Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 562 new cases, 13 deaths (media)
• On Human Rights Day, SRSG Zahir Tanin Calls for Placing Human Rights at the Core of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia dialogue continues in Brussels (Express)
• Lajcak tells what is expected to be discussed today at Prishtina-Belgrade meeting (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, no narrowing of differences (Express)
• Hoti: We do not go to the dialogue for anyone’s interests but those of the state (media)
• Von Cramon urges visa liberalization for Kosovo (media)
• “We are not blackmailing, but we do not vote anyone except for Haradinaj” (Telegrafi)
• Serwer slams media close to Vucic for referring Albanians with a racist slur (Express)
• “Engagement of former EULEX prosecutors, fades Special Court’s credibility” (RTK)
• Hoti: Human rights to be dignifiedly represented (RTK)
• Abbott with Mother Theresa’s saying on International Human Rights Day (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 59 newly infected in Serb areas in Kosovo (KiM radio)
• Petkovic: Dialogue is going in the right direction – in the direction of a compromise solution (KoSSev)
• Petkovic met Lajcak in Brussels (Kosovo-online)
• It is clear now – EU enlargement has been slowed down (Jutarnji List, B92)
• Schieb: Serbia’s progress in rule of law modest, no new chapter (N1)
• Displaced in Z. Potok and Leposavic: We are second-class citizens; we only want our own roof over our heads (KoSSev)
• Brnabic: Serbia may introduce mandatory PCR test for people coming from abroad (N1)
• Normalization at zero point or step by step process? (KiM radio, ‘Dogovor’ TV Show)
• “What genocide in Kosovo?” (B92, Prva TV, Tanjug)
• Gara: Remains of at least 6 persons were discovered at Muslim cemetery in North Mitrovica (Kontakt plus radio)
• EP’s Bilcík: Serbia standing still, but EU has to be more active too (N1)

International:

• 12 European heritage sites shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2021 (europanostra.org)
• China Increasing its Footprint in Balkan Media, Study Concludes (Balkan Insight)
• Southeast Europe is Pioneering a Global ‘Whistleblower Revolution’ (Balkan Insight)
• Grenell talks Serbia-Kosovo: people should stop “lingering on the past” (The Tartan)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Surviving a Pandemic (UNDP Eurasia)
• Serbian Health Minister: Return to normal life not possible before spring (B92)

Albanian Language Media 

COVID-19: 562 new cases, 13 deaths (media)

562 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo, said the National Institute for Public Health. 761 patients have recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 12,041 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

On Human Rights Day, SRSG Zahir Tanin Calls for Placing Human Rights at the Core of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery (media)

10 December 2020 – On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Zahir Tanin, renews the UN’s commitment to support Kosovo institutions and other stakeholders in their efforts to promote and protect human rights for all communities in Kosovo, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this regard, SRSG Tanin underscores the central role of human rights in the COVID-19 response and recovery to “build back better” from the pandemic, which has impacted the realization of human rights in Kosovo and disproportionately affected communities and persons in vulnerable situations. Reiterating the calls by the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, he encourages Kosovo institutions and all relevant stakeholders to place human rights at the heart of all response and recovery efforts, as well as take into consideration the different needs of men, women, boys and girls. The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and displayed the critical need to pay more attention to communities and persons in vulnerable situations. He calls for additional inclusive and targeted recovery measures to address the pandemic’s impact in Kosovo, including on the realization of economic and social rights.

“As the world celebrates International Human Rights Day during the pandemic, Kosovo has a unique opportunity to use human rights as a roadmap to manage and recover from the pandemic and to ensure that communities and persons in vulnerable situations are not left behind,” SRSG Tanin said.

Read the UN Secretary-General’s remarks and policy briefs on different topics and COVID-19 here.

Read the United Nations Comprehensive Response to COVID-19 Saving Lives, Protecting Societies, Recovering Better here.

Read guidance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on COVID-19 and human rights here.

Kosovo-Serbia dialogue continues in Brussels (Express)

Experts level teams of Kosovo and Serbia will meet today in Brussels and under facilitation of the EU special representative on dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, will discuss on settlement of mutual financial claims.

 The last high-level meeting between Kosovo and Serbia was held more than three months ago. Whereas experts level teams of Pristina and Belgrade met for the last time on 29 October in Brussels when parties discussed on settlement of financial claims and property issues. During today’s meeting Kosovo delegation will be headed by Kosovo’s State Coordinator on Dialogue, Skender Hyseni.

The EU facilitators keep saying that the aim of the dialogue is reaching a comprehensive agreement on solving all outstanding issues. According to the EU’s special representative on Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, all agreements on specific topics will be part of the comprehensive agreement.

