Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 28 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Kurti: Dialogue in Brussels is about status of Kosovo-Serbia relations (media)
• Osmani: Time to recognise irreversible reality of independent Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo Assembly ratifies IPA 2020 agreement (media)
• PDK initiates parliamentary debate on 100 days of Kurti government (Koha)
• VV MP: We are eradicating corruption (Ekonomia Online)
• PDK leader: Kosovo coordination with US, vital and irreplaceable (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We are changing the name “mini Schengen”, fast lanes for people from the region (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• “KLA” graffiti written on a church in Brod village, children’s playground in Susica
• Veselinovic transferred to Prizren for further interrogation (Radio KIM)
• Trajkovic: Kosovo institutions do not react to prevent pressure and do not condemn frequent incidents against Serb community (KoSSev, JUGpress)
• Danas: US delighted with Kurti’s democracy, shocked by Vucic’s authoritarianism (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic on two-day visit in Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Popovic received a summons to testify at the trial for Ivanovic’s murder (Beta, N1, KiM radio)
• Vucic spoke with Zaev and Rama ahead of Skopje Forum (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Balkan Athletes Hunger for Glory at Olympics Marred by COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)
• Vucic: Serbia will protect interests if Kosovo campaigns for independence (Euractiv)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Checkmate! Kosovo Elderly Find Solace – and Rivalry – in Ancient Game (Balkan Insight)
• Childbirth Often Traumatic in CEE, But Few Women Seek Redress (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media  

COVID-19: 28 new cases, no deaths (media)

28 new cases of COVID-19 and no fatalities from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 18 persons have recovered from the virus during this time. There are 114 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo. To date, 333, 705 vaccine have been administered in Kosovo.

Kurti: Dialogue in Brussels is about status of Kosovo-Serbia relations (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels is about the status of relations between the two countries. “Today marks 11 years since the International Court of Justice sealed the legality of Kosova’s independence. Less than 2 months later, the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for a dialogue for peace and progress between Kosova and Serbia. Dialogue in Brussels is about the status of relations between two countries,” Kurti wrote on a Twitter post.

Osmani: Time to recognise irreversible reality of independent Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani took to Twitter today to say that 11 years ago the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law. “Time for countries that have not yet done so, to recognize this irreversible reality. The Republic of Kosovo is here to stay: sovereign, independent, democratic & peace-loving. It shall forever remain so,” Osmani tweeted.

Kosovo Assembly ratifies IPA 2020 agreement (media)

Members of the Kosovo Assembly today adopted the law on the ratification of the financial agreement IPA 2020 between Kosovo and the European Union. 89 MPs voted in favor of the law, while four MPs from the Serbian List did not take part in the voting process.

PDK initiates parliamentary debate on 100 days of Kurti government (Koha)

The biggest opposition party in Kosovo, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), has called for a parliamentary debate next week on the first 100 days of the Kurti-led government. PDK parliamentary group chief, Abelard Tahiri, told a press conference in Prishtina today that “this is the first government since the liberation and independence of Kosovo that has not presented a report about the 100 days in office”. “We witnessed that the government program was presented late. This is the first time that an opposition parliamentary group has filed a request for a parliamentary debate for 100 days. We filed a request with the administration of the Assembly for the debate to be held next week,” he said.

Tahiri criticised Prime Minister Albin Kurti for failing to report to the Assembly about the dialogue with Serbia. “We are giving the Prime Minister some time and we hope that he will initiate this by himself because there is a resolution that obliges the Prime Minister to hold discussions in the Assembly after every round of talks. Unfortunately, there is a lack of transparency about the process of dialogue. This is the first Prime Minister who is avoiding debates with Kosovo MPs,” he added.

VV MP: We are eradicating corruption (Ekonomia Online)

Kosovo’s Minister of Agriculture, Faton Deci, decided today to suspend nine officials in this ministry who are suspected of corruption with agricultural grants. Ardian Gola, an MP from the ruling party the Vetevendosje Movement, said in an interview for the news website that he welcomes any police and institutional action aimed at establishing justice and eradicating corruption. He argued that corruptive practices were installed many years ago both as a culture and as common practice in state institutions. “This is the biggest misfortune that has characterised the last 20 years because they affected the most sensitive area where we were expecting development. There was corruption in all processes of subsidising agricultural products,” Gola said.

