Albanian Language Media:

• “Kosovo and Serbia are not working to resolve disagreements” (RFE)
• Kurti: We will have 9.9% economic growth by year’s end (RTK)
• Government expects positive changes on visa liberalisation (Kosovapress)
• Rohde calls for implementation of court decision on Decani Monastery (media)
• Historians from Decan: Decani Monastery is not under threat (media)
• Shahini: Kosovo is powerless in stopping trend of increased prices (media)
• Tahiri calls on government not to reject gas pipeline project (media)
• PDK’s Hoxhaj reacts to resignation of Zaev as North Macedonia PM (media)
• COVID-19: Five new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 49 new cases registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio KIM)
• Cyprus is Serbia’s best friend in Europe, Dacic says (N1)
• Brnabic: Three million adult Serbian citizens have been vaccinated (N1)
• “Biden’s words lasting testimony of a sincere respect” (Radio KIM)
• Gorazdevac: Turning House of Culture into storage depot, pressure on only Serbian media outlet in Metohija (Radio KIM)
• Edi Rama to visit Serbia on Wednesday, regarding Open Balkans Initiative (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic in Glasgow: Serbia will do a lot about Green Agenda (N1)

International:

• North Macedonia’s PM resigns following local election defeat (BIRN)
• Petrit Halilaj: ‘I started to live with fear on a daily basis’ (The Guardian)

Albanian Language Media  

“Kosovo and Serbia are not working to resolve disagreements” (RFE)

Vessela Tcherneva, deputy director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said in an interview with the news website that Kosovo and Serbia are not working to resolve disagreements and that this is why the dialogue is at a dead-end. She said that because of local developments in Prishtina and Belgrade, namely the local elections in Kosovo and next year’s elections in Serbia, both sides will use the dialogue to make statements aimed at their respective electorates. 

Tcherneva said there is a risk of incidents if the European Union and the United States do not make it clear to leaders from both countries that violence is unacceptable. She also said that the involvement of the United States in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is a promising sign. “I think it is really important for the United States and the European Union to coordinate their policy toward the region and to step up their cooperation and focus on the Western Balkans,” Tcherneva said.

Kurti: We will have 9.9% economic growth by year’s end (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that Kosovo is expected to have a 9.9 percent economic growth by the end of the year. During a meeting with National Democratic Institute representatives led by Derek Mitchell, Kurti said that the new government differs from its style of leadership and that it is a government of changes and great opportunities for the people. Kurti also highlighted the commitment of his government to fight corruption and organised crime, the fight against smuggling, fiscal evasion and criminality all over Kosovo. 

Government expects positive changes on visa liberalisation (Kosovapress)

The Kosovo Government is expecting positive changes from skeptical EU member states about visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. Government officials in Prishtina say that in the last seven months they have shown clear objectives in combating crime and corruption and for reforms in the judiciary.

A spokesman for the government told Kosovapress that Kosovo has met all requirements for visa liberalisation and that the government is in constant communication with hesitant member states. “The decision is up to the European Union, namely up to the countries that still have a dose of skepticism toward Kosovo in terms of visa liberalisation. The approach, position and decisions of these member states is determined by the domestic political dynamics in these countries. We are in constant communication with these countries and their representatives. They have their diplomatic missions in Kosovo, and they are aware of every positive development here. We hope the EU will overcome this hesitation and that the hesitant member states will change their position because changes have happened in Kosovo. We have a new government that has great popular and political legitimacy, with clear objectives to combat crime and corruption and to implement reforms in the judiciary,” the spokesperson said.

Rohde calls for implementation of court decision on Decani Monastery (media)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, called on Kosovo’s institutions today to implement the Constitutional Court’s decision on the Decani Monastery. Rohde shared a Twitter post by European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, who also called for the implementation of the court’s decision. Rohde tweeted: “Fully agree: Implementation of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court decision of 2016 is long overdue as the Court recently reminded. Arbitrary application of the rule of law is not the way forward”.

Historians from Decan: Decani Monastery is not under threat (media)

The League of Kosovo Historians, the branch in Decan, have reacted to a Twitter post by European Parliament Rapporteur Viola von Cramon about the Decani Monastery. “Viola von Cramon, a German MP and rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, must know that the anti-constitutional and anti-legal decision of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo dated May 2016, about the properties of the enterprises Apiko and Iliria, which are attempted to be unlawfully be given to the Decani Monastery, must not be implemented because it derives from the laws and the time of violent measures of the Milosevic regime,” the historians said in their reaction. “Viola von Cramon and all other international officials must know that the Decani Monastery is not threatened by anyone. It is only threatened by the ill-will policies of the Serbian staff at Decani Monastery”.

