Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 162 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• PM’s Office is not aware of cancellation of September 2 meeting (RTK)
• Hoti: Terrorism is a global challenge that should be fought globally (media)
• Thaci supports the initiative of Albanian Americans, Kurti rejects it (media)
• Gani Geci summoned to The Hague (media)
• Government approves amendments to Law on financing political entities (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Four new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: Postponement of meeting in Washington by day or two not excluded (Tanjug)
• Lavrov: Dialogue on Kosovo without blackmails and arms twisting (Radio kontakt plus, N1)
• 22 anniversary of kidnappings of journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic marked today (KoSSev)
• Office for KIM: Unresolved destiny of kidnapped journalists stain on face of international community (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: I would open Decani topic in Brussels, we fight with political and diplomatic means (Kosovo-online)
• “Police officers arrested in northern Kosovo last year released pending trial” (Radio KIM)

Humanitarian/Development:

• WHO keeping track of Balkans during coronavirus pandemic (N1)
• COVID-19 crisis hits health workers (Prishtina Insight)

   

Albanian Language Media

  COVID-19: 162 new cases, 10 deaths (media)

Kosovo’s National Institute for Public Health announced that 162 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths have been recorded over the last 24-hour period. Meanwhile, 220 recoveries were confirmed over the same time period.

The total number of positive cases is 12,168 cases out of 46,452 tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

PM’s Office is not aware of cancellation of September 2 meeting (RTK)

Local media reported today that the meeting between the Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in Washington, scheduled for 2 September, might be postponed for another date.

The Office of the Prime Minister denied these allegations. Xhavit Beqiri, Adviser to the Prime Minister said he has no information that the meeting in Washington has been postponed.

“The Office of the Prime Minister is not aware about this cancelation of the meeting. If there was anything of that sort, it would be immediately made public by us,” Beqiri said.

Hoti: Terrorism is a global challenge that should be fought globally (media)

On the International Day of Terrorism Victims the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti, said that terrorism is a global challenge and that it must be fought globally.

"Today, on the International Day dedicated to the victims of terrorism, we remember and honor all the victims! Established in 2018, International Day dedicated to the victims of terrorism is celebrated every August 21st. Terrorism is a global challenge, and it must also be fought globally, in all its forms and manifestations, as it causes permanent damage to humanity," Hoti wrote.

Prime Minister Hoti also added that Kosovo remains a partner in defending the values ​​that democratic countries represent throughout the world.

"Kosovo remains a partner in defending the values ​​that democratic countries embrace around the world. We will not stop our efforts to fight violent extremism and terrorism," Hoti wrote on his Facebook profile.

Thaci supports the initiative of Albanian Americans, Kurti rejects it  (media)

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, welcomed the initiative of the Albanian-Americans for a virtual meeting with them and the leaders of Kosovo’s political parties.

Sources within the group of Albanian-American organizations say that Thaci welcomed the initiative to join in their ongoing efforts to support the processes in Kosovo.

The Office of the President has confirmed that they have been in contact with the representatives of the Albanian-American associations and that President Thaci confirmed their readiness to participate in the virtual meeting organized by them. 

According to the Office of the President, any initiative aimed at creating political unity has the support of President Thaci, since, according to them, in every important process, unity resulted in victory.

Earlier today, the media reported that the leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti, rejected participation at this virtual meeting. “Despite the appreciation for the good intentions of the signatories, I must reject this invitation because such a meeting would legitimize a process which is taking place entirely in the absence of respect for the citizens, institutions and democracy of Kosovo," said Kurti.

Gani Geci summoned to The Hague (media)

Former Kosovo Assembly MP and member of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Gani Geci has been summoned to appear before the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office at The Hague in September.

Geci took to Facebook to write about the invitation, saying that he had received a phone call on Thursday, and that he requested the invitation in writing. He added that he does not need defense, saying that he is his own lawyer. He however requested from the government to cover his expenses as it did in the case of Sylejman Selimi and others.

Geci also expressed hope that he was summoned as a witness and not as a suspect.

Government approves amendments to Law on financing political entities (media)

The Government of Kosovo has approved in today's meeting the draft law amending and supplementing the Law on Financing of Political Entities.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Driton Selmanaj, justifying this draft law, said that it envisages greater control and auditing of political entities.

The government meeting is ongoing where a number of issues are being addressed.

   

Serbian Language Media

  Four new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

Four new cases of Covid-19 infection were registered over the last 24 hours in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, epidemiologist Aleksandar Antonijevic said today in a press conference. At the same time 30 people have recovered.

According to Antonijevic, out of 65 tested samples, four came positive. Three new cases were registered in Zvecan, while one case was registered in Strpce.

296 persons are staying in house isolation, while 49 persons are hospitalized at the Clinical Hospital Center in Mitrovica North, three in Nis, one in Belgrade and one in Kragujevac.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, a total of 4.467 persons have been tested, and 954 were positive on Covid-19. At the moment there are 345 active cases in the Serb areas in Kosovo while 572 persons have recovered.

