Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Our desire for peace exemplified by Basic Agreement (media)
• Krasniqi criticizes Kurti for not taking part EU-Western Balkans Summit (media)
• Freedom House: Kosovo ranked partly free despite progress (media)
• Hovenier welcomes new arrivals in KFOR (media)
• PDK: Kurti accepted Association with increased executive competencies (TeVe1)
• “Kurti sending Kosovo away from NATO, turned to Russian agenda” (Express)
• Xhaferi: Statements from Serbia, sign of possible escalation in the region (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Western Balkans growth plan to enable closer cooperation (Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: Western Balkan economies to grow under EU plan (N1)
• What are people who have been pulled out of institutions doing now? (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Despite Kurti’s unilateral moves Belgrade will find way to help Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Suspects for attack on Serbian children in Laplje Selo released, issued financial fine (Kosovo Online)
• Sarrazin tells Kurti to implement court’s decision on Visoki Decani Monastery (KoSSev)
• Vehicle belonging to head of municipal administration in Serbian system set on fire in Leposavic last night (Kosovo Online)
• Elektrosever to start distribution of preliminary bills in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online)
• Stano: Tangible improvements and electoral process reforms needed in Serbia (RTS, media)
• Dacic: Touadera’s visit to boost our traditional friendly ties with CAR (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: Our desire for peace exemplified by Basic Agreement (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in his address at the discussion “Statebuilding in Kosovo: Challenges and Opportunities” at Queen’s University in Belfast that “Kosovo’s desire for peace is exemplified by a Basic Agreement we reached with Serbia — almost exactly one year ago, on February 27, 2023 — in a process facilitated by the European Union and supported by the United States. The Basic Agreement is modeled after the 1972 Basic Treaty between East and West Germany. Back then former German Chancellor, Willy Brandt, Ostpolitik; Live and let live, mutual de facto recognition between two Germanys, which then preceded seats in the UN for both Germanys in September 1973. It expressly invokes the UN Charter as the guiding light governing the relations between our countries. As such, it is founded upon the fundamental ideal of peace between sovereign nations.”

“Unfortunately, ever since we reached the agreement – the Basic Treaty- Serbia immediately started backing away from it, and has even refused to sign it. At least eight out of eleven articles of Basic Agreement have been violated by Serbia and unfortunately the facilitators, the mediators in Brussels who were supposed to be referees did not blow the whistle when they noticed a breach. And ultimately, Prime Minister, Ms. Ana Brnabić, sent a letter to the EU on December 13, stating that the agreement isn’t legally binding. Most ominously, that same letter states that Serbia refuses to respect Kosova’s territorial integrity, thereby reserving the right essentially to invade our country at will.”

“So we have reached an agreement. The President of Serbia said yes, in order not to sign and now he has this buyer’s remorse of regretting for saying yes. It is not easy to remain supportive of an agreement when the other party continuously violates, denigrates, and repudiates it. It is even more difficult to keep faith in the prospects of peace and good-neighborly relations with a country that refuses even to recognize our existence and sponsors criminal and terrorist gangs operating on our territory. But we in Kosova have an unshakable core of optimism. We can never — and will never — give up hope. The fact that we have not abandoned the agreement despite Serbia’s repeated attempts to undermine it, is a testament to our ironclad commitment to peace with Serbia — and with all the world’s states. It is also a testament to how highly we value our partnership with the EU and the U.S.”

“In the end, the security of Kosova is not only a national priority but also a European one. Two years have passed since the war in Ukraine began. Countless innocent lives have been lost, with 6 million refugees fleeing the country and millions more internally displaced. This tragic event has underscored that Russia’s authoritarianism poses a tangible, not merely theoretical, threat. For too long, Europe has operated under the belief that any escalation of this threat would not involve violent conflict. However, we must adapt our politics to the realities of the threats we face.”

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/bfgAC

Krasniqi criticizes Kurti for not taking part EU-Western Balkans Summit (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, criticized Prime Minister Albin Kurti today for not taking part in the EU-Western Balkans Summit on the growth plan in Tirana, Albania. He argued that Kurti decided not to attend the summit and “instead went to Northern Ireland to hold empty and uninfluential speeches in schools”. “One thing is certain: with this approach by Prime Minister Kurti, Kosovo will not only fail to get new investments, but even the current sanctions imposed on our state by the European Union will not be lifted,” Krasniqi said.

Freedom House: Kosovo ranked partly free despite progress (media)

Most news websites report that the Freedom House has published its latest report which notes that Albania and Kosovo remain partly free countries despite progress in several areas in advancing human rights and civil liberties. Kosovo is ranked with 60 out of 100 points, without changes from the previous year.

Freedom House expert for the Balkans, Alexandra Karppi, said in an interview with the Voice of America that the situation in Kosovo cannot be detached from the dynamic of developments between Kosovo and Serbia.