 Despite Lajcak’s optimism that the dialogue is on the right track, the EU diplomats admit the pace of dialogue is slow and they consider internal political disagreements in Kosovo as the main cause of this.

Lajcak tells what is expected to be discussed today at Prishtina-Belgrade meeting (media)

The Kosovo-Serbia dialogue at the expert level will resume today in Brussels.

The Kosovo team will be led by the coordinator, Skender Hyseni, as announced by the government days ago. Shortly before the start of this meeting, the EU Special Representative for Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak published a photo where he also informed about the topics that are expected to be discussed.

“Getting ready for today’s meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue with the two chief negotiators. Looking forward to continuing our discussions on financial claims and property, Lajcak wrote on his Twitter account. 

Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, no narrowing of differences (Express)

Kosovo and Serbia held Thursday a new round of experts’ level talks and according to the Government of Kosovo parties have failed to narrow their differences in discussing financial claims and property Issues.

Kosovo’s expert level team was headed by the State Coordinator on Dialogue, Skender Hyseni, whereas Serbia by the Director of Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic. The Dialogue is facilitated by the EU special representative, Miroslav Lajcak. “Topics of the discussions were pensions and cadastre. This discussion was a continuation of addressing these topics from the previous meeting held on 29 October 2020,” the Government of Kosovo said in a statement. According to the Government despite long discussions, parties have not narrowed their differences over these two topics. “Despite long discussions, there is no significant narrowing of differences. Nevertheless, it was agreed that these elements of the comprehensive agreement between the two countries

Hoti: We do not go to the dialogue for anyone’s interests but those of the state (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti, said that resumption of the dialogue process is in interest of Kosovo.

Commenting the statement of the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj, who is also a partner in the governing coalition, who said that dialogue should be interrupted, Hoti added that “we do not go to this process for anyone’s interests.” 

“I consider that resumption of the dialogue process is in the best interest of our country, Kosovo. We do not go to defend anyone’s interests but we go to defend the interests of Kosovo state, based on a consent reached with the EU partners to work on the draft of the final agreement for mutual recognition,” Hoti said.

He stressed that he does not believe dialogue would become a cause of disagreements with AAK, adding that the work is being commenced based on the governing program.

He added that at this phase, they should find a solution for the president.

“In the following days, we will manage to coordinate these activities to find a solution for the benefit of the country,” Hoti said. 

Von Cramon urges visa liberalization for Kosovo (media)

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Viola Von Cramon, has requested from the EU to keep its word on visa liberalization for Kosovo. Commenting on the report on Kosovo in the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, she asked for the green light for the abolition of visas. Cramon added that people in Kosovo are rightly frustrated by the dragging of this process.

“Kosovo citizens should have the same access to the Schengen Area without visas, this issue has been in the EU Council for two years now. The people of Kosovo are rightly frustrated, so I ask the Council of the European Union to give a signal, a clear timeline and to give the green light to this decision as soon as possible. This is about keeping our promise in the region,” Cramon said in her speech.

The presidency of the Council of the European Union, currently led by Germany, has not put visa liberalization on Kosovo on the agenda.

“We are not blackmailing, but we do not vote anyone except for Haradinaj” (Telegrafi)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) continues to insist that the post of president belongs to them.

AAK leadership member, Pal Lekaj in a statement for the Telegrafi said that the nomination of Ramush Haradinaj for president was made to avoid possible blockades.

“As you know, the Alliance has always been transparent with its coalition partners. The very nomination of Mr. Haradinaj for president was made to contribute to the solution and to avoid possible blockades,” Lekaj said.

Asked about the statement of the acting chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj, that Haradinaj is blackmailing when he says “either I am president or we are going to the elections,” Lekaj said that they are not blackmailing anyone.

Serwer slams media close to Vucic for referring Albanians with a racist slur (Express)

Daniel Serwer, a professor at Johns Hopkins University has reacted after Serbian daily Informer criticised him for siding with Kosovo and referred to Albanians with the derogatory term “siptari.”

Serwer in a statement posted on Twitter asked how Serbia claims sovereignty over Kosovo when its media refer to 90 percent of their population with a racist slur, referring to the derogatory term “siptari” for Albanians used commonly by Serb state-controlled media in Serbia.

“I really don’t mind the “asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo and abolish Srpska” part. That’s accurate. The tell here is the use of a racist term for Albanians. How do you claim sovereignty over a population that is 90% people you refer to with a racist slur?” Serwer wrote on  Twitter.The Belgrade-based daily controlled by Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, has published a front-page article under the headline “”Hellish plans from Washington: Siptar Evil asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo and abolish Srpska,” reports Gazeta Express. 

