Albanian Language Media:

• Hoti: I will lead dialogue with Serbia (Koha/Kallxo)
• Thaci: Kosovo removed barriers, Serbia has no excuse to delay dialogue (media)
• Kurti: LVV will closely monitor recruitment of public enterprises directors (media)
• Veseli: Only PDK can end political pandemic in Kosovo (media)
• Thaci: Those that don’t respect Kosovo laws, shouldn’t be in institutions (Klan)
• Minister of Economy: Better with reciprocity than without it (Klan Kosova)
• Prishtina Mayor: Over 1,000 victims if another wave outbreaks (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• The 21st anniversary of the adoption of UN SC Resolution 1244 (Kontakt plus radio, RTS, KoSSev, Telegraf) 
• Drecun: A solution to the Kosovo issue has yet to be sought (KoSSev, RTS)
• Vucic: Resolution 1244 is not what we think it is, no need for referendum to say Kosovo is Serbia (TV Pink, Tanjug, Kosovo-online)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: ”Return to Resolution 1244 is the best way for Kosovo and Metohija” (Politika, Tanjug)
• Vucic: West is clear on the issue of Kosovo, the only question is who will lead the game (Politika, TV Pink)
• EU Commissioner Varhelyi replies to MEPs (Radio Free Europe, N1)
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Rakic and Apostolova discuss political situation and Covid-19 (media)

Opinion:

• All Black Lives Matter (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• EU Recovery Plan Splits CEE, Raises Absorption Capacity Questions (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development: 

• Kon: We can reintroduce certain measures; the situation is a bit worrying (B92)

Albanian Language Media

Hoti: I will lead dialogue with Serbia (Koha/Kallxo)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti presented today the government of Kosovo’s framework for dialogue with Serbia which he said will become a platform once it is discussed with all stakeholders. 

Speaking before members of the Kosovo’s Academy of Science and Arts, Hoti said that independence of Kosovo is an irreversible process and cannot be negotiated. “The dialogue is led by the prime minister of the country,” he said adding that this is something that has been ‘cemented’ by the Constitutional Court ruling.

The first and foremost principle, according to Hoti, is that Kosovo’s territorial integrity is non negotiable. “Second: Agreement to ensure that Kosovo’s constitutional order is non negotiable and three: agreement to be in line with the Constitution.”

Hoti underlined that the objective of the dialogue is mutual recognition that ensures Kosovo gets a seat at the UN and is recognised by all EU member states. “Address all outstanding issues: missing persons, artefacts, and so on. Abrogation of resolution 1244,” he said.

He also pledged to keep the dialogue process transparent throughout. “I will request the Assembly set up a parliamentary committee on dialogue that would be chaired by the opposition. Everything will be transparent and not negotiated behind closed doors.”

Thaci: Kosovo removed barriers, Serbia has no excuse to delay dialogue (media)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci told reporters in Prishtina today that no one should have ever put to question the support of the United States of America for Kosovo. “We never had any dilemmas about the support from the U.S.; but no one should ever put that to question. It was an expected decision by the U.S. [about peacekeeping troops]. Peace and stability in Kosovo is possible only with the presence of U.S. troops. We will be very responsible in our relations with international partners,” he added.

On the process of dialogue with Serbia, Thaci said: “I have full confidence that the U.S. administration led by President Trump and with an active role by Mr. Grenell, will move things forward toward an effective and productive process. I cannot talk about days, weeks or months.”

Thaci also said that Kosovo has removed all barriers and that Serbia has no excuse to delay the process of dialogue.

Kurti: LVV will closely monitor recruitment of public enterprises directors (media)

Former prime minister and leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, said that during the four-month governance, Vetevendosje focused particularly in the field of rule of law and economic development.

“During our governance, we intervened in ten public enterprises, by dismissing boards’ directors, who had abused entrusted duties and brought the enterprises close to collapse. We appointed temporary boards instead which can remain in place up to six months. Their mission is clear: stop the financial bleeding and pave the way for recovery and development,” Kurti wrote in a Facebook post.

He said that as vacancy announcements for new directors are expected to be published, “We, as the Vetevendosje Movement, will monitor every step of institutions and our enterprises to ensure a lawful, fair and transparent recruitment process.”

“Our governance has established high standards of administration of public enterprises. We will not allow these standards be easily destroyed.”

Veseli: Only PDK can end political pandemic in Kosovo (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Kadri Veseli said in Prizren today that the new government of Kosovo led by Avdullah Hoti has inherited what he called “virus of deceit” from the preceding one led by Albin Kurti.