Shahini: Kosovo is powerless in stopping trend of increased prices (media)

The chairman of the Kosovo Businesses Alliances, Agim Shahini, said today that Kosovo is expected to have an 8 percent economic growth this year. He said the government must have a strategy to combat poverty and to attract new investments. “My proposal to the government is to assemble the best experts and decide about the future steps. We need a strategy to combat the poverty which is looming and there also needs to be a strategy to attract investments. The government and the businesses are powerless in terms of fighting the increasing prices of products. With the winter season approaching and with a growing level of electricity consumption, we could face additional problems,” Shahini said.

Shahini said they are monitoring the increasing prices, that this is happening everywhere in the world and that Kosovo is powerless to stop this trend. “The Kosovo Businesses Alliance is closely following the trend of increasing prices in the Kosovo market. We have concluded that this is a result of increasing prices in global markets. We import 90 percent of products and we are dependent on foreign markets. Along with the increasing prices, by importing these products we are also importing inflation,” he argued.

Tahiri calls on government not to reject gas pipeline project (media)

The head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group, Abelard Tahiri, called on the Kosovo Government today not to reject the US-funded gas pipeline project. Tahiri made these remarks after the meeting of the Kosovo Assembly Presidency when he was asked to comment on Defense Minister Armend Mehaj’s call for the United States to build a permanent military base in Kosovo. Tahiri said the presence of the US army means peace for Kosovo and the region, but that the US Army is already present here and that the Kosovo Government should focus on not rejecting the gas pipeline project. “The government must not avoid the responsibility it has vis-à-vis this strategic project. The presence of this US project is good for both our economy and security,” he argued.

PDK’s Hoxhaj reacts to resignation of Zaev as North Macedonia PM (media)

Kosovo’s former Foreign Minister and senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Enver Hoxhaj, took to Twitter today to react to the resignation of Zoran Zaev from the post of North Macedonia Prime Minister. “The resignation of @Zoran_Zaev is the worst news for North Macedonia, the Balkans, and the European Union! I cooperated shortly with him in comparison with other governments in Skopje, but have an admiration for his historic achievements! Today he is simply a victim of the EU’s continued failure in North Macedonia and the region,” Hoxhaj tweeted.

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

Five new cases with COVID-19 have been recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 14 persons recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 430 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19: 49 new cases registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio KIM)

Out of 166 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, 49 were positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced on Saturday, Radio KIM reports.

New cases were registered as follows: 16 in Leposavic, 11 in Mitrovica North, seven in Gnjilane, five in Zubin Potok, four in Gracanica, two each in Kamenica and Prizren, and one each in Strpce and Zvecan.

Currently there are 337 active cases of Covid-19 in the Serbian areas in Kosovo, while 34 persons have recovered.

According to official data, a total of 24.291 persons were tested in the Serb-populated areas and out of this number 7.211 were positive for Covid-19.

Also, a total of 176 persons have died since the outbreak of the pandemic in the Serbian areas in Kosovo. 

Cyprus is Serbia’s best friend in Europe, Dacic says (N1)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic said on Monday Cyprus was his country’s best and most loyal friend, which had always supported Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, N1 reports.

“We host a representative of the country which is our best friend in Europe. Cyprus has always been on our side; it has always understood the problems Serbia has been facing in defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as Serbia has always had understanding for the Cyprus problem, for the occupation of a part of the country“. Dacic said after meeting the new Cyprus Parliament Speaker Annita Demetriou.

She said she was honored to have a chance to address the Serbian Parliament on Tuesday.

“We talked about bilateral relations and agreed to improve them in future,“ Demetriou told reporters.

She added that before Belgrade, she had visited Athens. “It is not by chance. Serbia and Greece are our best friends, particularly Serbia, which understands our past and present and knows about our struggle, which it also fights.“

Cyprus is one of five European Union member states, alongside Spain, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia, which have not recognized Kosovo.

Brnabic: Three million adult Serbian citizens have been vaccinated (N1)

The total number of vaccinated adult inhabitants of Serbia against coronavirus exceeded three million, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said Sunday, N1 reports.

“Thanks to everyone who protected themselves and everyone else around them, as well as our healthcare system, and the people that showed responsibility and solidarity“, Brnabic wrote on her Twitter account.

She assessed that vaccination is “the only way to defeat the virus“.

“Biden’s words lasting testimony of a sincere respect” (Radio KIM)

“Among many international visitors to Visoki Dečani Monastery was the current US President Joe Biden who visited the Monastery in 2009. His words in our book of impressions represent a lasting testimony of sincere respect and give us a strong encouragement”, Visoki Decani Monastery wrote on its official Twitter account, Radio KIM reports.

