Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

Color, pride, and the occupation of public space (Prishtina Insight)

By: Shqipe Gjocaj As the saying goes, when someone comes out, the whole family transitions. The support and love, followed by opposition and hate, are all part of this struggle. On Tuesday, Kosovo organized its first pride parade. As expected, once it was announced in the media, panic ensued. Among the first to express contempt was Gezim Kelmendi, head of his religious political party Fjala and former MP.

Hardline Clerics Savage Kosovo's First Pride Parade (Balkan Insight)

The first ever Pride Parade in Kosovo, due to take place on Tuesday, is drawing fierce opposition and derogatory language from some Muslim clerics and from parties close to them. Some hard-line Muslim clerics in Kosovo have condemned the announced first Pride Parade in Kosovo, which is set to take place on 10 October in Pristina. One imam of a mosque in the village of Shipol near Mitrovica, Fatmir Latifaj, has published a video using insulting expression about the LGBTI community and

Until October Washington and Berlin decide on envoys (Danas)

Belgrade based daily Danas writes today, based on unofficial diplomatic sources, that the United States and Germany are considering who will be their envoys in the next phase of the Brussels dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and that it is expected that the decision on their names would be made and disclosed in a month time.

"Bring W. Balkans into EU to keep Turkey and Russia at bay" (B92)

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz has called on the EU "to bring the Balkans into its orbit."

In an interview for Germany's Handelsblatt, quoted by Tanjug, Kurz "warned of the growing influence of Turkey and Saudi Arabia."

"In Sarajevo and Pristina, for example, women are paid to wear the full veil in public. We cannot look on and do nothing," the Austrian minister said.

Serbia's foreign minister calls for compromise over Kosovo (Reuters)

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's foreign minister and a top ally of President Aleksandar Vucic has suggested a compromise to end a conflict over Kosovo, the newest independent European state that is blocking Serbia's hopes of European Union membership. Serbia, where many regard Kosovo as the cradle of their nation and Orthodox Christian faith, refuses to recognize the independence of its former Southern province and has been blocking its membership in organizations including Interpol and UNESCO. But normalization of relations with Pristina is a key condition for Serbia to come closer to members

India opposes membership of Pristina in international organizations (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)

Serbian media reported about the meeting between the Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic and the Ambassador of the Republic of India, Narinder Chauhan, focused on further development of the economic co-operation and support of India regarding the Kosovo issue. During the meeting, Indian Ambassador highlighted that India opposes membership of Pristina in international organizations.

In a year, when both Serbia and India mark the 70 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Brnabic pointed out traditional and friendly relations between the countri

Rakic: Whatever happens, strong relations with Belgrade remain (Novosti, KoSSev)

In the next few days I expect consultations with the Albanian political leaders, and after that we will make a decision whether or not to participate in the government of interim institutions in Kosovo, new Char of Srpska Lista and mayor of Mitrovica/Mitrovice North, Goran Rakic stated to Novosti daily. Asked about specific conditions Srpska Lista might have to join the government, Rakic said he does not know yet which Albanian political option is the most acceptable to Srpska Lista, therefore it is difficult to tell if and to what extent Srpska Lista would take part in the government.

Controversy Lingers in Kosovo Over Long Awaited Mosque

After years of delay, the assembly of the capital of Kosovo looks set to give the go-ahead to the construction of a new 'Central Mosque' - despite the objections of civil society groups. A key item on the agenda of the city council in Pristina, Kosovo, on July 25 is the future of the city's long-planned central mosque, Miranda Mullafazliu, the spokesperson for the municipality, told BIRN. The Islamic Community of Kosovo, BIK, together with former senior state officials, placed the cornerstone of the Central Mosque back in 2012 in the city's Dardania district. It was laid when Pristina was g

Dacic: Internal dialogue about Kosovo important (Tanjug, RTS)

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic stated to Tanjug that in addition to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, internal dialogue about Kosovo is also important.

“Regardless the talks hold in Brussels, it is important to have a dialogue within our society, a dialogue between different social and scientific actors,” Dacic said.

It should offer a platform to exchange opinions about what would be the best solution for Kosovo.

Kosovo Café is Lifeline for People With Down’s (Balkan Insight)

A new café in Pristina where most of the staff have Down’s syndrome has become a hit with locals - while generating much-needed cash for an NGO that aids people with this condition. Kosovo has any number of bars these days - but Bar X21, which opened four months ago, is slightly different from the crowd. Most of the staff here have Down’s syndrome - and it has swiftly become popular with locals who enjoy the cheery welcome they receive when they come through the door. “This place is the same as many others - but at the same time it's very different, because together with coffee what's serve