“Only the PDK can end this political pandemic,” Veseli said. 

“Our Euro-Atlantic orientation is uncompromising and any politics that tries to damage our relations with the United States of America – is a devious invitation to those countries and geopolitics that want destruction of Albanians,” Veseli is quoted to have said according to a statement issued by his party.

Thaci: Those that don’t respect Kosovo laws, shouldn’t be in institutions (Klan)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci was asked to comment reports that the new Deputy Prime Minister Goran Rakic has removed the Kosovo flag from his office premises and said that those who do not respect the Constitution of Kosovo have no place in its institutions.

He said that Kosovo symbols are in all institutions and that even while he was prime minister representatives of all communities respected the Constitution of Kosovo and state symbols.

 “Otherwise, they would not remain for a single minute in office,” Thaci told reporters.

Minister of Economy: Better with reciprocity than without it (Klan Kosova)

Blerim Kuci, Minister of Economy in the new government of Kosovo led by Avdullah Hoti, commented in an interview about the decision to revoke reciprocity measures towards Serbia.

Kuci, who is a member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said that the difference between the tariff on Serbian goods and reciprocity is huge. “The impact of the tax was greater. But, for me, it is better with reciprocity than without it. We have also voted against it,” he said. 

Kuci added that PM Hoti was aware of the AAK position ahead of the cabinet’s vote on withdrawing reciprocity measures, “but he thought we would at least abstain.”

Prishtina Mayor: Over 1,000 victims if another wave outbreaks (Koha)

Prishtina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti said in a meeting with municipal assembly members today that in discussions with the National Institute for Public Health they were told that there could be over 1,000 victims if there is another wave of COVID – 19. Ahmeti said the biggest threat for increased cases of infected persons comes from the gastronomy sector because businesses in this sector are not respecting distancing measures. 

Serbian Language Media

The 21st anniversary of the adoption of UN SC Resolution 1244 (Kontakt plus radio, RTS, KoSSev, Telegraf) 

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), 21 years ago, adopted Resolution 1244, after the bombing, with the goal of a political solution to the crisis in Kosovo, preservation of international peace, security and ensuring the free return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes, recalls Kontakt plus radio. 

The resolution approved the international, military and civilian presence in the former FRY and the establishment of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which placed Kosovo under a UN mandate.

Resolution 1244 followed the consent of then-President Slobodan Milosevic to conditions proposed by Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari and former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin on June 8, which included the withdrawal of the Yugoslav Army from Kosovo and Metohija (Annex 2 to the resolution).

The adoption of this act was preceded by negotiations between the President of the FRY, Slobodan Milosevic, and Viktor Chernomyrdin, who was the representative of the then Russian President Boris Yeltsin and entered the negotiations in agreement with the United States and the EU.

The agreement was reached in early June, with the mediation of Special Representative Martti Ahtisaari, who represented the EU and the UN.

The document on the Milosevic-Ahtisaari-Chernomyrdin agreement, which was accepted by the National Assembly and then by the Federal Government, was the basis for Resolution 1244.

The resolution was passed the day after the signing of the Military-Technical Agreement in Kumanovo, which ended the 78-day bombing of the FRY.

It was adopted by 14 votes.

China remained reticent at the time because of criticism of NATO aggression, especially because of the bombing of its embassy in Belgrade. Its representatives stated that the conflict should have been resolved by the Government of FR Yugoslavia and its citizens and that they should oppose foreign intervention. However, as the FRY accepted the peace proposal, China did not veto the resolution.

Asked whether Resolution 1244 is still Serbia’s argument about the solution for Kosovo and what kind of power it has in Brussels and Washington, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that the document has its good and bad sides and pointed that most of those who talk about it, did not even read the document. 

Milovan Drecun, president of the parliamentary committee for Kosovo and Metohija, told RTS that in 1999, when “NATO aggression ended and Resolution 1244 was adopted, a process of uncertainty was adopted about what would happen in, and around Kosovo and Metohija.”

He stated that the resolution itself was quite vague in some parts, it opened many dilemmas, and that one point was ‘’planted by the French and British ambassadors’’.

“We are a member of the UN, our border is on Prokletije, not on Jarinje. It says that temporary institutions of self-government will be established, and that a final solution will be sought, and that the final solution can only be autonomy within the then FRY. However, there is that part marked ‘s1999/648’, and it is this French-British planting, where something called an agreement has been inserted, which is not an agreement because Serbia rejected it in Rambouillet, and which says that ‘A final solution will be reached by referring to that document of Madeleine Albright, but not within the framework of the FRY, but on the basis of the will of the people, i.e. the referendum and the desire of the Albanians to create some state,” Drecun points out.

