UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 26, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Two vehicles belonging to Zvecan municipality set on fire (Koha)
Kosovo marks Memorial Day for police officers killed on duty (Koha)
Union of RTK Workers reacts to developments at public broadcaster (Nacionale)
EU Council appoints new Special Representative for Kosovo (media)
Haxhiu: From now violators will be monitored with electronic bracelets (EO)
Kurti: Honor to sit among world leaders hosted by IOC President (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Radosavljevic: Pristina engaged in forced integration of territory, not integration of population in the north (Kosovo Online)
Former KIA chief inspector claims Svecla did not pass security verification, run away from Gazivode when shooting occurred (KoSSev)
Two vehicles of Zvecan municipality torched last night (KoSSev)
D.D. sent to one month detention (Radio KIM)
Vucic: Macron to visit Belgrade within next fifty days (Tanjug)
Kosovo in June imported goods worth 500 million euros, exported 73 million (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

Montenegro needs to right itself, now (media)

International:

Kosovo public broadcaster’s director quits over controversial article (BIRN)
New EU Spec. Rep. for BiH, the Great Lakes Region, Kosovo*, and the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and the mandates of three others extended (consilium.europea.eu)

Albanian Language Media

Two vehicles belonging to Zvecan municipality set on fire (media)

Two vehicles belonging to the Zvecan municipality in the north of Kosovo were set on fire on the night between Thursday and Friday. Kosovo Police said in their report that the incident is suspected arson and that they are working to resolve the case.

Zvecan mayor Ilir Peci condemned the burning of the vehicles and said he hopes the perpetrators of the act will soon face justice.

Koha notes that there have been several cases when vehicles were set on fire in the north of Kosovo and that the incidents started happening late last year when some Serbs decided to convert their license plates to Kosovo plates. Kosovo’s authorities said then that vehicles of people seen as cooperating with Kosovo’s institutions were being set on fire.

Kosovo marks Memorial Day for police officers killed on duty (Koha)

Kosovo institutions today marked the Memorial Day in honor of police officers killed on duty and the 13th anniversary of the death of Enver Zymeri, who was killed during a police operation in the north of Kosovo.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that Zymeri is “a hero of the democratic legitimacy and republican sovereignty of Kosovo” and that compared to 13 years “the situation on the ground in the north has changed drastically”. “The once powerful networks of illegal and criminal structures in the north, supported by Belgrade, which for years terrorized and held the north of Kosovo hostage, no longer have their strength. Now, Kosovo police officers control the north of the country, and they serve all citizens without any difference as in any other part of Kosovo,” he said.

Kurti also said that Kosovo Police showed their high level of preparedness during the operation in Banjska on September 24 after the attack by a Serbian armed group. “With brave police officers like Enver and his friends and colleagues, Kosovo will always be able to protect its territory and citizens, and defend its democracy and integrity,” he argued.

Union of RTK Workers reacts to developments at public broadcaster (Nacionale)

The news website reports that the Union of Workers of the Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) “has finally reacted” to the latest developments at the public broadcaster. The union said in a statement to Nacionale that they never interfered with editorial matters and that “any form that goes against principles of journalism does not find support with anyone at RTK”.

“We are closely following the situation at RTK and the attacks against reporters. We condemn all attacks against all reporters in Kosovo and the pressures that are being applied on this issue. The form of asking to be distanced is a form of pressure on the workers of the RTK and those that are asking for this should stop doing that,” the statement notes.

“We as a Union have reacted every time there was pressure on the workers of the RTK, which in the past have not been few. Therefore, in this case as well as in any other case, we ask that these situations are not exaggerated because the workers of the RTK and those of other media are being endangered. We condemn all inciting and insulting statements made towards the RTK, especially those that have called for the RTK to be closed”.

“As you know a commission has been set up to address this issue. The Union calls on all media in Kosovo for collegiality and cooperation and not division within the media community. The Union calls on all political actors in Kosovo to keep their hands off the RTK”.

EU Council appoints new Special Representative for Kosovo (media)

Several news websites report that the EU Council said in a statement today that it has appointed Aivo Ovav as the new EU Special Representative for Kosovo. “He will take up his duties on 1 September 2024 for an initial period of two years, succeeding Mr Tomas Szunyog, who had been in the post since 2020. Mr Orav is currently Estonia’s Permanent Representative to the EU, and previously he served as Head of EU Delegations to Montenegro and North Macedonia. Mr Orav will play a leading role in promoting a stable, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo which cooperates with the region. He will also support Kosovo’s European perspective and rapprochement with the EU, and monitor, assist and facilitate progress on political, economic and European priorities,” the EU Council statement notes.

Haxhiu: From now violators will be monitored with electronic bracelets (EO)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, said today that from now on violators will be monitored with electronic bracelets. “I am very pleased that the Ministry of Interior Affairs has signed a contract with the Economic Operator with the aim of enforcing the Law on Electronic Surveillance. Surveillance will now be easier, and the citizens will be safe. The electronic bracelets will mean greater security for girls and women who were victims of violence. The offenders will be monitored, and they will not be able to get close to them,” Haxhiu writes in a Facebook post.

