Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 64 new cases, one death (media)
• 46,000 people vaccinated so far in Kosovo (media)
• EULEX presents report on impact of COVID-19 on the rule of law (Kallxo)
• Kosovo police’s seizure of drugs in Lipjan hailed by U.S., Italy (media)
• Ministers Gervalla, Ceku invite Europa Nostra head to visit Kosovo (media)
• PDK accuses Osmani of violating Constitution in CEC appointments (media)
• Kosovo and Albania sign MoU in the field of defence (media)
• Ministry of Interior cancels bid worth €21 million (media)
• Haradinaj addresses recent departures of party officials (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I am worried about dialogue, there’s nothing rational in Pristina’s approach (RTS)
• Stoltenberg: There is no change of KFOR’s mandate, it remains in Kosovo (Danas)
• Brnabic to visit Brussels on Tuesday, attend WB working dinner, meet EU officials (RTS)
• Dacic: Important that UNMIK and KFOR stay in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Brdo-Brijuni Process: Borders left out of joint ‘compromise’ statement (Hina, N1 Sarajevo)
• Brdo-Brioni Process participants urge EU to speed up expansion to Western Balkans (N1)
• Milanovic: Brdo-Brijuni Process will not solve problems of Western Balkans (Hina, N1 Zagreb)
• Dzaferovic: EU will only be complete when WB countries become members (Anadolu Agency, N1 Sarajevo)
• Komsic: Kosovo-Serbia debate returns Brdo-Brioni summit to “Balkan tavern” (N1, FoNet)
• Haradinaj requests continuation of Decani-Plav road construction (Radio KIM)
• Zeman: I apologize for bombardment of FRY, ask Serbian people to forgive me (RTS)
• Croatian army unit sent to serve as part of KFOR in Kosovo (N1)
• Skopje to increase number of soldiers within KFOR mission in Kosovo (KoSSev, N1)
• Office for KiM: Instead of letters, Pristina to sign decree on return of confiscated monastery land (Kontakt plus radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

Opinion:

• Dialogue in the upcoming period (KoSSev)

International:

• NATO chief confirms KFOR to remain in Kosovo (EurActiv)
• COVID-19 Limits Family Visits for Kosovo War Defendants (Balkan Insight)
• Angela Merkel’s political legacy in the Western Balkans will be tough to beat (euronews.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• UNMIK assistance to the most vulnerable population of Gracanica (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kontakt plus radio))
• Dacic: Serbia’s democratic progress unimaginable without CoE (BETA, N1)

Albanian Language Media  

COVID-19: 64 new cases, one death (media)

Kosovo has recorded 64 new cases of COVID-19 and one death in the last 24 hours. At the same time, 409 recoveries have been confirmed over the same time period.

There are 4,543 active cases of coronavirus in Kosovo.

46,000 people vaccinated so far in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Health announced that so far 46,097 persons have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Kosovo with 4,229 vaccinations taking place yesterday.

At the same time, the University Hospital and Clinical Service of Kosovo (SHSKUK) said that at present 271 persons are  hospitalised for COVID-19 in Kosovo hospitals with nine in intensive care. 

EULEX presents report on impact of COVID-19 on the rule of law (Kallxo)

The European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) presented today the findings of a special report focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on the rule of law in Kosovo.

The report found that the justice system has generally adapted to the pandemic situation but has faced shortcomings in several instances concerning maintaining social distancing inside courtrooms. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented set of challenges for rule-of-law institutions around the world, including in Kosovo. Many of the constraints resulting from the pandemic continue to affect the functioning of rule-of-law institutions and are part of a new reality authorities in Kosovo and elsewhere have to respond to in both the short and longterm. While institutions must always seek to guarantee the right to life and the right to health, at the same time they also need to balance the impact of restrictive measures on other human rights and the rule of law overall,” the report states in its executive summary.

Head of EULEX Lars-Gunnar Wigemark said he was impressed with the work of Kosovo institutions and society in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. He also highlighted the increased number of domestic violence during the lockdown period for which he said a special report will be compiled.

See the report: https://bit.ly/3eX2T2s

Kosovo police’s seizure of drugs in Lipjan hailed by U.S., Italy (media)

The embassies of the United States and Italy have commended Kosovo authorities for yesterday’s operation where they seized 400 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a shipment of meat from Brazil at a food warehouse in the town of Lipjan.

Calling the operation a big win for the rule of law, the U.S. Embassy said in a social media post: “Combatting organized crime and drug trafficking requires international determination and cooperation.  Kudos to Kosovo authorities for yesterday’s drug seizure in Lipjan–success through global partnerships between Kosovo, Albania, Italy, & the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration – DEA.”