On this occasion, Biden wrote in a book of impressions that he was glad of having the opportunity to visit such a beautiful place, as Decani is, adding its brotherhood represents a symbol of what was needed to Kosovo.

Published transcript of a handwritten Biden’s message, who was a US Vice President during the time of visit said:

“Father

Thank you for allowing me to return to such a beautiful, beautiful site. You and your brothers are symbol of what is needed in #Kosovo. You give us confidence and hope that today marks a fundamental change in the region. Your courage and bravery in the time of war was Christlike and much admired.

Your friend

Joe Biden”

In a series of posts Decani Monastery wrote on Twitter following the call of Viola von Cramon urging Kosovo institutions to implement Constitutional Court ruling of the land that belongs to the Decani Monastery and subsequent reactions in Kosovo, the Monastery wrote that “after @ViolavonCramon appeal to #Kosovo authorities to implement the Cons.Court decision on Dečani #Monastery there’ve appeared nationalistic reactions & insults in some K/Albanian media. We respond w/a footage showing a Japanese visitor who showed how world heritage is cherished”.

“To all words of ethinc discrimination, lies and threats we have been facing from Kosovo Albanian nationalists for 22 last years we will always respond with peace adn restraint hoping this amazing church and its world recognized values will change their hearts to show more respect and tolerance”, the Monastery also said. 

Gorazdevac: Turning House of Culture into storage depot, pressure on only Serbian media outlet in Metohija (Radio KIM)

Radio Gorazdevac journalists said that while coming to work on Monday morning they found the entrance to the House of Culture a place that should represent a hub of cultural, artistic and traditional values of the Serbian community in this largest Serbian village in Metohija, piled up with agricultural material. The office of Radio Gorazdevac is located in the House of Culture as well, Radio KIM reports.  

Radio Gorazdevac Chief-in-Editor, Darko Dimitrijevic said that for many years Pec Interim Municipal Authority placed agricultural seeds in the building, which causes appearance of rats and other rodents that cause damages to all institutions, and in particular to Radio Gorazdevac, as they destroy equipment.

“This is unseen and a major shame. The only place where there is a possibility for young people to gather looks more like a stable rather than a cultural center. It is no wonder why young people leave the village as in addition to lack of employment, lack of public life is also one of the reasons for young people to migrate”, Dimitrijevic said.

He also opined that the damage caused by piling up agricultural material is a sort of pressure on the only Serbian media outlet located in this building and producing the news covering the entire Metohija.

He added he knows that agriculture is one of the pillars for the Serb survival in Kosovo and has nothing against the help provided, but thinks that the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and Interim Municipal Authority should allocate a separate storage depot for the agricultural material instead of placing it at the House of Culture.

Radio Gorazdevac said that by the time of publishing this news, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and Pec Interim Municipal Authority didn’t respond to Radio Gorazdevac inquiry on this matter.  

Edi Rama to visit Serbia on Wednesday, regarding Open Balkans Initiative (Kosovo-online)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama will visit Serbia on November 3 and 4, and the aim of the visit are meetings relating to the Open Balkans initiative, Kosovo-online portal reports citing Pristina-based Ekonomija-online.

As the Albanian Government said, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev will meet to discuss next concrete steps on free movement of people and goods among these three countries. 

The portal reported later in the day that a North Macedonian Government official said Zoran Zaev will not take part in a meeting in Belgrade, given the political situation in the country, adding that however another political representative will be appointed to take part.

Vucic in Glasgow: Serbia will do a lot about Green Agenda (N1)

Serbia will do a lot in the Green Agenda, but also in guaranteeing full energy security for its people, President Aleksandar Vucic has written on his Instagram account before the meeting on climate change COP26 in Glasgow, N1 reports.

“Today, in beautiful Scotland, we are discussing climate change and the measures we must all take to protect the lives and secure future of people on Earth“. Vucic said, adding that Scotland was the right place to discuss the issue with world leaders.

Vucic on Monday also met with the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa and said Belgrade and Ljubljana were improving relations and cooperation in all fields of social life. He also met with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovksi, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen and other states’ officials.  

International 

North Macedonia’s PM resigns following local election defeat (BIRN)

Leader of North Macedonia’s Social Democratic and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigned on Sunday night, after his ruling party lost in Sunday’s local election runoffs.

