AGP Executive Report

Digital Language: A Kosovo-focused report spotlights efforts to bring Romani language and culture online, connecting digital access with cultural preservation. Science Leadership: Kosovo’s new president, Justina Shiroka-Pula, previously led the Academy of Sciences and Arts; she was elected after a prolonged political deadlock.

Digital Culture: A Kosovo-focused initiative is bringing Romani language and culture online through radio, extending the community’s digital presence. Research Leadership: Kosovo’s new president, Justina Shiroka Pula, previously led the Academy of Sciences and Arts, placing a prominent academic at the country’s highest office. Knowledge Economy: At a forum in Pristina, former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta backed a “fifth freedom” for the EU Single Market: the movement of knowledge, with candidate countries participating before full membership.

Digital Culture: A Kosovo initiative is bringing Romani language and culture online through radio, giving digital tools a role in preserving and sharing minority-language content. Research Leadership: Justina Shiroka-Pula, Kosovo’s new president, previously led the Academy of Sciences and Arts and is an economist by training. Regional Innovation: Kosovo took part in Corridor VIII talks where innovation and new technologies featured alongside transport, energy and security—linking the country to a wider regional connectivity agenda.

Digital Culture: A Kosovo-focused initiative is bringing Romani language and culture online through radio, highlighting how digital platforms can help preserve and share minority languages. Science and Research: A cross-sectional study examines whether physician-patient communication and treatment satisfaction are linked to medication adherence among people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; the supplied report does not state its findings. Academic Leadership: Justina Shiroka Pula, former head of Kosovo’s Academy of Sciences and Arts, was elected president, ending a political deadlock and putting an academic at the country’s highest office.

Research and EU Integration: Enrico Letta called for the free movement of knowledge to become a fifth EU freedom, arguing that closer Single Market ties could bring research and other benefits to candidate countries before membership. Regional Technology Links: At a Corridor VIII conference attended by Kosovo representatives, officials discussed innovation and new technologies alongside transport, energy and security, framing connectivity as more than roads and railways. Digital Culture: A Kosovo-focused initiative is bringing Romani language and culture online through radio. Science Leadership: Kosovo’s new president, Justina Shiroka-Pula, previously led the Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Regional Tech Links: Kosovo joined Corridor VIII discussions in Sofia, where officials tied transport and energy connectivity to innovation, new technologies and European security. Digital Inclusion: A feature on bringing Romani language and culture online in Kosovo spotlights how digital tools can help preserve and share the country’s cultural heritage. Regional Connectivity: At a Pristina forum, officials pointed to lower regional roaming charges and trade “green lanes” as gains from cooperation, while stressing that investment and stronger institutions are needed to build on them.

Science Leadership: Kosovo elected economist and Academy of Sciences and Arts president Justina Shiroka Pula as head of state, ending a prolonged political deadlock and putting the country’s leading science institution in the spotlight. Digital Culture: A project is bringing Romani language and culture online in Kosovo through radio, expanding the community’s digital presence.

Science Leadership: Economist and academic Justina Shiroka Pula was elected Kosovo’s president with 81 votes, narrowly avoiding another snap election. She recently led the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo. Smart TV Access: SkyShowtime is now available on Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp TVs in Kosovo and 21 other European markets. Digital Media: Prizren’s Radio Romano Avazo has turned Romani-language radio content into podcasts, extending its reach through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and its website.

Knowledge and EU Integration: At a forum in Pristina, former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to make the movement of knowledge a “fifth freedom” of its Single Market, giving candidate countries earlier access to its benefits. Digital Inclusion: Prizren’s Radio Romano Avazo has brought Romani-language programmes online as podcasts, preserving community stories and culture across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and its website. Green Transition: Western Balkan experts say the region needs financing and coordination to turn existing clean-energy commitments into results, including lower emissions and more secure energy systems.