PDK leader: Kosovo coordination with US, vital and irreplaceable (Klan Kosova) 

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Memli Krasniqi said in a meeting with US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, today that Kosovo’s coordination with Washington on issues of strategic interests is vital and irreplaceable. Krasniqi also said that the ties between Kosovo and the United States of America are sacred and unbreakable.

“I informed Ambassador Kosnett that the PDK, as leader of the opposition, will engage with competence and professionalism to offer credible alternatives for the people of Kosovo,” Krasniqi wrote on a Facebook post.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: We are changing the name “mini Schengen”, fast lanes for people from the region (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, KoSSev)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic announced that at the regional economic forum in Skopje on July 28 and 29, the name of the “mini Schengen” initiative will be changed, three agreements will be signed, and that “fast lanes” will be made at the border crossings for the people from the region, as there are special lanes for people from the EU at the entrance to European countries, reported Kosovo Online, citing Tanjug agency. 

“We worked on three documents and I believe we will sign them in Skopje, they are important documents on trade, work permits and mutual support in case of fires, floods and other disasters, which is in the interest of our peoples,” Vucic told reporters in Kragujevac.

He said that he would meet with the prime ministers of Northern Macedonia and Albania at the economic forum, and that he believed that a lot would be done for the economic progress of the entire region.

“We will try to agree on more things for those who belong to the countries of Little Schengen, which will be renamed because we have nothing to do with Schengen. We will show that we can go even further. If we have six or eight lanes for people coming from the EU, we will have special lanes for people from the region or these three countries to be able to pass faster, for people to see the benefit – to be able to pass faster than those who come from the EU,” stated Vucic. 

“Where we agree, we will make a fast lane, do a phytosanitary inspection 24/7 so that our businessmen can work faster and can make higher earnings and profits,” Vucic added.

If someone recognizes Kosovo, Serbia will start the campaign, says Vucic

Asked how Serbia would react if Pristina embarked on a recognition campaign, announced by the Turkish president, considering the Washington agreement, Vucic said:

“That lasts until September. If anyone decides on recognizing Kosovo’s independence, we will immediately start with a recognition withdrawal campaign.”

Vucic added that he respected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that Serbia wanted the best relations with Turkey, but that “we have our country, our interests and we will act in accordance with those interests”.

“KLA” graffiti written on a church in Brod village, children’s playground in Susica (N1, SRNA, media)

Unknown persons have broken into the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) Saint Peter and Paul in Brod village, near Strpce and inscribed “KLA” graffiti inside it, Raska-Prizren Eparchy said, N1 reports.

The Eparchy wrote in a post on Twitter that Kosovo police on July 18 informed the local SOC priest in Strpce they noticed a damaged door on the Saint Peter and Paul Church in the village Brod, during their routine visit to the temples.

Upon arrival at the church, the priest noticed a broken lock on an entry gate, door at the church was forcibly open and “KLA” graffiti inscribed in the temple. The police opened an investigation.

The Raska-Prizren Eparchy expressed concern over this yet another in a series of multiple vandal attacks against Orthodox temples in Kosovo and Metohija and appealed for the respect of the basic religious freedoms, spiritual and cultural heritage of Orthodox Serbs.

Serbian Ministry of Culture and Information condemned the desecration and inscription of graffiti at Saint Peter and Paul Church in Brod village.

The Ministry said in a statement that “in parallel with the aggressive campaign of misusing culture and Serbian cultural and religious heritage that Pristina leads towards international organizations, we are also witnessing everyday endangerment of the Serbian Orthodox Church objects in Kosovo”.

The Ministry added this incident demonstrates Pristina was not able to protect the churches from attacks. It also requested to immediately shed the light on desecration of the church and punish perpetrators aiming to oppose extremism and violence.  

N1 also recalled that earlier yesterday “KLA” graffiti were written at the children’s playground in the village of Susica, near Gracanica, along with “Albania is here”, “Albanian ground” and an insulting message against Serbia. 

