Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: There is misinformation about requests of our partners (Kosovapress)
• Von Cramon: French-German initiative, great opportunity for EU integration (Telegrafi)
• Kurti: We consulted the Quint too on Kosovo’s Security Strategy (Nacionale)
• Stewart Peach for an official visit to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani invites justice institutions to be part of the vetting process (media)
• Hovenier: More commitment in fight against organized crime and sexual violence (Klan)
• Nikolla to CoE: Correct tragic mistake against Albania and Kosovo (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic met German Minister Luhrmann (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic met Bocan-Kharchenko: Serbia continues to lead a policy of peace and cooperation (RTS)
• Vucic presented candidates for new Government of Serbia (N1)
• Petkovic accuses Pristina chief negotiator of ‘excelling in lies’ (N1)
• Von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on Friday (Tanjug, media)
• Withdrawal of witnesses in case of Oliver Ivanovic (RFE, KiM radio)
• Djukanovic’s DPS falls from power in local elections (N1, Vijesti)

International:

• Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap election emerge (euractive.com)
• Vucic Continues ‘East-West Balancing Act’ With New Serbian Govt (BIRN)
• ‘Winter will be difficult’ (Kosovo 2.0) 
• World Bank sees Western Balkans economy growing 3.4% in’22, 2.8% in ’23 (Reuters)
• Dubravka Đedović Negre to become Serbia’s energy, mining minister (balkangreenenergynews.com)

Albanian Language Media  

Osmani: There is misinformation about requests of our partners (Kosovapress)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, commenting on a French-German draft that was published in some local media, said that “there is misinformation about the requests of our partners from our country”. “No one proposed to expect an agreement in ten years, so there is a lot of insinuation and misinformation about what our partners are requesting from us,” Osmani said in an interview with Kosovapress.

Osmani said that Kosovo’s objective is to reach a final agreement with Serbia centred around mutual recognition, but that Serbia has a different objective and that it continues with its policies aimed at destabilising the region.

“We appreciate the role of our partners in intensifying the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Kosovo’s objective has always been to reach a final agreement with recognition at its centre and we remain committed to this. Moreover, we are engaged for peace and stability, whereas Serbia has an opposite engagement. Therefore we hope that our partners can pressure Serbia as soon as possible, because it is destabilising our region, and it needs to understand that peace and stability is in everyone’s interest,” she said.

Von Cramon: French-German initiative, great opportunity for EU integration (Telegrafi)

European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, said today that the French-German initiative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is a good opportunity to move forward in the process.

“On the dialogue, I would comment on a new initiative by France and Germany. It is clear there is new progress and there is a new spirit, on both sides, in Belgrade and in Pristina. People have understood that now is the time to reach, if not a final agreement then at least a package that would be acceptable for both sides,” she told a press conference in Pristina.

Von Cramon said that many people have commented about the French-German proposal and that it is a great opportunity. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for both parties to move forward in European integration, and I think this is absolutely necessary, for Kosovo, as the most pro-European country, should support this. This is a good opportunity for Kosovo to move forward on the European agenda,”

On the issue of licence plates, Von Cramon said there are good arguments to postpone the deadline but that she also understands the decision of the Kosovo government to enforce the law.

Von Cramon said she hopes there will be results in terms of visa liberalisation for Kosovo as soon as possible. “There is no excuse for what is happening, and I hope that we will see results very soon and without any new conditions,” she said.

Kurti: We consulted the Quint too on Kosovo’s Security Strategy (Nacionale)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, presented to the Kosovo Assembly today the Security Strategy for 2022-2027 and said that the Quint countries too were consulted about the document. “This document includes the strategic objectives that are linked to crucial elements for Kosovo,” he said.

Kurti said the government has invested in security and that there has been a 52 percent increase of the budget for Kosovo Security Force (KSF).

“We paid great attention to the security institutions, and we have increased the budget for KSF by 52 percent. We have allocated the highest budget in the history of the KSF. The budget sets a new standard for treating the Armed Forces and other security issues. We have proved our serious approach to the security situation in the country. The increased budget for the army is also being complemented with funds from the Security Fund to which citizens from all over the world have contributed,” he said.

Stewart Peach for an official visit to Kosovo (media)

The United Kingdom special envoy for the Western Balkans Stewart Peach has arrived today in Kosovo for an official visit.

The Office of the Presidency announced through a communique that he will meet the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani at 14:00 hours.

Peach’s visit to Kosovo follows those of the U.S. emissary for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, and that of the European Union for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak. 

