Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 313 new cases, seven deaths (media)
• S. Ambassador Kosnett gives interview to Gazeta Blic (media)
• Sannino: Political turbulences in Kosovo have not helped dialogue (RFE)
• Kurti: Dialogue with Serbia to take place without presidents and maps around (media)
• AAK replaces names of candidates convicted by courts (media)
• KWN calls on parties to refrain from intimidating and offensive language (media)
• KSC judge extends detention for Salih Mustafa (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 25 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• 700 doses of Pfizer vaccine arrived in Serbia (media)
• There won’t be “poisoned” envelopes from Serbia (Danas)
• Rakic, Simic and Jevtic visit Gracanica municipality (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic: Serbian foreign policy adjusted to new situation in world; priorities remain (N1)
• Kurz: Political will and courage of Belgrade and Pristina needed for agreement (Kosovo-online, Kurir)
• Merkel and Biden on strengthening cooperation and Western Balkans (Kosovo-online, RFE)

International:

• Don't Call Us, We'll Call You: Kosovo's Vetting Strategy For Diaspora Voters Adds To Election Chaos (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• EU calls for global coal power phase out (Politico)

   

Albanian Language Media 

  COVID-19: 313 new cases, seven deaths (media)

Kosovo has today recorded 313 new cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths.

Meanwhile, 275 recoveries have been recorded over the last 24-hour period.

There are 6,288 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

U.S. Ambassador Kosnett gives interview to Gazeta Blic (media)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett said that the U.S. policy on Kosovo and the Balkans has in the last twenty years essentially been bipartisan and that the goals for Kosovo include economic development, economic opportunities for the youth, better integration and peaceful relations with neighbours, strong democracy, rule of law, fight against corruption. "In the strategic aspect, these goals are the same regardless of whether the Democrats of Republicans had control at the White House. I expect these general objectives to remain the same."

The changes that Kosnett said could be seen in the coming weeks and months could pertain to some specific initiative or programme: "I do not wish to speculate, it is far too early - but I think this is a process of ongoing consultations within the United States government and the U.S. Embassy is part of them." 

Kosnett noted that the tensions are running high in Kosovo at the moment as it readies to head to elections and underlined the importance of the entire political spectrum to decrease the temperature and focus more on their policies and less on accusations. "They need to explain to the people of Kosovo what are their economic plans, how they wish to implement economic possibilities, how they will improve relations with neighbours, fight corruption, promote public health."

Commenting on the possible outcome of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the U.S. ambassador said his country has never actively pursued the idea of a territorial swap as the solution but that it said that in case the two parties would agree to some border rearrangement, "we would not immediately dismiss it." "The United States will not try to push forward an agreement that is unacceptable for the people of Kosovo. And if the Trump administration didn't do that, no one can believe that the Biden administration would force something like that on the people of Kosovo."

Kosnett said he was hopeful that a renewal of efforts in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue will happen this year and that there is an opportunity for the U.S. and the EU to strengthen cooperation in this regard. "It is not a secret that President Biden and other incoming officials have stated that a main policy of the U.S. administration under Biden will be the strengthening of cooperation and consultations with our allies and partners. So, I think we may see some changes in the approach to dialogue but making progress on this will be important for all of us."

On the certification of election candidates by the Central Election Commission, Kosnett said that the decisions of legal institutions need to be respected. "Judges should be allowed to carry out their work in an honest and impartial way," he said adding that the focus should be on making sure Kosovo holds free and fair elections. 

Asked to comment on statements favouring a unification between Kosovo and Albania, Kosnett said this is not the answer to the problems in Kosovo and the region. "American soldiers have not fought - with some even dying - to create a Great Serbia or Great Albania in the Balkans. I would draw attention to the Constitution which calls for a multiethnic society with religious freedoms for all."

Sannino: Political turbulences in Kosovo have not helped dialogue (RFE)

Stefano Sannino, EEAS Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues, said that political turbulences in Kosovo have not helped the process of dialogue with Serbia but that European officials believe that the process can resume very soon.

"The Western Balkans remains high on our agenda. I have no doubt about this. I will say it very clearly: This is an unfinished business. We have a special responsibility for the region. We cannot afford not to continue the work we have started," he said.