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic termed the act as “scandalous and disgraceful.”

“A series of provocations against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija continues, while extremists encouraged by anti-Serbian acts do not refrain from anything, not even from intimidating children!”, Petkovic wrote on Twitter. 

Radio KIM reports insulting graffiti were removed from the children’s playground today. Marko Simic from Local Council said citizens feel distressed following the incident. Simic said Susica is an ethnically mixed village and they had no problems with Albanian neighbors before.  

“I think this was not done by Susica residents, I would rather say it was done by visitors coming here over the weekend or spending 10 or 15 days here aiming to achieve something, I do not know what. The situation is not naïve, residents feel afraid and distressed (…)”, Simic said.

Gracanica mayor Srdjan Popovic said the security situation in the Serbian areas in Kosovo was concerning. He visited the children’s playground this morning and noted that not a single incident was recorded in this ethnically mixed village before.

“This is a very hard and insulting message, in particular when something like this was written on a spot where children play. I think all this is synchronized and the intensity of the attacks against the Serbian population over the last month has intensified in the entire territory of Kosovo and Metohija”, Popovic said.

There are around 800 people living in Susica village, including 120 Serb and 70 Albanian households. 

Veselinovic transferred to Prizren for further interrogation (Radio KIM)

Srboljub Veselinovic (80-year old) whom Kosovo police kept several hours at the administrative crossing point Jarinje, late in the afternoon yesterday has been transferred to Prizren for further interrogation, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement, Radio KIM reports.

Veselinovic is charged with alleged “illegal logging”, the statement added.  

“The case of Srboljub Veselinovic treated by Pristina as the most serious war criminal demonstrates the highhandedness and insolence of the Albanian politicians able to harass an eighty years old man just because he is a Serb”, the Office said in a statement.  

The Office also provided a lawyer to Veselinovic who will follow the process.

“It is absurd that Serbs who have been deprived of property in Kosovo and Metohija for years are now being persecuted and labeled as usurpers by some secret orders and indictments”, the Office said.

Trajkovic: Kosovo institutions do not react to prevent pressure and do not condemn frequent incidents against Serb community (KoSSev, JUGpress)

The Kosovo government has entered a bizarre and futile war with the Serbian identity in Kosovo. Institutions are desperately fighting against Serbian symbolism, and that struggle ranges from banal actions – such as confiscating items with Serbian iconography from pilgrims in Gazimestan – to very worrying trends such as attempts to deny Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo. In this second process, the Kosovo government uses “alternatives”, i.e. false historical facts, and actively misinforms Kosovo society. The narrative about our cultural heritage is being aggressively Albanianized, and the path of culturcide is on the way, warns Serbian politician from Kosovo Rada Trajkovic in an interview for the Regional Information Agency JUGpress, reported KoSSev.

What is the current situation in Kosovo? Is the security of Serbs endangered?

R.T: Insecurity is felt at almost every step, and it is reflected, above all, through institutional insecurity – the feeling that no one will come to our aid if we need help. Because we currently have an absurd situation in Kosovo where the institutions that are obliged by law to protect you, unfortunately, do not do that. Quite simply, Kosovo’s institutions are not reacting – or not reacting decisively enough – to prevent pressure and condemn the frequent incidents against the Serb community.

The most drastic example is Djakovica, where the Constitution was practically suspended and where local Albanians de facto implemented racial laws according to which a Serbian returnee, due to her nationality, is not allowed to enter a shop owned by an Albanian to buy a loaf of bread. The Government of Kosovo remains silent on such occurrences, as well as on other cases where returnees and one Serbian boy were beaten.

‘’In addition, the Government of Kosovo has entered a bizarre and futile war with the Serb identity in Kosovo. Institutions are desperately fighting against Serbian symbolism, and that struggle ranges from banal actions – such as confiscating items with Serbian iconography from pilgrims in Gazimestan – to very worrying trends such as attempts to deny Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo. In this second process, the Government of Kosovo uses “alternative” i.e. false historical facts, and actively misinforms Kosovo society. The narrative around our cultural heritage is being aggressively Albanianized and goes the way of culturicide.’’

