Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Protection and the right to life is state obligation (Ekonomia)
• Kamberi: Albanians in Presevo Valley continue to be discriminated (RFE, media)
• Lumezi pledges to strengthen rule of law and fight crime (media)
• Less: There is an ideological division in the EU regarding Kosovo (Express)
• COVID-19: 3 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 65 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vucic received Algerian Ambassador in farewell visit (RTS)
• The United Nations – 76 years of spreading values that have no expiration date (RTS)
• Selakovic and Schmidt: Strong partnership of Serbia and OSCE (RTS)
• Borovcanin: Kosovo boxers didn’t apply for competition, want to politicize sport (Kosovo-online, TV Pink)
• Moscow’s Kommersant: Pristina involves Russia in its conflict with Belgrade (Beta, N1)
• Selakovic: Support of Greece in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia very important (Kosovo-online)

International:

• “Albania is getting ready for the EU, no matter what” (politico.eu)

Albanian Language Media  

Osmani: Protection and the right to life is state obligation (Ekonomia)

At the opening of the “Week for the protection of victims of crime”, President Vjosa Osmani said that the obligation of the state is to protect and guarantee the right to life.

Osmani added that the statistics are sad, and violence has already become a major challenge for the country, emphasizing that the perpetrators should be punished, and no violence should be tolerated.

She noted that the obligation of the state in relation to human rights and freedoms are not only negative obligations but also positive obligations which means to protect them when they are in danger, or to protect their lives.

“By September of this year, there have been three more women victims of domestic violence, and the statistics are sad, the perpetrators must be punished.”

Osmani invited the institutions to continue working in this direction, despite the work being done in combating domestic violence and violence against women and offered her support in protecting the victims.

“I am glad that professionals are working positively to gain trust in these institutions. I want to reaffirm my personal commitment to cooperate with all institutions where integrity and respect for the law are paramount and to jointly fight crime and protect victims.”

“Implementation of the law by providing a better future for the citizens without fear is above all and only together we can ensure peace for the citizens.”

“My silence on injustices will never be an alternative, because in this way we urge the perpetrators and violence to continue, so raise your voice as much as possible,” said the president.

Under the patronage of the Chief State Prosecutor, Aleksander Lumezi, the “Week for the Rights of Crime Victims” has started, with the motto “Together in protection of victims of crime”.

Kamberi: Albanians in Presevo Valley continue to be discriminated (RFE, media)

In an interview with VOA, Albanian MP in the Serbian Parliament Shaip Kamberi said that Albanians in the Presevo Valley continue to be discriminated against in Serbia. MP Kamberi also spoke about the “Open Balkans” initiative saying that without the participation of all countries, the Balkans will continue to be a troubled region.

“Albanians are discriminated against in various spheres of life. Denial of equal integration in state institutions, free use and use of language in state institutions, ie integration as a process that has not developed at all, despite the fact that Serbia with three programs and three agreements with Albanians has committed that it will accomplish this. It is therefore one of the main problems that Albanians face.

Serbia, said MP Kamberi, continues to deny Albanians the right to use the national symbol, while holding hostage the economic development of the three municipalities in the Presevo Valley, affecting a peaceful depopulation by the vital part of the Albanian population.

Speaking about the “Open Balkans” initiative, MP Kamberi said that any cooperation in the region should be welcomed and that this initiative, launched between Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia, should also improve the position of Albanians in the Presevo Valley.

“At the moment we are not seeing any positive movement and change in the ratio of Serbia’s approach to Albanians in the Presevo Valley. Let’s give it space and time, let’s wait, maybe there might be something. If there is no movement in that direction, it could be a futile initiative for the Albanians of the Presevo Valley,” he said.

MP Kamberi said that in order to be a complete initiative, the “Open Balkans” should include all countries in this region and not, as so far, that the initiative lacks three or four countries:

“The collective security of the Western Balkans depends on stability in all these countries. If Bosnia and the relations between the three ethnic groups are not stable, then it could endanger peace in any part of the Balkans. I think that Serbia’s relationship with Kosovo is also essential, not only for the Balkans, but first and foremost in the relationship between Albanians and Serbs. If we do not move towards the normalization of relations for mutual recognition, the Balkans will still remain troubled, despite these trilateral initiatives that exist.”

Asked about his position as an Albanian MP in the Serbian Parliament, Mr. Kamberi said that he is determined to speak about the truth of the Albanians in Serbia and Kosovo.

