Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 684 new cases, seven deaths (media)
• Kurti, Osmani react to Decan Monastery included in endangered religious sites list (media)
• Europa Nostra reply to Kurti and Osmani’s letter (media)
• Kosovo leaders mark Constitution Day by underlining document’s importance (media)
• Stano: Kosovo to focus on dialogue with Serbia (Koha)
• Almost half a million euros allocated for defence of KSC accused (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 16 new cases, one death (KoSSev) 
• UN Security Council on April 13 on Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)
• Zakharova: Meeting of Lavrov and Selakovic on April 16 in Moscow (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, TASS)
• Brnabic: I am glad if Pristina wants to continue the dialogue (RTS)
• Father Sava on the situation of Visoki Decani Monastery (social media)
• Office for KiM: Kurti and Osmani reaction confirmation of Serbian cultural and religious heritage endangerment (Kosovo-online)
• Constitution with the greatest rights for minorities, but only on paper (KiM radio)
• Vucic: Schieb said nothing new (B92)
• Schieb: The 1999 bombing was justified, inadmissible comparison with the Second World War (Danas)
• Bogujevci: Justice is important for all victims, the burden of the past should not be left to future generations (Nova S, KoSSev, RTK2)
• RCC: Tourism key strategic sector in Western Balkans (FoNet, N1)
• Popovic, Rakic with Devenport and Salijevic discussed COVID-19 (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Balkans in the EU: a future to be designed together (balcanicaucaso.org)

International:

• How EU enlargement apathy could push Kosovo and Albania to join forces (euronews.com)
• Serbian media on the assistance in the pandemic: China the savior, EU left Serbia stranded (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The fear of Kosovo women to report sexual harassment at work (Prishtina Insight)
• From Belgrade to London, Roma Girl Band Sings for Female Empowerment (Balkan Insight)
• The ruling of the ECHR: Compulsory vaccination is legal (B92)

Albanian Language Media  

COVID-19: 684 new cases, seven deaths (media)

684 new cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths  have been recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 

702 persons have recovered from the virus during this period. 

According to the Kosovo’s National Institute for Public Health figures, there are 14,095 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.  

Kurti, Osmani react to Decan Monastery included in endangered religious sites list (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani wrote a joint letter to the organisation for cultural heritage “Europa Nostra” after its decision to include the Decani Monastery to the list of endangered religious sites.

In the letter, published by the Kosovo’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kurti and Osmani said that the Monastery of Decan has special significance and extraordinary cultural values but is not is not under threat.

“In the alleged attacks on the monastery, the language used by the nominator, except for being biased and unacceptable, is also incorrect. The term ‘local extremists’ is a deliberately exaggerated designation, while the alleged attack by the terrorist organisation ISIS is totally unfounded. This language leads us to believe that the nomination text did not follow the professional line of argumentation and deviated into content which is politically and propaganda loaded. The best evidence is the lack of reliable sources on which these biased findings are based.”

Kurti and Osmani drew attention to reports of the Kosovo Police which show a drastic decline in the number of inter-ethnic incidents in the last decade in Kosovo. “We are particularly pleased that no serious incidents have been reported in the Orthodox churches, at least not in the last decade.”

They also objected to categorisation of the road being constructed in the area as an “international highway” saying this designation is intentional so as to ‘unjustly magnify the potential for danger’ and that the road in question is local. “We assure you that in all disputed cases related to cultural heritage, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo will do their best to find solutions in accordance with local and international legislation, without ever affecting the interests of the parties involved and those of the communities living around,” Kurti and Osmani pledged.

They added their deep concern over the organisation’s conclusion that the status of Kosovo is yet unresolved. “Let us confirm that Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008. This unanimous declaration of the will of the people of Kosovo through its elected representatives was also confirmed by the International Court of Justice in July 2010.”

“We express our deep conviction that the Monastery of Decan in Kosovo does not meet the conditions and criteria to be included in the list of ‘Europe’s Seven Most Endangered’. Aware of the professional reputation and integrity of your organisation, we have no doubt that the final decision of the evaluation panel will be grounded, impartial, professional and fair,” the letter signed by Kurti and Osmani reads.

Europa Nostra reply to Kurti and Osmani’s letter (media)

Hermann Parzinger, executive president of the Europa Nostra, replied to the letter of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti where they expressed their objections to the inclusion of the Decan Monastery in the list of Europe’s seven most endangered sites. 

