Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: It is necessary to correct Borrell’s mistake (Koha)
• U.S. disappointed Kosovo and Serbia fail to reach agreement, State Dept says (media)
• Rohde: We need more statesmanship, less brinkmanship (media)
• Kurti in Skopje: Fortunately, Kosovo not dependent on Russian gas (Express)
• Mehaj repeats request for permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo (media)
• RFE: The proposal for the liberalization of visas in January 2024 passed (media)
• Vogel: The dialogue is suffering a crisis every month, Kurti lost his patience (Koha)
• LDK Women’s Forum leader asks Kurti to explain his change of position (Indeksonline)
• Kurti: Reform in public administration, essential in program of our government (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Rakic on talks with Vucic, Pristina’s acts (Kosovo Online)
• Hill after the meeting with Vucic: Only a constructive approach leads to a solution (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti doesn’t wish peace, dialogue serves to meet halfway (RTS)
• Vucic’s call to Serbs from Kosovo for calmness and preservation of peace (media)
• Situation in Mitrovica North calm, people do not want to talk in front of cameras (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: I am proud we tried to maintain peace at all costs (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic once again demonstrated constructive approach (RTS)
• Stano: EU has not given up on its proposal (N1, Kosovo Online)
• KFOR commander discusses tensions with Kosovo minister (N1)
• US senators concerned about risk of violence in region (Kosovo Online)
• Vehicle with Serbian licence plates set on fire in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Detention of Krasniqi, Selimi and Mustafa extended (Kosovo Online)
• Italy tells Pristina that unilateral moves do not lead to a solution (NMagazin, Beta)
• Lulzim Rafuna, the new president of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online) 

Opinion:

• Janjic: Vucic gave up ‘KM’ plates, Kurti asking for guarantees (Beta, NMagazin)
• Italy as Inspiration for the Balkan Far-Right (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo Postpones Imposition Of License Plate Fines For 48 Hours (RFE)
• EU Blames Kosovo for Failing to Ease Spat Amid Tensions (Bloomberg)          

Albanian Language Media  

Kurti: It is necessary to correct Borrell’s mistake (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that it is necessary to correct the mistake that EU High Representative Josep Borrell made in Monday’s meeting with him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Kurti argued that Borrell made a mistake by abandoning the conversation for correcting relations between Kosovo and Serbia and by trying to find only a solution for the licence plates.

“Now is not the time to talk about more postponements. We are optimistic and I believe it is necessary to correct Borrell’s mistake. It is a big mistake to abandon the conversation for correcting relations and for leaders to talk and agree about licence plates, for which to be honest neither myself nor he [Vucic] in Belgrade are responsible,” Kurti told reporters during a visit to Prizren. 

Kurtis said that an agreement only on licence plates is not enough and added that during Monday’s meeting he agreed that the imposition of fines for licence plates should be suspended while a solution is sought for the full normalisation of relations.

“Since the end of the last meeting within the eight-hour talks we had yesterday, I have not communicated with Josep Borrell and he regrettably abandoned the French-German proposal, the EU proposal, by saying that we should have an agreement on the licence plates. An agreement on licence plates is not enough, although I agreed that the second phase [imposition of fines] should be suspended while a solution is sought for the full normalisation of relations until March 2023,” Kurti said.

Kurti also said that he is optimistic that a solution on licence plates will be found in 48 hours, adding that U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, is making maximal efforts by talking with Brussels.

“Now the U.S. needs another 48 hours to turn yesterday’s approximation to an agreement today or tomorrow. They are making maximal efforts. I don’t think we are in a moment when we need to talk about more postponements; we need to talk about maximal intensity so that within 48 hours we can have an agreement that we sought in Brussels and not limit ourselves on issues such as licence plates.”

U.S. disappointed Kosovo and Serbia fail to reach agreement, State Dept says (media)

The United States is disappointed Kosovo and Serbia have failed to agree on a solution to their dispute over car license plates used by the ethnic Serb minority in Kosovo, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. 

Both Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic “will need to make concessions to ensure that we do not jeopardize decades of hard-won peace in an already fragile region,” Price said.  The U.S. called on Kosovo to suspend its plans to impose fines over the license plates issue.

Rohde: We need more statesmanship, less brinkmanship (media)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, shared a Twitter post by the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, who said that the U.S. is concerned that the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia were unable to reach an agreement today. Rohde tweeted in his post: “Good to have more time for EUSR Miroslav Lajcak to work with stakeholders on a solution. I repeat: It is absurd to risk escalation over licence plates. We need more statesmanship, less brinkmanship”.