“And what we are aiming at is to speak publicly, in front of the Serbian opinion, in front of the international opinion, about the truth that exists for the Albanians, to talk about the need for democratization of that state, because without the democratization of Serbia we cannot expect that there will be stability in that country in the first place, but this is conditioning stability throughout the Balkans. So, let’s talk about improving neighborly relations. First of all, we are talking about the issue of Kosovo. And when we are at Kosovo, the first issue that Serbia must do is apologize, respectively publish the truth about the many mass graves that exist in Serbia.”

The controlled media in Serbia do not provide space, said MP Kamberi, so the parliament remains the only opportunity to reveal the truth about Albanians, with which a large part of the public in Serbia is not familiar.

Lumezi pledges to strengthen rule of law and fight crime (media)

The “Week for the Rights of Crime Victims”, with the motto “Together in protection of victims of crime” started today under the patronage of the Chief State Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi.

On this occasion, Lumezi said that Kosovo is a leader in the region in terms of legislation for the protection of victims, adding that they are constantly taking concrete steps in this direction.

“I am pleased to see significant progress in the issue of domestic violence cases and the protection of victims of violence against them.”

Lumezi further said that ‘we are slowly and surely taking the right steps to protect ourselves from violence.’

“There should never be negligence in guaranteeing the rights of victims, and we should not allow crimes to be ignored, but rather everyone should live free.”

“During these nine months of work we have had 1 584 cases of violence, where 1 396 were domestic violence, while 445 requests for protection orders. The greatness of a people is judged by how it treats its citizens, so we must engage as much as possible in protecting the victims.”

The Chief Prosecutor said that they are working to increase the trust of citizens, but also of internationals, because this increases integrity and professionalism.

“I assure you that as Chief State Prosecutor I will give support to this path and strengthen the legal process,” Lumezi said.

Less: There is an ideological division in the EU regarding Kosovo (Express)

Timothy Less, a former British diplomat and researcher at the British Center for Geopolitics at Cambridge University, says Kosovo seems determined to impose its authority on the north, if necessary, by any means. In the process, the status quo is deliberately rejected and the dispute that has been frozen since 2008 is thawed.

The public dispute between EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Kosovo’s representative in the European Parliament, Viola von Cramon, points to ideological divisions within the EU institutions over how to deal with Kosovo and the Balkans in a broader sense, Less said.

Regarding the recent events in Kosovo, especially in the north, Timothy Less says that he sees the recent events as a way for “Albanians to push Kosovo towards the long-awaited moment of truth”, Gazeta Express reports.

“Pristina seems determined to impose its authority on the north, if necessary, by any means. In the process, it consciously rejects the status quo and dissolves the dispute that has been frozen since 2008. As for Borrell and von Cramon, their public dispute shows ideological divisions within and between the EU institutions about how to deal more with Kosovo and the Balkans,” he said.

As Less points out, Borrell and others in the European Commission are part of the camp of realists who see northern Kosovo as a controversial region and that Kosovo’s actions refer to the country’s sovereignty.

“This ideological dispute was insignificant as long as the dispute over Kosovo was frozen and as long as the EU could avoid making a meaningful decision for the country. However, this is becoming more and more important as Pristina dissolves the dispute, Kosovo begins to use force and Serbia threatens military intervention,” Less said.

“We have to see which camp will dominate now,” he said.

Asked if he expects new actions from the Kosovo Special Police in the north before the second round of local elections in Kosovo, and whether KSF intervention can be expected in case of major conflicts, Less said that such a thing is likely to happen.

“If there is no further intervention before the elections, it will probably happen after, because it is not just about elections, but about a wider effort of the government to impose its power on the entire territory of Kosovo, especially in the north. It is possible that Kosovo could deploy the Kosovo Security Force there, but in my opinion not yet. Pristina’s official position is that the operation in the north is a matter of law and order, so there is no obvious justification for military intervention,” Less said.

COVID-19: 3 new cases, one death (media)

3 new COVID-19 cases and one death were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 20 persons recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 438 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19: 65 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)

Out of 173 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas, 65 tested positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced on Saturday, Radio kontakt plus reports.

At the same time one person passed away in Leposavic.

New cases were registered as follows: 23 in Leposavic, 14 in Zvecan, 13 in Mitrovica North, seven in Gnjilane, four in Kamenica, two in Gracanica and one each in Zubin Potok and Priluzje.

Currently there are 249 active cases in the Serbian areas in Kosovo.

A total of 7.055 cases of Covid-19 were registered in the Serbian areas in Kosovo since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Also, 173 persons have died due to Covid-19 related complications in the Serbian areas. 