Kurti: Honor to sit among world leaders hosted by IOC President (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X on Thursday that “before the Olympic Games kick off tomorrow, it was a pleasure and honor to sit among world leaders at a dinner hosted by the President of the International Olympic Committee. Sport serves as a powerful reminder of the hurdles that can be overcome to achieve great things, while also bringing us together. Kosova is always proud to be part of such initiatives”.

Serbian Language Media

Radosavljevic: Pristina engaged in forced integration of territory, not integration of population in the north (Kosovo Online)

Pristina said in the comments on the sequencing plan for implementation of agreement reached last year within dialogue, submitted to Brussels, that Kosovo has fulfilled part of its obligations. New Social Initiative Executive Director Jovana Radosavljevic told Kosovo Online what Kosovo has done amounts to a complete disintegration of Kosovo Serbs, that is, Serbian institutions in Kosovo.

She added when it comes to suggestions Pristina has sent to Brussels, it is a topic only in Kosovo, or a topic only for Pristina chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi.

“Last year in September, a plan for the implementation of the agreement was proposed, which Serbia accepted. In the meantime, Kosovo came out with its suggestions to perhaps show that they are, well, a constructive party in the dialogue, that they want to sit down at the negotiating table, even though the situation on the ground looks completely different. They basically do not want any progress, at least not in the format and in the sequence proposed by the EU. I am specifically referring to the formation of the Community/Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities {…}”, she said.

According to Radosavljevic, the fact that Kosovo sent its suggestions to Brussels is not a sign it will be more constructive in the dialogue in the upcoming period.

“I would say that this is a kind of simulation of constructiveness in the dialogue process, and not their sincere desire to achieve some concrete progress in terms of the normalization of relations with Belgrade. {..} It seems that the Kosovo side is very much focused on changing the situation on the ground, or rather they engage in forced integration of the territory and not the integration of the population in the north of Kosovo and not in the normalization of relations and communication with the people”, Radosavljevic said.

She pointed out that ten years after the signing of the First Brussels Agreement, all those institutions that were integrated in the meantime have been disintegrated, that Serbs are outside of the institutions and there is reluctance in Kosovo to do anything regarding the implementation of the CSM. She noted that Pristina is dealing with individual elements that fall under the CSM, but in a way that is not in the format of a dialogue with Belgrade.

Former KIA chief inspector claims Svecla did not pass security verification, run away from Gazivode when shooting occurred (KoSSev)

Former chief inspector of Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA) Burim Ramadani claims that Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla did not pass security verification, and that he was allegedly shot at, beginning of July at Gazivode lake, from where he fled. The jokes already have it – Ramadani continues – that he fled all the way to Kukes (town in Albania). Svecla responded that he goes to Kukes often as he carries the legacy of many generations for that border particularly and refuted allegations that the attack against him occurred at Gazivode, adding that he is not afraid of the attacks, but prays that those around him are not affected, KoSSev portal reported.

Ramadani voiced those claims in a Pressing TV7 broadcast on Wednesday. “We know, and it has been confirmed, let the minister of interior come out and refute it – at the beginning of July there was shooting at him at Gazivode, shooting from Kalashnikov and he ran away. There are even jokes, they say he went to Kukes. He was in a small boat with police and from the other side they shot from Kalashnikov and they ran away”, Ramadani is quoted as saying.

Svecla said he was never attacked at Gazivode lake, neither with A47 weapons nor with any other tools or means. He claimed this was about Ramadani’s fabrications for which he does not know the reasons. He confirmed was at Gazivode lake last Saturday with chief of water company Ibar Lepenac and chief of Kosovo border police, adding that the visit went well.

Ramadani: You did not pass security verification

Ramadani then continued the discussion which moved onto Facebook. He said he never invented anything, adding that however he believes that “running away from shooting near the boat can not be commented as an act of bravery and glory”. “Many are still mocking the reaction, unfortunately. One more thing – When will the bridge on the Ibar River open?”, he said.

He now elaborated further his findings, and presented new ones. He spoke of alleged “passion” of Svecla’s cousin who dares interrogate others on his behalf, and that he is “upset” with witnesses who were there but “said no word”.

Ramadani also claimed that Svecla is holding the function of a minister, although he allegedly does not have security verification, adding Svecla never came out and said if he passed it, and called upon him to submit evidence that he passed the security verification.

Media: Svecla was running away earlier

The KoSSev portal further reported the story got heated up and took its turn in some Albanian media, which are mostly giving the room to what Svecla has said. However, some Albanian media, such as Insajderi, recalled this is not for the first time that Svecla has been accused of “cowardice”. Allegedly there was information earlier in the part of the public that “he was a deserter from the war”.

“Despite the fact that the minister said he is not afraid, there is one story portraying him as a coward. His former commander, Skender Tahiri, long ago said this minister ran away to the mountains with refugees during the war. According to his words, Xhelal Svecla was wearing KLA uniform for ten days only. He did not give any reason for his departure, he ran away to the mountains with refugees”, Insajderi reported, KoSSev portal said.

