Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 828 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• Abdixhiku and Shala meet Kurti and Osmani (media)
• Vucic publishes the map of Kosovo immersed in Serbian flag, US embassy reacts (euronews.al)
• EU comments on Vucic’s photo with the map of Kosovo (Express, media)
• Swedish MEP says EU should not threaten Kosovo for its Embassy in Jerusalem (Express)
• Majko to Vucic: Serbia should not capitulate in face of its inabilities (RTK)
• LDK to elect new chairmanship on Saturday (RTK)
• Osmani holds a virtual meeting with USAID Director (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 36 new cases of Covid-19 in Serbian areas (KoSSev)
• Vucic: We are looking for a compromise, but I am not sure that Albanians are ready (media)
• Petkovic: Hysterical assaults by Albanian politicians the only answer to Vucic’s peaceful policy (Kosovo-online)
• EU: Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from statements that do not serve normalization of relations (Kosovo Online)
• More than two million people in Serbia received first dose of vaccine (Danas)
• North Mitrovica Hospital Center sends staff to help the Batajnica Covid hospital (KoSSev)
• Office for KiM demands a higher level of security for the religious heritage in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Church in Silovo village broken into (RTV Puls, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Protests of a group of people in Gracanica continue over hiring in the Clinical Hospital Center (KiM radio)
• Minister tells German Ambassador thousands leaving Serbia every year (N1)
• CRTA: Citizens of Serbia moderately interested in politics, mostly in Kosovo (KoSSev, N1)
• Croatia establishes contact with Chinese COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers (N1)

Opinion:

• What are the new Kosovo government biggest priorities? (euractiv.com)
• Serbia’s vaccine diplomacy in China’s shadow (Al Jazeera)

International:

• EU agency: AstraZeneca vaccine safe, will add clot warning (AP)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Between life and death, artists articulate the pandemic (Kosovo 2.0)
• No more! Kosovars hold vigils for latest femicide victim (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media  

COVID-19: 828 new cases, eight deaths (media)

Kosovo has recorded 828 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths in the last 24 hours. 744 persons have recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 11,812 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Abdixhiku and Shala meet Kurti and Osmani (media)

The meeting between the chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku, the candidate for prime minister, Albin Kurti and the candidate for president, Vjosa Osmani, has started.

Media report that Kujtim Shala is also in the meeting as a representative from LDK.

The parties are expected to talk and consult about the formation of the institutions next week.

The media, meanwhile, were allowed to take pictures only at the beginning of the meeting.

Vucic publishes the map of Kosovo immersed in Serbian flag, US embassy reacts (euronews.al)

Last night, Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic caused an outrage in social media through a post on Instagram showing the map of Kosovo engulfed by the Serbian flag.

The photo was accompanied by a description saying, “Serbia today isn’t weak, it doesn’t make threats, but it doesn’t forget and it will not allow March 17th to repeat”.

There were many reactions and a campaign is now on the go for the prompt removal of this image from the web. 

Meanwhile, there has also been a reaction from the US embassy in Kosovo, which through a post on Twitter, made sure to reiterate that the mutual recognition from both countries is unavoidable.

“The U.S. fully supports the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia aimed at a comprehensive normalization agreement, which should be centered on mutual recognition. We understand this will require compromise by both sides. The status quo is unsustainable…” writes the US embassy in Prishtina.

EU comments on Vucic’s photo with the map of Kosovo (Express, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic posted on official Instagram account a photo of the map of Kosovo covered with the flag of Serbia. 

This has triggered many reactions from Albanian politicians. Gazeta Express has contacted EU officials regarding Vucic’s action.

“The EU has always called on all political actors in Serbia, Kosovo and in the rest of the region to engage in actions and declarations that create and promote an atmosphere conducive to reconciliation, regional stability and cooperation, and not the opposite,” Brussels officials said.

“As we have said many times over the years, Serbia and Kosovo should refrain from acts and statements that are counterproductive to the normalisation of their relations and the work on achieving a comprehensive agreement.”