“Engagement of former EULEX prosecutors, fades Special Court’s credibility” (RTK)

Ehat Miftaraj, representative of Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) told RTK that Wednesday’s session at the Assembly of Kosovo, about the factual situation during the war in Kosovo,  crimes of genocide against the Albanian population committed by Serbia’s state apparatus, were the best testimony for the Special Court in The Hague, where KLA leaders are being tried. 

Speaking about the engagement of prosecutors and judges in the Special Court, Miftaraj stressed that this court should not engage individuals who were engaged, either in UNMIK or EULEX, because almost all of them were involved in scandals in the field of justice, and added that this significantly undermines the credibility of the Special Court.

“Meanwhile, as the German lawyer has rightly pointed out, being a prosecutor in UNMIK or EULEX and re-engaging at the Special Court, loses professional impartiality in the fair trial of a case in the field of justice. Therefore I consider that this was the mistake of the Special Court that offered them the opportunity to engage in this court, although when the Special Court was established, the request was to involve as few as possible from the international judges and prosecutors, who in one way or another have been involved in Kosovo,” Miftaraj said. 

Regarding the publication of the indictment of the prosecution of the Special Court in English, Miftaraj stated that this clearly proves that this prosecution has violated the Constitution of Kosovo, because it has not yet managed to file the indictment against former KLA leaders in the official language, Albanian language.

Speaking about the statement of the German lawyer Urilich Sommer that the Special Court was created through the pressure exercised by the EU on the political representatives of Kosovo, Miftaraj added that the Special Court was a collateral damage at the expense of Kosovo, due to the political processes from 1999-2008, from when its independence was reached until today, when a final solution between Kosovo and Serbia is required.  

“But we must agree that now that the Special Court is a new reality, only we can give a solution to this, no one else, and the only solution is for us to prove to the world who committed war crimes in Kosovo,” Miftaraj said.

Hoti: Human rights to be dignifiedly represented (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti said that the government of Kosovo is committed to respecting human rights and reciprocal representation without distinction.

At the meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group for Human Rights, he also spoke about the work of the government in respecting human rights.

“As a government we are committed to human rights being represented with dignity, on mutual respect without distinction,” Hoti said. 

“The government of Kosovo has made progress by adopting a package of comprehensive law, aiming to advance in full equality of these categories,” he added.

Hoti sees the approval of the program for the protection and promotion of human rights as a strategic document which provides for the protection of human rights.

“We will focus on human rights and their protection, in every form,” Hoti said.

Abbott with Mother Theresa’s saying on the International Human Rights Day (media)

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo Nicholas Abbott took to Facebook to mark the International Human Rights Day.

“Today is the International Human Rights Day, a reminder that we all carry responsibility to protect the rights of every human being. As Mother Theresa said: “Human Rights are not a privilege conferred by the government, they are every human being’s entitlement by the virtues of his humanity,” Abbott wrote.

Serbian Language Media

59 newly infected in Serb areas in Kosovo (KiM radio)

The North Mitrovica Crisis Staff announced today that in Serbian areas in Kosovo, according to the latest data, 59 new cases of infection have been recorded, reported KiM radio. 

Today’s report states that, respecting the Conclusions of the Republic Crisis Staff, according to which there is no retest of sick people, they are no longer able to report on the number of cures, quoted KiM radio.

Out of 187 processed samples, positive cases were recorded in the municipalities: North Mitrovica (20), Zvecan (9), Zubin Potok (8), Strpce (7), Leposavic (5), Prizren (4), Priluzje (3), Gracanica (2) and Gnjilane (1).

There are currently 1,482 active cases.

Petkovic: Dialogue is going in the right direction – in the direction of a compromise solution (KoSSev)

The standards within which Belgrade and Pristina should negotiate property, both public and private, were discussed again in Brussels today, said the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic, after today’s sixth round of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina at the expert level in Brussels.

The first issue raised by the Serbian side today is the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO), which has not been formed for more than 2,800 days since the agreement was reached, Petkovic said, adding that this is a condition for the success of the dialogue.

On the other hand, when it comes to the topic of the meeting – property and financial claims – which he described as a major and sensitive issue, the Belgrade side suggested that the principles of negotiations based on international standards be agreed upon first – “not to talk about desires but the way issue of property is resolved everywhere in the world,” said Petkovic.

“In order to talk about property at all, and in what way we will solve the property issue. And it is about property that is both public and which is also private property. It is important to identify mechanisms and approaches. When I say that we have opposite views – those are the views where Pristina acts from its own views and points of view, while Belgrade approaches very rationally and realistically, as one can act when it comes to property. And that is that we submit our evidence of what was financed, who is the owner, who invested,” said Petkovic.

After the establishment of these, as he says, standards and mechanisms, the issue of property will begin to be dealt with in a “fair way” by professional bodies.

