UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 13, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Hovenier: Surprised by criticism about the draft statute of the Association (RFE)
European legislators to Borrell and Lajcak: Remove "sanctions" on Kosovo (AP)
Kearns: Radoicic should be extradited to Kosovo, no justification for Serbia (AP)
Osmani: The unjust measures against Kosovo must go (media)
Selimi: “Sources say Serbia trained and armed Radoicic terrorists” (media)
Kurti congratulates Tusk on appointment as Polish Prime Minister (media)
Svecla gives details about “draft law for control of state border” (Indeksonline)
Maqedonci: By investing in the army, we’re investing in safety of citizens (Klan)
BIRN publishes Media Ownership Monitor in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Pristina’s lack of goodwill to start the election process in the North is clear (KoSSev, N1)
Hovenier: Kosovo officials at all levels to make additional efforts and enable citizens to replace mayors (KoSSev)
What does Hovenier say about INTERPOL's "red notice" for Radoicic (KoSSev)
Dacic: No discussion about the Franco-German plan until the CSM is formed (N1, Beta)
Milivojevic: The EU's attempt to include the Ohrid Agreement in Chapter 35 a test for Belgrade (RTS)
Dacic: Attitude of Caribbean states to our strategic interests important to us (Tanjug)
Covic: EU has unrealistic approach in relation to Kosovo issue, additional pressure to come (RTS)
The leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans meeting in Brussels, a declaration on the table (RTS)

International:

Unclear signals from Austria ahead of Western Balkans summit (EWB)
Wider Europe Briefing: A Crucial Week In Brussels (RFE)
Western Balkans' integration into EU in focus at Albania summit (rfi.fr)
EU Urged to Link Serbia’s Negotiations to Action on Kosovo Deal (BIRN)
For Serbia’s Campaigner-in-Chief, Elections Buy Time (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Hovenier: Surprised by criticism about the draft statute of the Association (RFE)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, said today he was surprised by the comments and criticism about the draft statute for the Association of Serb-majority municipalities proposed by senior western officials. “I think the focus should be on how Kosovo can move forward by adopting this draft. And if there are questions about the constitutionality, as I’ve said earlier and I will say it again, there is only one body [the Constitutional Court] that can decide what is in line with the Constitution,” Hovenier said.

During a discussion with students in Mitrovica, Hovenier said that the U.S. have not changed their position on the Association. “The United States believes that it is Kosovo’s obligation to form the Association of Serb-majority municipalities. I know that last night the EU and its Council reiterated this expectation and that the Kosovo Government must move in this regard. The U.S. position has been clear. The Association must be in line with the Constitution of Kosovo, it needs to be in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court, it must not be a third tier of government, and it must not have executive competencies. We don’t want another Republika Srpska. We don’t want something that would have a negative impact on the functioning of the state of Kosovo,” he argued.

Asked if the proposed draft can change, Hovenier said: “This is a question for [EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav] Lajcak. I think he told the Government of Kosovo and others that he is open to comments. But Lajcak’s team, with support from the U.S., have worked closely on the draft to make sure that it meets all the conditions that I mentioned. Is there room for improvement? Maybe. But time should not be wasted on specifics and lose the momentum to move forward with the Association”.

European legislators to Borrell and Lajcak: Remove "sanctions" on Kosovo (AP)

Dozens of legislators from the member states of the European Union (EU), chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the respective parliaments, through a letter addressed to the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell and the EU's special representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak , have asked to remove the "negative measures" against Kosovo.

In the letter of the 12 chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliament of Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Italy and Bulgaria, among others, the EU was asked to resume full cooperation with the government of Kosovo, after the "sanctions" imposed by the EU in June of this year.

It states that the boycott of municipal elections (April 23) in northern municipalities, the May 29 attack on NATO Force (KFOR) soldiers, the illegal detention of police officers by Serbian authorities on the border line (June 14) and the attack in Banjska of Zvecan (September 24) discover an aggression scheme aimed at undermining and destabilizing Kosovo.