Swedish MEP says EU should not threaten Kosovo for its Embassy in Jerusalem (Express)

Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers has said that the European Union should not threaten Kosovo for opening its embassy in Jerusalem as a result of the agreement on mutual recognition with Israel.

He also formally addressed questions to the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, asking why Brussels has complained about Kosovo’s decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem.

“Question for Borrell: Why did the EU complain and urge Kosovo to reconsider the decision to open its Embassy in Jerusalem,” he wrote. “Instead of fully welcoming a historic agreement, the EU calls on Kosovo to reconsider opening the Embassy in Jerusalem, saying it is a decision ‘to be regretted’ because it deviates from the EU position.

Regarding this attitude I have some questions: 1. Why does Borrell consider that Kosovo’s sovereign decision to open an Embassy in Jerusalem is contrary to the EU position, given that foreign and security policy remains a national competence? 2. Is the EU considering any sanctions against Kosovo after this decision, if so, what sanctions?  3. How can the EU believe that, by discouraging countries from opening embassies in Jerusalem, the European Union is contributing to the promotion of peace in the context of the Middle East peace process?”

Majko to Vucic: Serbia should not capitulate in face of its inabilities (RTK)

Albania’s Minister of Diaspora Pandeli Majko reacted to the photo published by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuicic, in which the map of Kosovo is covered with Serbian flag.  

“By publishing the photo of the Republic of Kosovo with the Serbian flag, the President of Serbia, Vucic, shows that he likes incompatibility. This is a problem of the Serbian state and the seriousness chosen in Belgrade. The Republic of Serbia signed a statement in the oval office of the White House to respect the regional peace process. The diplomacy of photos on Instagram devalues ​​the seriousness of the Serbian state in international relations. The sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo is guaranteed by NATO and not by Instagram. This is a sufficient reason for the Serbian president to offer his citizens a future they can afford. The role of Gavrilo Princip in the time of European integration is not well understood. Serbia must not capitulate in the face of its inabilities! Not even on Instagram,” Majko wrote.

The Albanian MP in the Serbian Parliament Shaip Kamberi also responded to the Serbian President. He published in his profile a photo of the map of Kosovo with Kosovo flag and wrote “Until eternity”.

LDK to elect new chairmanship on Saturday (RTK)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is expected to elect its new party leadership on Saturday.

The recently elected leader of LDK Lumir Abdixhiku, based on articles 22, 23 and 26 of the Party’s statute, called the first meeting of the General Council of this political entity to gather on Saturday at 14:00 hours. He informed that the platform of the LDK chairman and the election of the presidency are on the agenda.

Osmani holds a virtual meeting with USAID Director (media)

Acting President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani – Sadriu, held today a virtual meeting with the USAID Director, Mrs. Lisa Magno.

Mrs. Magno congratulated the acting President Osmani for the victory in the elections, and wished her further success in her work. She expressed her interest in the preparations that are being made for the formation of new institutions, and in the priorities of the future government.

Osmani stressed that management of the pandemic, namely the provision as soon as possible and in the largest possible amount of vaccine against Covid-19 will be among the first priorities, for which she reiterated that Kosovo counts on friendly countries for assistance in that direction, especially the states that have so far succeeded in this direction.

Further, as a priority, Osmani mentioned the issue of justice, the fight against crime and corruption, job creation and the empowerment of women, underlining that progress in these areas is essential for a stable and functional state.

Serbian Language Media

36 new cases of Covid-19 in Serbian areas (KoSSev)

Out of a total of 74 new tested samples in Serbian communities in Kosovo, 36 are positive for coronavirus, the North Mitrovica Crisis Staff announced.

Out of the total number of newly infected, 34 are from the North, while 2 are from central Kosovo. 

The new cases by municipalities: North Mitrovica – 10, Zvecan and Zubin Potok 9 each, Leposavic – 6 and Priluzje – 2.

The number of active cases is 747.

So far, a total of 5,097 people tested positive for coronavirus have been registered in Serb communities in Kosovo, out of 16,902 tested samples.

Vucic: We are looking for a compromise, but I am not sure that Albanians are ready (media)

Speaking on RTS regarding the dialogue with Pristina, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic stated that Belgrade seeks a compromise, that the EU occasionally does the same, but that he does not believe that the Albanians in Kosovo are ready to compromise at this moment, quoted portal Kosovo Online. 

