UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 31, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

COVID-19: 1,593 new cases, three deaths (media)
Osmani: We have not received new proposals about the Association (media)
Kurti: It is not possible to have no subsidies, no increase in prices, no disconnection (media)
Escobar and Lajcak to meet opposition parties as well (demokracia.com)
LDK against increase of electricity tariffs (media)
Krasniqi: Government will be responsible for increase of electricity price (media)
Kosovo "respects" the Washington moratorium even after expiration (RFE Albanian)
Haliti: Negotiations with Serbia on contested matters should begin (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Covid-19: 107 new cases registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
Kosovo, Albania to form cross-border administrative area (N1, Kosovo-online)
Escobar: US, EU don’t decide on distribution of power in Serbia (N1)
Two largest Serbian ruling parties to run separate lists in upcoming elections (N1)
Serbian List is not interested in social policy; Simic: Incorrect (Kim Radio, Kosovo Online, Kosova press)
Lajcak: Experts from Belgrade, Pristina discuss license plates (N1)
Selakovic on the "Belgian model": The Brussels Agreement clearly states what the ZSO is (N1, Beta, TV Pink)
Drecun: Model of Community of Serb-majority Municipalities agreed in Brussels only acceptable one (Tanjug)
KLA flag placed at entry of Velika Hoca (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

The Kosovo case (KiM radio, NMagazin)

International:

Serbia's Foreign Minister Signals Dead End On Kosovo Talks (RFE)
Protesters Over Hike in Electricity Price Scuffle With Police (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

Energy poverty leads to pollution-related deaths in Albania and Western Balkans (Euractive)
Tomanić: Environmental issues have a mobilising potential in the entire Western Balkans (EWB)

Albanian Language Media

COVID-19: 1,593 new cases, three deaths (media)

1,593 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said in its daily report. 2,433 persons recovered during this time.

There are 34,208 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Osmani: We have not received new proposals about the Association (media)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has announced that the United States of America and the European Union have never presented to the institutions of Kosovo the speculated proposals for an extended autonomy or for an Association of Serbian Municipalities with executive powers.

She told media today that the problem is that former representatives of Kosovo in the dialogue have signed harmful agreements and given powers to the Association.

"We have to say a reality that is black on white, the agreements were signed by the prime ministers of Kosovo. Throwing responsibility to the international community and hiding behind them, does not do honor to the country. We are determined not to allow implementation of arrangements that would make our state dysfunctional," Osmani said.

"Our position regarding the Association has always been clear. It is not a surprise to anyone, including our international friends. We are discussing how to move an issue forward in dialogue, and that is mutual recognition. Arrangements of a dysfunctional state are neither required from us nor needed by us," Osmani said.

Kurti: It is not possible to have no subsidies, no increase in prices, no disconnection (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti spoke today about the proposal of the Energy Regulatory Office, regarding the new tariffs for electricity in Kosovo. He said it is not possible that there will be no subsidies, no price increases and no disconnections.

He made this statement during the homage he paid today together with President Vjosa Osmani in the Martyrs' Square in Podujeva, where he added that the ERO report "is neither final nor fatal".

"I believe that by 16:00 hours today, there will be enough comments at the Energy Regulatory Office in order to find the best possible solution,” Kurti said, adding that he expects a meritorious decision after the submission of the comments today.

Not wanting to comment before the meeting with the U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and the EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, Kurti said that after the duo's visit to Kosovo today, they will express their positions and opinions at 16:00 hours.

"I am meeting Mr. Escobar today for the first time, I talked to him twice on the phone,” Kurti said.

Escobar and Lajcak to meet opposition parties as well (demokracia.com)

The U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar and the European Union Special Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, begin today a five-day visit to Kosovo and Serbia, in a bid to encourage the leaders of the two countries to resume the dialogue for the normalization of relations.

Kosovo and Serbia, have not held any high-level talks, within the dialogue mediated by the European Union, since July 2021.

During their visit to Kosovo, Escobar and Lajcak are expected to meet with the political leadership, as well as with representatives of the international community.

President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti have announced that they will meet with the two western emissaries, this afternoon.

