Albanian Language Media:

• Thaci to meet Lajcak today, president’s office confirms (media)
• Thaci: U.S. was clear that dialogue’s aim is mutual recognition (media)
• Von Cramon: Let’s strive for a sustainable and well negotiated agreement (media)
• Lajcak on his way to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: This is the true face of Serbia (media)
• Abazi: Thaci spent millions to make partition of Kosovo a reality (Kallxo/Telegrafi)
• Spokesperson: PDK supports Washington meeting (Telegrafi)
• Another patient succumbs to COVID – 19 (media)
• Prishtina Mayor: Latest figures with coronavirus are alarming! (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I feel ashamed to talk about recognition of Kosovo on eve of Vidovdan (B92)
• Trajkovic: Grenell’s invitation to White House implies signature on Kosovo agreement (N1)
• Vucic’s predictions coming true now? (B92, Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Topic of next Belgrade-Pristina meeting economic development, significant investments in Kosovo (TV Most)
• Milic: Grenell would focus on economy; US offer should be accepted (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic: UN to verify solution of Kosovo issue (Vecernje Novosti, N1)
• EU Office in Pristina without comment on White House meeting (Tanjug)
• Vucic says polling stations would be open in Kosovo on June 21 (N1, BETA)
• Serb-populated areas in Kosovo without new Covid-19 infection cases in June (KoSSev)

International:

• White House to host Kosovo peace talks, envoy says (Politico)
• Land Swap Idea Resurfaces to Haunt Serbia-Kosovo Talks (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development: 

• Kosovo War Crime Victims Losing Hope of Compensation (Balkan Insight)
• Prosecution indicts MP for punching journalist (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Thaci to meet Lajcak today, president’s office confirms (media)

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, is expected to meet the EU Special Representative for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Miroslav Lajcak later today although he has on numerous occasions expressed reservations about the meeting.

Most recently today, Thaci said he would not be willing to meet the EU envoy if he has nothing concrete to say. 

However, in a statement to the press, the office of Kosovo President confirmed Thaci will be meeting Lajcak today at 17.00 hrs. 

Thaci: U.S. was clear that dialogue’s aim is mutual recognition (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci held a press conference following the announcement of the U.S. presidential envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations Richar Grenell that the parties will be meeting in Washington on 27 June and confirmed Kosovo’s participation.

He said the invitation to the Washington meeting is an important and decisive step taken by the U.S. and that “it is time to also concretely move forward as a country and society but also for peace in the region of the Western Balkans.”

“Citizens of Kosovo deserve progress, prosperous life, economic development, new job opportunities and increase of their social welfare. To pave the way for progress and economic development it is crucial to close all open issues hindering economic development and above all, foreign investments,” Thaci said.

He also gave assurances that there would be no discussion on territorial exchange in the U.S. “The Abc of our actions, efforts will be full respect for the Constitution of Kosovo,” he said, adding that reports suggesting otherwise are ‘disinformation’.

Thaci also noted that the U.S. position is clear in that the dialogue’s goal is to lead to mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. “I am convinced that together and in partnership with the U.S. we will be successful and will come out with concrete results. This was the case in Rambouillet and Vienna and I am sure it will be the same in Washington.”

Commenting on whether he will meet the EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak as he is expected to arrive in Pristina today, Thaci said that he will meet Lajcak only if he has something concrete to say.

“If he is in Kosovo to test the ground, it will be in vain. Lajcak should be clear, say what the EU’s position on visa liberalisation for Kosovars is. We need this more than endless lectures. If not, his mission will be unsuccessful,” Thaci said today.

Von Cramon: Let’s strive for a sustainable and well negotiated agreement (media)

European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon commented on the visit of the EU Special Representative for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Miroslav Lajcak in Pristina and Belgrade saying he will resume the EU-facilitated process today. 

Let’s strive for a sustainable and well negotiated agreement with a broad participation and acceptance of all stakeholders in #Kosovo and #Serbia,” she wrote. 

Lajcak on his way to Kosovo (media)

The European Union Special Representative for the Kosovo – Serbia Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a Twitter post today that he is on his way to Kosovo. “After slight travel complications yesterday, the international community kicked into action. I’m now on my way to Pristina – a courtesy of the Swiss military. Looking forward to officially starting my visit to Kosovo later today,” Lajcak tweeted.

