discussed the importance and messages of the visit of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, David Lammy, to Kosovo, at the beginning of this month.

Kurti thanks Bulgaria for close cooperation in regional security (media)

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti received on Thursday the new Bulgarian ambassador to Kosovo, Hristo Kraevski. The announcement issued by the Prime Minister's Office states that Kurti thanked Bulgaria for its continued support and encouragement towards the Kosovo's membership in international organizations. "As well as close regional cooperation and its contribution to regional security as a member of NATO," the announcement further states. Increasing trade exchanges and strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, innovation, security and defense were said to be among the other topics of discussion.

Begaj: Common future of Kosovo and Albania is in EU (media)

The President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, has been on an official visit to Gjilan, where he has been declared an “Honorary Citizen”. From this municipality, he has conveyed the message that the common future of Kosovo and Albania should be in the European Union. And the Mayor of Gjilan, Alban Hyseni, has stated that Albania’s support is vital for the fulfillment of Kosovo’s goals. Begaj emphasized on this occasion that Albania will remain close to Kosovo even in times of peace.

Citaku: We have not received a letter from VV, co-government with them almost impossible (Klan)

The General Secretary of the PDK, Vlora Citaku, said that they have not received any invitation for a meeting from the Vetevendosje Movement. Citaku said that they would not keep it a secret if such a letter were to arrive, while adding that they are not afraid to talk to each other. “We should never be afraid to talk to each other. I am speaking personally more than as a party official, I am not afraid of meeting with anyone. But who you choose to govern with, then that is another matter,” Citaku told Klan Kosova. Further, Citaku stated that based on political, programmatic and ideological proximity, co-government between PDK and Vetevendosje is almost impossible.

Abdixhiku demands from Rohde lifting of EU measures (RTK)

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, received the German ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde. Abdixhiku announced that they discussed the latest political developments in Kosovo as well as the positions of the Democratic League of Kosovo regarding these issues. “With particular emphasis, I spoke about the urgent need to lift the punitive measures imposed by the European Union against Kosovo, emphasizing that these measures are directly affecting the economic development of the country and the well-being of our citizens. I also called for a review of this decision, so that the citizens of Kosovo do not bear the burden of political developments,” he wrote on Facebook.

Rasic: First option Kurti, then the opposition (Nacionale)

The independent Serb MP elected to the Kosovo Assembly, Nenad Rasic, said that he supports Albin Kurti for a new government, but if his options to build a government are exhausted, then he will also cooperate with the former opposition parties. "If all options are exhausted where Mr. Kurti will be prime minister, it is normal that I personally meet with all the heads of political parties and there is no problem that we can sit down and talk about cooperation. Because since the beginning of my political career I have been constructive. I have no personal problem with any of the representatives of political parties," Rasic said.

“The choice of coalition partners is not made based on individual and personal preferences, but on the basis of political, programmatic and ideological proximity, and the gap between PDK and VV is very large and deep. It would be almost impossible, to say absolutely impossible, for PDK to co-govern with VV,” she said.

Serbian Language Media  

Vucic: We did not introduce countermeasures to US, we want solution (Newsmax Balkan)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with the Newsmax Balkan journalists from the three studios, Belgrade, Sarajevo and New York and welcomed the decision of US President Donald Trump to postpone decision on reciprocal customs duties by 90 days.

"We are very satisfied that there was a delay announced by President Trump. We now have at least 90 days. When we heard about the decision that Trump introduced tariffs of 37 percent, we started talks with friends in the USA to see that they are abolished", Vucic said.

He added Serbia did not wish to introduce countermeasures, but rather to resolve the issue.

"This is a great relief for the whole world, especially in Europe, not only for us but also for the EU. We are deeply grateful for it. I hope we can talk about it in the next three months. I believe we will manage to find some minimum common ground for all of us", he said. He once again reiterated that Serbia will not introduce reciprocal customs duties. “We will try to make an agreement, to go without customs”, he announced.

