Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 356 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Kurti: Government committed to modernization of army (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo moves to address concerns of Serbia’s Presevo Valley Albanians (BIRN)
• After U.S., EU doesn’t rule out sanctions in Western Balkans (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 100 new cases registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)
• Milivojevic: New US ambassadors to bring stronger pressure on Serbia (Radio KIM)
• MAT Magazine: China to become top five export destination for Serbian products (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Referendum important for future of our country (B92)
• Kosovo Serbs and referendum: Deafening silence of Belgrade (Radio KIM)
• Jevtic requests permanent presence of police at Brezovica ski center (Kosovo-online)
• Hodges: Serbia today is not Serbia of 1999 (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Kosovo Intensifies Hunt for Banned Crypto-Mining Machinery (Balkan Insight)
• Bulgarian President Reconfirms Hardline Stance on North Macedonia (Balkan Insight)
• EU funds have little impact in Western Balkans, auditors say (Politico)

Albanian Language Media  

COVID-19: 356 new cases, no deaths (media)

356 new cases with COVID-19 were confirmed in the last 24 hours in Kosovo, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. 53 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 2,083 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Kurti: Government committed to modernization of army (Telegrafi)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that the Army of Kosovo is the dream and will of generations that sacrificed everything for freedom. During a visit at the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) barracks in Gjilan, Kurti said the KSF is continuously building its capacities and proving that it is ready to take on new responsibilities.

“Last year, the KSF again showed a high level of professionalism. Among its biggest successes was the participation in Defender Europe 2022, where you showed high professionalism alongside NATO and U.S. troops. The next challenge, Defender Europe 2023, will find you even better prepared and I am confident in your success,” he said.

Kurti said the development of the army is a common duty and promised government support. “The Kosovo Government is very committed to the modernization of the army both in terms of equipment and weapons and providing you with the opportunities where you can display your military skills,” he added.

Kosovo moves to address concerns of Serbia’s Presevo Valley Albanians (BIRN)

Kosovo’s government is promising to come to the aid of ethnic Albanians in Serbia’s southern Presevo Valley, with budget funding and a path to citizenship for some.

Kosovo has vowed that ethnic Albanians in Serbia’s southern Presevo Valley “will never be neglected” after earmarking two million euros in budgetary funds for the region and moving to ease a path to citizenship.

Ethnic Albanians in three southern Serbian municipalities adjacent to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, say they continue to face rights violations and neglect by the Serbian state, more than two decades since fighting between government forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas in a spillover of the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict.

Since taking power in March last year, the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti had said that majority-Albanian Kosovo will do more to improve the situation facing ethnic Albanians in the impoverished Presevo Valley.

Direct aid, however, is a sensitive issue for Serbia, which is suspicious of Kosovo’s intentions in the region.

Read full article at: https://cutt.ly/2IrrC5V

After U.S., EU doesn’t rule out sanctions in Western Balkans (Express)

Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said today that the EU was considering possible sanctions toward Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 24.

“We already have a framework of sanctions. There are ongoing talks between member states, and the institutions, including the European Commission, to find the best way to deal with the situation. Allow me to explain that reviewing the EU system of support and sanctions are only two of the instruments from a wide range of measures that can be used in case the member states decide this is the right way,” Stano said.

Stano also said that the European Commission is not willing to discuss hypothetical scenarios for events in Bosnia and Herzegovina but that they are considering all options.

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19: 100 new cases registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)

Out of 190 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, 100 were positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced today, Kosovo-online portal reports.

New cases were registered as follows: 39 in Mitrovica North, 19 in Zvecan, 17 in Leposavic, 15 in Zubin Potok, five in Strpce, four in Gracanica and one in Gnjilane.

Currently, there are 279 active cases of Covid-19 in the Serbian areas in Kosovo. 

Milivojevic: New US ambassadors to bring stronger pressure on Serbia (Radio KIM)

New US Ambassador in Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier was the first among the “major three” new US ambassadors that should come to the region, respectively Belgrade and Sarajevo, while their strategy will be to complete unfinished work in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), more precisely to insist on centralization of the B&H and pressure Serbia to recognize Kosovo, retired high-ranking Serbian diplomat Zoran Milivojevic said, Radio KIM reports.

