AGP Executive Report

Kosovo–Hague dispute: Kosovo’s government says parliament can legally consider changing the law governing the Hague-based war-crimes court, as the opposition PDK links the issue to the next presidential vote and demands reforms first. Special prosecution shake-up: Kosovo’s top special prosecutor, Blerim Isufaj, was dismissed after the prosecutorial council cited mismanagement and failure to do the job; Dren Paca will run the office temporarily. EU pressure on reforms: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged faster Kosovo reforms and stressed that Hague judgments require respect, while also backing a full EU membership path. Regional security and KFOR: In Belgrade, Serbia’s military chief met the outgoing KFOR commander ahead of a handover, with both sides stressing the security situation in Kosovo and KFOR’s role under UN Resolution 1244. Organised crime case: Kosovo prosecutors charged nine people over an alleged Kosovo–Albania cannabis network, including thousands of plants seized in the Peja area. Diplomacy spotlight: Prime Minister Albin Kurti shared that he met US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly high-level week, thanking Washington for increased NATO defence spending and reiterating Kosovo’s aspiration to join the alliance.

Kosovo Politics: Albin Kurti met Bedri Hamza, but they failed to agree on Kosovo’s next president; Hamza says the priority is amending the Kosovo Specialist Chambers law, with president talks after the changes. Justice & Security: Kosovo’s special prosecutor Blerim Isufaj was dismissed by the prosecutorial council over alleged mismanagement and incompetence; Dren Paca will lead the office in the interim. War Crimes Fallout: Thousands protested in Pristina against Hague war-crimes convictions of former KLA leaders, with demonstrators saying the verdicts are unjust and “not in my name.” EU Integration: Ursula von der Leyen urged North Macedonia to amend its constitution to recognize the Bulgarian minority to unlock EU talks, while in Kosovo she reiterated that judgments at The Hague require respect and that reforms are needed for the EU path. Crime Crackdown: Kosovo prosecutors charged nine people over an organised drug network between Kosovo and Albania, including large-scale cannabis cultivation in the Peja region. Travel & Mobility: Saudi Arabia eased travel for Kosovo citizens, adding them to the e-visa/visa-on-arrival eligible group from Oct. 1.

EU Integration & Reforms: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Kosovo to accelerate reforms and secure institutional stability to unlock up to €882 million under the Western Balkans Growth Plan, while stressing respect for judicial independence and the need for reconciliation. Hague Verdict Protests: Thousands rallied in Pristina against war-crimes convictions of former KLA leaders, with demonstrators saying the verdicts are unjust and warning the EU “let Kosovo down.” Presidential Deadlock: Kosovo has days to elect a new president or face another election, as Prime Minister Albin Kurti begins talks with opposition parties ahead of an Oct. 6 deadline. Berlin Process Civil Society: The Civil Society & Think Tank Forum of the Berlin Process will be held in Pristina on 5–7 October, aiming to turn regional commitments into recommendations for EU integration. Regional Security Cooperation: Serbia and Angola signed a MoU on civil defence, firefighting and rescue services, expanding cooperation between interior ministries.

EU Kosovo Push: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Pristina to accelerate reforms and keep institutions stable to unlock up to €882 million, backing a full EU membership path and rejecting any “associate membership” model. Hague Verdict Backlash: Thousands rallied in Pristina against the Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ first-instance war-crimes convictions of former KLA leaders, as von der Leyen said the rulings concern individual responsibility and that defendants can appeal. Presidential Deadline: Kosovo has days to agree on a new president or face another election, with PM Albin Kurti starting talks with opposition parties ahead of the Oct. 6 deadline. Kosovo in Sport: In UEFA Nations League action, Israel and Kosovo drew 0-0 in Hungary, while Ireland’s match vs Austria was twice interrupted by Palestine-related protests before a 2-2 comeback.

