UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 8, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

State Department expects Kosovo and Serbia to implement all obligations (VoA)
Stano on Association's draft: It is new, balanced and European proposal (RTV21)
Tahiri outlines some of the “serious problems” of the draft statute (media)
Haliti: Not President’s competency to call parties to discuss draft statute (media)
Lekaj doesn’t rule possible protests if Association draft statute is signed (RTV21)
Krstic: If Trump comes to power, division of Kosovo will be discussed (Kanal 10)
Lajcak: First time in a while EU is ready for enlargement (media)
Special Prosecution: We have filed 33 indictments for war crimes in Kosovo (RFE)
Rafuna: Economic integration of Western Balkans bring stability (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: I will protect national interests, our people in Kosovo (Tanjug)
Orban: If the Brussels and Ohrid agreements enter the negotiation framework, Belgrade can count on Hungary (KiM radio, Tanjug)
Hill: Recognition of Kosovo is not on the table, but normalization of relations (euronews.rs)
Two-hour restrictions over malfunction at Valac power station (KoSSev)
Xhufka: Do not dare to approach the church in Rakinica, because hellfire awaits you; The Diocese filed a criminal complaint
Kurti video in Serbian: Thanks for faith in better Kosovo (N1)
Hill: The US supports Serbia's bid to become a member of the EU (KiM radio, RTS, media)

Opinion:

Bjelos: Pro-Democracy Forces in Serbia Targeted with Spyware (BIRN)

International:

Week in Review: Uphill Struggles and Low Expectations (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

Kurti meets Soderberg, focus on non-majority communities (media)
Just transition roadmap sought for coal town in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com)

Albanian Language Media

State Department expects Kosovo and Serbia to implement all obligations (VoA)

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told the Voice of America that the United States continues to strongly support the EU-facilitated dialogue as the only path to reach a peace agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. “For this reason, we repeat our calls to the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to make concrete progress in their commitments within the agreement on normalization and we expect both countries to fully implement all their obligations according to the Basic Agreement and its implementation annex,” the spokesperson said. He also added that the U.S remain committed to Kosovo and Serbia, but also the Western Balkans, in their aspirations to join Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Stano on Association's draft: It is a new, balanced and European proposal (RTV21)

The spokesperson of the EU, Peter Stano, has said that the draft statute of the Association of municipalities with a Serb majority that was presented to the parties in the dialogue process in Brussels (Kosovo and Serbia) is balanced and European.

"Regarding the draft statute of the Association of Serbian Municipalities, we can only recall that a new balanced European proposal for the establishment of the Association of Municipalities was presented to the relevant partners by the EUSR for the dialogue of Belgrade in Pristina during his visit to the region at the end of October and then it was discussed with both sides during the meeting of leaders on the margins of the European Council", he said

Stano has announced the reasons why the EU is not making public the content of the Association's draft statute.

"The EU proposal has not been made public as diplomatic efforts are ongoing. We never disclose official documents publicly, nor do we participate in public exchanges about them while they are being discussed. We expect the same from the partners, as it is normal practice in international mediation for the process to be conducted confidentially", Stano said.

However, he has not given a clear position on whether the EU has an assessment of which party in the dialogue process is not implementing the Brussels and Ohrid agreement.

"In your last question, implementation is the responsibility of the Parties and so far they have not been able to move forward and fulfill their obligations," EU spokesman Peter Stano told RTV21.

Tahiri outlines some of the “serious problems” of the draft statute (media)

Head of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) parliamentary group, Besnik Tahiri, said today that the copy of the draft statute of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities he has seen includes several serious problems. “Article 42, the Arbitration Committee is unacceptable. Education and healthcare, and social issues, need to be redrafted/corrected by the Constitutional Court, and the ‘Super Structure’ must be weakened, because the way it is now this organizational structure is very powerful. In fact, with these mechanisms this structure does not resemble the Statute of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities or European models of associations,” he said. “In a large portion of the document, the language is political and ambiguous and with possibilities of different interpretations by the parties. In my assessment, this is a statute that in a sophisticated way has incorporated very substantial competencies. I hope the Constitutional Court will do its job.”

