Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti receives US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Molly Montgomery (Kallxo)
• EU expresses skepticism, while UK Embassy supports vetting process (RTK)
• Minister Mehaj travels again to the US (media)
• EBRD: Kosovo projected to have economic growth of 7.7% in 2021 (Kallxo)
• Rama: Kosovo to become part of the Open Balkan for its own benefit (RTK)
• Kurti and the French ambassador discuss energy projects (media)
• COVID-19: 14 new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 75 new cases (Kontakt plus radio)
• Dr Savic: Number of children infected with COVID-19 increasing (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• ‘Open Balkan’ Summit opens in Belgrade (N1)
• Belgrade, Tirana, Skopje: ‘Open Balkan’ to solve problems on the ground (N1)
• Stano on Community of Serbian Municipalities – what has been agreed in Brussels must be implemented (Kosovo-online)
• Transparent Commission for Missing Persons needed (KiM radio)
• The highest percentage of invalid ballots in Ranilug and Gracanica, in Leposavic the least (KoSSev)
• UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on EUFOR in BiH (N1)
• Petkovic discussed situation in Kosovo with Turkish ambassador (Danas)
• Albanian PM Rama tours Belgrade Waterfront (N1, media)

Opinion:

• EC Report on Kosovo: When did the time stop? (EWB)

International:

• WHO Europe chief voices ‘grave concern’ about COVID rebound (abcnews.go.com, AP)

Albanian Language Media  

Kurti receives US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Molly Montgomery (Kallxo)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti meet today with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Molly Montgomery.

Mrs. Montgomery emphasized the relationship between the United States of America and Kosovo, and especially the strong personal connection that President Biden has with Kosovo.

On behalf of the United States of America, she thanked Prime Minister Kurti and the government of Kosovo for their cooperation and support in the housing issue of Afghan citizens.

Prime Minister Kurti said that this assistance was humanitarian obligation, and that Kosovo wants to stand by its strategic ally, the United Sstates.

“He thanked for the support given to the Kosovo Security Force for equipment and training, and expressed the willingness for further cooperation. He also informed her on the budget of the Republic of Kosovo for 2022, which includes the allocation of over 100 million euros for the army.

Prime Minister Kurti expressed gratitude for President Biden’s assessment that the continuation of talks between Kosovo and Serbia and reaching an agreement should focus on mutual recognition.

The good situation in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress of the vaccination process and the administration of about 1.6 million doses were also discussed.

Prime Minister Kurti thanked the United States for its assistance in the process of providing vaccines against Covid-19.

Stipulating the unwavering alliance with the US, the Prime Minister expressed the government’s commitment to further expand cooperation in the field of education, agriculture and investment,” reads a press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

EU expresses skepticism, while UK Embassy supports vetting process (RTK)

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Kosovo has welcomed the launch of work on constitutional changes related to the Vetting process in the justice system.

This was announced in a statement by the British Embassy, ​​after the first meeting of the working group for drafting and finalizing the legislation on the Vetting process that was held on Wednesday.

The British Embassy has emphasized that they support such a process and will continue to be a partner of the Government of Kosovo.

“We welcome today’s meeting of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu to begin work on constitutional changes related to the Vetting process. We have supported the initiative from the beginning and will continue to be a partner for the government as they move forward,” the British Embassy said in a statement.

Unlike the British, the European Union has been skeptical about Vetting.

The EU report on Kosovo published days ago states that “the new government is considering several options for the ‘vetting process’ and according to the report undertaking a re-evaluation of all prosecutors and judges is worrying.”

Minister Mehaj travels again to the US (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense Armend Mehaj has traveled again for a visit to the United States of America.

He will participate in the 10th anniversary of the Interstate Partnership Program between Kosovo and the state of Iowa.

“Our interstate partnership in general and between the two forces in particular, is the most brilliant history and reality, as well as the most important factor for all the successes and achievements of the KSF so far.

Our partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, the National Rank Bureau, and the Iowa National Guard will continue and intensify, with lifelong partnerships,” Mehaj wrote. 

