Albanian Language Media:

• “Germany supports Kosovo’s membership in Council of Europe” (RTK)
• Ukraine to recall its troops from Kosovo (media)
• S. to support KSF towards becoming capable of defending Kosovo’s territorial integrity (media)
• On International Women’s Day, Kosovo leaders call for women’s empowerment (media)
• COVID-19: 32 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Selakovic: Serbia strongly against initiating the procedure for Pristina’s admission to the CoE (media)
• Escobar: Russia should not hold back Western Balkans (N1, Danas)
• Stano: EU welcomes Serbia’s support of UN resolution on Russia (N1)
• Exposing false news about the war in Ukraine (KiM radio)
• Lajcak: Advocating for the Western Balkans more important than ever (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media  

“Germany supports Kosovo’s membership in Council of Europe” (RTK)

Manuel Sarrazin, Germany’s envoy for Western Balkans, said his country will support Kosovo’s application for membership to the Council of Europe.

In an interview with the German daily, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Sarrazin was asked if Germany would support Kosovo’s membership bid now that Russia has been suspended from the organisation. “Germany has recognized Kosovo. We are committed that a country recognized by us, is a member of international organizations. Especially when organizations such as the Council of Europe are committed to raising the standard for the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, including those of minorities in Kosovo. As to when is the right time to apply for membership to the Council of Europe, this is something that should be assessed by the Kosovo Government,” Sarrazin said.

Speaking about the post entrusted to him by the German Government, Sarrazin said that it is a sign that the enlargement policy and cooperation with Western Balkans countries remains one of Germany’s foreign policy priority and that such an approach is not linked to the situation in Ukraine. 

Ukraine to recall its troops from Kosovo (media)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree recalling the country’s peacekeepers from across the world, along with their weapons and hardware, to assist in the war efforts against Russia.

Ukraine has 40 troops in Kosovo serving under KFOR.

Earlier, Kosovo-based media reported quoting a NATO official saying that the Ukrainian troops will continue serving in Kosovo. “We welcome the continuous contribution of Ukraine in our KFOR mission and its daily efforts in support of all communities living in Kosovo and in strengthening the stability throughout the Western Balkans region,” the official said.

U.S. to support KSF towards becoming capable of defending Kosovo’s territorial integrity (media)

The United States has expressed support for the Kosovo Security Force as the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Major General Charles Miller had a discussion with KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari.

“Productive discussion between U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Major General Charles Miller and KSF Lt. General Jashari on the European security environment and how the United States will continue to support the KSF as it continues to make significant, meaningful progress in its 10 year transition plan. The goal of this U.S.-supported plan is to build a NATO-interoperable, multi-ethnic territorial defense force under civilian control that is not only capable of defending Kosovo’s territorial integrity, but contributes to global security efforts beyond its borders,” the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo said.

At the same time, the Kosovo Security Force said that cooperation with the U.S. Army and its European Command will be the pillar of bilateral military relations between Kosovo and the U.S.

On International Women’s Day, Kosovo leaders call for women’s empowerment (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani said on the occasion of the International Women’s Day that it is clear that gender equality is a precondition for addressing all challenges that women not only in Kosovo but across the world face. 

“We can achieve prosperity, security and stability only when we promote, protect and guarantee the rights of women and girls,” Osmani said. “We must all unite – women and girls, men and boys, young and old – to breathe gender equality at home, on the streets, in the workplace, in institutions, in the community and everywhere else,” Osmani said.

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said gender equality is the foundation of social equality. “We need to activate educated women and educate active women. We are working so that young children grow up and socialize with values ​​that promote inclusive acceptance and gender equality,” Kurti said at an event marking the International Women’s Day which was also attended by President Osmani.

He noted that creation of equal opportunities is the first strategic objective in the Kosovo Program for Gender Equality enabling women to benefit from development, but also to contribute to increasing their involvement and active participation in the decision-making processes.

Congratulating 8 March, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi said many women and girls in Kosovo continue to be subject to discrimination, domestic violence, and unable to enjoy equal access to employment, eduction, and economic development. “In marking the International Women’s Day, apart from celebrating, we must pledge and deeply reflect on the injustice against girls and women, that parallel to the recognition of their relentless efforts for more equality and rights, we join them in this effort,” Krasniqi said.

COVID-19: 32 new cases, one death (media)

32 new cases of COVID-19 and one death have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said in its daily report. 188 persons recovered during this time.