In the reply, the organisation said they are committed in acting as catalysts for positive change and future-oriented dialogue of importance for the safeguard of Europe’s endangered heritage. 

“In the light of the above, we applaud your strong commitment to the safeguard and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage in Kosovo which forms part of the shared cultural heritage of Europe and the World. We are grateful for your invitation to organise a meeting to discuss ways in which we can develop a future collaboration,” Europa Nostra said proposing the holding of a virtual conference in the coming weeks. 

Kosovo leaders mark Constitution Day by underlining document’s importance (media)

As Kosovo celebrates Constitution Day, its leaders hailed the progress made in thirteen years since its adoption and also recognised challenges ahead. 

Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca congratulated the people of Kosovo and noted that the Constitution is the supreme legal basis of a country. “Our journey to arrive where we are today was difficult and full of pain. But we never gave up because we were on our rights, in line with democratic values for freedom and independence,” he wrote in his message. 

Acting leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj meanwhile said that the Constitution reflects the highest values of a society based on law and orders but that “unfortunately, Kosovo today has a parliamentary majority and a Government that only has not recognised but has continuously denied and fought its mission and function.” Furthermore, added Hoxhaj, “this group of people that currently govern the country came to power by pursuing unconstitutional ways and methods and present a permanent danger to our constitutional order.” 

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku said Kosovo laid the foundations of its statehood by approving the highest legal act, its Constitution. “Through the Constitution, the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo are guaranteed freedom with equal rights for everyone while we, as policy makers, need to uphold it as a roadmap for democratic values and in our guiding principles.” 

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said the adoption of the Constitution confirmed Kosovo as an independent and sovereign country. “This anniversary is marked with recognised work and successes but also challenges that need to be overcome,” he said adding that democracy and independent institutions stemming from the Constitution are rights that should be protected at all cost. 

Stano: Kosovo to focus on dialogue with Serbia (Koha)

Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU foreign policy, said that Kosovo can now focus on the process of reforms and dialogue with Serbia after it constituted its institutions. 

Stano said the EU High Representative Josep Borrell is looking forward to meeting President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti soon. “Kosovo can now determinedly focus forward on important issues, including moving ahead in reforms relating to the EU and the EU-facilitated dialogue,” he said. 

Almost half a million euros allocated for defence of KSC accused (Koha)

Kosovo has so far allocated almost half a million euros for the legal defence of the persons accused by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, Koha reports.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed the amount set aside for the purpose but did not specify as to whose defence the money was dedicated to.

“Following the verification from the respective units at the Ministry of Justice, the Commission reviewed the requests and after concluding that they meet the relevant criteria, it approved four requests presented by defence counsels of the accused by the Specialist Chambers. The amount of executed financial means for the four requests is 464,600 euros,” the Ministry said in a reply to the paper.

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 16 new cases, one death (KoSSev) 

Out of a total of 51 tested samples in Serbian areas in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, 16 were positive for coronavirus, one person died, according to new data from the Crisis Staff of the Municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica.

The number of active cases is currently 772.

The new patients are from Zubin Potok – 6, Leposavic – 5, North Mitrovica – 4, there are no new patients in Zvecan. 

In central Kosovo, one case was recorded in Gracanica.

In the last 24 hours, one person died, and now the total number of deaths since the beginning of the epidemic is 135.

Gracanica: Ten more persons positive for Covid-19

Over the last 24 hours ten more cases of Covid-19 were registered in the territory of Gracanica municipality, Radio KIM reports.

Currently, 28 persons are hospitalized in Laplje Selo. 

UN Security Council on April 13 on Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)

The United Nations Security Council will discuss Kosovo and the work of UNMIK on April 13, reports Kontakt plus radio. 

The latest report of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the work of UNMIK will be presented at the video meeting of the ambassadors of the Security Council on April 13.

Guterres’ latest report highlights the early parliamentary elections on February 14 and the indictment of the Special Court in The Hague against the leaders of the former KLA in November 2020 as the main political events in the previous period.

The report, which covers the period from September 16 to March 15, states that these events slowed down the EU mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. 

Guterres points out in the report that “lasting peace, stability and socio-economic development in Kosovo and the region depend on sustainable progress in the dialogue aimed at normalizing relations with Belgrade”.