"The situation could have easily escalated into a wider escalation if it wasn't for the professionalism and bravery of the Kosovo Police, one of whom was tragically killed. The amount and type of weaponry confiscated after the attack has raised serious questions about what role the Serbian state may have had in supporting the operation," they recalled.

Therefore, European legislators and Foreign Policy experts of 12 European countries have called on the EU, but also the United States of America (USA) and Great Britain, to carry out a full investigation on the terrorist attack in the northern part of Kosovo inhabited by a Serb majority and engage in the publication of the results of the investigation.

Kearns: Radoicic should be extradited to Kosovo, no justification for Serbia (AP)

The Chair of the Committee for Foreign Affairs in the Great Britain Parliament, Alicia Kearns, through a post on the "X" platform on Wednesday, has requested that the former deputy leader of the Serbian List and the main person responsible for the armed attack in Banjska of Zvecan in the north of Kosovo, Millan Radoicic, to be extradited from Serbia to Kosovo.

"It’s over 2 months since heavily armed militants led by former Srpska List vice-president Milan Radoicic murdered a Kosovan police officer and stormed Banska. Quantity and type of weaponry suggest support from THE Serbian state. We need a formal investigation with public results. Milan Radoicic has confessed to the attack. He must be extradited to Kosovo to face trial. There is no justification for Serbia to protect Radoicic and his associates from facing justice for their crimes. Thank you to Chairs who came together over the last 24 hours to urge the EU to finally adopt a fairer approach to Kosovo-Serbia relations. Peace requires fairness and accountability, both are currently lacking,” she wrote.

Osmani: The unjust measures against Kosovo must go (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani thanked today the call by UK Parliament Foreign Affairs chief Alicia Kearns and other chairs of foreign affairs committee in Europe for the EU to lift its measures against Kosovo and to investigate the attack in Banjska in the north of Kosovo on September 24. “Peace and security are the bedrock of a prosperous future for the entire WB. Peace and security thrive when accountability and justice are put center stage. The unjust measures against Kosovo must go!” Osmani wrote in a post on X.

Selimi: “Sources say Serbia trained and armed Radoicic terrorists” (media)

Kosovo’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petrit Selimi, writes in a post on X, that to his understanding the investigation into the September 24 in Banjska in the north of Kosovo has concluded. “Western allies of Kosovo should publish whatever they informed the NATO council in a closed session some weeks ago. Diplomatic sources say it's abundantly clear Serbia has orchestrated, trained & armed Radoicic terrorists,” Selimi argues.

Kurti congratulates Tusk on appointment as Polish Prime Minister (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti congratulated Donald Tusk on his appointment as Prime Minister of Poland. “In a challenging era for democracy, witnessing the Polish people's active engagement is inspiring. Kosova looks forward to enhancing ties with Poland, contributing to security, growth & our shared European values,” Kurti wrote in a post on X.

Svecla gives details about “draft law for control of state border” (Indeksonline)

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, gave details today about “the draft law for control of the state border”, saying that the legal initiative is aimed at strengthening the control and to determine the competencies of police about border control. “Through this draft law, we offer to our border control mechanisms the legal means and necessary resources to effectively address the challenges of border management and to maintain the security of the border,” he said.

Svecla also said that “the draft law foresees a comprehensive approach to border control, to increase cooperation between mechanisms that are involved in border management. It sets out clear rules for coordination between law enforcement agencies and border control authorities. This cooperative effort is crucial to secure an efficient control and management of the border”.

Maqedonci: By investing in the army, we’re investing in safety of citizens (Klan)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defence, Ejup Maqedonci, reacted to the government’s decision to increase the budget for the Kosovo Security Force. “In today’s meeting of the government, an additional €40 million was allocated for our army, by overcoming the budget of €200 million, or over 2 percent of the GDP, a criteria of NATO member states,” Maqedonci wrote in a Facebook post.

“By investing in the army, we are investing in the safety of our citizens and in the defense of the integrity of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo”.

