• COVID-19: 596 new cases, five deaths (media)
• PM Hoti talks of total lockdown (Radio Free Europe)
• Zemaj: We’ll do everything not to close schools (media)
• Balkan leaders adopt plan for common regional market (Balkan Insight)
• Macron: Dispute between Kosovo and Serbia, EU security issue (Telegrafi)
• Osmani: There are no immediate dialogue meetings planned (Telegrafi/Kallxo)
• Veseli pleads not guilty to war crimes charges (media)
• Haradinaj reveals offer to PDK for post of Kosovo President (media)
• Hoxhaj: PDK cannot think now about election of new President (media)
• Konjufca: I am in favor of Vetevendosje forming a broader government (media)
• Millions lost on integration efforts (Prishtina Insight)

COVID-19: 596 new cases, five deaths (media)

596 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths from the virus have been recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 136 patients have recovered from the virus during this time.

The highest number of new cases is from the municipality of Prishtina (295).

There are currently 8,734 active coronavirus cases in Kosovo. 

PM Hoti talks of total lockdown (Radio Free Europe)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti, said in an interview with the news website that Kosovo is again going toward a total lockdown as a result of a deteriorating situation. Hoti said the new restrictive measures are expected to enter into force in two days. He said he understands the concerns of businesses but that “protecting public health” is of primary importance. During the interview, Hoti also opposed calls to suspend the dialogue with Serbia. “There are two choices: we can either keep the country isolated and complain with press releases and in press conferences in Prishtina, or we can go to Brussels, sit at the table of dialogue and protect Kosovo’s state interests. I have chosen the latter,” he said. According to Hoti, developments related to the Specialist Chambers must be set aside and not be linked to other processes.

Mr. Prime Minister, as we are speaking, the country is faced with a pandemic; we’re seeing a rise in cases, and also new measures. Are we going toward a total lockdown again?

The situation is truly very, very grave. The number of cases is extremely high and we are nearing the limits of capacities in our hospitals. We are forced to take quite drastic measures. We have already implemented some measures, some stricter measures last week and now we are preparing measures which I believe will enter into force in two days because we are having some needed consultations with different organisations, businesses, the chambers of commerce, with different groups that are mainly affected by the measures, but we are forced to implement these measures. We are following the protocols already implemented in other countries; however, we are in a more difficult situation because of our limited capacities in hospitals, to accommodate all those in need of hospital services. It must be said that for years there has been no capacity development in hospitals and regardless of our efforts with additional testing capacities for example or by including regional hospitals, and by increasing the number of staffs in healthcare institutions, it is still impossible to handle the situation. This is why we are forced to go with extreme measures, including a total lockdown.

Can there be a middle ground, because we’re seeing that businesses are rejecting a total lockdown. They claim they cannot survive. As Prime Minister of the country, do you think there is a way that can satisfy all parties?

People’s lives, the public health, are the priority. I also believe we are being careful enough in terms of businesses activities, for businesses and people to survive, to continue to have income for their families and to survive, but health is above all.

We are trying to have continuous consultations on the measures we implement. At the same time, with the few capacities, we’re trying to help businesses during this difficult time, and we have helped them. To date €270 million have been allocated in different forms to the businesses, including the latest fund, 2 or 3 weeks ago, amounting to €60 million which we allocated to the businesses based on the number of their employers. We don’t like implementing these measures. We are trying to balance things in the decision-making process, but by treating the public health as a priority.

Prime Minister, acting President of the Republic, Vjosa Osmani, has called for the dialogue with Serbia to be suspended. The same call was made by your partner in the ruling coalition, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, they too have asked for the dialogue to be suspended due to the recent developments with the Specialist Chambers. What is the government’s position on this issue, what is going to happen? 

We must set aside developments with the Specialist Chambers, in the sense that we should not link them with other processes. There is a different process ongoing with the Specialist Chambers. Unfortunately, senior state and political figures are involved in the process, but the government is functioning, and we are staying true to the state obligations. Whoever believes that the process of dialogue must be stopped, is wrong. The dialogue must never be used for narrow goals, as some are doing. The process of dialogue and Kosovo’s participation in the dialogue in Brussels, is not done for Serbia’s interests, but for Kosovo’s interests, and for strengthening Kosovo’s statehood. There are two choices: we can either keep the country isolated and complain with press releases and in press conferences in Prishtina, or we can go to Brussels, sit at the table of dialogue and protect Kosovo’s state interests. I have chosen the latter. The politicians that have chosen the first option, you know where they took the country for some time. It has taken us a lot of work, many unpopular decisions, to show that we are a credible government, that we can protect the country, that we’re an open and pro-European government capable of defending Kosovo’s state interests and we never hesitate to sit at the table of dialogue because we have clear principles and we know the reason why we are going to the table of talks.

Will your government have the force to survive and move forward the process of dialogue and keep the coalition unified?

I believe one thing is clear in terms of the process of dialogue and that is that I have full constitutional competencies to move forward this process and I will not leave the country isolated. Whoever wants to complain in the political landscape can do so, but Kosovo will not remain isolated as long as I am Prime Minister.