Zakharova: Meeting of Lavrov and Selakovic on April 16 in Moscow (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, TASS)

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed today the meeting of the highest diplomats of Russia and Serbia in Moscow on April 16, reported news agency Tanjug.

“Minister Sergey Lavrov will host his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic in Moscow on April 16,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at today’s press conference, TASS agency reported.

The agency stated that Zakharova added that it was planned that during the meeting, the two ministers would discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange opinions on some current global and regional issues.

During his visit to Belgrade in December, Lavrov invited his Serbian colleague Selakovic, who took over the function at the end of October, for a working visit to Russia, reminded TASS.

Brnabic: I am glad if Pristina wants to continue the dialogue (RTS)

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that she was immensely glad if the Pristina representatives really wanted to start the dialogue again, considering their earlier statements that their conversation with Belgrade was not among their priorities, reported Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

Brnabic said at the press conference, when asked to comment on the announcements from Pristina that Albin Kurti will participate in the dialogue with Belgrade, along with Vjosa Osmani, that this is the best possible news.

“There were earlier announcements that this is not Kurti’s priority, but his fifth or sixth item on the agenda … I am glad if their position has changed, it is important for the security and stability of the region,” Brnabic said.

Asked whether she also considered joining the dialogue, PM Brnabic said that the main negotiator of Belgrade was President Aleksandar Vucic, and that, of course, she would not run away from participating in the conversation, if necessary.

“We will see who will participate in the dialogue. The dialogue is moderated by the EU, if I have to participate, I do not run away from it, nor from any responsibility or task that is set before me as the Prime Minister of Serbia,” Brnabic said.

First of all, she said that  she was glad that the dialogue can be continued at all, reported RTS.

Father Sava on the situation of Visoki Decani Monastery (social media)

In a series of tweets published today on social media, the Abbot of Serbian Orthodox Church Visoki Decani Monastery Father Sava Janjic recalled the number of challenges and issues the Monastery is faced with.

“In addition to four armed attacks and an attempted Islamic attack when a group of armed Albanians was arrested in January 2016 in front of the Monastery’s gate, Kosovo authorities also deny monastery’s property and do not upheld decision of their own Constitutional Court that recognized ownership of the Monastery over the land”, Father Sava wrote on Twitter.

In a second tweet, he added that “for years Dečani #Serbian #Orthodox #Monastery in #Kosovo* is on the #UNESCO World heritage list in danger. #europaNostra yesterday included our monastery as one of #7MostEndangered sites in Europe. Dečani monastery is for 21ys under NATO protection after 4 armed attacks”.

While in the third tweet he recalled the statement of the US Ambassador in Pristina, Philip Kosnett, urging Kosovo authorities to respect the court’s decision.  “US Ambassador in #Kosovo* reminds the Kosovan authorities that they should respect their own court decisions and finally recognize Dečani #Serbian #Orthodox #Monastery property after years of refusal to do so. But still nothing happens”, Father Sava wrote.

Office for KiM: Kurti and Osmani reaction confirmation of Serbian cultural and religious heritage endangerment (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija said today reaction of Albin Kurti and Vjosa Osmani to the fact that Europa Nostra included Visoki Decani Monastery on the list of seven the most endangered localities in Europe is yet another confirmation of the endangerment of the Serbian cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo, Kosovo-online portal reports.

The Office recalled almost daily desecration of the Serbian Orthodox Church sites.

“An attempt of Kurti and Osamni to depict self-declared Kosovo as an oasis of multiculturalism and multi-confessionalism has been refuted by almost daily desecration of the Serbian Orthodox Church sites and Orthodox cemeteries across Kosovo and Metohija, and all these cases have been carefully documented and bear witness that anti-Serbian and anti-Christian extremism is very much alive among Albanians in our southern province”, the statement said.

The statement added that turning a blind eye to reality is an encouragement for extremists.

“By turning a blind eye to the reality and politically motivated denial of the situation on the ground is a message of encouragement to the extremists to continue with the practice of attacking the Serbian holy shrines, thus not reducing but on the contrary increasing their endangerment”.

The Office also reminded of the fact that Visoki Decani Monastery has been the most frequently attacked object of the cultural heritage in Kosovo, emphasizing that KFOR because of this fact has increased protection of the monastery.

It recalled four armed attacks against the monastery; two mortar attacks were carried out in 2000, during March 2004 pogrom eight mortar shells were fired at the monastery, and in 2007 one more mortar attack took place and this one resulted with a court verdict”.

