Albanian Language Media:

• COVID – 19: 311 new cases, 10 new deaths (media)
• Deadline on ECAP decision on LVV, AAK and NISMA complaints, tomorrow (Telegrafi)
• Over 122,000 people still with UNMIK documents, removed from the voter list (Koha)
• Political entities violate anti-COVID measures, Inspection imposes fines (Telegrafi)
• Varhelyi: Western Balkans to have quick access to anti-Covid vaccine (media)
• Hoti compares LDK to Liverpool: It is not a team of the seasons (Koha)
• Kurti and Osmani promise students in Lipjan equality in labor market (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• 18 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo on Saturday (Kontakt plus radio)
• Loncar: 217.000 people vaccinated so far, half a million doses of vaccine more at disposal (KoSSev)
• Protest walk of health workers in Mitrovica North, end to harassment demanded (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: “I am a ‘coward’ because I am protecting Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs” (KoSSev, Prva TV)
• Call to internally displaced persons from Kosovo to vote in February 14 elections (Kosovo-online)
• Selakovic: Gratitude to Slovakia for consistent and principled position on Kosovo issue (Kosovo-online)
• Russia: Haradinaj’s statement impermissible political blackmailing (RTS)
• Petkovic replies to Rada Trajkovic: State gives equal opportunity to its citizens to be vaccinated (Kosovo-online)
• International Crisis Group: Three options to resolve Kosovo issue, none of which is ideal (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Can America Be Trusted Again? (Project Syndicate)

International:

• EU playing a zero-sum game in Kosovo (Modern Diplomacy)

Humanitarian/Development:

• 67 cases of domestic violence registered in north in 2020, women and children most common victims (KoSSev)
• Serbian awarded expert in emergencies dies from COVID-19 (media)
• Media: WHO plans to approve two Chinese vaccines (N1)

Albanian Language Media 

COVID – 19: 311 new cases, 10 new deaths (media)

311 new cases of COVID – 19 and ten deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 128 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 5,852 active cases of COVID – 19 in Kosovo.

Deadline on decision of ECAP on of LVV, AAK and NISMA complaints, tomorrow (Telegrafi)

On Friday, the Central Election Commission (CEC) did not certify the lists of candidates for MPs of six political entities, among them the list of Vetevendosje Movement (LVV), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA).

CEC announced that these lists are not certified because these parties have not replaced the names of candidates in the lists, who according to the Kosovo Judicial Council, have been convicted of criminal offenses in the last three years.

Following the non-certification, political entities have submitted eight complaints to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP), but so far, no decision has been made on them.

“No decision has been made yet, tomorrow is the deadline to be decided,” Chairman of the Secretariat of the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, Mul Desku told Telegrafi.

Meanwhile, the Central Election Commission has stated that they will wait for the decision of the ECAP, for further actions.

“After the submission of possible complaints, the ECAP has 72 hours to decide on the complaints that are submitted and of course we as the CEC will wait for the decision-making of this institution” said days ago, the CEC spokesman, Valmir Elezi.

The lists of political entities LDK, PDK, Serbian List, List “Romani Iniciativa”, JGP, PREBK, SDU, Ballista Party, IRDK, KDTP, PAI, NDS, VAKAT, FJALA and some other parties and other lists have been certified.

The CEC has certified the list of LDK and PDK, as each of these two parties replaced a convicted candidate. The CEC has also certified the Serbian List.

Over 122,000 people still with UNMIK documents, removed from the voter list (Koha)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has removed 133,678 people from the voter list, who have either died or are still using UNMIK identification documents.

Over 122,000 people still with UNMIK documents are removed from the voter list.

The Central Election Commission has removed from the voter list 133,678 people who have either died or are still using UNMIK identification documents.

The CEC, from the data received from the Central Civil Registry Agency, has found that there are 122,592 persons with UNMIK identification documents who will be removed from the voting list. UNMIK documents are not sufficient for identification at the polling stations.