There are 864 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Selakovic: Serbia strongly against initiating the procedure for Pristina’s admission to the CoE (media)

Selakovic said that in accordance with the policy of normalization of relations with Pristina, Serbia supports any engagement of the Council of Europe in Kosovo aimed at improving standards in the field of human rights, rule of law and democracy, which is in line with the UN SC Resolution 1244, and a status-neutral approach.

The head of Serbian diplomacy emphasized that Serbia strongly opposes the initiation of the procedure for Pristina’s admission to the Council of Europe, noting that this would be a violation of the CoE Statute and would undermine the unity of that organization.

Expressing satisfaction with the visit of the Secretary General to Serbia, the Minister emphasized that it is of great importance for Serbia, especially having in mind the sensitivity of the political moment in which it is being realized.

As it is further stated, Selakovic said that Serbia is very satisfied with the cooperation with the CoE, especially emphasizing the significant support that this organization provides to the reform process in the country and the path to full membership in the EU.

Also, the head of Serbian diplomacy pointed out the excellent cooperation on many projects that Serbia is implementing with the Council of Europe Development Bank, starting from the Regional Housing Program, through loans for dual education projects, student housing projects, and the fight against the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement added that the minister welcomed the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to send an observation mission for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia.

The Minister said that the current events in Eastern Europe are followed with great attention and concern, emphasizing that the Serbian people consider both Russians and Ukrainians to be brotherly nations and that Russia and Ukraine are friendly countries, concluded the Ministry’s statement.

Escobar: Russia should not hold back Western Balkans (N1, Danas)

US State Department official Gabriel Escobar warned on Monday that Russia should not be allowed to hold back the countries of the Western Balkans.

“We must not let Russia use its war of choice to hold back the progress of the countries of the Western Balkans. Russia is not looking out for the best interests of these countries. Your economies are tied to Europe. Your biggest trade partners and investors are in the European Union. And your future is in Europe as full-fledged members of the European Union,” the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said in a written statement.

Escobar said that efforts to reach a compromise agreement between Kosovo and Serbia should be redoubled. “There is much work to be done here in the Western Balkans. Work to integrate the region economically. Work to find durable compromise and lasting solutions for unresolved border disputes. Let us use this crisis to ensure future generations here in the Western Balkans live in countries fully integrated into the European Union, in a Europe whole, free, and at peace. The United States wants to be your partner in those efforts,” he said.

“In the contest between democracy and autocracy, between sovereignty and subjugation, make no mistake: Freedom will prevail. Europe and the Western Balkans will emerge even stronger,” Escobar said in his statement.

The statement available at:https://bit.ly/3IYtCIn

Stano: EU welcomes Serbia’s support of UN resolution on Russia (N1)

The European Union welcomes the fact that Serbia voted in support of the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, European Commission spokesman Peter Stano told N1 on Monday.

“We welcome that Serbia has supported the UN General Assembly resolution deploring in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We take note of the Serbian authorities’ position in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity” Stano said in a written reply to N1.

He said that Serbia has shown its strong commitment to EU values by aligning with the UNGA resolution on Ukraine on 3 March. “We expect Serbia to continue to show this commitment. Candidate countries like Serbia are expected to progressively align with the EU’s decisions and positions in foreign and security policy matters,” Stano said.

Exposing false news about the war in Ukraine (KiM radio)

Members of the International Fact-Finding Network (IFCN) around the world have created a database that is updated daily to check those related to the war in Ukraine.

Participants in the work of IFCN from the Western Balkans region: Istinomer (Serbia), Kallxo.com (Kosovo), Raskrinkavanje.ba (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Raskrinkavanje.me (Montenegro), Faktograf.hr (Croatia), Faktoje.al (Albania).

The map shows where the disinformation about the war in Ukraine was circulating and which IFCN members have revealed it.

For the countries shown in shades of red, information can be obtained on the amount of misinformation identified and disclosed by the national checkers in each of them.

When misinformation is clicked, the countries in which the false news is circulating are marked in blue and the text that exposes each of them can be accessed.

Lajcak: Advocating for the Western Balkans more important than ever (Kosovo Online)

The Special Representative of the European Union for Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, ended his visit to London, where he met, among others, with the British Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Stuart Peach, and Minister James Cleverly.

He wrote on Twitter that advocating for the Western Balkans is more important now than ever, reported Kosovo Online.

“I have just finished my visit to London. I had very informative and detailed talks with the Minister for Europe James Cleverly, the British envoy Sir Stuart Peach and experts from the Office for Foreign Affairs and Development. Advocating for our common goals and values in the Western Balkans and elsewhere is more important than ever,” Lajcak wrote.