Albanian Language Media:

• Stoltenberg: NATO closely monitoring the situation in north (Lajmi)
• KFOR: Important to avoid any renewed escalation; we remain extremely vigilant (media)
• Kurti: This week we will submit application for EU membership (RFE)
• Kurti discussed with MEPs about Kosovo’s membership in the EU (RTK)
• Lajcak to visit Pristina and Belgrade (media)
• Haradinaj meets Escobar and Hovenier (media)
• KP: Reports of rude behaviour do not stand (media)
• Roads in the north of Kosovo remain blocked (RTK)
• Text of “European” proposal for “basic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia” (Koha)
• Krasniqi: Law does not foresee appointment of administrators in municipalities (EO)
• Rasic: I am here to build bridges and I have experience in this (Klan Kosova)
• Tahiri: Serbia wants to divide north from Kosovo because of Trepca mine (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Situation in northern Kosovo unchanged (RTS)
• UNMIK calls for de-escalation and restraint in northern Kosovo (RTS)
• Drecun: Pressure on Serbia to accept the EU plan and abandon Resolution 1244 (NMagazin, Beta, TV Pink)
• EU ministers today and about the situation in the north of Kosovo (media)
• Pantic rendered 30-day detention (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Detention of Dejan Pantic attempt to criminalise Serbs in Kosovo (N1. media)
• Simic says Pantic and Adzic are innocent (Radio KIM)
• KFOR: Important to avoid renewed escalation, the road to peace is the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Stoltenberg: All sides to restrain from escalation, NATO forces vigilant (Tanjug, RTV)
• Escobar: No comment after meeting with Kurti (N1, BETA, social media)
• Serbian PM Brnabic reacts to Viola von Cramon’s remarks (N1, media)
• Dacic: We are trying to get Pristina’s EU bid disputed by non-recognizers (Tanjug, media)

International:

• Kosovo Assembly Approves Law on Salaries in Principle (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media  

Stoltenberg: NATO closely monitoring the situation in north (Lajmi)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO troops in Kosovo are ready, capable and vigilant, and that NATO is closely monitoring the situation, when asked to comment on the situation in the north of Kosovo. 

Stoltenberg called on Kosovo and Serbia to avoid tensions that lead to further escalation. “NATO and EU forces have close cooperation. My advice to all parties is to refrain from rhetoric that contributes to the escalation of the conflict and to help in lowering the tensions,” he said.

“NATO is very focused on the Kosovo issue, as well as in the Western Balkans. We have a long history there; we helped end two ethnic wars, first in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and later in Kosovo. Our forces are still present there, through KFOR, which has almost 4,000 troops and is a key factor in the stability in the region and the situation.”

KFOR: Important to avoid any renewed escalation; we remain extremely vigilant  (media) 

KFOR said in a statement today that “the only way towards peace is for Belgrade and Pristina to resolve their issues through dialogue and to reach a solution that respects the rights of all communities”. “It is important to avoid any renewed escalation. KFOR remains extremely vigilant and fully capable to fulfil its UN mandate,” the statement notes.

Kurti: This week we will submit application for EU membership (RFE)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that this week Kosovo’s authorities will submit the application for membership in the European Union. “As you know, we are the last country in the Western Balkans to apply for membership in the European Union, even though we are the first country in the region in terms of rule of law, freedom and democracy,” Kurti said in today’s government meeting.

Kurti also said the time has come for the potential candidate status “which has been recognised for a long time now to officially turn it into a candidate status and move to a new phase of relations with the European Union”.

Kurti discussed with MEPs about Kosovo’s membership in the EU (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti at the invitation of the member of the European Parliament, Lukas Mandl, addressed through a direct link the members of the EP, participating in the discussion on the topic: “Kosovo’s application for membership in the EU: How will it be a success for all of Europe.”

Kurti stated, among other things, that Kosovo is the last country in the Western Balkans to apply for membership and listed some of the main reasons for the application.

According to him, the decision to apply to the European Union responds to the call and aspirations of the citizens of Kosovo who deeply believe that their future is in the European Union.

He added, the application fulfils and aims to fulfil the promise of the EU almost 20 years ago at the Thessaloniki Summit, and now recently at the Tirana Summit for an accelerated membership process.

