Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 119 new infections, three deaths (media)
• WHO recommends use of steroids in critically-ill patients (VOA/Kallxo)
• Grenell: There are no negotiations without surprises (media)
• EU informed about White House meeting agenda (RFE)
• Osmani: Final agreement with Serbia to go through Kosovo Assembly (media)
• Serwer: Serbia will be in a difficult position if it does not recognise Kosovo (media)
• Petritsch: EU to be involved in Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Klan)
• Tahiri: Agreement in Washington to have a clear political framework (Kosovapress)
• President Thaci meets new head of EU Office, Szunyog (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• One new case of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo, six persons recovered (KoSSev)
• Grenell: There must be surprises in negotiations, we will continue pressure (Tanjug)
• Meetings in Washington – how removal of point on recognition is interpreted (RTS)
• Vucic on Washington meeting: Point referring to recognition is no longer there (RTS)
• Dacic: Point 10 in document proposal has no significance at all (BETA)
• Dodik: Demand to recognize Kosovo would raise issue of Bosnia’s RS entity status (N1)
• Bieber: It is not true point 10 demands recognition of Kosovo, Trump using dialogue (N1)
• Serbian Government adopts declaration in support of Vucic in US talks (N1)
• Obradovic: Negotiations in Washington itself represent recognition of Kosovo (N1)
• Jeremic: What is behind ‘hastily’ adopted declaration of support to Vucic (N1)

Opinion:

• Szunyog: I will do my best to support Kosovo on its European path (media)

International:

• Serbia, Kosovo ‘to Sign Economic Deal’ at White House (Balkan Insight)
• In Search for Serbia-Kosovo Deal, Everything is Political (Balkan Insight)
• Hague War Crime Prosecutors Call Kosovo Ex-PM for Questioning (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

COVID-19: 119 new infections, three deaths (media)

Kosovo’s National Institute for Public Health announced that of 474 samples tested over the 24-hour period, 119 have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Meanwhile, there have been three deaths and 187 recoveries reported over the same time period.

The highest number of new infections (35) is in the municipality of Prishtina.

WHO recommends use of steroids in critically-ill patients (VOA/Kallxo)

The World Health Organization issued new guidelines Wednesday on the use of lifesaving drugs, hours after a study showed that inexpensive steroids cut death rates in the sickest COVID-19 patients.

The WHO guideline panel made a “strong” recommendation for the use of corticosteroid drug therapy, given orally or through an IV, for COVID-19 patients in critical and serious condition.

The panel made a conditional recommendation against using the same steroids in people with milder COVID-19 cases. 

Grenell: There are no negotiations without surprises (media)

Richard Grenell, the U.S. special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia, said that there are no talks that do not contain an element of surprise which he said is always good.

“They press the sides to do more, create more. So, yes, we had some surprises but I think neither side was that surprised. Sometimes they like to pretend in front of the media that they are more surprised than they really are,” Grenell said for Newsmax, Radio Free Europe reported.

EU informed about White House meeting agenda (RFE)

The U.S. administration has informed the European Union about the agenda of the Kosovo-Serbia meeting in Washington, said EU spokesperson Peter Stano in a press conference in Brussels today.

Stano did not wish to comment on topics discussed at the White House or whether mutual recognition was sought but noted that the EU sees these meetings as “complementing” efforts for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia whose main framework is the Brussels dialogue.

“We have maintained that any effort that facilitates normalisation of relations is welcomed,” Stano said.

Leaders of Kosovo and Serbia are expected to meet again in Brussels next week.

Osmani: Final agreement with Serbia to go through Kosovo Assembly (media)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Vjosa Osmani said that any agreement reached with Serbia will have to get the endorsement of the Kosovo Assembly.

In a meeting Finnish Ambassador Pia Stjernvall, Osmani also said that before a final agreement is achieved, the Assembly should receive the platform of talks which should enjoy broad consensus.

Serwer: Serbia will be in a difficult position if it does not recognise Kosovo (media)

Daniel Serwer, professor at the Johns Hopkins University, said non-recognition of Kosovo would put Serbia in a difficult position whereby it would face a continuous problem and obstacles to the European Union membership.

Serwer said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic could seek something in exchange for recognising Kosovo which he said could be funds from the U.S. or perhaps a speedy accession to the EU but noted that “Pristina can give Serbia very little from what it hasn’t already.”

