Albanian Language Media:

• German government denies involvement in draft statute of Association (Telegrafi)
• EU: We expect the Association to be formed (Gazeta Express)
• Haradinaj: Final agreement with Serbia must have U.S. seal (media)
• Abazi: There is no German proposal for the Association (Kosovapress)
• Defence Minister Mehaj meets NALT leaders (media)
• S. Embassy: Escobar had full and productive visit to Kosovo (media)s
• Murati: Redefinition of borders, only solution to Albanian-Serbian problem (Lajmi)
• Mustafi: Presevo Valley is on Washington’s agenda (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Important talks with Quint ambassadors and EU (Kosovo Online)
• Quint ambassadors concerned over possible impairment of stability in region (N1)
• Vucic: Pressure growing, I could resign to buy time (N1, Prva TV)
• Personal documents, usurped properties, and lack of language rights respect – three main problems affecting Serbs in Klina (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Albanian flag placed on Christ the Saviour Temple’s door in Pristina (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• McCarthy: Postponing implementation of decision on vehicle re-registration would be constructive measure
• Serbia introduces visas for citizens of Tunisia and Burundi (RTS)
• Stano: EU does not set deadlines for reaching Belgrade-Pristina agreement (RTS)
• Escobar says there are no deadlines (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Army Chief of Staff and new KFOR Commander discuss security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media  

German government denies involvement in draft statute of Association (Telegrafi)

The German Federal Government told the news website today that it is not involved in the draft statute of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities as reported by several news websites on Thursday. “The German Government is not involved in drafting the statute of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, which was reported by several media outlets yesterday. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation, in cooperation with its partners, continuously on important social-political issues. As far as we know, this special project is continuing and its results will be shared with the stakeholders and the public in due time,” the German Government said. “The embassy welcomes every contribution that pushes forward the political dialogue on important issues. In case you have other questions, please contact the office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Prishtina.”

The news website learned from its sources that the Friedrich Ebert Foundation prepared a draft statute but that it is not finalised.

EU: We expect the Association to be formed (Gazeta Express)

The news website notes that the Kosovo government has not changed its position but that the United States and the European Union are calling for the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities.

Spokesman for the European Union, Peter Stano, told Gazeta Express today: “Our position has not changed. Kosovo has entered an agreement to establish the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. This agreement was reached in good faith between all the parties involved. This was never withdrawn”.

Haradinaj: Final agreement with Serbia must have U.S. seal (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said today that a final agreement in the dialogue with Serbia must have the seal of the United States of America. After meeting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Haradinaj said that nothing can be considered safe and guaranteed without the signing of the U.S. “What is important in this process is that it must have the seal of the United States and not only their support. It must be signed at least by the same level from the U.S. It cannot be considered without the signing and the seal of the U.S. And it should happen in Washington,” Haradinaj told reporters.

Asked about the chances of his party joining the decision-making for an agreement with Serbia, Haradinaj said “zero”.

Haradinaj argued that Kosovo should be serious in the process, same as its allies, Washington, Berlin, London, and Paris. “We must work for Kosovo to be successful. We live with the obligations that Kosovo has assumed in the dialogue, in this respect the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo will not spare anything to help Kosovo, not Albin Kurti and not the government, but Kosovo,” he said.

Haradinaj also said: “We talked about the process, the agreement, and the challenges. It was a fruitful meeting because we talked about the content of a potential agreement between Kosovo and Serbia … We discussed the preamble and all articles of the agreement. We tried to give our contribution as the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo so that Kosovo can be successful.”

Abazi: There is no German proposal for the Association (Kosovapress)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV), Haki Abazi, told a press conference in Pristina today that there is no German proposal for the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo. “There is no German proposal; there can be no proposals with other names. In fact there is only one proposal, there is the association of municipalities which needs to be established in line with the existing legislation of Kosovo. There can be no association that goes beyond the laws and constitution of our country … A state that has committed genocide in the past cannot set conditions for the citizens of Kosovo. It would be nonsense for a state that has killed children and women to be the democratic guarantor of the rights of Serbs in Kosovo. This would be a paradox,” Abazi said.