He further expressed his belief that the moment is right, taking into account the fact that Kosovo is the most democratic country in the region.

The member of the Assembly of Kosovo, at the same time the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy Haki Abazi, the Rapporteur of the European Parliament for Kosovo, Viola Von Cramon and the vice-chairman of the Committee for Foreign Policy Zeljana Zovko, participated in this discussion.

Lajcak to visit Pristina and Belgrade  (media)

The EU envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Miroslav Lajcak is expected to visit Pristina on Wednesday. His visit was announced by the chief diplomat of the European Union Josep Borrell, who said that Lajcak will visit Belgrade and Pristina, to find a way to reduce tensions.

Ekonomia Online reports that Prime Minister Albin Kurti will receive the special representative of the European Union for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, and the U.S. envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar today at 17:30.

According to Borrell, the situation in the north of Kosovo was the topic of discussion at Monday’s meeting of the foreign ministers of the European Union. Borrell confirmed the readiness of the EU to send reinforcements to the EULEX mission in Kosovo if necessary.

He described the situation in Kosovo as dangerous, while he assessed the attacks on EULEX as unacceptable.

Haradinaj meets Escobar and Hovenier (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj met today with U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and the US Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier. “I just concluded my meeting with Mr. Escobar and Ambassador Hovenier. I can say that they are very focused on developments in the country, especially in the north, with the explicit request to lower tensions, remove barricades and return normality in that part of the country. I believe this serious engagement will save the situation and return us to a final agreement on recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. On behalf of the AAK, I expressed gratitude for the crucial assistance they give us,” Haradinaj wrote after the meeting.

KP: Reports of rude behaviour do not stand (media)

The Kosovo Police, through a press release, announced that the security situation in the north of Kosovo continues to be the same today, with roads blocked and the two border points in Jarinje and Bernjak, blocked.

“Despite the reported criminal acts and attacks against security personnel, international monitoring personnel and the media, the Kosovo Police continues to remain vigilant and committed to the highest level and morale of performing constitutional and legal duties, in the interest of general security,” the Kosovo Police announcement states.

“As we have emphasised before, the Kosovo Police will continue to commit to providing security to all citizens without distinction, bringing suspected persons before the justice bodies, as well as preserving the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo. The Kosovo Police bases its work on its values such as professionalism, responsibility and integrity, within which it provides security and treats all citizens without distinction, therefore the constant speculation by the media, mainly Serbian, that allegedly the behaviour of police officers in the north of the country is bad, rude and unfriendly towards the Serbian community, do not stand and are untrue”, the announcement states.

Roads in the north of Kosovo remain blocked (RTK)

For the fourth day in a row, some roads in the north of Kosovo continue to be blocked. Heavy trucks and other vehicles continue to block the road in the village of Rudare, in Zvecan. While the calls of Western diplomats continue for their removal and the return of the parties to the negotiating table.

The security situation in the north of Kosovo continues to be fragile, as in the past days, the roads leading to the two border crossings between Kosovo and Serbia in the north continue to be blocked.

Since December 10, some local Serbs in the municipalities in the north have erected barricades and blocked the roads leading to the border points with Serbia, Jarinje and Bernjak.

The barricades were erected after the Kosovo Police arrested the former Serbian policeman, Dejan Pantic, on suspicion of being involved in an attack against officials of the Central Election Commission.

Text of “European” proposal for “basic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia” (Koha)

“Koha Ditore” claims to have had access to a document which is believed to be the proposed text for the “Basic Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia”. This document was reportedly delivered to the parties in August. Meanwhile, senior EU officials have said that the same proposal has been updated and it has now become a proposal of “all 27 member countries of the European Union”. Western sources have told the news website that this version is without the updates that have been made in the meantime, but there have been no changes in the main points and ideas.

The text of this proposal in its entirety, the authenticity of which has not been officially confirmed, reads as below:

The basic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia

High contractual parties;

Aware of their responsibility for maintaining peace; Committed to contributing to fruitful regional cooperation and security in Europe; Realising that the inviolability of borders and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the protection of national minorities are the basic conditions for peace; Acting from the historical fact and without prejudging the different positions of the parties about the basic issues, including the issue of status; With the desire to create conditions for cooperation between the parties for the benefit of the people, The following have been agreed upon:

Article 1

The parties will develop normal, good neighbourly relations with each other on the basis of equal rights.