According to Milivojevic it is a foreign policy strategy of the US administration headed by President Joe Biden. He added this will be a foundation of a new American strategy, to be promoted by the new ambassador in Pristina, and new ambassador in Belgrade, Christopher Hill.  

Milivojevic further argued that three issues are crucial to the US, first one relates to “completing statehood of Kosovo” and establishing new borders in the Balkans, respectively Serbia without Kosovo and Metohija. Second one was “to counter or prevent the influence of Russia and China”, while the third one is to make the region join the “western sphere of interests” and this process may be completed through Euro-Atlantic integration.

He also said it remains to be seen how the new government in Berlin will function and if Germany will retain leading position in the EU, as well as to see what results of the elections in France will be and whether current President Emmanuel Macron will win the second mandate.

According to MIlivojevic, whether the new US concept will coincide with Berlin and Paris depends on this and if that happens one could expect stronger pressure on Serbia to resolve the Kosovo issue.

MAT Magazine: China to become top five export destination for Serbian products (Tanjug)

As early as this year, the Chinese market will become one of the top five export destinations for Serbian products, and cooperation in the ICT sector is getting increasingly substantial, according to an analysis published in the latest issue of the Serbian economic magazine MAT.

In his take on the potential impacts on Serbia of a new Chinese vision for investments until 2025, economist Ivan Nikolic notes that China has already become the second-largest foreign investor in Serbia, as well as Serbia’s third-largest external trade partner behind Germany and Italy.

China has stepped up its economic cooperation with Serbia very successfully, which has kickstarted a portion of chronically problematic industrial capacities in mining and base metals production, Nikolic said.

Cooperation with China also exists in capital projects aimed at rebuilding road and rail infrastructure and power generation facilities in Serbia, he added. 

Vucic: Referendum important for future of our country (B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called on citizens to take part in a referendum on constitutional amendments scheduled on January 16.

“I invite people to participate in the referendum. It is not a party referendum; it is not a political referendum. This referendum is important for the future of our country, and we can always be proud of an independent judiciary and an independent prosecutor’s office”, Vucic said in a video message posted on Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Serbia Instagram account.

Kosovo Serbs and referendum: Deafening silence of Belgrade (Radio KIM)

Few days are left before the referendum on constitutional amendments takes place in Serbia. According to Pristina officials, Kosovo Serbs will have the opportunity to vote in a referendum either by mail or through the Serbian Liaison Office in Pristina. Given earlier frequency of reacting to Pristina’s stances, it came as a surprise that Belgrade authorities have made no announcement on this matter yet, Radio KIM writes today.

As it seems so far there will be no ballot stations in Kosovo for the upcoming referendum on amending Constitution of Serbia, in its part on judiciary, taking place on January 16. It is unclear yet if the citizens in Kosovo would be able to vote at all and if yes in what way exercise their right to vote.

“Each individual will decide whether to take part in a referendum or not. On the other hand, it is certain Belgrade will organize in central Serbia voting points closest to the people from Kosovo and organize the transport. This act is a political manifestation and brings certain pride along with it, but there is a risk, so I think most people will vote by mail”, Director of Forum for Interethnic Relations Dusan Janjic said.

“I am very sorry that no agreement was reached on either side on the issue of holding a referendum in Kosovo, and I think it is a great pity that Serbs residing in Kosovo do not have the right and will not have the right to vote like other citizens of Serbia at the upcoming referendum”, Executive Director of Mitrovica North-based NGO Aktiv Miodrag Milicevic said.

He added the vast majority of citizens are not fully aware of the reason why the referendum is organized at all, what exactly is changing and why it is important for citizens to voice their stances. According to him, every mass operation, such as organizing a referendum, requires serious logistical preparation, for which there is certainly no time now.

President of the Serb European Movement from Kosovo, Rada Trajkovic, recalled that when it comes to Kosovo elections, Serbs who were expelled from Kosovo to central Serbia come to vote by buses, and no one deprives them of that right.