Kurti in Skopje: Fortunately, Kosovo not dependent on Russian gas (Express)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said during a socio-ecological forum in Skopje, North Macedonia, today that Kosovo is fortunately not dependent on Russian gas. Talking about his government’s measures to help families save on energy, Kurti said: “Kosovo is fortunately not dependent on Russian gas. Kosovo is committed to meet all obligations for energy and for a free energy market,” he said.

Mehaj repeats request for permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defence, Armend Mehaj, met today with U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres, calling him “a great friend of our country and people”. Mehaj reiterated the request for a permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo, which according to him, would serve as a guarantee for security, peace, and stability in the region. “I informed the Senator about our overall achievements, the current development processes and our goals for the future, reiterating again our request for the establishment of a permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo,” he said.

RFE: The proposal for the liberalisation of visas in January 2024 passed (media)

Representatives of the EU member states agreed with the proposal that visa liberalisation for Kosovo will come into effect on January 1, 2024.

Radio Free Europe understands that the agreement was reached at a meeting of visa advisers on Tuesday in Brussels.

This date was requested by Spain – one of the five EU countries that does not yet recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Vogel: The dialogue is suffering a crisis every month, Kurti lost his patience (Koha)

Toby Vogel, an expert at the Democratisation Policy Council stated that the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has lost his patience in the negotiation process of Serbia, since according to him, this process every month “is failing into a crisis that the EU regulates with a temporary agreement.”

As VOA reported on Tuesday, Vogel said that this dialogue process is never addressing “the fundamental questions that the dialogue should answer.”

“The European Union must ask itself what it can do to take the negotiation to the stage where the most difficult issues – sovereignty and recognition – are considered. It is clear that Prime Minister Albin Kurti has lost patience with the process that every few months falls into a crisis that the European Union fixes with a temporary agreement,” Vogel said. 

According to him, if the dialogue between the parties does not take place on essential issues, it has no value. He said that the accusation of Kosovo by the head of the EU for foreign policies Josep Borrell, for obstacles in the resolution of conflicts, makes the situation difficult for him. 

LDK Women’s Forum leader asks Kurti to explain his change of position (Indeksonline)

Leader of the Women’s Forum of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Jehona Lushaku Sadriu, said in a Facebook post today that Prime Minister Albin Kurti must urgently explain his change of position with regards to the implementation of the decision on licence plates. “In the afternoon he praises himself for the decision, despite the disappointment of all our allies, and come midnight he withdraws from the implementation of the decision. The Prime Minister must urgently explain these actions. Now more than ever, Kosovo needs mature decisions and in cooperation with the United States and the European Union, and those that bring benefit to Kosovo, and not for political shows that waiver our alliances,” she argued.

Kurti: Reform in public administration, essential in the program of our government (media)

“Reform in public administration is an essential part of the reforms planned in the program of our Government. It is our belief and position that a public administration loyal to the state, honest, educated and prepared, with higher efficiency is a prerequisite for fulfilled development policies,” said the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti in the annual conference organised by the British Embassy, ​​within the project “Independent, responsible, meritocratic and professional recruitment in Kosovo”.

In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Reform of the Public Administration is a prerequisite for the progressive steps of Kosovo towards membership in the European Union. He emphasised that the government is committed to the reform and therefore the administration we are building to be based on some principles that are widely respected by democratic and developed countries.

“An inefficient administration causes delays in the provision of public services in terms of quality and quantity, it also causes delays in the development of reform processes in other sectors,” Prime Minister Kurti added.

Read more at: http://bit.ly/3i67pQh

Serbian Language Media 

Rakic on talks with Vucic, Pristina’s acts (Kosovo Online)

Serbian List President Goran Rakic said following the meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija can no longer endure “Pristina’s terror” and announced protest in all institutions, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Speaking in a press conference today, Rakic said that no agreement was made in Brussels and accused Pristina of being responsible for the failure, adding it was confirmed by international representatives. Rakic also said that all those calling for restraint today know who the destructive party was.