Kontakt plus radio wrote that two articles stand out as problematic parts of Resolution 1244, Article 3 and Article 11.

Article 3 reaffirms the FRY’s responsibility for the crisis, calls for an end to violence in Kosovo and to start the withdrawal.

The biggest problem for Serbia is Article 11, which leaves the possibility for the residents of Kosovo to declare their status in a referendum.

Nine years after Rambouillet, Albanians made the decision without a legally valid referendum, citing a 1999 decision that was illegal in every way, reports Kontakt plus radio.

Drecun: A solution to the Kosovo issue has yet to be sought (KoSSev, RTS)

A solution to the Kosovo issue has yet to be sought, and it should be multi-layered, similar to the Dayton Accords, said Milovan Drecun in the morning program of RTS, portal KoSSev quoted.. 

On the anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, he said that ”a fundamental international legal document that recognizes the territorial integrity of our internationally recognized border is an obstacle to those who would like the false state of Kosovo to gain full international legal capacity through UN membership. That is why the agreement with Pristina should be within the framework of this document”.

Asked whether a solution could be reached by the end of the year, Drecun said that if there was political will on all sides and a sincere commitment to seeking a compromise solution under Resolution 1244, an agreement could probably be reached.

“Although it is an extremely complex issue that requires solving many problems and requires a specific solution for the situation, we are in. However, Pristina simply does not show readiness, I am a great pessimist here, we cannot see a grain of sincere commitment to find a solution with Belgrade. Pristina is doing everything to integrate Kosovo with Albania in a practical sense. Their position is that the talks must end, they define in advance how the talks must end, without asking Belgrade. You have the so-called Prime Minister Hoti and the so-called president who define the goal in advance and say that the negotiations should end with Serbia recognizing Kosovo. We say no, under no circumstances will we recognize such a false state,” Drecun stated, portal KoSSev quoted. 

A solution, he says, must be sought.

“I don’t have it and I don’t believe anyone has it. But we must search. There is no political will in Pristina, they are now carrying out a political maneuver aimed at reducing the pressure on them, especially by the Donald Trump administration, to shift the responsibility to Serbia and wait for the elections in America,” adds Drecun.

Vucic: Resolution 1244 is not what we think it is, no need for referendum to say Kosovo is Serbia (TV Pink, Tanjug, Kosovo-online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today the UN SC Resolution 1244 is a complex document, not only these two lines Serbia refers to and that go to its favor, recognizing integrity of our state, Tanjug news agency reports.

Vucic told TV Pink it should be known what this document contains, which as he said, enabled March 2004 pogrom, and other following processes, starting from unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo in 2008, stance of the International Court of Justice and horrible mistakes that we have made.

“For example, the preamble says that Kosovo and Metohija will be subject of action of the Hague Tribunal, and we have never said this to the people”, Vucic noted, adding that based on it many people were extradited to the Hague Tribunal, however, he is proud he took no part in it.

The Article 11 represents the strongest reaffirmation of the Rambouillet Agreement, which we have rejected previously, and which speaks about conducting a referendum on the final status of Kosovo, Vucic said, adding that this was the part of the Resolution.

Vucic further continued that the Article 2 of the Resolution speaks exclusively about the violence and repression of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s forces, and it mentions nowhere repression or the crimes of the Kosovo Liberation Army, which according to him, means that Serbia is to blame for the conflict in Kosovo.

The Articles 10 and 11 refer to the establishment of the international presence of UNMIK administration, plus provisional Pristina authorities, which derogated presence of the Serbian, not only police and military forces, but also civil authorities, and at the beginning (of the Resolution) it says they must withdraw from Kosovo and Metohija.

He added that Albanian side insisted on this.

“We have read only these two lines, never the other ones,” Vucic  noted, adding that these two lines were incorporated into the document, in order to please the Russian interest at that moment, so one could not say it was about a complete capitulation of Serbia and secession of Kosovo from Serbia accepted. But in essence, Vucic continues, many elements were included which enabled (Marti) Ahtisaari and others to come out with their plans and bring about March 2004 pogrom, and then to self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo.

Instead of wisely approaching all these, we have made terrible mistakes, Vucic pointed out, concluding with the decision of the International Court of Justice.

He also assessed that Serbia is still in a difficult situation, because 93 percent of Albanians live in Kosovo.

“And under these circumstance we are fighting well and we must hold onto these parts of the Resolution speaking about Serbia’s integrity, but none of them was stupid, they took part in preparing it,” Vucic said.  

