Albanian Language Media:

• “A dirty game”, the opposition feels betrayed by Vetevendosje (Express)
• Prime Minister Albin Kurti on official visit to Norway (Express)
• President Osmani meets IMF Managing Director Georgieva (media)
• Hoxhaj: Membership in NATO more important than technical dialogue (media)
• COVID-19: 16 new cases, two deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EU: Disciplinary proceedings are not part of the Brussels Agreement (KiM radio, RFE)
• Vucic: We exceptionally value support of Angola to Serbian territorial integrity and sovereignty (Kosovo-online)
• Lavrov: Peace talks could also be held in Belgrade (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM: Flammable device thrown into Vesic family yard (Radio KIM)
• Vulin: International community doesn’t implement its mandate in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• French Ambassador says EU integration has to speed up (FoNet, N1)
• Mojsilovic visits Serbian army units in Raska and Novi Pazar on Saturday (Kosovo-online) 
• Brnabic: Serbia’s policy will not be shaped by desires of big powers (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• “Depriving Serbs in Kosovo from right to vote: Consequences of Kurti’s or Vucic’s policy?”

International:

• North Macedonia expels five Russian diplomats for ‘inappropriate’ activities (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Trade Unions call on government to draft Law on Wages (Indeksonline)
• Decision on strike in educational system expected on April 2 (Telegrafi)
• Last containers settlement closes down (Radio KIM)

Albanian Language Media  

“A dirty game”, the opposition feels betrayed by Vetevendosje (Express)

The Kosovo Assembly failed to adopt the formation of a parliamentary committee to inquire about the government’s management of the energy crisis. The committee, which was proposed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), was not supported by MPs of the ruling Vetevendosje Movement. 23 MPs voted in favour, while 50 MPs voted against.

Abelard Tahiri, head of the PDK parliamentary group, said there was a preliminary agreement to form the committee, and said it was shameful that MPs from the ruling party voted against it. “Their refusal was a dirty game,” he said. “This is the first time that votes are used to refuse a parliamentary committee”.

Tahiri also said: “this issue will not be closed here today. We have other parliamentary means to proceed with the issue, with 40 signatures, without having to bring it to the Assembly, but we wanted to have coordination”.

MPs from all three opposition parties left the Assembly session after Vetevendosje MPs voted against.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti on official visit to Norway (Express)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti travelled to Norway today, a government spokesman told the news website. “Prime Minister Kurti has travelled for an official visit to Norway. During his stay there, he will meet Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, and other high-ranking members of the Norwegian Government,” the spokesperson said.

President Osmani meets IMF Managing Director Georgieva (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, at the Doha Forum. They discussed relations and cooperation of Kosovo with the IMF, the overall economic situation in Kosovo and the region as well as the potential economic effects of the war in Ukraine.

Osmani briefed Georgieva on the developments in Kosovo and in the region, with particular emphasis on the steps that Kosovo is taking to maintain political and economic stability, in response to current global challenges created by Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, a press release issued by the President’s Office notes.

Georgieva praised the overall progress in Kosovo, emphasising, in particular the economic and fiscal stability of Kosovo. She also reiterated the commitment to continue and deepen communication and cooperation between the IMF and Kosovo.

Hoxhaj: Membership in NATO more important than technical dialogue (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Enver Hoxhaj, said in today’s session of the Kosovo Assembly, that Kosovo’s membership in NATO is more important than the technical dialogue with Serbia.

Hoxhaj said that due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the mutual recognition with Serbia is far and that therefore Kosovo must focus on NATO membership. “More important than resuming the technical dialogue is to focus on Kosovo’s membership in NATO. I want to call on the Kosovo Government to visit NATO as soon as possible and to see what the concrete expectations from Kosovo are. I am well aware that the membership cannot happen within months, but the application for the Partnership for Peace could be done within a short period of time,” he argued.

COVID-19: 16 new cases, two deaths (media)

16 new cases with COVID-19 and two deaths from the virus were confirmed in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 76 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 597 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

EU: Disciplinary proceedings are not part of the Brussels Agreement (KiM radio, RFE)

In a written response to the media, Stano stressed that Kosovo Serb judicial staff was integrated into Kosovo’s legal system in 2017 as a result of an agreement reached through dialogue, reported KiM radio.

“Disciplinary proceedings are not part of the agreement. The EU believes that the competent authorities will respect the appropriate process and procedures regarding dealing with such disciplinary cases. At the same time, we expect all staff of the Kosovo legal system to act in accordance with Kosovo’s relevant rules and regulations,” said Stano.

He added that the EU expects the competent authorities of Kosovo, but also Serbia, to respect all the provisions of this agreement.

