UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 18, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Peach: We need to make sure war in Ukraine does not spill over to the Western Balkans (Albanian Post)
Kurti pays tribute to Ukranian police officer, killed in Kosovo's north in 2008 (media)
Kurti: Kosovo needs a chief prosecutor with high moral and professional integrity (media)
Dora Bakoyannis appointed PACE rapporteur for Kosovo (media)
S Embassy in Sarajevo reacts to Russian ambassador remarks (Express)
COVID-19: 56 new cases, two deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Brnabic: Austria significant partner, Serbia pillar of stability (Tanjug)
Vucic: Serbia appreciates Austria's support on EU path (Tanjug)
Patriarch Porfirije met Austrian Chancellor Nehammer (SOC website, media)
Serbian government marks anniversary of anti-Serb violence in Kosovo (N1, media)
Petkovic on April 3 elections in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
Strpce residents protest recent arrests (Kosovo-online)
The civil society of Kosovo and Serbia condemn the aggression in Ukraine and the inflammatory rhetoric of politicians (KiM radio)

Opinion:

EU Should Make Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkans a New Offer (Balkan Insight)

International:

Balkans Brace for Economic Blowback of War in Ukraine (Balkan Insight)
Divided Montenegro Again Delays Imposing Sanctions on Russia (Balkan Insight)
British envoy for Western Balkans: Bosnia is not experiencing a security crisis (N1 Zagreb)

Humanitarian/Development:

''Biber'' last night in Pristina, tonight in Prizren: "All victims are ours" (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Cryptocurrency mining in the north of Kosovo resumes (RFE)
Minister Peci: Farmers growing more than two hectares of wheat will be subsidised (Kallxo)
Survey: Traders and Kosovo government responsible for price hikes (Radio KIM)
The land of the Sleeping Beauty Cave is waking up to tourism (National Geographic)

Albanian Language Media

Peach: We need to make sure war in Ukraine does not spill over to the Western Balkans (Albanian Post)

United Kingdom's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, said that the West's efforts should focus on making sure the crisis in Ukraine doesn't spill over to the Balkans peninsula.

Speaking to Croatian news agency, Hina, Peach condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said it represents a challenge to Europe. "The Euro-Atlantic road leads to a better future. The United Kingdom encourages all governments in the region to pursue their Euro-Atlantic path and the path towards the EU because we think it provides the best hope for the people in the region for a better future, free of war," he said.

The UK diplomat also commented on statements of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on his country not wanting to join NATO. "We respect if the countries in the region do not want to join NATO. It is important for those who do want to get that opportunity. The same goes for European Union membership."

Kurti pays tribute to Ukranian police officer, killed in Kosovo's north in 2008 (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti paid tribute to an Ukranian police officer killed on 17 March 2008 in the northern part of Mitrovica.

“One month after the declaration of independence of the Republic of Kosovo, the District and Municipal Courts in northern Mitrovica were usurped by about 300 Serb armed protesters. International forces, KFOR and UNMIK, intervened to free these premises,” Kurti wrote on Facebook, adding: “The protesters, who came from the ranks of illegal structures of Serbia, that day were armed with weapons and other explosive devices with which they attacked the police. Among the 88 military and police officers, of KFOR and UNMIK, who were wounded or injured was also the UNMIK police officer from Ukraine, Ihor Kinal. On 18 March, 2008, a day after the attack, the 26-year-old Ukrainian died as a result of severe injuries sustained on 17 March.”

“As we commemorate and honour the young Ukrainian policeman Ihor Kinal, we wish his family well and reaffirm our admiration and solidarity with the people of Ukraine and its liberation struggle against Russian aggression and invasion,” Kurti concluded.

Kurti: Kosovo needs a chief prosecutor with high moral and professional integrity (media)

Ahead of the interview process of candidates for the post of Kosovo's chief prosecutor, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the person selected for the job should possess a high level of integrity and be courageous.

Underlining the importance of the process, Kurti said that “Kosovo and its citizens need a chief prosecutor who has high moral and professional integrity but who is also courageous, hardworking and energetic.”

Kurti added that organised crime, corruption and crime in general must be fought non-stop. “Justice is needed for the dignity and well-being of the citizens but also for our state and national security. As Prime Minister of the country, I expect this process to be fair, transparent and meritorious,” Kurti wrote on Facebook.

The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) has announced that the candidates’ interviews for the position of the new Chief State Prosecutor will be open to the public, noting that the process will be monitored by civil society and international partners.

Dora Bakoyannis appointed PACE rapporteur for Kosovo (media)

Dora Bakoyannis, Greece's former foreign minister, has been appointed to the post of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rapporteur for Kosovo.