U.S. Embassy: Escobar had full and productive visit to Kosovo (media)

The United States Embassy in Pristina said today that the Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar had a full and productive visit to Kosovo this week. “He had meetings with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as well as with leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the political opposition. He also had the chance to speak with Kanal10 while in Pristina. If you missed it live, watch his whole interview here: https://gazeta10.com/intervista-e-plote-me-emisarin…/,” the embassy noted in a Facebook post.

Defence Minister Mehaj meets NALT leaders (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defence, Armend Mehaj, met today with the Director of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT), Joachim Hoppe, and the new NALT Deputy Director, Paul Shewry. Mehaj welcomed Shewry saying that his experience as a career soldier and his civilian career in different NATO peacekeeping missions is very important for development processes. “I also offered our close cooperation and once again expressed our gratitude for NATO and our ally, the United Kingdom,” he said. 

Murati: Redefinition of borders, only solution to Albanian-Serbian problem (Lajmi)

Leader of the Movement for Unification (LB), Valon Murati, said today that Kosovo lost a very good chance when it failed to support the idea for the redefinition of borders. “We have put ourselves in a dead-end road. We missed a historic chance to solve the Albanian-Serbian problem through the redefinition of borders. Why do I believe that this project will return? Because other efforts in the process will fail. The Association [of Serb-majority municipalities] will fail during the implementation. After all there is no other solution that could function between Kosovo and Serbia,” he argued in a Facebook post.

Mustafi: Presevo Valley is on Washington’s agenda (Koha)

Leader of the Albanian National Council in Presevo Valley, Ragmi Mustafi, together with the Albanian MP in the Serbian Parliament, Shaip Kamberi, visited the United States where they discussed the issue of Albanians in Presevo Valley. “The Valley is definitely on Washington’s agenda! There is the address: the State Department, the Senate, the Congress, the Albanian-American Lobby, they can find solutions. All-inclusiveness. Reciprocity and symmetry. Stronger and more optimistic,” Mustafi wrote on Facebook after meeting senior U.S. officials.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic: Important talks with Quint ambassadors and EU (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Ambassador Aleksandar Vucic said today the talks with Quint ambassadors – US, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany, and head of EU Delegation to Serbia were essentially important, Kosovo Online portal reports.

“Serious and for Serbia essentially important talks with Quint ambassadors and EU. Despite all challenges we continue pursuing responsible policy which preserves the peace and national interests of our country, to protect the spirit of freedom and independence of Serbia and to tell the truth to everybody”, Vucic wrote on his Instagram account following the meeting.

Quint ambassadors concerned over possible impairment of stability in region (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with Quint ambassadors and head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, who handed him a joint document in which they express their concern over possible disruption of stability in the region, ahead of the deadline for re-registration of vehicles with Serbian licence plates in Kosovo and Metohija, N1 reports.

Vucic said he shares concern over possible tensions, adding that Serbia is committed to dialogue as a way to resolve open issues, to the benefit of Serbs and Albanians living in Kosovo and Metohija, without endangering Serbian state and national interests, reads the statement from Vucic’s press office.

He pointed out that up to date tensions happened because of Pristina’s unilateral acts, adding that Pristina does not respect the provisions of the Agreement on Freedom of Movement, concluded with the mediation of the EU.

The Quint Ambassadors and head of the EU Delegation thanked Vucic for constructive engagement of Serbia in fulfilling the Roadmap for the implementation of the agreement on energy, as part of the dialogue with Pristina.

The meeting was partly devoted to events in the region, as well as developments on the global scene. The press release of the President’s office also said the meeting took place at the request of ambassadors.

Vucic: Pressure growing, I could resign to buy time (N1, Prva TV)

President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that the pressure on Serbia is growing because everyone wants to see an end to the Kosovo saga and added that he might even step down to buy time, N1 reports.

Vucic told TV Prva that all possible means would be used to deal with the issue, including his resignation to buy 6-9 months of time for Serbia. According to him, US State Secretary Antony Blinken mentioned a deadline of several weeks which he thinks is not realistic.