Graffiti KLA and ISIS were inscribed on the walls of the monastery in 2014, and in 2016 in front of a monastery four armed Albanians were arrested, two of them being on the black list of ISIS sympathizers.

The Office also mentioned the decision of the Constitutional Court from 2016 recognizing ownership of the monastery over 24 hectares of land and this binding and enforcing decision has not been implemented for five years already, without any consequences. Non implementation of this decision had been criticized by European Union, State Department, Quinta embassies, OSCE, UNMIK and others, the Office said. 

Constitution with the greatest rights for minorities, but only on paper (KiM radio)

KiM radio recalls today  that the Constitution of Kosovo was adopted on April 9, 2008, two months after the declaration of independence, and entered into force on June 15 of the same year.

In the opinion of the part of Albanian society, the Kosovo Constitution is a very modern and ” an act that provides the greatest rights to minority communities in Europe.” Serbs, on the other hand, will say “that what is written on paper is violated at every possible step.”

According to the Constitution, “Kosovo is an independent, sovereign, democratic, unified and inseparable state.” How democratic is Kosovo really?

“If you ask that question to a Kosovo Albanian, he has a lot of reasons to say that it is, because in Kosovo itself, with greater or lesser problems, there is freedom of the media and freedom of public expression, political pluralism and other postulates of a democratic society. If you ask the same question to Serbs or other non-majority communities, the answer will be completely different and rightfully. Kosovo’s political leaders largely neglect the rights of the Serb community in Kosovo. So, a society that does not respect its own constitution and its own laws cannot be called a democratic society,” says the Aktiv program director, Miodrag Marinkovic.

The Constitution provides for “the principles of liberty, peace, democracy, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law, non-discrimination, the right to property…”

However, Marinkovic points out that the Constitution is “a testimony of unfulfilled obligations and promises to the Serbian community.”

“In the Constitution, there is an example of fair representation of the non-majority community in institutions, these are the so-called minority quotas requiring 10% of employees in central institutions to be members of non-majority communities. Today, no one can tell you whether this right has been fulfilled because there are no mechanisms to monitor it. There are other examples. Language rights are the flagrant example,” says Marinkovic.

“When we talk about the violation of language rights, the problem is the lack of translators who would translate from Serbian to Albanian, Romani or any other language of non-majority communities. If there are no translators who will translate a certain text, the Constitution is violated,” said lawyer Jovana Filipovic. 

The editor-in-chief of Radio Gorazdevac points out as a problem the violation of the right on the use of the Serbian language in Kosovo, but the property rights as well.

“I will remind you that the right to the Serbian language, which is equal to Albanian, is being violated in Kosovo. Many legal and court procedures are also being violated. I will remind that the monastery of Visoki Decani, although it has a final court ruling, has a problem registering its land in the cadastre. Some citizens in the municipality of Pec have the same problem,” Dimitrijevic points out.

KiM radio recalls that the Constitution also states that “the Republic of Kosovo ensures the protection and preservation of its cultural and religious heritage”.

However, Miodrag Marinkovic says that not only has nothing been done in this area, but that there is a tendency to present Serbian cultural heritage as Kosovo’s heritage.

“This directly endangers the identity of the Serb community in Kosovo. So, I would not take that as an example of positive action, quite the opposite. This is one example of how the law is not being fulfilled to the detriment of the Serbian community. In this case, the damage is much greater because it is a matter of endangering the national identity of Serbs in Kosovo,” Marinkovic said.

The most modern constitution in Europe?

Albanians in Kosovo often point out that the Constitution provides the greatest rights to minority communities in Europe. Miodrag Marinkovic agrees that according to the text of the law, it exceeds the standard of the average rights that are given to non-majority communities in Europe, but that it is only on paper.

“The problem is that those rights are not applied. The scale of the violation of the legal and constitutional obligations of the Kosovo institutions towards the Serbs is so great that it can be said that this is no longer a mistake but the political position of the Albanian political leaders. They do not want to work on the application of the law, more precisely, they do not currently consider them binding.”

The director of the Institute for the Affirmation of Interethnic Relations, Fatmir Sheholi, says that the Constitution of Kosovo was designed for a modern multiethnic society, but that it was too ambitious.

“Definitely the people are not guilty that the Constitution is so good, however, politicians and those who abuse it are guilty because they abuse it for their function and never use it for what is written for. It is modern, very short and clear, vague in some parts, but that would be seen when reforms come, but in its essence is very good, especially in the aspect where it talks about minority communities,” says Sheholi.