Unfortunately, this kind of irresponsibility and extremism creates a fertile ground for the emergence of another extremism – extremism with an Islamic prefix – because our Church and monasticism, as the most visible representatives of the Christian tradition in Kosovo, are constantly demonized in public.

What is the role of the international community, do you get the impression that they are not reacting as before? How much does their reaction depend on the request from Belgrade?

R.T.: The international community has the principle of never stopping processes at the outset, no matter how harmful. The international community rarely intervenes early because it has time to monitor processes on the ground. But that does not mean that everything is not recorded somewhere and recorded for some future time of determining responsibility. The international community certainly does not forgive such things, as we can see from the experience with the Special Court.

‘’However, for us, such an approach of the international community is inconvenient because, unlike them, we do not have time to wait. Kosovo’s multiethnicity is already on the lower limit, and if something does not change soon, the goal of the international community to build a multiethnic Kosovo will remain just a dead letter, which had justified the ‘99 intervention.’’

I do not think that Belgrade’s demands can lead the international community to react more strongly. However, incidents against Serbs in Kosovo have been heavily exploited in Serbia these days. Such media headlines provoke a negative reaction from Serbs in Serbia, raise the temperature and raise nationalist passions, which should also worry everyone who follows the region. Because in the Balkans, every nationalist action always gives birth to a reaction. 

Did you personally expect that Albin Kurti and his associates would bring back the public discourse in Kosovo from the time of war? Can that be dangerous for Serbs living south of the Ibar?

R.T.: It is normal that my expectations were different and that I hoped that Kurti would dedicate himself to his election promises: building a just society and strengthening the rule of law. I certainly did not expect that both Kurti and (Vjosa) Osmani would spend their image of “new, young people” on the Kosovo political scene by dealing with anti-Serbian propaganda and raising nationalist passions on a daily basis, which most directly threaten the security of the Serbian community.

Paradoxically, Kurti persistently says that negotiations with Serbia are low on his list of priorities, but since coming to power, he has been dealing with Serbia only. He seems obsessed with weakening the Serbian negotiating position, and obviously – but also completely wrongly – he perceives the Serbian community and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo not as its citizens but as elements of the actions of the state of Serbia. With that approach, he practically rejected our outstretched hand for cooperation.

Unfortunately, this kind of Kurti’s approach benefits the opposition parties from the so-called war coalitions, which can now use Kurti’s nationalist rhetoric for security destabilization and possible attacks on the Serb community. Kurti could jeopardize his own position of power when it is revealed that, despite strong rhetoric, he does not actually have control over extremists who can destabilize Kosovo. So, he started a very dangerous process: both for the Kosovo Serbs and for himself. “

How do you view the statements of the former EULEX judge about the removal of Oliver and the trial of “KLA” leaders?

R.T.: Everyone knows very well that Oliver was left without the support of Belgrade, the international community and Kosovo institutions, and that, therefore, he was destined to be removed from the political scene in order that a new option in northern Kosovo was installed.”

“However, I do not take Simons’ statements as serious because he is not a credible witness. His motivation is very vague, and the statements are full of subsequent wit. It is clear that his testimony is intended to destabilize the institutions of the rule of law in Kosovo, as well as the work of the Special Court. Also, the fact is that Simons has been asking Kosovo institutions for an opportunity to present his claims before the Kosovo Parliament for a long time, but only Kurti gave him that privilege. With Kurti’s clumsiness, we have thus obtained another crisis of the rule of law in Kosovo.”

Is the situation in Decani “pumped” by the one who has the most influence there, Ramush Haradinaj?

“As can be seen, the results of the analysis of the water in Decani show that the cause of the poisoning is bacteriological in nature and a consequence of unprofessionalism, and not some kind of conspiracy. Attempts to manipulate this tragic situation and to endanger the security of the Decani Monastery and the local Serbian community with disinformation are truly disappointing. The Serb community has become a bogeyman on duty in Kosovo, always there to cover the inability of local actors and divert attention from some other responsible party.”

