Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo offers many opportunities for foreign investors (media)
• Knaus: Kosovo should become member of the Council of Europe (Telegrafi)
• Hoxhaj calls for Kosovo’s membership of NATO (media)
• Haxhiu: One of the Serbs arrested in Pristina communicates with Russia (media)
• Gervalla: The Allies should take Serbia’s threats more seriously (media)
• Ukrainian MP: We should recognise Kosovo independence (media) 
• AAK demands parliamentary debate on security in Kosovo (RTK)
• COVID-19: 55 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Selakovic: Resolving all open issues for lasting reconciliation in the region (N1, Beta)
• Varhelyi: Stability of Western Balkans more important than ever (N1)
• Vucic: I don’t know how much the danger is of Kosovo becoming a member of NATO, but it is not naïve (media)
• Serbs arrested in PR for terrorism-related crimes released from custody (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Serbia advocating peace, respect of international law (Tanjug, media)
• Brnabic: Vucic did not choose Putin, but international law; Kosnett: Vucic chose Putin, not the West (KiM radio)
• MTS has removed Russian TV channels (RFE, RTK2)
• Situation at Brnjak crossing without any change (RTK2)
• Vucic: We don’t want to agree to the game of provocations of Kosovo Police (KiM radio, RTS, Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Can the Czech EU presidency bring Western Balkans accession any closer? (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Serbia Supports Ukraine’s Sovereignty But Opposes Sanctions on Russia, Vucic says (Balkan Insight)
• In Albanian City Once Named ‘Stalin’, a Base for NATO (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media  

Kurti: Kosovo offers many opportunities for foreign investors (media)

This year London is hosting the 2022 Western Balkans Investment Summit, which is organized annually by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The summit is being attended by the heads of the governments of the Western Balkans countries. Kosovo is being represented by the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, who spoke about the support that the Kosovo government is giving to citizens for various projects. He also spoke about about the situation of the economy in Kosovo and the priorities that the government has in this regard.

“We have supported our citizens with various projects, as well as scholarships for young people, a good opportunity for us is to have the euro currency. Kosovo is placed on the best list on the Internet and that most payments are made online,” he said.

Kurti also spoke about Kosovo’s economic growth, which as he said, last year had reached 9.9%. “We have the lowest debt in the Western Balkans,” he said.

He also mentioned that Kosovo has a young population who speak fluently English and German.

Prime Minister Kurti has expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The opening of the summit was made by the President of the EBRD, Odile Renaud – Basso, and the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.

Knaus: Kosovo should become member of the Council of Europe (Telegrafi)

The founder and chair of the European Stability Initiative Gerald Knaus said that it is time for Kosovo to be a member of the Council of Europe.

In a Twitter post, Knaus stressed that Kosovo’s support for European Union and UK foreign policy should be rewarded with EC membership.

“Kosovo’s position outside the Council of Europe is strange. Kosovo supports the foreign policy of the European Union and the United Kingdom. There will be votes in the EU to accept it. Do it now. Put Kosovo’s accession to the vote,” he wrote.

Hoxhaj calls for Kosovo’s membership of NATO (media) 

Kosovo’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj, said today that “there is only one policy that protects state identity, the democratic order and security of Kosovo: membership of NATO!” 

“I said it in the Assembly last week and I will repeat it today: the Government of Kosovo must adopt the Membership Action Plan (MAP) with support from the West! This is the main topic of 2022!” Hoxhaj said.

Haxhiu: One of the Serbs arrested in Pristina communicates with Russia (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice Albulen Haxhiu stated that one of the three Serbs arrested in Pristina on Saturday, has communicated with the Russian Federation and that according to her, is an individual of the Serbian Intelligence.

Haxhiu stated in a press conference that Serbs who bought the emblem of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), can increase tensions in Kosovo.

Haxhiu said that the suspects entered Kosovo from Serbia on the same day, and went to buy military clothing. The release of the suspects by the Prosecution was called “strange” by the Minister.

“It is surprising for us as a government and for the citizens, that they have not been held in detention even for 48 hours which shows the disregard for the security risk of the country”, she said.

“Only by cooperating do we protect the citizens. The reforms we have launched are more necessary than ever,” she said.

Gervalla: The Allies should take Serbia’s threats more seriously (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gervalla and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, held after their meeting in Pristina a joint press conference. The Hungarian chief diplomat said that his country would not get involved in the war in Ukraine.

On the other hand, Grvalla said that Kosovo has joined the EU, NATO and US sanctions on the Russian state without any hesitation.

