AGP Executive Report

Femicide Protests: Kosovo’s police chief resigned after Arlinda Zekaj was killed despite repeatedly seeking protection. Eleven officers and two prosecutors have been suspended over alleged failures; thousands are protesting, while the justice and interior ministers have rejected calls to step down. EU Path: A draft European Commission report says reforms have stalled amid political paralysis, concerns about pressure on courts and prosecutors, and little progress on agreements with Serbia. Kosovo’s alignment with EU foreign policy drew praise. Serbia and Dialogue: Serbia’s student-led coalition has defeated Aleksandar Vučić’s party and says dialogue with Kosovo will continue. But reports of its refusal to recognize Kosovo’s statehood raise concern about the future of relations. Security: Kosovo received 12 new Unimog military trucks, while British troops held counter-drone and other NATO exercises in Ferizaj as part of efforts to support regional stability.

EU Reforms: A draft European Commission report says Kosovo has made little progress toward EU membership, citing political deadlock, concerns about judicial influence and stalled implementation of agreements with Serbia. Femicide Accountability: Police chief Gazmend Hoxha has resigned after Arlinda Zekaj was killed despite seeking protection. Eleven officers and two prosecutors have been suspended; investigators found protection orders were not properly recorded or were enforced late. Investment: A World Bank report says removing barriers in renewable energy, business services and manufacturing could attract up to $1.5 billion and generate as many as 87,000 jobs over five to ten years. Security: Kosovo has received its first 12 Unimog military trucks, part of a wider fleet expansion. Denmark is also reviewing training for Kosovo prison guards after two officers were accused of beating a prisoner; both deny the allegation.

Femicide Case: Kosovo suspended two senior prosecutors and 11 police officers in Peja after Arlinda Zekaj was killed shortly after reporting domestic violence. Her suspected killer is in custody. Thousands protested in Pristina, demanding accountability and stronger protection for women; activists say eight women have been killed in domestic violence this year. Security: The Kosovo Security Force received 12 military trucks, adding to recent deliveries as the government says it is strengthening defence capabilities to NATO standards. Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue: The EU says Serbia’s new government remains bound by agreements with Kosovo, including the 2023 Ohrid deal. Student List leader Ilija Srdanović says dialogue will continue, but the movement’s programme rejects Kosovo’s independence, raising concerns over future relations.

Femicide Outcry: Thousands protested in Pristina after Arlinda Zekaj was killed near Peja, days after seeking help over domestic abuse. Activists say eight women have died in domestic violence this year; protesters demanded accountability, and the suspected killer has been remanded for a month. Serbia–Kosovo Dialogue: The EU says Serbia’s election result does not change its obligations under the Ohrid agreement. The victorious Student List says dialogue will continue, but its rejection of Kosovo’s independence raises questions about how far relations can improve. Hague Court Dispute: Kosovo’s president has returned to parliament a law that would curb the Specialist Chambers’ powers, prompting criticism of the move to alter the court’s mandate and appeals process. Kosovo on Screen: Visar Morina’s film Shame and Money, set in Kosovo, has secured North American distribution after winning a Sundance award and is eligible for the international-feature Oscar race. Youth Football: Kosovo beat Sierra Leone 1–0 at the FIFA U-15 tournament in Azerbaijan.

Femicide Protests: Thousands rallied in Pristina after Arlinda Zekaj was killed near Peja, reportedly after seeking help from police and prosecutors. Activists say she is Kosovo’s eighth domestic-violence victim this year. Protesters demanded officials’ resignations and stronger action, arguing existing protections are poorly enforced. Serbia and Kosovo: Serbia’s new student-led leadership says it will continue dialogue with Kosovo, but its programme rejects Kosovo’s independence and membership in international organisations. The EU says Belgrade’s obligations under the 2023 Ohrid agreement remain unchanged. Council of Europe Bid: Kosovo is still seeking clarity on how to revive its stalled membership application, which could give residents access to the European Court of Human Rights. Kosovo Film: Visar Morina’s Shame and Money, a Sundance prize-winning drama about a rural family forced to start over in Pristina, has secured North American distribution and is eligible to compete for the international feature Oscar.

Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue: The EU says the 2023 Ohrid agreement remains in force despite Serbia’s change of government. Serbia’s incoming student-led movement says it will continue talks with Kosovo, though it opposes independence and may review agreements against Serbia’s constitution. Council of Europe Bid: Kosovo says it is still seeking clarity on how to revive its stalled membership application, which remains off the agenda for the next ministerial meeting in May 2027. Femicide Accountability: Prime Minister Albin Kurti has given two ministries 54 hours to report on institutional failures after Arlinda Zekaj was killed minutes after reporting domestic violence to police. Prishtina Sanitation: Uncollected rubbish and sewage problems are frustrating residents and raising public-health concerns across the capital. Regional Economy: The World Bank projects Western Balkans growth will rise to 3.1% this year, but says reducing trade barriers and regulatory costs is key to creating better jobs.

Serbia’s Political Shift: A student-led movement has defeated Aleksandar Vučić’s party after 14 years in power, winning about 53% of the vote. Its lead candidate says Serbia will continue dialogue with Kosovo and EU integration, but the movement does not recognize Kosovo’s independence and may review past agreements against Serbia’s constitution. Femicide Accountability: Kosovo’s parliament voted unanimously to demand answers after Arlinda Zekaj was killed in Peja shortly after reporting domestic violence to police, who had escorted her home. Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave the justice and interior ministries 54 hours to report on possible institutional failures. Pristina Services: Uncollected rubbish and sewage spilling onto streets are worsening the capital’s sanitation crisis, raising public-health concerns and frustration over basic services. War-Crime Case: Kosovo’s Supreme Court extended the custody of nine ethnic Serbs suspected of war crimes for two months; their lawyers challenged the decision.

Femicide and Accountability: Kosovo’s parliament voted 67–0 to investigate how Arlinda Zekaj’s case was handled after she was killed in Peja shortly after police escorted her home. She had warned prosecutors her life was at risk. Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave the interior and justice ministries 54 hours to report on possible institutional failures; a suspect remains at large. Zekaj was the eighth woman killed by a family member in Kosovo this year. Serbia’s New Government: The student-backed list won 139 of 250 parliamentary seats, ending the ruling party’s 14-year grip. Its leading candidate, Ilija Srdanović, says Serbia will continue EU integration and dialogue with Kosovo, but the movement rejects Kosovo’s independence and says agreements may be reviewed for constitutional compliance. Security and Health: Kurti has pledged more than €1 billion for Kosovo’s military and plans to launch ammunition production. Separately, reports of a cancer clinic running out of vital medicine have raised fresh concern over access to treatment.

Women’s Safety: Kosovo MPs are demanding answers after Arlinda Zekaj was killed in Peja shortly after reporting domestic violence and being escorted home by police. Prosecutors are investigating how officials handled her case; no wrongdoing has yet been established. Serbia’s Election: The student-backed Student List won a parliamentary majority, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year rule. The victory may bring political change, but the winners reject Kosovo’s independence, oppose previous agreements with Pristina and want to strengthen Serbian-funded institutions in the north. Security: Twenty Kosovo Security Force members completed a US-led Battle Staff course focused on operational planning and coordination, building the force’s regional capabilities.

Domestic Violence: Arlinda Zekaj was murdered in Peja shortly after reporting abuse to police, despite warning prosecutors three days earlier that she feared for her life. Kosovo’s chief prosecutor has ordered an investigation into whether officials took adequate steps to protect her; she is the seventh woman killed by a family member in Kosovo this year. Serbia’s Election: Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat as the student-backed list won 52.65% of votes counted at 91% of polling stations, with projections giving it a parliamentary majority. The movement opposes Kosovo’s independence and says it wants to reopen agreements with Pristina. Separately, an alliance of Albanian parties says it has won two seats in Serbia’s parliament. Security Forces: Twenty Kosovo Security Force members completed a four-week US-led course in operational planning and battle staff coordination, focused on improving readiness and cooperation.

Serbia’s Political Shift: Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat as preliminary results gave the student-backed list a projected parliamentary majority, ending 14 years of his party’s dominance. Serbs registered in Kosovo voted at polling stations in Serbia, with reports of long waits and overcrowding. Sport: Pristina will host the 2028 World Youth Weightlifting Championships, a first for Kosovo in an International Weightlifting Federation world event. Accessibility: Qatar Charity distributed 160 Braille Qurans in Kosovo, but the Islamic Community says around 300 people with visual disabilities could benefit. Health and Justice: Kosovo’s cancer clinic has faced a shortage of a vital drug, while the EU has urged consultation over a proposed law affecting the Hague-based Specialist Chambers.

