Albanian Language Media:

• Rama: Indictment, a stain of shame (media)
• Selimi: Lack of transparency in dialogue, bad signal for the country (media)
• Osmani denies allegations for KFOR protection and discussing special court with Ambassadors (Express)
• Concerning spread of coronavirus in Kosovo (RFE, media)
• Von Cramon: Macron does not want liberalisation of visas for Kosovars (media)
• Hoti: Not wearing masks represents a criminal offence (media)
• "Trump gives Grenell last chance for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue" (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: If Trump wins, it will be easier for Serbia (Kurir, B92)
• Vucic: Dialogue should resume despite indictment against Thaci (BETA, N1)
• "The indictment in 'carrot and stick' fashion intended for Belgrade" (Tanjug, B92)
• Antonijevic: Increase in the number of newly infected in Serbian communities (Kontakt plus radio) 
• New measures to curb Covid-19 in northern municipalities (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus)
• Djilas: Reconciliation of the people, but not with Vucic and Thaci (KoSSev, N1)
• Serbs mark Vidovdan at Gazimestan Monument (KoSSev, N1)
• Serbian List, Djuric condemned beating of Serbian men at Gazimestan (Kosovo-online)
• Serb house in Gracanica robbed (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Nationalism May Well Haunt a Post-Pandemic Balkans (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Kosovo's President To Address War Crimes Charges In Speech To Nation (RFE)
• Germany: Merkel's CDU eyes Western Balkans immigration curbs amid coronavirus (infomigrants.net, DW)

Humanitarian/Development: 

• Safe house opened in Zubin Potok (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
• Crisis Staff session ended, new measures to be introduced (B92)

 

Albanian Language Media

 

Rama: Indictment, a stain of shame (media)

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama has announced that the reason for his visit to Kosovo is related to the announcement of the Special Prosecutor on the indictments against Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci and the leader of Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Kadri Veseli.

In a Twitter post, Rama said that he came to Pristina to listen and learn more after the announcement. Rama said that this will be the stain of shame of the 21st century in the world history of Justice.

According to Rama, such practice of public accusation without judicial indictment, is only known to the practices of ideological rulings of the past. 

Selimi: Lack of transparency in dialogue, bad signal for the country (media)

Vetevendosje Movement’s caucus Rexhep Selimi told ekonomia online news portal that lack of transparency was noticed prior to the resumption of the dialogue with Serbia.

“The fundamental thing in this process is transparency, which they did not respect. Seeing that transparency was not respected at the very beginning, we not only suspect, but we are already certain that lack of transparency is an indicator that something good is not coming for Kosovo,” Selimi said.

“It is a bit ironic to request mutual recognition by giving up reciprocity with Serbia in advance, creating in this manner a disfavor to ourselves at the very start, furthermore, when this is a demand of the opponent, so we cannot talk about mutual recognition,” he added.  

“The very lifting of reciprocity measures shows what is awaiting not only the delegation but Kosovo as well,” Selimi said.

Osmani denies allegations for KFOR protection and discussing special court with Ambassadors (Express)

Some media reported today that Assembly Speaker Vjosa Osmani has requested KFOR protection. They considered this to be a dangerous precedent, as KFOR protection has been requested so far only by those who do not recognize Kosovo state. The same media reported that while Kosovo Assembly MPs requested an extraordinary session in support of the KLA war, Osmani warned Quint Ambassadors that Assembly MPs are trying to abolish the Specialist Chambers.  

The cabinet of the Assembly Speaker denied both these allegations, and requested from respective media to publish their rebuttal and erase the article.  

Concerning spread of coronavirus in Kosovo (RFE, media)

The situation at the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Prishtina is extremely aggravated and the capacities of the clinic are almost full,  the infectologist at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo Valbon Krasniqi told Radio Free Europe.

According to him, 122 positive patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized until Sunday evening.  There are 109 people in the Infectious Diseases Clinic, 10 in Pulmonology, and some are hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Sports Medicine Center.

"Their health condition is extremely serious, we have over 50 patients who are in oxygen therapy, and 6 of them are under intensive care in a serious condition. Most of them are of advanced age and with pre-existing diseases, but we also have patients of younger ages," Krasniqi said.

Kosovo currently has 1,203 active cases and the death toll from coronavirus is 49.

The number of people hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Clinic has started to increase since the beginning of June, when the third phase of the relief measures against coronavirus began.

On May 26, 10 cases were hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Clinic, while 109 on Sunday evening. In the last 10 days, 844 new cases were registered in Kosovo. In recent days, up to 46% of those tested in 24 hours have tested positive with COVID19.

