Albanian Language Media:

• Assembly adopts Resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine (media)
• Kurti invites five EU countries to urgently recognize Kosovo (RTK)
• Konjufca meets Viola von Cramon – support for visa liberalization confirmed (media)
• Hovenier: Our Strength is our Unity: Putin Chose War. We Remain United with Ukraine (media)
• Xhaferi: Northern Macedonia supports Kosovo’s membership in NATO (RTK)
• COVID-19: 69 new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbia votes for UN resolution condemning Russian attack, West welcomes vote (N1)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Stance of Russia on Kosovo principled and lasting (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian Assembly Speaker: Relations with US friendly, but with ups and downs (N1)
• Brnabic: We will not confiscate properties of Russian companies (RTS)
• Dacic: Serbia grateful to Slovakia for its principled position on Kosovo (media)
• Simic: Refrain from irresponsible statements, Serbia supported UN resolution on Ukraine (media)
• Drecun: Pristina creates image of endangerment to mask preparation of new actions in northern Kosovo (media)
• Jevtic: Security fund doesn’t send good message to Serbian community (media)
• NATO official: Admission to Alliance only with support of all members (Kosovo-online)
• Father Sava informs US Ambassador about problems Visoki Decani Monastery faces (Kosovo-online)
• Ukrainian president advisor: Not right moment for question on Kosovo recognition (Kosovo-online)
• Kosovo campaign to join NATO: New demands – recognition and EU membership (KoSSev)
• Serbian journalists’ associations with European Federation of Journalists, condemn banning of RT and Sputnik (N1)
• Vucic meets with Hands (Tanjug)
• Covid-19: Three new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Visoki Decani and ASM between “Kurti’s doctrine“ and “Ukrainian effect“ (KoSSev)

International:

• Montenegro Leaders Split Over Army Role in Possible NATO Missions (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia Backs UN Resolution Condemning Russian Attack on Ukraine (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo parliament urges government to start NATO membership bid (swissinfo.ch)    

Albanian Language Media  

Assembly adopts Resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine (media)

During the plenary session of the Assembly of Kosovo, the MP’s held today a minute of silence for the victims in Ukraine. They carried banners with Ukrainian flags reading “We stand with Ukraine.”

Further, the Assembly of Kosovo during its session today, endorsed the “Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in support of Ukraine and its people in resistance to Russian aggression.”

The resolution was voted with 94 votes in favor, none against and no abstentions. The Serbian List left the hall before the vote.

“Kosovo’s parliament asks the government to take all necessary steps, in coordination with international partners, to submit the request for NATO membership, European Union, Council of Europe and other international organisations,” says among others the resolution.

The head of the Parliamentary Group of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) Mimoza Kusari-Lila, spoke about unconditional support to Ukraine.

She added that Kosovo feels the pain and loss of Ukraine, adding that war crimes are already being documented in Ukraine.

Memli Krasniqi, leader of the Democratic Party of Ksovo (PDK) said that they have condemned this aggression that is happening in the heart of Europe.

The chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku, said that with this resolution Kosovo aligns itself with the great democracies.

He said that Kosovo should go one step further to help Ukraine.

“We have asked the government to allocate a special fund to help Ukraine. We have asked the government to shelter 5,000 Ukrainian citizens. Ukraine is defending more than the sovereignty of that state. All human values ​​of freedom, peace and justice are being defended in Ukraine for eight days now. Kosovo also stands in these values”, he said.

Kurti invites five EU countries to urgently recognize Kosovo (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has called on the five EU member states to urgently recognize Kosovo.

“We call on five non-recognizing states to recognize this reality by urgently recognizing Kosovo’s independence, not to allow incitement to divide conflicts in Europe,” he said.

“Non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence is a violation of the European continent. We will accelerate the application to NATO and other organizations. Let us not fail, let us see clearly and speak with one voice. Our decisions and actions increase our unity within and strengthen our state abroad.”

He said that 23 years after the last war in Europe that took place in Kosovo, the images from Ukraine resemble an evolving European tragedy.

Kurti has said that no one should remain indifferent. “The attack on Ukraine is an attack on the civilized world, it is an attack on all of us. The Ukrainians did not start this war, but they must fight because if it stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. The reason we show solidarity with them is that in their struggle for freedom we see ourselves. We are a peace-loving and freedom-loving people. We have strongly condemned and continue to condemn Russian aggression. The protagonist of this terrible war hopes for the resurrection of a dead empire. It is the product of a deeply corrupt system,” he said.

He said that they also condemn Serbia’s failure to react to Russian aggression and failure to impose sanctions.