“We only want peace. It suits no one when we talk about the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO). We only want signed agreements to be implemented. We want to live in peace, to be the ones in their own centuries old places. Three drops overflew the glass – dismissal of Nenad Djuric, decision to cancel Serbian licence plates and the fact that ZSO has not been formed yet. Ivan Todosijevic is with us and he got sentenced for the words he said. Special police units mistreat our brothers, sisters, there are four new (police) bases. They banned vaccination, elections, referendums, they shot at Srecko Sofronijevc, they banned Dragica Gasic from buying bread. Countless number of attacks happened and these are clear messages that they do not want us here, same as to returnees that they are not welcome”, Rakic said.

He added Serbs no longer wish to endure Pristina’s terror. He also announced protests in schools, health houses and all other institutions. It was also announced that a large gathering of “all women and all mothers” will take place in Mitrovica North tomorrow at 15.00. 

Hill after the meeting with Vucic: Only a constructive approach leads to a solution (RTS)

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill emphasised that Washington continues to support the EU in efforts to reach solutions in Kosovo and called on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to continue constructive engagement in the Brussels process, reported Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

“A constructive approach is definitely the way to find a solution,” Hill said after talking with President Vucic, and emphasised that the US and the EU are acting in concert with regard to Kosovo, adding that he believes that both sides understand that they must reach a solution

“I had a good conversation with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. We talked about the Brussels process,” Hill told reporters in front of the Palace of Serbia.

He pointed out that the US is very satisfied with the efforts undertaken by the EU and its approach.

“I find it impressive that a man of such rank and status, Josep Borrell, engaged himself for eight hours in solving the disputed issue. We continue to support the EU in its efforts,” Hill underlined.

He said that he appealed to Vucic to continue his constructive involvement in this process.

He expressed the hope that a solution will be found but added that both sides need to be involved.

“A constructive approach is certainly the way to find a solution,” he said.

He said that the EU is doing an excellent job, but that it must not be allowed that urgent problems overshadow important issues.

Hill said that the EU has made it clear that it takes more than 48 hours to resolve the current issue. “The EU has made it clear that it would like to see another 365 days,” Hill added.

Regarding yesterday’s talks in Brussels, he said that he would not speak of failure, but that what happened showed that there is a need for further talks.

“The way to reach a solution is flexibility along with the efforts of EU mediators,” Hill concluded.

Petkovic: Kurti doesn’t wish peace, dialogue serves to meet halfway (RTS)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Petar Petkovic told RTS this morning it was good that international community understood the plea for the West to exert pressure on Pristina in order “to halt Kurti’s insane decisions”.

He added that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for longer than seven hours attended meetings in Brussels, however, it was clear “that Kurti doesn’t want to make agreements and was not interested in preserving peace and stability”.

Petkovic also said Kurti wishes to generate a new crisis. “The situation was tense, Vucic was ready for compromise solutions, dialogue serves to meet halfway”.

According to Petkovic, Kurti insisted all the time that he is interested in full normalisation of relations, centred, as he said, on mutual recognition. Petkovic added those were Kurti’s wishes that are not on any agenda.

“Kurti insists on something that is not an international law. He wanted to use dialogue to demonstrate that he doesn’t want to make an agreement on any individual issue, but wants to talk about mutual recognition and doesn’t want to implement the agreement on Community of Serb Municipalities, and that is Pristina’s obligation”.

“We do not accept that Kosovo becomes a member of the UN”, Petkovic added.     

Vucic’s call to Serbs from Kosovo for calmness and preservation of peace (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met late last night with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo after unsuccessful negotiations in Brussels with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

Vucic announced on his Instagram profile budcnostsrbijeav that he asked Serbs “to take care of themselves, be calm” to preserve peace and stability and to respond to “other people’s smugness and arrogance” “the way decent people always respond”, reported Serbian media.

“We just want to protect our own and nothing more. So, I am sure that as a nation we will show maturity and protect our homes,” said Vucic. 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, announced that he accepted the request of the USA and postponed for 48 hours the implementation of the decision on punishing drivers with Serbian licence plates with KM markings, recalled the media.

Situation in Mitrovica North calm, people do not want to talk in front of cameras (Radio KIM)

Radio KIM reports today that the situation in Mitrovica North is calm. There are people on the streets, but they are not in the mood to talk in front of cameras. A Radio KIM reporter said there were a small number of EULEX police officers on the streets and several vehicles of Italian carabinieri parked near the main bridge over the Ibar River.

Markovic: Kurti’s stubbornness nevertheless has limits

“It has been proven once again that mediation of the European Union in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo doesn’t produce meaningful consequences, and in this regard, the US pressure exerted on Albin Kurti’s government, at five minutes to 12.00, demonstrated that his stubbornness has the limits”, Igor Markovic from NGO Aktiv told Radio KIM, adding that “such high-level policy is not good because it impacts everyday lives of citizens”.