Osmani invites justice institutions to be part of the vetting process (media)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani spoke today during her speech at the opening of the ceremony of the “Crime Victims’ Rights Week,” also about the vetting process. She said that all relevant actors should participate in the process.  

“Only when we unite forces, only when the institutions of justice make substantial contribution to this process, can we expect success for our country, for our citizens,” she said.

According to her, the vetting process will restore citizens’ trust in justice.

‘We must bear in mind that especially after the green light from the Venice Commission, this is one of the most important processes on the way to building a justice system, which works with integrity and professionalism and above all restores the trust of citizens in justice,” Osmani said.

The President has invited institutions and justice institutions to become part of the process. 

“I publicly invite you to be a part of the fair, apolitical and completely professional development and building, based on the integrity of this process, through your active participation in the working groups, presenting suggestions and concrete contribution,” Osmani said.

Hovenier: More commitment in fight against organized crime and sexual violence (Klan)

The U.S. ambassador to Kosovo Jeffery Hovenier has requested more engagement in the fight against organized crime and sexual violence.

In the “Week for the Rights of Crime Victims,” organized by the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor, he also thanked the institutions of Kosovo for including the cases of victims of violence and their compensation in the Code of Criminal Procedure.

“We want to use this week to reflect on our efforts but also to take action so that the victims have proper services and justice. It is important that the marginalized often experience inequality and may be more vulnerable to becoming a target for human trafficking.”

Nikolla to CoE: Correct tragic mistake against Albania and Kosovo (Klan) 

President of the Assembly of Albania, Lindita Nikolla, sent a letter to assembly presidents of member states of the Council of Europe about the resolution refuting claims about human organ trafficking based on the Dick Marty report. Nikolla asked for the support of MPs and delegations at the CoE Parliamentary Assembly to correct what she called a tragic mistake against Albania and Kosovo. She said that even ten years after the allegations were first made about Kosovo and Albania, they have not been confirmed as true. Therefore, according to Nikola, the letter is not only a request for the right, truth and the dignity of Albania and Kosovo, “but also about the credibility of international political organisations and the values they represent and uphold”.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic met German Minister Luhrmann (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with German Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Luhrmann on Monday.

“An open and constructive discussion with Minister Anna Luhrmann about the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, a continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, as well as the energy crisis and climate change,” Vucic wrote in a post on the buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

Serbia will continue to promote a policy of peace and dialogue as the only solution to all open issues, Vucic added, reported Tanjug.

The press release from the presidency after the meeting,  stated that Minister Luhrmann called on Serbia to come to an agreement on foreign policy and the visa regime of the European Union.

According to the presidency, Vucic emphasized that “Serbia is committed to dialogue as a way to resolve all open issues, without jeopardizing its state and national interests”, reported Serbian media.

Speaking about the energy and climate crisis, Vucic said that in the future, Serbia will invest more in renewable energy sources, following the example of numerous German companies in Serbia, which have invested a lot in solar panels, with the aim of saving and producing electricity for their own needs.

Vucic met Bocan-Kharchenko: Serbia continues to lead a policy of peace and cooperation (RTS)

Despite all the challenges, Serbia continues to lead a responsible policy of peace and cooperation and remains committed to the full implementation of agreements reached so far and respect for international law, said President Aleksandar Vucic in a conversation with Russian Ambassador Aleksandar Bocan-Kharchenko.

Vucic discussed with Bocan-Karchenko bilateral cooperation, the geopolitical situation and regional issues, the President’s Service for Cooperation with the Media announced.

The two interlocutors also discussed the situation in Kosovo and Metohija.

Vucic pointed out that, despite all the challenges, Serbia continues to lead a responsible policy of peace and cooperation, that it remains committed to the full implementation of the agreements reached so far and respect for international law.

The President thanked Russia for the support it provides to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia, expressing the hope that the much-needed peace on European soil will be established in the shortest possible time.

Vucic presented candidates for new Government of Serbia (N1)

Aleksandar Vucic, the leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) presented the candidates for the new Government of Serbia during the SNS Main Board session held on Sunday.

He said the SNS leadership accepted the proposal of the prime minister-designate Ana Brnabic for the new composition of the Government of Serbia, according to which Ivica Dacic will be deputy prime minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister, while Milos Vucevic will be the Defence Minister and the deputy prime minister.

Sinisa Mali was nominated for the post of the Finance Minister and will also be deputy prime minister. Tomislav Momirovic will be the Minister of Internal and External Trade, Jelena Tanaskovic new Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Irena Vujovic new Minister of Environment, Goran Vesic new minister of Construction.