“Based on these decisions of the CEC, the voter list will be cleared of the names of 133 thousand 678 people. 11 thousand 86 have been removed from the pension scheme because they have died and 122 thousand 592 others because they appear to have only identification documents,” said the CEC spokesman, Valmir Elezi.

Political entities violate anti-COVID measures, Inspection imposes fines (Telegrafi)

Despite numerous calls from the National Institute of Public Health in Kosovo (NIPHK) to respect the antiCOVID-19 measures, political entities continue to gather large numbers of citizens, some of whom are not equipped with protective masks and physical distance in those rallies is not observed.

The Inspection in Prishtina is continuing with fines against political entities.

The Director of the Inspection in Prishtina, Adonis Tahiri told the Telegrafi that so far, seven fines have been imposed on political entities.

“LDK three fines, LVV, PDK, AAK, and Nisma one fine each,” he said, adding that the fines imposed are from two thousand euros.

Meanwhile, the NIPHK continues to call for the implementation of all general and specific measures for protection against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Varhelyi: Western Balkans to have quick access to anti-Covid vaccine (media)

The EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, wrote today on his Twitter account that he has stressed at the EU Council the need to ensure swift access to vaccines for partners in Western Balkans.

“At #FAC @EUCouncil today representing @EU Commission. In #COVID19 fight #EU stands by its partners in #WesternBalkans & neighbourhood. Stressed the need to ensure swift access to vaccines in #WB & #EaP regions. Also underlined concerns over developments related to #Navalnyi case,” Varhelyi wrote. 

Hoti compares LDK to Liverpool: It is not a team of the seasons (Koha)

The Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti, has compared the LDK to his favorite football team, Liverpool.

Although the team’s results have not been very good lately, Hoti says it has strong foundations, just like the Democratic League.

“Like Liverpool, it is not a team of certain seasons, but a team that has a century. A team that has a whole century, has strong foundations,” he said in front of the media while participating in the inauguration of a stadium.

Kurti and Osmani promise students in Lipjan equality in labor market (Koha)

The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) Albin Kurti, together with the Acting  President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, held today a debate with the students of the Municipality of Lipjan. On this occasion, Kurti promised the students that they will be equal in different competitions, since, as he said, so far, employment has been made on the basis of political and family connections.

According to Kurti, the elections of February 14 are not another round of elections, but these elections are the first referendum in Kosovo, as this referendum makes the massive participation of citizens.

“As a student you consider that there are two basic and important things for the future, employment and housing. Students suffer that vocational education is not related to the job market, but we will do it. We will not allow the candidate for a job position to have the questions a day before,” Kurti said.

He added that in the last elections, citizens had dilemmas on whether they should vote for Vjosa Osmani or Albin Kurti, but now those dilemmas do not exist as these two leaders are together.

Meanwhile, Osmani said that students every day are facing different troubles and after graduation have difficulty getting employed.

“We can achieve a state with equal opportunities,” said among others Osmani.

Serbian Language Media

18 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo on Saturday (Kontakt plus radio)

18 new cases of Covid-19 infection and two deaths were registered in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced on Saturday, Kontakt plus radio reports.

At the same time, 24 persons have completed a two-week isolation period.

Deceased persons were from Mitrovica North and Priluzje.

Out of 82 tested samples, positive cases were registered as follows: six in Mitrovica North, three in Leposavic, three in Gnjilane, three in Gracanica and one each in Prizren, Priluzje and Strpce.

A total number of active cases in the Serbian areas in Kosovo is 242.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic a total of 97 persons have passed away.  

Loncar: 217.000 people vaccinated so far, half a million doses of vaccine more at disposal (KoSSev)

Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said Serbia at the moment has half a million doses of Covid-19 vaccines more, however, it “would aim for a higher number”, KoSSev portal reported.

