Albanian Language Media:

• Sir Stuart Peach: UK remains steadfast partner of Kosovo, is committed to tackle threats to region’s stability (media)
• Haxhiu: Selection of state chief prosecutor to be transparent and fair (media)
• Kosovo to receive over half a million vaccine doses, donated by U.S. (media)
• PSD calls opposition parties to discuss energy price (Telegrafi)
• Germany recognizes Kosovo drivers’ licences (RTK)
• COVID-19: 770 new cases, two deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stuart Peach to BBC in Serbian: “My role is to support Serbia-Kosovo dialogue” (media) 
• Petkovic: Osmani’s absurd statements (RTV Puls, Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Rakic with Peach: Dialogue, CSM, elections, security (KiM, Kontakt plus radio)
• Selakovic: Visit to Equatorial Guinea very successful (Tanjug)

International:

• Economist Democracy Index 2021: North Macedonia and Montenegro upgraded to “flawed democracies” (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• TikTok Balkans: Alarm Bells over Child Access to Video App (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media  

Sir Stuart Peach: UK remains steadfast partner of Kosovo, is committed to tackle threats to region’s stability (media)

In a video address from Pristina, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, said Kosovo has always had a special place for him and that it was amazing to see the progress since his first visit in 2000. 

He said his role as special envoy is to support the UK’s work to promote stability and prosperity in the region. “Some of my priorities include promoting strong democratic institutions, tackling serious and organised crime, and encouraging the resolution of legacy issues such as war crimes and missing persons. I am also working with our partners in support of the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. These are priorities for Kosovo as well as the UK and I look forward to working with you on them.”

The UK envoy added that in his visit he had the chance to discuss Kosovo’s future and the role the UK can play. “While we naturally focus on all the work that still needs to be done, my impression is that there is much progress to be proud of. In a relatively short space of time, Kosovo has developed into a well-functioning democracy, on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration, and is taking important steps to tackle corruption and strengthen the rule of law.”

“The UK remains, as ever, a steadfast partner of Kosovo, and is committed to tackling threats to the stability and security of this region,” he concluded.

Haxhiu: Selection of state chief prosecutor to be transparent and fair (media)

Minister of Justice of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu said that the process of recruitment of the new chief prosecutors should be transparent and fair. 

“The fate of our citizens is in our hands. You have to consider the principles that will guide you in your work. Exercise your duty objectively and independently. There is nothing better than to have citizens recognise you for honest and professional work, and for courage,” Haxhiu said at the annual conference of prosecutors.

Haxhiu also spoke about gender-based violence saying: “There should be no tolerance for cases of gender-based violence.” 

Kosovo to receive over half a million vaccine doses, donated by U.S. (media)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Health said that today another 515,970 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered as part of the donation from the U.S. President, Joe Biden, to the people of Kosovo, through the COVVAX mechanism.

The Ministry said that the official handover ceremony would be taking place today and by the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, the Prime Minister Albin Kurti, the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier, the UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo Ulrika Richardson and the Minister of Health Rifat Latifi.

PSD calls opposition parties to discuss energy price (Telegrafi)

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has invited opposition parties, representatives of the civil society and trade unions to jointly take actions to reject the increase of electricity price. 

The meeting was attended by Endrit Shala of the Citizens Initiative (NISMA), Jetlir Zyberaj from Alliance for New Kosovo (AKR), Ahmet Isufi from Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Blerim Syla of the Health Trade Union.

Germany recognizes Kosovo drivers’ licences (RTK)

The Embassy of Kosovo in Germany has announced that the Bundesrat has just voted by a majority of votes in favour of signing the agreement for recognition of Kosovo driver licences.

The Embassy wrote on Facebook that a special gift from Germany for Kosovo on the eve of the celebration of the 14th anniversary of the Independence of Kosovo.

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, we are pleased to announce that the Bundesrat just voted by a majority of votes in favour of signing the agreement on recognition of the driver’s licences of the Republic of Kosovo. Cordially, the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin,” it is said in the announcement.

The news was hailed by the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani and Minister of Interior Gjelal Svecla. 

COVID-19: 770 new cases, two deaths (media)

770 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24-hour period, the Ministry of Health said. 1,589 persons recovered during this time.

There are 16,028 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Stuart Peach to BBC in Serbian: “My role is to support Serbia-Kosovo dialogue” (media) 

An experienced soldier of the British aviation and NATO alliance replaced his uniform with a suit and tie, wrote BBC in Serbian.

Sir Stuart Peach has been working as the British Special Envoy for the Western Balkans since December 2021, and he used his first visit to Belgrade and Pristina to introduce himself to those with whom he will cooperate.

“I would like to see progress and hope for a better future for the people of the region.”

“Great Britain supports the Euro-Atlantic path of the region and that path remains a priority for our government, and on that path, there is a better future for all the peoples of the region, regardless of open issues.”

“My passion and mission is to create the conditions for a better future,” Peach told the BBC in Serbian, the region’s first media interview.