Both parties will recognize each other’s relevant documents and national symbols, including passports, diplomas, vehicle plates and customs stamps.

Article 2

Both sides will be guided by the purpose and principles established in the Charter of the United Nations, especially those on the sovereign rights of states, respect for their independence, autonomy and territorial integrity, the right to self-determination, the protection of human rights and non-discrimination.

Article 3

In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the parties shall resolve any disagreement between them only by peaceful means and shall refrain from the threat or use of force.

Article 4

The parties proceed from the assumption that neither of these two can represent the other party in the international sphere or act on its behalf. Serbia will not oppose Kosovo’s membership in any international organisation.

Article 5

Both parties will support their respective aspirations to become members of the European Union.

Article 6

While this basic agreement represents an important step of normalisation, both sides will continue with a new impetus to the dialogue process led by the EU, which will lead to the legally binding, comprehensive agreement for the normalisation of relations.

The parties agree to deepen cooperation in the future in the fields of economy, science and technology, transport and connectivity, relations in justice and law enforcement, post and telecommunications, health, culture, religion, sports, environmental protection, missing persons, and other similar fields through reaching specific agreements.

Article 7

Both parties are committed to reaching specific arrangements, in accordance with the relevant instruments of the Council of Europe and using existing European experiences, to ensure an appropriate level of self-government for the Serbian community in Kosovo and the possibility for the provision of services in some specific areas, including the possibility of financial assistance from Serbia and direct communication channels of the Serbian community with the Government of Kosovo.

The parties will formalise the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and provide a high level of protection of Serbian religious and cultural heritage, in accordance with existing European models.

Article 8

The parties will exchange permanent missions. They will be placed in the respective government headquarters.

Practical issues related to the deployment of missions will be addressed separately.

Article 9

Both parties note the commitment of the EU and other donors to create a special package of financial assistance for the parties’ joint projects for economic development, connectivity, green transition and other key areas.

Article 10

The parties will establish the joint commission, chaired by the EU, for monitoring the implementation of this agreement.

Both sides confirm their obligations to implement all dialogue agreements from the past.

Krasniqi: Law does not foresee appointment of administrators in municipalities (EO)

Kosovo’s Minister for Local Government, Elbert Krasniqi, told reporters after the government meeting today that the Law on Local Self-Government does not foresee appointment of administrators in the northern municipalities, until new elections are held in spring next year.

Krasniqi said that so far there are no complaints about services in the north as a result of the resignation of Serbs from the institutions there. “The Law on Local Self-Government does not foresee the possibility of appointing administrators in municipalities. Only the Ministry of Finance has this right and only when the budget is jeopardised. We are in coordination with different municipal officials to provide services. All services that are within the competencies that are delegated to the municipalities, our plan is to keep these services available for the people and so far we haven’t received any complaints,” he said.

Rasic: I am here to build bridges and I have experience in this (Klan Kosova)

The Kosovo Government adopted today the request to allocate funds for subsidising the construction of houses for members of non-majority communities. Minister for Communities and Returns, Nenad Rasic, said he is part of the government in order to build bridges and that he has experience in this. “I would ask all of you to have understanding when I ask for meetings with you. In these meetings, the first will be Murati [Finance Minister]. I am here to try and build bridges together, I am not new in this. I have 17 years of experience,” he said. “I know that we will have great cooperation and challenges, but I am ready to contribute personally in every way.”

Tahiri: Serbia wants to divide north from Kosovo because of Trepca mine (media)

Kosovo’s former chief negotiator in talks with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, in an interview with A2CNN, argued that Serbia wants to divide the north from Kosovo because of the Trepca mining complex. “The north is the geopolitical power of Kosovo because it has the Trepca mine, the richest in Europe, and this is why Serbia wants to divide the north! The Kosovo Government must do everything to protect the north in coordination with the Americans,” Tahiri said.

Serbian Language Media 

Situation in northern Kosovo unchanged (RTS)

Serbs continue protesting in northern Kosovo over the arrest of former Kosovo police officer Dejan Pantic, and stay at barricades for the fourth day in a row. The north of Kosovo is also blocked by Kosovo police given that Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points can’t be entered on foot either. The schools in northern Kosovo will be closed today, RTS reports.