Speaking to Al Jazeera Balkans, Serwer also commented on the land spaw idea warning against such a scenario: “Exchange of territories would lead to ethnic cleansing not only in Serbia and Kosovo but also in Bosnia and [North] Macedonia and could also have an impact on Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine… Why would we do that?” 

Petritsch: EU to be involved in Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Klan)

Former EU envoy for Kosovo, Wolfang Petritsch, said the European Union has to be involved in the process of Kosovo-Serbia agreement as the United States will not be in a position to resolve this issue on their own.

“I would like to see the EU and the U.S. cooperate in such a complex issue which relates to Europe and is important for the future unification of Europe, namely enlargement in the Balkans. I hope this happens,” he said. 

“We have to have in mind that implementation of any agreement has to be done by the EU,” Petritsch said. 

Tahiri: Agreement in Washington to have a clear political framework (Kosovapress)

Kosovo’s former chief negotiator in the dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, said that any economic agreement that could be reached in Washington between Kosovo and Serbia should be within a clear political framework of two independent and sovereign countries. 

Tahiri said the Kosovo delegation should act in line with the Constitution of Kosovo adding that there cannot be discussions only on economic matters while the political problem between Kosovo and Serbia remains present. 

“My advice for the delegation of the Republic of Kosovo is that economic agreements that do not have political clarity of an inter-state agreement could be damaging and harm Kosovo’s statehood,” she said.

“Kosovo will not need an economic agreement, no matter how economically profitable it may be, if it damages it in the political aspect of statehood,” Tahiri noted.

President Thaci meets new head of EU Office, Szunyog (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci met today the new head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Ambassador Tomas Szunyog.

Thaci said in the meeting that there is only one direction for Kosovo, that of European Union membership. “A great deal has been achieved but a lot more remains to be done,” Thaci is quoted in a statement issued by his office.

In tweeting about the meeting, Thaci said that Kosovo remains committed to its EU agenda and ultimate membership and that both parties need to contribute in building a credible partnership and accelerate the process of Kosovo’s European integration.

Serbian Language Media

One new case of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo, six persons recovered (KoSSev)

One new case of Covid-19 infection was registered in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo over the last 24 hours, epidemiologist Aleksandar Antonijevic said in a press conference today. At the same time six people have recovered.

Out of 25 tested samples one was positive. The case was registered in Strpce.

Antonijevic also announced that in the coming period, due to the decreased number of cases indicative to be tested on Covid-19, the testing would be done only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Over the last 24 hours there was no new case registered in northern Kosovo. Six persons in total have recovered including one each in Zvecan and Leposavic, two in Zubin Potok, one in Strpce had recovered and one in Priluzje.

At the moment 47 persons are staying in house isolation, while 25 persons are staying at the hospital, including 21 persons at the Clinical Hospital Center in Mitrovica North, one in Belgrade and three in Nis. 

Grenell: There must be surprises in negotiations, we will continue pressure (Tanjug)

US Presidential Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell told Newsmax TV there were no negotiations without surprises, since they, as he said, exert pressure on the sides in the negotiations to do more, Tanjug news agency reports.

According to Tanjug, Grenell confirmed that the White House presented “some surprises” but considers that neither side was that much surprised.

“Sometimes they pretend before the media it was a bigger surprise than it really is. Both sides are informed and I think we have achieved progress and I hope for a solution”, Grenell said.

He added that the round of talks in Washington was about economic normalization because, as he said, “Serbia and Kosovo are two states” in which political struggles limited economic progress.

He explained the White House attempts to focus two sides on economy and cooperation in the region, so young people could have better opportunities and hope to stay, live and work in the region.

“What we are trying to do is to move a political process by concentrating exclusively on the economy and creating jobs”, Grenell added.

He further said that Belgrade-Pristina relations are long-term issue, however, there is progress, adding that last year three historic agreements have been made – on the first Belgrade-Pristina flight, road and railway traffic.

“I think we have made progress, we still have lots of work to do, and we will meet today to try to continue pressuring. I am someone who wishes to continue trying and I won’t accept “no” as an answer”, he said.

He would insist that, as he said, both sides reject political parts and focus on creating the jobs. He said it was an idea of President Donald Trump.

“The President saw political conflict and asked the right question – what is an economic situation like there? When we learnt that the economy is in a stalemate, same as politics, the President said – let’s try something different, let’s focus on the economy”, Grenell explained. 