She urged Kosovo’s allies to take the threats coming from Serbia more seriously.

“Serbia is Kosovo’s northern neighbor, and we have demanded a change in Serbia’s aggressive approach to Kosovo. We hope that our allies will take the threats coming from Serbia more seriously.

Kosovo has fresh memories of the war and it is still being threatened by Serbia. Just as Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, Vucic advocates Serbia’s right to the region. Vucic’s threats of war must receive a prompt response. Kosovo has strong friends, and it is safe,” Gervalla said.

She further informed that she would travel today to Turkey, to join President Osmani in the meetings she is holding there.

Ukrainian MP: We should recognise Kosovo independence (media) 

Ukrainian MP Iryna Friz said today now is the time for Ukraine to recognise Kosovo. She said in a Facebook post that in difficult times for Ukraine, Kosovo is standing with Ukraine’s friends. 

“We need to join our Western partners that have already recognised Kosovo’s independence and we should do the same. It is time to stand with our friends and not to play with our enemies. Countries that swore to friendship with our country, chose to support the invader,” she said.

AAK demands parliamentary debate on security in Kosovo (RTK)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) demands a parliamentary debate on the security situation in Kosovo.

The head of the AAK parliamentary group Besnik Tahiri said after the meeting of the Presidency of the Assembly, that this issue was not on the agenda for the next session. 

“Circumstances that have been created in terms of security at the international level, need a reflection. We have addressed some important issues, such as the country’s new national security strategy related to NATO membership and the military fund,” Tahiri said.

COVID-19: 55 new cases, one death (media)

55 new cases with COVID-19 and one death from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 235 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 1,877 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Selakovic: Resolving all open issues for lasting reconciliation in the region (N1, Beta)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic stated at the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council that Serbia strives to contribute to lasting reconciliation in the region through constructive resolution of all open issues.

“The events of the 1990s marked the region I come from. Serbia strives in the best faith to contribute to the realization of lasting reconciliation through constructive asking in resolving all open issues and commitment to strengthening regional cooperation,” Selakovic said via video link, emphasizing that Serbia pays special attention to determining the fate of missing persons.

The Minister pointed out that resolving that issue is often politicized, but that Serbia is committed to resolving the fate of missing persons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia announced.

He stated that according to the data of the International Committee of the Red Cross from the previous year, 9,925 people are still listed as missing in the region, out of which 1,621 in Kosovo, 1,964 in Croatia and 6,340 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For many years, Serbia has been pointing out the importance of finding a permanent and sustainable solution for people who are in long-term displacement, both refugees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and internally displaced persons from Kosovo, he said.

“Serbia is among the countries with the largest number of internally displaced persons in Europe, they are persons of Serbian and other non-Albanian nationalities, forced to leave their homes in Kosovo and Metohija,” Selakovic said, noting that sustainable return is estimated at less than 3%. primarily due to security pressures on returnees.

He added that in finding lasting solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, it is necessary to enable equal choice between local integration and return to the place of origin.

“For that, the basic conditions in the place of origin must be met in terms of personal and property security, rule of law and absence of discrimination,” the minister said.

Selakovic said that the migrant crisis further emphasizes the interdependence of human rights and humanitarian issues, but also underlined that Serbia, as a country on the Balkan route, approached it with the greatest humanity in providing shelter to migrants, while providing international protection, in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination, the statement said.

“Serbia is sincerely committed to fulfilling the obligations undertaken by ratifying the UN human rights treaty,” Selakovic pointed out, adding that Serbia regularly reports to the treaty bodies and continuously works on the implementation of accepted recommendations, reported Serbian media.

Varhelyi: Stability of Western Balkans more important than ever (N1)

European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi told the EBRD Western Balkans Investment Summit on Monday that the stability and security of the region is more important than ever and urged a faster implementation of projects.

“Current events show that never before was stability and security of the Western Balkans as important as now: we need to maintain peace and stability, deepen and expand it. They show the importance of the European Union perspective,” he wrote in a Twitter post.

Varhelyi added that “it is now time to accelerate implementation”. “I count on you, Prime Ministers, to ensure quick action so the projects from the Plan come to life swiftly. Together, we can, and we will change the reality on the ground. At the same time, we continue to work together to advance the enlargement process. Europe does not end in Zagreb or Budapest; the Western Balkans naturally belong here too”.

See at: https://bit.ly/358YXcV

Vucic: I don’t know how much the danger is of Kosovo becoming a member of NATO, but it is not naïve (media)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic stated that he could not assess at this moment the real danger of Kosovo becoming a member of NATO, which was placed in Pristina as a request, but that the situation was not “at all naive”, and that he heard about the idea half a year ago from the Serbian security services.