In addition to meetings with the heads of institutions, the two foreign diplomats will also meet with opposition parties.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has confirmed that Escobar and Lajcak will meet on Tuesday with their leader, Memli Krasniqi. "Yes, the meeting will take place tomorrow morning," PDK spokesman Faton Abdullahu said.

The news website has learned that Escobar and Lajcak will meet the chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku, on Tuesday morning, however, this political party and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) refused to make any statement on the visit.

LDK against increase of electricity tariffs (media)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) through a press conference has announced the submission of comments to the Energy Regulatory Office, opposing the increase of electricity tariffs.

This was announced by the member of the LDK leadership, Xhafer Tahiri.

"LDK has just sent its comments to ERO regarding the evaluation report for the increase of electricity tariffs. To the LDK, the protection of citizens' interests through institutional mechanisms is vital in this case,” he said adding that this was stressed in the comments sent to the Energy Regulatory Office, opposing the increase of electricity tariffs.

MP of this political party Hykmete Bajrami, also spoke at the conference, saying that the electricity crisis has started in 2021, but according to her, the government has played the spectator.

"We are aware that this is a global crisis, but we are confident that the government has failed miserably to manage this crisis. LDK will follow the institutional path, if necessary we will protect the rights of citizens in the Constitutional Court," she said.

Bajrami said that the increase in the price of electricity aggravates the lives of citizens in times of pandemic.

Krasniqi: Government will be responsible for increase of electricity price (media)

Memli Krasniqi, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has announced that PDK has not sent comments to the Energy Regulatory Office regarding the increase in electricity prices, because they have continuously made them public.

"As a political party, we have consistently warned that there will be an energy crisis in Kosovo and in public appearances we have expressed our position against the increase in energy prices. For this, we have invited an extraordinary session in the Assembly of Kosovo, where we have given our proposals, and we have provided professional arguments during the discussions in the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade. We consider that the imposition of block tariffs on energy prices by ERO is a wrong action that unfairly treats the majority of citizens and as such is a political decision influenced by the government of Kosovo, which will further burden the pockets of citizens. Kosovo,” Krasniqi writes.

He added that the increase announced by ERO of 42 percent in total, which for many consumers will go to over 100%, is unprecedented, unnecessary and unreasonable.

"Even worse, ERO's proposal does not include the municipalities in the north of the country at all, who do not pay for energy anyway. This division is illegal and unfair to other citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. Beyond that, this is a danger that advances autonomous tendencies in the north of the country."

Krasniqi says that the government of Kosovo is responsible for any decision regarding the determination of the price of electricity that will be taken by ERO and any justification is only in function of escaping from this responsibility they have. He noted that PDK will oppose any decision on increase of the price of energy at this stage, utilizing all available legal instruments.

Kosovo "respects" the Washington moratorium even after expiration (RFE Albanian)

Kosovo has not applied for membership in any foreign international organization, although the moratorium on this issue has expired almost five months ago.

The one-year moratorium was signed in the agreement with Serbia, in Washington in September 2020.

With this agreement, Serbia stopped - also for a year - the campaign against the recognition of Kosovo.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in Kosovo does not provide details on when and in which organizations Kosovo intends to apply for membership.

"This is a process that is subject to an in-depth analysis of conditions and circumstances and is based on foreign policy priorities and strategic interests of the country, but also depends on application deadlines in organizations where membership is intended," said in a statement MFA for Radio Free Europe.

It states that the priority is creating a strategy to strengthen Kosovo's international recognition but does not provide more details.

REL asked the Foreign Ministry about the preparations for the application in July - about a month before the expiration of the moratorium - and then was told that "preparations in this regard are being made by the responsible teams, so that we are ready when the deadlines for applications at organisations open.”

Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008. According to the list published on the website of the Foreign Ministry, there are 117 countries in the world that have recognized it.

For these almost 14 years of statehood, Kosovo has become a member of several international organizations, including financial and sports. Among them: the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Olympic Committee, the European Football Federation and the World Football Federation.

Kosovo is not yet a member of the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization and others.

The plan of the current Government of Kosovo, which was formed in March last year, states that "membership in international organizations and the cultivation of good neighborliness are of special importance for the Republic of Kosovo."