Meetings in Washington – how removal of point on recognition is interpreted (RTS)

Serbian national broadcaster RTS reports today that the point 10 in the previous document presented to the Belgrade and Pristina representatives during the talks in Washington was not a surprise and obviously it could be interpreted in different ways, sociologist Vladimir Vuletic said.

He added it would be of extreme importance if economic agreement in the presence of US President Donald Trump was reached. A diplomat Zoran Milivojevic opined that the economic moment is the most important since it creates a better political environment.

Vuletic told RTS morning program said it was of crucial importance, regardless how this point was interpreted, that following the first round of talks, Belgrade delegation clearly said there would be no recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.

“And it seems to me, it was a clear message, not only in Serbia’s public, but also to the organizers of the meeting”, Vuletic opined.

According to him, it would be sufficient for Americans to go out publicly and say they managed to move the talks from the stalemate.

Meanwhile, Milivojevic assessed everything that was agreed was honored in a meeting, recalling it was planned to focus on economic topics.

According to him, removal of the topic that suggested a conclusion on mutual recognition was a logical consequence and realistic approach of the US administration, since it was clear there is no chance that Serbia would accept anything related to the status issues.

Commenting on the statements of Albanian politicians they would talk only about recognition, Milivojevic said it was for Pristina’s internal use and it was clear prior to the meeting there is no consent about it. 

He noted it was important that the stance of Serbia was respected, adding the US has interest to have a successful meeting.

Vucic on Washington meeting: Point referring to recognition is no longer there (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said following the meeting with Pristina representatives in the White House that the talks continue, adding he has refused the point referring to the mutual recognition and it will no longer appear in the document, RTS reports. When it comes to the economy there are many good things on which agreement is possible, Vucici added.

Speaking to the journalists in Washington Vucic said the first document presented in a meeting at the White House was titled “Economic Normalization”.

He explained when the two sides came to the meeting the American side shares the document, that neither side saw and after that they voice stances on it.

“That paper was horribly difficult,” Vucic said, adding it had 15 or 16 points and one of them was the one spoken about all day long, referring to mutual recognition. Vucic also said it was not a novelty and it is US politics, however, Belgrade delegation said it can’t accept it.

According to Vucic, people from Trump’s administration were fair, they listened to us and the point referring to mutual recognition is no longer in the documents.

“We came in good faith to reach an agreement, and I still hope it is possible to reach that agreement. Something that Mr. Cadez (head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce) spoke about. There are very good sides when it comes to our economy”, Vucic said. 

Later in the evening, the White House announced that President Donald Trump will be observing today a signing ceremony between the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti and also participating in a trilateral meeting with the two leaders.

Dacic: Point 10 in document proposal has no significance at all (BETA)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic repeated today that the point 10 on mutual recognition presented in the document proposal US offered to Serbia and Kosovo at White House negotiations in Washington has no significance and will not be included in the final “economic document” that should be signed today, BETA news agency reports.

Dacic added by including that point the US wanted to please the Pristina side and “if it passes, it passed” because if the topic were important to them it would be the first and not the tenth point in the document, Prva TV reports.

He underlined Serbia wishes compromise in resolving Kosovo issue, however, it would not accept any ultimatums.

He also said he sees nothing bad that in addition to the economic topics that were announced, political topics appeared as well since it indicates the status of Kosovo has not been resolved and Washington is aware of it.

Commenting on the announcement of White House on signing the “economic document” today in presence of the US President Donald Trump, Dacic said it is very important because Trump’s presence means guarantees of what would be signed.

He also assessed that the position of Serbia on the international stage has changed, since Kosovo can’t become a member of the international organizations as it no longer has the required majority.

“We have returned to the game after withdrawal of Kosovo recognitions, and it can count now on 91 votes in the United Nations out of 193 memmber states”, Dacic said. 

Dodik: Demand to recognize Kosovo would raise issue of Bosnia’s RS entity status (N1)

The Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) tripartite Presidency, Milorad Dodik expressed support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the talks in Washington, adding the White House demand that Serbia recognise Kosovo would also raise the issue of the status of B&H Serb-majority Republika Srpska (RS) entity, N1 reports.