“One could hear in the towns in northern Kosovo that citizens had no other topics but negotiation between Belgrade and Pristina on licence plates. I believe this impacts everyday live in a negative sense. The way this problem is being resolved demonstrates a lack of serious approach on the side of all involved stakeholders – Belgrade, Pristina, Brussels – so the citizens, let’s put it that way, watch a show that practically has no end”, he concluded.

Marinkovic: Two days for solution

“The US used on Kurti some other methods of pressure, therefore he agreed to postpone the deadline for two days. What exactly was it we can’t know, however, it is obvious the US knows what those methods were”, Miodrag Marinkovic from NGO CASA said.

“Nothing has been resolved, the toothache is still there, perhaps you have got two additional days to psychologically prepare for it (visit to the dentist). In this concrete case there are two additional days to find some solution by intensive diplomacy”, he added.

And while most citizens of Serbia will watch a football game between Serbia and Brazil on Thursday, Radio KIM continues, residents in northern Kosovo could face “new meetings on barricades” on that day.

“(The game) is an important event, but football is just fun. The most important is not to have escalation in the north. If that happens, nobody will watch football”, Marinkovic said.   

Vucic: I am proud we tried to maintain peace at all costs (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Monday evening he was proud of a Serbian delegation that had travelled to Brussels earlier in the day with a clear intent to hold discussions to reach an agreement and consent to compromise and try to maintain peace at all costs, Tanjug news agency reports.

“I am not ashamed of that. I saw that, in the intrigues that went on throughout the day, many spoke about humiliating the Serbs and about everything else”, Vucic said in a public address after returning from Brussels meetings that produced no way out of the situation in the north of Kosovo.

Vucic noted that the Serbian delegation had been acting in a responsible and rational way because “no mother would like to see her son return home in a casket”.

“We believed it was extremely important to give our best to accept compromise solutions, however much we may get criticised for that. We did our best and, on several occasions, we accepted one new demand after another.

At one point in the morning, after an hour and a half, I said to EU High Representative Josep Borrell and envoy Miroslav Lajcak: ‘This is not going to work.’ I realised that time will pass and that new demands will keep coming up and that, in fact, the Albanian side does not want to give up on any harassment of Serbs, which is not based on dialogue, but on unilateral political action by Pristina’s senior most leaders”, Vucic said.

He said he had confirmed on several occasions that Serbia had no problem with KS licence plates and that it was ready to accept them in the entire territory of Kosovo and Metohija.

“It is sufficient to have status-neutral KS plates, we do not have to have KM ones”, he added.

He said the other side had reacted in a very negative way by saying UNMIK was ancient history now and that the International Court of Justice had confirmed that Kosovo unilaterally declared independence was not illegal and that Pristina was thus able to draw legal consequences that he noted were absolutely invalid.

Vucic also said that, according to the latest intelligence information, the situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija was very difficult and virtually on the brink of conflict.

He announced that he would meet with Serb representatives from the north of Kosovo-Metohija in the evening, as well as with First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic, Defence Minister Milos Vucevic and Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic.

Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic once again demonstrated constructive approach (RTS)

Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said today that PM Albin Kurti once again refused EU proposals on stabilisation of the situation in northern Kosovo, which is on the verge of conflict, adding that Serbian President Aleksadnar Vucic demonstrated constructive approach.

Botsan-Kharchenko said it will come as no surprise if the West, despite this, continues to repeat the thesis on mutual responsibility of both, Belgrade and Pristina for increased tensions, adding this was “a fake message”, Russian Embassy in Belgrade said in a statement.

He also said that the “security vacuum”, EU High Representative Josep Borrell was talking about is dangerous, but it is difficult to understand why EULEX or KFOR can’t fill it in, in order to avoid the crisis, arguing that this is the very mandate of these international presences.

Botsan-Kharchenko noted it looks like the West intentionally leaves the “security vacuum” so it can be filled in by special police forces of the Kosovo Albanians, adding this is a path leading to the conflict.

Stano: EU has not given up on its proposal (N1, Kosovo Online)

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano rejected claims that the European Union had given up on its proposal to normalise Belgrade-Pristina relations.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and EU officials in Brussels that the EU High Representative Josep Borrell decided against the proposal to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina which had the support of France, Germany and the US.