“In the last couple of years, Kosovo has marked progress in terms of protecting human rights and civil liberties, political processes that have enabled the citizens a freer participation and greater activities for civil society. These issues have certainly marked progress in the last couple of years,” she said.

Karppi said that 2023 was a difficult year for Kosovo. “We have seen increased violence in the northern municipalities, which can question many processes, and put pressure on the government to make sure that it offers protection for all citizens of Kosovo. These are long-term processes,” she said.

She also said that “although there are concerns in terms of media freedom and the safety of journalists, significant progress has been made in respect for minority rights and religious freedoms”.

“Kosovo remains one of the leading countries in the Western Balkans in several important and crucial pillars of democracy”.

Hovenier welcomes new arrivals in KFOR (media)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, said in a post on X today that he attended the transfer of authority ceremony at KFOR Regional Command-East. “I extend a warm welcome to Kosovo to members of the Georgia Guard, the LA National Guard, and supporting elements and offer my deepest gratitude to TX Military, RI National Guard, and supporting elements for their service as part of the NATO KFOR mission in keeping Kosovo safe and secure,” Hovenier said.

PDK: Kurti accepted Association with increased executive competencies (TeVe1)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Ferat Shala, said that Prime Minister Albin Kurti in the Ohrid negotiations accepted the Association of Serb-majority municipalities with increased executive competencies. “They even added paragraphs that were not part of the 2013 and 2015 agreement, such as the issue of the Serb Orthodox Church, the issue of competencies in education, [UNSC] Resolution 1244, and many other points which the PDK has already made public and opposed because this agreement falls in contravention with every principle of the Constitution,” Shala argued.

“Kurti sending Kosovo away from NATO, turned to Russian agenda” (Express)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said today that Prime Minister Albin Kurti has chosen the path of sending Kosovo away from NATO and that “he has turned to the Russian agenda”. “It would be of great interest for us immediately after the agreement which is known as the French-German plan to start implementing it so that we can get close to NATO membership. We should not waste the key moment of the NATO summit this year. The successful implementation of the political agreement would open Kosovo’s path for integration. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Kurti has chosen another path, that of sending Kosovo away from NATO, and which is unfortunately the Russian agenda, he has turned to the Russian agenda,” Haradinaj told reporters in Pristina.

Xhaferi: Statements from Serbia, sign of possible escalation in the region (media)

North Macedonia Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi, in an interview with Tirana-based A2CNN, talked about the security situation in the Balkans and called on countries to remain vigilant. He argued that “signals coming from Serbia, be it with the attack in Banjska in Kosovo or its relations with Russia and the refusal to impose sanctions, there is always a possibility of escalation in the Balkans”.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Western Balkans growth plan to enable closer cooperation (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is in Tirana for a regional summit on an EU growth plan and economic convergence, said on Thursday the growth plan for the Western Balkans would enable closer cooperation within the region as well as with the EU, Tanjug news agency reported.

“That brings us closer to a large market of over 400 million consumers, along with access to more suppliers of goods and services, lower production costs and simpler methods of doing commerce”, Vucic wrote in an Instagram post.

He added that there was also a potential for job creation, lower prices, improved quality, security and a wider range of products and services and more innovation, research and development, mobility of businesses and increased economic activity.

“That is why accelerated integration in the field of green lanes, evaluation of alignment and a single euro payment area are crucial for Serbia, with the ultimate goal of our citizens benefiting from this cooperation”, Vucic noted.

Varhelyi: Western Balkan economies to grow under EU plan (N1)

European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said in Tirana on Thursday that the growth plan for the Western Balkans could see the region’s economy double over the next 10 years. He said that the European Union believes the countries of the Western Balkans can benefit from the plan which would reduce the gap with the EU average growth. He said integration means administrative, social and economic integration into the EU and added that the plan will bring the benefits of membership before accession.

Varhelyi also said the region needs to move forward with greater speed and implement reforms.

He is attending the EU-Western Balkans summit behind closed doors in the capital of Albania which is being attended by top officials from the region.

What are people who have been pulled out of institutions doing now? (KoSSev)

“I cannot understand how people accept such a life, maybe they don’t have a choice, but the bottom line is that they put up with a life in which they receive salaries and pensions from Serbia – and that’s okay because they have to live on something. However, these are young people, and they don’t do anything. A young man from here, in his 30s and 40s, gets up in the morning and does nothing”, journalist Danica Vucenic shared her deepest impression during her last week’s visit to North Mitrovica, KoSSev portal reports.

Everybody is talking about leaving…

She revealed that almost all of her acquaintances are talking about leaving, stirring a feeling of discomfort in this Serbian journalist as it reminded her of familiar stories told by people in Bosnia and Croatia in the 1990s.