BIRN publishes Media Ownership Monitor in Kosovo (media)

The Balkans Investigating Reporting Network (BIRN), in cooperation with “Global Media Registry”, published in Pristina today the Media Ownership Monitor. BIRN Executive Director, Jeta Xharra, said in the opening remarks that this is the first time such a report has been prepared in Kosovo. “This report is being prepared for the first time in Kosovo. The report we are launching today is part of an organization that for several years now prepares the media ownership database throughout the world. The organization is called ‘Global Media Registry’ and it is registered in Germany, and their representative is here with us today. The idea is that all this was done for the public to have an idea who informs them, to have the right for us as the media everyday ask for access to public documents from the other four pillars, how can we ask for this when we don’t have transparency over the ownership and who stands behind every media,” Xharra said.

Xharra explained that the Media Ownership Monitor offers data about the owners and how they registered the ownership of the media. She also said that it was very difficult to get information about the revenues of the media and their sources of funding. “We were not given this information, neither by the media, nor the Kosovo Tax Administration, or the Ministry of Finance. We hope that this standard will change in the future so that there can be trust between the media and the people,” she added.

Xharra said that less than 30 percent of the media responded who are the owners and who funds them. “This response should have been very simple, and this information should be on their website. It was challenging that we had to go North Macedonia and the Netherlands to look for media ownership,” she said.

Xharra said the research also revealed a small inclusion of women in media management. “Financially it is not known who finances the media, it is not known how much of these funds come from politics, how much from money laundering, the oligarchy, and there is a lack of documents. Another matter of concern is the inclusion of women in the management, very few women have leading positions in the media,” she argued.

See more at: https://rb.gy/9eqa97

Serbian Language Media

Pristina’s lack of goodwill to start the election process in the North is clear (KoSSev, N1)

"We are witnessing a play in which not even the first step has been taken yet", this is how the editor of KoSSev portal evaluated yesterday's rejection of a three-member group of citizens’ request to launch a petition for the removal of the mayor by municipal assembly chairman.

The request for the removal of the mayor, submitted by a group of citizens last week in the North Mitrovica municipal building, was not accepted by the chairman of this municipal assembly, Nedzad Ugljanin, who confirmed this for KoSSev. On the other hand, he emphasized that they will be "registered" as soon as today, if this group of citizens, along with the already submitted completed form, submits a separate notification about the "formation of an initiative group" and "a request that the CEC register them".

"The minimum that could be said is that it is about a mutual misunderstanding in the interpretation of the administrative instruction, although I think that there is a much more complex story behind it," said Tatjana Lazarevic in an interview for N1.

There is a clear lack of goodwill on the part of the Pristina authorities to start the election process in the North, she believes.

The first test showed this was the fact when elections were held in April at all, despite the boycott, she recalls.

"After mayors were literally installed in municipal buildings despite warm recommendations and even pressure from the international community not to do so and raise tensions," she says.

She further stated that the Albanian mayors were brought to the North with the presence of special forces, adding that the lack of goodwill of the central authorities was further reflected when the issue of renewing the electoral process was raised, namely:

"The fact that the Kosovo officials, led by the Kosovo Prime Minister, repeated that it is out of the question for the mayors to resign, although he also agrees that the full legitimacy of their management is questionable," she said, reminding that this was the technically easiest way to "solve the whole mess".

The absence of good will is visible even now when finally ''the Serbian side understood, regardless of the fact that this is supposedly being submitted by free citizens, which, to tell you honestly, I doubt and interpret so that it is clear that this impulse had to come from some governing structures from the Serbian side. So, now that the Serbian side succumbed and gave in and agreed to take the more difficult path and submit an initiative for the removal of the mayor - which is still somewhat questionable legally, requires a lot of time, and can further burden the relations between Belgrade and Pristina".

She explained that although there may be ambiguities and inaccuracies in the Administrative Instruction itself, the fact that the two parties could not find their way in it would not be "terrible" if both sides demonstrated good will.