Speaking for TV Pink, Loncar said that a total of 217.800 Serbian citizens were vaccinated by Sunday.

“With such results, Serbia is third in Europe and sixth in the world when it comes to the immunization of its people”, Loncar said.

He also said that Serbia has tested the highest number of people “in the region and beyond” compared with absolute numbers and as per million of inhabitants.

“Serbia has the smallest rate of infection in the region and the smallest mortality rate as per million of inhabitants. Serbia is the only country in Europe that, between two waves of Covid-19, reconstructed two hospitals with over 1.500 beds”, he noted.   

Protest walk of health workers in Mitrovica North, end to harassment demanded (Kosovo-online)

Several hundred health workers, operating under the system of Republic of Serbia, took part in a protest walk today from the Clinical Health Center in Mitrovica North to the Basic prosecution building to express dissatisfaction over, as they said, incomprehensible and inhuman actions of the Kosovo judiciary and Ministry of Health, Kosovo-online portal reports.  

Health workers wanted to warn that only in Kosovo, those considered heroes in the entire world, are being harassed and deprived of the right to do their job.

Recent intrusion of Kosovo police and inspection services to the Health House in Strpce, as well as interrogation of health houses’ directors over the last days, are just some of the reasons why “white coats” decided to raise their voice.

Following a protest walk health representatives handed over a protest letter to the Basic prosecution office in Mitrovica North.                   

In a letter, they noted that health workers at the times of pandemic “are facing irresponsible actions by those individuals and institutions, that treatment of people and prevention of infection, see as impermissible, criminal acts”.

“We consider it impermissible and inhuman that at the peak of a pandemic, when all human and material resources were needed to win against Covid-19, our colleagues are being arrested as criminals, interrogated and interviewed because of fighting to save lives and prevent spread of the virus. An armed police intrudes our hospitals, threatens doctors and patients, searches for and registers medicines”, the letter further said.  

“Today’s peaceful, democratic and dignified gathering in front of the prosecution office in Mitrovica North aims to draw attention of domestic, but also international public that doctors are exposed to a systematic violence and actions aiming to prevent them in carrying out their duties, help and treat citizens of all nationalities”, the protestors added.

They also called upon international representatives, including those from European Union, both in Pristina and Brussels, KFOR, UNMIK, Quinta ambassadors to urgently react and end this hunt against medical professionals who are fighting for the lives of the citizens on a daily basis. They also called upon representatives of the World Health Organizations and other professional associations in Europe and elsewhere to react since such a persecution of the doctors at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic has not been seen anywhere in the world.

They also said today’s protest walk was not politically motivated, and it was concluded by a minute of silence dedicated to all health workers who lost their lives in the fight against Covid-19, but also to all those people who died due to the same reason.

Vucic: “I am a ‘coward’ because I am protecting Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs” (KoSSev, Prva TV)

“We are facing, in every sense, a terribly difficult spring, summer, and autumn. The president of the condo board does not have it easy, let alone the president of the state. You were not elected to attend ceremonies, but to solve difficult problems“, President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday morning, KoSSev portal reports.

Speaking in a lengthy interview with TV Prva, he outlined coronavirus, Kosovo, and regional issues as the biggest challenges Serbia faces. Yet, unlike the time when Serbia was led by the current opposition, the state is recording great successes under his management – from vaccine procurement, hospital investments, and the protection of Kosovo Serbs.

“To obtain vaccines is much more difficult than it is to obtain nuclear weapons”, Vucic said. At the same time he confirmed that the British coronavirus strain has been recorded in Serbia.

Serbia was prepared for this because he read “Western intelligence reports six months ago” which, according to him, “no one reads”.

One such report, page 70 and some.. revealed that the Chinese vaccine is the best, he added, noting that he managed to procure these costly 140 euros (per single shot) vaccines because the Chinese president Xi Jinping “dramatically” lowered the price, following Vucic’s letter and kind request to supply Serbia with Chinese vaccines.