Sannino noted that the support that the EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak is providing to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is very important and that the work of the former U.S. presidential envoy Richard Grenell was not helpful. "More than that, it was not in the interest of the region, it was in the interest of the United States and the ideas they had. Therefore we should have the lead. However, to be in the lead in the Western Balkans we need to be active in the enlargement process because that is the perspective." 

Kurti: Dialogue with Serbia to take place without presidents and maps around (media)

Leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti said today that the precondition for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should be first the normalisation of Serbia and noted that the dialogue should be focusing on the content of an agreement and not on the hastiness to reach it. 

Speaking at an online discussion hosted by the Wilson Centre think tank, Kurti said dialogue should not take place with maps or presidents around. "Serbia is not a democratic country, it refuses to deal with the past, therefore the process mediated by the EU and the U.S. would first have to normalise Serbia. The end-goal of this process would have to be the improvement of lives of the citizens and not compensation of Serbia for the losses that the Milosevic's genocidal regime incurred in the 90s. An agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia, based on values and principles, apart from facts and interests, would have a positive impact on the whole region."

Kurti added that the integration process could be sped up with a more intensive cooperation between the countries in the region in the framework of the Berlin Process which would have to include a Marshal Plan for the Western Balkans.

Kurtiv said that the high level of corruption and organised crime in Kosovo have prevented foreign direct investments in the last twenty years. "Therefore, the justice reform and the rule of law are prerequisites to economic development. I informed the participants that all these steps are set out in the Governing Alternative of the Vetevendosje Movement which revolves around two basic demands of the citizens: Work and Justice.”

AAK replaces names of candidates convicted by courts (media)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has decided to replace three of its candidates who were not allowed to run for elections after having been convicted by courts.

"Three names have been changed but I still have no information as to who they are," AAK's spokesperson Kushtrim Xhemajli told Koha. Telegrafi meanwhile reports that the replaced candidates include Gani Dreshaj who is now replaced by Bashkim Kaliqanaj, Shqipe Kastrati by Albana Kastrati, and Rrahim Ajeti is replaced by Amire Ajeti.

The Central Election Commission has not certified election tickets of the Vetevendosje Movement, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Social Democratic Initiative saying they contained persons convicted by courts. The decision has been appealed with the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel and a decision is expected shortly. 

KWN calls on parties to refrain from intimidating and offensive language (media)

Kosovo Women's Network said that public discourse of political parties ahead of February elections is being dominated by intimidating language instead of by the parties presenting their programmes for improvement of the overall welfare of the people of Kosovo. 

"At this time, the citizens need to be informed on the specificities of each programme, but, instead we are witnessing an intimidating and sexist language," KWN said in a statement.

It went on to call on parties to ensure that the election process remains within constitutional norms, the democratic spirit and that any disagreement is addressed institutionally and not through personal insults and threats. "Let us not forget that we are in an extraordinary health situation in battling the Covid-19 pandemic and organising elections at this time therefore this situation should be viewed by the parties as an additional obligation." 

KSC judge extends detention for Salih Mustafa (media)

A pre-trial judge has decided to extend the detention of the former KLA commander, Salih Mustafa, indicted on war crimes charges by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. 

Judge Nicolas Guillou found that proposed conditions for Mustafa's provisional release presented by the defence, including any additional limitations imposed by the Pre-Trial Judge, would insufficiently mitigate the risks of obstructing Specialist Chambers proceedings or committing further crimes. "For that reason, Mr Mustafa must remain in detention," the judge said in rendering his decision.

"The fact that Mr Mustafa has not been convicted of any crime in the past twenty years, that he has apparently not committed any crimes since he was interviewed as a suspect by the SPO and that he has no fear in facing the indictment does not negate the assessment that, as he is now informed of the incriminating evidence against him, he has the incentive to commit further crimes against SC victims or witnesses testifying as to his alleged conduct," the Pre-Trial judge noted.

In their arguments, the Specialist Prosecutor's Office stated that the circumstances found to exist in the first detention review have not changed and that Mustafa's continued detention remains necessary while the defence argued that Mustafa should be released or conditionally released.

The defence said that if released, Mustafa would undertake to remain in house arrest or any other form of alternative detention; agree to the installation of any technical devices in his home or on him personally to ensure that he does not leave his home; submit his passport to the competent authorities; seek permission for any work related travel; stay at home and pick up employment unless prohibited by the Pre-Trial Judge; appear before the SC pursuant to any summons to appear or scheduling order; and abide by any other conditions imposed by the Pre-Trial Judge.