Italian Ambassador Nicola Orlando meanwhile tweeted: “#Italy, #Kosovo & #Albania police & @GDF @poliziadistato conducted the biggest ever drug op in Flag of Kosovo, seizing 400 kg of cocaine. Today we celebrated this huge intercontinental success w/Min @XSvecla & the operational teams. I’m proud of our effective coop against crime! “

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani responded to Orlando’s tweet by stating: “This is a great example of international cooperation of law enforcement agencies and yet another reason to support Kosovo’s well-deserved membership at Interpol. Thank you Italy, United States & Albania.”

Ministers Gervalla, Ceku invite Europa Nostra head to visit Kosovo (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gervalla and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajrulla Ceku sent a letter to Executive President of Europa Nostra Hermann Parzinger inviting him to visit Kosovo and expressing their concern over the organisation’s decision to include the Monastery of Decan to the list of Europe’s Seven Most Endangered Monuments. 

Gervalla and Ceku expressed the view of the Government of Kosovo that the decision was ‘unfounded’ and not in line with the reality on the ground. “The decision is clearly politically influenced, an unprecedented practice in Europe Nostra’s highly regarded historical reputation,” they said.

“We invite you to visit Kosova and see up-close the state of the Monastery of Decan. During your decision-making process, you neglected an essential dimension, consultation with interested parties, while you took into account a tendentious and unprofessional text by the nominating organisation. Therefore, we invite you to come and speak to the residents of the area, clergy of the Monastery, civil society organisations, professionals, local and international security institutions, international organisations operating in Kosova, state officials and others,” the letter reads. 

Gervalla and Ceku also said that local and international law and order institutions have all concluded that Orthodox Churches in Kosovo enjoy a high level of security and are not endangered. “The Republic of Kosova is fully committed to the protection of all cultural heritage assets of the country, and particularly of Orthodox churches and monasteries, the Orthodox clergy and members of religious and minority communities.”

PDK accuses Osmani of violating Constitution in CEC appointments (media)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Secretary, Betim Gjoshi, has criticised President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani regarding her recent appointments of members to the Central Election Commission (CEC).

Gjoshi said Osmani is playing the role of a ‘notary’ by heeding the instructions of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and this way violating the Constitution of Kosovo by denying the PDK to have a second member in the CEC. 

Speaking at a press conference, Gjoshi accused Osmani of trying to secure a seat in the CEC for the third member of the Vetevendosje Movement, Gresa Bytyqi Kelmendi, who ran for MP with the Guxo list. “Osmani and Kurti are trying to steal the mandate given to PDK by the Constitution through attempts in the Constitutional Court.”

Osmani has recently appointed eight members to the CEC and has sought out the opinion of the Constitutional Court regarding the appointment of two additional members.

Kosovo and Albania sign MoU in the field of defence (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defence Armend Mehaj and Albania’s Niko Peleshi signed a memorandum of understanding in Pristina today.

“One of the agreements that we have discussed and reached together is the performance of joint activities at the professional level, namely the academy between the two ministries, the coordination of expert advice by the Ministry of Defence of Albania, adequate coordination in political, military, legal matters for the integration of the Republic of Kosovo towards NATO and regional initiatives. Another point of great importance is the conduct of joint military exercises and participation in international operations in the future,” Mehaj said. 

Peleshi on his part expressed the readiness of Albania to unreservedly support Kosovo in all integration processes, particularly in joining NATO.

Ministry of Interior cancels bid worth €21 million (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior, Xhelal Svecla, announced via Facebook that the Ministry has cancelled a bid for procurement and supply of personal identification documents worth €21 million.

Svecla said the decision was taken to protect the general interest and public money. “According to the commission’s review of the process, the planning and arguments for purchase of documents and accompanying elements were insufficient and unconvincing,” he wrote. 

Haradinaj addresses recent departures of party officials (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj commented on few officials leaving the party, with the most recent one being the resignation of AAK’s deputy leader Magbule Shkodra. 

Haradinaj said the AAK has focused its energies in upcoming local elections and that “those that for different reasons are not fully committed are being released of the responsibilities they had in the party”. 

“We are grateful and thankful to them for the contribution, be it even one-day long, in fulfilling joint goals,” Haradinaj said in a statement. 

Shkodra meanwhile said that there was no specific reason behind her resignation. “I simply was not active in the party for a while now and did not even run in last elections and decided in understanding with party colleagues to part ways,” she told Kallxo.com.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I am worried about dialogue, there’s nothing rational in Pristina’s approach (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters in Brussels on Monday evening he could not give in to Pristina on any issue they insisted on at the Brdo-Brioni Summit. I am worried about the future of the dialogue, because there is nothing rational in everything I have heard at that gathering, Vucic added, RTS reports.