"If we ignore the fact that there is a higher political agenda, it is obvious that the parties do not manage when it comes to the interpretation of the new administrative instruction, which is also not terrible, but if there was good will of the parties, then everyone would try to prevent such obstacles as vagueness and inaccuracy," says Lazarevic.

She warns, however, that the opposite situation is taking place.

"If you know the day by its morning, the way in which this entire process is conducted, and from the side of the group of citizens who submit the initiative and what they experienced the first time when they failed to submit the request, one could sense that we will witness something that, I would say, unfortunately, looks like a dirty game.''

The KoSSev's editor agrees with the factual basis of the chairman's explanation for rejecting the request of the three-member group of citizens. She believes that information is needed, which Ugljanin stated was not delivered to him, but presented in a filled-in form that he himself received, talking to the initiators in the hall of the Municipal Assembly: from the formulation of the request, explanation, and presentation of the initial group of citizens.

She also reminds of the article that the chairman himself refers to in his explanation for rejecting the request (5.3), which is that it does not actually provide for the possibility that citizens may not register an initiator group for starting a petition, either through him or through the CEC.

On the other hand, she agrees with Ugljanin's earlier remark that in the second part of the explanation of the request, the initiators presented factual unfoundedness, namely that the municipality of North Mitrovica is not functioning.

Lazarevic reminds that in the most recent decision not to accept the request, the Ugljanin did not refer to that explanation, but to the technical absence of information attached to the request.

Lazarevic reveals that when she asked Ugljanin why he did not explain his disagreement publicly, he replied that he did not want to do so but consulted with the ministry and legal teams for the reasons for not accepting the request.

The editor of KoSSev, on the other hand, blames the Serbian side, in addition to the lack of authenticity, for not forewarning the reluctance of the Kosovo authorities by not leaving them room for different interpretations of the administrative instructions.

Lazarevic believes that exhausting time is just yet to come.

"If we have already started the first phase of the application of the administrative instructions for launching the initiative for new elections in such a difficult category in which the parties outsmart each other with incoherent interpretations in the application of the rules, and the special responsibility lies with Pristina, imagine what will happen when we cross that first obstacle in which will finally accept the request and start with - the second exhausting phase of launching the petition to be accepted by Pristina", she said in N1 TV Show 'Day Live'.

Hovenier: Kosovo officials at all levels to make additional efforts and enable citizens to replace mayors (KoSSev)

"I have to say it is of great importance that all officials in Kosovo, at all levels, should do everything possible to ensure the full implementation of the Administrative Instruction", the US Ambassador in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier said in Mitrovica South today, adding that the US would be very concerned if Kosovo officials would not show it, KoSSev portal reports.

The portal added that the US Ambassador spoke to the media only a day after the request for the removal of the mayor, submitted by a group of citizens last week in Mitrovica North municipal building, was not accepted for the second time.

Recalling that early this autumn a new administrative instruction stipulating procedure to replace the mayors was made, Hovenier said it was the result “of a very direct request” from EU and US that Kosovo establishes the system in which mayors in northern Kosovo could be removed from their functions. He also said that Kosovo officials should make additional efforts in order to ensure that citizens can fulfill their democratic rights.

He also said he is aware that given it is about new instruction, a new practice and a process to recall the mayors in Kosovo “it is inevitable that there could be certain confusions or even possible wrong steps”.

"But I have to be clear about what the expectations of the United States of America are: Citizens have their democratic right, if they want to follow the instruction and begin the process and bring it forward regarding the impeachment of elected officials. For that there are a number of requirements that need to be met, but we fully expect the central authorities and officials at all levels to do everything possible, to be functional as much as possible in accordance with the law, to ensure that citizens can fulfill their democratic right", Hovenier emphasized.

What does Hovenier say about INTERPOL's "red notice" for Radoicic (KoSSev)

KoSSev portal reports today that the American Ambassador Jeffrey M. Hovenier said that he ''does not know if Serbia will respond to INTERPOL's 'red notice', there are several examples of one country not extraditing a certain person to another even though it was requested''.