“The balanced position, trying to play the dual center is a position with both autocracy and democracy. Everyone must condemn military aggression clearly and firmly. The entire architecture built after World War II is at stake. Our future is at stake if we do not respond,” he said.

“We have for a long time raised the alarm for our aggressive neighbor, who has not regretted past crimes” Kurti said adding that no evidence is needed to know what such behavior brings.

“We have decided to accept 20 journalists from Ukraine. In accordance with the new reality, we have increased our care and established the Security Fund,” he said.

Kurti has said they will speed up the process of applying to the EU.

Konjufca meets Viola von Cramon – support for visa liberalization confirmed (media)

The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Glauk Konjufca, received today the rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Viola von Cramon – Taubadel, accompanied by associates and the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog.

The press release states that Konjufca expressed gratitude for the contribution of MEP von Cramon as a strong voice in the EP for Kosovo’s European perspective and the continued support of the EU.

“He also stressed that Kosovo has already met all the criteria for visa liberalization, asking the EU institutions to conclude this process as soon as possible and free movement for the citizens of our country,” the statement said.

The security situation in the Western Balkans in the face of developments in Ukraine was one of the topics of discussion at the meeting of President Konjufca with MEP von Cramon.

“In this context, the President of the Assembly drew attention to the fact that the Republic of Kosovo has consistently demonstrated its alignment with the West and its unwavering commitment to common Euro-Atlantic values. According to him, Kosovo’s accelerated membership in the EU and NATO would serve not only regional and European security but also global security, which is seriously endangered by the unprovoked Russian occupation of Ukraine,” it is stated in the announcement.

MEP von Cramon reaffirmed her commitment to assist Kosovo in the visa liberalization process, integration into the European Union family and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Hovenier: Our Strength is our Unity: Putin Chose War. We Remain United with Ukraine (media)

The Ambassador of the United States of America in Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, today issued a public statement about the situation in Ukraine.

“This is a dangerous moment for Europe and for freedom-loving people around the world.  By launching his brutal assault on the people of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has also committed an assault on the principles that uphold global peace and democracy.  But the people of Ukraine are resilient. They’ve had a democracy for decades, and their bravery is inspiring the world.  The United States, together with our Allies and partners across the globe, will continue to support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country.  By choosing to pay for a war instead of investing in the needs of Russians, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine will be a strategic failure for the Kremlin and ravage the future of the Russian people.  When the history of this era is written, it will show that Putin’s choice to launch an unprovoked, unjust, and premeditated attack left the West more unified and Russia exponentially weaker,” Hovenier writes.

Read the entire statement at: https://bit.ly/35GWN3Y

Xhaferi: Northern Macedonia supports Kosovo’s membership in NATO (RTK)

After Turkey and Croatia, Northern Macedonia also supports Kosovo’s membership in NATO. This was announced by the Speaker of the Assembly of Northern Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi.

Xhaferi said that if all member states agree, Kosovo’s membership in NATO should be accelerated.

“Given all the global geostrategic, geopolitical and military movements, there is no doubt that those procedures by member states, if all member states agree, should be accelerated and shortened in accordance with the situation,” he said.

He further expressed conviction that Kosovo has, will have in the future and has had in the past the support on reaching this goal. 

COVID-19: 69 new cases, no deaths (media)

69 new cases with COVID-19 and no deaths from the virus were confirmed in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. 99 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 1,567 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Serbia votes for UN resolution condemning Russian attack, West welcomes vote (N1)

Belgrade voted in favour of the UN resolution condemning Russian attack against Ukraine at an emergency session on Wednesday, a move praised by Western embassies in the country, N1 reports.141 countries supported the resolution, five voted against it and 35 abstained.

Western officials in Serbia welcomed its vote in favour of a UN resolution. The head of the European Union delegation in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, welcomed on Twitter that Serbia joined the countries that voted for the resolution. The Ambassador of the United Kingdom Sian MacLeod, Sweden Annika Ben David and Canadian Giles Norman also welcomed Belgrade’s vote. The US Embassy tweeted they were “glad that Serbia supported Ukraine in the UN”. German Ambassador Thomas Schieb said that “We welcome the fact that Serbia has joined 141 UN member states to express its solidarity with Ukraine (…)”. The French and Italian embassies also welcomed this decision.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Alexandrovich thanked “Serbian people, government and president for their support”.

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said the resolution was detrimental to the UN, and that he believes in cooperation with Serbia.

Serbian Ambassador to the United Nations, Nemanja Stevanovic, said at the UN General Assembly session that Serbia would vote for the adoption of the draft resolution, which condemned Russia’s attack against Ukraine, although disagreeing with some formulations.