It also states that the executive "will be engaged in the function of membership in international organizations".

At the end of last year, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said that his government plans to submit a formal application for membership in the European Union in 2022.

This was repeated days ago by the First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, after a meeting with the heads of representatives of EU countries in Pristina.

Haliti: Negotiations with Serbia on contested matters should begin (media)

Xhavit Haliti, MP of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and also member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, spoke about the visit of the European Union Special Representative, Miroslav Lajcak and the U.S. Special Representative for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar.

"I expect an acceptable message for Kosovo and this message to be acceptable to both parties. I think there will still be opposition both here and in Serbia. What I think should happen is for the table of discussions to function, and to start negotiating the issues that have been contested by the Constitutional Court of Kosovo,” said Haliti adding that the main obstacle to move this dialogue forward is if both parties insist on not negotiating on the points and issues that the Constitutional Court has challenged.

He said that the mediators who are in these negotiations can also make their decisions which may not be to the liking of anyone and can be decided and acted in other variants, “as the United States has always known to act and complete the negotiation.”

Serbian Language Media

Covid-19: 107 new cases registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)

Out of 243 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, 107 tested positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced on Saturday, Radio kontakt plus reports.

The new cases were registered as follows: 28 in Mitrovica North, 28 in Leposavic, 18 in Gracanica, 13 in Zvecan, six in Strpce, five in Priluzje, five in Zubin Potok, three in Pec and one in Prizren.

Currently, there are 1.120 active cases in the Serbian areas in Kosovo.

Kosovo, Albania to form cross-border administrative area (N1)

Kosovo and Albania will form a joint territorial and administrative unit on both sides of their borders to provide their populations with the same services, N1 reports citing Pristina-based daily Koha.

The daily said that the governments of Albania and Kosovo signed an agreement on November 26, 2021 to create the territorial and administrative unit covering an area 30 kilometers deep on both sides of the border. The cross-border agreement is set to be ratified by the two parliaments before taking effect.

The Albanian government said in a report to parliament that the agreement will simplify local cross-border traffic procedures. “The agreement is aimed at making movement easier for the population of the border area who have permits to stay on the other side of the border for up to 90 days in any 180 day period,” Koha said.

The local populations on either side of the border will be allowed to move freely in the border area with valid ID and traffic permits.

Selakovic: Brussels silent while Albanians work on unification of Albania and Kosovo

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic commenting on the news said one can see nothing efficient from Brussels except silence to the plans on establishing “Great Albania”, but also silence about Pristina’s failure to fulfill its obligations stemming from the dialogue, Kosovo-online portal reports.

When it comes to the plans to create so-called “Great Albania” he added “this is yet another opportunity to see how much Brussels and all others will remain silent and not make statements on something like that”.

Asked what reactions would be if Serbia would work on unification with Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Selakovic responded that Serbia is not doing it, and respects territorial integrity of B&H, in line with the Dayton Agreement.

Escobar: US, EU don’t decide on distribution of power in Serbia (N1)

US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar said that the United States will be increasingly engaged in the region, mainly focusing on the fight against corruption, N1 reports.

In an interview with Nova, he pointed out that it is necessary to improve election conditions in Serbia and improve access for the media but also pointed out that the opposition should participate in that process.

Escobar stated that the United States, together with its European partners, demands from the authorities in Belgrade to implement reforms that will make the political space more open, put an end to attacks against civil organizations and create adequate conditions for independent media and the opposition.

He rejected the assessment that the US tolerates, as N1 said it, the authoritarian regime of President Aleksandar Vucic, pointing out that neither the US nor the EU decide on the distribution of political power in Serbia, but the citizens in the country do.

Escobar also expressed his belief that Serbia is on the road towards EU membership, saying that this is the official position of the government and the clearly expressed desire of the people, as this is the place where Serbia has been throughout its history and culture and where it is now economically.

Two largest Serbian ruling parties to run separate lists in upcoming elections (N1)

The two largest parties of the ruling coalition in Serbia, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) agreed on Saturday to run in the parliamentary elections with separate lists but one presidential candidate, N1 reports.