Haliti: Not President’s competency to call parties to discuss draft statute (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Xhavit Haliti, said in an interview with Front Online, that it is not in the competency of President Vjosa Osmani to invite opposition parties to a meeting to discuss the draft statute of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities. According to Haliti, the draft statute should be discussed in the Assembly and that decisions should be made by the institutions and not the leaders. “I think the issue should be discussed in the Assembly, and in the respective committees, and there is no need to be nice to one another. It is a constitutional obligation to discuss every version in transparent fashion and for decisions to be made by the institutions and not the leaders,” he said.

Haliti said he has seen the draft statute which was presented to opposition parties last week. “I have seen the draft, and I agree with the permanent requests that the Association must not have executive competencies, and other issues are discussed during the dialogue and decisions are made when the conditions are right. I don’t believe she [President Osmani] will tell them more than what they already know, and I don’t believe that the fact she is calling them to a meeting, decisions can be made for the President’s sake. These are issues of common interest and the government needs to act based on this,” he said.

Lekaj doesn’t rule possible protests if Association draft statute is signed (RTV21)

MP from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Pal Lekaj, in an interview with the TV station, did not rule out the possibility of protests if the draft statute of the Association of Serb-majority is signed, although he said that the issue hasn’t been discussed in the party.

“Our main democratic fight will be in the Kosovo Assembly and if the government says it will accept this document, then there is nothing left but protests and to call for support from the people because a great damage is being done to the state of Kosovo,” he argued.

According to Lekaj, the current draft statute offers autonomy for Serbs in Kosovo and that Prime Minister Albin Kurti was wrong when he expressed readiness to sign the document. “If the draft statute is signed and accepted this will lead to the creation of a third level of government or autonomy that will no longer be controlled by the government or the state of Kosovo,” he said.

Krstic: If Trump comes to power, division of Kosovo will be discussed (Kanal 10)

Branislav Krstic, reporter based in the north of Kosovo, said in a debate on Thursday evening that if Donald Trump is elected President of the U.S., the division of Kosovo will be discussed. “If the Prime Minister [of Kosovo] does not implement the condition of the Association [of Serb-majority municipalities] and if Trump comes to power in the U.S., then we’re going to be in a position for the division of Kosovo, because we know that the Republicans had this idea,” he argued.

Lajcak: First time in a while EU is ready for enlargement (media)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said on Thursday that for the first time in a while the European Union is ready for enlargement. “At today’s Friends of Europe Balkans Summit, I stressed that for the first time in a while the European Union is ready for enlargement. It’s high time to seize the opportunity,” Lajcak wrote in a post on X.

Special Prosecution: We have filed 33 indictments for war crimes in Kosovo (RFE)

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo today said that so far it has filed 33 indictments, including 89 persons, for war crimes committed in Kosovo. “This does not concern in any way a certain nationality, be they Serb, Albanian, Bosniak, or Montenegrin. We will make justice equal for everyone. We have some cases that we have treated with priority, including the massacres in Dubrava Prison, and the one in Meja. But we are also treating with priority the killing of a Serb journalist, which we are investigating intensively,” Chief Prosecutor Blerim Isufaj told a press conference in Pristina.

Isufaj mentioned as some of the problems the small number of prosecutors and the lack of cooperation from Serbia in addressing war crimes cases.

Prosecutor Drita Hajdari disclosed details about the massacre of Meja and the massacre in Dubrava Prison. She said the Meja case was transferred to Kosovo’s institutions by the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) which had launched an investigation in 2013 against 18 persons. She said upon taking over the case, local prosecutors continued the investigations, and included another 35 persons, leading to a total of 53 suspects in the case.