He also said he “can’t sleep at night because of Kosovo and Metohija, and would fight together with all others, more strongly than I fought before.”

Vucic also said that some of his political opponents ahead of elections “solution” for Kosovo find in a referendum which would say that Kosovo is Serbia, something which is already included in the Constitution of Serbia, while those who would boycott the forthcoming elections do not care about Kosovo, their only hope is that he would not “pass” that exam.

He also said he does not see how the Kosovo issue could be resolved in a referendum in a current situation, as some of his political opponents propose, because he does not know who offers what, and what citizens would vote about.

“Who is offering us something?” “What would be the question at the referendum?” Vucic asked, commenting on the statements of some opposition leaders that the solution for Kosovo should be sought in a referendum. 

Botsan-Kharchenko: ”Return to Resolution 1244 is the best way for Kosovo and Metohija” (Politika, Tanjug)

”Return to the Resolution 1244 is the basis and the best way to solve the problem of Kosovo and Metohija”, says the Russian ambassador to Belgrade, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the adoption of that document by the UN Security Council, reported Belgrade based daily Politika. 

He estimates that the Resolution “fell into oblivion” and its non-compliance is a source of instability in the region and Europe and the reason why a permanent solution on Kosovo has not been reached yet.

Botsan-Kharchenko told Belgrade based agency Tanjug that Resolution 1244 is still of key importance for the complete regulation of the problems of Kosovo, and he sees the role and significance of that document, above all, in the fact that in 1999 the issue was returned from the “military to the political track”.

“Unfortunately, Resolution 1244 has not been respected to the necessary extent, and that is the most important reason why the situation in Kosovo and Metohija has not been regulated so far,” the ambassador said.

He notes that for years, the statements of Western officials do not mention Resolution 1244, which he considers a “big mistake” and a violation of international law, Politika writes.

Botsan-Kharchenko believes that, if the goal of the negotiations is a fair and just solution within the framework of international law, which would ensure stability in the region and Europe, it is necessary to keep in mind Resolution 1244 as a basic and key document. 

“There is a lot of talk today about the renewal of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, in what way, what is the goal, a possible solution… Resolution 1244 itself has fallen into oblivion among our Western partners, although it is of key importance. If it was complied with to the necessary extent, then we would not think of any other document “, says the ambassador.

He reminds that Resolution 1244 is based on international law and on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, and notes that this is the most important thing for Russia, reports Politika.

If, he says, a certain solution was reached that would suit Serbia, the Security Council would consider it, and then, the ambassador adds, there would be a possibility of eventually adopting another document.

“But that is all theory, the most important thing now remains, respect for Resolution 1244,” concludes Botsan-Kharchenko.

Vucic: West is clear on the issue of Kosovo, the only question is who will lead the game (Politika, TV Pink)

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic told Belgrade based TV Pink that there is a significant disagreement within the, until yesterday, monolithic, Western alliance on the issue of Kosovo but it is not of an essential nature for a solution, but in who will lead the game, reports daily Politika. 

Vucic added that it was a very difficult position for Serbia therefore he expected further pressures, quotes the daily.  

“We cannot easily reject the world’s greatest power (the United States), and how can you reject the EU when you are on the European path? I cannot be irresponsible like Thaci and say ‘we will not respond to the call of Lajcak, Macron or Merkel’ … How can I say that? That is impossible “, Vucic told TV Pink.

He said that despite all the economic successes, he was not able to sleep because of the issue of Kosovo.    

Vucic says that Germany, which is the strongest factor in Europe when it comes to resolving the Kosovo issue, will not change its position on that issue, which is contrary to Belgrade’s position, but that does not mean that he does not appreciate the work and personality of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He stated that he could not talk about whether Germany supported Pristina’s taxes on goods from central Serbia but added that it was completely clear that “everything we think about Kosovo, in Germany they think the opposite.” 

He reminded that Merkel openly supported Serbia in the dispute with Croatia in 2015, when that country imposed sanctions on Serbia, so trucks waited in kilometer-long columns at the border.

“If it weren’t for her open support, who knows how long that crisis would have lasted and how it would have ended. I remember that and in 2020 as well “, said Vucic. 

He also pointed out that German investments in Serbia are fantastic and said that Serbia has the largest trade exchange with Germany and then with Italy, BiH, Russia, China …

EU Commissioner Varhelyi replies to MEPs (Radio Free Europe, N1)

The European Parliament Social Democrat group confirmed on Tuesday that European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi replied to the letter they sent him in April warning of the human rights situation in Serbia, Radio Free Europe reported.