When it comes to continuing the dialogue with Pristina and talks with Albin Kurti, Vucic stated that his job was to talk to everyone.

“I have to prepare for a dialogue with Pristina. You think there is something nice in that room in Brussels. There is none.”

President of Serbia said that there was ‘no non-paper’ in relation to the talks with the American envoy Matthew Palmer, but also the EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak. 

“We had good talks, and there was no non-paper. The essence is that Palmer does not hide that the United States is seeking mutual recognition, while the EU is asking for full normalization, we for a compromise, and I am not sure that the Albanians are ready to compromise. For the Albanians, the compromise is for Pristina to recognize Belgrade, as if we are longing for it.”

When it comes to the Brussels and Washington agreements, the President of Serbia said that the ZSO must be fulfilled without further conditions, which was the European obligation from April 2013.

“When it comes to the Washington agreement, mini Schengen is their obligation, equal access to Gazivode’s resources, primarily electricity, and that is the part of the agreement. I don’t think Albanians plan to fulfill anything, but they have put themselves in an impossible position and made it easier for those in Serbia who believe in the status quo,” Vucic said, reported portal Kosovo Online.

Vucic said that Albanians did not plan to fulfill anything, reported portal KoSSev.

“But with that, they put themselves in an impossible position on some other things and maybe made it easier for those in Serbia who think that the solution lies in what they think is the status quo and a frozen conflict. Even though it seemed to suit us tactically, I am not one of those who rejoices in the frozen conflict, because someone can always unfreeze that frozen conflict, and for us what is most important and most necessary is peace and security because we are going faster than others ”.

Asked whether it was harder for Serbia when Biden became the head of the United States, he said that “it is, although I extremely appreciate Biden”.

“We have a harder position with Biden as president of the United States. I appreciate him, he is an exceptional politician, but it is harder for us. When it comes to the departure of Angela Merkel, it will certainly bring an excess of instability in Europe.”

When asked “why there are no Vucic’s vaccines in Kosovo”, the President of Serbia answered.

“Because they don’t let them. And not Vucic’s but the citizens of Serbia. Because they don’t let, because they persecute people, but we are trying to vaccinate our people.”

KoSSev reported that Vucic also mentioned last night what turned to be a “lie”, after he was brought in connection with the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, as well as Milan Radoicic, now that Radoicic has been released, i.e. the “arrest warrant” revoked.

Petkovic: Hysterical assaults by Albanian politicians the only answer to Vucic’s peaceful policy (Kosovo-online)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today that hysterical assaults of the Albanian politicians against the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic are the only answer to the policy of peace and compromise Serbia and its leader are pursuing, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“President Vucic sent a clear and the only accurate message that Kosovo and Metohija is inalienable and integral part of our state, and he called March 17 by its real name – a pogrom. This is a reality politicians in Pristina know very well and the truth that we shall not remain silent about”, Petkovic said in a statement.

Petkovic added the distress of the Albanian politicians was understandable, since “the project of so-called independence and violent session is not recognized by more than half of UN member states today, nor by more than half of mankind, nor by all EU member states”.

Petkovic also said “the sooner Albanian politicians realize they can’t talk to Vucic in such a way, nor address him like that, the sooner they would be at ease”.

Petkovic said Serbia remains committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of all open issues, adding that messages of hatred do not contribute to that.

“Serbia threatens no one and pursues the policy of dialogue and compromise, however, it would always loudly and clearly protect its national interests and without hesitation remind of all crimes committed against our people”, Petkovic said in a statement.

EU: Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from statements that do not serve normalization of relations (Kosovo Online)

A spokesman for the European Union said that Serbia and Kosovo, as parties in the Brussels dialogue, should refrain from statements that do not contribute to the normalization of relations, portal Kosovo Online reported, quoting Pristina daily Koha.  

The Pristina media asked how the EU views the photo published on Instagram by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, which shows the flag of Serbia on the map of Kosovo.

According to Pristina daily Koha, the answer of the EU spokesperson is that the countries of the region should not create an unfavorable atmosphere for regional stability.