In the opinion of lawyer Jovana Filipovic, the Kosovo Constitution is a set of good wishes that institutions cannot apply.

“Kosovo’s constitution is fully in line with the European spirit and European understanding of values, however, given that it is unable to be implemented in Kosovo, only a dead letter remains on paper and citizens are protesting, as are many organizations. If we look narrowly, reading the Constitution, without looking at the factual situation on the ground, then it seems as if we live in an ideal state that is ideally regulated, however, that is certainly not the case.”

Disrespect and abuse for political purposes

Sheholi says Kosovo’s constitution is more abused than respected by politicians.

“If we look at history and retrospectives in these 13 years, then we can say that politicians in Kosovo use the Constitution only for their own needs, that is, they abuse the Constitution for political purposes.”

Respect for the Constitution depends on the mood of the people who are at the head of the Kosovo government, says journalist Darko Dimitrijevic.

“It is reflected in the current mood of the majority Albanian community. That should not happen in practice, but it still happens,” says Dimitrijevic.

Vucic: Schieb said nothing new (B92)

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic commented on the statement of the German Ambassador to Belgrade, Thomas Schieb regarding the 1999 bombing, reports portal B92. 

“Of course, we have a different view of what happened in ’99, I am convinced that no one proved it with a verdict that there was genocidal intent or something like that. But let me tell you, all 19 countries that participated in the attack on Serbia, reasoned the same. Ambassador Schieb did not say anything particularly new,” Vucic said. 

“I know him as a man who helped Serbia a lot in the inflow of investments and that at that time, he had to respond in a way which is supported by German politics.”

It does not occur to him to insult him from a personal point of view, said Vucic, because he has done a lot for Serbia. 

“Sometimes it’s good for us, from a different angle, because we can see what some of the most diverse countries and those who took part in that attack in ’99 really think about everything that happened in our country. It’s up to us to say that it is not true, that we look at things differently, but we must work, and work very closely with Germany. Don’t forget that one of the biggest investors in Serbia is Germany. It’s not just a question of money, but also the future and many other things.”

As he stated, it is our job to say with what we agree and to keep integrity and not to make enemies from those who are not, reported portal B92.

Schieb: The 1999 bombing was justified, inadmissible comparison with the Second World War (Danas)

German Ambassador to Belgrade Thomas Schieb stated today that the NATO bombing of FR Yugoslavia was justified as a last resort and expressed strong opposition to any comparison of that operation with the policy of the German Nazis in the Second World War, reported Belgrade based daily Danas. 

Schieb stated that in the show “Pravi ugao”, the host Ljubica Gojgic asked him about his author’s text on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the German attack on Yugoslavia, and added that “on that occasion, a kind of parallel was made with the NATO bombing in 1999”.

“In my opinion, making such a parallel is inappropriate, and I expressed that attitude in the show as well. In order to properly understand the decision on the NATO bombing, it is necessary to consider the development of events before making that decision. A diplomatic solution was sought for months to end the war in Kosovo, which was started by (then-Yugoslav president) Slobodan Milosevic. Only when the diplomatic means were exhausted, the decision was made to launch a military action,” said Schieb. 

He added that “unfortunately, it was not possible to find a joint solution in the UN Security Council”, but that “the decision still had to be made in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe”.

“According to the firm conviction of the German government and all NATO partners, in these extraordinary circumstances and the crisis situation when human rights were massively violated in Kosovo, the NATO operation was justified as an ultima ratio,” said Schieb. 

He stated that the situation in Kosovo was described in UN Security Council Resolution 1199 of 23 September 1998 and that it, like the later Resolution 1203 of 24 October 1998, “unequivocally states that the situation in Kosovo poses a serious threat for peace and security in the region”.

“The international community has previously unsuccessfully exhausted all available means to resolve the conflict peacefully and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. As a result, according to the valid legal interpretation of Germany, that decision does not contradict international law,” he added.

Schieb also said that he “wants to emphasize that the military action from 1999 was not directed against the Serb population” and that “the goal was to protect the civilian population in Kosovo”.

“Every lost human life was and is a great tragedy. Unfortunately, there was not enough talk about that aspect in the show. My deep condolences to the innocent civilian victims who lost their lives during the 1999 bombing,” Schieb said.