Milorad Dodik’s statement came after Serbian Finance Minister, Sinisa Mali who took part in a meeting in Washington said yesterday the U.S.was requesting Serbia to recognize Kosovo.

“We don’t want to believe that such a superpower as the U.S. would allow itself for new misunderstandings to arise from under the roof of the White House, and such an offer would mean just that. We do not believe that the United States would sacrifice the stability of the entire region because they have invested so much to stabilize the situation here”, Dodik is quoted as saying.

“A paper seeking recognition of Kosovo independence would automatically also raise the issue of the status of Republika Srpska, the independence of which was discussed by the United States while the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was still ongoing,” he added.

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

Bieber: It is not true point 10 demands recognition of Kosovo, Trump using dialogue (N1)

Political science professor and Balkans expert at the University of Graz Florian Bieber commenting on the talks in the White House on Kosovo said he sees it more as an attempt of the US side to use the dialogue for domestic politics so the US President Donald Trump could, as he said, “sell some success” on the international arena, regardless of the essence and results, N1 reports.

“I would not interpret it as evidence that the agreement should be really signed and it would really be something that would influence relations of Serbia and Kosovo”, Bieber told N1 broadcast “Dan uzivo”.

Asked why the stories on the agreement that would be signed today are regarded as secret, Bieber explained it was about diplomatic practice used in the case of Brussels agreement as well, and the proposed agreement is not published while the talks on it are ongoing.

He added, the agreement was published at the end because both sides need to agree on its content.

“For a few months already, Richard Grenell was talking it was not his aim to make mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo succeed. He always said it was about economic relations. All the evidence we saw do not support claims that the agreement is related to recognition. Even, the disputable point 10, if you read it relates to recognition of minorities, and not to mutual recognition. It seems to me it was invented from Serbian side”, Bieber said.  He made these remarks based on the English version of the document he saw circulated by the media.

He added, it was strange to have topic on the recognition of minorities within the dialogue on economic topics, emphasizing that only the text published on the portals was seen and it could be “completely wrong or inaccurate”, since the document published in the media talks about ethnic minorities, term which according to him, is neither used in Serbia nor in Kosovo.   

Serbian Government adopts declaration in support of Vucic in US talks (N1)

Serbian Government supported on Thursday President Aleksandar Vucic in his meetings with Kosovo Prime Minister Avdulah Hoti on Belgrade – Pristina relations at the White House by adopting the declaration after the first round of talks in Washington had started, N1 reports.

The declaration came after some opposition leaders warned Vucic did not have the authorization to negotiate about Kosovo.

Besides, Vucic hasn’t made public his negotiating platform, except, as N1 put it, saying that he won’t surrender.

The first report from Washington was that Belgrade was presented with a paper which asked for mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo, as Finance Minister Sinisa Mali told reporters during the break in the meeting.

US Presidential Special Envoy for Belgrade- Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell denied it, tweeting it was “not true.”

However, correspondent of Pavlovic Today portal that published Mali’s statement, from the White House Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer took it to Twitter to say the news on requesting mutual recognition was accurate. Responding to Grenell’s post she wrote: “TRUE: No.10 in the document states: Both parties commit to MUTUAL RECOGNITION and protection of ethnic minorities, restitution of propriety, resolving of the status of stateless individuals, and agree to open offices in charge of protecting and reporting annually on minority rights.”

See at: https://bit.ly/3lNN3bN

Obradovic: Negotiations in Washington itself represent recognition of Kosovo (N1)

Leader of the Serbian opposition movement Dveri Bosko Obradovic assessed today that delegation lead by President Aleksandar Vucic has no right to negotiate about Kosovo and Metohija in Washington since this is not constitutional authority of the President of the Republic but that of the Government of Serbia, N1 reports.

“It is tragicomic when this unauthorized delegation for the violation of the Constitution receives support of the government, whose mandate expired three months ago, who renounced its constitutional authorities for the benefit of a president, usurper of all state functions and which is in a technical mandate”, Obradovic said.

“It is in particular impermissible that the National Assembly didn’t hold secession prior to the Washington and Brussels meetings, and Serbian delegation there acts without anyone’s authorization and without any negotiating platform”, Obradovic added.

He also said that negotiations in Washington itself and in Brussels represent recognition of Kosovo because this is about talks between Serbian President and Kosovo Prime Minister. 