Vucic received Algerian Ambassador in farewell visit (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received today in a farewell visit Ambassador of the Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelhamid Cebchoub and thanked him for his dedicated work to advance traditional friendship and all-encompassing relations between the two states, RTS reports.

Vucic also said he was satisfied that Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane took part in recent summit dedicated to the 60th anniversary of Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, adding he hopes this visit will be an impetus to further advancement of Serbian-Algerian cooperation, that is currently below its existing possibilities.

The two interlocutors discussed the topics of mutual interest, including the steps to further develop bilateral relations.

Vucic in particular thanked Ambassador Cebchoub for the principled stance of his country not to recognize self-declared independence of Kosovo.  

The United Nations – 76 years of spreading values that have no expiration date (RTS)

The 76th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN) was being marked. The values on which the UN Charter is based – peace, development, human rights and opportunities for all – have no expiration date, said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. All nations, large and small, must enjoy equal rights and dignity, said Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic on the occasion, reported RTS yesterday. 

“Today, the women and men of the United Nations continue to spread that hope around the world. Covid-19, conflicts, hunger, poverty and the problems of climate change remind us that our world is far from perfect, but they also make clear that solidarity is the only thing the way forward,” said Guterres.

Guterres said that we should gather in order to respond to great challenges, and work on achieving the goals of sustainable development, the statement said.

“By providing every person, everywhere in the world, with access to vaccines against Covid-19, and as soon as possible. By protecting and respecting the rights and dignity of all people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, girls and women, children and young people, by trying to stop the conflicts that are leaving scars on our world,” he said.

He added that we should boldly commit ourselves to the fight against climate change to save the planet and keep our word.

“And by building a global governance that is more inclusive, networked and effective, as outlined in my recently published ‘Our Common Agenda’ report,” he said.

He said that the values on which the UN Charter has been based for 76 years – peace, development, human rights and opportunities for all – have no expiration date.

“Today, when we celebrate UN Day, let these ideals unite us and encourage us to fully realize the promise, potential and hope symbolized by the United Nations,” concludes UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Selakovic: All nations must enjoy equal rights

On the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic said that all nations, large and small, must enjoy equal rights and dignity.

“History teaches us, and the UN Charter warns, that only by respecting the goals and principles to which we have all committed ourselves we can together build the world we want,” Selakovic said.

He added that it was a world based on the sovereign equality of all states, a world in which we resolve all disputes peacefully and preserve international peace and security, a world in which we respect the territorial integrity of each state and work together to improve social and economic progress.

Recalling that the UN Charter was the constitution of the international community, the alphabet of international law and the legal imperative that regulates international relations, Selakovic pointed out that Serbia consistently follows the rules and principles contained in the Charter, reported RTS.

Selakovic joined the international action “Our rules are the UN Charter” by reminding of the value of that document, the ministry said in a statement.

Blue lights on the sights of Belgrade

Several landmarks in Belgrade will be illuminated in blue tonight to mark the day, including the Albania Palace, the National Assembly Dome, the Ada and Branko’s Bridge, according to a UN statement in Serbia, reported RTS.

Selakovic and Schmidt: Strong partnership of Serbia and OSCE (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic met in Belgrade OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmidt who said that the partnership of Serbia with this organization remains strong, and commended Serbia for its contribution to the stability in the region and beyond, RTS reports.

Speaking in a joint press conference, Selakovic said that Serbia deems OSCE as one of the most significant regional security organizations representing today a platform for the dialogue and a unique format to face security challenges not only in Europe but beyond as well.

He recalled Serbia’s commitment to this organization and its principles, which was particularly demonstrated during Serbia’s chairmanship of the OSCE in 2015, but also during chairmanship of the Forum for Security Cooperation in 2017.

He also pointed out particularity of Serbia, which unlike other 56 member states has two OSCE missions with seats in Belgrade and Pristina, adding that Serbia is particularly proud of its cooperation with the Mission in Belgrade, which as he said, gives unselfish and significant contribution to the reforms processes in the country aiming at creating more qualitative, regulated and efficient society.

Selakovic acquainted Schmidt with growing tensions in Kosovo and Metohija and the fact that over the last ten months the number of ethnically motivated incidents targeting the Serb population there has increased significantly.

“The important aspect of the talks about Kosovo and Metohija is the functioning of the OSCE Mission with seat in Pristina which we consider as the most important international status-neutral presence of one regional international organization on the ground, realized in line with UN SC Resolution 1244”, Selakovic said.

The two interlocutors discussed the situation in the region, while Selakovic presented Serbia’s position in relation to the events in the region, emphasizing commitment of Serbia to build good-neighborly relations, preserve stability and strengthen regional interactions.