"The fact that we have a large percentage of cases that are positive in relation to the total number of people tested, speaks of a massive spread of the virus," Krasniqi noted.

Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti warned on Sunday that if the rate of COVID-19 continues to rise, "we will be forced to return to total isolation measures, which will have serious consequences for our economy and families."

Von Cramon: Macron does not want liberalisation of visas for Kosovars (Koha, media)

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, said that French President Emmanuel Macron does not want to allow Kosovars to move without visas, although he has not been clear about the reasons for not supporting visa liberalization.

"Macron has not been clear about why he is not supporting the visa liberalization process for Kosovo, we only know that he does not want to allow visa-free travel for Kosovars," said Von Cramon.

She even explained to Koha a case that happened in the EP and claimed that Macron's party tried to erase a resolution on the issue of liberalization. She however added that the European Parliament is in favor of liberalization.

"Last week, in the plenary session of the European Parliament, Macron's party wanted to erase a reference from our resolution, which called on the Council to make a decision as soon as possible. Thankfully, their attempt failed, with a large majority of MEPs voting in a way that shows that the European Parliament is in favor of the visa liberalization process. 454 people voted in favor of the original text, 160 against, most of them were Spanish MEPs (liberals, from the EPP, and right-wing extremists) and French liberals from Macron's party, while the rest were mainly MEPs from the extreme right. It is quite clear who is blocking this decision. They need to understand how much damage is being done to the EU's reputation when we do not keep our promises,” Von Cramon said.

Hoti: Not wearing masks is represents criminal offence (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti, said at a press conference that wearing masks is mandatory and that those who do not wear them, commit a criminal offense.

"The measures are simple, very clear, the masks, the distance and the washing of the hands. We are all obliged to respect these measures when we walk, when we get on the bus. Anyone who does not implement these measures commits a criminal offense, because he endangers his own health, his own life and the health of others," Hoti said.

Hoti also said the medical staff is 8% affected, due to their hard work.

"The medical staff is doing their best, 8% of those infected are doctors, because they are the front line," Hoti said.

He further added that the situation is under control, but under fragile control, he also stressed that the inspectors will be on the road 24 hours.

"Trump gives Grenell last chance for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue" (Klan Kosova)

U.S. President Donald Trump is reported to have given his special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations, Richard Grenell, one last chance to arrange a meeting between the Kosovo and Serbian delegations at the White House, Klan Kosova reports quoting representatives of the Albanian-American community who had a virtual meeting with Grenell.

Grenell is reported to have told the representatives of the Albanian-American community that he was given another chance to put the dialogue on the right track. He also reiterated that the land swap idea was not something that was discussed and that the focus of the June 27 meeting was supposed to be only economy.

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

Vucic: If Trump wins, it will be easier for Serbia (Kurir, B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that if the current US President Donald Trump gets a second mandate, the position of Serbia would be somewhat easier.

"I do not believe in big changes in American policy, but I do believe in small changes in the US policy, which would be of great importance for Serbia," Vucic said in an interview with today's "Kurir".

He added that he could not elaborate on the details because it would make Serbia's position worse and put the American partners in an awkward position.

Vucic: Dialogue should resume despite indictment against Thaci (BETA, N1)

The talks about Kosovo should resume despite the war crime indictment against Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic told Brussels-based media.

Speaking to Politico news website, Vucic said he was willing to meet Thaci if Kosovo leaders decided he would be part of the Kosovo delegation in future talks. However, Vucic said he doubted this would happen.

Serbian President refused to comment on the indictment during the Brussels meetings with the European Union officials last week, but that he wished the EU-mediated talks would continue.

"We don't want to ignite further political or physical clashes between Serbs and Albanians and also it is the best way to protect the safety and security of the Serbs living in Kosovo," he told the website.

"We need to resume our dialogue process with whomever the Albanian side will pick as their representative," he said, adding that the dialogue has to resume, otherwise what would be the region's perspective.

Asked if he would meet Thaci if he was involved in the talks, Vucic replied that he could always say he would not speak to someone indicted of war crimes but that it is up to Albanian people to choose their leadership.

See at: https://bit.ly/2Vr8Yty

"The indictment in 'carrot and stick' fashion intended for Belgrade" (Tanjug, B92)

I do not expect Hashim Thaci to be convicted of war crimes in Kosovo, David Stockinger, one of the officials of the Social Democratic Party of Austria said, Tanjug news agency reports.