Petkovic also confirmed that the standards of property negotiations were discussed during the last, fifth round of dialogue.

He announced that Serbia will do its best to resolve this and all other issues, because he sees the solution of this and other issues as the main contribution to the dialogue.

“These negotiations are difficult, such that sometimes your stomach hurts, but it is better to have all this here in Brussels at the negotiating table, than to have incidents down on the ground,” said Petkovic, stating that the issue was raised about the position of the Serbian community in Kosovo as well as about incidents and attacks, especially those against returnees. 

Belgrade will always respond to calls for dialogue, but it is important, he further points out, that it is “going in the right direction, and that is in the direction of a compromise solution,” Petkovic told the media after the meeting.

Petkovic met Lajcak in Brussels (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director and head of Belgrade delegation in the dialogue with Pristina, Petar Petkovic met today in Brussels with the EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Following bilateral meetings of the both delegations with EU mediators, a new round of technical talks between Belgrade and Pristina would commence.

The EU previously announced two topics would be on the agenda – mutual financial claims and property. 

It is clear now – EU enlargement has been slowed down (Jutarnji List, B92)

EU enlargement is no longer a priority, as some states even regret that the EU has expanded to this extent within the project of Europe’s unification, B92 reports citing Zagreb-based Jutarnji List.

However, Jutarnji list writes, there are still some states in favor of enlargement within the EU. Greece, Bulgaria and Slovenia are certainly among those. However, the three countries have something else in common, which qualifies them for proving the famous saying that “with such ‘friends’, we don’t need enemies”.

Namely, the text in Jutarnji list says, each of the three countries has blocked a neighboring country on its way to the EU at some point in years due to bilateral disputes, although the rest of the Union has repeatedly said that “such bilateral issues have no place in the process of EU enlargement”.

Slovenia blocked Croatia’s accession, Greece blocked Macedonia’s accession… Greece no longer blocks Macedonia, but forced it to change its name to North Macedonia. It may block that country, or Albania, in the future, for some other reason, but for now, Greece is no longer an obstacle to enlargement.

Slovenia does not block or cannot block its neighbors because they are all already in the EU. But it could block Schengen enlargement to prevent Croatia from entering. Now that the path to the opening of accession negotiations has been cleared for North Macedonia, after more than ten years of waiting, Bulgaria has blocked the adoption of an EU negotiating framework without which negotiations cannot be opened. Bulgaria now wants North Macedonia to accept a silent interpretation of history, identity and language.

See more at: https://bit.ly/340qGsb

Displaced in Z. Potok and Leposavic: We are second-class citizens; we only want our own roof over our heads (KoSSev)

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, we are bringing you the story of people displaced during the Yugoslav wars who have found their temporary shelter in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo. For many, the temporary turned to permanent but without full resolution of their living situation and the quality of their life. The living conditions stymie their social inclusion as many continue to live in collection centers and barracks that are not designed to stand the test of time.

Twenty-five years spent in exile, in a wooden and, over time, run-down barracks, shadowed by poverty and hardships, Sanja and Jovanka are still living the refugee life in Velji Breg and Gazivode, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, as they themselves point out, often as second-class citizens. What they have in common is that both of them found their life partners right here, but also that they came here almost at the same time.

Sanja Bjelotomic came to Zubin Potok during “Oluja (Storm)” in August 1995 from Bosanski Drenovac in the municipality of Bosansko Grahovo, situated in the tri-border area between Bosnia, Lika, and Dalmatia.

Jovanka Milanović told us that upon arrival to Zubin Potok, she and her family were placed in a hall where they lived for a short while.

“We came here in October. And here is what we found, they put us here in this hall, in front of the factory. The cafeteria was on one side, and the hall was on the other, where the mattresses were placed, and that was it. Afterward, everyone did what they could, some left, some acquired some accommodation, these weekend cottages down in Varage, the barracks in Velji Breg”, Jovanka remembered.

Life without a home made from solid material is very difficult, but what is even more difficult is the term that follows them even today: refugees. All these years, they made valiant efforts to provide their children with a minimal standard of living, out of the desire to make them equal members of society. The conditions they live in, however, have not improved for two and a half decades.

See more at: https://bit.ly/34228iJ

Schieb: Serbia’s progress in rule of law modest, no new chapter (N1)

German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb told N1 on Thursday that Belgrade had not made some progress in the rule of law, a key area for a candidate country in joining the European Union, and that was noted in the European Union October’s report.

Berlin ends the presidency over the EU Council on December 31 and will be succeeded by Portugal in the first half of 2021.

“The speed of the accession with the EU mostly depends on the reforms in the rule of law. This year, Serbia did not make any significant progress in that area and in curbing corruption”, Schieb said, adding “it was noted the progress had been modest and not enough for the opening of a new negotiating chapter”.

