• Anniversary of NATO troops entering marked in Kosovo (media)
• Osmani at SEECP summit: Kosovo’s membership in CoE of interest to all citizens (media)
• Kurti: To achieve reconciliation, Serbia needs to apologise (Koha)
• German, Serbian leaders clash over Kosovo, Russia sanctions (Politico)
• Scholz: Serbia, Kosovo must recognize each other to join EU (AP)
• Kosovo President Osmani and Greek PM Mitsotakis discuss intensifying relations (media)
• Vucic signals agreement with KEDS over electricity in the north (RFE)
• Gervalla-Schwarz: Kosovo couldn’t have a truer friend than the U.S. (media)
• Serbian List should be interviewed, voluntarily or otherwise, former prosecutor says (RFE)
• Group of Kosovo and Serbia NGOs call for upholding of the rule of law in Decan (media)
• Municipality says problems with Decan Monastery prevent infrastructure investments (RTK)
• In Kosovo, Frustration Grows over Promised Road to Montenegro (BIRN)

Anniversary of NATO troops entering marked in Kosovo (media)

12 June was marked in Kosovo in commemorating the 23rd anniversary of NATO troops entering Kosovo following the end of Alliance’s airstrikes on Serbia and the withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo.

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani said that 23 years ago, NATO entered Kosovo “to halt the immense loss, pain and suffering of our people.” She added: “With the support our allies, the bravery of the KLA and the resilience of our people, we were given the chance to build a brighter future. Happy Liberation Day!”

Prime Minister Albin Kurti wrote: “In spring 1999, the then all 19 NATO members united to stop another genocide by Serbia in the Balkans. On this day when joy & pride overcome our pain & sorrow, we remember our fallen, our struggle & sufferings while celebrating the 23rd anniversary of our Liberation & Peace Day.”

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said: “On this day we remember all those that gave their lives for the freedom of Kosovo, those that fought relentlessly with extraordinary dedication and sacrifice, all those that contributed in all forms for the freedom and independence of Kosovo.” Gervalla-Schwarz also paid tribute to NATO and KFOR: “Our honour and appreciation for those soldiers who during this noble mission lost their lives will be eternal.”

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi said: “23 years ago, a new era dawned for Kosovo which paved the way to the country’s construction and development.” He said that Kosovo will be eternally thankful to friends that came to its help: NATO, the U.S. and other democratic countries. “However, today in particular, we bow to the sacrifice of many generations of heroes, martyrs, prisoners, Albanian activists and intellectuals who fought day and night for this day. We honour with eternal respect the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, our heroes, for who cherished Kosovo the most,” Krasniqi wrote on Facebook, adding that he congratulated the 12 June to the KLA founders who are at a detention facility at The Hague.

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said 12 June is a sacred day thanks to the sacrifice of the “heroes, determination and courage of the KLA fighters, NATO’s intervention.” “The will of those that fell for the freedom we enjoy today obliges us to preserve Kosovo as a whole and develop it,” he said.

The U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier marked the occasion by meeting Sherife Luta, whose picture as a fleeing refugee gained fame when published on the cover of Time magazine in 1999. “It was a pleasure to meet Sherife Luta and her family at the Peace Day celebration earlier today. 23 years ago, Sherife became the face of a brutal war as she and her child fled Kosovo. Today, they are safe and healthy,” he wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama said NATO entering Kosovo opened a new era for Albanians in Kosovo while Lindita Nikolla, Assembly of Albania Speaker, said 12 June is a day “celebrated by Kosovo, Albania, and all Albanians.” “An independent and democratic Kosovo is a result of free Kosovo.”

Osmani at SEECP summit: Kosovo’s membership in CoE of interest to all citizens (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani said at the meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) on Friday that membership of Kosovo to the Council of Europe is above all in the interest of all the citizens of Kosovo. “To say no to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe is to say no to human rights for our citizens.”

Osmani urged the region to be very careful and “not open the door to any malicious influence”. She said the region ought to have a common position on Russia and approve sanctions against the country. She also called on the European Union to “urgently” grant Kosovo visa liberalisation, a press release issued by the Kosovo presidency notes.

It adds that at the joint dinner with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President Osmani thanked the Chancellor for Germany’s great support as well as for the clear positions of his government for the Euro-Atlantic future of Kosovo.

Kurti: To achieve reconciliation, Serbia needs to apologise (Koha)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said Serbia needs to apologise for the war crimes in committed in Kosovo before reconciliation can be achieved.

In his remarks at a conference on peace and security in the Western Balkans organised by the Universal Peace Federation, Kurti said: “The best dreams for a just, lasting and inviolable peace are seen where the unforgettable horrors of war have been experienced. Our people are eager and want security and fair and inclusive development, but the time we are living in and the geopolitical, geo-economic and geostrategic context around us and towards us seem not so good and promising for a true, just and stable peace.” He said tendencies for frozen conflicts and for blocking processes of normalisation, development and democratisation threaten the prospect of a lasting peace.

German, Serbian leaders clash over Kosovo, Russia sanctions (Politico)

Tensions ran high between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at a press conference Friday evening where the two leaders disagreed not only over sanctions against Russia but also over the recognition of Kosovo as an independent state.

Scholz, who had come to Serbia’s capital Belgrade during a two-day tour across the Western Balkans, Greece and Bulgaria, told the audience that Serbia, as an EU membership candidate, must apply sanctions that the bloc has imposed against Russia over its war in Ukraine — something that the Balkan country has so far refused to do.