Up to day, 36 persons died in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo due to Covid-19 complications. 

Vucic: Postponement of meeting in Washington by day or two not excluded (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic today didn’t exclude the possibility of postponing the meeting in Washington, something that Pristina-based media speculate about, emphasizing that whenever and wherever the meeting takes place under no circumstances there are chances to sign recognition of Kosovo, Tanjug news agency reports.

Vucic added the only thing he could guarantee was to fight for the interests of Serbia in Washington and Brussels, and sent a message to those who fantasize about recognition of Kosovo signed there, that there is no possibility, under no circumstances something like that would happen.

Answering the journalist’s question about the meeting, Vucic said he sees there are initiatives for a brief postponement of a date, by day or two. He added he waits for clarifications, after which he would inform the public and respond to it.

Vucic said there is always pressure on Serbia, but we should not run away in advance and hope that nothing would ever be agreed.

“It seems like we are in a defensive position. The media constantly report “this horror awaits us, that horror as well.” It seems to me we do not understand well the gravity of our position. I do not think it would be easy and if you ask me if I personally feel a heavy burden regarding that – the answer is yes”, Vucic said. 

Lavrov: Dialogue on Kosovo without blackmails and arms twisting (Radio kontakt plus, N1)

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is stagnating but still it has no alternative. A press release on the Foreign Ministry website quoted Lavrov as telling the daily Trud that there should be no blackmail or arm twisting as part of outside influence. 

“The dialogue is stagnating today but it has no alternative however much someone wants to cut the Gordian knot. Activities are intensifying in Brussels and Washington to move the negotiation process forward. Outside influence should be free of blackmail and arm twisting against one side while fanning the dubious appetites of the other side. The alternative to the dialogue is very dangerous for everyone,” Lavrov said. 

He said serious and honest talks are needed on the future of Belgrade-Pristina relations. “It can yield results only by taking into account the legal interests of the Kosovo Serbs and their concerns while respecting international law,” Lavrov said, and added that the Kosovo problem was caused by what he called the shameless grabbing of part of Serbia’s territory. According to Lavrov, the quasi-state of Kosovo was created in place of the Serbian autonomous province by a unilateral decision which ignored UN Security Council Resolution 1244. He said the political leaders of the quasi-state are openly ignoring international law, legal demands and the interests of Serbia and the Serb people.

22 anniversary of kidnappings of journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic marked today (KoSSev)

The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) in Kosovo said today marks the 22nd anniversary since the kidnapping of Radio Pristina journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic, near Orahovac, KoSSev portal reports.

The UNS marked the anniversary of their disappearance on the spot of their kidnappings on Velika Hoca-Zociste road, Orahovac municipality. The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and its branch in Kosovo placed a memorial plaque on the place of  kidnapping which has been demolished seven times until now. The memorial plaque bears inscription in Serbian and Albanian languages - On 21 August 1998 journalists went missing here. We are looking for them.

Slavuj and Perenic were on their way to Zociste Monastery on August 21 to do reportage on the return of kidnapped monks. They were seen in Velika Hoca before midday, after they took off by mistake towards Orahovac that was under control of the KLA at that time.

Until today, families of Slavuj and Perenic have no official information about their whereabouts.

The President of UNS in Kosovo Budimir Nicic said today they expect  the Special Court in The Hague to shed light on the destiny of the journalists.

“We know that this is under jurisdiction of the Special Court, and we expect to tell us where our colleagues are and who is responsible for their disappearance and killings, to find the perpetrators and most severely punish them”, Nicic said. 

The journalists associations also recalled that other kidnappings and murders of the journalists in Kosovo and Metohija remain unresolved.

-   Shaban Hoti, Russian language professor, interpreter and media worker was captured and killed afterwards, as a part of the Russian public TV team which attempted to interview KLA members in the village of Lapusnik in July 1998;

- Ljubomir Knezevic, journalist of Pristina-based Jedinstvo and correspondent of Belgrade-based Politika daily was kidnapped on May 6, 1999 nearby Vucitrn;

-    Aleksandar Simovic, journalist and interpreter, went missing on August 21, 1999 in Pristina. Part of his mortal remains were found in the village of Obrinje, Glogovac municipality;

-   Momir Stokuca, photo-reporter was murdered on September 21, 1999, in his family house in center of Pristina;

-   Krist Gegaj, editor at RTV Pristina, was murdered in Istok, in September 1999, three months after arrival of the international forces;

-   Marjan Melonasi, journalist of the Serbian redaction of Radio Kosovo, went missing on September 9, 2000 in Pristina;

-  In the period from 1999 to 2005 a number of journalists were killed. Journalist of newspaper “Bujku” Afrim Maliqi was killed in 1998, journalist of Informative Center of Kosovo “Informator” Enver Maloku was killed in 1999, journalist of “Rilindja” Shefki Popova was killed in 2000, journalist of “Bota Sot” Xhemail Mustafa was killed in 2000, Bekim Kastrati in 2001 and Bardul Ajeti was killed in 2005.