Vucic, however, refused to reveal how much he paid for these vaccines but he confirmed he had chosen Chinese vaccines for himself. He also estimated that “the black market price of the vaccines will be as high as 500 euros”.

To stabilize Serbian List and preserve its strength, we will be pressured to recognize Kosovo

Speaking about the Kosovo issue, he reiterated that Serbia faces great pressure from the West to recognize Kosovo.

“The bad news is the forces that are in favor of a “Greater Albania” will undoubtedly insist on unification with Albania, but there is no danger of that, I laugh at that“, he said, adding however that he is worried over foreigners insisting on Kosovo recognition.

That is why, according to the president, Serbia’s primary task will be to “try to stabilize Serbian List and preserve its strength“.

Addressing Ramush Haradinaj’s recent statement that he would ask for the unification of Kosovo with Albania in a referendum in 2025 if Kosovo does not achieve progress on the path to the European Union by the time, Vucic explained that this is the first time Haradinaj has spoken about “Greater Albania” in this way. He then described the former Kosovo PM as “a dangerous man“, adding that after the elections, Kurti will need an Albanian party for the government and that Haradinaj is pushing to become the president of Kosovo.

The opposition betrayed Kosovo, I am fighting for it

During the interview, the president also reiterated several times that the current opposition in Serbia recognized Kosovo. He said that he is fighting for both Kosovo and the Serbian people in it and that he was the only one who prevented Kosovo from becoming part of the UN, before he was joined in such efforts by Aleksandar Vulin and Marko Djuric, along with “two people from Kosovo“.

“I really care about Kosovo and I am fighting for Kosovo,“ he said, adding that the Serbian opposition keeps claiming that he will “betray something“.

“Folks, do you see what they are saying – that I betrayed Kosovo because I am a coward“, Vucic stressed. He mentioned parts of Wikileaks and Ljiljana Smajlovic statements on how Borislav Stefanovic allegedly asked US diplomats to wait with their recognition of Kosovo, after the unilateral declaration of independence, until the elections in Serbia were over so that Boris Tadic would not lose to Tomislav Nikolic.

See more at: https://bit.ly/39cuKc2

Call to internally displaced persons from Kosovo to vote in February 14 elections (Kosovo-online)

The Republic of Serbia sent an appeal to internally displaced persons from Kosovo, living in the territory of central Serbia, to take part in the forthcoming elections due on February 14, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“As per request of our citizens living in Kosovo and Metohija, the Republic of Serbia calls upon internally displaced persons from southern province, temporarily residing in central Serbia, to vote in the forthcoming provincial elections scheduled on February 14”, a video message said.

As it was said in an appeal, interested citizens can call phone number 0800-201-011 by February 9.

“Let’s vote for the survival of our people in Kosovo and Metohija”, it was said in the video spot. 

Selakovic: Gratitude to Slovakia for consistent and principled position on Kosovo issue (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic met today with Slovak Ambassador to Serbia Feodor Rosoha, and assessed that relations between Serbia and Slovakia were traditionally good and friendly, without any open issues, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Selakovic expressed particular gratitude over the consistent and principled position of Slovakia on the Kosovo issue, adding Serbia was committed to normalization of relations with Pristina, which means finding a compromise solution that would be sustainable and acceptable to both sides.

He also thanked Slovakia over consistent and continuous support to Serbia on its EU path, and said Serbia remains fully committed to EU integration and fully-fledged membership in the EU.    

Russia: Haradinaj’s statement impermissible political blackmailing (RTS)

“Propaganda of “great-Albanian” ideology is a political blackmailing and a threat to the territorial integrity of the Balkan states”, Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in reaction to Ramush Haradinaj’s statement on possible unification with Albania, RTS reports.

The Ministry said in a statement “this was yet another in a series of provocations encouraged by “great-Albanian” ideology, which recently started to spread more intensively in the region and represents a direct threat to the territorial integrity of the Balkan states”.