Jeremic: What is behind ‘hastily’ adopted declaration of support to Vucic (N1)

President of the Serbian opposition Peoples’ Party (NS) assessed today that the Serbian Government “hastily” adopted a decision by which it blindly gave support to what President Aleksandar Vucic would do today at the White House, N1 reports.

“Probably an agreement on some issue is looming – economic for example – that would have clear legal implications of recognizing Kosovo as an independent state. Accomplices”, Jeremic wrote on Twitter.  

Opinion

Szunyog: I will do my best to support Kosovo on its European path (media)

The new EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, said upon taking on his post that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve in Kosovo and that he has visited Pristina several times. “I have learned that the people in Kosovo are very open, hospitable and hard working,” Szunyog said in an editorial published by several online media outlets.

Reaffirming the support of the EU to Kosovo, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, Szunyog said that he will continue to promote long term priorities of the EU: “better education for all, more legal certainty, support to economic growth, and improved investment climate. It is crucial that people have confidence in the institutions and know that their advancement in life is the result of their work and their merit. I will continue to call for an effective fight against corruption and organized crime.”

“Better social services, more gender equality, less domestic violence, stronger civil society, more independent media, investment in culture, and more support and sympathy for different communities and underprivileged groups, is also needed in Kosovo,” Szunyog said further.

The new EU ambassador also said he would like to see the people of Kosovo able to travel without visas as soon as possible and that a final decision on the matter now needs to be taken by the EU member states after the European Commission and the European Parliament already having given their green light.

With regards to dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, Szunyog said he was encouraged that the process resumed adding that “the sooner the normalization of relations happens, the sooner Kosovo will be able to move forward.”

“The EU and Kosovo paths will always be merged. The EU will remain Kosovo’s greatest supporter in these difficult times and beyond. I will do all in my power to help Kosovo move forward in various aspects of life important for the people. In this, I ask for your support and help,” he concluded.

International

Serbia, Kosovo ‘to Sign Economic Deal’ at White House (Balkan Insight)

Officials from Serbia and Kosovo are working on an agreement on economic issues that is expected to be signed in the presence of US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.

The White House announced that Donald Trump will oversee a signing ceremony for a Belgrade-Pristina agreement with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti on Friday.

Officials from both delegations have not given details about the agreement expected to be signed so far, but they have confirmed that it focuses on economic topics.

Trump will then hold a meeting with Vucic and Hoti, who will then go on to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department.

According to Klan Kosova TV, four drafts of the agreement were initially discussed, with the first being an attempt to settle the two countries’ long-running dispute with mutual recognition.

Vucic confirmed this, and said he firmly rejected the suggestion that Serbia could recognise Kosovo as independent.

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

In Search for Serbia-Kosovo Deal, Everything is Political (Balkan Insight)

US President Donald Trump is to receive the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo on Friday amid talk of a breakthrough on economic ties.

The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are expected to sign a deal on economic ties on Friday on the second day of White House talks, but experts question the progress that can be made on economic issues in the absence of a full political deal on relations between Serbia and its former southern province.

With all sides hailing significant progress late on Thursday, the White House issued President Donald Trump’s schedule for Friday which includes him observing a “signing ceremony” between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.

What will be signed is unclear, but Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, has made it clear he wants to put politics on the backburner and focus instead on improving economic ties between Serbia and the former province it refuses to recognise as independent.

Experts, however, are sceptical.

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

Hague War Crime Prosecutors Call Kosovo Ex-PM for Questioning (Balkan Insight)

Former Kosovo Liberation Army commander Agim Ceku, who later became the country’s prime minister, said that he has been summoned by war crimes prosecutors in The Hague for questioning as a suspect.

Agim Ceku told BIRN on Thursday that he has been called for interview this month as a suspect by the Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, which is probing wartime and post-war crimes in Kosovo from 1998 to 2000.

“Yes it is true. I was invited to be interviewed as a suspect. I will travel on September 28,” said Ceku, who was Kosovo prime minister from March 2006 until January 2008.

As a former Kosovo Liberation Army commander, Ceku was tried in absentia by Serbia for having command responsibility for the deaths of 669 Serbs and 18 other non-Albanians.

Then Serbian court sentenced him to 20 years in prison in absentia, and Belgrade asked Interpol to issue an international ‘red notice’ for his arrest, which led to Bulgarian officials detaining him and holding him for two days in June 2009.

See at: https://bit.ly/2F8ovcM