On the Dubrava massacre, prosecutor Ilir Mirena said there are 88 suspects and that investigations are ongoing. He said that the case was transferred to them by EULEX. He added that only one suspect is currently in detention, while there are investigations about the others.

Rafuna: Economic integration of Western Balkans bring stability (media)

President of the Board of the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), Lulzim Rafuna, said in his address at CEFTA Week 2023 in Podgorica, Montenegro, that a common market is a vision that brings a better future. “Therefore, the economic integration of the Western Balkans is an important goal that will bring stability and prosperity. On this path, access to the EU market is imperative, and we are here to open up new opportunities for numerous companies. In the previous period, more than 6,000 companies from the Western Balkans were involved in many of our projects that allowed them to strengthen cooperation, receive useful training, and important support in their development. We have also established EU business platforms that provide space for WB countries to better prepare for the EU market and all its possibilities. We have implemented 63 projects and received support from all Ministries, and we have developed important digital solutions. In the coming period, CEFTA remains our important partner, and in the next few months, we will gather the chambers of commerce from all countries to bring new solutions for cooperation and even greater economic growth,” Rafuna said.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I will protect national interests, our people in Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian President and ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) member Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday evening he would protect the Serbian national and state interests and the interests of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, as he said, to his last breath, Tanjug news agency reports.

"Whatever happens, we will always stand with our people..., and we will always stand with Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija. We will never leave them in the lurch", Vucic said at an SNS electoral rally in Krusevac, southern Serbia.

"Our job in the period to come is to ensure you live a better life", he added.

He said he would be dissatisfied if the Aleksandar Vucic - Serbia Must Not Stop electoral list failed to win the absolute majority in the December 17 parliamentary elections.

Orban: If the Brussels and Ohrid agreements enter the negotiation framework, Belgrade can count on Hungary (KiM radio, Tanjug)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that if the European Council includes the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements in the negotiation framework, even though Serbia opposes it, Belgrade can always count on Budapest, reported KiM radio, citing Tanjug.

In an interview with Tanjug, Viktor Orban talked about the possibility that the European Council could include the Brussels and Ohrid Agreements in the negotiation framework at the EU Summit - Western Balkans, which will be held next week in Brussels.

"It is a very complicated issue and Serbia can always count on Hungary," said the Prime Minister of Hungary.

He added that the current situation in Kosovo is very complex and that he would not judge the situation, but that he had something to add briefly on that issue.

"What I have noticed in the last few years is that you Serbs constantly experience provocations," said Orban.

Hill: Recognition of Kosovo is not on the table, but normalization of relations (euronews.rs)

US Ambassador Christopher Hill said in an interview with Euronews Serbia that during the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, recognition was not on the table, but normalization of relations. He also pointed out that what is on the table is known to both sides and that Serbia has essentially accepted it. As he said, there is an understanding to move forward, and this is based on the agreements reached. He adds that the events in Banja have undermined, as he says, hard-earned trust, and that it is necessary to find out what happened and who is responsible for it.

When asked about messages coming from leading European countries such as Italy, Germany, and France, which mention de facto recognition, Hill said that one should certainly take care of the choice of words, but also that the US understands it as a story about normalizing relations.

"De facto actually means that they want some kind of normalization process. I know words are important. Words are especially important at election time. However, I don't want to go into word games. What I'm saying is that what's on the table is familiar to both sides. Serbia has essentially accepted what is on it. There is an understanding to move forward, and it is based on these agreements. There will be questions about how to ensure that these agreements are clear, as well as to ensure that the order of obligations of both parties is equally clear. I think, frankly, that there has been a lot of progress, but this issue has to be drawn in and resolved once and for all, it is in the interest of Serbia and Kosovo," Hill said.

He says that European officials, regarding relations between Belgrade and Pristina, insist on the normalization of relations, not recognition, and that it is not on the table. He adds that dialogue is very important for the further life of people in Kosovo.

