Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 461 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Palmer: Kosovo-Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina, two separate issues (VoA, media)
• European Parliament: Kosovo’s independence is irreversible (REL, media)
• Bajrami resigns from the Acting Finance Minister position (media)
• Haradinaj sees LVV movements as “powerless to face northern integration” (Koha)
• Head of Kosovo’s Agency for Agricultural Development arrested (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Meeting with Kosovo Serb representatives on Friday; Concentrated pressure of the EU and the USA (media)
• Vucic on the fight in Laplje Selo: We have all the information; two groups of young men organized the fight (KoSSev)
• Belgrade-ordered beating or an organized fight between high school students? (KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Why is there silence about attacks on Serbian returnees? (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• MEPs: Rule of law and normalisation with Kosovo crucial for Serbia (N1)
• EP on Kosovo: No reform results, call for formation of A/CSM (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Andjelkovic: Albanians frontally attack Serbian List out of fear from Serbian unity in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Serbia & UAE to intensify defense ministries’ cooperation (N1)

Opinion:

• Kosovo must use this moment to reframe the narrative of the past (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• MEPs call on Serbia to commit unambiguously to European values (europarl.europa.eu)
• Biden’s Early Move in Balkans Signals Interest in Europe (VoA)

Albanian Language Media  

COVID-19: 461 new cases, three deaths (media)

Kosovo has recorded 461 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths in the last 24 hours. 319 persons have recovered from the virus during this time, while the number of active cases is 6,968.

Palmer: Kosovo-Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina, two separate issues (VoA, media)

The U.S. Special Envoy for the Balkans, Matthew Palmer, spoke once again on the issue of the problem between Kosovo and Serbia.

He stressed that the problem between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina are two separate things for Washington.

However, according to Palmer in many ways they are often related.

In an interview with VoA Bosnia and Herzegovina service, Palmer said the United States fully supports the European Union-led Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

“We see these as two separate issues. There is a specific dynamic on efforts to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, it is important, and the United States are investing a considerable amount of energy and political capital on this. We fully support the dialogue process facilitated by the EU and the work of Miroslav Lajcak, as EU’s Special Representative,” Palmer told the Voice of America. Lajcak said that he expects progress also in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the situation there has nothing to do with the negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade.

European Parliament: Kosovo’s independence is irreversible (REL, media)

With 50 votes in favor, ten against and nine abstentions, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has approved the report on Kosovo prepared by Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel, MP of the Greens from Germany.

With this report, the European Parliament once again calls on the five countries of the European Union, which have not recognized Kosovo, to do so. Spain, Slovakia, Romania, Cyprus and Greece are five EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence.

In a communiqué issued by the EP after this vote, it is said that “MPs underline that Kosovo’s independence is irreversible and recognition by all EU countries would be beneficial to the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.”

MEPs also reiterated their call for visa liberalization for Kosovo, as the European Commission has long concluded that Kosovo has met all the required criteria.

Before voting on the report as a whole, it was voted on the separate amendments introduced by the members of the European Parliament.

The rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola Von Cramon, who also drafted the text of the report, expressed her satisfaction with the approval of this report.

“This result shows that the majority in the European Parliament supports Kosovo on the European path. We clearly see the potential of this country, but also of the European Union. But there is still work ahead for Kosovo. First we need political stability to implement the necessary reforms,” ​​said Von Cramon, commenting on the vote on the report on Kosovo.

She said the EU also has “homework” to do.

“That is why we have called on the Council (of the EU) to finally approve the decision on visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo,” Von Cramon said.

The report criticizes Kosovo for lack of proper progress in many areas, especially in implementing the priorities of the European reform agenda.

Deputies expressed regret for the continuing political instability and called on all political forces in Kosovo to commit to reforming the political system, in order to improve legal clarity and the process of forming a government.

Kosovo is also required to ensure the reform of the judicial system so that it is more transparent, efficient and without political interference. In the same manner, public administration reform is required.

The report states that Kosovo has a “pluralistic and vibrant media environment” but seeks to guarantee full transparency of media ownership and independence and freedom from political influence.