EBRD: Kosovo projected to have economic growth of 7.7% in 2021 (Kallxo)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has said that by the end of 2021, Kosovo is projected to have economic growth of 7.7%. Exports of services have reached more than four times the exports of goods compared to the pre-pandemic period, and they have doubled in the first seven months of 2021, compared to the same period of 2020.

“Exports of goods also increased significantly. Household consumption is being supported by an increasing inflow of remittances and credit expansion. The economy is projected to grow by 7.7 percent in 2021 and 4.5 in 2022,” was said in this report.

According to the report, Kosovo’s economy is projected to grow by 4.5% in 2022 or to have the second highest growth in the Balkans.

Rama: Kosovo to become part of the Open Balkan for its own benefit (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama reiterated today from the meeting in Belgrade the call for Kosovo to become part of the Open Balkans, saying that all countries are welcome in this regional initiative.

“When it comes to Kosovo, it has been said again and again that all three countries are invited to come and sit down and work with us for the benefit of their people. The issue of disagreement has its own path. If all six countries participate, then the atmosphere of addressing other issues of Kosovo and Bosnia will be much better.

Albanians and Serbs are for the Balkans, just as Germans and French are for Europe. Germany and France did not start from the end, but from the agreement on steel and coal, from the facilitation of the work of enterprises, from the point that people needed the most after the war, food. There are no restrictions for anyone,” Rama said.

Media also report that Rama addressed those who called him a traitor for reaching the Open Balkan agreement with Serbia, saying that Serbia’s apology should come at the end, and not at the beginning.

“Germany did not apologize in 1945, it came in 1969, and until then, Germany and France have done everything but reach the final peace and have started exactly as it is happening with the Open Balkans,” Rama said.

Kurti and the French ambassador discuss energy projects (media)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti received today the Ambassador of France in Kosovo, Marie Christine Butel.

The Office of the Prime Minister informs that cooperation in development projects in the field of energy and water supply, were the key topics in the meeting between the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and the Ambassador of the Republic of France in Kosovo, Marie Christine Butel.

The necessity of taking actions in the protection of water resources and the development of a sustainable economy was stressed. They also talked about the project supported by the French Embassy in Kosovo for the water supply in the capital.

Prime Minister Kurti reportedly informed her about the first urban wastewater treatment plant, inaugurated on Wednesday in Prizren and the projects that are being developed for wastewater treatment plants in other municipalities.

In this joint meeting with the Minister of Industry Entrepreneurship and Trade Rozeta Hajdari, they also talked about the main achievements of the government in these seven months, the work towards fundamental reforms and economic and social development of Kosovo. The commitment to intensify bilateral relations in the political and economic spheres was stipulated.

Ambassador Butel reconfirmed the support of the French Embassy in Kosovo for projects in various fields of France-Kosovo cooperation.

COVID-19: 14 new cases, no deaths (media)

14 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 16 persons recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 443 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 75 new cases (Kontakt plus radio)

According to the latest official data, 75 new cases of Covid-19 have been registered in Serbian communities in Kosovo, the Crisis Staff of the Municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica announced today.

The Crisis Staff says that 189 samples were tested, and that 75 new cases of infection were registered in the following municipalities: Leposavic (28), North Mitrovica (21), Zvecan (8), Zubin Potok (6), Gracanica (5), Strpce (4), Kosovska Kamenica (1), Priluzje (1) and Prizren (1).

There are currently 409 active cases, the report said.

Dr Savic: Number of children infected with COVID-19 increasing (Radio Mitrovica sever)

The number of children infected with the coronavirus has increased, head of the Children’s Department of the Clinical Hospital Centre in Mitrovica North, Dr. Zoran Savic said, Radio Mitrovica sever reports.

In August, four children were treated, which tested positive, while in October the number was 60, he added.