He also recalled that the opening of a chapter had to be a unanimous decision by all EU member states, “and as the situation is now, such a decision will not be brought”.

The ambassador said this year was specific for Serbia since it, besides the coronavirus pandemic, had elections and several months before forming a new government.

“Taking all that into account, the result in the rule of law was not satisfactory. However, I think the new government is committed to the issue. We can encourage the government to continue along that road, and when there are the first results, I don’t see why we wouldn’t open a new chapter next year. There is no reason for disappointment, but it should go on with full dynamic and enthusiasm”, Schieb said.

“The European perspective is still there. The process of European integration is still there for the Western Balkans’ countries. They have a clear perspective. Serbia, and the whole region, go in the right direction. Germany is here to support Serbia and advise it. This year, the progress wasn’t as we wanted. But I’m convinced that it will happen next year”, Shieb told N1.

Referring to the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on the normalisation of relations, Schieb said it was an important topic, as a part of the European integrations.

“The good thing is that the dialogue resumed after 20 months. It restarted this summer. Patience is crucial, but it’s a positive sign that the talks are going on. That is a crucial issue for Germany”, he said.

See at: https://bit.ly/33ZlfcZ 

Brnabic: Serbia may introduce mandatory PCR test for people coming from abroad (N1)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday the country’s anti-epidemic Crisis Team was considering the introduction of a mandatory PCR test for people who would come from abroad during the holidays, N1 reports.

“We discuss the measures daily and estimate what is necessary to keep the epidemic situation under control, despite announcements that January and February will be the worst months”, Brnabic said at the presentation of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia research on business conditions.

She added it was “important to avoid a catastrophic scenario”, and that “the economy isn’t shut down”.

Brnabic also said she was worried about a small number of people who said they would be vaccinated against the coronavirus, because, as she noted, that was the best protection against the infection.

She added the vaccines will be free of charge, but the vaccination will not be mandatory.

Normalization at zero point or step by step process? (KiM radio, ‘Dogovor’ TV Show)

The Brussels dialogue process started with the goal of “solving the technical problems of the citizens”. Today, after eight years, “normalization of relations” became a political goal of the comprehensive agreement between Pristina and Belgrade, reports KiM radio. 

Political analyst from Pristina, Agon Maliqi, stated in the show ”Dogovor” (Agreement) that the relations between Pristina and Belgrade have been returned to zero today.

“We are at zero point; we have returned to zero. The last three or four years in this process have been almost completely lost, so in a way the meaning has been lost. From the Kosovo perspective, this is because dialogue makes no sense without some kind of guarantee that it will end with the recognition of Kosovo or some kind of unblocking of Kosovo’s international status: recognition by European countries, place in the United Nations etc., and for Kosovo to function as a state in international relations,” Maliqi said.

On the other hand, journalist Milica Andric, the KoSSev portal journalist and Deutsche Welle correspondent from the north of Kosovo, believes that the relations between Pristina and Belgrade are not at zero point, and that the EU’s interest for the Brussels dialogue could be felt since when Miroslav Lajcak was appointed the special envoy for dialogue.

“There are certain developments. One of the first topics was the missing and displaced. Only a week after those talks, a donation was made to provide drones for satellite soil imaging, and then Odalovic announced that research would continue in the vicinity of Raska. We are witnesses that a tomb was recently found, but it has not yet been confirmed that it is the bodies of Kosovo Albanians, but apparently there are enough indications to believe it is. I don’t think that it is just a coincidence, but that it is the result of an agreement,” said Milica Andric.

The executive director of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Marko Savkovic, admits that even after years of intensive work on the relations between Belgrade and Pristina, he could not answer precisely what would be considered as normalization of relations.

“Kosovo remains an identity issue for Serbia and that is a serious problem. That is why we are trying to turn the discussion in the direction of what the European Union has been doing for a long time ”incremental progress”. It is ”step-by-step” approach, which is the most visible in the field of economic normalization,” Savkovic said.

The show also published the results of the survey via Facebook. To the question: “Does the process of normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade imply mutual recognition”, l answers were: 48.8 percent of the respondents think that mutual recognition is a condition for normalization, while 51.2 percent, think differently.

“What genocide in Kosovo?” (B92, Prva TV, Tanjug)

In the last four years, Serbia established relations with the US, thanks to President Trump and his associate Richard Grenell, including Serbian administration. Analysts, non-governmental organizations and the opposition influenced that warming of bilateral relations, the Director of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies, Jelena Milić, assessed today.