He emphasized, however, that he resolutely opposed, out of respect for the victims of Nazi persecution, any comparison with the Second World War, which was undoubtedly criminal and with which Nazi Germany took over the whole of Europe, reported the daily.

Bogujevci: Justice is important for all victims, the burden of the past should not be left to future generations (Nova S, KoSSev, RTK2)

From witnessing the tragedy of this area to the political factor. The new vice president of the Kosovo Assembly, Saranda Bogujevci, carries with her a difficult life story. As a child, she witnessed the crime in which she was wounded, and before her eyes, the “Scorpions” killed almost her entire family. Twenty-two years later, she is in politics and, as it is already pointed out, she is a symbol of a new generation. Saranda Bogujevci spoke for the Nova S TV Show ”Medju nama” (Between us). She says that the “burden of the recent past” should not be left to future generations, and that lessons should be learned and  “some future politicians should fight for a better future for all”.

“I was 13 years old, losing my family was a terrible experience. It was important for me to talk about it, and I hope that no one will ever experience that,” says Bogujevci, adding that she, as well as four of her relatives who were wounded at the time, then recovered in England.

She recalls that together with her relatives, she was a witness at the trial of two accused in Belgrade in 2003 and 2008.

“It was difficult, but also important, to move forward in that process full of scars,” she added.

When asked if those wounds can heal and contribute to a better future for Serbs and Albanians, Bogujevci said that it is necessary to know what happened in 1999, and that this is exactly the first step.

“Let’s be open to that cognition. When addressing victims on both sides, you need to know how much they suffered and what they went through. Justice is important for all victims,” she added

Apart from international courts, she says that the responsibility also falls on local authorities.

“The man who shot at me was tried in Serbia. It is impossible for all the culprits to end up in international courts, and that is why all domestic courts must reach the criminals.”

Bogujevci says that the younger generations are obliged not to leave the “burden of the recent past” to future generations.

“We need to create a better future for those who arrive. Draw the lessons and wait some future politicians to fight for a better future for all,” she said.

Bogujevci recently became the vice president of the Kosovo Assembly in front of the Self-Determination Movement, of Albin Kurti

She says that she did not see herself in politics before, but that she got the opportunity to participate in all that.

“This was a difficult decision, but I said to myself, I accept the challenge, because I was lucky that other people supported me. From this position, I am focused on changing something for the better.”

When it comes to Belgrade’s relationship with Pristina, she says that the quality of life of Serbs in Kosovo depends on this relationship

“It is important that all citizens of Kosovo have a good life, and that they are integrated. Student exchange is something that is an important and a good guide mark. We have to work with young people; them to meet and understand each other,” she added.

On the other hand, she says that if we keep going back to the past, it will be difficult.

“It’s not easy, of course, but we have to work on moving forward together,” she added.

Asked whether Belgrade has extended a hand to Pristina, Bogujevci said that “unfortunately, she does not feel that”.

“I hope the government will do something to change that. If the stability of the region depends on us, it simply has to happen.”

Speaking also about the relationship between Belgrade and Pristina, she says that everyone in the region is directed towards the European Union, but also that it is difficult for her when she hears that people, in the most important positions, when talking about the war in 1999, “do not recognize what happened in Kosovo “.

“That has to change,” she added.

She sees the issue of the missing as one of the important topics in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

“It is unthinkable to live 22 years without knowing about the destiny of your loved ones, that is the human aspect of it, not all is the matter of pure politics. What benefits people and citizens will have from the dialogue – this is the most important thing. Concrete changes in people’s lives.”

RCC: Tourism key strategic sector in Western Balkans (FoNet, N1)

Tourist ministers and the other representatives of six Western Balkan countries backed the Tirana Declaration at a regional conference in Albania’s capital, on Thursday, marking the completion of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) project for the development and promotion of the European Union-funded tourism.

The Tirana Declaration to Assist the Recovery and Growth of Sustainable Tourism in the Region envisions positioning tourism as a key strategic sector for regional economic recovery and sustainable development, coordinating the opening and continuation of the tourism and travel industry supply chain, and enabling safe and unhindered travel, the RCC said in a statement.

RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu said the next step for the 2021-2024 period would be for governments, industry, destination communities and other players to define priorities in implementing a long-term and sustainable vision of regional tourism.