Office for KIM: Unresolved destiny of kidnapped journalists stain on face of international community (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija said today that 22 years ago on the Orahovac-Velika Hoca road journalists of Radio Pristina Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic were kidnapped, while their families, colleagues and public still have no information about their whereabouts, Kosovo-online portal reports.

The Office said in a statement that “this represents yet another stain on the face of those invited to take care of justice and rule of law in the province”. It added everything would be done to shed the light on those horrible events. The Office said it expects international institutions in Kosovo to invest their authority and offer protection to the journalists, as well as enable civilized conditions for their unimpeded work.

“The truth and justice for all missing and murdered victims of organized crimes against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is the only way towards normalization of relations and building mutual trust in the province,” the Office said in a statement. 

Vucic: I would open Decani topic in Brussels, we fight with political and diplomatic means (Kosovo-online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today he would open the issue of the Decani-Plav road reconstruction within the special protective area of Visoki Decani Monastery at the negotiations of Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels, Kosovo-online portal reports. He added he does not know if this would be the topic at the upcoming meeting in the White House.

Asked if he spoke with Visoki Decani Monastery Abbot Sava Janjic about road reconstruction, Vucic told the journalists that he spoke about it with Marko Djuric (Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director) and other Office representatives and that Belgrade undertook steps in line with that.

“We will continue doing so. We can fight using political and diplomatic means for Pec Patriarchate, Decani Monastery, Gracanica Monastery, even for Banjska Monastery in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, which we by great part restored and invested significant funds”, Vucic said.

He also said he has no problem to talk to anyone, if somebody thinks he could help in this regard.

“I would certainly open this topic in Brussels, because this is one of the matters that must be spoken about in Brussels. However, I do not know if there would be talks on this topic in Washington”, Vucic said. 

“Police officers arrested in northern Kosovo last year released pending trial” (Radio KIM)

Members of the Kosovo police arrested last year in the actions in northern Kosovo, have been released pending trial, Radio KIM reports. Lawyer Predrag Miljkovic confirmed the news to Radio Mitrovica Sever.

“All defendants who were in detention were released today after 15 months pending trial”, Miljkovic said.  He added concerning the trial, requests to dismiss the charges were submitted and decision of the court is being awaited.

The said persons were members of the Kosovo border police, arrested in several actions of the special police units in northern Kosovo last year, including the first one on May 28, when 19 police officers were arrested, among them 11 Serbs, four Albanians and four Bosniacks, including commander, three lieutenants and 15 police officers. The action continued in the coming days, when two more police officers were arrested at Jarinje and Mitrovica South, as well as a female police officer in Zubin Potok.

On October 24, three more police officers were arrested in the early hours in Mitrovica North.

   

Humanitarian/Development

  WHO keeping track of Balkans during coronavirus pandemic (N1)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is keeping track of the situation in the Balkans to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from getting worse, WHO regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said on Thursday.

Answering a question from N1, Kluge told an online news conference that the WHO and European Commission had joined forces to reinforce technical and political aid for the Balkans, adding that he has regular contacts with the health ministers of the countries of the region. 

He said measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic and communication with the public has to be as clear and direct as possible. The response to the virus was good in the areas that actively entered into the fight and the best strategy against the coronavirus was to step up testing, monitoring, isolation and care but the responsibility lies with both sides, he said and added that leaders have to be pro-active including in communication which has to be clear and consistent to ensure public trust. 

According to Kluge, there was some exhaustion in certain countries in the fight against the coronavirus and the WHO is identifying the causes of the exhaustion and studying social and cultural conditions to help those countries adapt. He called young people to act responsibly, warning them that no one has the right to spread the coronavirus. 

See at: https://bit.ly/3ghJ5UP COVID-19 crisis hits health workers (Prishtina Insight)

The Kosovo Chamber of Physicians has told BIRN that over 1,200 health professionals have been infected with coronavirus since March, while seven doctors and five nurses that tested positive for the virus are now reported to have died.

Since March, more than 12,000 citizens of Kosovo have been infected with coronavirus. From this figure, around 10 percent are workers in the healthcare system, who from the first day have been on the front line treating patients.

The Kosovo Chamber of Physicians told BIRN on Friday that more than 1,200 health professionals have been infected with coronavirus, including 494 doctors. According to the Chamber, 200 of these cases are still active.

The figure is a more than 50 percent increase on the number reported to BIRN on July 26, when Blerim Syla, the Head of Kosovo’s Federation of Health Trade Unions, stated that 757 health workers had been infected since March.

On Wednesday, Burim Krasniqi, who worked at the Gynecology and Obstetrics ward at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, became the seventh doctor in Kosovo to die after testing positive for the virus.

See at: https://bit.ly/34mc5bt