Church of Christ the Saviour in Pristina – continued calls for violation of religious rights of Serbian Orthodox Church (Radio kontakt plus, social media)

“In a recent article titled “Chauvinism Hidden Behind Religion: The Case of the Church in the Courtyard of the University of Prishtina,” published on April 3, 2025, by the Octopus Institute, author Gurakuç Kuçi presents several contentious and factually incorrect assertions regarding the Cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) in Pristina. Kuçi provocatively portrays this church as an ideological tool of ethnic dominance rather than a legitimate place of worship. This narrative unjustly labels the displaced Serb population of Pristina as occupiers and aggressors, while depicting those seeking to erase this religious site - and, by extension, any trace of Serb presence in Pristina - as victims”, Alexander Radovanović, Attorney at law, Chief Legal Advisor of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren, wrote in reaction.

“The Cathedral Church of Christ the Saviour was constructed in the early 1990s following a petition from numerous Orthodox believers who lacked a central place of worship. Prior to this, efforts to build a church before World War II were thwarted when the partially constructed building was demolished during the war and the land subsequently confiscated. Thus, the need for an Orthodox church in Pristina predates World War II but was impeded by both wartime destruction and later communist repression”, he added.

The construction of the current church was initiated not by the Milošević regime, but by the then Bishop of Raška and Prizren, later Patriarch Pavle, at a time when approximately 40,000 Serbs resided in Pristina.

Read the full statement at: https://shorturl.at/QQMiZ

Cyrillic sign removed at entrance to Mitrovica North from Zvecan (KoSSev, media)

A familiar sight for commuters entering North Mitrovica from Zvecan has vanished. The Cyrillic-language road sign reading “Welcome to Kosovska Mitrovica” was removed earlier yesterday, marking the latest in a series of symbolic and practical changes reshaping the linguistic landscape of northern Kosovo, KoSSev portal reported.

KoSSev reporters who visited the site witnessed the removal firsthand. Workers were seen completing the task, with the dismantled sign loaded onto a truck. The operation was carried out under the watch of a patrol from the Kosovo police.

While the workers declined to comment, Kosovo police deputy commander for the North region, Veton Elshani, told KoSSev that officers were there to assist a company contracted by Mitrovica North municipality. Elshani did not provide further details about the operation.

Efforts to reach Visar Syla, chief of staff to the mayor of Mitrovica North, were unsuccessful. After an initial call was disconnected following the journalist's identification, subsequent calls went unanswered. A message sent to Syla also remained unanswered at the time of publication of the article. 

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/NvMs9

Nearly two years without Serbian newspapers in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbs in Kosovo have been without access to daily and periodic newspapers in the Serbian language for nearly two years, following the implementation of a ban on the entry of goods from central Serbia in June 2023. Representatives of journalists’ associations and media workers warn that this practice is unprecedented in peacetime conditions in Europe and represents a serious violation of basic human and media rights, guaranteed both by domestic and international laws, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Despite appeals from international organizations, there have been no concrete reactions that would guarantee Serbs the right to information in their mother tongue.

The press has not been available since June 2023, and the President of Association of Journalists of Serbia branch in Kosovo, DNKIM, Ivana Vanovac, emphasizes that the Serbian community has been deprived of the right to inform themselves in their mother tongue for almost two years.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/aHdX8  

Jevtic received protesting residents, discussed employment and financial aid distribution issues (Kosovo Online)

Stprce mayor Dalibor Jevtic received yesterday around 30 local residents who expressed their dissatisfaction with the employment process and manner in which financial aid from the Serbian Government in the monthly amount of 20.000 RSD (around 170 euros) was distributed, Kosovo Online portal reported.

During the meeting Jevtic said that the Serbian state does its utmost to help and resolve as many problems as possible when it comes to the Serbian population in Kosovo. He said some would always be dissatisfied when it comes to employment or aid distribution because, as he said, it was impossible to meet everyone’s demands.

The protesting residents complained to Jevtic that compilation of the list of those who should be receiving financial aid was not transparent, adding that local party officials were deciding who will receive the aid and who not. They claimed that such distribution of aid was not done in line with the Serbian laws, but “in completely different manner, by unknown and illegitimate channels”.  That is why some families are affected, they added. 