Members of the European Parliament have reiterated calls for Kosovo’s relations with Serbia to remain a priority and a condition for the advancement of both countries in the European integration process.

They urged the governments of both countries to refrain from any action that might hinder the building of trust between the parties, which would jeopardize the constructive continuation of the dialogue. Kosovo has been asked to face internal problems in its approach to EU-mediated dialogue with Serbia.

On the same day, the Foreign Policy Committee approved the Report on Serbia. The message has also been sent to Serbia to be constructive in the dialogue with Kosovo.

Deputies have criticized the anti-EU campaign in Serbia, including in state-funded media. They have demanded that political leaders in Serbia speak clearly and without hesitation about Serbia’s pro-European orientation. MEPs have also urged Serbia to join the EU’s foreign policy stance.

The reports on Serbia and Kosovo, approved by the Foreign Policy Committee, will be submitted in the form of proposals for a resolution to the plenary session of the European Parliament.

Bajrami resigns from the Acting Finance Minister position (media)

Hykmete Bajrami has resigned today from the Ministry of Finance. In the resignation letter provided by Express, which Bajrami sent to the acting Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti, she wrote that the reason for her resignation is personal.

She wrote in her resignation letter that she will be engaged as a member of the Assembly of Kosovo, after the certification of the election results.

Media report that immediately after her resignation, Acting Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti nominated Deputy Minister Agim Krasniqi as head of  this ministry. 

Haradinaj sees LVV movements as “powerless to face northern integration” (Koha)

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), has criticized the recent moves of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) shortly after the February 14 elections. Haradinaj criticized LVV for its approach to dialogue and for entering the election race in Albania.

He said that after the February 14 elections, Kosovo expects the fastest formation of institutions. Here he also mentioned the fulfillment of obligations, including internal and external dialogue. He said that if a dialogue is held only with minority representatives without the electoral power of Serbs, as LVV warned, it can not only be selective, but also convey a bad signal for the unitary character of the state.

He further criticized the LVV for participation in the parliamentary elections in Albania. According to him, this is seen “as a trick and an opportunity to restore old scenarios for separation.”

“The least this can be considered is a kind of powerlessness to face the inalienable integration of the north of the country,” Haradinaj concluded.

Head of Kosovo’s Agency for Agricultural Development arrested (media)

Officials of the Agency for Agricultural Development have been arrested Wednesday, after an operation of the Kosovo Police in the Ministry of Agriculture, media report.

The arrested persons are reportedly suspected of receiving bribes in return of granting subventions to farmers. Among the arrested is the head of the agency, Agim Nuha.

The Kosovo Police spokesperson Baki Kelani has confirmed to Gazeta Express that a police operation in several locations is ongoing adding that additional information will be announced once the operation is over.

The Ministry of Agriculture was headed by Besian Mustafa of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), whereas Agim Veliu, also a senior LDK member, is acting minister of Interior. 

Kosovo’s Chief Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi, through an extraordinary press conference gave details about today’s action of the police. Lumezi said that the action in question has resulted in the arrest of 12 people, of whom 10 are officials and 2 citizens who have influenced in various ways.

Media report that the Director of Economic Crimes and Corruption, Nazim Sahiti in a press conference said that the value of the amount of money seized during the police action is about 400 thousand euros.

He said that the Independent Agency for Agricultural Development within the Ministry of Agriculture as well as some offices that operate within the Agency for Agricultural Development in some municipalities, were raided.

“The money was found in the suspects’ homes, taking bribes and giving bribes,” said the director of Economic Crimes and Corruption.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Meeting with Kosovo Serb representatives on Friday; Concentrated pressure of the EU and the USA (media) 

Concentrated pressure from the EU and the USA on Serbia to fulfill the demands for the recognition of Kosovo is to be expected, while the EU will use a slightly different vocabulary, but with the same goal – the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warned yesterday following an SNS presidency meeting, reported portal KoSSev. 

After the session of the SNS Presidency, Vucic was asked about Kurti’s statements that dialogue would not be a priority of his government, and that there would not be no place for the Serbian List in that government, he replied that the Serbian List must get a mandate in the government in Pristina, reported Tanjug agency. 