Stevanovic said that Serbia “most sincerely regrets the events taking place in the East of Europe”.

“Russia and Ukraine have always been friendly countries to the Republic of Serbia and Serbian people perceive Russians and Ukrainians as fraternal nations. We feel that the loss of life of each man in Ukraine is a true tragedy”, he said.

Botsan-Kharchenko: Stance of Russia on Kosovo principled and lasting (Kosovo-online)

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said that the stance of Russia on Kosovo issue remains principled and lasting and doesn’t change depending on the situation in the region or beyond it, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“As far as Serbian sanctions on Russia are concerned we are calm, knowing the consistency of Belgrade, President Aleksandar Vucic and also when it comes to protection and preservation of national interests of your country. And relations with Russia are based on national interests of Serbia, and also desire and expectations of the people (…)”, Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko said.

Asked whether Russia expects Serbia to recognize Donetck and Luhansk, Botsan-Kharchenko said Moscow of course doesn’t expect that from Belgrade, adding “they are already an independent state and we ask nothing from Serbia”.

Serbian Assembly Speaker: Relations with US friendly, but with ups and downs (N1)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic said Wednesday the relations between Belgrade and Washington went back 140 years and were marked with an alliance, friendship, sometimes even close and brotherly, but also had less pleasant moments, including an open conflict in 1999, N1 reports.

“It is a great capital that our peoples must preserve and further develop. Of course, we had less beautiful years. We even had setbacks, including the open conflicts in 1999 (NATO bombing of the-then Yugoslavia). We will not and must not forget those days either“, Dacic told the opening ceremony of the VI cycle of the Academy for Young Leaders “Serbian-American Leadership Academy,“ organised by the Congress of Serbian-American Friendship via video link.

He added that “both Serbs and Americans had enough strength to move forward looking at what connects us, not what separates us“.

Dacic said that Serbia and America were directed at each other, regardless of their geographical distance, and a great disproportion in the size of countries and economic, diplomatic, and military power.

Speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, Dacic underlined that Serbia had “very clearly declared itself against the war and for respect for international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, just as America did”.

“We do not agree on the sanctions against Russia, but we have had different views on that for years; it is not from yesterday”, he added.

Brnabic: We will not confiscate properties of Russian companies (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told Russian companies in Serbia that their properties will not be taken away nor nationalised, given that Serbia is guided by the principles of economy, respecting private properties and ownership, as well as principles of the international public law, RTS reports.

“Our position is clear and principled, and we will defend it. It is that we recognize and respect territorial integrity of Ukraine and we consider its violation as very wrong. But also that it is not in our vital interest to impose sanctions on Russian individuals and companies and we will defend this position”, Brnabic said at the opening of the Chamber of Chinese Companies in Belgrade.

She also voiced expectations diplomacy will prevail, and that this situation will not last long. She added that the Serbian Government will deal with the topic of humanitarian aid to Ukraine in a session today and that the public will be informed about it.

Dacic: Serbia grateful to Slovakia for its principled position on Kosovo (media)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic said today in a conference on Serbian-Slovakian relations that his country expresses enormous gratitude to Slovakia over its principled stance not to recognize Kosovo, adding that Slovakia as one of the five EU member states which do not recognize Kosovo is a strong ally to Serbian efforts to have the dialogue and looks for compromise solution to the Kosovo issue.

Dacic also said that from such a principled position not to recognize Kosovo, comes also a principled stance that Kosovo can’t become a member of important international organisations such as UNESCO and Interpol, as it would be in violation of the foundational documents of those very organisations and the United Nations.

He also termed relations between Serbia and Slovakia as “relations of true friends”. 

Simic: Refrain from irresponsible statements, Serbia supported UN resolution on Ukraine (media)

Serbian List MP in the Kosovo Assembly, Igor Simic called upon representatives of all institutions in Pristina “to refrain from irresponsible statements that could jeopardise peace”, and recalled that Serbia supported UN resolution on Ukraine, media report.  

In his address at today’s plenary session of Kosovo Assembly, in which a resolution on Ukraine has been adopted, Simic said that the Serbian List didn’t receive a proposal of this resolution.

He also said the situation in the East of Europe was horrifying, and that the “war brought no good to anyone, in particular when the conflict of fraternal people is ongoing”. He also expressed, on behalf of the Serbian people, regret for all innocent victims in this conflict and urged for restraint and peace.