During today's stay in South Mitrovica, Hovenier was asked whether West will take measures against official Belgrade, if it does not extradite Radoicic.

Condemning the events in Banjska on September 24, the ambassador said once again that everyone who participated in the "criminal attack" should be held accountable.

"We expect that to happen, and we have clearly told that to the authorities in Serbia and other authorities," he said.

When it comes to Radoicic, the American ambassador said that he cannot speak about whether Serbia will or will not "respond to INTERPOL's 'red notice'".

However, he indicates that there are several examples of a country requesting extradition through INTERPOL, without it ever happening.

"A red notice simply asks governments to potentially arrest someone based on a country's legal process. But on several occasions, based on a 'red notice' in many countries, a certain government has decided not to take any action to extradite based on a red notice. There must be an extradition agreement and many other conditions must be met.''

KoSSev recalls that an international warrant was allegedly issued for Milan Radoicic for the attack in the village of Banjska on September 24, media unofficially reported last week.

The news was later confirmed by the chief prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor's Office, Blerim Isufaj, as well as the Kosovo Minister for Communities and Return, Nenad Rasic.

Isufaj did not respond to KoSSev's calls and messages, but he gave a statement for the Kosovo Klan in which he confirmed that a request to issue an "INTERPOL warrant" for Milan Radoicic as the main organizer of the attack in Banjska had been submitted, and that he would to the same for 11 persons more in coming days in connection with the same case.

KoSSev writes that in his statement, however, it was not specified whether the Special Prosecutor's Office sent the request to UNMIK or whether UNMIK had already informed INTERPOL about it.

Since Kosovo is not a member of INTERPOL, UNMIK mediates requests for issuing international warrants.

UNMIK officially did not want to talk about individual persons, as well as whether they have already sent a request to INTERPOL.

In their response to KoSSev, they stated that they process all the requests they receive from the Kosovo authorities for the issuance of international warrants and then, if necessary, send them to INTERPOL.

"In accordance with the 2002 Memorandum of Understanding between INTERPOL and UNMIK, UNMIK performs the tasks of INTERPOL's National Central Bureau (NCB) and facilitates international police cooperation between Kosovo law enforcement agencies and INTERPOL member states. Accordingly, UNMIK processes all requests received from the Kosovo authorities for the issuance of international warrants and, if necessary, submits them to INTERPOL for consideration in accordance with INTERPOL procedures."

As KoSSev unofficially learns, the list with Radoicic contains at least 20 people accused of Banjska, and the Kosovo media have already published their initials. Most of them are from the North of Kosovo.

KoSSev reports that until the publication of this article, INTERPOL's red notice database still does not contain any of the 21 persons from that alleged list, including Milan Radoicic.

Dacic: No discussion about the Franco-German plan until the CSM is formed (N1, Beta)

The President of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, said today that there will be no discussion on the implementation of the Franco-German plan until the Community of Serbian Municipalities (CSM) is formed in Kosovo.

Dacic, who is the holder of the "Ivica Dacic-prime minister" election list, said in an interview to the Beta agency that Serbia will never recognize independent Kosovo and he hopes that the Franco-German plan will not become part of the Chapter 35 negotiations with the European Union (EU).

He said that the SPS is a patriotic party, and when asked if he considers by the patriotism and the signing the Brussels or Washington agreements or accepting the French-German plan and the Ohrid road map agreement, Dacic said that the main goal of the authorities in Belgrade is "no recognition of Kosovo independence and membership in the United Nations".

"Of 110 countries that recognized Kosovo, now there are 84 of them, out of a total of 193 UN members. The Brussels Agreement was signed to enable dialogue without harming state and national interests. Through the form of the CSM, the institutions of Serbia were supposed to be transformed into the institutions of Serbs in Kosovo, without the Kosovo security forces entering the territory where Serbs live. It was also planned that all Kosovo institutions under the UN protectorate would be made up of Serbs," he said.

He emphasized that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia were not violated by the Brussels Agreement.