“I really don’t understand why Serbs from Kosovo would be endangered to that extent so they will not be allowed to vote where they live for the legal system to which they are responsible, at least as far as institutions that function in the Serbian system are concerned”, she said. “Each doctor, technician or professor, if committing a crime on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, and being employed in the institutions of Serbia, can be held responsible or prove innocence in the judicial system of Serbia. Why shouldn’t they be a part of that system, why can’t they vote for the legal system at their disposal where they live and work?”, Trajkovic added.

She opined that Kosovo Serbs are “on the lower ladder of disappearance” from this area.

“The continuity of depriving the Serbs from their rights in Kosovo must stop. Serbs themselves, unfortunately silenced, must demand it more strongly and loudly. However, we have a deeply criminalized Serbian List, which, together with the authorities in Belgrade and (President Aleksandar) Vucic, has largely silenced the voice of those who have preserved us the most over 20 years in Kosovo, and that is the Diocese of Raska and Prizren. To some extent, they managed to bring the church inside the walls of their monasteries, and to make their authentic voice, which was a salvation for the Serbs in Kosovo, more and more silent. We all think that the referendum should be held, but few of us dare say that. The declaration of Serbs from Kosovo is the essence of many problems”, she concluded.

Serbs from Kosovo want to take part in referendum

Although it is unclear yet whether and in what manner they would be able to vote at the upcoming referendum, Serbs from central Kosovo intend to vote.

“I will vote in a referendum, most probably by mail. I think that President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic will make a declaration on this within the shortest deadline and tell what we from Kosovo should do”, Sanja, resident of Vitina said.

“Of course, I will vote if the referendum is organized, but I do not see how that will happen. The authorities from Serbia were not clear on whether Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija will be able to vote, and now we heard it can be done by mail. I think citizens are not aware at all how they can vote and exercise their rights. We are citizens of Serbia and we should take part in a referendum”, Sinisa Kostic from Gracanica said.

“I plan to vote in a referendum”, Selim Bejic from Devet Jugovica village said.

“I will vote in a referendum. I think Serbs from Kosovo must inform themselves and follow what our government is telling us and what it stands for”, Ljubomir Lalic from Kosovo Polje said.  

Jevtic requests permanent presence of police at Brezovica ski center (Kosovo-online)

Strpce mayor Dalibor Jevtic spoke with acting commander of Kosovo police station in Strpce, Dragan Stefanovic and requested permanent presence of police on weekends at Brezovica ski center, in order to enable conditions for introducing order in certain areas, in particular when it comes to use of sledge cars and general security for all tourists, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Jevtic also said that a security committee will be established at the upcoming session of the municipal assembly, and this body will have regular meetings in order to do analysis of the situation within its authorities.

It was also agreed that municipal representatives and the police will maintain permanent communication in the service of Strpce municipality residents. 

Demostat: Serbian Government considers moratorium on lithium exploitation (FoNet, N1)

Authorities in Serbia are considering a moratorium on the exploitation of lithium with several scenarios for resolving the ‘Rio Tinto’ case, the Research and Publishing Centre Demostat said Tuesday, citing its unnamed sources, N1 reports.

Regardless of how this extremely complicated issue will be solved, the Demostat sources said the government will lose. No one can guarantee that the potential moratorium will be valid after the April 3 presidential, early general and Belgrade elections.

“It is all a matter of calculation. (President Aleksandar) Vucic does not want to lose a single vote in the race for a new mandate because of the ‘Rio Tinto issue,’ although he is aware that it is practically impossible“, the sources added.

According to Demostat, as the elections approach, the scenario that would bring “the least damage“ to Vucic’s rating is being weighed, including turning back on the Anglo-Australian company and finding a more suitable world firm for the excavation of jadarite ore.

Read more at: https://cutt.ly/vIrAGXf

Hodges: Serbia today is not Serbia of 1999 (Kosovo-online)

Former Commanding General of the US Armed Forces Europe Frederick Ben Hodges in an interview with Kosovo-online portal said Serbia today was not Serbia of 1999, adding NATO should repeat over and over again that its KFOR mission in Kosovo is here to stay, and that it was good for the first time in the history of KFOR Mission to have Hungarian general as its commander. 

Commenting on the special envoys for the Western Balkans and Belgrade-Pristina talks appointed by EU, UK and US, Hodges said it was important for the EU, Great Britain, US and NATO to have a joint stance and approach towards what happens in the Western Balkans.