Serbian current President and SNS leader Aleksandar Vucic said after the meeting that they discussed strategic cooperation, adding they believe that they will win more votes if they go with two lists.

SPS leader Ivica Dacic stated that the party, together with the SNS, will have a joint candidate in the presidential elections, and that he hopes that it will be Aleksandar Vucic again.

Vucic himself did not want to reveal at this point whether he will run. He also stated that he would first discuss his candidacy for the new presidential mandate with his party colleagues in the SNS, and that he would then hold another meeting “with partners from the SPS“ before making a final decision.

Dacic, who is also the Serbian Assembly Speaker said that the institution will stop working on February 15, and that elections will then be called.

"And I should announce the presidential elections on March 2. We are slowly entering the election race", Dacic said.

Serbian List is not interested in social policy; Simic: Incorrect (Kim Radio, Kosovo Online, Kosova press)

Radio KiM published an article entitled ''Serbian List not interested in social policy'' yesterday, citing Kosovapress. The vice president of the Serbian List reacted on Facebook, claiming that this was not true.

Simic in his comment said that the attitude of the Serbian List towards social issues was best reflected in "hundreds of Serb families provided with houses throughout Kosovo and Metohija, hundreds of employed people of all social categories, assistance to sick and socially endangered compatriots, with the full support of our state Serbia, president Aleksandar Vucic and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, headed by the director Petar Petkovic''.

Radio KiM wrote that, referring to the text of the Kosovo agency "Kosova Press", the parliamentary group of the Serbian List did not raise any topic in 2021 regarding any of the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights (ESSP). It was added that most of them were initiated by Self-Determination (56) and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (55).

According to the text, the principles and rights established by the ESSP are divided into three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labor market, fair working conditions and social protection and inclusion. It was added that the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo raised a total of 177 issues in the field of social policy during the last year. Social dialogue was most often mentioned, and people with disabilities were the least talked about. The parliamentary commissions raised only 47 issues in this area, the Musina Kokalari Institute for Social Policy said, based on monitoring all statements and initiatives of deputies at 34 sessions of the Kosovo Assembly and 110 sessions of parliamentary commissions.

"The parliamentary group of the Serbian List did not initiate any debate on social policy on behalf of the citizens it represents," said Naim Jakaj, a representative of the Musina Kokalari Institute for Social Policy, KiM radio reported, citing Kosova Press.

Simic also added in his FB comment that to adopt a law in any area, including social policy, it was necessary to have a majority of deputies, reported Kosovo Online.

"Specifically for the bill, the deputies of the Serbian List in the Assembly lack 51 votes, having in mind the position of Albanian deputies, especially the current majority which ignores respect for basic human rights of the Serbian people, even the decision of the Constitutional Court on return of property to Visoki Decani Monastery," Simic said.

Lajcak: Experts from Belgrade, Pristina discuss license plates (N1)

European Union envoy Miroslav Lajcak said that expert delegations from Belgrade and Pristina met in Brussels on Friday to discuss the vehicle license plate issue.

Belgrade and Pristina formed a working group to deal with the issue on September 30, 2021 following Pristina’s decision not to allow vehicles registered in Serbia to enter Kosovo. The problem was solved temporarily using stickers to cover the Serbian coat of arms on license plates. The Working Group was given a six month deadline to find a mutually acceptable solution.

“Expert delegations of Kosovo and Serbia came to Brussels today for the 4th meeting of the WG on License Plates. Discussions brought more clarity about potential options and possible outcomes. I encourage them to continue working on options in view of the approaching deadline,” Lajcak wrote in a Twitter post.

Selakovic on the "Belgian model": The Brussels Agreement clearly states what the ZSO is (N1, Beta, TV Pink)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said today that the joint appearance of EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak and US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar in Kosovo is "symbolically certainly significant", but it remains to be seen how much "effective" will be, reported N1.

Asked about the announcement of the creation of a territorial-administrative unit, 30 kilometers within Albania and 30 kilometers within Kosovo, Selakovic said as a guest on Pink TV that "it is an opportunity to see how silent Brussels and others will be, and not responding to something like that".