"First of all, what's on the table, of course, is not recognition. What it is, is normalization. I think the situation needs to be normalized. People in northern Kosovo have to wake up in the morning knowing what their life will look like. There must be opportunities for people to travel wherever they want. There must be understanding of all these issues," he said.

Hill adds that the job of the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, is very difficult, and he believes that he is working on it with dedication.

"I don't want to make his job any harder because it's one of the hardest jobs in the world. I think they're really trying to make some progress. I also think that what the EU is signaling is that they are looking closely at progress on the issue of dialogue, because that progress will determine progress on the issue of potential membership in the European Union," Hill said.

Hill told Euronews Serbia that the Banjska events in a certain way damaged the dialogue and led to new tensions between Belgrade and Pristina.

"It was very damaging for all those involved. There was a loss of life, which is terrible. I think the trust, which was hard-won in this process, was further damaged because of Banjska," he said.

As he adds, it is now necessary to clarify all issues around this issue, as well as to work to ensure that similar or the same things do not happen again in the future.

"A couple of things have to happen. First, it has to be clear what happened, who is responsible for it. Second, I think that's very, very important. There has to be a stronger mechanism, a greater ability to make sure that this will not repeat. You know, this whole process of dialogue is very fragile, and I think more Banjska's and more incidents of that kind, tragic events like the ones that happened on September 24th... It's just too much for this dialogue to take place. I think it is also important to understand that Serbia will have to continue with these demands within the growth plan and there are many such demands that must be moved on. And frankly, that's the only way this issue will be resolved - in the dialogue process with the mediation of the EU," said Hill among other things.

Two-hour restrictions over malfunction at Valac power station (KoSSev)

Northern Kosovo faced an electricity outage around 8 o’clock this morning because of a major malfunction at Valac power station, coordinator of Elektrokosmet company Zoran Obradovic confirmed to KoSSev portal.

He said that because of increased overload restrictions were in place, with a schedule of two hours with and two hours without electricity provision. He added there is possibility that restrictions would last longer until the issue is resolved, expressing hope that the teams on the ground would be able to resolve the problem by 19.00 this evening.

Xhufka:Do not dare to approach the church in Rakinica, because hellfire awaits you; The Diocese filed a criminal complaint (KoSSev, KiM radio, N1)

KoSSev portal reported that the Diocese of Raska-Prizren announcement on filing of a criminal complaint against Nikola Xhufka for the violent break-in and abuse of the religious building of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Rakinica, was met with a warning from this Albanian who presents himself as an Orthodox priest. He told the SOC "not to dare" to approach this religious building, which he once again called the "Albanian Church". In the meantime, the Diocese filed a criminal complaint against Xhufka for causing discord and intolerance.

"Those who talk about the alleged theft by the Albanian National Orthodox Church are deceiving the public with evil intentions," Xhufka said in a video address, i.e., a reaction to the allegations of the Eparchy of Raska-Prizren. He also says that the "Albanian National Orthodox Church" has not stolen, "nor will it steal anything in the future."

"What happened on November 28, 2023, in the village of Rakinica near Podujevo is just the return of what historically belongs to us," he explains his actions.

Once again, he called this Serbian Orthodox Church "Albanian", stating that it was "pretty clear".

"The church that the Serbs call St. Michael the Archangel is an Albanian church and that is quite clear. All that is ours cannot be called stolen property. The Albanian church in Rakinica, Podujevo is a church dedicated to Teofan Noli," he said, adding that those who deny it, are not Albanians.

"Not to say that they are possessed by the devil, the devil who wants to set the Balkans on fire," states Xhufka.

He also says that on November 28 they went to the village of Rakinica "by decision of our church council" - "aware of the beginning and history of that church and the style of construction, which is Albanian."

"We don't need anyone's permission to recover what belongs to us as Albanians and the Albanian National Church," he added.

When it comes to the SOC, he says that its "declarations are known to everyone and recognized for inciting hatred and war".