EU-Western Balkans Diplomacy: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kosovo for talks with acting President Albulena Haxhiu and PM Albin Kurti, with EU bid, reforms and funding on the agenda. Trade & Economy: Kosovo opened free trade with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, completing free-trade access with all four EFTA states. Security & Crime: A Kallxo.com investigation links Kosovo to firearms trafficking into Albania, with Kosovo citizens arrested in Albania and weapons reportedly feeding organised crime. EU Accession Roadmaps: EU plans for “gradual integration” into the single market would offer staged access to candidates like Moldova, Ukraine, Montenegro and Albania, while Kosovo is mentioned among those facing delays. Regional Politics: Kosovo has six days to elect a president and avoid new elections; meanwhile, three Kosovo Serbs pleaded not guilty over 2022 unrest in North. International Spotlight: Kosovo war survivors plan a 50-state U.S. film tour starting Oct. 20 to honor U.S. veterans, with screenings also planned in Kosovo in January 2027.

EU Enlargement & Economy: The European Commission is drafting a plan for “unprecedented gradual integration” into the EU single market for candidate states, offering frictionless trade and research access while conditioning benefits on security and foreign-policy alignment; the roadmap approach is set for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro, while countries like Kosovo face longer, more conditional timelines. EU-Western Balkans Diplomacy: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen begins a Western Balkans tour in Tirana, signaling Albania’s progress and pushing further reforms and implementation; she is also scheduled to visit Pristina and other regional capitals. Kosovo Politics: Prime Minister Albin Kurti says Kosovo has six days to elect a new president before the Oct. 6 constitutional deadline, warning that failure would trigger new parliamentary elections; he also calls for urgent opposition talks around a possible candidate. North Kosovo Court Case: Three Kosovo Serbs pleaded not guilty over December 2022 roadblocks at northern border crossings, with the case tied to unrest after an arrest and earlier convictions already handed down to other defendants. Kosovo War Crimes Probe: Kosovo authorities ordered pre-trial detention for nine suspects in a war-crimes investigation linked to mass graves discovered in the north. Regional Politics: Kurti says Albanian parties in Serbia’s Preševo Valley have agreed on a joint coalition ticket for the Oct. 25 election, calling it potentially “historical” and arguing for guaranteed minority representation.

Kosovo Presidency Deadlock: Prime Minister Albin Kurti says Kosovo has six days to elect a president after the Constitutional Court set an Oct. 6 deadline; if MPs fail, parliament is dissolved and elections follow, though Kurti argues parties can still agree on a candidate. War-Crime Case in the North: Kosovo authorities detained nine people in Zubin Potok over alleged war crimes tied to the 1999 disappearance of 23 people, with the Prishtina Basic Court ordering 30-day pre-trial detention. EU Single-Market Access: Politico reports the EU plans “gradual integration” for accession candidates, offering frictionless trade and research access while applications are assessed, with conditions tied to standing with the bloc. Von der Leyen Balkan Tour: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen begins a Balkan trip in Tirana, with Kosovo on the agenda next, as Brussels works on step-by-step accession timelines. Serbia Sanctions Standoff: Serbian student protesters say they will keep opposing sanctions on Russia, framing it as a political measure that harms ordinary people. Regional Politics: Albanian parties in southern Serbia agree to run together in Serbia’s Oct. 25 election under a single “Albanian Coalition” list. Infrastructure Boost: Saudi Fund for Development opened a revamped 9.87 km Pristina–Mitrovica highway section, citing improved safety and faster travel for about 600,000 people.

War Crimes Case: A Pristina court ordered one month in custody for nine suspects in a Kosovo war-crimes probe tied to 23 missing people from 1999, after raids in Zubin Potok; authorities say the men are Serbian passport holders and that weapons, phones and documents were seized. Hague Verdict Fallout: Kosovo war veterans are threatening protests unless changes to the Hague court law are put to a vote, after parliament voted 99-0 against the verdict on former KLA leaders. Serb Rights & UNMIK: Serbia’s Kosovo-Metohija office says politically motivated arrests of Serbs in northern Kosovo violate the presumption of innocence, and it urged UNMIK to respond more forcefully. Infrastructure & Connectivity: The Saudi Fund for Development opened a revamped 9.87-km section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway, citing improved safety, faster travel and access to jobs and services for about 600,000 people. Security Presence: British troops arrived for a six-week KFOR exercise as NATO’s reserve force in Kosovo. Politics in the Region: Russian media claims Vučić’s resignation plan was linked to his call with Putin and aimed to keep his influence ahead of Serbia’s October 25 vote.