   

Serbian Language Media

  25 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Radio KIM)

According to the latest information 25 new cases of Covid-19 infection and two deaths were registered in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced, Radio KIM reports.

At the same time, 19 people have completed a two-week isolation period.

Deceased persons were from Mitrovica North and Leposavic.

Out of 86 tested samples new cases were registered as follows: six in Mitrovica North, six in Priluzje, four in Zvecan, two in Leposavic, two in Zubin Potok, two in Gracanica, two in Gnjilane and one in Pec.

There are 246 active cases at the moment.

A total of 99 persons have lost their lives in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo due to Covid-19, since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

11.700 doses of Pfizer vaccine arrived in Serbia (media)

Additional 11.700 doses of Pfizer vaccine against coronavirus arrived in Serbia, more precisely at the Torlak Institute, Belgrade media report.

"Between 10.000 and 20.000 of this vaccine a week are expected to arrive in the next two weeks", the media reported.

Unofficially, another 41.000 doses of Pfizer vaccine are expected by February 15.

"At a meeting with people from the team dealing with this topic, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and her associates that they expect a positive surprise regarding the procurement of vaccines in the next 24 hours," the source said.

See at: https://bit.ly/3sX67b5 There won’t be “poisoned” envelopes from Serbia (Danas)

“Kosovo authorities will not permit those who don’t have residence in Kosovo to vote”, Forum for Ethnic Relations Director Dusan Janjic told Belgrade-based daily Danas when asked if there was a possibility of a repeat of the problem with the counting of votes by mail and “poisoned envelopes” from Serbia, as it happened after the elections in October 2019.

He pointed out that upcoming elections would be organized by Kosovo authorities, unlike the previous ones, as he said, organized by OSCE. He therefore opined that there would be no voting by mail, because it was a special arrangement at the time of the mentioned organization. In his opinion, even if there was a voting by mail, a much smaller number of people would vote that way than in the last elections.

“Thus the risk of recurrence is much smaller. We need to look at the Law on Elections, that is, what the Central Election Commission has decided. I see that there is silence here and as far as I know, the Kosovo authorities will not allow those who do not reside in Kosovo and who do not have Kosovo documents to vote. Earlier, according to the agreement with OSCE, those who have addresses in Kosovo, but do not have a residence, also voted. So, the number of so-called voters of the Serbian List will be reduced, and then the risk of that type of incident will be reduced”, Janjic opined.  

In his view, both the Kosovo government that called the elections and the President of Vetevendosje movement, Albin Kurti, were convinced that they would win with relative ease, which was why in his view they would be more oriented towards mutual control.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre - Mediation Centre Mitrovica from Mitrovica Program Manager Lazar Rakic recalled that in the previous elections in 2019, there was a situation with alleged poison in envelopes with votes from central Serbia, which in the end were rejected from the election process. He pointed out that the situation has not received an epilogue and explanation from the Special Prosecutor’s Office to this day, which has even launched an investigation.

“However, that resulted at the time was the fact that due to the rejection of those votes, the turnout was reduced, and the reduced turnout helped the NISMA-AKR coalition of Fatmir Limaj and Behgjet Pacolli to pass the census. There are doubts that this affair was constructed for that very reason”, Rakic said.

When it comes to the current election cycle, he opined that the dominant victory of VV was expected, which threatened to push other political entities far behind and make Vetevendosje less dependent on bigger compromises with other parties in creating post-election coalitions.

“In that sense, possible election sabotages towards VV in the election process should not be ruled out. However, those would all be speculations at this moment, so it remains to be seen how the process will end”, Rakic concluded.

Rakic, Simic and Jevtic visit Gracanica municipality (Radio KIM)

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister, Goran Rakic, Minister for Communities and Return Dalibor Jevtic, and the head of the Serbian List caucus in Kosovo Assembly, Igor Simic visited Gracanica municipality today, Radio KIM reports.

They met Gracanica mayor Srdjan Popovic, Serbian List MP Ljubinko Karadzic and director of the Municipal Administration Igor Aritonovic.

As planned, after the meeting, the officials of the Serbian List will hand over the keys to the newly built house to Ljiljana Miric in Gracanica, and then they will visit the works in the settlement “Bergen” in Ugljare village.

Selakovic: Serbian foreign policy adjusted to new situation in world; priorities remain (N1)

Serbian foreign policy is fine-tuned in line with the new international circumstances, but its priorities remain, Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic said Tuesday, N1 reports.