“Continuation of the dialogue is an important and difficult issue. We will be ready to talk, to always participate in the dialogue, but after what I heard today, and that is the agenda of an entire Pristina government, I am very worried, because there is nothing rational there”, Vucic told the media, when asked how he sees the future of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

As he pointed out, one could talk to someone who was on the completely opposite side, if something pragmatic or rational was recognized there. 

“I have not seen anything similar today”, he added.

When asked what Pristina insisted on yesterday, Vucic said that they first talked about all the countries in the Western Balkans, and he reacted, opposing it.

“The second issue was visa liberalization, we said there was no problem, but Kosovo cannot be written because we do not recognize it, or it must stand with an asterisk. They didn’t want it. They insisted on something that was not written that the change of borders was being rejected, and the borders that they had imagined were implied”, Vucic said.

He also said he would try to preserve peace at almost any cost and that there were ways to normalize relations with Pristina because the alternative was terrible, but added that he was not optimistic because on Monday, as he said, he witnessed Pristina’s irrational behavior.

Speaking further about the Summit, Vucic said when he realized that Albanians from Kosovo do not want to sign a joint declaration, then it became a bit fun.

“They didn’t want to sign what was the common denominator, they wanted to insert something else that we didn’t want to accept as part of the document”, he explained.

He pointed out they talked about the borders, and he talked about the hypocrisy that those who changed the borders spoke against the change of borders, or those who had the benefits from the change.

“So I asked, ‘when did you decide to adopt those principles? Let us know’. I asked for a sentence to be inserted in the document-that the borders recognized by the UN are being respected. That did not find support, because many present there thought they were more important than the UN”, Vucic underlined.

He reiterated he was satisfied with the content of the document, the proclamation of the European path, the commitment to a better flow of goods, “everything that was important to us”.

Stoltenberg: There is no change of KFOR’s mandate, it remains in Kosovo (Danas)

All 30 NATO members, including the United States, are committed to the KFOR mission in Kosovo, and there is no change of mandate for KFOR, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels on Monday, thus refuting the rumours that some forces are seeking the withdrawal of KFOR, reported daily Danas.. 

Stoltenberg said that after the conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who pointed out at the joint press conference that he had received assurances from the NATO Secretary General regarding security and protection in the Western Balkans. 

“And when it comes to some rumours” Vucic added, “Stoltenberg was very clear about the need to preserve peace and stability in the region, which is focused on the role of KFOR in preserving stability”. 

Asked how NATO views the announcements of some countries in the Western Balkans, especially Croatia, to increase the number of KFOR troops, Stoltenberg replied that all NATO members make agreements on this in accordance with the guidelines agreed by everyone in the Atlantic Alliance, based on the mandate established by UN SC Resolution 1244, which also applies to Croatia. 

“Any change in KFOR’s mandate must be unanimously approved by 30 NATO members,” Stoltenberg underlined. 

Vucic assessed the talks with Stoltenberg as very useful and successful, and especially emphasized Serbia’s complete determination to continue the dialogue with Pristina in order to reach a compromise solution. 

Stoltenberg pointed out that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was the best framework for finding a solution that would respect the rights of all communities and build lasting peace, and NATO called on the two sides to continue the dialogue. 

According to Stoltenberg, many security challenges which the Western Balkans was facing were discussed, and NATO was committed to preserving peace and security in the region, while KFOR was providing security and safe conditions for all communities in Kosovo based on the UN Security Council mandate. 

“NATO is determined to build a strong partnership with Serbia and fully respects Serbia’s neutrality, and Serbia as a sovereign nation has the right to decide on its own path,” Stoltenberg concluded. 

NATO officials reminded that the Alliance continues to pursue an “open door” policy for countries that express aspirations to join the Euro-Atlantic community, the Serbian Parliament announced today on the occasion of the delegation’s participation in the plenary sitting of the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. At the opening of the plenary session, the parliamentarians were addressed by the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, US Congressman Gerald Connolly and the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mircea Geoana. 

In addition to the priorities that await NATO at the upcoming summit on June 14 in Brussels, Joanna emphasized the importance of yesterday’s meeting between the President of Serbia, Vucic and the Secretary General of the Alliance, Stoltenberg. 

“Regarding the issue of security in the Western Balkans, the NATO Deputy Secretary General reminded that the Alliance continues to pursue an ‘open door’ policy for countries that express aspirations to join the Euro-Atlantic community,” the Serbian parliament said in a statement. 

Brnabic to visit Brussels on Tuesday, attend WB working dinner, meet EU officials (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic will visit Brussels on Tuesday, May 18 and attend the working dinner for the Western Balkans leaders organized by EU High Representative Josep Borrell, RTS reports.

During the visit in Brussels Prime Minister Brnabic would meet a number of EU officials, including the European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia Vladimir Bilcik, Chair of the European Parliament’s Serbia Delegation Tanja Fajon, EU Special Envoy for Belgrade–Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak and EU High Representative Josep Borrell. 

