Professor Oktaj Hasani warned that Serbia continues to pursue policies aimed at destabilizing Kosovo and the Western Balkans, using division as a key instrument. Speaking to KosovaPress, Hasani said these strategies have been active since Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
He emphasized that Serbian propaganda often exploits religion to create divisions among religious groups in Kosovo, and recent media monitoring indicates attempts to sow discord among the Albanian diaspora in Europe.
“We have observed attempts by Serbian media to create tensions between the Kosovo diaspora and citizens living in Kosovo, spreading narratives that there are internal conflicts among Albanians,” Hasani said. “Such divisive propaganda does not serve the interests of the Albanian people and instead benefits the Serbian state. Diaspora communities play a special role in Kosovo, and any division between them and local citizens is harmful to national unity.”
Serbian Media and Disinformation
According to Hasani, outlets such as Tanjug and Kurir regularly publish one-sided reports about Kosovo that may contain misinformation and promote negative narratives. He added that this destabilizing policy should be a concern for both the EU and the United States.
“Serbia consistently pursues policies that impact the stability of the Western Balkans, including the instrumentalization of Kosovo Serbs for its own political goals. This is a longstanding strategy that has continued since Kosovo’s independence,” Hasani noted.
Propaganda Exploiting Religion
Hasani also highlighted that Serbian authorities have historically used religion to divide communities, from the Middle Ages through the nationalist movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. He warned that this tactic continues today, aiming to create interfaith and intergroup tensions in Kosovo.
“Kosovo citizens have always prioritized national unity over religious differences, and will not allow religion to be exploited for the interests of the Serbian state,” Hasani said.
He stressed that tensions between Kosovo and Serbia remain high, despite ongoing dialogue in Brussels, and that regional media remain vulnerable to propaganda and disinformation, highlighting the need for vigilance.