When asked whether clause (14) of the Brussels Agreement, which stipulates that one side will not block the other on the way to the EU, violates Serbia's territorial integrity, Dacic said that it "has nothing to do" with Kosovo's membership in the UN.

Asked if and what the Brussels agreement brought to the Serbian community in Kosovo, Dacic said that the agreement brought ten years of peace.

"For ten years, we did not suffer pressure to recognize Kosovo. Unfortunately, the international community has shown that it does not have the credibility to make Pristina fulfill its obligations under the agreement. The Serbian community is not in a difficult position because of the Brussels Agreement, but because of Kurti's non-compliance with the agreement. Pristina's position is not to implement anything that does not correspond to their concept of independence," he emphasized.

Commenting on the decision of the Serbian List to have the Serbs leave the Kosovo institutions, Dacic said that it was a reaction to the mistreatment and lack of security and that the decision was correct because it pointed out the problems created by Kurti's policies.

Regarding the Ohrid Agreement, Dacic said that President Aleksandar Vucic has withdrawn his consent regarding the parts that can be interpreted as de facto or de jure recognition of Kosovo.

"We have never accepted the Ohrid Agreement in its entirety. President Vucic said that in Kosovo and Metohija, the CSM should first be formed, and then we can discuss everything," he pointed out.

Asked what, after accepting the Franco-German plan, he did as the head of diplomacy on de-recognition of Kosovo, Dacic said that the process continues, but that it is not discussed publicly.

"In the past years, 28 countries withdrew their recognition of Kosovo, and we will continue that policy," he said.

When asked if the Franco-German plan becomes an integral part of the negotiated Chapter 35, whether the door to EU membership will be closed to Serbia, Dacic said that any imposition contrary to the agreements is unacceptable for Serbia.

"We hope that it will not come to that, because it is contrary to the views of the countries that did not recognize Kosovo. If the Franco-German plan becomes part of the negotiated Chapter 35, it will make negotiations with the EU much more difficult," he said.

Milivojevic: The EU's attempt to include the Ohrid Agreement in Chapter 35 a test for Belgrade (RTS)

Former diplomat Zoran Milivojevic told RTS morning news that Brussels' attempt to include the Ohrid Agreement in Chapter 35 is the "final" act of pressure on Belgrade, but also a test of whether Belgrade wants to solve the issue of joining the EU in that way.

The news from Brussels that the pace of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina will be determined by the rule of law and the normalization of relations was expected, said Milivojevic.

"Normalization is a new element, but it is in line with political pressure. The attempt to incorporate the Ohrid Agreement into Chapter 35 is the final act of pressure when it comes to the EU. We have clearly stated what is unacceptable for Serbia, Kosovo's statehood, and Pristina's accession to international communities,'' Milivojevic said.

According to him, the goal of Brussels is to clear the way for Pristina 's path to the United Nations, and recognition of the so-called reality is a condition for Serbia to join the EU.

"It is a signal to us that it is in the forefront and of immediate interest in a short period, the fact that they want to include it in Chapter 35 already in January, at this stage of the negotiations," Milivojević points out.

He notes that this is also a test for Serbia, whether they want to enter the EU in this way.

"This is also a test of what the EU's geostrategic and geopolitical goal is in the Western Balkans, where Serbia has a central place," says Milivojevic.

Dacic: Attitude of Caribbean states to our strategic interests important to us (Tanjug)

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met with St Lucia's Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste in Belgrade on Tuesday and said the attitude of Caribbean states to Serbian strategic interests was very important to Serbia, Tanjug news agency reports.

He thanked St Lucia for supporting Serbia's successful bid to host Expo 2027 and for derecognising Kosovo. "To us, the issue of territorial integrity is paramount and we are very grateful our friends from St Lucia understood that our efforts for respect of international law were legitimate", Dacic said.

He noted that Serbia stood ready to develop ties with St Lucia in culture, the economy, security and youth, sports and education, specifically, through its World In Serbia scholarship programme.

