• COVID-19: 823 new cases, 17 deaths (media)
• WHO: Vaccines to reach Kosovo in three weeks’ time (T7/Telegrafi)
• Kosovo business community refuses vaccines from Serbia (Koha/Klan)
• U.S. and EU confirm joint engagement in Western Balkans (RFE/Koha)
• Lajcak: Resumption of dialogue within weeks (RFE)
• Kosnett: We are not asking MPs to vote certain individual but participate and avoid fresh elections (media)
• Merkel writes to Kurti: You have a challenging work ahead (media)
• Rama says he trusts Kurti in overcoming Kosovo’s challenges (Koha)
• Osmani and Abdixhiku meet, agree to continue discussions (media)
• Hoxhaj: PDK has no vote for Vjosa Osmani, she is a divisive figure (media)
• European Parliament expected to endorse report on Kosovo today (media)
• SRSG Tanin congratulates Konjufca on election (media)
• Konjufca discusses securing anti-Covid-19 vaccines with Szunyog (RTK)
• Orlando meets Konjufca: Italy supports Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic road (media)
• Holliday offers support to enlighten fate of the missing persons (media)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s positions are destroying the future of dialogue (RFE/Kallxo)
• President Biden urged to move EU-backed war crimes court to Kosovo (euronews)

COVID-19: 823 new cases, 17 deaths (media)

Kosovo has recorded 823 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours. 764 persons have recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 13,817 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

WHO: Vaccines to reach Kosovo in three weeks’ time (T7/Telegrafi)

Officials from the World Health Organisation told T7 that the first doses of COVID vaccines are expected to reach Kosovo within a period of three weeks.

WHO’s Sergy Koryak said the delay in the vaccine rollout was due to what was considered a favourable epidemiological situation in Kosovo.

Officials at the Kosovo’s Ministry of Health meanwhile could not speak of a specific date when the vaccines would arrive while health expert Bujar Vitija said the justification behind the delay is unreasonable as Kosovo is one of the countries with the worst epidemiological situation in the region.

Kosovo business community refuses vaccines from Serbia (Koha/Klan)

Chairman of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce Berat Rukiqi said they have rejected the offer from Serbia’s Chamber of Commerce to Western Balkans entrepreneurs to receive anti-Covid vaccines in Belgrade.

 He said the refusal was done for principled reasons. “We do not have normal relations with Serbia and this is a message that perhaps we all need to mobilise and create partnerships to secure vaccines,” he said.

U.S. and EU confirm joint engagement in Western Balkans (RFE/Koha)

The U.S. and EU top diplomats say they have agreed to coordinate their response to Moscow’s “challenging” behavior such as its “ongoing aggression” against Ukraine and Georgia, as well as the “dwindling respect” in Russia for human rights and the rule of law.

In a joint statement issued following talks in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the EU high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said they share a strong interest in a stable and prosperous Western Balkans region. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to support reconciliation and improve governance, build resilience and push forward key reforms for EU integration across the region.  EU-U.S. cooperation on the ground is vital for progress, including on the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Lajcak: Resumption of dialogue within weeks (RFE)

EU Special Representative for Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that the first meeting between Kosovo’s new Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to take place within a few weeks.

He said that he was encouraged by his recent visit to Pristina and Belgrade, where he had ‘received assurances that the leaders were ready to continue the dialogue.’

With Kurti as the head of the Kosovo delegation, Lajcak believes that there is a new situation, because, according to him, both dialogue bearers now have a very strong mandate.

“This is very important. Of course, the support that Mr. Kurti has won in the elections is truly historic: over 50 percent of the votes are unprecedented. This gives him the power to negotiate, to agree and what is agreed, to be realized. This is very important. We know very well that President Vucic also has a very strong position in Serbia. So, we have two partners who have very strong mandates. This will be a new situation,” Lajcak said.

Asked if he still considers that the issue of the Association for Serb Majority Municipalities is unavoidable, Lajcak said ‘There is a very well-known principle of international law that says “pacta sunt servanda” – what has been agreed must be done. That’s what I can say. This [Association] was agreed upon long before my arrival, in 2013, in 2015. We cannot behave as if this does not exist. I look forward to negotiations on how to accomplish this. Changing borders on ethnic grounds “is not a 21st century concept.”

Last Friday, the European Council extended Lajcak’s mandate until August 2022.

Kosnett: We are not asking MPs to vote certain individual but participate and avoid fresh elections (media)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett said that in his discussions with certain politicians in Kosovo, he was surprised at their concept of what it means to be in the opposition.