In this case, if it were not for the urgent and clear intervention of the American embassy, the outcome would have been much worse because the media in Kosovo had already started an irresponsible campaign.

Is it true that Vjosa Osmani’s “patriotic” statements are related to the information that her close relative received a Serbian passport to go to the West?

R.T.: I don’t know the motives for the strong rhetoric used by Osmani, but it is worrying when we hear such statements from an educated young woman and a lawyer educated in the West. I would say that her education and position require greater responsibility and political maturity. So far, we have heard only negative messages from Osmani towards Serbs, and simplistic views of regional and international relations. “

How do you view the inclusion of Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja in the whole story? Is it possible that all this is being done without any connection with Belgrade?

‘’First, Belgrade knows very well that in the south of Serbia there are a lot of Albanians from Kosovo with registered false residences, who thus obtained Serbian documents. An internal control was carried out, and it was discovered that Serbian passports were issued to Kosovo citizens for money. Apparently, that is the reason why we now have this story about problems with addresses in the south of Serbia.’’

R.T.: Of course, that does not mean that Albanians in the south of Serbia do not encounter other problems and do not face discrimination. This issue deserves serious treatment and attention. But the story published these days has a political message aimed at equating Serbs from Kosovo with Albanians from the Presevo Valley, which is unacceptable. The circumstances in which these two communities live are incomparable. Albanians in southern Serbia are not citizens of Kosovo, and their status should have nothing to do with the Kosovo issue. And recent incidents against Serbs in Kosovo remind us how unique the circumstances in which the community lives are in Europe: it is a community that can be denied the most basic rights without consequences, including the right to property and equality before the law.

Danas: US delighted with Kurti’s democracy, shocked by Vucic’s authoritarianism (Kosovo Online)

The administration of US President Joseph Biden in the continuation of negotiations on resolving the Kosovo problem will “pressure” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic more than Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reach a compromise solution, the Belgrade daily Danas writes, citing an “unofficial statement of diplomatic circles’ representatives in Washington”, Kosovo Online cited.

Interlocutor of Danas points out: “In Washington, they are impressed by Kurti’s democracy”, and on the other hand, “shocked by Vucic’s authoritarianism”.

As Danas  learned, the President of Serbia is criticized by the US establishment, among other things, for “lack of sense for dialogue with political opponents, excessive control over the media”, as well as “incendiary statements often made by him and some of his associates about Serbia’s neighbors in the Western Balkans”.

As for Kurti, it is claimed that he “enjoys the support of America in most political segments”, although he is considered a “more unpleasant interlocutor” of America than his predecessor in office, Avdullah Hoti. In that context, it is emphasized that “Kurti wants what the Biden administration stands for – for Kosovo to receive recognition from Serbia”, writes Danas daily.

A source of Danas explains that America expects Kurti to implement the promised reforms, “especially those related to the rule of law, including the fight against corruption”, and to “seriously count” on Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who “has extremely good political connections in circles close to Biden”.

Osmani, who was educated at the American University in Pittsburgh, Danas recalled, on the occasion of Joseph Biden’s inauguration, publicly stated: “At the head of our allied state, the United States, is a Kosovo friend from today. I wish you good luck as President of the United States, with the strong conviction that the Americans have made the right choice and that the democracy of this country will continue to be a reference for the entire planet.”

The State Department still unofficially claims that Matthew Palmer will not stay in the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the so-called “European bureau” for a long time, which would mean that he will be relieved of his duties as Special Representative for the Western Balkans.

As a Danas source explains: “Karen Donfried, who is to be appointed US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, will probably choose a new team, including a special representative for the Western Balkans.” 

According to Danas, Donfried was nominated for a position in the State Department in April, from the position of the president of the German Marshall Fund, one of the most influential think tanks in America.

Petkovic on two-day visit in Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic will visit Kosovo and Metohija on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23, Radio Mitrovica sever reports.

On the first day of the visit Petkovic will talk at midday to the residents of Banjska village in Vucitrn municipality, in a yard of Saint Nikola Church.

After that Petkovic will visit the family of a recently beaten, thirteen-year-old boy Nikola Peric in Gojbulja village.