In his opinion, the publication of the indictment against Thaci presents a "carrot-and-stick" approach towards Belgrade, because the West, primarily the United States and the EU, want to reach a final solution to the Kosovo issue, with an ultimate goal of recognizing Kosovo.

He believes that Thaci will not be convicted, he said, as he had good relations with the West, as well as with current Western politicians and diplomats.

That was evident Stockinger said in a statement submitted to Tanjug, during the presentation of his book "Hashim Thaci - New State, Modern Statesman" at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy two years ago.

He reminded that Thaci was a close ally, partly in friendly relations with many Western military and diplomatic representatives, who financed and equipped the KLA, because it served NATO as a cheap ground force in the war against the former Yugoslavia.

According to Stockinger, Thaci, with his network from the time of the war and support for the declaration of independence, rose to the top of the political scene in Pristina, a scene which, he notes, is dominated by former KLA leaders and, as he said, their mafia structures.

"I don't believe, based on everything that has happened so far and with Thaci being familiar with everything, that he will be convicted," he said, noting that, in fact, if Thaci were convicted, many former Western politicians and soldiers would have to be convicted, including leaders such as Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Joschka Fischer, Wesley Clark...

See at: https://bit.ly/3iaXeFx

Antonijevic: Increase in the number of newly infected in Serbian communities (Kontakt plus radio) 

In the last 24 hours, 15 new cases of Covid-19 have been registered in Serbian communities in Kosovo, reports Kontakt plus radio. 

Out of those 15, 12 are from the north, while three newly infected are from central Kosovo, the Emergency Situations Headquarters of the Municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica announced today.

An epidemiology specialist from the Institute of Public Health in Kosovska Mitrovica, Dr. Aleksandar Antonijevic, pointed out that an increase in the number of new cases has been recorded in Kosovo. 

In addition to 12 newly infected people in the north of Kosovo, three new cases are from the territory of central Kosovo, from Donja Gusterica, Prizren and Pec. Also, five patients with coronavirus were registered with residence in Serbia, who are mostly students, reported Kontakt plus radio.

New measures to curb Covid-19 in northern municipalities (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus)

Crisis Committee for emergency situation in Leposavic municipality introduced yesterday a set of new measures aiming to curb Covid-19 infection spread. The three other northern municipalities introduced new measures today as well.

According to the recommendations of the respective institutions all activities that include gathering of larger groups of people were suspended in the territory of northern municipalities. This measure applies to the gathering at open and indoor spaces.

The ban includes sport activities, gatherings, concerts, celebrations, night clubs, and similar while the working hours of restaurants and cafe bars were permitted until 22.00 in Leposavic, and until 23.00 in other three northern municipalities respectively. They are also obliged to respect preventive measures, including distance between the tables, number of persons sitting at the same table, availability of disinfectants, staff wearing masks and adhering to hygienic measures. 

Djilas: Reconciliation of the people, but not with Vucic and Thaci (KoSSev, N1)

Any change of borders is wrong because it would have an impact on the whole region. You cannot do this with Kosovo while saying to the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina that they cannot divide. Then the Bosniaks from Sandzak will say – we will merge with Bosnia and Herzegovina and we would once again face a change of borders, leader of the Serbian opposition Freedom and Justice Party (SSP) Dragan Djilas said in the “360 stepeni” talk-show on Belgrade-based TV N1.

Djilas also spoke about the meeting that was supposed to take place between representatives of Belgrade and Pristina in Washington on June 27, but also the role of the European Union.

“Europe has now shown to America that it cannot do without it. It also showed the same to Vucic. Do you think that it suits me – a man who loves his country – for Kosovo to enter the United Nations and for the story to end? And that we then destroy him (Vucic) based on that, as Serbia accepted to lose part of its territory“, Djilas said.

Djilas pointed out that the Serbian opposition proposed a plan for Kosovo a year and a half ago, which was based on the reconciliation of the people. He also emphasized that neither Thaci nor Vucic can solve this issue, adding that this should be done by people who were not in favor of war.

“Some people like Thaci and Veseli who have blood on their hands cannot do it. They are war criminals – that is indisputable. They can’t do it and neither can the one who has blood on his tongue, who said all kinds of things and pushed people into war, they can’t do that,” he underlined, adding:

“It can be solved by people who were not in any way in favor of war, they could solve it. In that way, we will solve the basic things – being able to travel with our license plates and cars, for the children to be allowed to play sports, to get medical treatment, to establish cooperation between some universities, cultural cooperation, for Serbs who protected Albanians during the war to come to Pristina television, and for Albanians who saved Serbs to come to RTS“, Djilas said.