”Tourism accounted for 15 percent of the region’s total GDP before the pandemic, and regional cooperation has the potential to be an invaluable stimulus to recovery, ” Alessandra Wieser, deputy head of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Regional Development, said.

She added the EU considered the Western Balkans a privileged partner.

Tourism is still among the sectors most severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and in the first half of 2020 alone, the number of foreign tourists decreased by 75 percent compared to 2019, while traffic in 2020 was 35 percent.

That is a massive drop from 12 million visitors in 2019, which brought the Western Balkans an income of 7.2 billion Euro.

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

Popovic, Rakic with Devenport and Salijevic discussed COVID-19 (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)

Minister for Communities and Return Goran Rakic, the new Head of the OSCE in Kosovo, Ambassador Michael Davenport, and Deputy Minister for Communities and Return Gazmen Salijevic visited the Municipality of Gracanica, where they talked with Mayor Srdjan Popovic. The statement of the Office of the Mayor of Gracanica said that the current situation in this municipality and the COVID-19 pandemic was discussed. 

It was added that they also spoke about the projects and plans that will be realized according to priorities, and which should improve the lives of citizens.

On the occasion of the International Romani Day, one of the topics of the meeting was the position of Roma, and where as Mayor Popovic stated that the local government constantly worked on improving the living conditions of the Romani community and provided support in the implementation of their plans and activities.

Popovic, Davenport, Salijevic and Rakic visited the nine-member Emini family from Laplje Selo and promised them help in resolving the housing issue.

Radio Kontakt Plus reported that the officials provided aid to the Emini family in the form of food and hygiene packages.

According to the media, Rakic promised that he would do his best for the Emini family to get their new roof over their heads. The Ministry of Communities and Return in the previous period helped the Roma community in Kosovo through various projects. ”I can promise you that we will continue to help in the future,” Rakic said.

Opinion

Balkans in the EU: a future to be designed together (balcanicaucaso.org)

The European Parliament seems much more inclined to open up to the Western Balkans than the Commission and the Council, and recently requested to include these countries in the Conference on the Future of Europe which will open on 9 May

Those who thought that the new negotiation methodology adopted by the Council in the spring of last year, that divides the 35 chapters into 6 groups, would finally unlock the process of enlargement of the European Union have been forced to change their minds.

It was a pious illusion, yet another pretext to delay an appointment announced, promised and, by now, set aside until a later date. Brussels has other priorities. The Western Balkan countries can wait.

Thus, in a really dangerous game, the manipulative ritual of the Commission’s annual progress reports continues, as the respective public opinions witness between resignation, frustration, and disinterest.

2020 saw the green light to the opening of accession negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia, which immediately turned into red due to the Bulgarian veto on the negotiating mandate for the former Yugoslav republic, which also sucked Tirana in.

When it’s not France it’s the Netherlands, and if it’s not the Netherlands it’s Bulgaria or some other member country. There is always a hitch, a bureaucratic hindrance, a technical trick, or a potential bilateral dispute to postpone ad libitum the commitments you made, but do not want to keep. But then you realise that, in the absence of credible actors, others will step in.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3t9WBkM

International

How EU enlargement apathy could push Kosovo and Albania to join forces (euronews.com)

On a visit to Albania in March, Kosovo’s new prime minister, Albin Kurti, called on Albanians to vote for change as Kosovars did on February 14: “Albanians deserve better,” he said.

Kurti, an ethnic-Albanian along with around 90% of Kosovo’s 1.8 million population, urged voters to elect the members of his leftist-nationalist Vetevendosje movement who are running for seats in the Albanian parliament on April 25 on an anti-corruption mandate.

It was anti-corruption and opposition to entrenched political elites that led to Vetevendosje’s landslide election on February 14. Kurti now serves as prime minister while his ally, Vjosa Osmani, was sworn in as president on April 4. Vetevendosje has 58 seats in Kosovo’s 120-seat parliament, a working majority with the support of 10 non-Serb minority politicians.

See more at:https://bit.ly/31X2wxx

Serbian media on the assistance in the pandemic: China the savior, EU left Serbia stranded (EWB)

A year has passed since the everyday life of the citizens of Serbia started to be impacted by daily articles about the COVID-19 pandemic. From the initial headlines about the dangerous virus that is going to change everything, the total blockade of the borders of Serbia and Europe and their “hermetic closures”, to the “rescue” of trapped citizens from abroad and the introduction of the state of emergency, to the headlines about aid and donations coming from the international community, the media flooded the citizens with information, often exaggerating the situation.