“I see that the Quint requested an urgent meeting and I assume that they will bring me everything that the Albanian Post portal said should be done by February 24 and it seems that they are looking for a solution at any cost”, he said. Albanian Post said that an initial agreement should be reached by February 24 with Pristina forming the Community of Serb Municipalities without having to change the constitution, adding that the urgency in dealing with the Kosovo issue is caused by the Ukraine war.

The President said that Serbia is facing pressure to impose sanctions on Russia and resolve the Kosovo issue. “We need Europe for a million reasons … but I am saying openly that a country and its people can’t be the victim just so someone can justify their bad policies and violation of international law”, he said.

Vucic added that as long as there is no existential threat to Serbia he will continue pursuing a policy of independence and adhere to the conclusions of the Serbian National Council. He added he was proud that Serbia for 240 days pursues independent policy given requests to impose sanctions on Russia.

Vucic said that he has never said he will never impose sanctions. “As long as there is no existential threat to Serbia we will pursue a policy of independence. If I see an existential jeopardy of our country, I will address the citizens and tell them we have to impose sanctions because of this and that. Are you asking me if this is the moment? I do not think it is”, he told Prva TV.

He added Serbia owes nothing to Russia, but remembers things it did to help Serbia, for example in 2015 when they vetoed adoption of the Resolution on Srebrenica, thus preserving the integrity of Serbia in UN SC more strongly than anyone else.

He said that when it comes to sanctions he is looking for morally and legally the best position for his country, and not a reason. 

When asked if there was a danger of conflict in the region as Pristina’s deadline for replacement of Serbian vehicle licence plates in Kosovo expires on October 31, Vucic responded there were many “points of risk”.

“But our job is to secure peace and do everything to maintain peace, and we are doing that. We need not panic and think someone will destroy that peace, but we must be prepared for any kind of provocation and work for the short term, medium term and long term, always, when it comes to maintaining political stability and strengthening our power of deterrence – our military as well as our economy. That is what we are doing”, Vucic noted.

Personal documents, usurped properties, and lack of language rights respect – three main problems affecting Serbs in Klina (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)

The Serbian community in Klina municipality mainly lives in the villages they returned to after 1999. Problems they face are big, but there are also some positive things done in the areas populated by them, municipal office for communities and returns in Klina director Silvija Raskovic told Radio Gorazdevac.

Among positive things she noted infrastructural projects, such as roads, lights installations, water. “As far as negative things are concerned the biggest problems relate to property, given that some properties which have been taken have not been paid, and there is no political willingness to resolve that”, Raskovic is quoted as saying.

Talking about local and central level cooperation, Raskovic said it goes gradually but more should be done to improve that cooperation.

When it comes to respecting language rights of non-majority communities, Raskovic said Serbian language is used but there are problems as well. “If you ask for a birth certificate or need something else there is always a template in two languages, however they are not used, only the one in Albanian language is used. Our returnees are used to something like that and it doesn’t bother them. However, the level of awareness must be raised to request documents in your own mother tongue”, she added.

As one of the largest problems affecting Serb community in this municipality, Raskovic pointed out personal documents issues. “One of the crucial issues and the biggest problems relate to personal documents, such as birth certificates, ID cards, citizenship, because all those displaced after the war in 1999 and who didn’t come back for many years, they lost citizenship. In order to claim that right a house must be built for them and they need to have an electricity invoice in order to obtain citizenship. We do not have that possibility. They mainly need those documents to regulate the ownership of the land or claim inheritance rights”.

She also warned that illegal transfer of the ownership over the land and other immovable properties of Serbs is another serious problem.

“Another problem is that the transfer of ownership is done without their (owners) knowledge. Based on testimony of two witnesses, where people are not even invited. Then from the court we get a request if this person  is here. And then that person is not in our database of returnees. If the person is not here, and you do something on his/her behalf then it is your duty to look for that person, not us”, she said. 