“Unfortunately, I have a feeling of discomfort over the fact that everyone we met is talking about leaving. That’s how people once talked about leaving the areas in Croatia, Bosnia… Croats from Vojvodina who were also expelled from Vojvodina in the nineties – from Srem, when I spoke to them, they said the same thing – ‘we’ll have to leave’. Now I’m hearing it here – ‘we’ll have to leave, we’re moving. There is no future here.’

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/ceE68

Vucic: Despite Kurti’s unilateral moves Belgrade will find way to help Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today in Tirana no one understands unilateral acts and decisions of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Pristina, adding Belgrade will find the way to stand by the side of Serbs in Kosovo and help them, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Asked by an Albanian journalist to comment on Belgrade-Pristina relations, Vucic said that all representatives of the international community, not only the EU, but US as well are against Kurti’s and Pristina’s unilateral acts.

“No one understands why they are doing it. The CBK’s regulation was explained by a hypocritical stance, no one believes in. We expect elections to be held in the north in the future, and we are always ready to talk about every problem and issue. We have sent a delegation headed by our chief negotiator to Brussels, but another party did not come. I hope that we will find a way to resolve all open issues, on the contrary we will have major problems for the Serbs living in Kosovo, but we will find a way to always be by their side, to help them”, Vucic said.  

Suspects for attack on Serbian children in Laplje Selo released, issued financial fine (Kosovo Online)

Kosovo Online portal said it learnt today that Kosovo police identified and brought in two Albanians from Janjevo village, who took part in an incident in Laplje Selo when, as parents said, they insulted Serbian youth, while wielding a knife, forced them to chant “Thaci president” and uttered insults on the account of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. After interrogation, the suspects have been released, and a financial fine issued to them for “obstructing public peace and order”, the portal added.

As the portal further reported, Albanians admitted to taking part in the incident under the pretext “that they were joking and had no intention to endanger anyone’s life”.

Sarrazin tells Kurti to implement court’s decision on Visoki Decani Monastery (KoSSev)

German Special Envoy for Western Balkans Manuel Sarrazin during the interview with Klan Kosova sent a message to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that “he must take over responsibility and implement decisions”, KoSSev portal reports.

“You know, I am a German, and we could have long discussions about legal decisions and the times they were made. You know, when it comes to legal grounds, some of those points were made during the time of the Kingdom”, Sarrazin said.

KoSSev further wrote the Sarrazin’s message to Kurti related to the Constitutional Court decision on Visoki Decani Monastery’s land.

Vehicle belonging to head of municipal administration in Serbian system set on fire in Leposavic last night (Kosovo Online)

The vehicle Toyota Auris, with RA (Raska) license plates, belonging to Radmila V. head of the municipal administration within the Provisional Municipal Authority in Leposavic was set on fire last night, Kosovo Online portal reports.

The vehicle was set on fire in a parking lot near the Secondary School, houses and buildings in Milan Radulovic Krcun Street. Significant material damages were caused on the vehicle, while a van and another smaller vehicle parked nearby were also damaged, the portal added.

Kosovo police deputy commander for the North region, Veton Elshani confirmed to the portal that the vehicle had been set on fire early this morning. According to him, reasons are not known and forensics teams were on the spot to carry out an investigation.

Elektrosever to start distribution of preliminary bills in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online)

As of today, Elektrosever company will start distribution of preliminary bills (pro forma invoices) for consumed electricity in four northern Kosovo municipalities, Kosovo Online portal reports citing the company’s announcement.

Residents of Leposavic, Mitrovica North, Zvecan and Zubin Potok will receive invoices at their home addresses with a calculated minimum flat-rate payment of 21.60 euros. Along with that bill, users will be provided with a copy of the contract for inspection, as well as a notification about the supplier Elektrosever.

“With the payment of a lump sum of 21.60 euros, the supply contract with the company Elektrosever will be considered concluded. The employees of Elektrosever will bring the contracts regarding the power supply to the citizens for the purpose of signing”, the statement added.

Stano: Tangible improvements and electoral process reforms needed in Serbia (RTS, media)

EU Spokesperson Peter Stano said tangible improvements and electoral process reforms are needed in Serbia, while the reports on irregularities should be addressed in a transparent manner, including local elections, RTS reports.

“The final @osce_odihr report on early parliamentary elex confirms 🇪🇺 concerns: the electoral process requires tangible improvement & further reforms. Reports of irregularities need to be addressed in a transparent manner, including those related to local elections”, Stano said in a post on X.

He also said the EU welcomes expressed readiness of the Serbian authorities to work with ODIHR on implementation of the recommendations.

Dacic: Touadera’s visit to boost our traditional friendly ties with CAR (Tanjug)

First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic welcomed the president of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin-Archange Touadera, in Belgrade on Wednesday. Touadera is on a two-day official visit to Serbia, Tanjug news agency reported.

“I am confident that this historic visit will further advance our traditionally friendly bilateral relations to mutual satisfaction”, Dacic wrote in a post on his official Instagram account.

Dacic received the Central African Republic’s Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon on Tuesday.