“In particular I want to emphasize the Open Balkans initiative and everything else directed at strengthening communication among the states in our region, but also strengthening cooperation between citizens of these states”, Selakovic said.

OSCE Secretary General Schmidt said the talks with Selakovic were constructive and highlighted the significance of the OSCE’s role as the largest international security organization that has a unique approach to peace and security.

During her visit to Serbia, Schmidt will also meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic and Commissioner for Gender Equality Brankica Jankovic.

She will also meet with representatives of Women Parliamentary Network, civil society organizations and OSCE partners, as well as OSCE Mission to Serbia staff members. 

Borovcanin: Kosovo boxers didn’t apply for competition, want to politicize sport (Kosovo-online, TV Pink)

After 43 years, Serbia is hosting the World Boxing Championship, with 670 competitors from 103 countries competing from October 25 to November 6. President of the Serbian Boxing Association, Nenad Borovcanin said Kosovo boxers will not take part, as according to him, they did not apply for the competition, Kosovo-online portal reports citing TV Pink.

Borovcanin pointed out that “the alleged bans on Kosovo boxers entering Serbia were in fact attempts to politicize sports, abuse and manipulate, which has no place in sports”.

“Kosovo is not on the list of 103 countries, Kosovo is not there, nor are their boxers. They are not officially on the list”, Borovcanin said.

He added that “the sport is pure and should remain so”. He also said he was very proud that Serbia is the host of the World Cup this year.

Moscow’s Kommersant: Pristina involves Russia in its conflict with Belgrade (Beta, N1)

Russia is involved in the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia after Pristina authorities have declared two Russian diplomats from the Pristina office of the Russian Embassy to Serbia persona non grata, the Moscow daily Kommersant wrote on Monday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry described Pristina’s decision as a provocation and added it would not have consequences on the legal status of Russian diplomats who left Kosovo on Saturday.

Kommersant says Russia always responds reciprocally to such moves, but “in this case, it is impossible because Moscow does not recognise the independence of Kosovo and there are no representatives of Kosovo in Russia”.

The daily added that several Kosovo media reported that Russian diplomats Denis Vengerski and Alexei Krivosheyev left Kosovo on Saturday and published their photos, in which one was packing things in a car, while the other showed a car crossing the administrative border with Serbia.

It also reported that Kosovo media said Krivosheev was expelled from Albania in January. He had previously worked at the Russian Embassy in Skopje, where he “allegedly cooperated” with opponents of the current Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

The current diplomatic conflict between Pristina and Moscow is not the first of its kind. In May 2019, ordered by then Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry declared the Russian diplomat from the UN mission, Mikhail Krasnoshekov, a persona non grata, Kommersant said.

It added that the Russian Ministry then threatened Pristina that such a precedent would have far-reaching consequences.

See at: https://bit.ly/3EgZW6n

Selakovic: Support of Greece in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia very important (Kosovo-online)

Serbian  Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic met today with Greek Ambassador to Serbia, Georgios Diacofotakis and on that occasion stressed that support of Greece in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia is very important, Kosovo-online portal reports.

He also said support of Greece to the efforts to reach a lasting and sustainable solution to Kosovo and Metohija issue was also very important.

He added Serbia attaches great significance to the friendship and bilateral cooperation with Greece, something witnessed by strategic partnership established between Serbia and Greece. 

International 

Albania is getting ready for the EU, no matter what (politico.eu)

Eighteen years ago, at the 2003 European Union-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki, we were told, “the future of the Balkans is within the European Union.” The EU has since reiterated its “unequivocal support” to the European perspective of Western Balkans countries, as summits are now held every year and the same statements reiterated. But it might as well still be 2003.

Back then, the EU’s watchword was “enlargement.” Now, Europe’s unequivocal support looks to have become contingent, and perhaps the bloc’s internal squabbles mean that the promise of enlargement must be temporarily shelved. However, we are not simply waiting for the EU. We are getting ready for it and are creating opportunity for our people.

I believe that Albanians are among the most pro-EU communities in Europe. When communism collapsed and we were free to choose our path, we chose Brussels. Since then, we have done everything asked of us in our membership application. The EU may be unable to deliver on its promises, but Albania is still committed to European ideals, and we will likely remain faithful to its founding principles, even after its own members have left them behind.

Our future generations deserve to enjoy the rewards of membership, but we are hostage to the same historic forces of division the EU was created to eliminate. The EU must recognize that it is losing face with its staunchest defenders, while our progress to membership is blocked by just one strange collateral veto — Bulgaria.

Read more at: https://politi.co/3vJnJsB