According to an EU spokesman, this integration has given the Kosovo Serb community access to Kosovo’s justice system and legal services.

On March 24, the Kosovo Judicial Council suspended the president of the Basic Court in Mitrovica, Ljiljana Stevanovic, for participating in a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, arguing that her participation in the gathering violated the integrity and professionalism of the judge.

The Serb List and Serb judges and prosecutors have said they are suspending work in Kosovo’s institutions.

After the suspension of Ljiljana Stevanovic, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said that this violated the Brussels Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia from 2013.

EU officials refuse to comment on Vucic’s allegations, saying they “do not comment on comments”.

The EU is urging both Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from any rhetoric or action that could lead to tensions.

“We expect both sides to act responsibly and to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to the normalisation of their relations,” said EU spokesman Peter Stano in a response.

Vucic: We exceptionally value support of Angola to Serbian territorial integrity and sovereignty (Kosovo-online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met today with the Angolan Foreign Affairs Minister Tete Antonio and Minister of National Defence and Homeland Veterans, Joao Ernesto dos Santos noting on this occasion that Serbia exceptionally values the support of Angola to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, Kosovo-online portal reports.

He also said Serbia remains fully committed to finding a long-term, lasting and sustainable solution to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, with full respect of foundational principles of international law.

Minister Tete Antonio underlined that the position of his country when it comes to the sovereignty of Serbia remains principled and will not change.

The interlocutors also discussed strengthening of bilateral cooperation, in particular in the areas of economy, defence and agriculture, while Tete Antonio underlined long-term friendship between the two countries. 

Lavrov: Peace talks could also be held in Belgrade (Tanjug)

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday peace talks with Ukraine could also be held in Belgrade and that, besides Istanbul – already set as the location for the next meeting in the negotiations – Moscow was ready to consider other locations as well, including the Serbian capital, Tanjug news agency reports.

Lavrov made those remarks responding to a question from Serbian reporters about Belgrade as a potential perfect place for talks to end the war.

“With its status, as a city and point of view, Belgrade is fully appropriate for any talks and at all levels” Lavrov is quoted as saying.

He added a place for talks must be acceptable to both negotiating teams.

“We have had direct talks in Belarus three times and then we had a break because there was no possibility for talks due to technical reasons. An agreement has now been made to hold a meeting in Istanbul. That reflects the geographic point where the possibilities of the two countries matched”, Lavrov said, reiterating that Moscow was also ready to consider other locations for talks, including Belgrade.

Office for KiM: Flammable device thrown into Vesic family yard (Radio KIM, media)

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija in a statement yesterday said that Albanians have thrown a flammable device into the yard of Vesic family in Klokot, burning vegetation there, Radio KIM reports.The fire didn’t reach the house where Ljubomir and Olga Vesic live with their daughter Stanija. As the family said “insults in Albanian language were uttered to Stanija” prior to the incident.

“This is not the first time that the Vesic family is exposed to various provocations, pressure and threats, but this is the first time that they were the target of a direct attack, which makes them very concerned. The Vesic family assumed the intention of their neighbour to intimidate and force them to sell him their property was behind the attack”, Office said in a statement.

In a statement to Kosovo-online, Stanija said that a nearby business owner wanted to buy their land parcel, to expand the business, however, her father was resolute not to sell it at any price, and that because of that they are living in fear for some time. She also said seeing the fire spreading she asked nearby restaurant personnel to give them water to extinguish it till the firefighters arrive, but they, as she said, refused. 

The case has been reported to the police. The firefighters extinguished the fire. 

Kosovo police in Gnjilane confirmed that the family reported the case, adding the complainant was upset because the neighbours didn’t help them extinguish the fire. “She also reported having continuous problems with her neighbours. The case of threats and quarrel were not reported”, Ismet Hashani from the police said. As he said the woman who came to the police station did not say that their neighbours caused the fire, adding that “for the time being the police doesn’t know the cause of the fire, and that is another part of the story. An investigation is launched and the police will determine the exact cause. Was it intentionally or due to negligence”. 

Vulin: International community doesn’t implement its mandate in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Internal Affairs Minister Aleksandar Vulin expressed today concern over the situation in Kosovo and decision of Pristina authorities not to allow Serbs to vote in Kosovo at upcoming Serbian April 3 elections, Kosovo-online portal reports.

He added the international community in Kosovo doesn’t implement its mandate, although, as he said, it has responsibility for the rule of law.

“International community acts as if it doesn’t exist, and doesn’t implement its mandate. Brussels agreement, also, regulates the rule of law in Kosovo and Metohija, but Pristina doesn’t implement it”, Vulin said.

Talking about the war in Ukraine, Vulin said that “those who bombed the-then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have no moral grounds to request from Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia and destroy centuries-long friendship”. 