Bakoyannis is quoted as saying upon appointment that she would be preparing a report on Kosovo. She also said that it was time for the region and Kosovo to be integrated in the European Union and other international mechanisms.

The Kosovo Assembly delegation, in Strasbourg for the meeting of PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy on the situation in Ukraine, welcomed Bakoyannis's appointment.

U.S Embassy in Sarajevo reacts to Russian ambassador remarks (Express)

The United States Embassy in Sarajevo reacted on Thursday to a statement by the Russian Ambassador who threatened Bosnia and Herzegovina in the event it attempts to join NATO.

“The Russian Ambassador’s latest threats to Bosnia and Herzegovina are dangerous, irresponsible, and unacceptable. No third party has a say in security arrangements between NATO and sovereign countries. We will continue to stand firmly by Bosnia and Herzegovina as it takes the necessary steps to secure its place in the Euro-Atlantic community of nations,” the U.S. Embassy said in a Twitter post.

COVID-19: 56 new cases, two deaths (media)

56 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health today. 32 persons recovered during this time.

There are 668 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Brnabic: Austria significant partner, Serbia pillar of stability (Tanjug)

Austria is a significant political and economic partner of Serbia, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said after a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Thursday, noting that she had told Nehammer Serbia was a pillar of peace and stability in the Western Balkans, Tanjug news agency reports.

At a joint press conference, Brnabic said the meeting reaffirmed the partnership and friendship between Serbia and Austria, as well as their strong political and economic ties, Austria being one of Serbia's closest partners.

She thanked Austria for supporting Serbia's European integration, and noted that former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had done much for Serbia and the Western Balkans in that regard.

"We have always had a partner to rely on in Austria," Brnabic noted.

Economically, Austria is the second-largest foreign investor in Serbia behind Germany, Brnabic said.

She said Austrian companies had invested 2.585 bln euros in Serbia to date and were employing over 22,000 people in the country in total. She added bilateral trade with Austria had been worth 1.36 bln euros in 2021, or 28 pct more relative to 2020.

"We had an open conversation. I know many in the EU are worried about instability spilling over to the Western Balkans. I noted clearly that Serbia will continue to play the role of a country that is a pillar of stability in the Western Balkans, that we will continue to be exporters of peace and stability and that we will not allow instability or the crisis to spill over to this part of Europe", Brnabic also said.

Vucic: Serbia appreciates Austria's support on EU path (Tanjug)

Serbia highly appreciates Austria's strong engagement towards EU enlargement and its support for our country's European path, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Thursday, Tanjug news agency reports.

Nehammer noted it was very important that the EU takes a clear position on the issue of Western Balkan states belonging to the union, adding the accession process must be accelerated and that Serbia and Austria were good partners, the presidential press office said in a statement.

Vucic said the relations with Austria were very good, and reiterated Serbia's firm commitment to strengthen them further in a mutli-faceted manner, with particular emphasis on further development of economic cooperation.

As the statement reads Vucic informed Nehammer in detail about the current situation in the region.

The parties agreed Serbia and Austria attached great significance to strengthening of multilateralism and to joint efforts to confront the global challenges of today, and noted that successful cooperation at multilateral level must be continued, the statement said.

Patriarch Porfirije met Austrian Chancellor Nehammer (SOC website, media)

Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) Patriarch Porfirije met yesterday in Belgrade with the Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, reads the statement posted on SOC’s official website.

In a friendly and cordial conversation, Patriarch Porfirije spoke about good conditions in which the Serbian Orthodox Church acts in Austria, and thanked Chancellor Nehammer for that. The Patriarch also said given that several hundred thousands Orthodox Serbs live in Austria it was important to preserve and advance good relations between the two peoples.

The two interlocutors also exchanged opinions about the crisis on the European continent and voiced particular concern over the war in Ukraine. They also agreed it was necessary to end this conflict as soon as possible, and Patriarch Porfirije advocated for maintaining permanent dialogue as the best way to resolve all the conflicts and disputes. Chancellor Nehammer also stressed the role of religious leaders in overcoming the conflicts.

Serbian government marks anniversary of anti-Serb violence in Kosovo (N1, media)

The Serbian government marked yestrday the 18th anniversary of the persecution of Serbs across Kosovo with a formal gathering in the National Theatre which was addressed by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic but was not attended by President Aleksandar Vucic, reported N1.

N1 recalled the direct cause of the violence and cited the OSCE March 2004 report that the media reporting was reckless and added that the violence might not have happened without it.

Prime Minister Brnabic told the gathering on Thursday evening that Serbia would not allow a repeat of the March 2004 event anywhere in the region. “The international forces did not do enough to safeguard the lives and property of the Serbs in Kosovo while the pogrom was ongoing and the authorities of the time did not take any of the steps that it was obliged to take under the Constitution,” she said.