“The first and foremost interest is to preserve good neighbourly relations, peace and stability in the region and the finding of a peaceful and just solution to Kosovo issue“, Selakovic told Belgrade-based Politika daily.

He reiterated that Belgrade’s permanent goal was the full membership to the European Union.

“Regarding bilateral relations, we aim at strengthening ties with the traditional friends – the Russian Federation and China“, Selakovic added.

Besides, he said, one of the most crucial foreign policy’s tasks was to improve the situation and protect the Serbs’ rights and identity in the region and support the diaspora.

He also said it was too soon to speculate about Serbia’s relations with the new US administration.

“New Washington administration is currently preoccupied with domestic issues, which will be so for some time. Some people in President Joseph Biden’s team have dealt with our region, and the Balkans and Serbia will probably be in the focus of American foreign policy at some point“, Selakovic said.

Kurz: Political will and courage of Belgrade and Pristina needed for agreement (Kosovo-online, Kurir)

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told Belgrade-based daily Kurir Serbia has to be aware there would be no EU’s accession without normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

Kurz said he made the same remarks two years ago while visiting Belgrade and asked if recognition of Kosovo could be put as a condition to Serbia to join the EU.

Kurz further noted that both sides should agree on lasting and comprehensive normalization of relations, adding that the Belgrade-Pristina agreement would contribute to the stability in the region.

According to him, the EU had good results when it comes to mediation in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

Asked to comment on Pristina’s refusal to implement what has been agreed upon in Brussels, such as Brussels agreement and Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, Kurz said that both sides need to implement their obligations deriving from the Brussels agreement.

“If there are open issues, we in appropriate manner request their implementation. It is crucial to seriously continue the dialogue, to build mutual trust and look towards a joint European future. All sides would have benefits from it”, he said.  

Merkel and Biden on strengthening cooperation and Western Balkans (Kosovo-online, RFE)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Joe Biden called for strengthening transatlantic cooperation and joint work on foreign policy priorities, including in the Western Balkans, Kosovo-online portal reports.

As the portal reported, the White House said that “Biden told Merkel he intends to renew the transatlantic alliance and agreed to work on common foreign policy priorities, including Afghanistan, Iran, China, Russia, Ukraine and Western Balkans”.

In a first phone conversation since Biden took over the duty last week, Merkel congratulated him on inauguration, German Government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said.

“At the same time she announced the readiness of Germany to take over responsibility in resolving international tasks together with its European and transatlantic partners”, Seibert added.

“I spoke today with German Chancellor Merkel, conveying my commitment to multilateralism, the transatlantic alliance, and close coordination with allies on the range of global challenges from COVID-19 and climate change to China and Russia”, Biden wrote on Twitter. 

   

International

  Don't Call Us, We'll Call You: Kosovo's Vetting Strategy For Diaspora Voters Adds To Election Chaos (RFE)

Born and raised in New York City, Valentina Duhanaj is a newcomer to Kosovo's elections. But she's no stranger to the country, its culture, or its politics.

Both of Duhanaj's parents and three of her siblings were born there, and she visits her extended family in their landlocked Balkan homeland. She's also spent much of the past decade focused on Kosovar and Balkan politics in college and graduate school as she studies for a master's degree in global affairs.

Duhanaj, a 30-year-old with just U.S. citizenship, expects to vote in the Kosovar elections for the first time on February 14 thanks to the inclusiveness enshrined in that mostly ethnic Albanian country's election law and its constitution.

See more at: https://bit.ly/39l2cgg

   

Humanitarian/Development

  EU calls for global coal power phase out (Politico)

Foreign ministers say climate change an ‘existential threat to humanity.’

Europe's foreign ministers today placed the European Green Deal at the heart of the bloc's diplomacy by calling for an end to coal power and fossil fuel subsidies everywhere.

Climate change, the 27 ministers said, was an "existential threat to humanity." They called for a worldwide phase out of "unabated" coal-fired electricity generation, meaning power stations that don't capture greenhouse gas emissions, without naming a timeline. They also want "an immediate end to all financing of new coal infrastructure in third countries."

Investment in oil and gas infrastructure in non-EU countries would be discouraged, said the ministers. They also demanded an end to all government support for fossil fuels "along a clear timeline."

See more at: https://politi.co/3pmsOmG