He said that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was burdened by "the absence of any kind of interest and will of Pristina to implement what was agreed in the current course of the dialogue and what is its obligation."

Asked about the "Belgian model" that is expected to be presented to the Kosovo leadership on the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO), Selakovic said that the Brussels Agreement clearly defines the competencies of the ZSO.

"In a kind of game, Pristina tried to change the content of the Brussels agreement by playing the story of reviewing constitutionality before its Constitutional Court," said the head of Serbian diplomacy.

Western countries should put pressure on Pristina to implement its obligations, Selakovic said, adding that Belgrade "is not a disruptive factor".

RS is not the only key problem in BiH

Speaking about BiH, Selakovic reiterated that Serbia respects the Dayton Peace Agreement and the territorial integrity of BiH in the same way as it respects the integrity of the Republika Srpska.

Negotiations between the parties from the Federation of BiH on changes to the Election Law, which were conducted over the weekend in Neum with the mediation of American and European officials, showed that there are more problems in BiH, Selakovic said.

"Republika Srpska is not the only one, key problem" in BiH, Selakovic stated, emphasizing that it is important for Serbia to have a stable political situation in the region.

Lajcak and Escobar are in Kosovo from today until February 2, with the aim of further progress in the dialogue. After Kosovo, the officials will stay in Belgrade, reported N1.

Drecun: Model of Community of Serb-majority Municipalities agreed in Brussels only acceptable one (Tanjug)

Chairperson of the Serbian Assembly Committee for Kosovo and Metohija, Milovan Drecun said Friday that the model of a Community of Serb-majority Municipalities defined by the Brussels Agreement was the only acceptable model to Serbia, Tanjug news agency reports.

He told Tanjug that any other models, including the one mentioned on Thursday by Gabriel Escobar, the US presidential envoy to the Western Balkans, were unacceptable.

Drecun also said that, under the Brussels Agreement, the Community was defined as having executive powers and did not imply the formation of another level of government.

"Escobar said that defining the Community of Serb Municipalities as having no executive powers may be something that needs to be considered, that there need not be another level of government and that there can be a different relationship of connectivity and cooperation between local self-government authorities", Drecun said.

"That is his framework view on how the problem of Pristina's unwillingness to form the Community might be solved", Drecun added.

He noted that, however, this was unacceptable to Serbia, reiterating that the Community was defined as having executive powers.

The existing legal mechanism in Kosovo and Metohija does not include a mechanism that could guarantee worry-free survival, economic development and a future to Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, he said.

"Pristina does not want Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, it wants to complete the ethnic cleansing, and that is why it is avoiding the formation of a Community of Serb Municipalities", Drecun is quoted as saying.

KLA flag placed at entry of Velika Hoca (Radio KIM)

A Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) flag was noticed this morning at the entry of the Serbian village of Velika Hoca, Orahovac municipality, and the police took it down following reports of the residents, Radio KIM reports citing Radio Gorazdevac.

The flag was displayed at the entry to the village, nearby Saint Jovan church. Radio Gorazdevac said the local residents perceived the act as a threat and they felt distressed.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija: KLA flag an open threat

Office for Kosovo and Metohija in its reaction said that residents of Velika Hoce were in particular disturbed over the fact that KLA flag was posted on a fence of the Saint Jovan church, on which property the monument to killed and murdered Serbs from this area during the conflict in 1999 is erected.

The Office assessed “this was an open threat to the Serbs who remained living there, aiming to affect their peace and discourage them from deciding to continue living at their centuries old place of residence”.

It also urged international stakeholders in Kosovo and institutions in Pristina to do their utmost and bring to justice perpetrators of this, but also of all other ethnically motivated incidents.

Opinion

The Kosovo case (KiM radio, NMagazin)

Economist and political scientist Vladimir Gligorov wrote in an article for portal Novi Magazin that leaving politics aside, and not citing many numbers, the Kosovo economy had an average growth of 4.2 percent from 2009 to 2021, reported KiM radio.

If the last two years are left out, the average growth was just over 4.6 percent. It is interesting that the financial crisis was not felt in Kosovo at all. Only in 2012, the growth was just under two percent, but for other reasons, said Gligorov.