See at: https://bit.ly/2VujlwR

Serbs mark Vidovdan at Gazimestan Monument (KoSSev, N1)

Numerous Serbs gathered at Gazimestan Monument in Kosovo and Metohija to mark the Serbian holiday Vidovdan (Saint Vitus Day) and attend a memorial service at Gracanica Monastery dedicated to the heroes who fought in the Kosovo Battle in 1389, KoSSev news portal reported.

The Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Raska and Prizren previously called on the faithful not to carry banners and political symbols or flags, but only images of their saints if they wish to do so.

The Vidovdan was marked in accordance with measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus so access to the monument in Gazimestan is impossible for those not wearing masks, KoSSev reported. The police were present on the main road near Gazimestan, as well as on the path leading to the monument.

While a lot of people have gathered at the event, the number is still smaller than in previous years and most of the buses that arrived came from Belgrade, the news portal reported.

Those who gathered in Gazimestan carried medieval flags of Serbia as well as flags with the inscription ‘Serbian Sparta’, (referring to Montenegro) while some of them held up a banner saying ‘Across Kosmet to Montenegro, all Serbs fight for their sanctities’.

Serbian List, Djuric condemned beating of Serbian men at Gazimestan (Kosovo-online)   

Serbian List (SL) issued a press statement on Sunday condemning “the harassment of Serbian young men who were arrested today and released near Gazimestan”, Kosovo-online portal reports. The SL also requested that those responsible for “repression on the great Serbian holiday”, were identified the most urgently and punished.

SL also said in a statement it was a hypocritical excuse that the young men provoked others by displaying the Serbian flag, reminding that the flag of Albania was flying all over Kosovo, which is not an official flag even for Kosovo Albanians, and especially not for the Serbs.

“At the same time, we remind you that since February, more than 30 attacks in which Serbs were the victims have remained unsolved, so obviously the police are only effective when it comes to harassing and beating Serbs. Such a derogation of rights of our people is absolutely unacceptable, which the officials of the Serbian List will point out in talks with the competent ministers in the coming days”, the statement further reads.

At the same time, Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Marko Djuric also condemned the incident. Djuric said this act constituted “a manifestation of institutional violence of Pristina and the government of fear which denies to everyone, except Albanians, the right to national pride and belonging”.

He called on international representatives in Kosovo to answer the question “why are Albanian extremists allowed what no one else in the civilized world is allowed to do, and why were they turning a blind eye for two decades when it comes to thugs in our southern province?”

“Such a policy of double standards has led to the fact that the few Serbs who continued to live in Kosovo and Metohija today are treated not only as second-class citizens, but as inferior beings who can be beaten and abused with impunity”,  Djuric said in a statement.

Radio Kontakt recalled that after the memorial service at Gazimestan Monument, Kosovo police arrested two young men who were carrying the Serbian flag. The police used physical force against them, and they were released not far from Gazimestan.

Serb house in Gracanica robbed (Radio KIM)

Unknown perpetrators have burglarized the house of Ljubisa Andrejevec in Gracanica on Saturday evening, Radio KIM reports.

The burglary took place while the Andrejevic family was paying a visit to a family friend. The case was reported to the police that came to the spot but without forensic.

“I did not allow them to enter the house without forensic, and they told me they would come tomorrow to do an investigation and I should go and stay overnight at some other place,” Andrejevic said. Following that, the family spent the night in a house yard.

He also said he does not know what the thieves took away, until forensic do their job, because he cannot enter the house. The family, same as many others, was the target of thefts and burglaries several times already. Perpetrators were never found, Radio KIM reports.

 

 

Opinion

 

Nationalism May Well Haunt a Post-Pandemic Balkans (Balkan Insight)

We must make sure the coronavirus is not succeeded in the Western Balkans by another, even more dangerous virus – one with which this region is all too familiar.

History shows us that, in times of crisis, individuals turn to the community they belong to. This is shown also in the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people retreated to the borders of their countries, just as a wounded beast retreats to its cave, where it is safe.

Take the example of Serbia, to which almost half a million people have returned from abroad since the start of the pandemic. Something similar happened in the rest of the region, and the entire world as well.

In this constellation of sociopolitical relations a strengthening of nationalist rhetoric, has also occurred, additionally inspired by the migration crisis.

The division between “Us” and “Them” as categories is always a good foundation for strengthening extreme nationalism, which already represents a heavy burden from the past, carried on the backs of all the peoples of the Western Balkans.