“The number has increased significantly. There might be an absence of clinical symptoms in children, they may be asymptomatic. They usually come to us when there is an onset of mild and moderately severe clinical symptoms. Unfortunately, we cannot provide inpatient treatment for children suffering from COVID-19 infection in the Children’s Department, but we have established a good practice, which is to treat such children on an outpatient basis. They come to us for check-ups, if some intravenous therapy is needed; we have a special place that is separate, where they receive therapy, so that we do not infect other children. We send extremely complicated cases that require constant medical supervision to the Dr. Dragisa Misovic Hospital in Belgrade, with which we have exceptional cooperation”, Dr. Savic explained.

He also opined that children over 12 years of age, based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, “Batut” Public Health Institute and the World Health Organization, should be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

‘Open Balkan’ Summit opens in Belgrade (N1)

The ‘Open Balkan’ Summit began in Belgrade with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s meeting with the regional businessmen, Albanian Prime Edi Rama, and North Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Nikola Dimitrov, N1 reports.

The three Balkan countries participate in the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo haven’t joined yet, seeing it as a replacement for the European integration N1 said.

After the meeting with businessmen, the three officials are due to have talks with the representatives of the Atlantic Council. Dimitrov is attending the meeting instead of former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who resigned due to poor local election results.

The initiative, previously known as ‘Mini-Schengen,’ changed its name at the end of July at a meeting in Skopje attended by Rama, Zaev and Vucic.

It was agreed that the border controls between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania would be abolished on January 1, 2023. At the July meeting, the leaders signed documents on cooperation in facilitating the import, export and movement of goods, free access to the labour market and cooperation in disaster protection in the Western Balkans.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic who is on official visit to Serbia and attended dinner last night organized on the occasion of ‘Open Balkan’ Summit wrote on Twitter it was his pleasure to be a guest at this dinner, adding “that he supports all useful regional initiatives aiming at faster integration of the region to the European Union”.

Belgrade, Tirana, Skopje: ‘Open Balkan’ to solve problems on the ground (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday, the highest officials of Albania and North Macedonia agreed to form the Implementation Council with a task to coordinate the agreement within the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, N1 reports.

The idea is to change the practice of many things agreed upon at the political level and not consistently implemented on the ground. At a news conference in Belgrade after meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and North Macedonia Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov, Vucic said all three countries’ business communities supported the ‘Open Balkan’ project, but complained that some things at the borders had not changed.

“We have agreed on the formation of the Implementation Council, and we will soon agree on its composition. In the next seven to ten days, we will have meetings with representatives of customs, various agencies and phytosanitary inspections to see how the free flow of goods and services is going“, Vucic said.

He added the unhindered transit between the countries had been agreed to enable faster growth and a higher rate of development because all three countries were lagging behind the developed countries. He also said that after Christmas, at the end of December, Tirana would host the next meeting, during which a Memorandum of Understanding on work permits would be signed as the only way to keep workers in the region.

The meeting of the three officials was preceded by talks with representatives of companies from three countries and a meeting with representatives of the Atlantic Council.

The ‘Open Balkan’ initiative was attended by representatives of 22 holdings from the region, which brought together 184 companies.

Rama said that “today, unlike in other meetings, the focus was on people, companies, distributors, workers, students, academic citizens who are the real users of the ‘Open Balkan’“.

“Each of them suffers at the borders – from waiting, and those red lines, agencies, checks“, Rama said, adding that the regional countries’ markets were small, “but when integrated, they have some strength in attracting foreign investments“.

Dimitrov said the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative was essential and that regional cooperation was “European, wise and the right choice“. He added there was no doubt about “what to do when you need to find solutions and make the future better“.

“Solidarity is the basis for future integration, and it means that we take care of others as we take care of ourselves“, Dimitrov said. He added that “the better the countries of the region cooperate, the more confident the EU will be that they won’t bring their issues into the bloc“.

Stano on Community of Serbian Municipalities – what has been agreed in Brussels must be implemented (Kosovo-online)

EU Spokesperson Peter Stano said today the EU expects all agreements made within the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, including the one on establishing the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, be implemented on the ground, Kosovo-online reports citing Belgrade-based Tanjug news agency. 

Regarding media reports on the stance of the Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, that Kosovo will not establish Community of Serbian Municipalities, Stano said that “the EU doesn’t comment on the statements of others”, adding “it is clear on its positions” when it comes to the implementation of the agreement reached within the dialogue.