Dacic: Important that UNMIK and KFOR stay in Kosovo (Radio KIM)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic met the UN Office in Belgrade Head Mari Yamashita and stressed it was important that UNMIK and KFOR stay in Kosovo, Radio KIM reports.

“The work of the UN Office is of exceptional importance for Serbia, given it is a main channel of communication with the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) whose presence and work are of crucial importance for our country”, Dacic said in a statement.

Dacic also underlined Belgrade “is truly committed to finding a compromise solution and that the dialogue (with Pristina) represents the only way to make that happen”.

He also said the cooperation of Serbia with the UN Office in Belgrade and its leadership was excellent.

Yamashita pointed out long-standing partnership cooperation between Serbia and the UN, and expressed readiness to contribute to the successful continuation of the UNMIK Mission. 

Brdo-Brijuni Process: Borders left out of joint ‘compromise’ statement (Hina, N1 Sarajevo)

The participants in Monday’s summit of Western Balkan heads of state as part of the Brdo-Brijuni Process endorsed a joint statement in Brdo Pri Kranju which leaves out the recognition of existing borders that was present in the draft text, reported broadcaster N1.

In the statement, they call on the European Commission and EU member states to treat aspirants as a whole for geo-strategic reasons and to step up their accession through admission in a package, provided the membership candidates persevere with reforms as much as possible.

The most contentious aspect in endorsing the statement was an attempt to have it mention the recognition of existing borders, so this was eventually left out from the draft text which Presidents Borut Pahor of Slovenia, the summit host, and Zoran Milanovic of Croatia called a compromise.

The joint Brdo Declaration, according to the unofficial text given to the press, does not mention the inviolability of existing borders, which Pahor discussed last week with his hosts in Pristina and Belgrade while preparing the summit.

After that meeting with Pahor, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke of the “West’s hypocrisy,” saying that in some situations the West spoke of the inviolability of borders, disregarding the events from the 1990s and the fact that, under Serbia’s constitution, Kosovo is part of Serbia.

Vucic said he had proposed to Pahor an amendment to the draft statement on the inviolability of borders under which that would concern only states in line with the UN charter and those with broad international recognition but not Kosovo, which is not recognized as a UN member.

Kosovo has also not been recognized by EU members Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Spain and Slovakia.

At today’s press conference with Milanovic, Pahor said the endorsed text of the joint statement was a compromise.

The Brdo Declaration also mentions the need for lasting reconciliation and stability in the region and for shedding light on the war missing, as well as calling on the EU to liberalize the visa regime as the most effective tool for the Western Balkan states’ transformation towards EU membership.

See at: https://bit.ly/2S06ZO8

Brdo-Brijuni Process participants urge EU to speed up expansion to Western Balkans (N1)

Leaders of countries participating in the ‘Brdo-Brijuni Process’ adopted a Declaration in which they emphasised the importance of cooperation and good neighbourly relations and urged the European Union to accelerate the EU integration process for Western Balkan countries.

The Chairman of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Milorad Dodik, as well as the other two members, Zeljko Komsic and Sefik Dzaferovic, attended the meeting of regional leaders on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Brdo-Brijuni process on Brdo near Kranj. The meeting was hosted by Slovenian President, Borut Pahor, and the co host was Croatia’s Zoran Milanovic. It was also attended by the leaders of other countries participating in the Brdo – Brijuni Process – Aleksandar Vucic, Ilir Meta, Milo Djukanovic, Stevo Pendarovski and Vjosa Osmani.

The Brdo-Brijuni process has “increased the awareness of the European Union Member States and institutions about the significance of the faster enlargement to the Western Balkans,” the Declaration said.

As for the COVID-19 pandemic, the leaders “stressed the need to use the recovery as an opportunity for a green and digital transition that will lead to more sustainable development, offering opportunities to younger generations.”

They welcomed the adoption of the October 2020 EU Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans “and the fact that it is accompanied by significant financial resources.”

“As an integral part of Europe, the Western Balkans have the right and responsibility to keep up with the development of the EU member states as much as possible, thus facilitating their EU membership. We, the leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, are advocating for a common strategic vision of Europe, whole, free and at peace. We underline our commitment to peace and stability, including good neighbourly relations,” the Declaration says.

The leaders emphasised that the Western Balkans are a part of Europe and that “Europe’s unification is not complete without the Western Balkans,” arguing that with EU membership “the borders between Member States become less significant” providing a “broader space for coexistence of a plurality of national identities.”

“We once again acknowledge the necessity to account for those who went missing during the conflicts on the territory of former Yugoslavia and reiterate the necessity to investigate the circumstances of their disappearances and bring perpetrators to justice, to contribute to lasting reconciliation, peace and stability.”