The residents also conveyed the message to Jevtic that protests in Strpce will continue every day until their demands are fulfilled.

Trial of Gavrilo Milosavljevic continues, defence claims witness made contradicting statements (Euronews in Serbian)

The trial of Gavrilo Milosavljevic, from Istok, accused of allegedly committing war crimes against civilian population in Dubrava prison during the conflict in Kosovo in 1999 continued yesterday at the Basic Court in Pristina, Euronews in Serbian reported.

In a hearing yesterday two witnesses were interviewed. Skender Racaj who was a detainee at that time and prison guard Bajram Behlulaj. Racaj said he did not know the real name of Milosavljevic until the moment he received an invitation to give a statement to the police, and that happened only after Milosavljevic was arrested.

He said that while in prison he only knew the person with the nickname Gagi. Defense lawyer of Garvilo Milosavljevic, Dejan Vasic attempted on several occasions to point out to the judicial council that this witness was making contradictory statements during the process, to which the witness responded that he “has memory issues and can not remember all details from that period”.

The other witness, Bajram Behlulaj who worked as a prison guard in Dubrava until June 15, 1998 said he used to see Milosavljevic in the prison, but never spoke with him and never saw any mistreatment of the prisoners by the prison guards. Following the hearing, lawyer Vasic did not wish to comment on their statements, adding that the defence will speak about that in closing remarks. He also said the process is nearing an end, and that only two to three hearings are left to be completed.

Milosavljevic is accused of allegedly taking part in the murder of 109 Albanians in Dubrava prison from May 22 to May 24, 1999. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was arrested on December 2, 2022 and remains in detention ever since. Indictment against him was raised on November 29, 2023.  

Vulin meets with Iranian deputy FM, thanks him over support on Kosovo issue (Tanjug, media)

Serbian caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on Thursday, thanking Iran for its principled, public and open support on the issue of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, Tanjug news agency reported. Vulin also thanked Iran “for using its influence in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to highlight the significance of the status of Serbia's southern province”.

Ravanchi noted that Iran especially appreciated the fact Vulin had attended the commemoration and funeral of the tragically killed former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the inauguration of incumbent Masoud Pezeshkian. 

Vulin noted that it was an honour to share both sorrow and joy with the people of Iran. The parties agreed that there is space for advancement of economic and business cooperation between Serbia and Iran, as well as for participation of Serbian business people in the Iranian market, an official statement said.

“Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots”, Orban tells Vucic (Tanjug)

Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a message to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Tanjug news agency reported.

"Dear Aleksandar! Dear Serbian patriots! I send you my greetings from Budapest. We have been watching developments in Serbia for months now. Foreign powers are trying to interfere in the lives of the Serbs. That is happening here, too. Foreign powers are trying to tell the Serbs how to live. They are doing that here, too", Orban said in a video message. Those who advocate the sovereignty of Serbia are constantly under attack, Orban added.

"We, too, are being attacked for that. We see that you are not giving up, we see that you are fighting bravely, because you want a sovereign Serbia. You are not alone, your struggle is our struggle, too. Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots. Long live President Vucic, long live Serbia!" Orban said.

International Media 

Kosovo’s data privacy crisis: Systematic failure in the digital age (Balkan Insight)

Kosovo has gone through rapid digitalisation, but its institutions, businesses, and public services remain vulnerable to data breaches. From government leaks to private sector hacks, sensitive citizen data is frequently exposed - often unpunished.

In 2020, Mentor Bajrami returned to his hometown of Ferizaj/Urosevac after six years working in Afghanistan. He was ready for a fresh start. He got a new phone number, a new routine, and settled into life back home; he also went to a private clinic about the pain he had been suffering in his back.

“I chose a private clinic because I thought they would be more professional than the public hospital,” said Bajrami, who is in his late thirties. A few days later, his phone rang. It was a salesperson offering him specialised equipment for back pain, an affliction that only the doctors he had just seen knew he was suffering from.

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