Bratislav Gasic will be new Internal Affairs Minister, Tanja Miscevic new Minister for European Integration, Danica Grujicic the Minister of Health, Husein Memic the Minister of Tourism and Youth, and Zoran Gajic the Minister of Sports

The ministries of telecommunications and information, as well as the ministries of public investment, remained unfilled.

Vucic also said that the current ministers Nebojsa Stefanovic, Branislav Nedimovic, and Jadranka Joksimovic will not be in the new government.

Petkovic accuses Pristina chief negotiator of ‘excelling in lies’ (N1)

Petar Petkovic, Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, accused Besnik Bislimi, the head of Pristina’s negotiating team in the dialogue with Belgrade, of “excelling in lies” after he told media that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says in ‘private meetings in Brussels he understands he should recognise Kosovo but that it takes time’.

“With his latest statement, Pristina’s chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi continues to excel in his lies,” said Petkovic, calling Bislimi’s statement “the most shameless lie” and accusing him of “hypocrisy, which he uses all the time in the dialogue process.”

According to him, Bislimi is “starting from himself” in all his statements, including the last one, which psychology defines as “self-projection.”

“In fact, Bislimi is the one who promises anything and everything in Brussels, but this is an issue that needs to be of more interest to the public in Pristina,” said Petkovic.

The senselessness of Bislimi’s statements, he added, “is most vividly seen when he boasted on Twitter that the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe welcomed Pristina’s entry into this institution, for which Mr. Bjorn Berge himself reprimanded him, which speaks volumes about the credibility of what Bisljimi says”.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3CZ6fgc

Von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on Friday (Tanjug, media)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Belgrade on Friday, October 28, as part of a tour of the Balkans, the European Commission has announced on its website.

Von der Leyen will travel to Pristina and Tirana on October 27 and Belgrade and Sarajevo on October 28.

She will wrap up the tour with a visit to Montenegro on October 29, reported Tanjug.

Withdrawal of witnesses in case of Oliver Ivanovic (RFE, KiM radio)

Family members of the Serbian opposition politician Oliver Ivanovic, assassinated in January 2018, are observing with concern as anonymous witnesses refuse to give statements with the explanation that their identities have been revealed and that their lives are in danger, reported Radio Free Europe. 

This was what Aleksandar Ivanovic, nephew of late Oliver Ivanovic, told RFE.

As RFE writes, the last hearing in this murder case was held on October 18, when another witness under the protection of anonymity refused to give a statement, explaining that he did not feel safe. This was the third anonymous witness who refused to testify before the court in Pristina.

“It only says that behind this political murder is a seriously organized criminal group, which has the influence, financial, political and all other possibilities and connections to get to the protected witness and thus influence the outcome of the proceedings” Aleksandar Ivanovic opined.

He also opined that Kosovo’s judicial institutions most likely “do not have the capacity” to protect witnesses who have agreed to give statements on the condition that their identities are not revealed.

“I believe that protected witnesses are something that was insisted on, that the prosecution expected a lot (from protected witnesses), as did the family and the entire interested public. Those institutions were not able to keep their names safe,” Ivanovic said, who is a lawyer.

How was the identity of the anonymous witnesses revealed?

One of the defence lawyers, Faruk Korenica, claims that the Prosecutor’s Office made “inexcusable mistakes” or rather that it has revealed the identity of anonymous witnesses through interrogation. He cites an example to back his claims:

“Imagine when you ask an anonymous witness: where do you work? And he says I am the police commander (Police Station) in Zubin Potok. Therefore, there is only one commander in Zubin Potok, only one police station. Based on a naive question, he revealed the identity of the witness,” Korenica told RFE.

He explains that thus far only one anonymous witness has agreed to speak, but that the identity of the others was found out through the prosecution’s minutes, which all parties have access to.

Lawyer Jovana Filipovic said similar things.

“In any case, it is a mistake of the Prosecutor’s Office, their identity was revealed at the moment when the case files were delivered. Questions were asked based on which anyone from that city can identify them,” she stated.

She added that most of the indictment is based on the statements of protected witnesses and that now with their withdrawal it cannot stand (survive).

On the other hand, lawyer Korenica opined that the anonymous witnesses in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic should not be punished for refusing to cooperate with the court, because the prosecution threatened them.

“First (the witness who refuses to testify) will be fined. If even then he does not want to testify, then he will be detained for one month. After that, he is free, because the prosecution used all measures to force him to testify,” Korenica explained.