Serbia’s Election: Kosovo’s president urged ethnic Albanians from southern Serbia to vote in Sunday’s snap poll. Eight Albanian parties have united, hoping to win three parliamentary seats; turnout by 10 a.m. was nearly double the 2023 level. Sport: Prishtina will host the 2028 World Youth Weightlifting Championships, a first for Kosovo. Hague Court: The EU warned Kosovo against changing the Specialist Chambers’ powers without consultation after the president returned amendments to parliament. Health: Kosovo’s main cancer clinic ran out of a breast cancer drug after demand doubled; a patient who had complained of the shortage later died, though no direct link has been established. Security: Prime Minister Albin Kurti says Kosovo will invest more than €1 billion in the military and begin ammunition production this year.

UNMIK and Serb Community: At the UN Security Council, Serbia’s foreign minister accused Kosovo of worsening conditions for Serbs, citing closures of Serbian institutions and restrictions on services. He called for implementation of commitments under the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue; his claims were not independently verified. Serbia’s Election: Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula urged ethnic Albanians from Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa living in Kosovo to vote in Serbia’s snap election on Sunday, saying turnout could strengthen their representation in parliament. Hague Court Law: The EU warned Kosovo against changing the mandate of the Specialist Chambers without consultation. President Shiroka-Pula has returned the amendments to parliament for reconsideration. Health Care: Kosovo’s main cancer clinic says it ran out of a breast cancer drug for two months after demand was double its estimate. A patient died, but no direct link between the shortage and her death has been established. Child Protection: Children are still being made to beg and sell goods on Kosovo’s streets, while investigations have stalled and social services struggle to protect them. EU Prospects: An analyst says Kosovo is unlikely to gain EU candidate status this year, citing obligations under dialogue agreements and rule-of-law concerns. Economy: Kosovo’s September exports rose 27.5% year on year, but imports were nearly six times higher, leaving a €534 million trade deficit.

Child Protection: Children are being forced to beg and sell goods on Kosovo’s streets, often under adults’ watch. Investigations into suspected organised exploitation have stalled, while social services struggle to protect them. War Court Dispute: The EU warned Kosovo against changing the powers of the Hague-based war crimes court without consulting Brussels. The president has sent the proposed amendments back to parliament for reconsideration; they have not taken effect. Health Care: Kosovo’s main cancer clinic ran out of a breast cancer drug for two months after twice as many patients needed it as expected. A patient died after reporting she could not afford the medicine, but no direct link between the shortage and her death has been established. Trade: Kosovo exported €109.4 million in goods in September against €643.4 million in imports, leaving a €534 million shortfall despite a sharp rise in exports. EU Ties: Kosovo and five other Western Balkan partners agreed with the EU to deepen research and innovation cooperation, with a joint action plan in preparation.

A New Airline, With No Price Tag: Kosovo wants a state-backed carrier with private partners, but has not disclosed the cost, funding, routes or investors. A former minister warned it could cost more than €500 million. Trade Gap: Kosovo imported €643.4 million in goods in September and exported €109.4 million, leaving a €534 million deficit despite a 27.5% annual rise in exports. Cancer Drug Shortage: A woman with advanced breast cancer died after repeatedly warning that she could not afford palbociclib when public supplies ran out. Health officials acknowledge some shortages but dispute how long patients went without the drug. Hague Court Law: President Justina Shiroka-Pula sent a bill seeking to curb the Specialist Chambers’ powers back to parliament for review, following a request from its PDK sponsors. EU Ties: Kosovo and five other Western Balkan partners agreed with the EU to strengthen research and innovation cooperation and prepare a joint action plan. Regional Tensions: A UN envoy warned tensions remain a concern in Kosovo even as signs of progress emerge from the political deadlock.

State Airline: Prime Minister Albin Kurti wants a state-backed carrier with private partners, but the government has yet to disclose its cost, funding or routes; a former minister says it could exceed €500 million. Economy and Health: Kosovo’s September trade deficit reached €534 million, with imports nearly six times exports. A woman with advanced breast cancer has died after repeatedly warning that she could not afford treatment when public supplies of her medicine ran out. Hague Court: President Justina Shiroka-Pula has sent back a law curbing the Specialist Chambers’ powers, after its sponsor, the PDK, asked parliament to review it. EU Bid: At the Berlin Process summit, Kurti called for Kosovo to receive EU candidate status and begin accession talks, while accusing Serbia of protecting Milan Radoičić, who claimed responsibility for the Banjska attack. EU leaders urged Western Balkan governments to speed up reforms, but set no membership timetable. Regional Tensions: A UN envoy warned of rising tensions despite signs Kosovo’s political deadlock is easing. PDK leader Bedri Hamza has also stepped down.