AGP Executive Report

EU Accession: Brussels warned Kosovo that changes to its war crimes court could undermine its membership bid. The amendments would cap sentences at 15 years and allow appeals, pardons and sentences to be served in Kosovo; President Justina Shiroka-Pula must decide whether to approve them. Mediterranean Games: Kosovo risks losing the right to host the 2030 Games after organisers said it had failed to provide a bank guarantee, pay an outstanding fee or respond to a warning. Sports Minister Blerim Gashani says the event will go ahead. Security: An Italian general has taken command of KFOR as NATO plans gradual changes to its force, while US active-duty troops have returned to lead the eastern command. NATO says adjustments could be reversed if tensions rise. Payments: Parliament approved anti-money-laundering law changes, bringing Kosovo closer to SEPA and cheaper euro transfers, pending approval to join. Civil Code: Prime Minister Albin Kurti defended plans to revive broad civil-law reforms amid opposition criticism over family values and same-sex unions.

Serbia Election Watch: Voters registered from Kosovo for Serbia’s October 25 election have risen by more than 20,000 since 2023, Radio Free Europe reports. An opposition representative says changes to registration rules may explain the increase, while concerns persist over the voter roll. War Crimes Court: Kosovo’s president has eight days to decide on amendments that would cap sentences at the Specialist Chambers at 15 years and allow appeals in Kosovo’s Supreme Court. The EU has warned against changing the court’s rules during ongoing trials. Civil Code: Prime Minister Albin Kurti defended plans to revive broad civil-law reforms after an opposition MP accused the government of undermining traditional family values. The proposals include changes on same-sex unions and reproductive rights. KFOR: Italian Major General Roberto Vergori has taken command of NATO’s Kosovo force. NATO says it may adjust the force as security improves, but changes could be reversed if tensions rise. Gaza Deployment: Israel is reportedly blocking construction of a planned base for an international force that could include troops from Kosovo and Morocco, delaying preparations for the deployment.

War Crimes Court: Kosovo’s parliament has sent President Justina Shiroka-Pula amendments that would cap sentences at the Hague-based court at 15 years, allow appeals to Kosovo’s Supreme Court and permit prisoners to serve time in Kosovo. She has eight days to decide; the EU has warned against changing the court’s rules during ongoing proceedings. The government has also formed a working group to support appeals by four former KLA leaders convicted in September. Security: Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca says the risk of renewed conflict with Serbia must be taken seriously, citing Belgrade’s rhetoric and the 2023 Banjska attack. Italy’s Major General Roberto Vergori has taken command of KFOR, as NATO considers gradual changes to its force while keeping open the option to reverse them if tensions rise. US ties: Washington says talks on closer cooperation remain on hold until Kosovo meets commitments to its Serb minority; it has set no date for resuming them.

US-Kosovo Ties: Washington says talks on closer cooperation will remain on hold until Kosovo meets commitments to its Serb minority. It gave no timetable or specific steps, despite President Justina Shiroka-Pula’s request to restart them. Infrastructure: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development opened an upgraded 9.87-kilometre section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway, expected to improve travel and safety for about 600,000 people. War-Crimes Appeals: The government approved a working group, led by Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca, to coordinate support for former KLA leaders appealing their convictions at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. EU Tensions: The bloc says recent amendments to the court’s law breach Kosovo’s commitments to the EU. Security: Italian Major General Roberto Vergori took command of KFOR, pledging to maintain a safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities.

US-Kosovo Ties: Washington says talks on closer cooperation cannot resume until Kosovo honours commitments to its Serb minority. President Justina Shiroka-Pula had asked to restart the talks, suspended since September 2025, and sought US backing for NATO membership. Regional Security: Italy says it may install radars in the Balkans to protect the region and Italy, as it renews its commitment to KFOR. Infrastructure: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development opened a 9.87-kilometre upgrade to the Pristina–Mitrovica highway, expected to improve travel and safety for about 600,000 people. Serbia Accountability: The EU voiced concern that Milan Radoičić, wanted over the 2023 Banjska attack, appeared at an SNS campaign rally, and again urged Serbia to bring those responsible to justice.**