In an address late on Sunday evening, Zoran Zaev said he is resigning from his position as North Macedonia’s Prime Minister and as leader of the Social Democrats, after the party’s defeat in the capital of Skopje and other important towns to the opposition right-wing VMRO DPMNE party during the election runoffs this weekend.

“I take responsibility for the electoral results. I am tendering my resignation both as Prime Minister and as head of the Social Democrats,” Zaev said at a press conference in Skopje late last night.

His resignation came shortly after it became clear that the Social Democrats failed to improve their results in the second round of local elections.

The Social Democrats’ mayoral candidate lost the race in the capital of Skopje to his competitor who is supported by the opposition VMRO DPMNE, Danela Arsovska, as well as other local races in several other large municipalities that form part of Skopje.

They were also defeated in several other important towns such as Bitola, Ohrid and Kumanovo.

“I am strongly convinced that together with progressive citizens, we have returned freedom and democracy to our country. And when freedom and democracy take reign, the rule is that there should be responsibility. By taking this responsibility I want to leave a mark so that citizens can take note and grow in their democratic capacity,” Zaev said.

Congratulating his opponents, Zaev, however, remained adamant that the country does not need to move towards early general elections, and that the majority he enjoyed in parliament should carry on without him.

“I will stay in the immediate period ahead, while I am needed, so that a new government is organised with [the support of] the progressive majority [in parliament] which is there, and might get bigger,” Zaev said.

Legally, this means that Zaev’s entire government cabinet has now resigned, but will continue to carry out their duties until the Head of State, Stevo Pendarovski, entrusts the mandate to another candidate, who has the majority support of at least 61 MPs in the 120 seat parliament.

After the narrow victory at the early general elections in the summer of 2020, Zaev’s government enjoyed the support of just 62 MPs.

The pro-European politician Zaev became a PM in mid-2017, after a deep and prolonged political crisis, which ended with the ousting of the former autocratic VMRO DPMNE leader and PM Nikola Gruevski who has meanwhile fled to Hungary.

During his time in office, the country struck a historic name deal with neighbouring Greece, unclogging the country’s stalled Euro-Atlantic integration. In 2020, under his helm, the country became a member of NATO, but a blockade from Bulgaria over a bilateral history dispute meant that the country could not start its EU accession talks later that year.

However, he was strongly criticised by many of his former supporters for not doing enough to reform the country from within. The opposition has been constantly accusing him of betraying national interests, of corruption and, recently, of poorly handling the coronavirus health crisis.

Petrit Halilaj: ‘I started to live with fear on a daily basis’ (The Guardian)

The artist was 12 when the Kosovo war destroyed his home, but a chance meeting in a refugee camp led him to document a child’s-eye view of the conflict

Petrit Halilaj was 12 years old when Serbian troops moved into his Kosovar village, forcing his family to flee and then burning their house to the ground. Piling as much as they could on to a tractor, they took off for his grandfather’s home. When that was also invaded they moved again, flitting from refuge to refuge until they arrived at a camp in Albania, where they sat out the rest of the 15-month war between Serbia and Kosovo.

It was there, in the spring of 1999, that Halilaj met up with the Italian psychologist who was to change his life. News reached the tent (in which he was living with his mother, grandfather and four siblings) that Giacomo “Angelo” Poli was giving out paper and felt-tip pens to any child who wanted to draw. Before long he was pouring out images so powerful that the then UN secretary general Kofi Annan asked to meet him during a visit to the camp.

“I’d grown up with Kofi Annan. He was bigger than Star Wars to me, so I said to my mum: ‘I can’t show him a little A4 picture,’” recalls Halilaj. Together they managed to liberate some of the cardboard used to floor the tents, so he could redraw one image of a massacre in a village. The original plan was to give the picture to Annan, but Halilaj’s mind was changed by his grandfather’s insistence that the visit was no more than a piece of political theatre. So, while the image was broadcast around the world, the picture itself stayed in Albania, where Halilaj only rediscovered it decades later.

A year after the war ended, the family returned to Kosovo. Halilaj was given a scholarship to art school in Italy, setting him on a course that now brings him to Tate St Ives for his first solo show in the UK. Though Angelo’s visit to the camp only lasted two weeks, it was the start of a lifelong friendship. The two worked together to find an adult sense in the 35 drawings produced during that fortnight, which are the basis of Halilaj’s Tate installation. One room documents his childhood: it not only includes a video of Annan patting Halilaj’s head as he is shown the picture, but an Andrew Testa photograph he discovered years later on the New York Times website, of his little figure, squashed between two plumply upholstered women, in a food queue at the camp. Their plumpness, he points out, is the result of many layers of coloured felt that protected them from the vicious cold, and now plays a signature role in his art.

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