The Social Democrat group’s media service did not disclose the content of the letter. RFE said that the MEPs are now waiting for the commissioner to reply to their latest letter which warned of the situation prior to the June 21 elections. 

Tanja Fajon MEP, head of the EP’s delegation for Serbia, said that she was concerned over the fact that the Serbian opposition was not consulted on the date of the elections. “We will know later if the elections will be free and fair and we are calling the authorities to do everything in their power to ensure conditions for democratic, free and fair elections,” she told the station. 

RFE was told by sources in Varhelyi’s office that the commissioner “has replied or will reply to the letters from the MEPs”. A written statement to RFE said that the important thing is for the voters and political players to fully trust the integrity of the election system and added that the elections have to be held in line with OSCE ODIHR recommendations.

See at: https://bit.ly/30srzZR

No new Covid-19 infection cases in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)

There were no new Covid-19 infection cases registered in northern Kosovo over the last 24 hours, the Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced, Radio KIM reports.

Thus far, a total of 118 persons have been infected with Covid-19 in the north. Out of this number 106 persons have been cured, while ten persons have passed away.

The two remaining active cases are being treated at Clinical Center in Mitrovica North and Clinical Center in Kragujevac respectively. 

Rakic and Apostolova discuss political situation and Covid-19 (media)

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government Administration (MLGA), Goran Rakic, met on Tuesday Head of  Office of EU Special Representative in Kosovo, Nataliya  Apostolova, press release issued by MLGA said.

The interlocutors discussed the current political situation, strategy for the future economic development of all citizens, the fight against the current Covid-19 pandemic and the consequences that affected people’s daily lives in Kosovo and in the entire region.

Rakic and Apostolova in particular emphasized that continuation of the dialogue is essential for the normalization of relations and further cooperation.

Apostolova also congratulated Rakic on his new duty and expressed readiness for close cooperation. She showed concern over recent incidents relating to communities, especially affecting the Kosovo Serbs, and said she hoped the Government will work towards creating an atmosphere conducive of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence of all communities in Kosovo.

Meanwhile, in reference to the meeting, the EUSR wrote on Twitter that the “need to resume the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, situation with the Serb community in Kosovo and priorities of the new Government were the main topics of the meeting between Ambassador Apostolova and Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Goran Rakic”.

Opinion

All Black Lives Matter (Kosovo 2.0)

By Isak Skenderi

Kosovo needs to face up its own racism.

The murder of George Floyd was a terrible act fueled by nothing else but pure evil. For me, as someone who is devoted to social equality and justice, it is quite encouraging to see so many of my fellow Kosovars condemning it and standing with black people. They are not hesitant to use the word “racism.”

But then again, seeing where we, the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians stand in society, the level of poverty we are faced with and the exclusion we find ourselves in, I feel that many Kosovars are unfortunately hypocritical.

Well-known singer Rambo Amadeus recently said, “Racism in the Balkans cannot be measured by how we position ourselves toward the blacks, because they are not part of our society. It is rather measured by our behavior toward the Roma. How many of them do you know personally? How many of them are you friends with?”

See at: https://bit.ly/2BM1sCE

International

EU Recovery Plan Splits CEE, Raises Absorption Capacity Questions (Balkan Insight)

Taking a big step towards debt mutualisation, the European Commission has driven a wedge between the Visegrad countries with its COVID-19 recovery plan. There are also big question marks over the ability of Central and Eastern European countries to spend the funds effectively.

A 750 billion-euro recovery plan proposed by the European Commission – the executive arm of the European Union – has been hailed as a major step towards bridging opinion within the bloc over the principle of common debt. But it has opened a new faultline in Central and Eastern Europe.

See at: https://bit.ly/2zpaswU

Humanitarian/Development

Kon: We can reintroduce certain measures; the situation is a bit worrying (B92)

“Epidemic is still not over, so we can reinforce certain measures, such as banning public gatherings”, Serbian epidemiologist Predrag Kon said, B92 reports.

On the occasion of the leap in the number of newly infected with the Covid-19 virus, Kon said for “Blic” that even if there is another wave, he believes that there will be no need to introduce a state of emergency.

Out of 5.239 people who were tested until yesterday at 3 pm, 69 of them were positive, which speaks of an increase in the number of patients, considering that ten days ago we had drastically fewer infected people.

The good news is that there were no deaths yesterday, while there are 15 patients on respirators, the same as the day before.

Commenting on the leap in the number of infected, Dr Kon says that this is a situation that is a little worrying, but only until it is revealed how someone is infected.

See at: https://bit.ly/2MKzARF