Milic told Prva TV that the government in Serbia is the only one that can create a field for improving Serbian-American relations. She pointed out that the government has managed to convince the United States that there are small but very legitimate demands for resolving the status of Kosovo, and that it is ready to become an important and valuable partner of the United States in return for those concessions.

She added that she hopes that the new administration in the United States will be able to assess what it is that the United States should do to make concessions to Serbia, and see how much benefit they could have from Serbia.

She assessed that Serbia should take care that the cooperation with China and Russia does not endanger its European path, and added that everything still loses its meaning until the issue of Kosovo is resolved in a fair and sustainable way.

“It cannot be overlooked that these two nuclear powers have not recognized Kosovo in the UN Security Council, and neither Germany nor the EU are in the Security Council”, she said.

She emphasized that Serbia should consider what the alternatives are, and one of them is the key to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States. She added that Serbia should lobby the White House, the Lower and Upper Houses of Congress, the Pentagon and the US Treasury Department.

“The ball is more in the yard of Belgrade, which should take a more proactive stance and offer certain concessions”, she said. Milic pointed out that Serbia should react to the inaccuracies that are heard and explain that we have changed and progressed since the time of the 1990s, when we were punished in the most drastic ways.

“Yes, we have changed and progressed, condemned many and extradited many, and what Kosovo has done? In 2021, we have new geopolitical circumstances, and new tools, and the dialogue should take place in new circumstances. That is a completely new issue, compared to 1999”, she said. She added that some persistently mention the genocide in Kosovo and that this is one of the inaccuracies to which Serbia should react.

“What genocide in Kosovo? There was no indictment, let alone a verdict for the crime of genocide in Kosovo”, Milic said. She added that Serbia must use the arguments that it delivered six active police and army generals, and two presidents. “It is not true that Serbia has never been punished, it has also been punished by brutal cooperation with The Hague. And that must be said”, she underlined.

She also assessed that it was a direct insult when Eliot Engel said “if the KLA committed crimes” and wondered who then killed 2.000 Serbs in Kosovo. She also reminded that 750 people were killed in Serbia during the bombing in 1999, and that Serbia was bombed because of 10.000 Albanian civilians, and wondered about the rationale for such an action.

“Don’t make fools out of us. Just because you have the desired outcome, you are not entitled to easily trample on the principles you acted upon, and transitional justice and the fight against historical revisionism”, she concluded.

See at: https://bit.ly/2W3nGH8

Gara: Remains of at least 6 persons were discovered at Muslim cemetery in North Mitrovica (Kontakt plus radio)

“At the Muslim cemetery in North Mitrovica, excavations were carried out four times this year in search of missing persons from the time of the conflict in Kosovo, and the remains of at least six people were found,” said Kushtrim Gara, Secretary of Secretariat of the Kosovo government’s Missing Persons Commission. 

Representatives of the Commission for Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and petitions of the Kosovo Assembly visited the Muslim cemetery in the northern part of Mitrovica on Wednesday.  

Radio Kontakt pointed out that for the assembled Serbian journalists, Gara’s statement was translated from Albanian by Arsim Gerxhaliu, director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Pristina, but after some time, members of the Commission disapproved of that. They first told the Serbian media they should provide their own translation and then they stated that this event was not even announced to the media, although their visit was followed by several Albanian TV crews, who, unlike Serbian crews, were informed about this event. 

Gara said that during this year, excavations at this location were carried out on August 6, September 3, October 16 and 29. According to him, the minimum number of bodies they found was six, which does not mean that it cannot be more than that. Gara added that there were difficulties during the work, considering that other people have been buried at this location during the past 20 years. 

He also said that according to the agreement, they worked together with the Serbian delegation and that most of the information came from their side. 

“The entire process was carried out together with international partners, EULEX and Red Cross experts, everything was analysed and done together with them,” Gara said. 

From the time after the conflict in Kosovo until now, according to him, at least 73 bodies have been found at this location – over 25 on the upper side of the cemetery and 48 on the lower side. Most of the remains have been identified and the bodies handed over to the families. However, they are still waiting for the results of analysis for the remains that were found during this year. 

Arsim Gerxhaliu, Director of Institute of Forensic Medicine, explained that analysis were done before the teams arrive at the location. “We also use satellite images. Together with foreign partners, EULEX and the Red Cross, we put all the information on the table and when we decide, we come to the location and we have always found bodies here,” he said. 

Kushtrim Gara mentioned that they have information about several more tombs that have been marked on this location, but that before they start the works again, they have to analyse everything. 

“I don’t believe that we will achieve that this year, because time is our biggest problem in this business, but most likely in the spring,” Gara said. 

Kontakt Plus pointed out that after a lengthy presentation in Albanian, and another request for translation, Serbian journalists were ignored and were left without translation.  