Drecun: Pristina creates image of endangerment to mask preparation of new actions in northern Kosovo (media)

Serbian Assembly Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Chairman, Milovan Drecun said he was not surprised over Turkey’s support to Kosovo membership in NATO, adding that Turkish President Rexhep Tayiip Erdogan knows that a territory which is not a UN member state can’t become a NATO member, Serbian media report.

Drecun also said that “Pristina creates a fake image of its endangerment, to mask preparation of new action in northern Kosovo”.

Commenting on statements of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic who said earlier that Russia may be excluded from UN SC, which could lead to the abolishment of UN SC 1244, Drecun said that formally it is not possible to exclude Russia from UN SC, as there should be a recommendation of the Security Council to do so, meaning consent of all five permanent member states.

He also stressed that many European states got involved in so-called ‘proxy war’ by sending armament to Ukraine and sending volunteers there, which is, as he said, ‘a war through intermediaries’.

Jevtic: Security fund doesn’t send good message to Serbian community (media)

Strpce mayor and Serbian List vice president Dalibor Jevtic said that the ‘security fund’, Kosovo government established doesn’t send a good message to Serbian community, media report.

“This is a decision of the current political majority in Kosovo. They have the right to such a decision. I think that in general we should not have a situation in which you consider military empowerment as a priority. I am more committed to economic empowerment. And this is what I did while being a member of the Kosovo government, as someone who articulates a clear stance against the establishment of the Kosovo army and those processes in general. I also think that those processes do not send a good message to the Serb community, and I truly hope they won’t lead to the endangerment of Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija”, he said.

Jevtic also expressed hope there will be no new tensions among people in this area. 

NATO official: Admission to Alliance only with support of all members (Kosovo-online)

Criteria for membership to NATO are clearly defined in the Article 10 of the Washington Charter of this organisation, and all decisions including those on admitting new members are made exclusively unanimously, by acceptance of all the member states, Kosovo-online portal said was a summarized response of NATO official to the portal[s question whether there is possibility that Kosovo becomes NATO member.

A NATO official also said they remain committed to the KFOR Mission in Kosovo, while membership criteria outlined in the Article 10 of the Washington Charter also stipulate that the membership process includes seven-steps.

The portal further said that even if some NATO member state decides to propose Kosovo as a new member, according to the current rules of this organisation it is impossible given that four NATO member states, Spain, Greece, Romania and Slovakia do not recognize Kosovo. 

Father Sava informs US Ambassador about problems Visoki Decani Monastery faces (Kosovo-online)

Abbot of Visoki Decani Monastery Father Sava Janjic informed yesterday US Ambassador in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier about the problems Monastery if facing for more than 20 years and because of which international protection is still needed, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Father Sava also welcomed the US Ambassador and showed him the church, Monastery wrote on Twitter.  

Ukrainian president advisor: Not right moment for question on Kosovo recognition (Kosovo-online, KoSSev)

Advisor to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Johor Chernjev said that from the aspect of Ukraine, it is not a right moment to talk about recognition of Kosovo, Kosovo-online portal reports, citing Pristina-based Reporteri.

“I think that at the moment it is not the right time for that question”, Cernjev told RTK, the portal adds.

KoSSev portal also reported on the news under the headline “Ukraine at war, and Pristina media ask whether it will recognize Kosovo”. 

Kosovo campaign to join NATO: New demands – recognition and EU membership (KoSSev)

The war in Ukraine contributed to new developments in the political scene of the Western Balkans. Serbia remained the only country not to impose sanctions on Russia – as Pristina has been reminding the European Union daily, while also alleging that Vucic “does not share the values of the EU and the USA“, KoSSev portal reports.

Ever since the war in Ukraine broke out – a country with whose leadership and people Pristina alleges to sympathise and compare itself with – Pristina officials have been sending the same messages – “Serbia is a Russian ally“, “Serbia is following Putin“, “Kosovo is endangered“. Warnings of the “Serbian hegemony“ are getting louder with each day. Thanks to a recent diplomatic campaign involving the domestic and international political scene, even social networks, Pristina’s demands have been brought to the fore: Kosovo to join NATO and be recognized by five European countries that have not yet done so.

Read more at: ttps://bit.ly/34eXi52

Serbian journalists’ associations with European Federation of Journalists, condemn banning of RT and Sputnik (N1)

Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and Syndicate of Journalists of Serbia (SINOS) joined the European Federation of Journalists (EEJ) whose members they are, which expressed fear from the effects of spiral of the censorship on the freedom of expression in Europe given decision to ban Russian media services RT and Sputnik, N1 reports.