“Absolute domination of SL among the Serbs – we are grateful to the people for that support, but what is interesting is that the support is unanimous and unison in the north of the province, and slightly lower south of the Ibar. In accordance with that, we will take steps and measures to oppose – of course, democratic means, political means – the violence of Albanian political entities that abuse certain Serbian representatives and try to convince our people in Kosovo that Kosovo’s independence is the only option,” Vucic said.

A mandate must be given to Serbian List according to Kosovo laws, Vucic reminded.

“Whether Serbian List will accept and how it will react, we will decide in the coming days – I think we scheduled a meeting for Petkovic for Friday – in Kursumlija, where we will invite all our representatives from Kosovo to come so that we can talk and consult with them,” said President Vucic, which the head of the Kosovo Office, Petar Petkovic also confirmed.

According to Vucic, the reason why Kurti talked about a dialogue with Serbs from Kosovo – and not with Serbia – was to underline that Kosovo was independent and that he would only talk to those who accepted that.

“Of course, the Serb people understood that thesis and that is why so many of them voted for Serbian List, but not everyone in the international community will easily understand that, that is why it is important to talk about it,” said the Serbian president. Which was the reason why the presidency of the SNS met on Tuesday, along with issues of health care and Republika Srpska and on the eve of the upcoming visit of Miroslav Lajcak, the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

“It is extremely important that we understand the position we are in, especially after the change in the US administration. The so-called concentrated pressure of the EU and the USA on our country to fulfill the demands for, as the Americans openly say, the recognition of Kosovo is to be expected, since the recognition of Kosovo by Belgrade does not mean anything to us, it is a bit ridiculous and nonsense to listen to, while the EU will use a slightly different vocabulary, but will move toward the same goal,” said Vucic.

As for Kurti’s accusation of Serbia for genocide in 1999, Vucic said that many people ”throw” different terms without knowing anything, reported Serbian media.

“As a Marxist and an anarchist, he could study it better, so he wouldn’t say such nonsense. I try not to respond to the insults uttered by him and other Albanian politicians every day, because if you spread a bad atmosphere, it can show on the ground as well,” Vucic said.

Vucic on the fight in Laplje Selo: We have all the information; two groups of young men organized the fight (KoSSev)

The Serb government has the right to disagree with those who advocate for Kosovo’s independence. Albanians have invested millions of euros in campaigns led against Srpska Lista, from Rasic’s list and so on – and they have not succeeded. Everyone from Kosovo knows that, but the people in central Serbia do not know.

”They don’t know what it is like when they enter their barns and houses and when they tell them – here is some money for your son to get a job here, the state of Kosovo will pay for it, these people endured all that pressure and gave their trust to Srpska Lista,” the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic said today after a meeting of the SNS presidency.

”People in Serbia have the right to know that their open policy is an independent Kosovo and the rights of Serbs in an independent Kosovo. That is not the policy of SL and that is not the policy of the state of Serbia. And that is not a policy that I will support,” he also said.

The SNS presidency meeting was held the day after a fight broke out in Laplje Selo, a village in central Kosovo, during which the 18-year-old son of a Kosovo Serbian politician, Nenad Rasic, sustained serious bodily injuries, and 8 people were arrested.

The president shared details that coincide with the allegations previously presented by both SL and the parents of the arrested young men – that the fight was organized between the two groups – one of which Nikola Rasic himself reportedly participated.

”Because of a fight between two groups of 20 young men, a fight scheduled in advance, a fight scheduled three days in advance – they tried to accuse me, but let’s put that aside, as I am used to them accusing me, everyone blames me for everything in this country,” he said.

”However, Kurti tried to accuse Srpska Lista and everyone else of beating Nenad Rasic’s son for political reasons, ” Vucic warned, adding:

”He was the one who came to a scheduled fight because the school in Laplje Selo was not open that day, as online classes were held.” 