Belgrade liaison officer Dejan Pribicevic sent today a new request to Pristina requesting to visit Dejan Pantic and enable delivery of medical therapy he is using, given that Pantic has a serious heart condition and that therapy keeps him alive.

Pavicevic in his request, copied to European representatives in Kosovo and Metohija, also submitted the copy of discharge list and a list of six medications necessary for Pantic to receive them, prescribed by medical Concilium given that he recently underwent a heart surgery, the RTS added. 

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija said later in the day that following “strong pressure exerted by the Pantic family, Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, Serbian state and the Office for KIM” to allow Dejan Pantic to get his medications, President of Leposavic Interim Authority Ivan Todic handed over needed medications to EULEX that is supposed to take them to a special police base near Jarinje where Pantic is reportedly kept. 

UNMIK calls for de-escalation and restraint in northern Kosovo (RTS)

Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of UNMIK Caroline Ziadeh expressed serious concern over the fragile security situation in northern Kosovo, adding provocative actions that lead to escalation were unacceptable, RTS reports.

In a post on Twitter, SRSG Ziadeh called for de-escalation and restraint, adding it was of crucial importance to continue the political process in a good faith to bring long-lasting solutions.

“SRSG Ziadeh expresses serious concern over the fragile security situation in northern Kosovo. Provocative actions that lead to escalation are unacceptable, including against @EULEXKosovo”, it was said in a post.

“At this juncture, it is critical that the political process resumes in earnest and in good faith to bring long-lasting solutions. To that end, she reiterates her call for de-escalation, and restraint”, the post adds. 

Drecun: Pressure on Serbia to accept the EU plan and abandon Resolution 1244 (NMagazin, Beta, TV Pink)

The President of the Committee of the Serbian Assembly for Kosovo and Metohija, Milovan Drecun, assessed today that foreign political pressures, as well as pressures from Pristina, are an integral part of the agreed campaign that is being conducted to force Belgrade to accept the European Union’s plan for the Kosovo issue, reported portal NMagazin.

“What is now in focus, and what we will have in the coming period, is for Belgrade to abandon Resolution (UN Security Council) 1244, which is why they are so bothered by this story on the request to enable the return of part of our security forces, as well as to accept to leave the status-neutral framework within which the entire Brussels process took place,” Drecun told TV Pink.

According to him, Belgrade will be asked to accept something for which the European Union does not have a mandate, adding that the EU received a mandate from the UN General Assembly to manage the dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina, but only on technical issues not on status, reported the portal. 

“The EU is now trying, without our consent, without the consent of the UN, to give itself a mandate to be able to hold talks on the status of Kosovo and Metohija, that is, to try to force us to recognize the fake state of Kosovo,” said Drecun.

EU ministers today and about the situation in the north of Kosovo (media)

The expansion of the EU to the Western Balkans as well as the situation in the north of Kosovo will be the topic of today’s meeting in Brussels of the ministers of the European Union for European affairs, reported Serbian media.

“Given what is happening in Kosovo, it is clear that this situation will be part of the discussion at the meeting of ministers for European affairs. This situation is worrying for all of us,” said an EU official at a press briefing.

The official, who did not want to be named, added that the situation on the ground is “slightly complicating the organisation of events about Pristina’s desire” to be part of the EU, but did not provide more details about it.

Pristina announced that it will apply for EU membership on December 15. In October, the European Commission published a regular annual report on the progress of the countries of the Western Balkans on their European path, and today the ministers will draw conclusions based on these reports.

The Czech Presidency of the Union will receive Pristina’s application for EU membership. The source adds that it is a long procedure, and that the next Swedish presidency of the Union will work on it.

Pantic rendered 30-day detention (Kosovo Online)

The Basic Court in Pristina Special Prosecution has rendered 30-day detention to Dejan Pantic, former Kosovo police officer arrested on December 10 at Jarinje crossing point, his lawyer Srdjan Mitrovic told Kosovo Online portal.

“Five minutes ago, I received a decision, however this is not a decision but dispositive which says detailed elaboration would be delivered at a later stage”, Mitrovic said.