“As many people living in Kosovo, I recently spent time discussing the role of the opposition in the formation of the government and more broadly in the day-to-day governance. During discussions I was surprised that many people in public – as well as some politicians – seem to have an unclear picture of the role of the responsible opposition in the Kosovo’s parliamentary system,” Kosnett wrote in an opinion piece published on several news websites.

He said that in a functioning democracy, constructive actions of the opposition are a form of leadership and that it is unfortunate that not all politicians see it this way. Kosnett recalled when a party leader told him at the beginning of his duty as ambassador that his job in the opposition was to make it as difficult as possible for the government to function in order to win over the dissatisfied voters.

“Recent election developments in Kosovo show that people are thirsty for change and political parties are ‘contemplating how to reshape to respond to the needs of the public. So what should a responsible opposition do? It should thoroughly assess the actions of the government, not for its personal interest but for the good of the country. It should support and strengthen institutions of a country. It is its duty to take part constructively in the parliamentary life and seek accountability from the government,” Kosnett said.

For this to be successful, Kosnett added, the government coalition should also demonstrate sincerity in its engagement with opposition parties: “listen to their ideas and accept them as partners with whom they share responsibility in governing.”

Kosnett said opposition parties in Kosovo are currently facing an important decision – to take part in the voting session for election of the new president or try and disrupt the process leading Kosovo to new elections. “Let me be clear. My government is not asking, publicly or privately, for MPs to vote a certain individual for president. The days of writing names on envelopes are over,” he said in reference to reports that former President Atifete Jahjaga was elected president when then U.S. ambassador Christopher Dell took out her name from an envelope to the Kosovo political leaders.

“What we want is for the process to move ahead to avoid going back to new and costly elections and whole months of dysfunction during the pandemic and economic crisis,” Kosnett underlined. He noted that some opposition representatives expressed concern that if they participate in the voting process, they will be seen as supporting a candidate. “I think this is a misinterpretation of the Kosovo legislation and practice.”

“If opposition parties want to publicly distance themselves from the current candidate, they have every right to do so. If they want to support another candidate, they can do it. If MPs want to functionally abstain by putting blank ballots in the ballot box, the law allows them to do so. But it is vital that every member of the Assembly be present and participate. The citizens of Kosovo are politically smart and understand that the choice not to boycott and obstruct is a sign of political maturity,” Kosnett concluded.

Merkel writes to Kurti: You have a challenging work ahead (media)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Albin Kurti on his election Prime Minister of Kosovo noting that he has a challenging work ahead and can count on Germany as partner.

“COVID-19 pandemic requires unprecedented action from all of us. With reforms and law and order as well as the fight against corruption and organised crime, your government has identified important required reforms. Dialogue with Serbia for normalisation facilitated by European Union also seeks your attention,” Merkel wrote in her letter to Kurti.

She concluded that success in these fields will be crucial for Kosovo’s progress towards European perspective.

Rama says he trusts Kurti in overcoming Kosovo’s challenges (Koha)

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti on his election. Rama expressed the commitment of his government to intensify relations with Kosovo.

“I strongly believe all possibilities and potentials are in place for important undertakings and courageous projects in many sectors, including joint fight against COVID-19. These undertakings will contribute to improvement of lives and progress of quicker integration of Albanians,” Rama said adding that he has faith that the government led by Kurti will be successful in overcoming challenges ahead.

Osmani and Abdixhiku meet, agree to continue discussions (media)

Candidate for president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, met yesterday leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku, accompanied by deputy leader Lutfi Haziri, and discussed the way forward in election of the president issue.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Abdixhiku said the meeting was fruitful and positive. “We discussed the platform that candidate for president wishes to build in the role she aspires and in this we gave our opinions and discussed it. We don’t have remarks as far as the content of the platform is concerned. We also discussed her position towards party actors in the future and we have made progress in these discussions.”

Abdixhiku said there would be another meeting with Osmani and that the final position of the LDK on the election of the president will be taken by party’s leading structures.

At the same time, Osmani said the focus of the meeting was the platform of how she plans to run Kosovo’s presidency. “It was a very collegial cooperation with people I have cooperated in the last twenty years,” she said. “I expect support from my former colleagues and all MPs in the parliament.”

Hoxhaj: PDK has no vote for Vjosa Osmani, she is a divisive figure (media)

Acting leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj reiterated the party’s position against candidacy of Vjosa Osmani for president saying she is a ‘divisive’ figure and does not represent the unity of the people.

“Being party-motivated and representing only interests of one party and its leader, Ms.  Osmani is not at all right for the post of the president,” Hoxhaj wrote on Facebook. “PDK will not betray the trust of its voters,” he said.

European Parliament expected to endorse report on Kosovo today (media)

The European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon, informed that the EP will endorse her report on Kosovo today, after its earlier endorsement by the EP Committee for Foreign Affairs.