"It is that pseudo-church that hides weapons in church buildings that were stolen from us, the Albanians, and our Albanian national Orthodox church," he adds at the same time.

On behalf of the "Albanian National Orthodox Church", he addressed the SOC, Patriarch Porfirije and the "Eparchy of Raska", as he calls it.

"Do not dare to approach the Albanian Orthodox Church and the Fan Noli church in Rakinica, Podujevo, because hellfire awaits you, as it has been throughout history," Xhufka said, stating that it was an appeal. Then he continued to "appeal".

"You are a violent and illegal church. You and Anastasios Janulatos have been cursed by our Albanian National Orthodox Church".

KoSSev wrote that Xhufka’s reaction is actually a response to the statements of the Eparchy of Raska-Prizren from November 29.

The Diocese announced itself after this alleged priest, on "Albanian Flag Day" together with a group of people, entered the church of St. Archangel Michael and announced that he founded the "Albanian National Church" and changed the name of this religious building to the SOC.

They said that Xhufka, whom they call a "self-proclaimed and false priest", actually broke into the church in order to perform a church ceremony.

"This is a gross attack on the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church with the aim of spreading ethnic and religious hatred and instability in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija," the Eparchy stated at the time.

At the same time, they announced that they will file a criminal complaint due to the violent break-in and abuse of the SOC building.

Two days ago, however, they announced that they tried to file a criminal complaint in the presence of EULEX on two occasions, but also that the Kosovo Police in Podujevo refused to receive it, which is why they expressed concern. However, they managed to file a criminal complaint in the meantime.

Nikola Xhufka, a citizen of Albania from Elbasan, according to the Eparchy of Raska-Prizren, but also the Orthodox Church of Albania, is not actually a priest, but, according to both churches, falsely presents himself as a priest.

Kurti video in Serbian: Thanks for faith in better Kosovo (N1)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti posted a video in Serbian on his X profile to “thank all those who showed faith in a better Kosovo”.

He said that he discussed membership in the Council of Europe (CoE) with a delegation of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, adding that membership would bring benefits, especially to minority communities in terms of access to the Court of Human Rights.

“We are committed to membership as the best way to secure the rights of everyone in Kosovo. The visits comes at a time when the citizens of Kosovo accept their European identity … as a chance to get closer to our European neighbors thanks to visa liberalization,” he said. Kurti added that the number of requests for biometric passports had increased by 30 percent.

“We noted an interest in integration and the awareness that this is in the interest of the citizens of Kosovo,” Kurti said and added that more than 3,200 car owners replaced their Serbia-issued license plates with Kosovo plates.

Hill: The US supports Serbia's bid to become a member of the EU (KiM radio, RTS, media)

The American Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, said yesterday that the USA supports Serbia's aspiration to become an EU member, and that they are trying to help in this, but that decision on this will be made by the citizens of Serbia and the Union, reported KiM radio, citing RTS.

In an interview with RTS in Brussels, where he participated in a panel on EU enlargement organized by the "Friends of Europe" Institute, at which the EU special envoy for Belgrade- Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak also spoke, Hill said that many goals which the EU sets for Serbia are also American goals, for example in the area of the rule of law, where the USA is also trying to help.

Speaking about the EU's insistence on the alignment of Serbia's foreign policy with its foreign policy and sanctions against Russia, Hill said that it is up to the EU to determine the conditions, but also noted that there are "some serious disagreements".

"Serbia has a long-standing foreign policy that differs from the policy of the average EU member. That would have to be resolved and I think we are working on it," Hill said.

He added that the US encourages Serbia to get closer to the EU in this area and to move forward.

"Honestly, Serbia has done a lot to support Ukraine. In the last six months alone, Presidents (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy and (Aleksandar) Vucic met three times. There has been a certain convergence of views over the past year, and I think that will continue. But it is not helpful if the US convinces the EU to do something, or if we pressure Serbia to do certain things. We have to do it together," said Hill.