Kosovo Politics & Tech Policy: Kosovo’s parliament elected economist Justina Shiroka Pula as largely ceremonial president in a last-minute deal that also curbed the powers of the Hague war crimes court, narrowly avoiding another snap election amid protests over the September convictions of former KLA leaders. EU Enlargement & Governance: The European Commission adopted reforms to prepare the EU for future enlargement, with new safeguards tied to rule of law and governance. EU Defence Integration: The EU also proposed gradually bringing candidate countries into defence programmes and structures, highlighting Ukraine’s defence experience and pointing to Kosovo as a potential candidate. Energy Transition (Implementation Focus): A Pristina civil society session stressed that Western Balkans green transition needs funding, coordination, and accountability—not just new targets—linking progress to cleaner air, lower emissions, and reduced energy poverty. Media & Digital Access: Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp TVs across Europe added SkyShowtime, including Kosovo, bringing streaming access directly to smart TV home screens. Romani Language Online: Radio Romano Avazo launched a Romani-language podcast platform to move community audio from broadcast into Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and its website. Public Health Lab Capacity: An EU-led antimicrobial resistance assessment mission to Albania will review surveillance and laboratory capacity across human and animal health, aiming to produce a national roadmap.

EU Defence Integration: The European Commission proposes bringing candidate countries into EU defence programmes and structures before full membership, pointing to Ukraine’s drone, cyber and electronic warfare experience and using tools like SAFE loans and the European Defence Industry Programme; Kosovo is flagged as a potential candidate. EU Enlargement & Kosovo Reforms: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urges Pristina to speed up reforms for up to €882m under the Western Balkans Growth Plan, including roaming talks and steps toward SEPA membership, while stressing institutional stability and judicial independence. AMR Lab Capacity in Albania: An EU-led assessment mission will review Albania’s antimicrobial resistance situation across human and animal health, focusing on surveillance, lab capacity, stewardship and infection control. Media Freedom & SLAPPs: The European Federation of Journalists backs a stronger anti-SLAPP framework in Albania, calling for better early dismissal, protections for public-interest participation, and fixes to defamation criminalisation. Tech & Streaming in Kosovo: Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp smart TVs add the SkyShowtime app across 22 markets, including Kosovo. Digital Inclusion for Romani: Radio Romano Avazo turns Romani-language radio content into podcasts, launching on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and its website. Healthcare Tech: Adventist Health adds 3D mammography (GE Pristina Via) and expands online scheduling for imaging services.

EU Health & Labs: An EU-led mission is assessing Albania’s antimicrobial resistance systems, with a focus on surveillance, lab capacity, stewardship, and infection control—work that could shape regional health policy. EU Accession & Kosovo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Kosovo to speed up reforms to unlock up to €882m, including roaming talks and steps toward SEPA membership. EU Asylum Rules: The EU listed seven “safe countries of origin” for 2026, including Kosovo, with a status-neutral legal caveat affecting how asylum applications are processed. Kosovo Tech & Startups: Ukraine’s Diia.City United picked a new executive director, highlighting ongoing support for product companies, startups, and defense-tech and dual-use research. Cybersecurity: The US Treasury sanctioned the alleged “Prometheus” developer behind ATM jackpotting malware used in Tren de Aragua-linked attacks, targeting a cross-border criminal network. Defense Tech & Industry: Croatia says it signed over €200m in defense contracts with domestic firms, pointing to more high-tech solutions and international sales. Game Industry: March Of Giants opens a pioneer playtest on Oct 7 on Steam, with servers planned for Europe and North America.

EU-Kosovo Integration: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Kosovo’s leaders in Pristina, urging faster reforms and institutional stability to unlock up to €882 million, plus steps on roaming talks and SEPA membership. EU Asylum Policy: The EU listed seven “safe countries of origin” for asylum processing in 2026, including Kosovo, with a status-neutral legal caveat tied to UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion. Health Tech: Adventist Health added a 3D mammography system (GE Pristina Via) and expanded online scheduling, aiming to improve breast screening access. Cybersecurity: The US Treasury sanctioned an alleged ATM “jackpotting” malware developer and network linked to Tren de Aragua, highlighting ongoing financial cybercrime risks. Research & Education: A Fulbright awards report notes a record year for Arizona State University faculty, underscoring continued research and teaching links across borders. Biosecurity: Experts discussed the spread of the Tropilaelaps bee mite reaching Turkey, raising alarms for honeybee colonies near Europe.