Two Serbian journalists’ associations in a joint statement condemned the ban of RT and Sputnik in the EU states, as well as rhetoric of politicians and high EU officials related to the decision, which they consider as “deeply wrong and as a defeat of the freedom of expression”.

“We express solidarity with our colleagues in those media and expect the EU to revoke the decision on banning them”, associations said.

They also termed the language high EU officials use to justify the decision as “deeply disturbing” by calling RT and Sputnik “misinformative and manipulative tools”, “Kremlin media machinery” that “pours poisons lies”.

Serbian journalists’ associations also recalled that in 1999 NATO declared Serbian public broadcaster RTS legitimate military target, whose bombing of the building left 16 employees dead.

“No one from this military organization, that created a precedent by bombing the media house, was not hold responsible for the murder of 16 media workers”, they added.

Vucic meets with Hands (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday met with the UK’s Energy Minister Greg Hands to discuss a strengthening of bilateral cooperation, in particular in energy as one of the economic sectors that have gained crucial significance globally, Tanjug news agency reports.

Bilateral relations are characterised by intensive political dialogue and increasingly notable economic cooperation that, despite considerable progress in terms of the volume of bilateral trade, still holds untapped potential, in particular in the fields of energy and the green agenda, in which the UK has exceptional experience, experts and projects in which we could achieve exceptional results together, Vucic said.

Hands said he was pleased with the opportunity to visit Serbia and meet with Vucic and senior government officials, and particularly noted that he welcomed Serbia’s commitment to the important obligations undertaken at last year’s COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.

Covid-19: Three new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)

Out of 20 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas three were positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced today, Kosovo-online portal reports. Also, one person passed away.

New cases were registered as follows: two in Leposavic and one in Zubin Potok.

Currently there are 103 active cases of Covid-19 in the Serbian areas in Kosovo.

Opinion

Visoki Decani and ASM between “Kurti’s doctrine“ and “Ukrainian effect“ (KoSSev)

By: Dragutin Nenezic

Approximately ten days ago, the head of the Pristina government, Albin Kurti, shared his stance on two judgments of the Pristina Constitutional Court – one concerning the so-called Association of Serb-majority municipalities (ASM), and the other concerning the property of the Visoki Decani Monastery. His position is so illogical and factually wrong that it warrants a detailed analysis, especially in the light of the fratricidal war in Ukraine, the intensity of which has increased in the meantime. Therefore, this text is an attempt to outline something that can be referred to as “Kurti’s doctrine“, and predict its practical consequences in the near future.

Judgments

I previously wrote about the judgement on the ASM on this site, so I won’t take up space here because I have nothing to add. On the other hand, the judgement concerning the property of the monastery Visoki Decani deserves much more detailed analysis, but here, due to limited space, I will try to present only its most important elements.

Read the full article at: https://bit.ly/3ttmz3Q

International

Montenegro Leaders Split Over Army Role in Possible NATO Missions (Balkan Insight)

The worsening conflict in Ukraine has exposed a rift among Montenegro’s leaders over the country’s potential role within a NATO crisis operation, with pro-Serbian politicians demanding the country stay well out of the war.

As war continues in Ukraine, Montenegrin leaders appeared divided over the country’s role within any potential NATO operations in conflict zones, after the country’s National Security Council was cancelled on Wednesday due to a lack of quorum.

As a result, a planned discussion about whether Montenegro should send army units to join NATO crisis-response missions did not take place.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3pC7zQ3

Serbia Backs UN Resolution Condemning Russian Attack on Ukraine (Balkan Insight)

Moscow’s traditional Balkan ally says the text of resolution ‘does not mention any sanctions’ and that it is important to condemn attacks on the territorial integrity of any UN member state.

Russia’s traditional Balkan ally Serbia voted in favour of Wednesday’s UN General Assembly resolution, condemning its attack on Ukraine, despite longstanding ties between Moscow and Belgrade.

Serbia’s UN permanent representative, Nemanja Stevanovic, said his country was “committed to observing the principles of territorial integrity and political independence of states”.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3IH3m54

Kosovo parliament urges government to start NATO membership bid (swissinfo.ch)

Kosovo’s parliament approved a resolution on Thursday asking the government to start negotiations on NATO membership following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kosovo has been guarded by NATO troops since 1999 when a war between ethnic Albanians and Serb forces ended, but the country of 1.8 million people now wants to join the alliance.

“Kosovo’s parliament asks the government to take all necessary steps, in coordination with international partners, to submit the request for NATO membership, European Union, Council of Europe and other international organisations,” says the resolution, backed by 94 votes in the 120-seat parliament.

Lawmakers from the Serb minority boycotted the session.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3pVtvpJ