The prosecution is silent

RFE addressed the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo with a request to comment on the accusations of the defence lawyer in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, but by the time the text was published, the answer had not arrived.

RFE also addressed the Basic Court in Pristina with a question whether the refusal of anonymous witnesses to give statements jeopardized the court process, and whether they reacted if the prosecution revealed their identity, as claimed by the defence lawyers.

However, a precise answer to the questions did not arrive, but it is only briefly stated that the hearings are public, and that they cannot provide details that are not for the public.

“We cannot provide any details in order to preserve confidentiality,” the Basic Court said.

Should anonymous witnesses become protected?

In Kosovo, there is a special law regulating special and emergency measures aimed at protecting witnesses and judicial associates. Law prescribes that protective measures are implemented in order, among other things, to ensure the protection of persons whose lives are in danger.

It is this point that the anonymous witnesses in the case of Oliver Ivanovic refer to, i.e. they claim that their lives, as well as the lives of their families, are threatened by revealing their identity.

Some of the protection measures, which the law provides for, are that persons are physically protected in an open or hidden form, or that they move to a safe place.

Ehat Miftaraj from Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) opined that Prosecution witnesses in the case of Oliver Ivanović’s murder can certainly become protected. He explains to RFE that Kosovo also has a Commission for the Protection of Victims, which decides on the inclusion of persons in the victim protection program.

That Commission consists of the chief prosecutor, the director of the Department of Investigations in the Kosovo Police and the director of the Directorate for Witness Protection.

Warrant for witness intimidation

Miftaraj indicates that Milan Radoicic, who is linked to the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, is wanted in another case for witness intimidation, and that the Prosecutor’s Office is taking steps to investigate him. This is about the “Brezovica” case, where there is an investigation on the abuse of power and bribes for construction permits in settlements where construction is not allowed. As part of the “Brezovica” action, a Serbian List official, Bratislav Nikolic, was arrested, while a warrant was issued for Radoicic.

“Unfortunately, the Ivanovic case is being stalled (the investigation into whether Radoicic was involved) due to non-cooperation of the authorities from Serbia, due to the intimidation of witnesses…” Miftaraj told RFE.

He also opined that in this case, Serbia sees no interest in shedding light on the murder of Ivanovic.

Oliver Ivanovic’s nephew has a similar stance.

Investigation in Serbia at pre-investigation actions

Aleksandar Ivanovic opined that “we have to wait for some other political moment”, in which there will be “serious intentions and desire” to shed light on the murder of Oliver Ivanovic.

“The biggest battle is taking place in the media space, they are pointing the finger at each other (Kosovo and Serbia) blaming each other. Besides, there is no serious readiness on either side. One does not have a clear picture in Belgrade of whether someone is investigating, which prosecutor is engaged,” he noted.

Apart from Kosovo, the investigation into the murder of Oliver Ivanovic is also conducted by the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Serbia, but it has not progressed further than preliminary investigations.

“You only have press conferences of high officials of this country (Serbia). We only had pompous announcements that everything will be known in two weeks’ time, that Serbia knows everything, that Serbia has names, that Serbia has evidence… when you recapitulate everything, the essence of it all is that for many people it is not suitable to uncover why and who killed Oliver Ivanovic,” Aleksandar Ivanovic pointed out.

Murder with six shots in the back

Aleksandar Ivanovic also noted that “the case Oliver’s murder must not be forgotten” because, as he said, “those who planned to assassinate have counted on that”.

“All of them hoped that it would be just another one of the murders, which would be forgotten in a few months’ time. I think they are also aware that they did not succeed. And it is only a matter of perseverance and persistence. There will come a moment when everything will be disclosed and uncovered,” Aleksandar Ivanovic said.

Djukanovic’s DPS falls from power in local elections (N1, Vijesti)

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic’s Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) lost the local elections in 11 of the 14 municipalities where the vote was held, Podgorica daily Vijesti reported. 

Vihesti reported that the DPS lost in several of the municipalities where it has been dominant to date, including the capital Podgorica where about a third of the Montenegrin electorate lives. Vijesti said that the Europe Now (Evropa sad) movement came out on top with plans to take over in the capital and at least three other cities.

According to preliminary results released by the Center for Democratic Transition, the DPS-led coalition won 38.1 percent of the vote in Podgorica and will remain in power in just two places – Bar on the coast and Bijelo Polje in the north of the country. The DPS was followed by Europe Now (headed by former minister Jakov Milatovic) with 21.7 percent of the vote.