The COVID-19 virus pandemic has shown no differences between nations, religions, races, rich and the poor. In the face of this invisible enemy, we are equal in misfortune.

An example of how adverse circumstances sometimes connect the unconnectable was witnessed in Bosnia, where its three-member Presidency released a joint statement calling on the citizens to show solidarity and trust in institutions.

See at: https://bit.ly/2ZxOi4H

 

 

International

 

Kosovo's President To Address War Crimes Charges In Speech To Nation (RFE)

Kosovar President Hashim Thaci plans to address the nation on June 29 about the war-crimes charges filed against him, including crimes against humanity, stemming from Kosovo’s war of independence in 1998-99.

A special prosecutor's office in The Hague on June 24 announced the indictment alleging Thaci and another senior Kosovar politician, Kadri Veseli, are among those "criminally responsible for nearly 100 murders" and other wrongdoing involving "hundreds of known victims of Kosovo Albanian, Serb, Roma, and other ethnicities and including political opponents."

See at: https://bit.ly/31Dwnw7

Germany: Merkel's CDU eyes Western Balkans immigration curbs amid coronavirus (infomigrants.net, DW)

Western Balkan workers are critical to some German industries, but a migration scheme may be greatly reduced. The CDU party wants to starkly reduce the number of Western Balkan workers coming to Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats want to curb immigration from Western Balkan nations due to the pandemic-induced economic crisis.

A working group within the CDU/CSU sister parties agreed to restrict migration from the region by altering elements of the Western Balkans regime that was introduced almost five years ago.

Mathias Middelberg, spokesman for domestic policy in the Bundestag, told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper: "We are in a massive economic downturn and already have 600,000 more unemployed people than a year ago. Simply letting the Western Balkans regime continue unchanged in such a situation is not an option."

The Western Balkans scheme was introduced in 2016 to prevent people in the region from claiming asylum in Germany by classifying Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Kosovo as "safe countries of origin."

See at: https://bit.ly/2BLyums

 

 

Humanitarian/Development

 

Safe house opened in Zubin Potok (Radio Mitrovica Sever, Kontakt plus radio) 

At the initiative of the Municipality of North Mitrovica in Zubin Potok (Zupce settlement), the Safe House was built and is being ceremoniously opened today, the first in the district, reports Radio Mitrovica sever. 

The facility can accommodate 20 users. The house is intended for victims of violence from all four municipalities in northern Kosovo.

Kontakt plus radio reports that the municipality of Zubin Potok provided the regional safe house, land and unfinished building, as well as 50 thousand euros. 

UNMIK, with about $ 150,000, financed the renovation and equipping of the facility, the purchase of furniture and machinery for working in the greenhouse, the laboratory for essential oils. 

The installation of a security camera system is the KFOR contribution, while the British Embassy in Kosovo provided £ 3,000 for small inventory ( dishes, bedding, consumables, etc.)

The goal is for all victims of violence to find refuge in a peaceful environment, reports the radio and adds that 17 motivated professionals will give their contribution to make the victims safe at the facility.

As part of the Safe House, workshops have been formed for making soaps of essential oils and jewelry, and there is also a greenhouse for agricultural production for those who will want to work.

The goal is for all victims of violence to find refuge in a peaceful environment, reports the radio and adds that 17 motivated professionals will give their contribution to make the victims safe at the facility.

As part of the Safe House, workshops have been formed for making soaps of essential oils and jewelry, and there is also a greenhouse for agricultural production for those who will want to work.

Representatives of UNMIK, Mayor of Zubin Potok Srdjan Vulovic, Head of the Municipal Administration of Local Self-Government of North Mitrovica Adrijana Hodzic and representatives of the Center for Social Work are attending the opening ceremony.

The head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Bratu, also visited the safe house today, reported Kontakt plus radio.  

Crisis Staff session ended, new measures to be introduced (B92)

At the Crisis Staff session of the Serbian Government, held due to the worsening of the epidemiological situation, it was decided to introduce new measures, B92 reports.

According to unofficial media information, it will be requested that the number of people indoors be limited to 100, and not less than 500, as has been the case so far, while all prom nights and similar celebrations that have not been held so far would be postponed.

Dr Darija Kisic Tepavcevic stated that from tomorrow in the area of the city of Belgrade, from six o'clock in the morning, it will be mandatory to wear masks in all closed spaces and indoors facilities, and not only in transportation, as the headquarters decided, and the government confirmed last week. Also, the new measures will have to be strictly monitored and there will be penalties, Belgrade media have learned.

See at: https://bit.ly/3g9kyl2