The Declaration says that enlargement into the Western Balkans is “in the EU’s political, security and economic interest, a geopolitical necessity and a paramount political precondition for the stable prosperous and sustainable future for Europe.”

It calls for the EU to “more actively engage” with the states of the region and encourage them to meet conditions for their EU membership as soon as possible.

“Each partner is aware that it has to adopt and implement necessary reforms, including in the field of rule of law, democratisation and economy, and is committed to doing it faster and more efficiently,” it says.

The leaders also emphasised the importance of “Visa Liberalisation for Pristina” and urged the EU to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia “as a matter of urgency, without further delay.”

See at: https://bit.ly/3eXYbl3

Milanovic: Brdo-Brijuni Process will not solve problems of Western Balkans (Hina, N1 Zagreb)

“Croatia and Slovenia wish to help the Western Balkan countries on their EU journey, but it would not be possible to resolve their bilateral problems as part of the Brdo-Brijuni Process initiative,” Croatian President, Zoran Milanovic, said on Monday.

“It won’t be possible to solve the bilateral problems the states participating in the initiative have as part of the Brdo-Brijuni Process,” Milanovic said after Slovenian media reported about arguments between Presidents Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo and Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia during a summit of the initiative in Slovenia.

“I think it would be healthy” not to use bilateral problems at all “because today that obstructed our work a little,” he said at a joint press conference with Slovenian President Borut Pahor in Brdo Pri Kranju.

The main motive of EU members Slovenia and Croatia is “neither mentoring nor tutoring” but “helping their neighbors on their EU journey,” Milanovic said.

In a joint declaration adopted after the summit, EU leaders are called on to look at the Western Balkans as a whole in the accession process, and membership aspirants to step up the necessary reforms.

“We agreed on a text for the declaration which is a compromise, someone would say the lowest common denominator, but I say compromise (…) There were certain disputes, disagreements,” Milanovic said, adding that Osmani’s agenda was more ambitious and that some parts had to be left out due to Serbia’s opposition. “A compromise but clear solution behind which we all stand.”

North Macedonia in “impossible position”

Milanovic said North Macedonia “is in an impossible position” and that one EU member state demanded that North Macedonia “define its national genesis in the way requested by the neighboring state” in history textbooks. He said that he would “openly oppose” that “within his powers.”

He was referring to Bulgaria, which is rejecting a negotiating framework for North Macedonia because, Sofia claims, North Macedonian textbooks “revise and negate their common (Macedonian and Bulgarian) ethnic and linguistic history.”

Milanovic recalled Croatia’s EU journey, saying he could understand the conditions set by Slovenia. “I never felt nor saw that Slovenia wished to spite Croatia and to essentially stop it, and humiliate it.”

“That should be discussed instead of borders and non-papers,” he said.

The European Council in March 2020 gave the green light for opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, but no date has been set due to new problems. Montenegro is closest to EU accession, with 33 policy chapters opened and three provisionally closed during nine years of negotiations. Serbia began accession negotiations in 2014, opening 18 and provisionally closing two chapters.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential accession candidates. Five EU member states have not recognised Kosovo – Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Spain and Slovakia.

‘Okay’ relationship with Vucic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he talked briefly with Milanovic today and that they have “polite” relations. “We, of course, want good relations with Croatia, but we don’t think we have to humour anyone in Croatia nor do we think that anyone in Croatia should humour us.”

Milanovic described his relationship with Vučić as “okay.”

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

Dzaferovic: EU will only be complete when WB countries become members (Anadolu Agency, N1 Sarajevo)

The European Union will only be completed once the countries of the Western Balkans become its members, the Bosniak member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Sefik Dzaferovic, said at the meeting of leaders of the Brdo – Brijuni Process in Slovenia on Monday.

“The accelerated accession of all Western Balkan countries to the EU should primarily be seen by the European Union as its geopolitical and geostrategic interest. The EU can be complete only when all the countries of the Western Balkans become its members because that guarantees the security and prosperity of both the EU and the Western Balkans,” Dzaferovic said.

He noted that the Brdo Brijuni process was established as an important platform for regional cooperation and dialogue, which aims to resolve open issues and improve relations, and that it is important to promote the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

Dzagferovic argued, however, that the achieved level of regional dialogue and cooperation is not yet at the desired level, but that it helped to overcome certain problems or at least to initiate a dialogue on solutions, and most of the good things that have happened in the region are the result of European integration.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina wants good relations with all countries in this region, as well as good relations with its neighbours. We want cooperation, fair and friendly relations, which will be based on the principle of mutual respect and reciprocity. We ask for all open issues to be resolved through dialogue and agreement, and if an agreement is not possible, then with the participation of institutions of international law,” he said, emphasising that “there are open issues and unresolved relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and its neighbours, which need to be resolved.”