“Any claims that the EU is giving up on its proposal on normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which is supported by DE, FR and the US, are untrue. The EU continues to fully stand behind this proposal and encourages the Parties to agree to the text as soon as they are ready to prove to the international community that they are able to go for European solutions.. What is now key is for both Parties to avoid escalation, which requires immediate action from both Parties – Kosovo not start issuing fines and Serbia not to issue new KM plates. There cannot be any negotiations on normalisation of relations with a threat violence present”, Stano said in an e-mail statement.

Kurti said late last night he agreed to a US proposal to postpone the decision to fine drivers with Serbian-issued licence plates for 48 hours at the request of the US Ambassador in Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier.

KFOR commander discusses tensions with Kosovo minister (N1)

KFOR commander Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia discussed tensions following the outcome of Monday’s top-level talks in Brussels with Kosovo Internal Affairs Minister Xhelal Svecla, a press release said, reported N1.

It said that the general appealed to all parties to avoid any actions or statements that could lead to a worsening of the situation and called them to act responsibly and take an active part in maintaining security adding that this is important to avoid any renewed escalation.

The KFOR press release said that General Ristuccia “remains in close contact with all the main interlocutors” including the EULEX chief, representatives of Kosovo institutions and security services, and the Serbian Armed Forces Chief.

“KFOR remains vigilant and continues to enforce its UN mandate, with all its available capacities, for a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people of Kosovo, under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999,” the press release said.

US senators concerned about risk of violence in region (Kosovo Online)

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen together with Senators Ron Johnson, Thom Tillis and Chris Van Hollen said in a statement that they are disappointed “by lack of progress in finding a diplomatic path forward between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia”, Kosovo Online portal reports.

“We are disappointed by the lack of progress in finding a diplomatic path forward between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to resolve the impending issuance of Kosovo-issued licence plates in the Serb entities of Kosovo. We are also increasingly concerned about the risk of violence and instability in the region, which puts at risk decades of hard-won peace. We support the European Union’s efforts to broker a peaceful resolution to this issue, and we encourage Prime Minister Kurti to exhaust all diplomatic avenues to reach a peaceful resolution to this issue with President Vucic. We also express our appreciation to our KFOR troops for playing an instrumental role in maintaining peace in the region”, reads the statement. 

Vehicle with Serbian licence plates set on fire in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)

A vehicle Chevrolet Captiva, owned by a Serb N.M with KG (Kragujevac, central Serbia) licence plates was set on fire last night at Anke Spaic Street in Mitrovica North, the owner confirmed to KoSSev portal. The case has been confirmed by Kosovo police as well, the portal added.

The vehicle was parked near the house of N.M who saw that the car was set on fire this morning when he wanted to go to work.

The fire has been extinguished already, while N.M. said he didn’t call the firefighters nor heard them doing so. The firefighters confirmed to him the case happened last night, one hour after midnight.

According to N.M there is not a single motive why someone would set his car on fire. He said he has no enemies, runs private business and doesn’t work for any public institution, neither in Serbian nor in Kosovo system.

Detention of Krasniqi, Selimi and Mustafa extended (Kosovo Online)

Detention of former KLA leaders, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and Salih Mustafa, pending trials for the war crimes at the Specialist Court in the Hague, has been extended, Kosovo Online portal reports.

The decision was made, as the court said, because there is a moderate risk of defendants to flee or commit further crimes against those deemed KLA opponents, including witnesses, who offered or could offer evidence in those cases.

For Mustafa the chamber assessed there is a risk that the defendant could impede the proceeding by interfering in the testimonies of victims and witnesses. 

Italy tells Pristina that unilateral moves do not lead to a solution (NMagazin, Beta) 

The head of Italian diplomacy, Antonio Tajani, said today that in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, unilateral moves are not necessary and cannot lead to a solution, reported portal NMagazin. 

“Unilateral initiatives cannot lead to a solution to the problem, I highly appreciate the constructive attitude that Serbia showed yesterday,” said Tajani after a meeting with his Serbian colleague Ivica Dacic in Belgrade.

Tajani said that today in Pristina he will convey message that unilateral moves are unnecessary.

“We will do everything in our power to reduce tensions in that part of the Balkans,” he said.

Italy believes that the dialogue with the Balkans should be deepened even more in the light of European integration because, as he stated, it is in the interest of both sides to maintain peace and stability.

Lulzim Rafuna, the new president of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online)

The President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Marko Cadez, announced that today he handed over his mandate as President of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (VB6 CIF) to the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Kosovo, Lulzim Rafuna, reported Kosovo Online. 