See more at: https://bit.ly/37HY1df

Belgrade-ordered beating or an organized fight between high school students? (KoSSev)

The eighteen-year-old son of a Kosovo Serb politician, Nenad Rasic was attacked on Monday in the yard of a high school in Laplje Selo. Officials from Pristina and Belgrade – as well as international representatives – harshly condemned the attack. Their stance on the motive behind the attack, however, greatly differs. While Pristina, some opposition politicians from the Kosovo Serb community, and also the father of the injured Nikola, believe that the attack has a political background and that it is connected to Belgrade and Srpska Lista. The Kosovo Office and the party which has the greatest support of Kosovo Serbs – Srpska Lista claim that it is “spin” and “child abuse for political purposes.” They also alleged that the fight was organized and not an attack on Rasic’s son.

Numerous Kosovo officials have reacted to yesterday’s incident in Laplje Selo, a village in central Kosovo. The leader of Self-Determination, Albin Kurti linked the beating of Nikola Rasic with the political activities of his father. ”He (cf. Nenad Rasic) did not break down or succumb to pressures and threats from Serbia,” Kurti said.

Vjosa Osmani, the acting Kosovo president, said that the case is a ”continuation of numerous threats and illegal interventions of Serbia in Kosovo”  which are aimed at ”intimidating Serb citizens”.

The PDK leader, Enver Hoxhaj also condemned the attack, calling on the competent authorities to investigate the case and arrest the attackers. He noted that this was the latest case in a series of harassments against Serb opposition in Kosovo.

See more at: https://bit.ly/37HWoMQ

Jevtic: Why is there silence about attacks on Serbian returnees? (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Kosovo Minister for Returns and Communities in the technical mandate, Dalibor Jevtic emphasized that there were 18 attacks on Serbian returnees in Kosovo last year, which so far have not been talked about, Radio Mitrovica sever reports.

“In 2020, there were 18 attacks in Kosovo in which Serbian returnees were beaten. What especially hurt then and still hurts now is the silence and not a single word of condemnation from the vast majority of institutions, media and individuals. Why?” Jevtic asked in his Twitter post.

MEPs: Rule of law and normalisation with Kosovo crucial for Serbia (N1)

The sincere commitment to fundamental rights and normalisation of relations with Kosovo would decide Serbia’s accession negotiations with the European Union, the report by Vladimir Bilčík, the European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur for Serbia, has said, adding Belgrade “must adjust its foreign and security policy with that of the bloc”, N1 reports.

Adopting the report, EP’s Committee on Foreign Policy (AFET) insisted on “more dynamics in the EU accession negotiations with Serbia,“ calling on the country “to be unambiguously committed to meeting its obligations in a transparent and verifiable way,“

It also called on Serbia’s opposition to participate in political and parliamentary activities, including the EP’s mediated debate among all relevant players and pro-European political parties in the country, to improve the climate and trust across the political spectrum.

MEPs encouraged Serbia’s authorities to express their commitment to European values in public debates. They said they were worried about state broadcasters, which, according to them, carried ruling politicians’ statements, thus contributing to the country’s anti-EU rhetoric.

They also said Belgrade should adjust its foreign and security policies with the EU as one of the membership’s key conditions, adding they were worried about Serbia’s “lowest degree of compatibility“ in the region and its constant support of Moscow in the UN General assembly over the Russian annexation of Crimea.

The growing influence of China in Serbia and the Western Balkans also caused MEPs’ concern, particularly the lack of transparency and the effects of Chinese investments and loans to the country’s environment and society.

The EP’s report also said MEPs regretted the ‘disinformation campaign’ by the authorities about the EU’s aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and called on Serbia’s regime to inform the citizens about all relevant facts about the pandemic.

“My first report comes in a difficult time for Serbia which is fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of MEPs supported this realistic report which shows Serbia’s main achievements in reforms. I want to send a clear message that the EP is ready to support Serbia on its EU path“, Bilčík said.

See at: https://bit.ly/3dIi3Z5

EP on Kosovo: No reform results, call for formation of A/CSM (Radio Mitrovica sever)

The key remarks of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) to the report on Kosovo prepared by Viola von Cramon include the lack of reforms’ results, ineffective fight against corruption, politically influenced judiciary, non-transparent funding of political parties, widespread disinformation about the EU, endangered media freedom, attacks on journalists, lack of freedom of expression, level of women empowerment and regulation of same-sex unions, Radio Mitrovica sever reports citing N1.