“We must do our utmost to implement what has been agreed”, he said, the portal reported.

The portal recalled that while making agreement to de-escalate the situation at Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points in northern Kosovo on September 30, the EU announced that the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities will be on the table during the next meeting of Belgrade and Pristina chief negotiators, which Brussels expects to take place in November. 

Transparent Commission for Missing Persons needed (KiM radio)

“The Union of Associations of Families of Kidnapped and Missing Persons, with a seat in Gracanica, calls on the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to appoint a deputy chairman of the Commission for Missing Persons from non-majority communities in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Missing Persons, without further delay,” read the statement from the Association of the Kidnapped and Missing, reported KiM radio.

The Association reminds that almost four months have passed since the appointment of the new chairman of this body, Andin Hoti, while no appointment of his deputy took place, despite the appeal of families and meetings with Serbian associations on this topic.

“Apart from respecting the letter of the law and having in mind the announcement of more intensive searches of certain locations, it is now especially important to have a fully functional, transparent and inclusive Commission for Missing Persons,” the Union of Families of Kidnapped and Missing Families said in a statement.

The highest percentage of invalid ballots in Ranilug and Gracanica, in Leposavic the least (KoSSev)

In the recent local elections in Kosovo also the negative and high trend of invalid votes continued, according to Eugen Cakolli from the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, reported KoSSev portal.

He said in a post on Facebook that more than 90,000 invalid ballots have been registered so far.

“Based on the results of the CEC so far, we have a total of 90,289 invalid and blank ballots at the national level. Of that, the entire 70,000 (state average – 8,565) is only for municipal assemblies – which is the most problematic part,” he said.

He claims that the municipalities with the highest percentage of invalid votes are Ranilug (18.75%), Gracanica (15.70%), Glogovac (11.48%), Partes (11.36%), South Mitrovica (10.48%) and Obilic (10.43%), stated Cakolli.

On the other hand, he states that the municipalities with the lowest percentage of invalid votes are two in the North – Leposavic (2.72%), Zvecan (2.82%), as well as Mamusa (4.08%).

He pointed out that the institutions should solve the problem of a large number of invalid ballots.

“This situation is unacceptable and should be resolved immediately, working on changing the design of ballots, reconceptualizing campaigns to inform voters about the way of voting, but still not bypassing the revision of the voting system in local elections as a whole,” claims Cakolli.

The CEC announced, at the end of October, the results of the elections for mayors, for all municipalities, while yesterday it also announced the results of voting for municipal assemblies. The second round of voting for 21 municipalities is scheduled for November 14.

UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on EUFOR in BiH (N1)

The UN Security Council adopted a Resolution extending EUFOR’s mandate on Wednesday, but without mentioning the Office of the High Representative or the High Representative himself.

The UN Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the EUFOR mission (Althea) in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another 12 months with 15 votes in favour of the decision.

After the adoption of the resolution, the French ambassador addressed the Security Council, expressing support for the OHR, but also satisfaction with the extension of EUFOR’s mandate.

“On behalf of the European Union and in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, as well as the decisions of the Security Council, we are glad that this resolution has been adopted,” the French representative at the UN said.

Although it was previously expected that the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, would address the Council and present his regular report on the situation in BiH, this did not happen.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3GO8qEm

Petkovic discussed situation in Kosovo with Turkish ambassador (Danas)

The Director of the Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic met yesterday the Ambassador of Turkey to Serbia, Hami Aksoy, with whom he discussed the political and security situation in the province, considering recent events in northern Kosovo, said the Office for KiM.  

Petkovic informed the Turkish ambassador about Pristina’s moves, which, as he said, are a generator of tensions in the north of Kosovo and which endanger peace and security on the ground and in the entire region.

Petkovic said that Pristina’s refusal to implement the agreements reached in Brussels, primarily related to the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO), justice and energy, is a constant source of tension and cause great concern for the security of the Serbian people in Kosovo, reported daily Danas

He warned that the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, does not intend to stop provocations and pressures on Serbs, and that his statement that he will not allow “Bosnianization”, i.e. the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, should be interpreted in that sense.