The Center for Democratic Transition said that the turnout was just under 70 percent in Podgorica compared to 2018 when 64.4 percent voted and the 2020 parliamentary elections when 81.1 percent voted, reported N1, citing Vijesti. 

International 

Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap election emerge (euractive.com)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti called opposition stakeholders to meet this weekend to discuss ongoing negotiations with Serbia while analysts believe a snap election could be on the cards.

Rumours have been swirling for the last two weeks that a breakthrough agreement could be forthcoming between Serbia and Kosovo before the end of the year. Matters such as EU membership, visa liberalisation, and recognition are on the table for Kosovo, while Serbia, an EU hopeful that relies on Russian gas, wants an end to pressure to align with Russian sanctions.

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

Vucic Continues ‘East-West Balancing Act’ With New Serbian Govt (BIRN)

President Vucic’s new ministerial line-up excludes some but not all prominent pro-Russian voices, in what some see as a sign of a mild tilt in policy towards the West.

Zorana Mihajlovic, former Serbian minister of mining and energy, said she “did not agree to be a pawn“ which “may be the reason“ why she will not be part of the newest Serbian government after 10 years of being a senior official.

At her last press conference as a minister, Mihajlovic thanked President Aleksandar Vucic but said: “maybe he will have one less headache“.

“I don’t think it will be easy for him but I also think maybe he will have one less headache, so he won’t have that single different tone from the government that he had until now,” Mihajlovic told the media.

In the public and media, Mihajlovic was seen as a pro-Western voice and a rare critic of Russian influence in Serbia.

President Vucic announced candidates for new ministers at the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s main board meeting on Sunday.

New Serbian government will have 25 ministries and three ministers without portfolios and besides Mihajlovic, some other veteran ministers of multiple areas will not be in office, like Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3z7s37W

‘Winter will be difficult’ (Kosovo 2.0) 

Electricity price increases and warnings of blackouts.

Sitting at the foothills of the beautiful Accursed Mountain range, Peja is one of the coldest cities in Kosovo. Even on the morning of September 23, the cold could be felt. When it already feels cold in September you can’t help but think of the coming winter.

In the neighborhood Lagjen e Gjimnazit, near the Austro-Hungarian cemetery and near where the characteristic one-story houses of Peja’s old neighborhoods clash with the new buildings, a struggle for survival is taking place behind the old wooden door of a small house. From the courtyard, it is obvious that the economic situation of the house’s inhabitants differs from the neighbors. There is no air conditioning unit attached to the house and no carefully arranged wood stack, as the other houses have. A cat was wandering around as Kujtim Halili, in his 40s, led towards the door.

He cracked open the door — as if hesitant to show what was inside — and entered into a cold, dark, wood paneled room. A white wood-burning stove with some food on it sat in the corner surrounded by old stockpots.

Elfije Murataj was inside. Though she suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which makes it difficult for her to move, she looks after her grandson, Albatrit, eight years old, who since birth has been unable to see or move.

“Since he was born, I have always stayed close to him. I’ve had Parkinson’s for two years now, and often I’m falling down too,” Murataj said. Her daughter, Albatrit’s mother, had gone out looking for a job or to find some help, because winter is approaching.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3Sp4Mp7

World Bank sees Western Balkans economy growing 3.4% in’22, 2.8% in ’23 (Reuters)

The World Bank on Monday rose its 2022 forecast of economic growth for six countries of the Western Balkans to 3.4% from 3.1% previously but warned it was still impacted by the war in Ukraine and resultant inflation and slowdown in global growth.

Economic growth driven by private consumption and investment proved to be robust in the first half of 2022, while employment reached historical highs and now averages 46%, a 3-percentage point increase over mid-2021 with services contributing to the job market recovery, the bank said in a regional report.

Read more at: https://reut.rs/3gBQLqC

Dubravka Đedović Negre to become Serbia’s energy, mining minister (balkangreenenergynews.com)

Dubravka Đedović Negre should replace Zorana Mihajlović as minister of mining and energy of Serbia in Prime Minister Ana Brnabić’s next cabinet. She has more than 16 years of experience in the international banking sector. Đedović Negre is currently a member of the Executive Board of NLB Komercijalna banka, responsible for corporate and investment banking.

Dubravka Đedović Negre is among the names that Prime Minister Ana Brnabić’s put on the list of candidates for ministerial seats in her new cabinet. The Main Board of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party adopted the proposition. Its meeting was held today in Belgrade.

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