“The European Union has always called on political actors in Serbia, and in Kosovo, and the rest of the region to engage in actions and statements that create and promote an atmosphere conducive to reconciliation, regional stability and cooperation, and not the other way around. As we have said many times during years, Serbia and Kosovo must refrain from actions and statements that are counterproductive for the normalization of relations between them and work to reach a comprehensive agreement,” an EU spokesman told Koha, portal Kosovo Online quoted. 

More than two million people in Serbia received first dose of vaccine (Danas)

According to the latest information of the Serbian Government, a total of 2.112.074 people received the first dose of the vaccine, while 826.851 people received the second dose, Danas daily reports.

The daily also said Serbia is second in Europe in terms of number of people inoculated as per million of inhabitants, and the first one in the region.

When it comes to the number of people who received the second doses of vaccine as per million of inhabitants, Serbia is the first one in Europe and ranks seventh in the world.

North Mitrovica Hospital Center sends staff to help the Batajnica Covid hospital (KoSSev)

Fourteen nurses and other healthcare workers from the North Mitrovica Hospital Center are to begin to work at the Covid hospital in Batajnica to assist their colleagues, the head of this hospital center, Zlatan Elek, confirmed for KoSSev today.

Due to the global rising infection rate, including Serbia, there is a growing need for patient hospitalization, alerted the medical authorities.

The newly built Covid hospital in Batajnica, is at maximum capacity. Approximately 900 patients are currently hospitalized in this hospital, the head of the ICU of that hospital, Dejan Markovic, confirmed today.

Markovic told RTS that the health workers employed in this hospital are exhausted, adding that they have received help from all health institutions in Serbia.

See more at: https://bit.ly/30ZOAlH

Office for KiM demands a higher level of security for the religious heritage in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija expressed concern over the robbery of St. Mark’s Church in Silovo, stating that attacks on the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo are becoming more frequent and that “the intensity of these misdeeds raises additional doubts about the motive and target of these attacks”.

In a press release, the office reminded that in the previous two weeks, this was the seventh Orthodox building that was targeted by vandals, as well as that all those buildings suffered great material damage.

“Therefore, we demand that the security of church and religious heritage in Kosovo and Metohija be raised to a higher level, because there is obviously a strong need for that. We expect the competent institutions of self-government in Pristina, as well as international forces entrusted with preserving peace and security in Kosovo. and Metohija, take most seriously the series of attacks to which Serbian churches are exposed,” the statement reads.

He added that intense attacks on religious heritage caused unrest among the Serb people in Kosovo.

“That is why it is necessary to urgently and without delay find and punish the perpetrators of these crimes and to stop the desecration of the Serbian religious heritage and ensure peaceful coexistence for all believers in Kosovo and Metohija,” the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said.

In addition to the last robbery of the church in Silovo, the Office for KiM reminds, the churches of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Klokot and the Holy Trinity in Partes were targeted by unknown vandals, and only a week later the church of the Holy Week in the village of Gornja Gusterica municipality of Gracanica.

“The vandals did not stop there either, so a day later they ransacked and looted two more churches in the municipality of Strpce, the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sevastija and the church of St. Demetrius,’’emphasized the announcement.

Church in Silovo village broken into (RTV Puls, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)

Unknown perpetrators robbed the church of St. Mark last night and on that occasion stole money from the cash register and the sound system worth about a thousand euros, reported RTV Puls.

According to the report, the police went to the scene and made an investigation. 

A member of the Church Board, Vesimir Antanaskovic from Silovo, said to RTV Puls that the believers are worried and humiliated by this act.

“I don’t know why the police fails to find the perpetrators, because not only Serbian churches in Kosovsko Pomoravlje, but also mosques in the area are targeted by burglars,” says Antanaskovic.

In the last month, only in Kosovsko Pomoravlje, churches in Gnjilane, Partes and Klokot, as well as in Sirinicka parish and in central Kosovo, were broken into and looted. So far, no one has been discovered or arrested, reported RTV Puls.