The solidarity that was expressed in the first months of the fight against the pandemic, through aid and donations that arrived in Serbia, continued later. However, official Belgrade not only did not show equal gratitude to all parties that have helped Serbia but it had caused damage to some.

In its research “Media Reporting in Serbia on the European Union 2020: Love from China and Slaps from Brussels”, the Centre for Contemporary Politics analysed media coverage of the EU from January 1 to October 31, 2020. The research examines which topics dominate the media coverage of the EU, as well as what is their content and which are the dominant narratives.

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

Humanitarian/Development

The fear of Kosovo women to report sexual harassment at work (Prishtina Insight)

Lacking protection from employees and the state – victims of sexual harassment in Kosovo remain reluctant to speak out.

“Leona” has been working in a patisserie for the last four years in the Kosovo capital, Prishtina. 

For her and other waitresses working in the city, the job often triggers anxiety due to the various forms of sexual harassment they encounter, ranging from whispers to stalking, stares and wolf whistles, from the cafe’s male clientele.

Carrying a tray full of drinks to serve, she says the mirror near the bar reflects the stares she receives from the men. “Through that mirror placed in the bar, we see the looks we get from clients,” the 24-year-old says.

“Verbal harassment is less common,” she says, “but when we serve on the balcony, and after we take the orders, we often hear unpleasant words.”

Complaints are almost fruitless. Leona and her colleagues were ignored when they spoke out about the men’s behaviour, she says. When they reported cases to their manager, the reaction was minimal.

“When we identified our harassers and told our manager, the only measure suggested was not to serve them,” Leona recalls. 

See more at: https://bit.ly/3d0JyMO

From Belgrade to London, Roma Girl Band Sings for Female Empowerment (Balkan Insight)

Through music, an all-Roma girl band in Serbia is fighting against stereotypes, discrimination and the scourge of child marriage.

By the age of 17, Zlata Ristic had a husband and child. In 2020, aged 26, she was performing on the main stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall, rapping against child marriage.

It’s only a two and a half hour flight from Ristic’s native Belgrade to London, but appearing at the Women of the World Festival and on BBC Woman’s Hour is a world away from the life facing most Roma women in Serbia.

Ristic says she made a “mistake” to marry so young. Now, as part of the 12-member Roma girl band Pretty Loud, she’s fighting through song against the practice of Roma minors being forced into marriage and singing about the importance of education.

“I got married and gave birth when I was 17,” Ristic told BIRN via Zoom.

“Nobody forced me to do so. It was my own choice, but I made a mistake. That’s why we aim to encourage other young girls not to let their parents arrange a marriage they don’t want. At the same time, we advocate that they get a new perspective on life.”

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

The ruling of the ECHR: Compulsory vaccination is legal (B92)

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that compulsory vaccination is legal and may be needed in democratic societies.

The ruling was passed on Thursday following the complaint brought to the court by Czech families regarding compulsory jabs for children, Deutsche Welle reported.

The European Court of Human Rights, which was addressed by the parents of children from the Czech Republic who were not admitted to kindergarten due to non-vaccination, assessed today that compulsory vaccination is “necessary in a democratic society”.

“This ruling increases the possibility of compulsory vaccination in the current epidemic of Covid-19,” Nicolas Hervieu, a legal expert specializing in the ECHR told AFP. However, he has also emphasized “the freedom of assessment that the court left to the governments regarding the vaccination policy issue”.

The expert also points out that the court’s decision states “a general consensus on the positive effects of vaccination, which is not questioned due to the inevitable side effects since a strict scientific control is in place.”

The court, as he adds, supports the principle of social solidarity which can justify the imposition of compulsory vaccination, even to those who feel less endangered by the disease, when it comes to the protection of the most endangered groups of persons”.

The ECHR estimates that the mandatory vaccination of children in the Czech Republic against nine diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, polio …) does not violate the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights when it comes to the “right to respect for private life”.

“Vaccination policy pursues legitimate health goals, as well as the rights of others, because it protects both those who receive vaccines and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons,” the court stated, adding that people who cannot receive the vaccine depend on collective immunity to protect themselves from severe infectious diseases.”

The Czech Republic “therefore has great freedom of assessment in that context”, stated the court whose decisions cannot be appealed, pointing out that “the interests of children must take precedence in all decisions that affect them”.

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