“Regardless of whether anyone else recognizes Kosovo as independent, we remain committed to international public law and take care of our territorial integrity,” said Vucic today, who attended the start of construction of a new Wacker Neuson factory in Kragujevac.

Regarding Pristina’s request for Kosovo to be admitted to NATO, he stated that it was the idea of Albanian lobbyists, some politicians from the European Union and America, to force EU countries, members of the Alliance that did not recognize Kosovo, to do so.

According to him, it might be an “easy excuse” for some to say that they have to recognize Kosovo because they have no other way out, and that they cannot oppose it.

“That would be an attempt to put us in front of a final act, to say to us that we are the only ones left to recognize the independence of Kosovo,” Vucic said.

Serbs arrested in PR for terrorism-related crimes released from custody (KoSSev)

Three Serbs who were detained on Saturday after purchasing ”KLA” emblems in Pristina – and charged with crimes under Article 138 of the Criminal Code, i.e. preparation of terrorist acts or crimes against the constitutional order and security of Kosovo – were released from custody on Sunday night, a lawyer of one of the detained Serbs, Jovana Filipovic, confirmed for KoSSev last night.

Filipovic says that there is no official information so far about the reason for the release.

Filipovic confirmed the three Serbs were arrested after purchasing five KLA emblems in a Pristina store.

However, contrary to the allegations presented in the Pristina media about the reason for the purchase, she claims that her client is a collector who has a shop where he exhibits war insignia. 

The Kosovo police detained five people (3 Serbian citizens and two Kosovan) in Pristina on Saturday, the Kosovo Police previously confirmed for KoSSev, while failing to specify the reason behind the detainment.

Meanwhile, KosovaPress and other Pristina based media reported while citing their findings, that the persons in question were arrested for purchasing KLA uniforms and emblems.

The same media outlets also alleged that the detainees were drawing up a plan to make videos ”claiming that some soldiers dressed in KLA uniforms were preparing to occupy the north of Kosovo”. They claimed that Serbia wanted to fabricate events to create ”a reason to militarily intervene to protect Serbs in northern Kosovo”.

Upon their release, the head of the Kosovo Office, Petar Petkovic, told media that ”the anti-Serb hysteria and the fake news campaign directed by Albin Kurti is at its peak”. He also commented on allegations that Serbs were preparing a ”staged attack”.

”In addition, lies are being spread that Serbs are preparing some kind of staged attack on the north? Pristina should stop deceiving and artificially creating a crisis,” he said.

On the other hand, the lawyer of one of the accused, Jovana Filipovic, told KoSSev that her client is a collector with a certificate from the Association of Collectors of the Republic of Serbia and that he owns a Nis-based shop that sells military or camouflage equipment and war insignia.

”In his shop, he exhibits various topics – whether it’s the wars of the 1990s, World War I, World War II – flags, military insignia, emblems that were characteristic of that period, so that is why he bought these emblems, ” said Filipovic.

She explains that her client, together with two other Serbs, came to Kosovo for the requiem for the deceased and that they then visited the Army shop in Pristina with their acquaintances – two ethnic Albanians, where they bought ”KLA” emblems.

In her words, the purchase was carried out regularly, they have a receipt, and they bought the emblems as souvenirs. She pointed out that only five emblems were purchased – and not a large quantity, as some Albanian media had claimed.

After the purchase, however, they were detained by the police, she adds.

Furthermore, Filipovic denies media allegations that they also purchased uniforms, but also that they had a larger amount of money on them, that is, tens of thousands of euros.

Filipovic confirmed that three Serbs were arrested and detained for 48 hours, but not the two Albanians who were with them and who have not been charged so far.

All three were remanded 48 hours in custody and charged with crimes under Article 138 of the Criminal Code of Kosovo – Preparation of terrorist acts or crimes against the constitutional order and security of Kosovo.

A detention hearing should be held today unless the prosecutor deems that there are no elements of a criminal offense.

According to Filipovic, however, there are no elements of a criminal offense in this case.

”As the defense, we believe that there is no room to continue this criminal procedure because no action my client has taken is incriminating and has nothing to do with the criminal act he is charged with, ” said Filipovic.

She noted that, however, this case is now observed from the standpoint of the current political situation – the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Finally, Filipovic says that her clients simply found themselves in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

See at:https://bit.ly/3MaWZt6

Vucic: Serbia advocating peace, respect of international law (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said late on Friday Serbia was advocating peace and respect of international law and believed that violation of the territorial integrity of any country, including Ukraine, is wrong but that, to protect its own interests, it would not impose sanctions on Russia.