He responds militarily briefly and diplomatically cautiously – just like the two careers he combined.

“For me, these are just stages of my life and there is no difference.”

“I am guided by respect for other people, governments, democratic processes and the values that underlie them.”

Prior to his election as special envoy, Peach served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee, made up of member defence ministers. He built his military career in the British Air Force.

How special envoys work

In the diplomatic sky above the region, everything is full of special envoy flights.

The week, opened in Belgrade by European and American mediators for the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak and Gabriel Escobar, was closed by the British envoy, while they visited Pristina in reverse order.

“We have already met several times and discussed regional issues.”

“I am currently busy touring all the capitals in the region and explaining my new role, but after that we will develop a way of cooperation and joint work, if necessary,” says Peach.

The British diplomat will conclude that his previous military experience can be an adequate complement to the qualities that European and American mediators have.

Kosovo: “EU to lead dialogue, Britain to support”

The stalled negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo are one of the challenges that three special envoys are facing.

Peach sees the solution in Brussels, but also in a clear division of labour.

“I was in Brussels, but the role of the European Union is to lead a dialogue, and I support it.”

“It is not up to me to speculate on what was discussed during the visit of Lajcak and Escobar, as well as on future solutions – my role is to support dialogue,” he said, dismissing any speculation about negotiable models of Serbia-Kosovo relations.

Instead, Peach offers a general definition of what a successful outcome of those negotiations would be for London.

“Success would be any solution that will bring something good for all people in the region.”

BBC: Does it include mutual recognition of Serbia and Kosovo?

Peach: It’s a matter for dialogue and discussion.

BBC: So, recognition doesn’t have to be the final outcome?

Peach: This is something that we would expect, the British government has recognized Kosovo. But I do not want to set such boundaries here and now in Belgrade, it is up to others, and we will be in the background and support the process. 

However, some boundaries in Belgrade-London relations were shifted when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic publicly accused Britain of being behind the actions of Kosovo’s special police in northern Serb-majority municipalities in October last year, recalls BBC.

“I reject all accusations – Britain’s military presence in the region serves as support for the European Union in BiH and NATO in Kosovo, and has been for many years,” claims Peach, who himself was a NATO soldier in Kosovo in 2000.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Support for the Dayton Processes

As a British air force officer, Peach was well acquainted with the situation in BiH during the war in the mid-1990s before the conflict ended with the signing of the Dayton Accords in 1995.

“There has been progress in Bosnia since 1996.”

“The position of Great Britain is to support the Dayton Agreement, to support the Office of the High Representative and the man in that position, Christian Schmidt, and to support the European Union’s EUFOR mission, which provides stability.”

However, noting that the complicated political and national structure of Dayton’s BiH often leads to crises and stagnation, and even doubts about the exhaustion of the values of the Dayton Agreement, Peach says that the concept still has the support of London.

“We support the Dayton process and the Dayton Agreement, as well as the international presence that has resulted from it.”

“We continue to advocate for the full implementation of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina – so that people can sit together and create better conditions for people.”

BBC: But are politicians in BiH doing that?

Peach: This is their mandate.

BBC: Are they fulfilling it?

Peach: There is progress in the country, but also issues that need to be resolved. We continue to support returning to institutions and resolving outstanding issues. 

The British envoy on the ground is faced with a situation in which Serbian representatives generally do not participate in the work of the BiH institutions. 

Republika Srpska does not recognize the high representative of the international community, Christian Schmidt, because he did not receive confirmation from the United Nations Security Council, nationalist rhetoric is especially loud, while concrete talks between representatives of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are becoming rarer.

“I think they are sitting with each other; the only question is whether they are doing it in the right place – and the right place is the institutions created by the Dayton Agreement, and we support everyone returning to them and resolving issues that plague the people in BiH.”

“It is not up to me to organise meetings, but we will certainly support and encourage the return of normalcy as much as possible.”

However, Peach claims that he clarified one dilemma in Serbia, one of the signatories of the Dayton Agreement.

“From the conversations I had in Belgrade, I realised that Serbia has a constructive role in BiH.”

“I do not see Belgrade as an obstacle to a stable BiH.”

From “hybrid activities” to regular elections

When Pitch was appointed to office in December, Milovan Drecun, chairman of the Serbian Parliament’s Kosovo and Metohija Committee and an official of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), described him as an “expert on hybrid activities” and an embodiment of “Britain’s desire to influence internal processes in Serbia to weaken its position both internationally and in negotiations with Pristina “.

“It’s just not true. I have great respect for the Serbian authorities and the Serbian people.”

“I have served in the military for almost 50 years, and I understand that people have strong attitudes.”

Stuart Peach himself has strong views.

He will militarily answer the question whether he sees the April elections in Serbia as regular and by European standards.

“Of course! We will continue to respect the outcome of these elections.”

BBC: There are no grounds for the opposition’s complaints that the elections are not held in accordance with democratic standards and European practice?