Osmani: This is the true face of Serbia (media)

Kosovo Assembly President Vjosa Osmani took to Twitter today to comment on Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic’s statement thanking Algeria for being against Kosovo’s independence. Osmani tweeted: “Today: Dacic thanks Algeria for being against Kosovo’s independence! Wait a minute. Haven’t they agreed to stop this nonsense. This is the true face of Serbia, friends: on Monday, they promise the U.S. to stop the campaign. On Tuesday, they resume it.”

Abazi: Thaci spent millions to make partition of Kosovo a reality (Kallxo/Telegrafi)

Former Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and member of the Vetevendosje Movement, Haki Abazi, warned on Facebook over what he said is an increasing danger of Kosovo’s partition. 

He accused President Hashim Thaci of “spending millions of euros to make the partition of the country a reality.”  

“Dialogue without strategy and lawful government in Washington D.C enables Vucic and Serbia to return to the White House and clash Kosovo and Albanians with the U.S. Thaci has finally exposed himself as a servant to Serbia,” Abazi wrote on Facebook. 

“Final disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and isolation of Albanians begins on 27 June,” Abazi added in reference to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue meeting scheduled to take place on that date. 

Spokesperson: PDK supports Washington meeting (Telegrafi)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has come out in support of the invitation for a Kosovo-Serbia dialogue meeting in Washington, announced by the U.S. presidential envoy Richard Grenell. 

The party’s spokesperson Avni Bytyci said that Kosovo should be represented by its institutions in the best way possible. “It is their duty to protect the interests of the country and should not avoid responsibility and cooperation with the U.S. as Kurti government did,” Bytyci is reported to have written on social media.

Another patient succumbs to COVID – 19 (media)

Most news websites report that another patient has succumbed to the COVID – 19 today. The Ministry of Health said in a statement that the 74-year-old person was also suffering from other underlying conditions. 

Prishtina Mayor: Latest figures with coronavirus are alarming! (media)

Prishtina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti said in a Facebook post today that the latest figures of cases with coronavirus in Kosovo are alarming. Ahmeti called on the citizens to be more careful “so that the Ministry and the National Institute for Public Health do not return the drastic measures”. “The good news is that there is no increase in cases with serious complications, so we must respect the measures. Keep wearing masks, disinfect your hands and keep the distance!” Ahmeti said.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I feel ashamed to talk about recognition of Kosovo on eve of Vidovdan (B92)

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, denied the allegations that Serbia will recognize the independence of Kosovo on the eve of Vidovdan (Saint Vitus Day), B92 reports.

“I am ashamed to even answer the question whether Serbia will recognize Kosovo on the eve of Vidovdan. I am ashamed, because it says more about them. It will never be on our agenda. It speaks about what others have done,” he said.

He pointed out that we are facing a difficult period, which will commence with the arrival of Miroslav Lajcak.

“I talked to Putin yesterday, we had a long discussion. The day after the election, Lajcak is coming to Belgrade, the day after that I’m going to Moscow. Two days after that, we have to agree which delegation is going to Washington. A few days after, I think that there will be some more important meetings that we cannot talk about right now, because we were told so”, he said, adding that we would “try to successfully protect our national interests”.

Vucic stated that we should wait to see if the Albanians will comply with Grenell’s request to stop Kosovo applying for the membership in international organizations.

“Don’t forget that Thaci never wanted to accept that. For four years I offered it, for four years he insisted because there was always a terrible campaign against us. For four years they did not accept it, and now we are suddenly informed that they agree to it. We will see,” he said.

As he stated, there is a big conflict between the United States and Germany, but it is important that Serbia pursues a smarter policy than it did before in relation to the great powers.

“No matter how it ends, it is important that we remain unharmed in the fight of elephants. We will not fight with Germany and America,” Vucic said, adding that Serbia wants to talk and not run away from it.

He was also asked whether the announced possibility for Pristina to give up the request for recognition in international organizations could mean that there is no solution without compromise.

“A big game is being played here between the big players in the international community, for which both we and the Albanians are too small. On the other hand, the Albanians are leading their internal games,” he concluded.