Brnabic said that Serbia today was “incomparably stronger” than it was in 2004 as an economic leader in the region, a stronghold for peace and stability, echoing the election slogan of her Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), reported N1.

“I assure you that Serbia will never allow a repeat of the March 17 events, nor operation Storm (which ended the war in Croatia), or any other exodus and crimes against Serbs anywhere in the region,” she said.

Petkovic on April 3 elections in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic told TV Mostnet from Prokuplje (town in south Serbia) that holding April 3 elections in Kosovo was of particular importance, adding it was of particular importance for the Serbs in northern Kosovo, who have an absolute right to vote, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“No one has the right, neither I nor Kurti, to deprive them of the right to vote. Our Serbs have sent clear messages on several occasions that negative repercussions will follow, and we do not want that because we are building the peace. It is good that Quint took the side of Serbia, same as the EU, by saying elections must be held and that was the legitimate right of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, and that they have the right to take part in that democratic process”, Petkovic said.

He added the election process should take place with the support of OSCE, same as it happened in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2020.

Strpce residents protest recent arrests (Kosovo-online)

Several hundred people took part in a protest organised today in front of Strpce municipality to voice their dissatisfaction over recent arrests and searches carried out by Kosovo special police ROSU units as part of police action dubbed “Brezovica”, Kosovo-online portal reports.

The protestors carried banners “Europe why are you silent”, “We will not give you our institutions”, “We will not give you Strpce”, “Do not turn your heads away”, and “Vucic protect the Serbs”.

During the latest police action two local residents were arrested and the premises of Interim Municipal Authority of Strpce closed and currently guarded by Kosovo police.

The portal recalled that the latest police action in Strpce took place on the eve of March 17, 2004 violence against the Serbs in Kosovo anniversary, and the previous one on the eve before Orthodox Christmas, important days that the Serbian community in Kosovo marks.

The civil society of Kosovo and Serbia condemn the aggression in Ukraine and the inflammatory rhetoric of politicians (KiM radio)

Civil society organizations from Kosovo and Serbia condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and call on the governments in Pristina and Belgrade to join the position of the European Union, reported KiM radio.

At the same time, they call on the representatives of the international community to support the region, to ensure sustainable peace and security.

"The consequences of such violations of international law could be extremely destabilizing for our post-conflict region. The current situation underscores the importance of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, to ensure sustainable peace, prosperity, and well-being for all citizens. It provides an opportunity to reconsider and rethink the dialogue process, and to go beyond the notion of constructive ambiguity, to lead an inclusive process that would lead to a legally binding and lasting agreement," the joint statement said.

They say urgent EU action is needed to encourage and support substantial reforms - especially when it comes to the rule of law - and thus speed up the Western Balkans' EU integration.

Organizations in Kosovo and Serbia are urging the international community to support and condemn divisive rhetoric, authoritarian policies and populist and nationalist discourses that serve to silence critical voices and create fear and mistrust among communities.

"In order to reduce the spread of misinformation that could lead to a possible escalation of the conflict, we also call on media representatives to fully commit to impartial and objective reporting," the statement concluded.

Opinion

EU Should Make Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkans a New Offer (Balkan Insight)

Ukraine should be granted EU candidate status. But, more importantly, it must receive realistic prospects for joining the single market or a new energy and climate partnership.

At its summit in Versailles on March 10-11, the European Union again failed to rise to the occasion. In the "Versailles Declaration", Ukraine was not given the prospect of joining the community, but had to make do with the continuing assertion that it belongs to the “European family”. When bombs fall on Kyiv, Kharkiv or Mariupol, any discussion about Ukraine’s EU membership seems to fall out of favour.

The application for EU membership submitted on February 28 by Kyiv, later joined by those from Moldova and Georgia, is nevertheless a politically significant act. The Ukrainians feel bound to the values of the EU, which are being brutally undermined by the Russian aggressor. It is no coincidence that the Moldovans and Georgians fear they could become the next victims of Russia’s wars of aggression.

The EU must not reject their commitment to Europe. After the European Commission has examined all the applications, the EU will also have its say. This is also stated in the summit declaration. To offer the three Eastern European countries the prospect of accession would undoubtedly be a striking political signal. But the prospect of accession must not remain an empty gesture. In view of the new geopolitical situation, it should be understood as a strategic commitment on the part of the EU. It must be followed by concrete and well-considered steps. Above all, the EU must be prepared to leave the outdated path of its enlargement policy of the last two decades.

International

Balkans Brace for Economic Blowback of War in Ukraine (Balkan Insight)

With their economies already reeling from the pandemic, Russia’s war with Ukraine is generating more turbulence – and no one knows how long it will last, or how bad it will get.

After global production and supply chains were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could not have come at a worse time for the economies of the Balkan countries.