Peach: It’s not up to me to speculate about that, but I don’t see it.

Stuart Peach spoke to the BBC in Serbian on the day of the meeting with the President and Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and Ana Brnabic, as well as representatives of civil society, and the day before the meeting with representatives of opposition parties.

The British envoy therefore sees room for better relations between Belgrade and London

“In the First and Second World Wars, Great Britain was an ally of Serbia, and it is important that people in Great Britain respect the people in Serbia as I do, and respect the elections made by the people of Serbia, in accordance with our democratic standards.”

“I am glad for the progress made by our embassy in Belgrade on a large number of bilateral issues, and in the interest of both peoples,” Peach concludes.

Petkovic: Osmani’s absurd statements (RTV Puls, Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)

Regarding the statements of Vjosa Osmani that Kosovo will not form the Community of Serbian Municipalities, the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, in a press release, called absurd Vjosa Osmani’s statements, on Pristina fulfilling all obligations and agreements, reported Serbian media. 

“In the sea of absurd statements of Pristina politicians, the first place is taken by the message of Vjosa Osmani, that the so-called Kosovo has fulfilled all its obligations and agreements from the dialogue, and then the statement that it will never form the Community of Serbian Municipalities, as it was agreed in Brussels,” said Petkovic.

”That statement, in addition to being completely meaningless, shows the real face of politicians in Pristina, who think that the Brussels Agreement is a buffet from which they can take what suits them and which provisions they can change on the go, and interpret arbitrarily.”

”It is Belgrade that has fulfilled all its obligations and is a credible and patient partner in the dialogue process, while Pristina, in addition to the CSM (ZSO), refuses to implement and energy agreements, refuses to cooperate in resolving the fate of the missing, and sets new conditions to make dialogue completely meaningless as a process for resolving all open issues and the way to normalize relations.”

”However, it is important that Vjosa Osmani finally admitted that the Community of Serbian Municipalities in Brussels was agreed with all executive powers and a clear structure, and that this is the reason why Pristina has refused to form it for almost nine years.”

”I hope that Osmani heard during the previous days and the visits of high officials of EU, US and Great Britain that the agreements must be respected and that, when she processes the information, it will be clear to her that she cannot flee forever from fulfilling the obligations.”

Rakic with Peach: Dialogue, CSM, elections, security (KiM, Kontakt plus radio)

Minister for Communities and Return, Goran Rakic met yesterday the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, reported the media.

Rakic stated that it is necessary to continue the dialogue and fulfil all the signed agreements, because “without talks, there is no progress and a better life for Serbs”.

He opined that the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities is the “guarantor of the survival” of Serbs in Kosovo.

“It is necessary to enable the upcoming elections and allow citizens to vote and thus exercise their civil rights. Security must be a guarantee for all Serbs and other non-majority communities living in this area, as well as for those who want to return to their homes.” Rakic said in a press release. 

Selakovic: Visit to Equatorial Guinea very successful (Tanjug)

Serbian FM Nikola Selakovic visited Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, reported agency Tanjug.

In a statement released by his ministry, Selakovic said the visit had been very successful and that his discussion partners had given recognition to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the government and the people of Serbia for what Serbia had accomplished over the past eight years.

Selakovic said he had spoken with Equatorial Guinea’s president, vice president and FM and that the meetings had also been attended by the country’s ministers of security, agriculture, health, and social affairs.

Although geographically remote, Equatorial Guinea is a country that is actively supporting Serbia in the fight for Kosovo-Metohija and for protection of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Selakovic said.

“The president of Equatorial Guinea visited Belgrade over 40 years ago, but expressed a readiness to visit our country again,” Selakovic said, adding that the country’s vice president was due to come to Serbia in the first half of this year.

Selakovic said he had signed six important agreements with the FM of Equatorial Guinea: an intergovernmental agreement on friendship and cooperation, an agreement on abolishing visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in agriculture, a memorandum on cooperation between the two foreign ministries, a MoU on political consultations and a memorandum on a Serbian donation of 30,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to the people of Equatorial Guinea.

He also said there were great opportunities for boosting bilateral economic cooperation and that he had also met with representatives and employees of Serbian companies operating in Equatorial Guinea.

International

Economist Democracy Index 2021: North Macedonia and Montenegro upgraded to “flawed democracies” (EWB)

LONDON – Montenegro and North Macedonia crossed the threshold of “flawed democracies” in this year’s Democracy Index 2021 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Serbia and Albania remained in this category as well, while Bosnia and Herzegovina stayed in the category of hybrid regimes. All countries received slightly better scores than last year.

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

Humanitarian/Development

TikTok Balkans: Alarm Bells over Child Access to Video App (Balkan Insight)

The minimum age requirement to open a TikTok account has done nothing to stop thousands of children in the Balkans under the age of 13 from accessing the short-form video app. A BIRN survey finds parents and teachers struggling to stay on top of the risks involved.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3sRgmi7