Kosovo-Serb Tensions: Serbia’s Kosovo office chief Petar Petkovic met UNMIK head Peter Due, accusing Pristina of politically motivated arrests of Serbs—including nine household heads from Zubin Potok—violating presumption of innocence and denying effective defence. Health Watch: Kosovo recorded 180 measles cases since April, with over 95% among unvaccinated people; eight new cases were confirmed last week as catch-up MMR vaccinations continue. EU Accession Signals: Politico reports the EU is preparing “roadmaps” with reform steps and deadlines for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro, while Kosovo is not included because it is at an earlier stage. KFOR Update: British troops from The Rifles arrived in Kosovo for a six-week KFOR exercise, part of NATO’s Strategic Reserve Force. Road Safety Cooperation: UNITAR and FIA advanced Central and Eastern Europe road-safety projects, with Kosovo among participating delegations in Warsaw. Sports & Diplomacy: Ireland’s Nations League match against Israel went ahead after a squad vote, with Kosovo-related fallout still echoing across the region’s football politics.

Kosovo Politics: Kosovo’s parliament voted 99-0 to reject the EU-backed Hague war crimes verdicts against four former KLA leaders, calling the findings “unacceptable” and urging a “joint state strategy” to defend Kosovo’s liberation narrative. War Crimes Probe: Kosovo police arrested nine people in northern Zubin Potok in the “File 23” case tied to mass graves from the 1998-99 war, linked to the “Intellectuals’ Group.” Serb Tensions: Serbia’s Kosovo office says mass arrests are Pristina’s “new method” of retaliation, citing the Zubin Potok detentions and alleged pressure on Serbs. Health: Kosovo recorded 180 measles cases since April, with over 95% among unvaccinated people, as catch-up MMR vaccinations continue. EU Accession: EU officials are preparing accession “roadmaps” for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, but not for Kosovo yet. Sports & Society: Ireland’s controversial Nations League win over Israel in Hungary sparked a review by the FAI over alleged racist chants aimed at Irish forward Adam Idah.

Kosovo Politics: Kosovo’s parliament voted 99-0 to reject the Hague war crimes verdicts against four former KLA leaders, calling the sentences unjust and urging a “joint state strategy” to protect Kosovo’s historical narrative. War Crimes Probe: Kosovo police arrested nine suspects in Zubin Potok in the “File 23” case tied to mass graves found in August, linked to the “Intellectuals’ Group” disappearances. EU Accession Roadmaps: The EU is drafting phased membership roadmaps for Albania, Moldova, Ukraine and Montenegro, with indicative timelines and reform clusters—while Kosovo is not included at this stage. Kosovo-Related EU Labor Move: Germany confirmed citizens of Kosovo and five other Western Balkan states can work without qualification checks under a special regulation. Regional Environment: Western Balkans waste management remains weak, with over 83% of municipal waste still going to landfills, including high illegal dumping rates in Kosovo. Kosovo in Culture/Industry: Kosovo’s film project “In a Manner of Speaking” won at the San Sebastián industry programme, highlighting growing regional screen talent.

Kosovo in UEFA Nations League: Austria beat Kosovo 3-1 in Vienna, with David Affengruber scoring early and Junior Adamu adding a third as Kosovo struggled to recover. Ireland–Israel fallout with Kosovo in the background: After a 1-0 loss to Kosovo in Pristina, Republic of Ireland went on to beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, but only after a four-hour squad vote and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu’s withdrawal over Gaza. Ireland wore black armbands, bowed their heads during the anthem, and refused the usual handshakes. Serbia politics spillover: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić formally resigned to run for prime minister in a snap election on October 25, following months of protests tied to the Novi Sad station disaster. EU enlargement process: The European Commission is preparing membership action roadmaps for the most advanced candidate countries, while Kosovo and others are not yet included at this stage.