See at: https://bit.ly/2YDK9M2

Trajkovic: Grenell’s invitation to White House implies signature on Kosovo agreement (N1)

Americans would not extend an invitation to the White House unless Belgrade and Pristina have seen the agreement and accepted to sign it, Serb politician from Kosovo and Metohija Rada Trajkovic told Belgrade-based TV N1. This way she commented on the announcement of the US President Trump’s Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell about the meeting of the two sides in Washington on June 21.

“What is problematic for us is that it takes place on June 27, on the eve of Vidovdan (Saint Vitus Day) or perhaps on Vidovdan itself, given the time difference. We do not know what is in that document. Lack of transparency can’t offer stability of the region, ethnic approach can’t offer stability of the region either,” Trajkovic told N1 “Dan uzivo” broadcast, adding that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci is trying to win over abolition for the war crimes, while Vucic and Trump’s administration are ready to give that to him.

Asked what Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic could expect in return, Trajkovic responded “that he offers everything and asks to remain in power”.

“I have been following the politics of Mr. Vucic for a long time. And when I listen to the analysts saying he can negotiate with everyone, I think he can’t. He has no policy. Serbia is represented as “a buffet table” – whoever comes takes whatever wants, and he (Vucic) is a waiter taking tips and putting it into his pocket”, Trajkovic said.

Commenting on Vucic’s phone conversation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, Trajkovic said Vucic was trying to secure support for the agreement in Washington. She recalled Putin’s statement on taking over the Slatina airport in Pristina, following NATO bombing of the-then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SRJ) in 1999 – that Russian Army won’t be able to stay there, but would get something in return for leaving it.

“I am afraid they are asking something for themselves and nothing for us. We are in a very difficult situation,” she noted.  

Trajkovic also said she is convinced that the agreement in Washington is being prepared “behind the back” of the European Union and considers that this can bring Serbia into conflict with Brussels and the French President Emmanuel Macron who recently extended “a very strong support” to the EU’s envoy Miroslav Lajcak.

She also noted that the intention of President Macron to invite Vucic and Thaci to visit Paris and undertake preparations and initiate negotiations means that Germany and France have reached consensus on resolving the Kosovo issue.

“Lajcak is coming to Belgrade with a warning and most probably with a proposal, but also with a warning we should take seriously. We are part of the European continent; we are there where an EU’s economic factor is the most dominant. The EU is undergoing major negotiations to increase its budget, and we decide about this signature at the moment when Thaci doesn’t even have 14 percent of Albanian support”, she said.

Trajkovic urged citizens of Serbia to boycott the June 21 elections and do not give legitimacy to Vucic to take away rights of Serbs about Kosovo and Metohija. She added that Serbs in Kosovo are afraid for their future and do not think about status. She also said that Serbs south of the Ibar River survived thanks to the Serbian Orthodox Church, while those in the north survived thanks to the Serbian services.

Asked about the possibility of agreement between Serbs and Albanians, Trajkovic said that compromise always involves painful solutions, but in the case of Kosovo – where Albanians see anything less than independence as destabilization, but also anything that Serbs would get as destabilization – is hardly achievable. That is why the starting point should be something that implies reconciliation of the two sides – starting from freedom of movement, institutional cooperation and fighting against crime and corruption.  

Vucic’s predictions coming true now? (B92, Tanjug)

In just two days, crucial world centers of political power send messages that Kosovo represents a priority on their agenda, B92 reports.

The recent message of that kind arrived late on Monday afternoon, from the US President Trump’s Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell – that he is looking forward to the meeting of the representatives of Belgrade and Pristina in the White House on June 27.

EU Envoy Miroslav Lajcak is supposed to start his mission of renewing the dialogue with a visit to Pristina today.

As announced, French President Emmanuel Macron intends to invite the leaders of Belgrade and Pristina to Paris immediately after the political conditions are created and anti-pandemic measures mitigated.

The news was confirmed by French Ambassador to Pristina Marie Christine-Butel, explaining that France has a partner, Germany, and “that a comprehensive, final and legally binding agreement must be reached under the leadership of the European Union, the content of which must be determined by both countries.”

What is behind these initiatives from Washington, Brussels and Paris, and thus Berlin, on resetting the dialogue?

First of all, there is certainly a desire to show that without them there is no solution to the Kosovo problem, and thus not to give up the influence on the events in the Balkans. According to the initiatives that catch up with each other, one could almost get the impression that at this moment, the continuation of the dialogue is more important to Paris, Berlin, Brussels or Washington DC, than to Belgrade and Pristina.