Serbia respects the norms of international law and is not giving up on that practice because it is the best way of protecting our country, but the country also understands well its own needs and has its own vital national and state interests, and respects traditional friendships and has not forgotten all the things that happened in 1999 and 2015, Vucic said in a public statement after a National Security Council session on developments in Ukraine.

Conveying the conclusions of the session, Vucic noted that Serbia’s policy was based on international law and that the country fully supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

He said that, when it comes to sanctions, Serbia would be governed exclusively by its own vital interests.

“Based on our experience, imposing sanctions on any state is not a vital political and economic interest of Serbia,” Vucic said.

“Taking everything into account, we tried to take not only a joint but a united position regarding the crisis in Ukraine and regarding our actions and reaction,” Vucic said.

“We have also faced numerous pressures that were almost not hidden at all, and despite that, we have made the decision in a calm and reasonable manner, in Serbia’s best interest,” Vucic noted.

“We believe that respect of the norms of international law means a further strengthening of our position in the defence of our vital national interests,” he said.

Fair relations with NATO in Kosovo

Vucic said that Serbia had fair relations with NATO and the Serbian Armed Forces maintained good cooperation with KFOR. He hoped this would remain the same in the future.

He was responding to a reporter’s question whether NATO might now turn to the Western Balkans and Kosovo “to vent its frustration over Russia’s power”.

Vucic noted that KFOR was protecting Serbian monasteries and other Serbian holy sites in Kosovo. 

“We have had no problems (with KFOR) in Kosovo-Metohija, and I believe we will not have any in the future either,” Vucic said, noting that, however, the situation regarding the relationship with Kosovo’s Albanians was much more difficult and laden with problems.

Asked to comment on a statement by Vjosa Osmani, president of Kosovo, who has tried to draw a parallel between the situations in Ukraine and in Kosovo by saying that Serbia had the same objective in Kosovo as Russia had in Ukraine and Georgia, Vucic responded that, like everything Osmani had said in the past, the statement was absurd, reported Tanjug.

On Sunday, the Serbian government adopted a February 25 conclusion by the National Security Council on the crisis in Ukraine.

Brnabic: Vucic did not choose Putin, but international law; Kosnett: Vucic chose Putin, not the West (KiM radio)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told the former US ambassador to Pristina that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic “did not choose Putin instead of the West”, but “international law and principles, Serbian interests and peace”, reported KiM radio.

“President Vucic did not choose Putin instead of the West, nor does he hide behind anyone, nor did he ever claim that his ‘hands were tied’ by anything. He chose international law and principles, Serbian interests and peace,” Brnabic tweeted, replying to the previous Kosnett tweet. 

“It’s leadership. And when it comes to moral messages – don’t even start,” she wrote.

Former US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett assessed that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic chose Russian President Vladimir Putin instead of the West

On Twitter, Kosnett called on the EU and the US to keep that fact in mind.

“It seems that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic chose Putin instead of the West – while he claims that public opinion has tied his hands and hiding behind the church. That is not leadership, that is moral cowardice,” Kosnett said, KiM radio cited.

MTS has removed Russian TV channels (RFE, RTK2)

President of the Independent Media Commission in Kosovo, Faruk Rexhaj, confirmed to RFE that most cable operators have removed channels from the Russian Federation from their offer. 

“We have been informed that most operators have removed those channels. Today we have observers on the ground, and it will be checked whether the distribution operators operating in Kosovo have complied with the decision of the Independent Media Commission or not,” Rexhaj said. 

RFE reminded that on February 26, the Independent Media Commission in Kosovo requested a temporary suspension of broadcasting of television channels from Russia to prevent the spread of propaganda and protect public safety. These are the channels Russia Today (RT), Russia 24 and Planet RTR. 

Rexhaj stated that these channels were broadcast through the operator MTS d.o.o., a subsidiary of “Telekom Srbija”. Citizens from Serbian areas, both south and north of the Ibar River confirmed to RFE that Russian channels are not being broadcasted through MTS d.o.o.  

Rexhaj said that there were also Albanian operators broadcasting these Russian channels. 

“There were also Albanian distribution operators that broadcasted these channels. TELKOS had two Russian channels, but it removed them before the decision of the Independent Media Commission,” he explained. 

He notes that operators who do not respect the decision of the Independent Media Commission will be punished, with the possible revocation of the licence. RFE pointed out that the EU has also banned the broadcasting of Russian channels. 