French Ambassador says EU integration has to speed up (FoNet, N1)

French Ambassador in Serbia Pierre Cochard said on Monday that more has to be done to speed up the European integration of the Western Balkans.

Speaking during a debate organized by the Center for Foreign Policy, Cochard said that the priorities of the French European Union presidency are economic recovery, strengthening the EU and its strategic autonomy in security and defense as well as a sense of belonging. He said that he realizes that some countries in the region are exhausted by the years of negotiating on EU membership which is why France wants to speed up the process.

He said that the pace was good at the end of 2021 during Slovenia’s presidency with Serbia opening a cluster in its negotiation process. “We know that more has to be done and that is the priority for France in the coming period,” he said.

He said that the plan is to organize a meeting between EU and Western Balkan states at the end of the French presidency which should be attended by the leaders and other important players from the region. “We are providing common responses to a very complicated geo-political situation today,” he said.

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

Mojsilovic visits Serbian army units in Raska and Novi Pazar on Saturday (Kosovo-online) 

Chief of Staff of the Serbian Army, General Milan Mojsilovic accompanied by the Chief of the Operations Directorate, Logistics Directorate and Commander of the Army, Air Force and Air Defence, 63rd Parachute Brigade and 72nd Special Operations Brigade, visited part of the Serbian Army units stationed in the Raska garrison and the garrison in Novi Pazar, read the statement of the Ministry of Defence, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“During the visit, General Mojsilović gained insight into the readiness and capabilities of the forces for quick reaction of the Serbian Army, saw the level of training and readiness for the realisation of dedicated tasks”, it was added.

“On this occasion, the Chief of the General Staff was able to see himself that the members of the Serbian Army are highly motivated and ready to quickly and decisively carry out all orders and tasks set before them”, the statement concluded.

Brnabic: Serbia’s policy will not be shaped by desires of big powers (Tanjug)

Serbia’s policy will not be shaped by the desires of big powers, Serbian Prime Minister and Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) deputy leader Ana Brnabic said on Monday, Tanjug news agency reports.

Speaking to Belgrade-based Politika daily, Brnabic said there was real reason to be optimistic about Serbian citizens choosing a path to the future in the April 3 elections – rather than a return to the past – and giving trust to a team with a clear and specific plan for the future.

“I know that decisions have been made in the past so as to make them something the big powers liked, but Serbia is no longer that kind of country”, Brnabic said in response to a question whether Serbia was able to resist pressure, or a decision on introducing sanctions on Russia was more likely.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/35gD0sc

Opinion

“Depriving Serbs in Kosovo from right to vote: Consequences of Kurti’s or Vucic’s policy?”

Belgrade-based daily Danas interviewed on Friday two Serb politicians from Mitrovica North sharing the same name and surname, but having different views on whether the Kosovo government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti and supported by President Vjosa Osmani or President Aleksandar Vucic and Serbian List were to blame for prevention of upcoming Serbian elections in Kosovo and Metohija.

Marko Jaksic, who was an associate of the late Oliver Ivanovic told Danas daily he does not want to diminish the responsibility of the Serbian List, Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and President Aleksandar Vucic for the position of the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija in the last 10 years due to all his “great Brussels successes” and “concessions”, but that this is a situation in which he absolutely understands the need of his compatriots to protest and express their concern for the future in Kosovo.

“Albin Kurti is the new Milosevic whose moves against the Serbs in Kosovo, for reasons unclear to me, continue to be tolerated by Western powers, as well as his moves against coexistence, multi-ethnicity, respect for our differences, and who, due to this mild critical relation, continues to abolish democratic, civilizational rights of the inhabitants that are derived from the basic European heritage. The latest in a row is the right to vote in the Serbian elections, which we are entitled to according to Ahtisaari and the Constitution as dual citizens”, Jaksic is quoted as saying.

He noted he has a personal dispute with Vucic and “his Serbian List” because of their “electoral fraud”’ as he said, but that they never revoked his right to vote.

“Kurti went a step further. He never had anything against electoral theft, but he denied me another right. To vote. In the last few days, things are happening fast in Kosovo and they are going in a direction that is not very good”, Jaksic said.

He added it seems as if the Serbian List has changed the proclaimed reason for the protest, again thanks to the “rigidity of Kurti’s regime”, in the direction of the respect for the Brussels Agreement and lifting of suspension of the president of the Basic Court in Mitrovica for pre-election reasons and for the victory of Vucic and SNS.