The fact that so far, at least according to what could be heard, no one offers a solution that would bring the dialogue out of the deadlock, seems less important than demonstrating the influence of these world powers.

Unless it is a matter of some kind of joint pressure from the European Union on Belgrade, in which the United States does not participate for its own reasons and Trump’s policy towards Europe.

And Moscow?

On Monday, it was announced that the President of Serbia talked with the head of the Russian state, about many issues, and most of all about the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, especially, as it was announced, about what is happening on that issue on the international political scene.

Vucic once again thanked Putin for Russia’s active support for Serbia’s state and national interests, and for the principles of international law and justice.

As stated, Putin said that he would talk about it in private with President Vucic next week in Moscow, and stressed that Russia would support Serbia when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, and that it was clear that no decision could be made without the United Nations Security Council.

But, certainly in the first place – not without Serbia. These days, President Vucic said that Serbia will always have the strength to say “no” to what is contrary to its national and state interests.

Mutual recognition is not on the agenda: “There is no white flag,” Vucic told Reuters earlier. And only a few days ago, he said that there is a significant disagreement within the, until recently monolithic, Western alliance on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, but not regarding the essential nature of the solution, but in the fact who will lead the game.

He says that this is a very difficult position for Serbia and that is why he expects further pressures. And maybe that’s what’s just happening.

Brnabic: Topic of next Belgrade-Pristina meeting economic development, significant investments in Kosovo (TV Most)

“Upcoming meeting of Belgrade and Pristina representatives on June 27, announced by Richard Grenell, US President’s Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue aims at resolving the conflict between the two sides, but there would also be talks about economic development, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said.

She added that economic development would continue and emphasized significant investments in Kosovo and Metohija.

“Investments would be made in infrastructure, railway traffic between Nis and Kosovo would be restored, everything would be done in line with the needs and interests of the Serbs, but also others living in Kosovo and Metohija. I welcome this agenda and talks about the economy,” Brnabic said. 

Milic: Grenell would focus on economy; US offer should be accepted (Kosovo-online)

Director of Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies Jelena Milic opined that US Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell would put economic integration in the focus of the forthcoming meeting announced to take place at the White House on June 27, Kosovo-online portal reports. She added if there is something the US is offering, it should be accepted.

“I wouldn’t like to speculate what topics would be on the agenda at June 27 meeting, but I would recall that Grenell made an emphasis on the economy,” Milic said, adding that Serbia “if there is something the US would offer faster than rather unspecified future of the EU membership, should accept it for the sake of continuous stabilization and advancement of economic circumstances”.

According to her, any solution that would contribute to the economic recovery of Kosovo and the rest of Serbia is in Serbia’s interest.   

“I do not know exactly what the difference is between what the US is offering on one side; and what the EU offers on the other, however, I recall that Washington always stands for what it supports and this should be taken into consideration”, she said.  

Milic added that Serbia should formalize relations in Kosovo and Metohija, and strengthen political relations with the West, same as it was done with China and Russia to maintain the balance and strengthen sovereignty. 

Dacic: UN to verify solution of Kosovo issue (Vecernje Novosti, N1)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday Belgrade would demand that any solution of the Kosovo issue was verified in the widest international framework, “ideally within the United Nations, where China and Russia would have a say,” BETA news agency reports.

Beijing and Moscow are permanent members of the UN Security Council which adopted the Resolution 1244 about Kosovo in 1999, remaining neutral on its final status. Russia maintains it will support any solution which will satisfy Serbia.

Since “Moscow and Beijing do not recognize Kosovo independence, their view is fundamental for our struggle to preserve the state’s interests,” Dacic said, hours after Richard Grenell announced the Belgrade – Pristina meeting at the White House on June 27.

Dacic told Belgrade-based Vecernje Novosti daily that “Serbia must get as wide as possible international legitimacy for a future solution of the Kosovo issue because only that will guarantee the fairness and durability which we hope will be a result of a compromise and respect of our interest.”

See at: https://bit.ly/3hyZypy

EU Office in Pristina without comment on White House meeting (Tanjug)

The EU Office in Pristina didn’t wish to comment on the announcement of US Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell about a meeting of Belgrade-Pristina representatives, Tanjug news agency reports.