“It is our expectation … that these sanctions will also be supported by all those who [see] themselves as EU accession candidates,” Scholz told reporters. Later in the press conference, he added that Serbia should take a sanctions decision as soon as possible, arguing that “this is something that is best done not when [the war] is over, but when it still matters.”

Read more at: https://politi.co/3NNOrc3

Scholz: Serbia, Kosovo must recognize each other to join EU (AP)

Serbia and Kosovo must recognize each other in order to join the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday said as he expressed support for quicker integration of the Western Balkans into the bloc amid the war in Ukraine.

Scholz, on a visit to the Western Balkans, also pressed Serbia to join Western sanctions against Russia despite its historic and current ties to Moscow, which supplies most of Serbia’s energy needs.

“It is important that we all together show solidarity and help Ukraine defend against the aggression,” Scholz said during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. “It is our expectation that these sanctions must be supported by all those who are candidates for EU membership.”

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3MErW85

Kosovo President Osmani and Greek PM Mitsotakis discuss intensifying relations (media)

In the margins of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) meeting that took place on Friday in Thesaloniki, President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani met Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. They discussed ways to advance Kosovo-Greece relations.

“President Osmani mentioned the cooperation in foreign policy as crucial for the future of our continent, emphasizing that support for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe and Euro-Atlantic integration should be seen through the prism of security, because only in this way can the advancement of democracy, human rights, security and peace in the region and beyond be guaranteed,” a press release issued by Kosovo President’s Office notes.

Vucic signals agreement with KEDS over electricity in the north (RFE)

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that an agreement on energy in the north is in the process of being finalised.

“Today we had negotiations with the Turkish side, KEDS (Kosovo Energy Distribution Services) about the presence in the north of Kosovo. We have reached agreement on this. We hope there is only the technical side left and we will have good results in the coming days,” Vucic is quoted to have said on Friday.

KEDS representatives meanwhile neither denied nor confirmed such a development. “Any agreement would change the situation for the better,” the company’s spokesperson Viktor Buzhala said. At the same time, the Government of Kosovo has not commented on the matter.

Gervalla-Schwarz: Kosovo couldn’t have a truer friend than the U.S. (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, met the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the sidelines of the “Summit of the Americas”.

“Very encouraged by a trustful, meaningful and cordial exchange with U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken about security and cooperation in the Balkans and the Euro-Atlantic future of Kosova,” she wrote on Twitter, adding that there will always be a special bond between the United States and Kosovo: “We couldn’t have a truer friend!”

At the summit, Gervalla-Schwarz also met the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and said they exchanged views on the security situation in Europe and in Kosovo. “Grateful for her commitment and support to strengthening the partnership between Kosovo and the U.S.”, Gervalla-Schwarz said on Twitter.

Serbian List should be interviewed, voluntarily or otherwise, former prosecutor says (RFE)

The refusal of the Serbian List to be interviewed by the Special Prosecution of Kosovo is against the law, said former prosecutor Syle Hoxha.

“If the invitation is rejected, then an order is issued for the person invited to be brought in by force,” Hoxha told Radio Free Europe. “The refusal may bring a few delays, a few problems, but [the interview of the individual by the prosecution] will be carried out,” he continued.

The Serbian List confirmed last week that its high-ranking members have been summoned to appear before the Special Prosecution of Kosovo on allegations of violating Kosovo’s constitutional order but that they did not consent to it. Leader of the Serbian List Goran Rakic said the invitation relates to events in the north of Kosovo last October which led to protests against the Kosovo Police operation against smuggling, RFE recalls.

Group of Kosovo and Serbia NGOs call for upholding of the rule of law in Decan (media)

NGOs in Kosovo and Serbia have reacted through a petition, expressing concern about the negative consequences of non-implementation of the Constitutional Court ruling on land ownership in the Decan Monastery, calling for the Constitutional Court ruling to be respected.

The signatory organisations include: Aktiv from Mitrovica North, Center for Peace and Tolerance in Gracanica, Democracy plus (D +), Forum for Development and Multiethnic Cooperation, Civic Initiatives, the Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, Gorazdevac Media Group, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Kosovo Law Institute, Human Rights Advocacy Committee, Media Center Caglavica, New Social Initiative, Be Active 16 and the Future from the Presevo Valley.

Municipality says problems with Decan Monastery prevent infrastructure investments (RTK)

RTK reported that the Municipality of Decan has a concrete investment plan at the mineral water source in Uji i Gushavcit location but that the project cannot be implemented due to problems with the Decan Monastery as the source is in its vicinity.

“We have the concrete case of this small bridge here, this has been the shortest road that brought all visitors for a few minutes, but this is now blocked by the Monastery and visitors have to go through a more distant road and this was also an obstacle for implementation of the project “, said Mirsat Nimonaj, director for the development of tourism projects in the Municipality of Decan.

In Kosovo, Frustration Grows over Promised Road to Montenegro (BIRN)

In western Kosovo, local authorities are refusing to re-route a road to avoid land handed back by court order to a 14th century Serbian Orthodox monastery. Six years after construction began, the road is still not finished.

As a child, Abedin Pepaj would travel by horse or tractor to spend the summer with his family in the mountains that straddle Kosovo’s western border with Montenegro, enjoying the panorama and the cool mountain air.

Today, he’s building a small wooden house on the foundations of the old dwelling that has been in his family for generations. Neighbours are trickling back too, fixing up homes that had fallen apart through years of neglect.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3HkW1bO