So you’re saying the dialogue has no alternative and that you will continue the talks with the Serbian leadership to reach an agreement on the normalisation of relations with Serbia?

The dialogue must not be stopped because this is not in Kosovo’s interest. I think we can best serve Kosovo’s statehood and the people in the Specialist Chambers, by showing state maturity in all processes, including the process of dialogue.

As we are talking about important processes in which you need support, do you think the current coalition must become bigger to move forward these processes?

We are now faced with a new situation where the President has resigned. I believe this is a sensitive period, because he has just resigned. Now the processes in the Specialist Chambers have started, therefore, when the time is right, we will sit and see if we can achieve the needed consensus to overcome this situation. In the constitutional aspect, it is very clear. Now, the political parties must meet and find a solution for the President of the country or agree on new elections. It is evident that with the current number of votes, the ruling coalition cannot elect a new President, therefore an agreement beyond the ruling coalition is needed. It is too early to say what the agreement would look like because we are not discussing it yet.

You took part in the Western Balkans summit as part of the Berlin Process and the conclusions was that you have agreed with the leaders of other countries to create a common regional market. What are Kosovo’s advantages in this common market?

We already had a regional market in a way; through CEFTA the region functioned as one market in many aspects. We had many barriers and we still do, mainly related to a non-tariff nature and as a result of political problems between Kosovo and Serbia, and also Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I believe the declaration we have signed and the obligations we assumed today, will enable us to overcome the majority of barriers and for countries in the region to have economic integration. This is beneficial for all countries, including Kosovo, because it is different to have access to a market that has more customers. This will above all attract investments; it will increase the competition and will prepare the market for integration in the European Union. What is very important for us is that this market does not replace the common market with the European Union, but it furthers the economic integration between the countries. I expressed my remarks today, as a government, as Kosovo, for this process, because we are faced with a situation that is not equal … I am glad that the European Union has taken note of the remarks coming from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. I have quite positive expectations because a very big step was made toward unifying the markets, an increased competition, and so on.

Zemaj: We’ll do everything not to close schools (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Health, Armend Zemaj, said in an interview with Klan Kosova on Tuesday together with Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti they will announce the new measures against COVID-19 on Wednesday. Zemaj said schools will continue to function in line with the measures and that they will do everything not to close elementary and high schools.

He said that shopping centers and other places where people are gathering will be closed. “In other aspects, there are and will be movement restrictions and trade centers will be closed, because gathering points are behind the infections,” Zemaj said.

Balkan leaders adopt plan for common regional market (Balkan Insight)

At an EU-backed summit, political leaders from the Western Balkans adopted an action plan for creating a common market and a joint environmental agenda for the region.

Leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia adopted a plan for a regional common economic market at a summit in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on Tuesday.

The plan envisages a set of measures like reducing cross-border bank charges, removing technical trade barriers, coordinating investment policies, recognising professional qualifications across the region and promoting e-commerce.

“The declaration for a joint regional market is of great importance for the 20 million people living in the Balkan countries. It will help the economic prosperity of the countries and will keep the people in this region,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told a press conference.

The summit was held as part of the Berlin Process, an EU-backed initiative to boost regional cooperation among Western Balkan countries and aid their European integration efforts.

The Berlin Process is being jointly chaired this year by neighbouring Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The first an EU member and the second an EU candidate country hoping to soon launch its accession talks.

“The idea for interconnection is in the core of the Berlin Process,” North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told the press conference.

He expressed satisfaction that the process “evolved into much more than an initiative for economic cooperation and is also a platform for dialogue between civil societies and culture connection”.

The EU’s enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi told the summit that a common regional market will “increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region and help turn it into an investment hub, interesting also for global investors that are looking to reduce the distance to EU markets”.

He said that a robust investment plan for the region is already in place, to accompany development, including up to nine billion euros of grant funding, complemented by the new Western Balkans Guarantee facility, which should be able to raise investments of up to at least 20 billion euros.

Read full article at: https://bit.ly/3eM31zT

Macron: Dispute between Kosovo and Serbia, EU security issue (Telegrafi)

The French President Emmanuel Macron said at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia that 2020 saw positive changes in the region including the EU deciding to adopt a new enlargement methodology and to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.

The second positive development, added Macron, is the resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. “Dispute between Serbia and Kosovo is a matter of European security and it is therefore imperative for the European Union to direct its facilitating efforts to resolve this in the best possible way.”

Osmani: There are no immediate dialogue meetings planned (Telegrafi/Kallxo)

Acting President of Kosovo and Assembly Speaker Vjosa Osmani said to reporters yesterday that there are no upcoming meetings planned as part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Osmani said this was confirmed to her by Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.

She also said the present time is not right for continuing talks with the Serbian side. “I am not talking about postponement but if there is a decision to continue in the coming days, I don’t think Kosovo will be favourably predisposed to go to these meetings at this time,” she is quoted.