According to Grenell they should meet on June 27, in the White House.

The EU Office in Pristina spokeswoman Dinka Zivalj said that the EU does not comment on the acts of others, Tanjug news agency said. 

See at: https://bit.ly/2B8MsP0

Vucic says polling stations would be open in Kosovo on June 21 (N1, BETA)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday that 90 polling stations would be set up in Kosovo for the Serbian parliamentary elections on June 21, BETA news agency reports.

“We will have 90 polling stations in Kosovo for the elections on Sunday. We have always managed to have polling stations open for our elections in Kosovo and that will be the case on Sunday,” he said, rejecting claims of some Serbian media that there will be no vote in Serbian communities in Kosovo. 

Asked by an N1 reporter about a possible referendum on Kosovo, he said that a referendum is needed to change the constitution and that the constitutional status of Kosovo was not changed by the Brussels agreement. 

Vucic said that EU envoy for the Kosovo dialogue Miroslav Lajcak is due in Belgrade a day after the elections, on Monday June 22. Vucic said that he will travel to Moscow after Lajcak’s visit and might also go to the US and other places he said he can’t divulge. 

“We have conducted a serious and responsible policy and managed to get the (Kosovo) issue back to the table with major powers and not suffer political and economic sanctions, not have our state isolated. We have maintained the position of our people in Kosovo… We have done a fantastic thing under horrendous pressure,” he said.

Serb-populated areas in Kosovo without new Covid-19 infection cases in June (KoSSev)

In the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo there are no new cases of Covid-19 infection since the end of May. The testing continues, but it is done every day, epidemiologist Aleksandar Antonijevic confirmed for KoSSev portal.

“The last samples we sent on Friday, 63 in total, the results came over the weekend and all are negative,” Anotonijevic said.

He confirmed that the Institute of Hygiene in Mitrovica North received delivery of fast serological tests and the testing is now conducted in the health houses across the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo.

“We do not do testing every day, because fast tests have arrived, therefore the testing is now also done at the health houses, as well as commercial tests are performed as per requests of the citizens,” Antonijevic added.

Testing on virus antibodies, respectively testing with fast tests as per personal request cost 1.200 RSD (EUR 10), KoSSev portal reported.

International

White House to host Kosovo peace talks, envoy says (Politico)

The White House will host leaders from Serbia and Kosovo later this month in an effort to kickstart stalled efforts to reach a permanent peace settlement, according to Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy for the talks.

The two Balkan states have been locked in a frozen conflict since 1999, when a NATO air war ended Serb control of Kosovo in the last of a series of conflicts that raged as Yugoslavia was torn apart. The EU has overseen years of dialogue between the two sides but the Trump administration has seized the initiative in recent months, sidelining European powers.

See at: https://politi.co/30O43q3

Land Swap Idea Resurfaces to Haunt Serbia-Kosovo Talks (Balkan Insight)

Years of futile EU-led negotiations have brought the idea of territorial exchanges back to the table as a way of resolving Kosovo’s final status – with an impatient US seemingly pushing the EU on the issue.

Ever since the so-called “Brussels Agreement” – the first document on the principles of normalization of relations between Serbia and its former province – was signed in 2013, the two sides have continued to looked over each other’s shoulders with distrust and unease.

See at: https://bit.ly/3e23DjP

Humanitarian/Development

Kosovo War Crime Victims Losing Hope of Compensation (Balkan Insight)

Even when perpetrators are convicted of war crimes in Kosovo, the country’s courts never award compensation to the victims, while protected witnesses who need to remain anonymous don’t launch civil suits for fear of exposure.

When Imer Imeri left Kosovo during the war, he was a refugee fleeing the fighting. When he returned on June 16, 1999, Kosovo was free from Belgrade’s rule, but Imeri came home as a prisoner.

See at: https://bit.ly/2UOy1qc

Prosecution indicts MP for punching journalist (Prishtina Insight)

The Basic Prosecution of Prishtina has filed an indictment for assault against MP Endrit Shala after he was accused of physically attacking a journalist working for the portal Indeksonline in December 2019.

According to reports from the Kosovo Police, the assault took place when the journalist, Ensar Ramadani, was visiting the University Clinical Center, UCCK. Ramadani told police that he was reporting on a news story about a gun attack that had taken place earlier that evening.

See at: https://bit.ly/37A5utV