As N1 further reported with the amendments supported by the AFET members, the deputies call on Pristina to fulfil the undertaken obligations, regretting the poor implementation of reform processes and certain political decisions, and insist on dialogue with Belgrade and normalization of relations between, as they said “two countries”. They called on Pristina to resolve issues hampering the dialogue with Belgrade, to form a negotiating team and, in cooperation with other political actors, prepare a common platform for dialogue

“We emphasize that the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a priority and precondition for further EU integration of both countries, which is a key condition for ensuring stability and prosperity of the wider region”. We reiterate the earlier call to continue the full implementation of previously reached agreements, in good faith and timely manner, including the establishment of the Association/Community of Serbian Municipalities without further delay, “reads one of the agreed amendments, which calls on the governments of Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from any action that would jeopardize mutual trust and jeopardize dialogue”.

The AFET deputies reiterated the importance of preserving multiethnicity in both Kosovo and Serbia as the goal of the region should not be ethnically homogeneous states, pointing that Kosovo’s long-term stability and the progress depend on the relations between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs.

Call for recognition of Kosovo

The agreed amendments claim that Kosovo’s independence is a process that cannot be annulled, and call on the EU states that have not recognized it to do so, in order to “confirm a credible European commitment to the enlargement process”, also condemning Serbia’s ‘non-recognition’ campaign against Kosovo, which has led several countries to withdraw their recognition.

The document welcomed Israel’s decision to recognize Kosovo but criticized Pristina’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, saying it was contrary to EU policy and regretted the agreement reached in Washington to suspend Kosovo’s attempts to join international organizations.

The deputies paid special attention to the protection of minorities, initially only Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, but later also including Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks and Gorani, as well as displaced persons.

MEPs called for greater engagement in uncovering the fates of missing persons and opening all war archives that could help to establish the truth. They encouraged the implementation of the Kosovo Prosecutor’s Council’s war crimes strategy, while urging Serbia to complete an investigation into three bodies exhumed from a mass grave near Raška in November believed to belong to Kosovo Albanians.

Support to the Special Court in The Hague

The deputies reiterated their support for the work of the Special Chambers and the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Kosovo based in The Hague, considering them an important indicator of Kosovo’s commitment to the rule of law and insisting that it should be allowed to continue working freely, without any interference.

The report welcomes the “peaceful and orderly” conduct of the Kosovo elections in October 2019, but the agreed amendments “express concern about the lack of competition, freedom of choice and expression in the Kosovo Serb community.” They also lament the continuing political instability following the elections and call on all political forces in Kosovo to reform the political system through constitutional changes.

The migrant policy and further reduction of the number of asylum seekers, as well as the fight against radicalism, rehabilitation and reintegration of foreign fighters and reducing the influence of extremist propaganda were also listed as relevant in the document, while the abolition of visas for the citizens of Kosovo was recommended despite security shortcomings.

Once voted, the document will be sent to the members of the European Parliament for consideration and adoption at the mini-plenary session scheduled for March 24 and 25.

Andjelkovic: Albanians frontally attack Serbian List out of fear from Serbian unity in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

A frontal attack has been organized against the Serbian List these days in Kosovo, political analyst Dragomir Andjelkovic claims, adding the biggest problem for Albanians is the unity of the Serbs in Kosovo, reflected in the Serbian List, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“They would like to break down Serbs into several political lines and then negotiate with some of them. To shift negotiations from Belgrade to the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija, respectively the part of this community they can communicate with. This way they would present to the world that Belgrade was a problem, not Pristina, as Pristina can communicate with the Serbs but can’t with Belgrade”, Andjelkovic said.

He pointed out that Serbian List is the only legitimate representative of the Serbian people in Kosovo, and that any other involvement of the Serb representatives (as part of the government) would represent disrespect of the will  of citizens.

Commenting on the case of Nenad Rasic’s son, Nikola Rasic who was beaten up in Laplje selo, Andjelkovic said the case must be investigated and those responsible punished, since, as he said, no one must be a victim of the violence.