On the Facebook page of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, it was stated that Cadez called for joint construction and a better future for business.

“It’s time to trust each other! It’s time to celebrate what unites us, not what divides us. Today, I decided and kindly asked to hand over my mandate as President of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (VB6 CIF) to my dear friend Lulzim Rafuna, the president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce. Let’s build a better future for our business together. Sharing the vision of our region as an area of success, not a zone of conflict,” said Cadez.

Opinion 

Janjic: Vucic gave up KM plates, Kurti asking for guarantees (Beta, NMagazin)

Political analyst Dusan Janjic said today that he believes that an agreement on re-registration will be reached between Belgrade and Pristina because the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, renounced ‘KM’ vehicle plates, reported portal NMagazin, citing Beta agency.

According to Janjic, ”Vucic proposed in Brussels that Serbia should not print license plates of Kosovo’s cities (KM, PE, PR, PZ, DJ, GL, UR) in the future”, but that Kurti asked for guarantees from the EU and the USA that this decision will be respected and that it will be part of a comprehensive agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, reported NMagazin.

Janjic estimated that Kurti’s 48 hours of postponement, upon the US request, was until a solution was found.

According to him, next year, owners of vehicles in the north of Kosovo with license plates of Kosovo cities issued by the Ministry of Interior of Serbia will have to re-register their cars.

“Cars with internationally recognized RKS and SRB plates will be able to be driven in Kosovo, but not vehicles with license plates of Kosovo cities issued by the Ministry of Interior of Serbia. Therefore, residents of northern Kosovo who do not want RKS plates will have to register their stay in central Serbia and to register their cars with, for example, KG, BG, KŠ, LE and other plates (central Serbia cities),” explained Janjic.

He added that the number of cars with license plates of Kosovo cities issued by the Ministry of Interior of Serbia will very quickly reduce to a symbolic number.

“In a year, there will be no license plates of Kosovo cities (issued by Serbia) in the north of Kosovo. Vucic will make an official decision to cancel the printing of license plates of Kosovo cities, and Kurti to temporarily postpone the punishment. The problem with re-registration will disappear over time because there will be no more KM plates,” assessed Janjic.

Italy as Inspiration for the Balkan Far-Right (BIRN)

Op-ed by Fabio Bego, a scholar and researcher of nationalism and the far-right.

The end of the COVID-19 emergency, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and the inflation crisis in Europe have all boosted support for right-wing politics, as demonstrated by the recent Italian election won by the right-wing coalition led by Fratelli d’Italia [Brothers of Italy].

In the Balkans and elsewhere, far-right groups are not only responsible for attacking minorities and political opponents, but also for creating and transferring knowledge that allows fascist ideologies to spread in society.

It’s worthwhile taking a look at how Albanian and Serbian far-right groups and their leaders position themselves vis-à-vis fascism as an historical phenomenon and as a contemporary movement, as a way to understand how Italian fascism of the past and present influences far-right politics in the Balkans.

Let’s start with Albania, where there has been relatively little study of far-right groups.

Pozicioni i Tretë Shqiptar, or Albanian Third Position, ATP, is a neo-fascist organisation inspired by the writings of Julius Evola and by the former Italian far-right para-terrorist organisation Terza Posizione.

ATP’s objective is to reinvent a tradition of fascist thinking and politics that were essentially wiped out overnight in 1944 when the communist regime of Enver Hoxha came to power.

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

International 

Kosovo Postpones Imposition Of License Plate Fines For 48 Hours (RFE)

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti has postponed for 48 hours the fining of drivers whose cars still have license plates issued by Serbia. The request for the delay, made late on November 21, was made by the United States after talks between Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic failed to reach an agreement on the issue. Kurti said he is ready to work with Washington and the European Union to solve the issue over the next two days. Tensions between Pristina and Belgrade have heightened, with Kosovo’s Serb minority angry over the phasing out of old vehicle license plates.

EU Blames Kosovo for Failing to Ease Spat Amid Tensions (Bloomberg)

Kosovo rejected a European Union proposal to ease tensions with neighbor Serbia in what the bloc’s foreign policy chief warned was a step that could stoke an already-tense standoff between the former wartime foes.

While Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic agreed to a proposal at an emergency meeting aimed at resolving a dispute over government-issued documents, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti refused, according to Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat.

Read more at: https://bloom.bg/3gtUwij