The fact that there was no financial crisis in Kosovo speaks of the character of the economy. First, it imports much more than it exports. Exports are between one-sixth and one-seventh of imports. How is the foreign trade deficit financed? Mostly by remittances from foreign workers. As a result, the current account deficit is significantly smaller.

Thus, the Kosovo economy should be viewed as consisting of two parts. One in Kosovo, the other abroad. Where the foreign part largely finances the domestic part.

This is supported by the monetary regime because Kosovo uses the euro as money. In addition to facilitating foreign economic relations, it also contributes to the stability of the financial system. In many countries where remittances are important, domestic monetary and banking policies can have a negative impact on economic stability. Let's say that the exchange rate is fixed sometimes, sometimes is devalued, so the banking system is often exposed to crises. There is no exchange rate risk in Kosovo, so the only question is whether the supervision of banks is valid. As far as can be seen, for now, there do not seem to be any financial weaknesses, as was seen during the crisis of 2008-2009.

As the dependence on imports is very high, the dependence of the fiscal system on import taxes is also high. Paradoxically, if dependence on imports is high, Kosovo's revenues will be provided. Interestingly, remittances are in line with economic developments in Kosovo. If the economic activity at home is slowed down, the inflow of remittances is higher. So, among other things, remittances have a stabilizing effect on both household consumption and public finances.

It makes more sense to point out here that budget transfers from Serbia have a similar role. Kosovo imports a lot from Serbia, while it exports very little. Those imports are to some extent financed from the Serbian budget. As Kosovo's economy is open, everything imported from Serbia could be procured elsewhere. But spending in northern Kosovo is largely financed from the Serbian budget.

This economic system has a demographic limit. As seen in other Balkan countries, there is a shortage of young people who can emigrate. To the extent that the population ages, reliance on remittances and transfers from abroad cannot be the backbone of economic activity. It is difficult to say exactly where Kosovo society is in that demographic transition, but that limitation must be considered.

If so, what should be Kosovo's development strategy? As it is difficult to see that it could be the service sector, primarily because there is no access to the sea, agriculture and industry remain. As the possibilities of specialization in agriculture are limited, the comparative advantages are in the industry. Again, as environmental concerns have increased, mining and the industries based on it have limited prospects.

It follows that likely the further development of the Kosovo economy in an industry where there are two obstacles. One is in the qualification of the workforce, which can be compensated by investing in education, but the already mentioned demographic problem, if it arises, is a significant limitation.

The second is in the political uncertainty that results from the unresolved status. Investments in industry are moving, so to speak, which is good when they come, but not good when they leave. And political uncertainty and related legal risks are not conducive to either domestic or foreign investment. In addition, the economy is small, so it is more likely that the industry will develop within the production chains, and they are usually easier to establish regionally than at a great distance when it comes to relatively small quantities.

All in all, the existing economic system that relies on people working abroad cannot be permanent, and the transition to a new one depends to a large extent on political stability.

International

Serbia's Foreign Minister Signals Dead End On Kosovo Talks (RFE)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said on January 30 that there has been no dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina since Albin Kurti became Kosovo's prime minister and predicted that probably none is on the way.

Kurti has held two meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic since returning to power in March with calls for "reciprocity" amid Serbia's steady refusal to recognize the independence of its former province.

Selakovic told Serbian public broadcaster RTS that talks next week with U.S. State Department special envoy Gabriel Escobar and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak will focus on the stalled dialogue to normalize relations between Belgrade and Pristina and everything that burdens them.

Humanitarian/Development

Energy poverty leads to pollution-related deaths in Albania and Western Balkans (Euractive)

At least 37% of Albanians are suffering from energy poverty, far above the European average of 5%, according to a study from DOOR and EIHP to address energy poverty in energy community contracting parties. This drives them to use wood to heat their homes, directly impacting the health of those around them.

Amongst the nine contracting parties, Kosovo has the largest share of households living in energy poverty at 40%. This is followed by Albania with 37%, 33% in North Macedonia, 22% in Serbia and 15% in Montenegro. The study defines energy poverty as not being able to adequately heat houses or meet day-to-day energy needs.

It also noted that energy-poor customers do not get support in meeting their energy needs.