“Political blackmailing is impermissible. This is exactly the term for Haradinaj’s statement and his calls for arbitrary redrawing of borders in the Balkans”, the Ministry said.

It also expressed regret over, as it said, lack of clear reaction by the European Union to this provocation. 

Petkovic replies to Rada Trajkovic: State gives equal opportunity to its citizens to be vaccinated (Kosovo-online)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic told the president of the European Movement of Serbs from Kosovo, Rada Trajkovic, that Serbia, as a responsible state, provided equal opportunities for all its citizens to be vaccinated and that Serbia was first in the region when it comes to the vaccination rates, Kosovo-online portal reports.

He added that Trajkovic was collecting political points using demagogy.

“That is why Trajkovic Rada should not collect cheap political points on demagogy and coronavirus. Everyone who wants to be vaccinated from Kosovo and Metohija has that opportunity, this is how it was last week, this is how it will be next week, and Rada Trajkovic from Savski Venac can exercise her right, and she’ll be able to be vaccinated in Belgrade rather than with the Serbian people from KiM because she does not live there. It is not a problem, the state has provided vaccines for all its citizens, without exception”, Petkovic posted on Twitter.

 “And one more thing, the vaccines did not fall from the sky, but were provided by the state of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic with his contacts, and we were able to pay for them because today we have stable finances”, Petkovic said.

Trajkovic posted on Twitter yesterday that it was scandalous “if it is true that SNS members are vaccinated ahead of the queue (were given priority) which deserves a lawsuit for discrimination before the court in Strasbourg”.

“Vucic does not finance vaccination from his private pocket, but from the state budget, so all citizens of Serbia deserve completely equal treatment in this process”, Trajkovic added on Twitter.

International Crisis Group: Three options to resolve Kosovo issue, none of which is ideal (Kosovo-online)

International Crisis Group in a report on continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue made a recommendation to Brussels to focus on encouraging the negotiations, adding there are three possibilities to reach compromise and final agreement between the two, Kosovo-online portal reports citing Pristina-based Zeri.

First possibility, according to them, is based on “rewarding” Serbia that would get donors support for development and membership in the EU as an award for recognizing Kosovo.

Second possibility would be that Serbia recognizes independence of Kosovo and gets in return creation of new autonomous zones for Kosovo Serbs and Albanians in Serbia.

Third possibility would be exchange of territories, something implied by draft agreement from 2018.

However, as ICG noted, none of these options is ideal.  

“Brussels should focus on encouraging negotiations in which the sides would be free to find solutions that would be in line with human rights and international law. Both, the EU and the US should play their own roles. The EU should see if it could change its stance by putting as a clear goal reaching a final agreement based on mutual recognition and to make it clear that the EU mediators do not avoid discussion on autonomy and territorial exchange”, ICG opined in the report. As far as the role of the US is concerned they should work with the Kosovo government on developing negotiation strategy.   

Opinion

Can America Be Trusted Again? (Project Syndicate)

By: Carl Bildt

After the initial euphoria of Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 US presidential election, Europeans have since watched American politics descend into anti-democratic violence. A recent survey suggests that it might be a long time before their confidence in the transatlantic relationship can be restored.

STOCKHOLM – A sigh of relief swept across Europe when it became clear that Joe Biden would replace Donald Trump in the White House. New leadership in the United States would mean that after four years of disruption to the transatlantic relationship, an era of constructive cooperation on bilateral and global issues was at hand.

But in recent weeks, that previous sense of relief has given way to nervousness as the US political scene has plumbed new depths of dysfunction. America’s democratic institutions have withstood assaults unlike anything seen since the Civil War. The ransacking of the US Capitol on January 6 – broadcast live to a stunned world – will not soon be forgotten.