EU Asylum Rules: The EU has named seven “safe countries of origin” for 2026, including Kosovo, which triggers faster asylum processing across member states while noting Kosovo’s status caveat. EU Enlargement & Funding: Ursula von der Leyen pushed Kosovo to speed up reforms to unlock up to €882 million under the Western Balkans Growth Plan, alongside roaming talks and steps toward SEPA. EU Tech Integration: A leaked EU plan points to “gradual integration” for candidates via staged single-market access and research programs, but with strict conditions on blocking transfers of key technologies like AI, biotech, semiconductors, quantum tech, and space capabilities. Kosovo EU Visit: Von der Leyen met Kosovo’s acting president and PM in Pristina and visited an EU-funded university science building. Cybersecurity: The US Treasury sanctioned an alleged ATM “jackpotting” malware developer and network tied to Tren de Aragua attacks, citing $40M+ in reported US losses. Health Tech: Adventist Health added a 3D mammography system and expanded online scheduling for imaging services. Defense Industry: Croatia signed €200M+ in defence contracts with domestic firms, highlighting high-tech upgrades and regional security monitoring. Tech Sector (Ukraine): Diia.City United named a new executive director, continuing support for Ukraine’s tech and dual-use ecosystem.

EU Enlargement & Kosovo Reforms: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Kosovo’s acting president and PM in Pristina, urging faster reforms and institutional stability to unlock up to €882 million under the Western Balkans Growth Plan, alongside steps on roaming talks and SEPA alignment. EU Asylum Policy: The EU listed seven “safe countries of origin” for 2026, including Kosovo, with a legal caveat tied to status positions and UNSCR 1244/1999. EU Tech & Single Market: A leaked EU plan points to “gradual integration” for candidates, with staged access to markets and research—plus strict conditions on technology transfer and foreign-policy alignment. Cybersecurity: The US Treasury blacklisted an alleged ATM “jackpotting” malware developer and network tied to Tren de Aragua, highlighting remote ATM compromise and crypto-linked laundering. Health Tech: Adventist Health added a 3D mammography system and expanded online scheduling for imaging services. Research & Education: Universities were urged to build multi-stakeholder coalitions to strengthen education for sustainable development (ESD). Kosovo in the Security Picture: A report says the Pentagon is reviewing US force posture in Europe, with possible changes affecting commitments like KFOR.

EU Accession & Funding: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Kosovo to speed up reforms and secure institutional stability to unlock up to €882 million, including roaming talks and steps toward SEPA membership. EU Tech & Research Integration: A leaked EU draft says candidate countries could get “gradual integration” into the single market plus access to research programs, but only if they align with EU foreign policy and block transfers of key technologies like AI, biotech, semiconductors, quantum tech, and space capabilities. Kosovo EU Visit: Von der Leyen met Kosovo’s acting president and PM in Pristina and visited an EU-funded university science building. Cybersecurity: The US Treasury blacklisted an alleged ATM “jackpotting” malware developer and network tied to Tren de Aragua, detailing how attackers remotely activate malware to force cash dispensers. Healthcare Tech: Adventist Health added a 3D mammography system (GE Pristina Via) and expanded online scheduling for imaging. Defense Tech Industry: Croatia said it signed over €200M in defense contracts with domestic firms, highlighting new technologies and modernization. Kosovo Tech Community: Diia.City United in Ukraine named a new executive director after Nataliya Mykolska stepped down, continuing work with startups and defense-tech/dual-use businesses.