“We all have interests in the stability, security and economic development of the region. We need to work united and in a compatible manner, and the EU is key to all of this. To be serious regarding European integration and find a way to support efforts of Serbia and other countries to develop and modernize”, Hodges said.

Asked if he is an optimist regarding Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Hodges responded that he is an optimist if you give a chance and room to the leaders to negotiate.

“It is important, and I think the US must support the process, work closely with the EU and other nations. Great Britain of course should support those efforts, because this is a competition, and if the West is not there to compete, then Russia and China will fill in that vacuum and I do not see a positive outcome for the young people in the region”, he said.

Asked about Serbia’s relations with Russia, Hodges responded that he believes Serbia today was not the Serbia of 1999, adding the country is more interested in and open for western integration. According to him there are many in Serbian leadership wishing to continue further and are pro-western and modern, however, there are those, who, as he said, make the process difficult.

“It doesn’t mean they will end relations with Russia, that has strong influence over Serbia. The point is that Serbia as a sovereign state can have relations whomever it wants to, but we must compete as a part of a regional strategy in diplomacy and economy, as well as in exercises of defensive industry.”

Asked to comment on the missing persons issue, Hodges said “it was important out of humanitarian reasons, transparency and rule of law to find all the missing persons. The US cooperates with Vietnam when we look for missing soldiers, and it is an important part of the process to heal the relations”.

Commenting on Kosovo Security Forces, Hodges said “it was a delicate issue for Kosovo and Serbia. The US recognizes Kosovo as an independent state and Kosovo should have the opportunity to defend itself. At the same time, KFOR stays there to help reduce the tensions between different ethnic groups, and I think it is very important that NATO, respectively KFOR stays in Kosovo for a prolonged period of time and doesn’t reduce its mission”.   

International

Kosovo Intensifies Hunt for Banned Crypto-Mining Machinery (Balkan Insight)

Police stepped up raids on recently outlawed crypto-mining over the weekend, confiscating more than 350 items of equipment.

Kosovo police stopped a vehicle carrying banned crypto-mining equipment near the central town of Drenas/Glogovac on Sunday. Police seized 116 graphic cards, 17 processor boards, 50 electricity fuses, 21 USBEs and two used processors, they announced on Monday.

“The vehicle and all the equipment were seized and Customs is dealing with the case while the Prosecutor has been also informed,” police said.

Police were active elsewhere during the weekend in raids against crypto-mining, following a government decision on December 29 to ban all crypto activities in the country.

Read more at: https://cutt.ly/6IeVDj2

Bulgarian President Reconfirms Hardline Stance on North Macedonia (Balkan Insight)

President Rumen Radev said Bulgaria will continue blocking a start date for North Macedonia’s EU accession talks, claiming Skopje hasn’t been complying with a 2017 treaty on ‘good neighbourly relations’.

President Rumen Radev said on Monday evening that Bulgaria isn’t ready to lift its objections to North Macedonia starting accession talks with the European Union, and called for more negotiations.

“Our approval of North Macedonia starting EU accession talks should not be tied to deadlines but with reaching realistic goals, including the recognition of the Bulgarian minority in the country,” Radev said after a long meeting with his officials at the National Security Advisory Council in Sofia.

Radev claimed that North Macedonia has repeatedly failed to comply with a ‘friendship treaty’ that it signed with Bulgaria in 2017, which was described at the time as a major step forward for the two countries towards ending the two countries’ arguments over historical events.

Read more at: https://cutt.ly/AIe6heT

EU funds have little impact in Western Balkans, auditors say (Politico)

The bloc has spent millions on rule-of-law efforts in potential future EU countries like Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

The EU has been unsuccessful in its efforts to promote rule-of-law reforms in the Western Balkans, the EU’s auditors said in a report published Monday.

The bloc spent about €700 million between 2014 and 2020 to help Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo make headway on reforms in areas such as independence of the judiciary. But the European Court of Auditors concluded in its report that this investment has had little impact on the region.

“EU support for the rule of law in Western Balkans has clearly not been successful in bringing about wholesale change,” said Juhan Parts, the court member responsible for the report.

Read more at: https://cutt.ly/cIrqsUd