Petkovic will also visit the agricultural property of Gracanica Monastery with Bishop Teodosije of Raska and Prizren Eparchy, which is located on a 55-hectare estate and provides for the needs of Serbian Orthodox Church in KiM, people and soup kitchens.

On the second day of the visit, on Friday, July 23, at 10 am Petkovic will attend a memorial service in Staro Gracko village for 14 Serbian harvesters who were killed in an ambush in a field on July 23, 1999.

Memorial service will be served by the Bishop of Raska and Prizren Teodosije, and after the memorial service, Petkovic will address the families of the victims and those present.

Popovic received a summons to testify at the trial for Ivanovic’s murder (Beta, N1, KiM radio)

Serbian MP Milena Popovic said she had received a summons from the Basic Court in Pristina to testify at the trial for the murder of her common-law husband Oliver Ivanovic.

Popovic told Beta agency that she would be among the first witnesses to appear in the court proceedings.

“I received a summons for September 1 and my testimony will be at the very beginning of the trial,” she said.

The trial for the murder of the president of the Civic Initiative “SDP”, Oliver Ivanovic, began on July 6 in Pristina.

In addition to the six accused, the indictment of the Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office states that a criminal group led by the vice president of the Serbian List, Milan Radoicic, and the businessman Zvonko Veselinovic is behind the murder of Ivanovic.

The Court decided to try the accused Marko Rosic, Silvana Arsovic, Rade Basara and Nedeljko Spasojevic as members of a joint criminal enterprise. Police officers Dragisa Markovic and Zarko Jovanovic are accused of manipulating evidence in this case.

Milena Popovic previously stated that Radoicic and Veselinovic, as well as all others who are in any way connected with the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, should be heard before the Court in Pristina.

“If Radoicic claims that he has nothing to do with Oliver’s murder, then he should prove his innocence before the Court in Pristina,” said Popovic

She pointed out that only her knows what happened in Oliver’s life in the past years and just before the assassination.

“If credible witnesses are heard, I believe that the truth about the perpetrators, organizers and those who ordered Oliver’s murder will be found out,” Popovic told the Beta agency.

One of the first attacks on Oliver Ivanovic and his family happened on September 12, 2013 in North Mitrovica, when an unknown man broke into his apartment and attacked his wife Milena and two-year-old son.

At the time, Ivanovic was a candidate in the local elections for mayor of North Mitrovica.

“If the state of Serbia does not take measures, this could happen to them in both Kraljevo and Belgrade. This is not a message sent only to me, but also to all ordinary people who would like this city to look a little better, “Ivanovic said at the time, adding that the attack was politically motivated.

Oliver Ivanović’s car was set on fire twice in North Mitrovica, the last time it happened on July 28, 2017, after he was released from prison.

“I have no personal conflict with anyone. I don’t have any illegal business, I don’t have anything that would bring me into conflict with people, the only thing that can happen is that I have political opponents, but that must not be a reason for something like this,” Ivanovic told the media at the time.

Oliver Ivanovic was arrested in January 2014 on suspicion of committing a war crime.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison by the first instance verdict of the Basic Court in Kosovska Mitrovica. He was released after three years due to lack of evidence.

Former EULEX mission judge Malcolm Simmons told members of the Kosovo Assembly that the mission was asked to remove some people from the political scene who were described as “big fish”, and in that context he also mentioned Serbian politician Oliver Ivanovic.

“The head of the EULEX mission has clearly told me that he does not want Ivanovic to run in the next local elections in Kosovo,” Simmons said.

Oliver Ivanovic’s cousin, lawyer Aleksandar Ivanovic, told the Beta agency that the family knew from the first moment that the arrest was a rigged game in order to eliminate Oliver from political life.

According to him, it is more than obvious that at this moment there is no political readiness to solve Oliver’s murder.

“But one thing is for sure, the political situation will change, and thus the readiness to bring those responsible to justice. The obligation of the family is to never forget that, we will fight for the truth to come to light at some point and for those responsible for Oliver’s murder to be held accountable in accordance with the law,” said lawyer Aleksandar Ivanovic.