US Ties: Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula urged Washington to restart high-level talks suspended in 2025 and back Kosovo’s bid to join NATO, during a meeting with US senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin. Serb Community: Srpska Lista representatives used the senators’ visit to press for the Community of Serb Municipalities and raise concerns about Serbs’ rights and safety. EU Warning: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Kosovo’s changes to the Hague-based Specialist Chambers law breach its commitments to the EU and could hinder accession. Security Tensions: Kosovo says Serbia has 48 military and police bases near its border; Serbian minister Ivica Dačić has again said the Serbian flag will fly in Prizren. Infrastructure: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded highway section linking Pristina and Mitrovica, expected to serve about 600,000 people.

US Relations: President Justina Shiroka-Pula asked Washington to restart high-level talks suspended in 2025 and support Kosovo’s bid to join NATO. US senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin also met Srpska Lista leaders, who raised Serb rights, security and the stalled Community of Serb Municipalities agreement. EU and Justice: Kosovo’s new law on the Specialist Chambers is drawing sharp EU criticism. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says changing the court’s rules during ongoing proceedings breaches Kosovo’s commitments and could hinder its path to EU membership. Former president Hashim Thaçi is due to hear a verdict on November 17 in a separate witness-interference case; prosecutors seek six more years in prison. Security Tensions: Kosovo says Serbia has 48 military and police bases near its border, while Serbian minister Ivica Dačić renewed claims that Serbia’s flag will fly over Prizren. Infrastructure: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded 9.87-kilometre section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway, expected to improve links for around 600,000 people.

War Crimes Proceedings: Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi will hear a verdict on November 17 in a separate witness-interference case. Prosecutors are seeking six more years in prison; his 25-year war-crimes conviction is under appeal. Security Tensions: Kosovo says Serbia has 48 military and police bases near its border and accuses Belgrade of backing criminal groups. The warning followed Serbian official Ivica Dačić’s claim that Serbia’s flag would one day fly over Prizren. EU Relations: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says Kosovo’s amendments to the law governing the Hague-based Specialist Chambers breach its EU commitments and rule-of-law standards, warning they could obstruct its path to membership. Presidency: New President Justina Shiroka-Pula has urged closer ties with Albania and called for its support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration, as she faces pressure to ease political divisions and repair strained relations with international partners.

Security Tensions: Kosovo’s Defence Minister says Serbia has 48 military and police bases near the border and is supporting groups inside Kosovo; Belgrade has not responded in the reports provided. The warning follows Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić’s claim that Serbia’s flag would one day fly over Prizren, which drew a warning from Germany’s former Europe minister. EU Rule of Law: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says Kosovo’s changes to the law governing the Specialist Chambers breach its EU commitments. The amendments, passed while war-crimes proceedings continue, restrict the court’s powers and could hinder Kosovo’s path toward EU membership. Political Stability: Parliament elected Justina Shiroka-Pula president, ending a prolonged deadlock and averting another snap election. Kosovo also says Milan Radoičić’s appearance at a Serbian Progressive Party rally underscores Serbia’s role in the 2023 Banjska attack; Radoičić has admitted leading the armed group, but faces no charges in Serbia.

Serbia-Kosovo Tensions: Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said the Serbian flag would one day fly over Prizren, prompting Kosovo’s condemnation and a warning from former German minister Michael Roth that such rhetoric risks renewed conflict. Banjska Case: Kosovo says Milan Radoičić’s appearance at a Serbian Progressive Party rally alongside Aleksandar Vučić’s son reinforces its claim that Serbia was involved in the 2023 Banjska attack. Radoičić has admitted leading the armed group, but remains at large in Serbia. Court Law and Presidency: Kosovo lawmakers elected Justina Shiroka-Pula president in a late-night vote, averting snap elections, then approved changes to the Specialist Chambers law. The EU says the amendments violate Kosovo’s international commitments, as protests over the move have stirred political tensions.