BiH and Serbia have not concluded a border agreement because Serbia insists on a previous exchange of territories, which BiH does not want to agree to, he noted. In addition, Dzaferovic stated that the issue of the attitude towards the past also burdens relations between the two countries, arguing that the institutions of Serbia do not respect and openly deny the verdicts of the International Court of Justice and the Hague Tribunal.

“In this regard, relations are disrupted by the fact that a large number of war crimes suspects, including those charged with participating in the Srebrenica genocide, are hiding in Serbia. Unfortunately, the judicial authorities there show no interest in extraditing or prosecuting them,” he said.

There are also numerous open issues between Serbia and BiH concerning property and succession (after the dissolution of former Yugoslavia) that need to be resolved,” he said.

Dzaferovic noted that Bosnia’s hydro potential is being used without an agreement with the state of BiH or compensation, arguing that the latest example of this is the announced construction of the Buk Bijela hydropower plant on the river Drina which is the border between the two countries.

Bosnia also has open border issues with Croatia, he said, noting that although an Agreement on Borders was signed between the two countries, it was never ratified.

He complained that Croatia is building the Peljesac Bridge across Bosnian waters and is thus violating Bosnia’s rights according to international law.

Another problem is Croatia’s planned construction of a dump site for nuclear waste at Trgovska Gora, near the Bosnian border, as well as Croatia installing gas pipes along the Sava river without the consent of BiH.

He listed Croatia’s rejection of rulings by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which found that Croatian wartime leadership was involved in a “joint criminal enterprise” in Bosnia as another problem for the relations between the two countries. This, he argued, “insults victims and brings mistrust.”

Despite open issues, significant bilateral cooperation between BiH and Serbia and Croatia has been achieved through visits at the highest level, although a new problem has arisen in this area in the past two years, namely, the practice of bypassing the BiH Presidency as the only collective head of state represents BiH, he said.

Dzaferovic praised the vaccine donations to Bosnia from Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia as positive developments, adding that Bosnia also sent teams of doctors to Serbia to help the country respond to the pandemic.

The European Union represents a framework for security and prosperity in Bosnia, he said.

“Our goal in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to adopt European norms, whether it is changes to the Constitution, the Election Law or other necessary reforms that are before BiH in order to become a functional part of the European system,” he said.

“The future of BiH is in building a functional, complete and democratic state, a member of the EU and NATO, in which every person will feel comfortable and have equal rights on every inch of this country,” he concluded.

See at: https://bit.ly/3bzTvQ7

Komsic: Kosovo-Serbia debate returns Brdo-Brioni summit to “Balkan tavern” (N1, FoNet)

The discussion between President Vucic and the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani returned the Brdo-Brioni summit to the “Balkan tavern”, BiH Presidency member Zeljko Komsic told Radio Sarajevo, reported broadcaster N1.

“Instead of appearing in front of Brussels so that all countries in the region have a single position that the entire region should pull towards the European Union, we have somehow returned to the Balkan story, not to say the Balkan tavern, and dealt with topics for which Brdo-Brioni was not made,” he said.

According to him, the whole story about the Brdo-Brioni process, which has been going on for ten years, is conceived differently from how it turned out at today’s meeting.

“Today, we found ourselves in Balkan issues because of the discussion, which at times was not very pleasant, between Kosovo and Serbia,” Komsic said.

He assessed that the whole discussion went in the wrong direction – to present the views and political views of the President of Serbia and the President of Kosovo, which everyone knows.

Komsic claims that the participants in the meeting “agreed on the text of the declaration”, with Kosovo remaining to declare some things with which it does not agree.

Kosovo, for example, demanded that when it comes to the text of the declaration, it is not about visa liberalization for Pristina, but about Kosovo, which Serbia did not agree to, said Komsic.

Haradinaj requests continuation of Decani-Plav road construction (Radio KIM)

Leader of AAK, Ramush Haradinaj requested the Albin Kurti government not to close the budget for Decani-Plav road reconstruction, Radio KIM reports.

In an extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly Haradinaj requested continuation of Decani-Plav road construction that started in the special protective zone of Visoki Decani Monastery and the works on construction had been halted.

Haradinaj said it makes no sense to withdraw the money from the Decani-Plav road construction project. He also said this road “was a dream of Albanians”. 

Zeman: I apologize for bombardment of FRY, ask Serbian people to forgive me (RTS)

President of Czech Republic Milos Zeman said in a conference in Prague today that the bombardment of the-then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in 1999 was a mistake, apologized for it and asked Serbian people for forgiveness, RTS reports.

Speaking after the meeting with Serbrian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic, Zeman said that the bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999 tormented him all the time.  He also said he spoke with Vucic about traditional Czech-Serbian friendship.

“The friendship proven in 1938 when our Western allies let us down, but also in 1968 when our Eastern allies let us down”, Zeman said.