“However, Albanians without doubts misuse an entire event as an attempt to disqualify the Serbian List. One could notice that, since such a type of synchronized attacks doesn’t happen by chance”.

Commenting on the request of association of historians “Ali Hadri” from Decane to declare Serbian List, terrorist organization, Andjelkovic said “it was ridiculous” adding “if someone was dealing with terrorism in Kosovo, those were Albanian political and military structures”, the portal added. 

Serbia & UAE to intensify defense ministries’ cooperation (N1)

Nebojsa Stefanovic, Serbia’s Defense Minister, said on Wednesday his country expected to intensify military cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), N1 reports.

Visiting the Arms Fair ‘INDEX 2021’ in Abu Dhabi, Stefanovic added he expects the direct cooperation to increase.  He thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, MBZ, for the cooperation in military industry and Defense Ministry’s existing projects.

Sheikh said the UAE would continue its close cooperation with Serbia and that the existing agreement would advance in future. MBZ added he supported President Aleksandar Vucic’s efforts in preserving stability and peace in the region and increasing people’s living standard.

Stefanovic passed Vucic’s regards to Sheikh and invited him to visit Serbia.

See at: https://bit.ly/3kl2yru

Opinion

Kosovo must use this moment to reframe the narrative of the past (Kosovo 2.0)

Last March, in the middle of a pandemic, the people of Kosovo faced the added turmoil of a toppled government. Some even called it a Trump-led coup. But the Kosovar people had the final say during their recent parliamentary election that marked the highest voter turnout since the country declared independence in 2008.

The election ushered in a landslide, record-breaking victory for the likely new Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his progressive Vetёvendosje (VV) party. It spelled an even bigger victory for Kosovo’s democratic consolidation after years of political infighting, contested elections, and a legacy of state capture.

With VV’s victory based on a platform of anti-corruption, jobs, economic restructuring, social welfare and social justice, expectations are sky-high.

While reforming Kosovo’s domestic structures will be a herculean effort on its own, internationally, Kurti’s new government will also face what is perhaps the greater existential challenge — defending and bolstering Kosovo’s sovereignty amidst neighboring Serbia’s successful campaigns of “derecognition” and revisionist history.

See more at: http://bit.ly/3pJ5dfy

International

MEPs call on Serbia to commit unambiguously to European values (europarl.europa.eu)

Genuine respect of fundamental rights and normalising relations with Kosovo, will determine the pace of accession negotiations, say MEPs in the report adopted on Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs stressed the importance of injecting more dynamism into the EU’s accession negotiation with Serbia calling on the country to commit unambiguously to fulfil its obligations towards EU accession in a visible and verifiable way.

In the Committee’s report on the 2019-2020 Commission reports on Serbia adopted on Tuesday, MEPs urge the country to deliver convincing results in areas such as the judiciary, freedom of expression and the fight against corruption and organised crime. They also note that the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, and the genuine respect of fundamental rights continue to be essential and will determine the pace of accession negotiations.

See more at: https://bit.ly/2ZKS8aZ

Biden’s Early Move in Balkans Signals Interest in Europe (VoA)

U.S. President Joe Biden, while burdened with pressing domestic issues, has weighed in on the long-running dispute between Serbia and Kosovo with letters urging the two countries’ leaders to normalize relations based on “mutual recognition.”

The letters represent a shift from the policy of former President Donald Trump, whose administration had tried to set aside the nettlesome issue of recognition while urging economic cooperation as a way of building confidence between Serbia and its breakaway province.

The issue, while obscure for many Americans, has special resonance for Biden, whose late son Beau once served as a legal adviser in Kosovo. In his former capacity as vice president, Biden visited Kosovo in 2016 and attended the naming ceremony of the Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III Highway.

But analysts say that by taking on one of the last unresolved disputes in Europe’s backyard, Biden is also signaling that his administration intends to be more involved in matters of concern to America’s European allies.

“You have in the new American president somebody who will be engaged in European security, and in particular in the Balkans in a way that President Trump was not,” says Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations.

“I think that’s generally good news and I think you’ll also see him work more closely with the European Union.”

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