Kosovo Online portal reported that since his arrest on December 10 until yesterday December 12, when the online hearing into Pantic’s case took place at 13:00 neither family nor the lawyer had information about his whereabouts.

“Dejan is at Jarinje premise, looks tired, and he told me he slept on a chair”, Mitrovic said after the online hearing.

“I presented claims it is about decent man, that at the time of being accused of committing a criminal act he was buying bread and we proposed to accept as evidence the surveillance cameras’ recordings from Knjaz Milos Street to Bosniak Mahala and then to his building, as well as recordings from Directorate for Residential Affairs located next to the building where Pantic lives”, he said.

He requested Pantic to be either released or sent to house detention. He also said Pantic suffers from a serious heart condition and is not able yet to receive his therapy. 

Petkovic: Detention of Dejan Pantic attempt to criminalise Serbs in Kosovo (N1, media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic assessed that 30-day detention rendered to former Kosovo police officer Dejan Pantic accused by Pristina of allegedly committing “terrorist acts” represents an attempt to criminalise all Serbs in Kosovo, N1 reports.

Petkovic accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti for it, adding that he “keeps an innocent man in a dungeon, just because he has Serbian name and surname”.

“Pantic was arrested and accused of terrorism only because he lives in a multiethnic settlement (in Mitrovica North), and were there any evidence against him Pristina would not hide them for three days”, Petkovic added. He also said this proves sufficiently that there is not a single evidence against Pantic, but that he is rather “a target of  Kurti who only wishes to criminalise Serbs”.

Meanwhile, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic called upon the EU today to help release Dejan Pantic, adding she is “appalled by what is happening to him”.

Simic says Pantic and Adzic are innocent (Radio KIM)

Serbian List Vice President Igor Simic said Pristina prosecution didn’t provide any single evidence against Dejan Pantic, adding it was obvious that Kosovo police “keeps him in an unknown location as a hijacker”, Radio KIM reports.

He also said that Pantic and previously arrested Miljan Adzic, same “as all others whom Pristina put on the arrest lists” were innocent.

“From the moment of being abducted by Kosovo police Pantic had no contact with his family and lawyer, nor was he able to inform them where he is located and what is his health condition, given that he suffers from a serious heart condition”, Simic said in a post on Facebook.

He opined this was not about legal process, but rather about classic institutional violence “with the aim of unhidden persecution of the Serbian people”. He added “arrests of Serbs based on some secret indictments lists was a shame of the international community”. 

KFOR: Important to avoid renewed escalation, the road to peace is the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo Online, Danas)

The KFOR mission announced today that the only way to peace is for Belgrade and Pristina to resolve their issues through dialogue and to reach a solution that respects the rights of all communities, reported portal Kosovo Online. 

KFOR stressed on its Twitter account that it is important to avoid any renewed escalation. 

“The only path to peace is for Belgrade and Pristina to resolve their issues through dialogue and to reach a solution that respects the rights of all communities. It is important to avoid any renewed escalation. KFOR remains extremely vigilant and fully capable of fulfilling its mandate that it received from the United Nation,” it added.

Stoltenberg: All sides to restrain from escalation, NATO forces vigilant (Tanjug, RTV)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in relation to the latest events in Kosovo said his message to all interested parties was to restrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions, as well as to help defuse tensions, Kosovo Online portal reports.

“Our forces are ready, vigilant. NATO and EU closely cooperate”, he said.

KFOR said in a post on Twitter earlier the only path to the peace is for Belgrade and Pristina to resolve their issues through dialogue and reach solutions that respect the rights of all communities.

Escobar: No comment after meeting with Kurti (N1, BETA, social media)

US envoy Gabriel Escobar refused to comment on his meetings with top officials in Pristina on Monday, N1 reports. He told reporters after his meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that the visit is part of his routine engagement.

Escobar also met with President Vjosa Osmani. A press release quoted her as expressing gratitude for the clear message from the US on the latest events in Kosovo. Osmani accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of heading the “illegal structures organised into criminal gangs” in the north.

Escobar also met with officials of the Serbian List. In a brief statement posted on their official Facebook account, Serbian List said they discussed with Escobar and US Ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier about the political and security situation. 