He went on saying that this act (suspension of the judge) represents a consequence of the political pressure of the executive power in Kosovo on the judiciary and runs contrary to the spirit of Brussels agreement, adding it is yet another in a series of moves that threaten position and the rights of Serbs in Kosovo. He warned the international community should finally try to restrain Kosovo top leaders “otherwise a period of even greater tensions and problems will follow”. 

On the other hand, another Marko Jaksic, a former member of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and one of the leaders of Serbs from northern Kosovo after the end of conflict in 1999, told Danas that “all this has already been seen”, and reminded of the play, as he said, directed by the Serbian List and Vucic.

“Already seen. The protest, organised by the Serbian List, is reminiscent of a memorial walk without speeches or messages. At this moment, the Serbian List seemingly wants to leave the separatist institutions, and Vucic pretends not to allow them to do so. It would be funny if it wasn’t sad”, Jaksic is quoted as saying. 

International 

North Macedonia expels five Russian diplomats for ‘inappropriate’ activities (RFE)

North Macedonia has expelled five Russian diplomats for what Skopje described as “inappropriate” diplomatic activities.

North Macedonia’s foreign ministry said on March 28 that a note on the expulsions has been handed to Sergei Bazdnikin, the Russian ambassador to the Balkan country.

The five, who were not named, were given five days to leave the country. No further details were immediately available.

North Macedonia has joined international sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

It is not the first time North Macedonia has expelled Russian diplomats, triggering reciprocal steps each time from Moscow.

In 2021, North Macedonia expelled two Russian diplomats in separate incidents.

Two years before that, a Russian diplomat was expelled for “domestic security reasons” and in solidarity with Britain over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England. 

Humanitarian/Development

Decision on strike in educational system expected on April 2 (Telegrafi)

The Union of Science, Education and Technology (SBASHK) could decide to put the entire educational system on strike if the government does not meet the demands of the education staff, SBASHK leader Rrahman Jasharaj told the news website.

Jasharaj said that after the congress of SBASHK, which is scheduled to meet on April 2, the whole educational system could go on strike. He said they have sent a letter to President Osmani and Assembly Speaker Konjufca to mediate a meeting between SBASHK representatives and Prime Minister Kurti. “We are continuing all efforts to find a solution through dialogue. We have even sent a letter to the President and to the Speaker of the Assembly asking them to mediate with the government to have a dialogue this week,” Jasharaj said.

Trade Unions call on government to draft Law on Wages (Indeksonline)

The Confederation of the Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK) called on the government to undertake the necessary steps and start drafting the Law on Wages. “At a time when the war in Ukraine is intensifying and has attracted the attention of the Great Powers, and has also shed light on the mediaeval mindset of our neighbour who is openly threatening our freedom and integrity, we the Confederation of the Independent Unions of Kosovo call upon our Social Partner – the Government, in addition to increased attention to preserving our country’s freedom and integrity, to also address the reasonable demands of workers and to come to their support because they need and deserve a different social wellbeing,” the BSPK statement notes. “We call on our Social Partner – the Government, to work on drafting the Law on Wages, by including our professional capacity and to pave the way to the Minimum Wage and to the Collective Agreement, these important and very necessary legal acts which are being delayed”.

Last containers settlement closes down (Radio KIM)

The last containers settlement where Serbs in Kosovo lived for almost two decades is about to close down. Gracanica municipality and public utility staffers started to take away containers in which internally displaced or socially vulnerable people lived for the last 18 years. Until their apartments in Suvi Do are completed most of the tenants will be in private accommodations, Radio KIM reports.

Gracanica mayor Ljiljana Subaric visited the settlement. “All those people will get, for now temporary accommodation, and after that we will provide apartments to them and specific aid packages for their economic empowerment. This is a great day for Gracanica, for us, and I am very happy that we managed to resolve this problem which was a true humanitarian catastrophe and a settlement unworthy of living conditions in XXI century”. That was impermissible”, Subaric said

As it is expected 34 residential units for those families will be completed in 17 months. The project is implemented by Gracanica municipality, Ministry for Communities and Returns, Danish Council and the European Union. In addition to the apartments, thirty inhabitants will receive an aid of 3 thousand euros to initiate businesses and six-month food provision.

The tenants were filled with joy. Some of them even started families in this settlement.

“The light came to us. This is the greatest day for me, my children, and my pregnant wife due any moment, as she entered the ninth month. We will go to a private accommodation, and we will stay there for 17 months. They will pay electricity for us, and everything else, until the building  is finished in Suvi Do and then we will go to our apartment (…). My two children were born here. And I am happy. Only to leave from here, save children, save wife and to have a nicer and better future”, Zoran Ilic said.

Svetlana Danic lived in the village for the last few years. She said she was a bit sceptical as there were many unfulfilled promises, but thinks living conditions in Suvi Do will be better than those in containers settlement.