Residents who learned that representatives of the Commission for Missing Persons from Pristina were in the North Mitrovica, came to ask them questions about what was being done to find the missing Serbs and abducted persons. However, they were denied an answer. 

“Upon learning that a delegation from Pristina dealing with the issue of the abducted and missing is coming to the Muslim cemetery in the northern part of Mitrovica, we spontaneously gathered here to ask them what happened to our cemetery in the southern part of the city, which was completely destroyed, unlike this cemetery in the north, where, as it can be seen, no monument has been destroyed. And to ask them what happened to our kidnapped and killed people. As soon as they saw us, as soon as we came to talk to them, they started walking away and got out of here, they didn’t want to talk to us about that problem,” said Zoran Bratic, one of the residents. 

EP’s Bilcík: Serbia standing still, but EU has to be more active too (N1)

The European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur MEP Vladimír Bilcík said on Thursday that Serbia had been “standing still for the last past months and that the European Commission latest report on the country should not serve as a document for Members of the EP, but as a document, the EP USES and a discussion with our partners in Serbia.”

“The Report serves not only as a reflection of the past two years but more as a constructive and forward-looking document. I would like to look at how to best support the work ahead of Serbia,” Bilčík said.

He reiterated that “the main work is on the shoulders of our partners in Serbia; political decisions on moving toward the EU (or away from it) is made in Serbia, in Belgrade, in the countryside, in the cities and villages…”

However, Bilčík added that “as we expect more from Serbia, we must also expect more from ourselves. This year has highlighted that the European perspective is not a given. Other external actors, Russia and China, are taking every opportunity to increase their leverage on the region and in Serbia.

Regarding Belgarde, Bilčík said the Report revolves around 4 “Rs”:

“Recovery: the most imminent task ahead is to manage the fallout caused by the pandemic. Recovery should be done in a way that brings us closer – whether via truthful communication on how the EU has provided assistance to Serbia, on European solutions for this crisis and the “opening” of Europe and, of course, vaccine distribution.

Reforms in Rule of Law: Serbia’s new government has a clear, majority mandate and should be clear about what it is going to do with this unprecedented support. The political crisis of 2019/2020 is still not over.

Rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms also means moving forward on improving media freedom and freedom of expression. I closely follow all the news from media organisations in Serbia and we remain concerned with reports of violence and threats against journalists…

Regional cooperation and Reconciliation…”

He added that “finally, EU accession must be a strategic choice of Serbia. This has to be clear from the onset, and Serbia’s political decisions must be in line with this strategic choice: here, there is a lot of room for improvement. The pandemic has shown that a health crisis of this proportion is also a geopolitical issue.”

2020 was foreseen to be a decisive and promising year for Enlargement – and it wasn’t. In Serbia, 2020 has also been a very exceptional year; obviously, due to the pandemic, but also due to the fact that it was an electoral year. Valuable time has been lost.

As we expect more from Serbia, we must also expect more from ourselves. This year has highlighted that the European perspective is not a given. Other external actors, Russia and China, are taking every opportunity to increase their leverage on the region and in Serbia.

We must, therefore, use the tools of Enlargement to the fullest potential and in a more strategic way. I believe that the Council should be ready to open additional negotiating chapters with Serbia. Opening of chapters is a beginning of a long negotiating process on delivery and benchmarks but could be a political game-changer on the Western Balkans when it comes to facing the challenge of geopolitical competition and our fight for reforms.”

See more at:https://bit.ly/3724rnO

International

12 European heritage sites shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2021 (europanostra.org)

Europa Nostra – the European voice of civil society committed to cultural and natural heritage – and its partner organisation, the European Investment Bank Institute, have today announced the 12 most threatened heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered programme 2021:

Achensee Steam Cog Railway, Tyrol, AUSTRIA

Modern Theatre, Sofia, BULGARIA

Cemetery Complex of Mirogoj, Zagreb, CROATIA

Church of Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-France, FRANCE

Narikala Fortress, Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Green Space System, Cologne, GERMANY

Five Southern Aegean Islands, GREECE

The Giusti Garden, Verona, ITALY

The Ca’ Zenobio Palace, Venice, ITALY

Dečani Monastery, KOSOVO*

Central Post Office in Skopje, NORTH MACEDONIA

San Juan de Socueva Chapel and Hermitage, Cantabria, SPAIN

Information about these exceptional European heritage sites and the reasons why they were shortlisted are provided at: https://bit.ly/2K956e3

China Increasing its Footprint in Balkan Media, Study Concludes (Balkan Insight)

A study presented on Wednesday concludes that China is increasing its presence in the media throughout the region.

A study presented on Wednesday authored by Vladimir Shopov, an expert on foreign relations and an European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) visiting fellow – says China is positioning itself in the media sector in Southeast Europe.