Albanian flag placed on Christ the Saviour Temple’s door in Pristina (Kosovo Online, RTS)

An Albanian flag was placed on an entry door of Christ the Saviour Temple in Pristina, RTS reports. The RTS crew saw the flag yesterday, adding there was no police presence on the ground. RTS recalled that this temple in which Pristina banned services was desecrated several times already.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic reacting to the incident requested protection of the Serbian churches, monasteries, and historic localities from attacks, adding that “destruction of someone else’s holly shines was expression of an utter primitivism and aggression”.

He recalled cases in which the temple was desecrated saying it was used as a place to record music video spots, for waste disposal and as a public toilet, a panel to inscribe the hatred messages against the Serbs and now became “a flagpole for Albanian flag”.  

McCarthy: Postponing implementation of decision on vehicle re-registration would be constructive measure

The representative of the American non-governmental International Republican Institute, Paul McCarthy, commenting on intensified diplomatic initiative of the European Union and the United States in Belgrade and Pristina, said this could be a signal of US impatience over a slow negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina, Radio KIM reports.

“The United States may be concerned over possible escalation of tensions into conflict, which is something the West does not need, given the war raging in Ukraine”, McCarthy told VOA.

He sees the initiative urging Pristina authorities to postpone implementation of decision on vehicle re-registration by 10 months as constructive.

“Because a conflict that would break out because of it, could be a spark of an unwanted conflict. It takes time for passions to calm down and for the winter of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict to be overcome”, he opined.

“I hope that the postponement will contribute to the solution of that issue. It could also give the West more time to get Serbia on its side regarding Russia”, he said.

Serbia introduces visas for citizens of Tunisia and Burundi (RTS)

Serbia will introduce visas for the citizens of Tunisia and Burundi, RTS news reports. This news was confirmed by European Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi. He welcomed the decision in a post on Twitter.

“We welcome that #Serbia took an important step today to align with the EU’s list of visa required third countries. Hope to see further improvements soon”, he wrote.  

Stano: EU does not set deadlines for reaching Belgrade-Pristina agreement (RTS)

The European Union sets no deadline for reaching Belgrade-Pristina agreement, the EU Spokesperson Peter Stano said, commenting on allegations of the US Special Envoy for Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar that he heard from his colleagues in Europe that reaching the final agreement between Belgrade and Pristina “was a matter of weeks”, RTS reports.

Asked to clarify whether Escobar spoke about the final agreement or about some other agreement, Stano said the EU neither comments nor interprets the statements of others.

“The EU sets no deadlines, they are in the hands of two sides and their capabilities to agree”, Stano said, adding that it is in the interest of both Belgrade and Pristina to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

“It is in the interest of people on both sides, and also expectations of the EU and its members that Belgrade and Pristina reach an agreement as soon”, Stano said. 

Escobar says there are no deadlines (RTS, Kosovo Online)

US Special Envoy for Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar told Serbian national broadcaster RTS that US support French-German proposal but that there are no deadlines for the agreement.

“I am not aware that the European proposal requires an emergent solution within a few weeks, however, it certainly requires very fast progress in the dialogue”, Escobar said. He added that the French-German proposal should be considered, since it would, as he said, help achieve progress in the dialogue very fast.

“I did not set any deadlines for that and this proposal is still in the context of the dialogue led by the EU. Firstly, it is not on us to set deadlines, but as far as I am aware neither Europeans set them so”, he said. 

Serbian Army Chief of Staff and new KFOR Commander discuss security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Army Chief of Staff, General Milan Mojsilovic spoke in Belgrade today with the new KFOR Commander Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia about current security situation in Kosovo and activities undertaken to preserve and advance peace there, Kosovo Online portal reports.

During the talks, General Mojsilovic noted that in line with UN SC Resolution 1244 and all signed agreements, KFOR is the only legitimate security stakeholder in Kosovo and as such obliged to be the first one to react in case that security situation in Kosovo is impaired.

He also pointed out that unilateral acts by Pristina authorities do not contribute to reducing the tensions on the ground and voiced concern that some states whose contingents are part of KFOR extend support to Pristina to develop Kosovo Security Forces.

Mojsilovic also congratulated Ristuccia on his appointment as KFOR Commander and expressed hope that professional cooperation between the Serbian Army and KFOR will continue.