Situation at Brnjak crossing without any change (RTK2)

RTK2 reported on Sunday that following the Kosovo Police action, when concrete blocks were placed in front of the Brnjak crossing, as well as containers with accompanying equipment, the situation in this part of northern Kosovo was calm, and the increased police forces were noticeable. 

North Mitrovica police station told RTK2 that the situation was calm and that all of yesterday’s actions were taken primarily with the aim of more effective work of police in that part of Kosovo.  

Residents of North Mitrovica with whom RTK spoke pointed out that there was no fear, but that there was a certain amount of caution. 

“Everything is peaceful, there is no fear. I am Albanian, I have lived in Mitrovica for almost 67 years, and I divide people only into good and bad, politicians are the ones who are causing the problem”. 

“Why didn’t they cut the Pristina-Vucitrn Road, they are cutting the roads for us villagers. We live miserably either way, just what we needed.”

“It is devastating, because it does not lead to peace,” residents said. 

Director of Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture in North Mitrovica, Dusan Radakovic, told RTK2 that, as always, the situation in northern Kosovo is fragile and that any reckless move could lead to instability. 

“Recent actions in the north of Kosovo, more precisely at Brnjak crossing, can raise tensions, because this is a region that is always inflammable, and one spark is enough to create a problem and conflict. Such actions are frequent in the north, which is direct interference in peace and dialogue,” Radakovic opined. 

Vucic: We don’t want to agree to the game of provocations of Kosovo Police (KiM radio, RTS, Tanjug)

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday on the installation of containers and the strengthening of Kosovo police at the administrative crossings and pointed out that he was following everything, but that he did not want to accept a game of provocations, reported the media.

Vucic said that he talked about the moves of Pristina with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army, General Milan Mojsilovic. 

“They briefed KFOR,” Vucic said. 

He said that the Kosovo police set up containers more than a kilometre away from Brnjak so that they could monitor Gazivode. 

“We are following this. We do not want to agree to their game of provocations. They are not some force and power. But we must avoid provocations, to run away from all that because we are able to build clinical centres, build our economy, and progress faster. We need peace the most, so that’s why we keep quiet,” Vucic said.  

He stressed that he knows every detail and emphasized that the state will try and continue to be more lenient to preserve peace, because we are growing the fastest in peace. According to him, “that is a guide mark for the future”. 

“Peace, stability, that is what is most important for us,” he said. 

Opinion

Can the Czech EU presidency bring Western Balkans accession any closer? (Balkan Insight)

The Czech Republic will take over the EU Presidency in July with the declared ambition to revive the stalled EU enlargement of the Western Balkans. A breakthrough is unlikely.

Czech policy towards the Western Balkans is expected to go through the wringer over the coming year.

The Czech Republic will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from July. The previous government of Andrej Babis already declared the Western Balkans and its European integration to be among the top foreign policy priorities of the Czech EU Presidency agenda. Thus, the new government that took over after the October 2021 election will find itself in a tricky position from which it will inescapably have to deal not only with the stalled EU enlargement process currently blocked by the dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, but also with the burning regional issues, including the protracted institutional crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, escalating tensions in Montenegro and the deadlocked dispute between Kosovo and Serbia.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3M8JSZu

International

Serbia Supports Ukraine’s Sovereignty But Opposes Sanctions on Russia, Vucic says (Balkan Insight)

Serbia fully supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine but will look after its own interests and not impose sanctions on Russia, the Serbian President said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at a press conference on Friday evening that Serbia stands for peace and respect for international law – and also considers it wrong to violate the territorial integrity of any country, including Ukraine – but will not impose sanctions on Russia, because it is protecting its own interests.

Serbia fully supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and regrets everything that is happening in Eastern Europe, Vucic said, adding that Serbians see Russians and Ukrainians as brotherly nations.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3BY9eUW

In Albanian City Once Named ‘Stalin’, a Base for NATO (Balkan Insight)

NATO has begun to upgrade a communist-era airbase in Albania with a view to using it for alliance operations.

Developed under Italian fascist occupation, renamed ‘Stalin City’ under communism, and condemned to poverty with the transition to capitalism, the central Albanian city of Kucova is now set to become synonymous with NATO.

Three years after the Western military alliance announced a 51-million-euro upgrade of Kucova airbase, work has begun in earnest with a view to the communist-era base playing a part in alliance operations.

NATO says the upgrade will bring the base – once home to Soviet- and Chinese-made MiG fighter jets – up to alliance standards by renovating the runways, taxiways, and storage facilities.

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