Oliver Ivanovic was killed on January 16, 2018, when he entered the premises of his party in North Mitrovica.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic then stated that he would announce all the details related to the murder of Ivanovic within two weeks.

Oliver Ivanovic’s common-law wife, Milena Popovic told Beta that she was disappointed that the promise of the highest representatives of the government was not fulfilled.

“I am disappointed because I believed that the names of the killers would be announced a few days after the murder. However, I believe in the investigative bodies and that, above all, the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” Popovic pointed out.

Vucic spoke with Zaev and Rama ahead of Skopje Forum (Kosovo-online)

President Aleksandar Vucic had a video call with North Macedonian and Albanian prime ministers Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama regarding the regional economic forum that would take place in Skopje on July 29, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“A very successful conversation with Zaev and Rama dedicated to preparing the regional economic forum we jointly organize in Skopje on July 29”, Vucic wrote on his Instagram account.

“A regional initiative that would connect us and improve the lives of all citizens. Building together new Balkans, European one”, Vucic added.

Serbian Chamber of Commerce President Marko Cadez also took part in a video meeting, the portal added.   

International

Balkan Athletes Hunger for Glory at Olympics Marred by COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)

While the lack of crowds will make for very unusual games, sportsmen and women from Balkan countries will not let the silence in the stands put them off.

As Friday’s opening ceremony for the XXXII Olympic Games in Tokyo looms, Balkan athletes are bracing for the quest to bring home glory with medals round their neck.

The Olympic Games in Tokyo starting this Friday were scheduled to be held in 2020 but had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crowds will be very limited in Tokyo and cheering and singing has been banned.

Still, taking part in the games is the main thing for the athletes. “The important thing in life is not to triumph but to compete,” Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937), founder of the International Committee, IOC, said.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3zpy6CA

Vucic: Serbia will protect interests if Kosovo campaigns for independence (Euractiv)

Serbia would do everything to protect its interests if Kosovo violates the Washington Agreement signed in 2020, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Wednesday, pointing to Belgrade and Pristina being both obliged to refrain from campaigning for withdrawals like lobbying for the global recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

Vučić said this when asked to comment on allegations in the media that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had launched a political offensive aimed at encouraging more countries to recognise Kosovo’s independence.

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

Humanitarian/Development

Checkmate! Kosovo Elderly Find Solace – and Rivalry – in Ancient Game (Balkan Insight)

A hierarchy of royal figures occupies two wooden tables placed near the fountain, the so-called Fontana, in the Ulpiana neighborhood of the Kosovo capital, Pristina.

Amid cries of defeat and triumph, the elderly from the area gather every afternoon to play chess under the shade of the trees.

With four chess boards places on two rectangular tables, waiting in line to play with each other, they have created a local meeting point, where, besides playing chess, they can lament the troubles of old age.

For 89-year-old Abedin Hoxha, from Tropoja, in northern Albania, who moved to Pristina around four months ago, integration into the circle of chess enthusiasts has helped him overcome feelings of grief.

Although he does not play chess himself, but enjoys the game of his friends, Hoxha says meeting friends of his age has helped him adapt to a new place, which he never imagined he could do at such an age.

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

Childbirth Often Traumatic in CEE, But Few Women Seek Redress (Balkan Insight)

Many women have told BIRN about violence, verbal abuse and negligence during childbirth in Central and Eastern Europe. But very few felt able to seek justice.

On November 20 last year, with her baby due the next day, Dajana Petric was admitted to the maternity ward of the local hospital in Doboj, a town in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. All was well, she thought, until the contractions began.

In increasing pain, Petric, 25, called the nurse. She was taken for a CTG scan, which measures the baby’s heart rate and monitors contractions in the uterus. The results did not reflect the pain she was experiencing and, according to Petric, a nurse told her she was making things up.

“They take me back to the room and the nurse says that they will go to sleep and that I should not call them unless my waters break,” Petric told BIRN. “I couldn’t sleep because of the pain. At one point I was screaming into the blankets and pillow so they wouldn’t hear me.”

See more at:https://bit.ly/3i2g83v