“In both cases Serbian people expressed their support to us and we thanked them with bombardment. I use this opportunity to apologize for the bombardment of the-then Yugoslavia”, Zeman said, adding it was a mistake.

He also said it tormented him all the time, adding at the times when the decision to bomb the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was to be made, Czech Republic was in the North-Atlantic Alliance for a few weeks and the last one to give a consent.  

“We were desperately looking and searching for at least one country to connect with us and be against it, however we were left alone. Still, it was the lack of courage”, Zeman said.

“I have said this and saved my soul”, he added, RTS reports. 

Croatian army unit sent to serve as part of KFOR in Kosovo (N1)

The Croatian army’s motorized unit was seen off at a barracks in Gospic on Monday, leaving for the NATO-led Operation KFOR in Kosovo as part of the 35th Croatian contingent there, the Defence Ministry said in a press release carried by Croatian agency Hina, N1 reports.

The Croatian unit will be deployed in Kosovo for a six months tour. It has 99 members, including nine women, and will operate as part of a multinational battalion, led by Italy, together with the troops of Austria, Italy and Slovenia.

Defence Minister Mario Banozic said he was proud that a declared infantry unit was being sent to KFOR for the first time, adding that Croatia, “as a credible NATO member, was thus directly contributing to stability and peace in Southeast Europe”.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3foqiZG 

Skopje to increase number of soldiers within KFOR mission in Kosovo (KoSSev, N1)

President Stevo Pendarovski said Tuesday that North Macedonia would send more soldiers to the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo after Croatia had announced the same, N1 reports citing Mitrovica-based KoSSev portal.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Pendarovski met in Slovenia during the Brdo-Brijuni Summit of the Western Balkans’ leaders and agreed that Skopje – Pristina relations were good and discussed their improvement.

The Kosovo Government has also announced a joint session with North Macedonia soon.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3tZt2BT

Office for KiM: Instead of letters, Pristina to sign decree on return of confiscated monastery land (Kontakt plus radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

Any kind of political pressure coming from Pristina to remove the Visoki Decani monastery from the list of the most endangered European heritage is just an additional confirmation of its endangerment, the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic reacted today after Kosovo government ministers Donika Gervalla and Hajrulla Ceku sent a letter to the executive president of “Europa Nostra”, opposing the inclusion of this monastery on the list of the most endangered monuments in Europe, demanding its removal from that list.

“The fact that Visoki Decani deserves a place on the ‘Europe Nostra’ list of the seven most endangered cultural heritage sites in Europe was confirmed today in a letter to this organization by representatives of the temporary institutions in Pristina,” Petkovic said.

He reminds that in just a month and a half, there were as many as 11 attacks on the facilities of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and each of them, he estimates, was accompanied by the anti-Serbian rhetoric of political leaders in Pristina.

“Therefore, the latest message about Visoki Decani cannot be interpreted otherwise than as a new threat to the security of this shrine and the monastery fraternity,” he said

He also points out that the endangerment of the monastery of Visoki Decani was noted by “Europa Nostra” and UNESCO in their reports, and the sensitive position of this shrine was found in the latest report of the State Department.

According to Petkovic, this is the most frequently attacked facility of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List in danger since 2006 and under the protection of KFOR units.

He also referred to the fact that this ”monastery was attacked four times – two mortar attacks were carried out in 2000, during the March 2004 pogrom, eight mortar shells were fired at the monastery, and in 2007 another mortar attack was carried out, which it also resulted in a court verdict ”. Also, in 2014, graffiti “KLA ISIS” was written on the walls of the monastery, and in January 2016, four armed Kosovo Albanians were arrested in front of the monastery, two of whom were on the blacklist of Islamic State sympathizers.

“Therefore, it would be more expedient, instead of letters with non-existent arguments, for the authorities in Pristina to sign a decree on the return of 24 hectares of confiscated monastery land and thus at least show that they respect their own laws, if they do not trust world organizations,” the statement concluded, reported Kontakt plus radio. 

Opinion

Dialogue in the upcoming period (KoSSev)

By Igor Novakovic

From an ideal point of view, Belgrade and Pristina could have resolved open issues through the Ahtisaari process or later through negotiations in Vienna. But they didn’t. There was also an opportunity to do so in the period from 2013 to 2015. The results of these processes are also influenced by the fact that their implementation is not the greatest (neither is the rhetoric of both sides), which additionally hinders the continuation of negotiations and the possibility of reaching a solution faster.

What needs to be done is clear to all well-meaning people – a final agreement must be reached between Serbia and Kosovo which would completely normalize relations (both between governments and societies) and resolve open issues. This would free both sides of the dead weight that is the current situation and they could focus on other important issues. Also, a conflict that could escalate in some dramatically changed security situation would be defused. But the gap in the perception of what this agreement should contain and imply is difficult to bridge.