Kosovo Justice & Accountability: KLA veterans demanded Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla resign, alleging she helped the Hague court in cases against former guerrilla leaders; Gërvalla denies any direct or indirect role and says her team is preparing for appeals. War-Crimes Probe: Kosovo police and the Special Prosecutor’s Office arrested nine people in Zubin Potok under “Dossier 23,” linked to the “Group of Intellectuals” case and earlier arrests tied to remains discovered in the area. Environment & Infrastructure: Kosovo is preparing to remove the Mirusha Dam, aiming to reconnect 35 km of river habitat and restore free-flowing conditions for biodiversity along the Mirusha River. EU Energy Tensions: The EU raised concerns over US-led LNG expansion in the Western Balkans, warning it could lock countries like Kosovo into long fossil-fuel dependence. Cybercrime Court Case: Kosovo national Ardit Kutleshi pleaded guilty in the US over the Rydox cybercrime marketplace that sold stolen identities and fraud tools for years. Sports & Politics Spillover (Kosovo link): Ireland’s Nations League row with Israel continues to ripple through Kosovo-related fixtures, with Kosovo vs Ireland already played and the Israel games in Hungary/Serbia still driving major controversy.

Kosovo-Ireland Football: Ireland’s Nations League clash with Israel in Debrecen will go ahead after a fraught squad vote, following hours of delays to the pre-match press conference and training amid Gaza-linked boycott pressure; FAI CEO David Courell said a “significant majority” backed playing, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew after expressing discomfort with fulfilling the fixture, and the team plans black armbands and reduced media/prematch ceremony participation. Local Context, Regional Echoes: The week also kept Kosovo in the spotlight through protests over Hague war-crimes convictions and calls to change the court’s law, as well as debate around EU integration and regional stability in the Balkans. International Watch: IMF analysis argues deeper EU-Western Balkans economic integration could lift regional GDP per capita over the long run, with Kosovo named among the countries targeted for faster goods, logistics, and services links.

Ireland-Israel Nations League Fallout: Republic of Ireland’s pre-match press conference and training in Debrecen, Hungary were delayed and then disrupted as boycott pressure grew ahead of Sunday’s fixture. Midfielder Jason Knight became the first player to say he believes the game “shouldn’t be going ahead,” while reports say goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu told teammates he does not want to play and that other players are weighing whether to follow. UEFA and the FAI faced fresh scrutiny after the squad’s internal meetings spilled into missed media duties, with campaigners urging a full withdrawal. Kosovo War-Crimes Protests: In Kosovo, protests against Hague Specialist Chambers convictions for former KLA leaders—led by Hashim Thaçi and others—continued to spread across cities, with demonstrators denouncing the verdicts as unjust and calling for legal changes. Kosovo Politics: Kosovo’s opposition pushed for faster amendments to the law governing the Specialist Chambers, arguing the court should be limited to crimes tied to the Dick Marty report, while the EU said support for the chambers remains unchanged.

Hague Verdict Fallout: Kosovo saw fresh, nationwide protests after the Specialist Chambers convicted former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi, with demonstrators saying the verdicts are unjust and pushing for changes to the law governing the court. Local Politics & Deadlines: Kosovo’s opposition (PDK) wants the Hague process narrowed and more cases tried in Kosovo, as the Assembly faces an Oct. 6 deadline to elect a president or trigger new elections. Kurti’s Warning: Prime Minister Albin Kurti says if parliament misses the Oct. 6 vote, elections would be held again for parliament and government, not a direct presidential vote. Diplomacy Watch: The U.S. Embassy in Pristina said it will work with Kosovo’s new government and assembly on regional peace, stability and prosperity. Ireland-Israel Storm: After Kosovo beat Ireland 1-0 in Pristina, Irish midfielder Jason Knight became the first player to say the Israel Nations League match “should not be going ahead,” while calls for a boycott continue ahead of the Hungary and Serbia fixtures. EU Engagement: Ursula von der Leyen begins a Balkan tour in Tirana and will travel to Kosovo next, while Serbia and Bosnia are left for later due to elections.