Protests of a group of people in Gracanica continue over hiring in the Clinical Hospital Center (KiM radio)

The protests of citizens, dissatisfied with the way of hiring of new workers, continued today, reported KiM radio. 

Today, in front of the Management of CHC Pristina in Gracanica, only about twenty of them were gathered, as most of them gave up the protest due to the new vacancy that has already been announced in the Clinical Centre. 

The radio reported that as the days go by, the opinions of dissatisfied citizens change. Some withdrew from the protest due to the announcement of a new vacancy for the employment of 25 workers. They have become divided, they accuse each other, there is discussion and quarrels. There are also claims that there is “some political option” behind one group. 

“The competition has been announced. Those who have a medical school, who have passed the state exam, those who have a work license, they will all be considered for employment, and that is the only truth. As you can see, during the first day there were a hundred of us, today a dozen people came. People understood the message; the protests were stopped. I must emphasize that I am sorry that some people yesterday appeared with masks behind the cameras and insulted us, used this opportunity for politicization and to express their political intentions. To our torment, those who do not have a job, they came to represent some political options, their opposition, instead of supporting us. Otherwise, these are people who work and receive a salary from the Republic of Serbia,” said Milan Andrejevic.

However, those who do not give up on the original intention, which is to annul the first competition. They blame the director of the CHC, Bratislav Lazic, and the local government for everything, reported KiM radio.

“There is no other political option. Here, the Serbian List won 99% of the vote. I would just ask him (Milan Andrejevic) what other political option? The protests continue. A few of us continue to protest. We have decided to persevere in our fight until the end. Because this is pure nepotism and not only nepotism, but also the persecution of the population, conducted by Bratislav Lazic and Srdjan Popovic over the youth,” said Stefan Cirkovic from Dobrotin.

“The state of Serbia often appeals to us to stay here, but with these local politicians who have been lying to us for two decades, believe me, we have nothing left but to move out of here. I moved out of Stimlje in 1999, in the meantime I moved here in Gracanica and the villages eight times, and believe me, for the ninth time, it will not be a problem for me to move out and turn my back to all this that is happening here,” says Lazar Stakic, reported KiM radio.

KiM radio recalled that after the protest in Pasjane, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia announced a vacancy for employment of additional 13 workers. At the protest in Gracanica today, it was heard that the same thing would happen in Gracanica as well. A new vacancy has already been announced on the bulletin board located in the building of the Administration, but the media were not allowed to take pictures of the paper on the bulletin board, reported the radio. 

Minister tells German Ambassador thousands leaving Serbia every year (N1)

Serbian Minister of Family Welfare and Demography Ratko Dmitrovic told German Ambassador Thomas Schieb that tens of thousands of people leave Serbia every year for economic reasons, a large part of them going to his country, N1 reports.

A ministry press release said that Dmitrovic asked Schieb to help bring German companies to the interior of Serbia, not just the big cities and quoted Schieb as saying that he would encourage companies to invest across the country but added that road infrastructure is crucial to investors.

Shchieb also said that German companies opened 20,000 new jobs in Serbia over the past two and a half years, currently employing 68,000 people from laborers to IT experts. “Serbia is trying to improve its demographics while Germany needs a greater labor force which is why a reintegration program is being implemented with support for your citizens who decide to return home if they are economically strong enough”, he added.

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

CRTA: Citizens of Serbia moderately interested in politics, mostly in Kosovo (KoSSev, N1)

The citizens of Serbia are moderately interested in politics, and among the topics they are most interested in are the work of local self-government and the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, said on Thursday the advisor for public policies and research in CRTA, Vujo Ilic.

He presented the results of the research “Attitudes of Serbian citizens on participation in democratic processes 2020”, done by telephone, in a random sample of 1,010 respondents from November 16 to 22 last year.

Ilic said that the research showed that less than two fifths of the citizens are interested in politics, that as much are uninterested, and that one fifth is moderately interested.

Citizens are not very interested in the work of the Serbian Parliament, European integration, party programs or the work of non-governmental organizations

The research showed that the recognition of Kosovo’s independence would worry 70 percent of the citizens, that about 20 percent would be indifferent and that a small part would be “happy”

When it comes to joining the European Union, among those who support European integration, most are highly educated, a third would be happy to give up the EU and turn to Russia and China, while one fifth of citizens would be worried about such a result.