Osmani also commented on whether she will be part of the Kosovo negotiating team: “No one has asked me to be involved in dialogue either as acting president or Assembly speaker and I don’t think it would be rational for me to get involved in a process that I was not part of from the beginning or take responsibility for agreements negotiated by others.”

Veseli pleads not guilty to war crimes charges (media)

Former leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Kadri Veseli enterd a not guilty plea in his first court appearance at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

Veseli, who is being accused alongside Hashim Thaci, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi, for war crimes while part of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), said: “Allow me to declare that I am completely innocent on all charges of the indictment.”

Meanwhile, today at the Specialist Chambers courtroom Rexhep Selimi is expected to make his initial appearance. The session will begin at 11:00.

Haradinaj reveals offer to PDK for post of Kosovo President (media)

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader and former Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said in an interview with Klan Kosova on Tuesday evening that a vacuum has been created following Hashim Thaci’s resignation from the post of Kosovo President and that it must be filled.

Haradinaj, who has announced his candidacy for the post of president, said he enjoys the respect of parties in the ruling coalition, LDK and NISMA, but that he needs 2/3 of votes in parliament. He has made an offer to the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). “I have made an offer to have the support of the PDK too. I will pay this back by voting in favor of their candidates be it for the post of Assembly President or Prime Minister. I can do this after the next elections too. So, they give me votes now and we pay them back when they need the votes. They can vote in favor even without being part of the government, but their participation would create stability. We are making a promise in principle. The decision is in their hands. They might tell us that they won’t need our votes, but if they do, we owe it to them politically,” Haradinaj said.

Haradinaj said he could make the same offer to the Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement.

Hoxhaj: PDK cannot think now about election of new President (media)

Enver Hoxhaj, acting leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), told a press conference in Prishtina on Tuesday that Kosovo is going through a drama and that at this point this party cannot think about the post of Kosovo President. “We are going through a drama and this drama started on Friday for Kosovo above all, but for the PDK too. At this point, we neither can nor want to think about the way in which the President of Kosovo will be elected,” he said. “What we expect, as a serious political party, in this political drama is for the majority in parliament to be clear on how the process of electing the president should be conducted. But we don’t have this topic on the table, and it is not our primary concern who has announced their candidacy for the post of president.”

Asked about the position of the PDK on the dialogue with Serbia, Hoxhaj said their position is clear. “The dialogue is a process led by the Government of Kosovo and it is up to the partners of the ruling coalition to review their positions in the process,” he said. “The dialogue must not be a process, but rather an event that concludes with mutual recognition.”

Konjufca: I am in favor of Vetevendosje forming a broader government (media)

Vetevendosje Movement (VV) deputy leader and former Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, said in an interview with T7 on Tuesday that the Vetevendosje needs to form a broader government.

“I believe we need a broader government. Not a narrow government, on our own. I think it needs to be a broad government and which we can address all processes we have before us, starting from the Special Court, so we can overcome them easier,” he said.

Konjufca argued against a technical government saying that scandals such as the recent appropriation at the Treasury would happen more often. “If a government is formed by all parties (except for the Vetevendosje Movement) appropriations would happen more often. Now we are seeing scandals every two-three days. We have one scandal after another. But this would get even worse, because these are the same parties that have brought Kosovo to this point with their repeated scandals for the last 20 years,” he added.

Millions lost on integration efforts (Prishtina Insight)

A BIRN investigation has discovered that Kosovo’s ministries have paid out at least 2.5 million euros in salaries to former members of the Serbian Civil Protection Corps that are not showing up for work.

On January 5, 2016, M.M. was contracted to work as a higher education official at Kosovo’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, MEST. It is a position he still holds and is regularly paid for nearly five years later, but M.M. concedes to BIRN that he has never actually had to work for his salary.

“No, we don’t work,” he says. “I don’t know why. They tell us it’s impossible to work.”

M.M. is part of a group of 32 Kosovo Serbs employed by the ministry as part of an attempt to integrate former members of the Civil Protection Corps, CPC, into Kosovo institutions.

BIRN spoke to a number of former CPC members employed at MEST, many of whom say they do not show up for work but still receive a salary. Asked to explain this state of affairs, another MEST employee, B.S., gave two reasons: “Agreement and Vucic.”

The agreement he is referring to dates back to April 2015, when an EU-brokered deal led to the dismantling of the CPC, a parallel organisation which had operated in northern Kosovo since 1999.

The CPC was governed by Serbia’s Law on Emergency Situations, and acted as a first response unit to issues including forest fires and floods. However, the group also manned barricades on roads across northern Kosovo, and included individuals trained by the military who performed guard duty on the bridge that divides south and north Mitrovica.

As part of the agreement to remove the barricades and dismantle the organisation, Kosovo committed to opening 483 positions within its state institutions for former CPC members, who would be hired following clearance by EULEX and interviews by a mixed-ethnicity panel.

According to data obtained by BIRN, all 483 positions have now been filled, including 275 positions in Kosovo’s ministries, as well as in agencies including Kosovo Customs, the Kosovo Statistics Agency, the Agency for Emergency Management, the Tax Administration and the Correctional Service.

Read the full article at: https://bit.ly/3phiME4