Escobar and Hovenier also met civil society representatives from across Kosovo. In a post on Twitter, Hovenier wrote that “civil society has an indispensable role to play in holding institutions accountable and advocating & building a better future for all”.

Serbian PM Brnabic reacts to Viola von Cramon’s remarks (N1, media)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic reacted on Monday to the remarks Viola von Cramon member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for Kosovo made regarding the situation in the north and Serbia’s request to return a number of its security personnel there in line with UN SC Resolution 1244.

“Restoration of peace & stability in the North of Kosovo must be a priority. Especially the attacks on EULEX and the announcement of Serbian soldiers are completely unacceptable”, Von Cramon wrote in a post on Twitter, adding she expects Kosovo Serbs to dismantle their barricades.

Brnabic lashed out at Von Cramon in a six-party Twitter post, claiming that she kept quiet over arrests of Serbs and raids by the Kosovo police. Referring to von Cramon as “fake Secretary General of the UN and General Expert on all matters” Brnabic also said she remained silent “when Albin Kurti appointed Nenad Rasic as a Minister for Communities and Returns, to represent Serbs in Kosovo* – a man who won 0.2% of the votes in the elections, (…) and when, 10 days ago (on 2 Dec), Gavrilo Milosavljević (63) was arrested without any explanation when he went to report seized property in the Municipality of Istok”.

According to Brnabic, “the EP Rapporteur, also known as “No need for me to say anything”, when, 3 days ago (9 Dec), Kurti declared that Serbia’s demand for Kosovo* to establish the Association of Serb Municipalities is “childish“ – thus directly opposing the Brussels Agreement which EU is the guarantor of”.

“Now finally, she felt obliged to say SOMETHING about peace & stability in the North of Kosovo*, and, in her statement, called for the dissolution of the UN Security Council whose Resolutions should be ignored if she doesn’t like them. Bravo!”, Brnabic wrote.

Dacic: We are trying to get Pristina’s EU bid disputed by non-recognizers (Tanjug, media)

Besides preparing for visits by a large number of foreign officials, Serbia is also working on getting Pristina’s announced EU membership bid disputed by “the EU member states that do not recognise the so-called Kosovo”, Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Monday, reported news agency Tanjug. 

In a statement to Tanjug, Dacic said that, besides the visits, December 15 – when Pristina could submit an EU membership request – was also important for Serbia.

“We are also working on calling on all EU member states that do not recognise Kosovo to dispute that issue from the status point of view, so that there are no conditions for discussing that,” Dacic said.

He added that the Czech Republic, which currently holds the EU presidency, also had a role in the entire process.

“We will see if the request will be rejected or put up for discussion, but that also depends on the EU chair,” Dacic said, adding that discussions were also underway with Hungary, which recognises “the so-called Kosovo but does not vote for it”.

“We are making maximum efforts to make our stances heard and to oppose double standards. If Escobar is in Kosovo, I do not really think Kurti is crazy enough to cause bigger incidents during his presence. The goal is to deescalate problems,” Dacic said.

Asked when notes from further countries that had derecognised the so-called Kosovo would be released to the public, Dacic responded he would discuss the timing of the move with President Aleksandar Vucic.

“We will wait for Kosovo’s EU application. We have complied with the Washington Agreement, but the Council of Europe and EU membership bids (by Pristina) demonstrate that Kosovo does not respect it,” Dacic said, adding that, at this time, Kosovo could count on the votes of 83 out of 193 UN member states.

International 

Kosovo Assembly Approves Law on Salaries in Principle (Prishtina Insight)

The hotly debated law, which caused strikes for months in the public sector, finally gets MPs’ approval – in principle at least.

The Assembly of Kosovo with 68 votes on Friday approved in principle the draft Law on Salaries for the public sector.

The Minister of Interior, Xhelal Sveçla, presenting the draft, said it would reduce the gap between the lowest and highest salaries in the country.

“The president is the head of the state and holds the highest coefficient, the president of the constitutional court is placed between the president and the representative of the powers and has a separate coefficient from other positions; further, the principle of privacy has been respected,” he noted.

It is not yet known officially what the coefficient is, however.

Although the opposition has given support for the law, it has requested changes be made between the two readings.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3UUqdj9