Ilic said that according to the answers of the respondents, the turnout in the elections would be the same as in previous years, and that the largest number of respondents cite a sense of duty as a motive for going to the polls.

In the second place is the possibility to influence politics, as well as that the greatest intention was expressed by senior citizens and citizens close to the government, and that abstainers said that they do not go to the polls because they do not believe in promises.

Half of the respondents believe that changes can be achieved in the elections, and one third of the citizens participated in actions in their local community.

Half of the respondents support democracy as the best system, while half believe that Serbia needs a strong leader.

Among those who support democracy are senior citizens and opposition voters, and among those in favor of a “firm hand” are senior citizens, people closer to the ruling parties, the less educated and those living outside the cities.

In the introductory speech, the director of CRTA, Vukosava Crnjanski, assessed that there is less and less pluralism in Serbia, that the institutions are getting weaker and that the citizens are surrounded by hate speech and spins.

She assessed that statements such as “one cannot live from democracy” and exclusively insisting on economic parameters lead the society towards an unsustainable future.

Croatia establishes contact with Chinese COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers (N1)

Health Minister Vili Beros said on Thursday that Croatia had contacted two Chinese COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers and that talks were at an initial stage, while Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that the situation with AstraZeneca’s vaccine proved that caution was important, N1 reports.

“We have established contact with manufacturers of the Chinese vaccine, or more precisely, with manufacturers of two types of Chinese vaccine. We have been given some preliminary information and talks will continue”, Beros told a press conference after a cabinet meeting.

He said that all important aspects of the vaccines needed to be discussed, such as safety, efficiency and quality.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3qZBb7J

Opinion

What are the new Kosovo government biggest priorities? (euractiv.com)

Kosovo’s joint list of Levizja Vetvendosje and Lista Vjosa (LVV) managed to win 50% of votes in February’s parliamentary elections, and took 58 of 120 seats in the Assembly. But the people have made one thing utterly clear before the Assembly’s vote for the new government, expected on 22 March: This is a vote for change.

Irrespective of the next government’s plans and priorities, the endless hopes of Kosovo’s citizens will not easily be balanced. However there is also a glimpse of hope for the projected cabinet, and Albin Kurti, nominee for prime minister, will be tasked with this balancing act.

Those who supported LVV and Kurti remain divided on what the biggest priorities of the next government should be. Some believe the fight against corruption and organized crime should be treated with the most urgency and are demanding clear and immediate results.

LVV’s most avid supporters do not share this view. For them the success of the next government depends on long-term results, with emphasis placed on efforts to eradicate unemployment and to restructure public administration, education, and the judiciary.

I can’t resist giving the new government a little advice.

First, historically government priorities in Kosovo were based on the assumption that they coincide with those of the republic. The new government should reverse this logic. It should recognize the differences between those priorities that highlight preoccupations of the governing coalition and those that highlight steps to overcome Kosovo’s current impasse.

The government must devise steps to ensure long-term and sustainable development even if it has to abandon its initial plans.

No Government has focused attention on supporting the specialization of businesses according to Kosovo’s comparative advantages.

At present, the strategy of intervention is: support whatever seems and is perceived rational. No sector is prioritized and considered highly strategic. Kosovo has no economic identity and no brand for that matter. Specialization of our economy is the only answer for sustainable development, the task of the new Government is to make that happen.

Third, the new Government needs to be both small and efficient, operating under extreme parameters of openness and transparency, and relying on platforms of e-government. This is the only alternative to stop inefficiency, increase accountability, and use the benefits of technology. Too many departments and offices with overlapping competences, overcrowded with unprofessional civil servants, have made Kosovo institutions unmanageable. The new Government should reset the entire administration and provide alternatives to those civil servants that are not qualified for new positions and that will be made redundant thanks to e-platforms. The logic of welfare employment needs to stop.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3ltSD3n\

Serbia’s vaccine diplomacy in China’s shadow (Al Jazeera)

A  large shipment of a Chinese vaccine has helped Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić improve his political fortunes, writes Angel Petrov.