He said that at the next meeting in Brussels, the main topic will be the ZSO, with which, as he stated, the EU agreed in its last statement regarding the dialogue.

“The goal of the ZSO is to protect the position and rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, and in recent weeks we have witnessed an increasing number of ethnically motivated attacks on Serbs, endangering their property and existence as a whole,” Petkovic said.

He stressed that Belgrade remains consistently committed to resolving disagreements at the negotiating table and creating the preconditions for lasting security stabilization in the Western Balkans.

Albanian PM Rama tours Belgrade Waterfront (N1, media)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama toured the Belgrade Waterfront complex, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in an Instagram post on Wednesday evening.

The post said that they toured the complex with Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic who is on his first official visit to Serbia. Rama was met at the airport by Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic, N1 said, unlike Krivokapic who was met by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Branislav Nedimovic in jeans and without tie, prompting Montenegrin opposition to term it “a scandal”.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic who later welcomed Krivokapic with a guard with honor in front of the Palace of Serbia, said Selakovic was unable to receive Krivokapic at the airport, as he was late from Athens, where he was on official visit. Commenting on Nedimovic’s outfit, Brnabic said that he was known as someone who didn’t pay much attention to it despite protocol.

Rama and Krivokapic went on to a working dinner with Vucic before the Albanian Prime Minister, Vucic and North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov took part in a meeting on the ‘Open Balkan; Initiative.

Opinion

EC Report on Kosovo: When did the time stop? (EWB)

By Donika Emini

The Kosovo 2021 country report was not a big surprise for the citizens of Kosovo. However, this does not seem to be the case with the current political elite which seemingly expected a more positive outcome following the change of the government in March 2021. Evidently, the pace of reforms was rather slow, and no concrete results were expected within the first year of the new government. But this did not prevent debates and clashes between the EU and Kosovo over the findings of the report.

Given the fact that the report covers the year 2020 and half of 2021, reading it gives the impression that time has frozen and so did the progress on delivering on reforms. The biggest obstacles to reform were political instability in Kosovo combined with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the following economic devastation. Both elements have had a detrimental effect on the work of the Assembly and the pace of adopting new laws. The challenging circumstances created by political instability, of course, limited the ability of Kosovo to ensure effective continuation of the EU-related reforms. However, on a more positive note, the snap elections held during the first trimester of 2021 following the fall of the Hoti Government, were considered free and democratic. The elections produced a government which is expected to be stable, thus finally breaking the cycle of political instability and polarization.

On the most important area, judicial reform, the report does not mark any substantial and structural improvement. The judicial sector remains slow and inefficient. Once again, political interference in the judicial system has been flagged. This, of course, has a domino effect on the ability to further strengthen the rule of law.

Concerns were raised in relation to the fight against corruption and organized crime which continued to be considered a field showing limited progress. Once again, the EU called for strengthening the prosecution. A stronger prosecution one would assume comes because of a thorough vetting process. However, it is exactly the vetting process which highlights the differences between the EU and the Government of Kosovo. The EU called for the vetting process to take place in full accordance with European and international standards. While in principle the EU has supported the vetting process, methods should be seriously considered. The concerns have been raised about the possibility of conducting a full vetting process for each prosecutor and judge (one-off). This method has been criticised, and therefore only suggested to be used as a last resort.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3q6wADW

International 

WHO Europe chief voices ‘grave concern’ about COVID rebound (abcnews.go.com, AP)

The head of a World Health Organization regional office says a 53-country region in Europe and Central Asia faces the “real threat” of a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in the coming weeks or already is experiencing it

GENEVA — A 53-country region in Europe and Central Asia faces the “real threat” of a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in the coming weeks or already is experiencing a new wave of infections, the head of the World Health Organization’s regional office said Thursday.

Dr. Hans Kluge said case counts are beginning to near record levels again and the pace of transmission in the region, which stretches as far east as the former Soviet republics in Central Asia, is of “grave concern.”

See more at:https://abcn.ws/2ZWqpI4