Serbia-Kosovo Tensions: Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said the Serbian flag would one day fly over Prizren, prompting Kosovo’s condemnation and a warning from former German Europe Minister Michael Roth that such rhetoric risks renewed conflict. Banjska Attack: Kosovo says Milan Radoičić’s appearance at an SNS campaign rally beside Aleksandar Vučić’s son underscores Serbia’s role in the 2023 attack that killed police officer Afrim Bunjaku. Radoičić has admitted leading the armed group but remains at large in Serbia. Court Dispute: Kosovo’s changes to the law governing the Specialist Chambers have drawn EU criticism as contrary to the country’s international commitments, amid protests and clashes in Pristina. Political Reset: Justina Shiroka-Pula’s election as president averted snap polls and ended the immediate political deadlock, but controversy over the court-law changes leaves tensions unresolved. Serbian Campaign: Vučić is seeking a decisive win in Serbia’s October 25 election, warning supporters that a change of government could lead to recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

Banjska Attack: Kosovo says Milan Radoičić’s appearance beside the son of Serbia’s former president at an SNS rally reinforces its accusation that Serbia organised the 2023 attack that killed police officer Afrim Bunjaku. Radoičić has admitted leading the armed group and remains at liberty in Serbia. Presidential Deal: Parliament elected Justina Shiroka-Pula president with 81 votes, averting snap elections after a political deadlock. Hague Court Dispute: Kosovo’s changes to the law governing the Specialist Chambers have drawn EU criticism, with Brussels saying they breach the country’s international commitments. Protesters also clashed with police over the proposed limits on the court.

Banjska Case: Milan Radoičić, who admitted organizing the armed group behind the 2023 Banjska attack, was filmed beside former Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić’s son at a Serbian Progressive Party rally. Radoičić remains at liberty in Serbia despite an international arrest warrant. Political Deadlock: Kosovo lawmakers elected Justina Shiroka-Pula president, averting another snap election after months of crisis. But parliament’s changes to the Specialist Chambers law have drawn sharp EU criticism: Brussels says they breach Kosovo’s international commitments and risk undermining the court. EU Integration: Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to open its single market to Western Balkan countries before they join, saying earlier access would help businesses and prepare countries for membership.

Presidential Deal: Justina Shiroka-Pula has taken office after a late-night agreement between Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje movement and the opposition PDK secured her election and averted snap polls. The vote followed nearly 20 months of political deadlock, though questions remain over whether it met the constitutional deadline. Hague Court: The deal came alongside parliament’s approval of amendments to the Specialist Chambers law. The EU says the changes breach Kosovo’s international obligations and has warned that the court’s independence must be protected. Protests over the amendments turned violent, and the new president faces a decision on whether to sign the law. US Engagement: Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin are due in Kosovo on Monday. Shaheen says US policy in the Western Balkans should focus on economic opportunity, stability and democratic institutions.

Presidential Breakthrough: Justina Shiroka-Pula has taken office after a late-night parliamentary vote ended nearly two years of deadlock and averted another snap election. She has since met Prime Minister Albin Kurti, but the deal behind her election leaves a major dispute unresolved. Hague Court Row: Parliament approved changes to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers law, seeking to curb the court’s powers after it convicted four former KLA leaders. The EU says the amendments breach Kosovo’s international obligations and could threaten the court’s independence; Albania’s incoming ambassador defended Kosovo’s right to amend its laws. Protests and EU Ties: Demonstrations against the changes turned violent in Pristina, adding to pressure on the new government as it tries to restore stability and maintain its European path.

Presidency: Justina Shiroka-Pula met Prime Minister Albin Kurti after her election in a last-minute deal that averted snap polls and ended months of political deadlock. Hague Court Dispute: The Assembly also passed changes curbing the Specialist Chambers. The EU says they breach Kosovo’s international commitments and calls for the court’s independence and witness safety to be protected. Shiroka-Pula must decide whether to sign the law. Investigation: Kosovo police detained former Mabetex executive Valon Lluka for 48 hours over suspected fraud and other alleged offenses; the investigation is ongoing, and he has not been convicted.