Over the past year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has often showed up at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport to welcome shipments of masks, medical equipment, and vaccines from China. So far, Serbia has received millions of euros worth of medical supplies and two million doses of the Sinopharm jab.

This has enabled the country to push forward with its vaccination drive and placed it among the top immunisation champions, along with Israel, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

It has also allowed the Serbian government to send out vaccines to other countries in the Western Balkans, as the region has struggled to ensure a supply amid the global vaccine scramble. On March 2, it was Vučić – along with 5,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine – who leaders in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo welcomed at the airport. Thousands of vials have also been sent to North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serb-majority parts of Kosovo.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3r3re9v

International

EU agency: AstraZeneca vaccine safe, will add clot warning (AP)

The European Union’s drug regulatory agency said Thursday that the AstraZeneca vaccine doesn’t increase the overall incidence of blood clots and that the benefits of using it outweigh the possible risks, paving the way for European countries to resume dispensing the shots.

France, Italy and Germany promptly announced they will start using the vaccine again on Friday. Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands said they will do so next week, though Spain said it might exclude certain groups to minimize any danger.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3qYCgg9

Humanitarian/Development

Between life and death, artists articulate the pandemic (Kosovo 2.0)

With COVID-19 in our lives, artists express what others cannot.

How to articulate the sudden thirst for life, the fear of death, the insanity of another day awaiting for news of tomorrow when tomorrow is uncertain? How to articulate the daily acts we cope with between dying and living? 

When we could not articulate any of that, we looked to those who could and tried: Artists. Their music, their writing, their painting, their poetry, their voice. Their work was and continues to be healing, soothing, cathartic, and at times as painful as the reality we live in. But isn’t that what we look for in art? Answers. Questions. An expression we struggle to find in ourselves. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic’s arrival in Kosovo, artists have struggled too, to stay afloat. With galleries, exhibitions and cultural events canceled in Kosovo and abroad, international exhibitions and artistic programs were either off the table, postponed, annulled, or reshaped into a virtual sphere that just isn’t the same. While some cultural projects moved on against all odds, adapting to pandemic times, artists too were cut off from their income, of contact with loved ones, of the necessary exchange with others that feeds work. That feeds art.

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

No more! Kosovars hold vigils for latest femicide victim (Prishtina Insight)

Dozens of Kosovo citizens joined protests and vigils in memory of the latest femicide victim in the country – a woman murdered by her ex-husband days after he was reported to the police for domestic abuse.

Dozens of Kosovo citizens on Thursday evening paid tribute in the capital Prishtina to Sebahate Morina-Sopi, a woman killed several days ago by her ex-husband in the capital’s Kalabria neighbourhood.

Protesters held placards with the name of the victim and the inscription: “Not one more”.

A vigil with candles and flowers was also held in the city’s Skanderbeg square in front of the government building.

Morina-Sopi was killed by her ex-husband, Lulzim Sopi, on March 14, 11 days after her daughter had reported her mother’s physical abuse to the police.

According to the NGOs the Kosovo Democratic Institute, KDI, and the Kosovo Womens Network, KWN, Morina-Sopi’s ex husband had been reported for domestic violence in 2019 as well, when he was held in custody and the now deceased received police protection measure.

But Morina-Sopi’s protection measures expired in December 2020, around three months before she was murdered.

The Centre for Information, Criticism and Action, QIKA, an NGO, said it blamed the judicial institutions for the latest femicide in the country, which it said could have been prevented.

“The State Prosecutor reasoned that Sebahate did not express readiness to pursue the [law] case and refused to come for a second explanatory interview,” QIKA wrote in a press release, adding that the Prishtina Basic Prosecution was to blame for “failing to protect” her as well as for “blaming the victim … for not reporting the abuse herself”.

Kosovo Police say they identified 1,541 domestic violence cases in 2018. The number increased in 2019 to 1,915 identified cases and by another 105 cases in 2020, coincidentally to 2020.

The vast majority of the victims of domestic violence in Kosovo are women; in 2020, six women were killed by their partners.

By mid-February 2021, the police had identified around 165 cases of domestic violence.