The optimistic announcements that have been coming from Miroslav Lajčák for more than a year have not materialized. The reasons for this can be found in the fact that the previous Kosovo government was wobbly on its feet, but also in the extremely problematic principle, „nothing is agreed until everything is agreed“, which essentially hinders progress and leads to a deadlock. We will see how many things that have been agreed will remain in the new process. Also, according to some data, what was agreed upon is presented in short documents, which mostly focused on principles.

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

International

NATO chief confirms KFOR to remain in Kosovo (EurActiv)

All 30 NATO members, including the US, will remain committed to the KFOR mission in Kosovo and there will be no changes to KFOR’s mandate, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels on Monday, refuting rumours that some powers were asking for KFOR to withdraw.

Stoltenberg made the statement after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who told a joint news conference that he had received assurances from NATO’s Secretary General regarding security and protection in the West Balkans.

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

COVID-19 Limits Family Visits for Kosovo War Defendants (Balkan Insight)

In an attempt to prevent infections within its detention facilities, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has restricted family visits for former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders who are awaiting trial.

The Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers told BIRN that because of the continuing pandemic, it is restricting visits by relatives to former Kosovo Liberation Army guerrilla leaders who are awaiting trial at its detention centre.

Instead of in-person visits, it is offering video visits, phone calls and correspondence in an attempt to protect the suspects and people who work at the detention centre from COVID-19.

However, some people close to the accused have expressed dissatisfaction with the restrictions.

See more at: https://bit.ly/346lS4t

Angela Merkel’s political legacy in the Western Balkans will be tough to beat (euronews.com)

During the last visit of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to Berlin in the summer of 2018, the now outgoing German chancellor, Angela Merkel, allegedly told Bosnian politicians that in the architecture of the European Union, BiH would be the church’s crowning ornament, without which the church would not be a church.

She allegedly added that in order for the EU to achieve that ornament, it would be necessary to do a lot of hard and demanding work in the Western Balkans region, in the EU, and in Bosnia itself.

This statement reportedly provoked mixed reactions in the Bosnian delegation. It was welcomed as good news that BiH is seen as a crucial part of the EU by the German chancellor

Yet it was also bad news, as the chancellor’s statement was a clear sign that BiH would be the last to enter the EU and a sign that support for reforms in BiH is not a priority for Germany.

However, during the more than 15 years of Chancellor Merkel’s mandate, Germany has on several occasions launched initiatives aimed at accelerating reforms and bringing BiH and the other Western Balkan countries closer to the EU.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3huxki6

Humanitarian/Development

UNMIK assistance to the most vulnerable population of Gracanica (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kontakt plus radio)

The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has delivered food and hygiene packages to the Municipality of Gracanica, which will be distributed to the most vulnerable citizens to help fight the coronavirus, reported Radio Mitrovica sever.

UNMIK donated 80 food packages and 78 hygiene packages to the Municipality of Gracanica to support the vulnerable population in the fight against coronavirus.

UNMIK representatives handed over the aid to the mayor of Gracanica, Srdjan Popovic and conveyed greetings and a letter from the head of the Mission in Kosovo, Zahir Tanin.

“Let me convey to you my gratitude and support for the continuous work in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and the efforts to solve the problems of the most endangered in the municipality of Gracanica during the crisis that is still ongoing. I hope that UNMIK’s contribution will be useful for your community in this difficult time, and I look forward to our future cooperation,” UNMIK chief Zahir Tanin wrote in a letter to the Mayor Popovic.

Mayor Popovic thanked UNMIK for the donation and support in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

“We sincerely thank UNMIK and the Head of the Mission in Kosovo, Mr. Zahir Tanin for providing a donation for the most endangered residents of our municipality, as an aid in overcoming the consequences caused by Covid-19. The municipality of Gracanica has always had good relations and cooperation with UNMIK. The delivered aid is an indicator that with joint efforts we can overcome such a large and difficult crisis,” said Popovic, adding that the help will be delivered to individuals and families in need as soon as possible.

Dacic: Serbia’s democratic progress unimaginable without CoE (BETA, N1)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic said Tuesday his country’s democratic advance and reforms would have been unthinkable without the Council of Europe (CoE) Mission, BETA news agency reports.

“Council of Europe Mission in Serbia is one of those without which Belgrade’s huge democratic progress and reforms in key areas would be inconceivable“, Dacic told the Parliament, marking the 20th  anniversary of the CoE Office work in the country.

He said that today’s Serbia was “much better than Serbia 20 years ago“.

“The Council of Euopre has been aiding Serbia throughout this period in its efforts to empower human and national minorities rights and to nourish differences in the broadest sense“, Dacic said, adding the CoE advisory role in the country was “an unavoidable reference point in decision-making“.