For the purpose of the study, “Getting on the Radar: China’s Rising Media Presence in South-East Europe”, Shopov said he conducted 40 interviews in eight countries over September to November, with different “media experts, journalists, policy analysts and researchers, university lecturers, diplomats, politicians and businesspeople”. The author also used desk research.

“China is creating an increasingly elaborate media cooperation framework with both state and private media institutions,” the report notes, adding that while “the focus is largely on economy and business”, it is “gradually expanding to include politics” – with mainly positive and fact-based reporting and “little critical content”.

See at: https://bit.ly/39Uko1f

Southeast Europe is Pioneering a Global ‘Whistleblower Revolution’ (Balkan Insight)

Across the Western Balkans, a new willingness to report crime and corruption is helping to create a new climate of accountability, redefining people’s expectations of government transparency.

We have had whistleblowers since the beginning of civilization. History books are full of remarkable figures who have called out corruption, oppression and hypocrisy. Deservedly, they are held up as heroes who risked their safety and sometimes their lives to act upon a duty larger, more important than their own wellbeing. Their duty was to the rest of us – and we have benefitted from their commitment and courage.

Over the past 60 years, whistleblowers have begun to write a new history. They have taken a legitimate and prominent place in our folklore. The scandals they exposed have shocked us, and they have inspired us to work harder toward a better and safer world. Frank Serpico in the 1960s, Daniel Ellsberg in the 1970s, Mordechai Vanunu in the 1980s, Jeffrey Wigand in the 1990s – this modern wave of citizen activists has established whistleblowing as a necessary component of free speech, accountability and democracy.

For the current generation, Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning have lifted whistleblowing to an even higher level of necessity and urgency. They are respected even by those who question their methods and motives.

See at: https://bit.ly/373djcM 

Grenell talks Serbia-Kosovo: people should stop “lingering on the past” (The Tartan)

Senior Fellow at the Institute for Politics and Strategy (IPS) Richard Grenell has been known for working closely with President Trump in pushing a “peace through strength” approach in Europe. His work as Ambassador to Germany and as Special Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia, along with his social media presence, has come under fire particularly at Carnegie Mellon since his appointment as Senior Fellow in July 2020. Students have petitioned for his position at the IPS to be rescinded. Recently, students implored the administration to hold Grenell accountable for his actions and behavior after the university hired him.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Center for International Relations and Politics within IPS held a conversation with Grenell as part of its ongoing Policy Forum series. In attendance were many students and faculty from Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, IPS director Kiron Skinner, and other members of the community.

The talk centered on Kosovo-Serbia relations. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 but Serbia recognizes it not as an independent state, but as an autonomous province. Since then, relations between the two have been nonexistent until recent years, where it has become tense and controversial; even on the forum’s Youtube livestream, a user named “The Serbs” wrote in the chat that “kosovo is serbia dear brothers [sic]” and that the “Serbian army saved over 250 American pilot [sic] during the first world war,” imploring fellow viewers to “read about it please.”

The actual conversation with Grenell was nowhere near as charged. In fact, he was very thorough in his answers, occasionally glancing down to check his notes.

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

Humanitarian/Development

Surviving a Pandemic (UNDP Eurasia)

This hasn’t been an easy year.  From health concerns, to fears of unemployment, to the mental burden of isolation – the pandemic has revealed how connected we all are, and how precarious that connection can be.

Covid-19 is much more than a health crisis. Across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, the pandemic has already left devastating scars on societies and economies. At the heart of that impact are the vulnerable communities feeling it the most.

This issue takes a closer look at people who are fighting hard to survive a threatening present and an uncertain future. It is in their perseverance that we can place hope in a better recovery.

Farmers in Serbia.

Tour guides in Kyrgyzstan.

Families in Armenia.

Displaced persons in Georgia.

Business owners in Kosovo.

See photo essays at: https://bit.ly/2VX7tTW

Serbian Health Minister: Return to normal life not possible before spring (B92)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that Serbia is at the top of a third wave of the epidemic, while the Serbian Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar explained whether that means that the curve will flatten out, B92 reports.

“Neither he (WHO official) nor anyone can judge, because it depends on how we behave”, Loncar said. “No assessment was correct, we have to respect the measures”, he added.

Loncar also told TV Prva news edition that the hospital in Batajnica is functioning excellently, there are over 450 patients there and that they have been saving hundreds of lives there since Friday.

He underlined the news that the patients were transported in ambulances is fake, adding that the hospital also accepts citizens of another state.

He thanked all the medical workers.

“We have to be united if we want to win against COVID, and return to normal life, which cannot happen before spring. We are considering new measures”, Loncar explained.

See more at: https://bit.ly/39VPQMn