He remarked that St Lucia's representative had been elected chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board, and asked Baptiste for full coordination between the political positions of Serbia and St Lucia at UNESCO as Serbia was facing constant pressure from Pristina, which he noted wanted to apply for full membership in the organization, annulling the Serbian cultural heritage.

"They (Pristina) do not have the majority in UNESCO but it is important that the UNESCO Executive Board chairperson, too, has Serbia's principled position in mind", Dacic said.

Covic: EU has unrealistic approach in relation to Kosovo issue, additional pressure to come (RTS)

Former head of the Serbian Government Coordination Center for Kosovo, Nebojsa Covic told RTS that the EU has a rather unrealistic approach when it comes to the issue of Kosovo, that would also bring additional pressure.

Two internationally recognized agreements are being disavowed and something completely else is being inserted, so that under that pressure Belgrade is forced to recognize some kind of Kosovo independence, he said.

Commenting on the EU's requirement that Belgrade normalizes relations with Pristina, he said there is nothing disputable in this regard.

“However it is disputable that they under normalization also stipulate and think of some sort of de facto and de jure recognition of some independence of some sort of a state, parastate, as you wish to call it, Kosovo. Normalization of relations with your own part of the territory”, he added.

When it comes to the rule of law, he emphasized it is in fact violated in Kosovo.

“The simplest example is a petition to dissolve the mayors, if people elected with one or two percent of votes can be called mayors at all in the north of Kosovo and Metohija. Petitions were submitted and they were not accepted (…)”, Covic said.

Commenting on the request to integrate elements of Franco-German proposal into Chapter 35 of Serbia’s negotiation process Covic said that Ohrid agreement was not accepted, nor was Franco-German proposal.

“There are two official international documents. One is UN SC Resolution 1244, verified and adopted at UN SC, which has been flagrantly violated and infringed, and continues to be violated. And it is violated by the European Union. This Resolution is valid. The Resolution can only be changed by the body that passed it, which is the United Nations Security Council, and it did not happen”, Covic said.

And another document is the Brussels Agreement from 2013, which was adopted and ratified, but is not implemented. "So yes, those two internationally recognized agreements are being disavowed and something completely third is being inserted, in order to allegedly force Serbia under that pressure to recognize some kind of independence of Kosovo, which is impossible", he said. He added Serbia made great concessions by the Brussels agreement in 2013 and got deceived.

The leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans meeting in Brussels, a declaration on the table (RTS)

The normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, compliance with the EU's foreign policy and the economic growth plan for the region are the main topics of the Summit of EU and Western Balkan leaders, which is being held today in Brussels. Serbia is represented by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, reported Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

The summit of the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans begins in the afternoon when the adoption of the Brussels Declaration is also expected.

The last such meeting was held a year ago in Tirana. This time, the leaders are gathering in Brussels, ahead of a separate Summit of EU leaders, which takes place tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, when enlargement and preparation for the admission of new members will be one of the main topics.

At today's Summit, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic represents Serbia, and among the main topics is the issue of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, the economy, and the region's alignment with the EU.

It is expected that the declaration will be adopted, that is, that the declaration already adopted by the EU leaders will be delivered to the leaders of the Western Balkans, in order for them to accept it, that is, to align their policies with it.

International

Unclear signals from Austria ahead of Western Balkans summit (EWB)

In light of the upcoming elections in 2024 and polls running high for the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), the Austrian government struggles to maintain a clear position on big European questions.

With the highly anticipated Western Balkans Summit and European Council Meeting approaching this week, efforts to enlarge the EU continue. However, Austria’s chancellor Karl Nehammer has opposed the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine during a session in parliament on Monday afternoon.

“There should be no preferential treatment for Ukraine, especially over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is now also in accession negotiations”, he explained. As a sign of solidarity, Ukraine and Moldova should be offered a perspective for accession, but without a “fast-track procedure” for the two states, the chancellor stated.

Austria’s Foreign Ministry stated that official Vienna sends a clear signal to third parties: the Western Balkans are members of our European family.