Von Cramon also tweeted that the debate on her report will resume at around 11:00 hours.

With 50 votes for, ten against and nine abstentions the EP Committee for Foreign Affairs endorsed in February the report on Kosovo which calls once again on the five countries that have not recognized Kosovo to do so.

A communique issued by the EP after this voting, stressed that ‘MPs underline that the independence of Kosovo is irreversible and recognition by all EU countries would have been beneficial to the relation between Kosovo and Serbia.’

MPs also reiterated the call to lift visas for Kosovo citizens, as the European Commission has concluded long time ago that Kosovo has fulfilled the required criteria.

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

MPs 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 way, public administration reform is required.

EP members have reiterated calls for Kosovo’s relations with Serbia to remain a priority and condition for the advancement of both countries in the European integration process. They have urged the governments of both countries to refrain from any action that could hinder the building of trust between the parties, which would jeopardize the constructive continuation of the dialogue.

SRSG Tanin congratulates Konjufca on election (media)

Head of UNMIK, Zahir Tanin, congratulated Glauk Konjufca on being elected Kosovo Assembly Speaker and appointed acting President of Kosovo.

“On behalf of myself and UNMIK, I wish to offer you my best wishes for a successful tenure. Please be assured that UNMIK stands ready to provide any support and assistance consistent with our mandate from the United Nations Security Council, to you and all members of the Assembly of Kosovo,” Tanin said in a letter.

Konjufca discusses securing anti-Covid-19 vaccines with Szunyog (RTK)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca hosted on Wednesday a meeting with the EU Ambassador in Pristina Tomas Szunyog. They discussed the overall political situation in Kosovo with a special focus on the situation with pandemic. Within this context, they mentioned the immediate need to secure the first contingent of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines. Szunyog said that they are ready to give their contribution within their possibilities.

Orlando meets Konjufca: Italy supports Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic road (media)

The Ambassador of Italy in Pristina Nicola Orlando visited on Wednesday the new Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, whom he congratulated on his election to his new post.

“In congenial meeting, Acting President /Speaker Glauk Konjufca shared his views on legislative priorities. We discussed urgent work on key reforms in line with EU agenda. I wished him success in his mandate and assured Italy’s determination to support Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path,” Orlando wrote on Twitter.

Holliday offers support to enlighten fate of the missing persons (media)

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, received the Head of the Western Balkans Program from the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) Matthew Holliday, who was accompanied by the Program Officer for Kosovo and the Region from this organization, Ylber Morina.

Also, in this meeting participated the Chief Executive of the Kosovo Agency for Forensics, Blerim Olluri and the Chief of Cabinet of the Minister, Jeta Tela-Shema.

Minister Svecla stressed that he highly values ​​the commitment of this organization in the issue of missing persons in Kosovo, as one of the most important topics for the citizens of Kosovo and with priority for the government of Kosovo.

Holliday spoke about their commitment regarding the issue of the missing persons in Kosovo, emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation between ICMP and MIA, in order to provide assistance in resolving the fate of missing persons.

Minister Svecla pledged to provide all necessary assistance on the issue of clarifying the fate of missing persons and agreed to continue close cooperation.

Petkovic: Kurti’s positions are destroying the future of dialogue (RFE/Kallxo)

Head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo Petar Petkovic said the positions of the new Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue are destroying the future of the process.

“Kurti’s threats that the condition for continuation of dialogue is for Belgrade to recognise Kosovo, accept alleged crimes in Kosovo, directly destroy the future of dialogue and compromise, particularly his position that he will not allow the formation of Association of Serb municipalities which is a crucial obligation for Pristina as part of the Brussels Agreement,” Petkovic said.

President Biden urged to move EU-backed war crimes court to Kosovo (euronews)

American veterans of Kosovo’s war against Serbia between 1998 and 1999 have written to President Joe Biden urging him to uproot a Europe-based war crimes tribunal that recently indicted Kosovo’s president, Hashim Thaci, from the Netherlands and move it to Kosovo.

In a letter to Biden dated March 24, Gani Shehu, a former commander with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), argues that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which is probing atrocities during the conflict, is being used by European nations to undermine Kosovo’s relationship with the U.S.

Shehu is president of the Atlantic Association, formed of veterans of the Atlantic Battalion, a unit of Kosovo Albanians living in the U.S. that joined the KLA to fight in the war 22 years ago.

The letter comes on the anniversary of NATO’s intervention in the conflict on the side of the KLA and against the forces of Slobodan Milosevic on March 24, 1999. In it, Shehu reminds Biden that he once referred to Thaci, who was indicted by the KSC last year, as “the George Washington of Kosovo.”

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