The same portal also conveyed the statement of PDK MP, Bekim Haxhiu who has also said Svecla was “a deserter”.

“He was in the same area where I was. Xhelal Svecla is a deserter. In August 1998 he was in Beranje, Upper Klina from where he escaped in September”, he said, according to the portal.

Two vehicles of Zvecan municipality torched last night (KoSSev)

Two cars, a Toyota and a Nissan, owned by Zvecan municipality, were damaged in a fire last night at approximately 01:40 a.m. The Kosovo police suspect arson, officials from the northern region, Veton Elshani and Petrit Fejza, confirmed for KoSSev. No one was injured. The police are currently conducting an investigation, the portal added.

When asked if the vehicles were under video surveillance, given that Kosovo police has been installing cameras in the north for months now, both officials confirmed - Yes. We are working on it now.

Did cameras capture perpetrators?

Although he refused to confirm whether the perpetrator was caught on camera, Elshani did not rule out the possibility that the fire could have been set by very young people. He underscored the importance of parents, as he said, “taking care of their children“.

When asked if that means they know the identity of the perpetrator, Elshani replied: “All I want to say is that these are criminal acts and, as such, they are potentially dangerous situations for physical safety. The police, who are very close, and special units can respond to protect the property, assets, and the order they maintain, but also themselves. If the perpetrator is wearing a mask at night, commits a crime, and there is a shootout, no one would like to find a minor behind that mask, God forbid“, he is quoted as saying.

D.D. sent to one month detention (Radio KIM)

D.D. from Mitrovica north accused of allegedly taking part in unrest that took place in front of Zvecan municipality on May 29, 2023, has been sent to one-month detention, his defense lawyer, Jovana Filipovic told Radio KIM. She announced filing an appeal to this decision, adding her client would be transferred to a detention unit in Podujevo.

Kosovo police arrested D.D. on July 24, 2024, in the southern Mitrovica region.

Vucic: Macron to visit Belgrade within next fifty days (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced he would have a brief meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.

"I expect him to visit Belgrade within the next fifty days at the latest, and I believe we could reach important agreements at that time," Vucic told reporters.

He said maintaining good ties and good relations with France was extremely important for Serbia.

"And I believe we will succeed in advancing our relations further," Vucic added.

Kosovo imported goods worth 500 million euros, exported 73 million in June (Kosovo Online)

Data from Foreign Trade in Kosovo indicate an increase in the trade deficit of 6.7 percent in June 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The deficit reached 425.4 million euros, compared to 398 million euros in 2023, reported Kosovo Online, citing Demokracia.

"Exports of goods in June 2024 were worth 73.4 million euros, while imports were 498.7 million euros, which is an increase of 7.0 percent for exports, as well as an increase of 6.7 percent for imports compared to the same period in 2023," the published report states.

Kosovo, as always during the month of June, made the largest purchase of goods from Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, as CEFTA countries.

"Imports from CEFTA countries reached 64.6 million euros, or 13.0 percent of total imports, with a decrease of (-10.8 percent). The countries with the largest share in imports were: Albania (5.4 percent), North Macedonia (4.6 percent), Serbia (1.7 percent).

However, the EU countries from which Kosovo bought more goods are Germany, Italy, and Greece.

"Kosovo's imports from EU countries amounted to about 228.5 million euros, or 45.8 percent of total imports, with an increase of 14.5 percent. Imports with the largest participation were from: Germany (13.5 percent), Italy (5.8 percent), Greece (5.0 percent)".

What stands out is that the citizens of Kosovo still consume mostly imported products. Also, liquor and tobacco are still imported in large quantities, reported Kosovo Online, citing Demokracia.

Opinion

Montenegro needs to right itself, now (media)

Opinion piece by Daniel Serwer, professor at John Hopkins University and commentator on the Western Balkans.

It’s still a beautiful place. Visit soon, before Putin owns it.

Miodrag Vlahovic, former Foreign Minister of Montenegro, writes:

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic should be gratified. Politicians close to him have finally become part of the 44th Government of Montenegro, Serbia’s neighbor to the southwest.

Others are not so pleased. The US Embassy in Montenegro has expressed concern that there are pro-Russian parties in the government. The EU Mission warns of hindrance to the European agenda. The new government uses European and NATO rhetoric, but their political practice and decisions follow the Belgrade-Moscow lead.

What happened

A Bosniak party enabled this governing coalition. It holds six ministerial mandates in the farcically cumbersome cabinet of Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. That is what it got to compensate for joining with parties that deny the Srebrenica genocide and treat war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic as heros.

The new government has the two-thirds majority (54 out of 81 deputies) needed to enact significant legal and constitutional changes. They will want to enable dual citizenship and enact changes that would eliminate the civic concept of Montenegrin society. Already political leaders are presenting themselves as “the only authentic representatives” of their ethnic group. The dysfunctional Bosnian model of governance, based on ethnic group rights, is the daydream of ethnic nationalists in Montenegro.