The hatred and disdain for democracy exhibited by the insurrectionists will not disappear with Trump’s departure. Millions of Trump supporters around the country will maintain the false belief that the election was stolen. Trump has left American society deeply wounded, and Europe with an abiding sense of nervousness and concern for its longtime ally’s future.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3ccmbQe

International

EU playing a zero-sum game in Kosovo (Modern Diplomacy)

When it comes to Kosovo settlement, the European Union is clearly trying to regain the initiative. It was with poorly concealed jealousy and irritation that Brussels watched the delegations of Belgrade and Pristina sign an agreement to normalize their bilateral trade and economic relations in early September in Washington, and with the current change of guard in the US, is now trying to get back its levers of influence. Therefore, Brussels wants to organize a new high-level meeting between Serbia and Kosovo.

Miroslav Lajcak, the European Union’s Special Representative (EUSR) for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, made this intention clear on December 2, when speaking at the European Parliament event marking the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to him, preparations are now underway for a new high-level meeting to be held as part of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.

Tellingly, according to a report by the Albanian news agency Telegrafi, citing sources in Brussels, the upcoming talks are expected to focus on resolving property rights in Kosovo. This means that Brussels is looking for an agenda that the sides can agree on and one that would differ from what they discussed in Washington. This is all the more important now that the negotiating process has virtually ground to a halt since September. According to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Belgrade will not agree to have a new summit unless the Kosovar authorities are prepared to create an Association of Serbian Municipalities on the territory of their province (primarily in the north). This provision is part of the accords signed by Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels under the auspices of the EU, but since then the Kosovo authorities have actually blocked its implementation. However, because the European Union hasn’t got any really ambitious initiatives to come up with, the planned parley (if it takes place any time soon) looks bound to be less effective than the September talks in Washington. This, in turn, will deal a new blow to Brussels’ ambitions in the Balkans.

See more at: http://bit.ly/3a3r4bE

Humanitarian/Development

67 cases of domestic violence registered in north in 2020, women and children most common victims (KoSSev)

A total of 67 cases of domestic violence were registered in ​​northern Kosovo in 2020, the majority of which were reported at Mitrovica North police station, while 18 cases of domestic violence were reported in Leposavic, six in Zvecan, and two in Zubin Potok. The most common victims of domestic violence were women and children, KoSSev portal reports.

Out of the 67 cases of domestic violence registered in the north, 39 were characterized as “domestic violence“, eight as “minor bodily injuries“, four cases of “assault“ and “harassment“ each, five threats, and five violations of restraining orders.

The number of such cases registered by police region North in 2020 – the year of the Covid-19 outbreak – is only slightly higher when compared to 2019.

At that time, 55 domestic violence cases were registered in this region, while in South Mitrovica, for example, almost twice as many cases were reported – 107 cases and as many as 595 were registered in Pristina.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3sRkM7D

Serbian awarded expert in emergencies dies from COVID-19 (media)

Predrag Maric, long-time head of Serbian Emergency Situations Sector within the Interior Ministry (MUP), died at age of 56 from COVID-19-related complications, Serbian national broadcaster RTS reported on Monday.

He developed mild coronavirus infection symptoms by the end of December, but his health suddenly deteriorated this month.

Maric received several awards and published three books on emergency management, terrorism and organised crime and explosives’ transport.

He graduated from the Belgrade Law School and specialized in the area of terrorism, organized crime and corruption. For the last ten years, Maric was a professor at the Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies in Belgrade.

Media: WHO plans to approve two Chinese vaccines (N1)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) was reported to plan the approval of several additional Western and two Chinese anti-coronavirus vaccines in the next weeks and months to resolve the lack of injections across the world, the Chinese Media Group (CMG) reported on Monday.

The British-made AstraZeneca and India’s Institute for Serums vaccine may be approved this or next month, South Korean-made doses in February, the WHO documents some media had access to said.

It added that WHO was considering soon approving two Chinese vaccines Sinofarm and Sinovak Biotech, possibly in March, N1 reports.