Regarding relations with Kosovo, Hill assessed that the formula presented by EU envoy Lajcak is a good formula, and that the Serbs in the north of Kosovo must get a clear perspective of what their future will look like.

"The Community of Serbian Municipalities, which is being negotiated, is a clear step in that direction," Hill said. He added that at the same time, Kosovo also wants a future in which it will be able to join some international organizations, which, he added, "is also part of that process".

He said that the negotiations are ongoing and that he does not want to "give advice to anyone" except to say that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under the leadership of the EU is a process in which everyone has to make some concession in order to get something in return.

"I think everybody understands that," Hill said.

Asked to comment on the opinion that Serbia is no longer interested in EU membership, while there is momentum for enlargement in the EU, Hill said that this is a question for Serbia, but that in his opinion "it is much more logical and better for Serbia to be part of the EU than to remain outside".

"Membership in the EU offers a huge platform for economic growth and development in all other areas, culture, economy. I think this is the right future for Serbia, but in the end, it will have to be decided by the Serbs themselves,'' Hill said.

Opinion

Bjelos: Pro-Democracy Forces in Serbia Targeted with Spyware (BIRN)

Opinion piece by Maja Bjelos, senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.

That government critics are spied on in Serbia is nothing new. What is new, however, is that Citizen Lab, Access Now and Amnesty International in cooperation with the Belgrade-based SHARE Foundation have found evidence that two members of Serbian civil society – both openly critical of the government – were targeted with spyware.

The independent investigations came after Apple notified iPhone users worldwide that they may have been targeted by ‘state-sponsored attackers’. The attackers attempted to exploit the iPhone’s HomeKit functionality, a tactic consistent with those previously used by NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Still, investigators have not, for now, attributed the attacks to one particular operator.

Collecting more evidence about infected mobile devices would help determine both the vendor and the attacker. Nevertheless, previous research has shown that Serbian security services have been clients of cyber-espionage firms for almost a decade. Serbia’s main intelligence agency has a track record of deploying spyware and other digital surveillance tools, such as Cytrox’s Predator, Circles, Cyberbit, and FinSpy.

International

Week in Review: Uphill Struggles and Low Expectations (Balkan Insight)

From elections to bilateral relations and even areas such as mental health, attempts at change appear an endless uphill struggle, often laced with low expectations.

Humanitarian/Development

Kurti meets Soderberg, focus on non-majority communities (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Thursday with the head of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Kosovo, Nancy Soderberg, and discussed joint plans and preparations for next year. “In the framework of the current topics, there was talk about the Government’s actions with a focus on non-majority communities. It was emphasized that with the 2024 budget, the Ministry for Communities and Return will be the ministry with the largest increase in the budget, after the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, which due to the organization of the 2030 Mediterranean Games has a larger allocation budget. This year, for the first time, the government allocated a special fund, worth three million euros, for non-majority communities, with which 259 grants were financed for farmers, start-ups and NGOs, with the aim of promoting employment in these communities. In addition, a budget of two million euros was allocated for the renovation and construction of houses of non-majority communities in the municipalities, which as a program is expected to continue in the next year. Prime Minister Kurti expressed his thanks for the good and close cooperation with NDI during the year and throughout all these years, appreciating its active role and continuous contribution to the democratization of political parties and the increase of transparency and institutional accountability,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office noted.

Just transition roadmap sought for coal town in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com)

A contractor will be picked through a public call to produce a socio-economic analysis and just transition roadmap for Obiliq (Obilić) in Kosovo*. The company will be tasked with listing coal phaseout challenges and propositions for introducing clean technologies, but also examine the possibility of mining other materials.

Both coal-fired thermal power plants in Kosovo* are in the municipality of Obiliq (Obilić), together with accompanying open pit mines. The facilities are the backbone of the energy sector. Kosovo A and Kosovo B account for 90% of power production.